The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1906)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 25 NOTES FROM THE EMERALD ISLE. The Mme. Patti Records Destined to Create Quite a Furore — IVIodern Talking Machine as Compared With the Early Creations — Arrival of Edison iVIachines Welcome — Zonophone Co.'s Goods — Some Worthy Publications— The Talking Machine as an Educational Factor — A Demonstration by T. Edens Osborne — The Russell Hunting Record Co Other News of Interest. (Special to The Talking Machiue World.) Belfast, Ireland, Feb. 5. 190(i. Quite a furore has been created by a recent iiEnouncement of the Gramophone Co. that the celebrated cantatrice, Madame Adellna Pattl — otherwise the Baroness Cederstrom — had made fourteen records for them, a large percentage of which are selections of the most popular songs in the world. Under same cover I hand you list of the titles, which you will observe include "Home, Sweet Home," "Old Folks at Home," "Kathleen iviavourneen, ' etc., the singing of which by the great prima donna has invariably touched the hearts of all English-speaking people, and has endeared her to everyone whose heart is — to quote Shakespeare — "made of penetrable stuff." Her letter, of which I enclose copy, "speaks volumes" for the acknowledged perfection of the modern gramophone. In contemplating the wonderful evolution of this marvelous instrument, my mind reverts to the first gramophone ever offered in Belfast for sale — in September, 1898 — by T. Edens Osborne, which, as compared with the "Taper-Arm Monarch" of to-day, was but a primitive device. The same line of reasoning equally applies when contrasting the present Edison "Triumph" with the first Edison electrically-driven phonograph he fetched to Belfast, and which, cost him about $300 in New York, on his return from the World's Fair at Chicago in 1893. The shipment of Edison "Gems" and "Standards," which should have reached Belfast before Christmas, only arrived by the largest turbine steamer afloat, the "Carmania," at end of January, much business having been lost in the interim. The gigantic output of the Edison factory having proved insufficient to cope with orders is rightly construed here as an indication that Edison products still stand unrivaled in public favor. The British Zonophone Co.'s goods continue their onward march; indeed, it can be safely stated that no disc records have — within such a short time — acquired such an enviable popularity or phenomenal sale. The February samples which the general manager, Mr. Mellerio, fetched to Belfast to exhibit to his factor (Mr. Osborne) were of excellent quality. The February issue of the Edison Phonograph Monthly, published by the National Phonograph Co., Ltd., London, is a most interesting trade brochure, printed on superior paper, and replete with most useful information for both dealers and jobbers, who congratulate themselves that they are now kept au. courant with all matters connected with the talking machine industry through the medium of the periodical referred to; also the Gramophone News, concerning which no encomium could be considered exaggerative, and the two journals now published in London, Talking Machine News and Phono Trader. On evening of Feb. 9 an important function will take place at the Belfast Municipal Technical Institute which serves to indicate the interest which the principal of that important educational establishment, Francis C. Forth, A.R.C. Sc. I., is manifesting in the "talker" as a language teacher. He has arranged that T. Edens Osborne will demonstrate to all the pupils of the institute who are studying French and German the efiicacy of the genuine Edison phonograph, the gramophone and the "Twentieth Century Columbia Graphophone" as teachers of said languages. The records to be used are the celebrated I. C. S. French records of the International Correspondence Schools of Scranton, Pa., the German records of the Modern Language Press, Ltd., of London, and the Zonophone French records (discs) of the Bizeray system of teaching French largely adopted in London. Typewritten copies of the lessons to be rendered will be placed in the nands of all the assembled students. The principal, Mr. Forth, is to be congratulated on his enterprise, and Mr. Osborne for having been entrusted with the arrangements. Last month was voted a record one by all North of Ireland traders in cylinder and disc machines, etc., and stocks of instruments have never been so low after