The talking machine world (Oct-Dec 1921)

186 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD NOVESIBER 15, 1921 Horn, Hornless and Table-Grand GRAMOPHONES FOR EXPORT Please State Your RequirementB REX GRAMOPHONE CO. 2 Elizabeth PUce Rivinston Street, LONDON, E.G. 2, England Cable AddrcM "Lyreccx&c. Loodon" FROM OUR LONCMDN HEADQUARTERS — (Continued from page 185) the status of our trade, and as such merits the a:Ctive support of all having interest in the development of gramophonic art and industry. An Effort to Solve the Packing Case Difficiilty The Gramophone Co. has inaugurated a new Scheme with regard to the return of empties. In many instances packing cases have been returned in such a bad condition as to be useless, and often they go astray in transit. This is a thorny question that bothers all our manufacturers. If it proves in practice a solution the Xi-tw plan of the Gramophone Co. will doubtless be followed by other firms. And the plan is that the company will carry the bulk of the cost of all packing cases, merely charging dealers a very nominal figure, on the basis that all cases will in future not be returnable. At the prices charged dealers should be able to dispose of the cases at, if anything, a profit. On the face of it the new arrangement should prove acceptable. The "His Master's Voice" Special News Items An important announcement issued to dealers by the above company may now be made public. From October 17 the price of Plum label records are 4/-, ten-inch; 6/-, twelve-inch; and for the Black label, ten-inch, 5/6; twelve-inch, 7/6. As will be noted, these price reductions apply to what may be termed the popular labels, which, in consequence, will certainly enjoy a wider demand than ever. Early advice has been given to all "His Master's Voice" dealers, in order that they may clear stocks of no less than 490 records, which are to be deleted from the company's Spring (1922) edition catalog. With this advance notice dealers should have plenty of time to sell out on these numbers if they want to clear their shelves for up-to-date issues. The great Chaliapine, who is now in America, made a number of records before his departure from London. These records are, of course, exclusively H. M. V. His two "Boris" records are being sold by the company for the benefit of the Russian Famine . Relief Fund. That is, during the period October 1 to December 31 the whole profit on the sales of these two records will be handed over to the fund. It will be interesting to know the amount. Effective Publicity Matter Issued by Pathe Of late Pathe Freres have made notable advance in the quality and quantity of their trade publicity literature. This is very helpful to the dealer who is out to create sales by a wise distribution of record lists and the display of win, dow streamers, etc. Recent issues include a new list of Hawaiian records, record catalog complete to date, leaflets re sound boxes, and much other useful sales literature. The new Pathe needle-cut Actuelle record has been very favorably received and good orders placed by the trade. Another Grand Championship Test Piece For the third time since 1912 the St. Hilda Colliery Band has carried oflf the Grand Championship for the best rendition of a set test piece. The contest was held at the Crystal Palace, S. E. London, and twenty-one bands competed. In turn they each played what is regarded as the most difficult test piece ever set in a national competition — "Life Divine," an exquisite tone poem by Cyril Jenkins. The judges were locked in a room, guarded by the police from all interference. As was the case last year, the British Zonophone Co. again secured the exclusive services of the St. Hilda Colliery Band for recording the v.-inning item under the personal conductorship of the composer. The record is No. 2168, and a fine one it is, too ! With the reduction in the price of Zonophone records to 3/ sales have increased enormously. Some fine selling titles figure in the current list. No. 2156, "Imagination Waltz" and "Amazon," two more tuneful items by the Black Diamond Band. "Amazon" also figures as a vocal by Herbert Payne. It is of the pathetic strain and is rather a difficult song to sing. Mr. Paj^ne gives a good rendition, though, as also of "The Lisp of a Baby's Prayer/' on 2161. A good selling record should be 2160, "Silver Star," which is most naturally sung by Robert Woodville, and "Sweet and Low" by the same artist. Sydney Collham contributes two of his ever-acceptable tenor songs on 2159 — -"Only You" and "Forever and Forever." A really magnificent piccolo recording by Geo. Walker (with piano) is on 2166 — "The Mocking Bird" and "Slump," a piccolo rag of striking efifect. Jack Hylton's Jazz Band gives itself over to riotous behavior in its playing of "Billy" and "Wang Wang Blues," two goodly numbers deserving of the band's remarkable efTorts. The Phonogram Year Book, 1922 There are close upon twentj^ gramophone and phonogram societies active in the United Kingdom. That means a membership of approximately 1,000 real enthusiasts — men, and ladies, too, who pay fitting homage to the study of mechanically produced music. It is a growing movement and one that should be encouraged still more than it is by manufacturers. W. J. W. Hamill, one of the originators of the society movement, believes that it should now be represented by its own organ of intelligence and has made a start by the issue of "The Phonogram Year Book and Talking Machine Society Guide." It is an encyclopedic little book which should serve as a reliable reference upon all matters appertaining to the society movement in this country. Many who take a leading part in Grippa Portable Gramophone {Patents pending all countries) Marketed in Great Britain less than three months ago, it has leapt into popularity with amazing rapidity. The most perfect manufacturing and selling proposition in the Gramophone World. Plays lO'&l?' Records Winding Key Clip Record Holder Clips " (Capacity 4 Records Swinging Deflector Plate S;Tone Amplifier Secondary Sound Chamber" Strong Nickel^ Nozzle Locks & Keys Needle Box Clip Primary Horn Chamber Strong Dovetailed Oak Cabinet No doors or loose parts Overall weight 9 lbs 1. Perfect tone reproduction equal to a cabinet model. 2. Travel proof and fool proof. 3. Extraordinary low factory costs. Model 3, as sketch, produced, sold and delivered to the retailer — Hence to the public at eighteen dollars. Showing full manufacturers' and jobbers' profits. Exclusive manufacturing rights under royalty — apply to maker and patentee H. J. CULLUM, Manager-Director PEROPHONE, Limited, 76-78 City Road, London, England ii