The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1906)

14 THE TALKING MACfflNE WORLD. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) London, Eng., Jan. 5, 1906. The Neophone Co. are now located in their magnificent new building at the corner of Tabernacle and Worship streets, where they are occupying five floors with splendid facilities to meet their growing business. The ground floor is used for show rooms and offices, the record, sales and store departments being on the floors above. The record making department is in the basement, where hydraulic machinery of a powerful type is installed. Here they have facilities for turning out 20,000 records a day. Dr. Michaelis, the inventor of the Neophone, exercises his usual keen supervision over the producing departments. He is a great believer in the disc machine and says that all developments of importance will be associated with that instrument in the future. This company have achieved a great success, and are steadily branching out. We understand that they are about to make an important connection whereby their products will be wideiy sold in the United States. It may be of interest to know that Dr. Michaelis has achieved great success with his new Neophone records. These discs are made of cardboard, covered with a specially prepared surface and are unbreakable. It is said: "They surpass in purity of tone and resonance any records yet produced, and combine the sweetness of the gold-moulded cylinder with the great volume and naturalness of the best disc record." Their immunity from breakage enables them to be made in a size hitherto impossible, and ?0-inch re'^ords are now sold which will play from eight to ten minutes. The ordinary sizes are 9 and 12 inches, and their prices are 6d. (12 cents) and Is. (25 cents) each, respectively. A rather novel feature for the entertainment of those who wait for hours outside the doors or unreserved parts of theatres has been inaugurated by Lewis Waller, the eminent actor manager, at the Imperial Theatre. On Wednesday evenings the doors are opened earlier than usual, and to entertain the crowd he has installed a large talking machine which gives an impromptu concert, commencing with an overture by a noted military band, and concluding with a selection, in his own voice, from "Henry V." This idea has appealed to other theatrical managers, and is now being used throughout the provinces for the purpose of keeping the audiences entertained until the curtain rises. ^ ^ ^ ^ The National Phonograph Co., Ltd., of this city, are now publishing an English edition of the Edison Phonograph Monthly, which has met with the greatest appreciation from the trade. It is handsomely printed, and contains much of interest to the trade regarding Edison phonograph progress, as well as much technical information. The second number, which has just made its appearance, is in every respect equal to the first, and is a credit to the advertising department of the London office. * * * * The fire which totally destroyed the recording plant of the National Phonograph Co., in Paris, has only caused a temporary inconvenience, inasmuch as they at once continued the manufacture of the French records at their large plant in Brussels. New quarters, as well as necessary machinery, have been secured, and the new recording plant in Paris will resume work immediately. The demand for Edison records throughout France is steadily growing, some of the most eminent artists being connscted with this branch. It may be worth noting that the famous Garde Republicaine Band, of Paris, which has just paid a visit to London, is among the great organizations that have made records for the National Phonograph Co., and the visit of tlTe band has brought about a great demand for these band records. :i: ^ :t: ^ Baroness Cederstrom, better known as Mme. Patti, has at last been induced to make a number of records of her famous songs and arias with which her name is indissolubly connected. The records were made at Mme. Patti's castle, Craig-y-Nos, Wales, the accompanist being Landon Ronald. The Gramophone Co., for whom these records were made, are to be congratulated on securing records by this famous artist, whose name is revered wherever music is loved. During the recent general election talking machines were employed by many of the candidates, but by no one, perhaps, so effectively as by Arnold Herbert, the Liberal candidate for South Bucks, who obtained the services of an expert, and spoke three speeches into a huge phonograph. Admirable records were made, and the instrument was taken round the villages of South Bucks, reproducing nightly with wonderful clearness, Mr. Herbert's eloquent periods. The mechanical orator tempered the political oratory with songs and band selections. $ ^ ^ Employes of the Russell Hunting Co., Ltd., held the first annual dinner at the Finsbury Town Hall recently. About two hundred employes were present, the board of directors being well represented, with Edgar S. Perry in the chair. Interesting speeches were made by Charles Howell (Howell Bros.), who proposed the toast of the firm, which was responded to oy Louis Sterling, managing director. C. Dunlop proposed the Trade, and Mr. Balcombe (Barnett Samuel & Sons), responded. Russell Hunting (Casey) proposed the Artistes; Messrs. Ernest Pike and Hamilton Hill replied. Mr. Smith ZON-O-PHONE 50c. Records Sound Better /^■■^HERE is a musical charm about the Zon-o-phone Records which cap£ \ tivates all listeners. They have a velvety smoothness — a distinctness and clearness which creates new friends and admirers daily. Jobbers and dealers have praised our latest creations in unstinted terms, (jf There are excellent reasons why the Zon-o-phone has grown so in trade popularity. A critical examination will show that our record thread has a peculiar fineness whereby we can get more on a record. The material is harder than is used in the ordinary record, thus insuring greater durability. The tone quality has a pleasing mellowness which has caused them to become the best sellers. <]| We make a specialty each month of producing some attractions which are appreciated by talking machine men who desire to bring all the selling strength possible into their business. 10-inch Zon-o-ptione Records, 50 cents each 50c, Universal Talking Machine Mfg. Co, 50c. 28 Warren Street, New York