the holiday output. The demand for a phonograph record to sell at one shilling has been well supplied by the Russell Hunting Record Co., Ltd., of London, whose "Sterling" record stands very high in public favor. This record derives its name from that of the managing director of the company. Louis S. Sterling, a gentleman well known and respected'among all our jobbers and dealers. Zonophones and records are "booming," and a big crop of new dealers has been recruited from the cycle traders of Ireland, who have found the sale of talking machines a remunerative "sideline" during the "off" or winter season. T. Malyon, who formerly represented the Gramophone Co., London, has recently accepted an important appointment with the British Zonophone Co., London, and carries with him into his new sphere of labor the sincere good wishes of the trade with whom he is so deservedly popular. EDISON JOBBERS^ENTERTAINED At Banquet at the Hotel Martin — A Most Enjoyable Affair in Every Way. In honor of a number of out-of-town Edison jobbers attending the automobile exhibitions, the National Phonograph Co. tendered them a dinner at the Hotel Martin, New York, during the evening of January 18. It was an enjoyable affair throughout, the menu and et ceteras delightful, the speeches brief, witty and to the point. The company were represented by William Pelzer, of the legal department; F. K. Dolbeer, chief of credits; C. H. Wilson, general manager of sales; C. E. Stevens, of the foreign department; L. C. McChesney, advertising manager, and A. C. Ireton, assistant sales manager. The guests of the company were the following: W. D. Andrews, Syracuse, N. Y. ; S. K. Hamburger, Harrisburg, Pa.; W. C. Finch, of Finch & Hahn, Schenectady, N. Y.; John N. Willys and W. O. Crew, of the Elmira Arms Co. ; W. H. Hug. of Klein & Heffelman Co., Canton, O.; N. D. Griflin, of the American Phonograph Co., Gloversville, N. Y.; Messrs. Pardee, Ellenberger & Silliman, of the Pardee-Ellenberger Co., New Haven, Conn.; W. F. Carroll, of the Utica Cycle Co., Utica, N. Y.; P. A. Powers, Buffalo, N. Y., and C. V. Henkel, of the Douglas Phonograph Co., New York City. BUSINESS INCREASE OF 300 PER CENT. NATIONAL PHONOGRAPH CO. CHANGES. Trade conditions still continue exceptionally good. There is not a manufacturer of records, either cylinder or disc, that is not being pushed to their utmost capacity. In a recent interview with E. A. Hawthorne, general manager of the American Record Co., he states that their business for January, 1906, has increased 300 per cent, over business in January, 1905. This company has done a phenomenal business, considering they have been on the market a little less than a year. They attribute their success to the quality of their records and to their offering only the best selling selections. AVe have recently been shown some very interesting advertising matter and drawings which the American Record Co. are having prepared for a campaign of advertising. One of the designs appears in their advertisement this month. The advertising pages of the leading magazines of the day indicate that experts are devoting their attention to pictorial and attractive methods of bringing their wares before the public. A number of changes have taken place in the National Phonograph Co.'s force of salesmen during the past two months, namely: C. S. Gardner, who traveled in Pennsylvania and Ohio, resigned in December and his territory is now being covered by F. J. Smith, of Newark, N. J. Frank B. Madison, who represented the company in Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky, has been transferred to the New York oflice and placed in charge of the agreement department; a new man will shortly be placed in his territory. H. K. Miller, formerly an Edison dealer at Lacona, N. Y., has been assigned to the Pacific Coast^ States, under the direction of the Chicago office. H. A. Turner, at one time manager of the Ray Co. branches, will cover Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. J. W. Scott, their New England traveler, has had Connecticut added to his territory. Ackerman & Co., Scranton, Pa., have removed their store from 33 Coal Exchange to 217 Wyoming avenue, where they have larger quarters. ^o, 551 Holds 175 l^ecords Has convenient sliding shelves Push one door a-nd both close at sBLme time. MJIKERS OF Disn AND CYLINDER RECORD CABINETS Write for Booklets and Prices. They will interest you. Catalog just out. Have you got it ? THE UDELL WORKS Indianapolis Indiana \