The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1906)

THE TALiaNG MACHINE WORLD. 21 "TALKER" SUPPLANTING ORGAN In the Homes of the People, Says J. H. Estey, of Organ and Piano Fame — Improvements in Machines and Discs Responsible. The popvilarity of the talking machine in the United States is simply phenomenal, and business for the opening months of the present year affords further evidence that our dealers are waking up to the great trade which may be done in these goods when properly demonstrated and pushed. According to J. Harry Estey, head of the famous Estey Co., manufacturers of pianos and organs, the talking machine is seriously affecting the popularity of the reed organ. Talking on this subject some time ago he said: ••You ask, what are some of the things that have lately hurt the trade in reed organs? Well, I think the talking machine is a large rival. I do not care to assume too positive a position on this point, but I believe my theory will prove correct. I have been doing considerable automobiling this summer through the open section of this part of the country, and my attention was attracted by the fact that in many instances the talking machine supplied the musical wants of the farmers' homes. Now, take into consideration the tremendous strides that are evident in the talking machine field, and you will see that this instrument is appealing to something more than the mere passing fancy of the people. The new disc records with their superior tonal accomplishments are responsible for this in the largest measure. Mind you, I by no means believe that the talking machine is going to make good for a great length of time as the supplier of family music, and yet I believe that it is doing so at present in a much larger degree than we imagine. How the organ dealer is allowing this machine to be substituted where he could make reed organ sales is a matter I believe for his serious consideration." hymn. The three songs were reproduced at once, and all present were amazed at the fidelity of the reproduction of every tone in the singer's voice. "She was taken ill, and expired suddenly, and her funeral services were held yesterday. After the funeral address, the phonograph softly reproduced the song the girl had sung before the shadow of death fell upon her. All present who knew of the circumstances were deeply affected." A CAL. STEWART STORY Brought to Light by Howard Taylor, Middleton — A Pleasing Reminder of the Dean of Talking Machine Talent. HER VOICE SAVED FOR POSTERITY. The voice of the dead was heard at the funeral of Miss Minnie Nelson, 1711 Kenmore avenue, says the Chicago American. Three weeks ago she sang "Nearer, My God, to Thee," into a phonograph, and every tone of her beautiful soprano voice was reproduced by the phonograph at ber funeral, causing her friends to comment on the strange experience. "Miss Nelson, who was a music teacher, was possessed of a voice of unusual range. At a party she was Induced to sing into a phonograph — a song, a pathetic ballad and finally the famous Howard Taylor Middleton, whose phonographic stories are well known to readers of The World, in a recent communication, writes: "Searching among a pile of old letters the other day, I came across one from 'the grand old man' of the talking machine talent, Cal. Stewart, which I think will prove interesting to the readers of The World. There is probably no one man in the business to-day who has created more good wholesome laughs than this gentleman, and while his field at the present time is restricted to one company, his records are still greatly sought after. I was quite a youngster at the time this letter was received, and, boylike, developed the hobby of collecting autograph-photographs of my favorites among the talking machine stars. Mr. Stewart was one to whom I wrote in this regard, and his kind answer to my request follows. It contains a clever little story, which I believe was never published before: " 'New York, Nov. 5, 189—. ■•'Dear Sir — I am in receipt of your favor of the 2d, dated at Philadelphia, and I am very much pleased to know that my phonograph stories have pleased yourself and friends. Still, at the same time, I am not egotistical enough to think that I am such a famous personage that my autograph would be any great treasure. But as you have asked for it, you shall have it. I am also sending you by this mail my photo in character and out of it, which I hope will reach you in good condition and find you in the best of health and able to stand up to the rack and eat your fodder. And now I want to tell you something: " 'When I came down here to New York City r allowed that while I was here I would get a tooth pulled that was growling around for a spell back, so I went in to one of them tooth destractin' parlors and told the feller in there that I had been waitin' a long time to get that old tooth The Russell Hunting Record Co., 1™,^ MANUFACTURERS OF THE ' STERLING ' RECORD Are the LARGEST MANUFACTURERS of RECORDS IN GREAT BRITAIN. OUTPUT 125,000 WEEKLY. Every Sterling Master is Recorded by RUSSELL HUNTING T^it The Originator of the chael Casey" Series WE GUARANTEE EVERY RECORD TO BE PERFECT. 'STERLING • GOLD MOULDED RECORDS 25 CENTS EACH. LIBERAL DISCOUNT FOR EXPORT. Canadian, New Zealand and South African Importers will save Duty by Importing BRITISH MADE RECORDS. THE RVSSELL HUNTING RECORD CO., Limi..d 81, City Roa.d, London, E. C, England out, for there had been times when it was pretty hard to have that tooth and be a Christian. "Well, he pried open my mouth and put a patent derrick into it, and then he done some drillin' that made me think he had worked in a stone' quarry at some time in his life. Well, after he had prospected around for a while, he told me that it was a pretty bad tooth and would cause me considerable pain, and asked me if I would take gas. I told him that down in Punkin Centre where I lived we didn't know much about gas, and if it was all the same to him he could give me kerosene, i remain, sincerely yours, "(Signed) Cal. Stewart.' " HELPED TO FORGE WILL. Peculiar Use of the Talking Machine Comes to Light in Hungary. The talking machine has certainly been used for many strange purposes, but some recent facts which came out in a will contest in Hungary afford further proof of its growing use in the courts of law. It seems that Alois Szabo, the son of a wealthy peasant of Szegedin, Hungary, who died recently, was arrested on the charge of forging a will by means of a talking machine. Shortly before the death of the father the servants were called into his room and heard a voice proceeding from the bed say: "I leave all my property to my eldest son, Alois, and my other children are to get nothing." As a verbal statement made by a testator, when on the point of death, in the presence of witnesses, constitutes a valid will in Hungary, this disposition of the peasant's property was upheld in the courts. A few days ago, however, Alois' mistress, with whom he had quarreled, alleged in a talk with the police that the voice the servants heard was not that of his father, but that Alois had spoken the words into a phonograph. According to her he had placed the instrument under the father's bed, and when the old man had lost consciousness called the servants in and set it going. AN EXCHANGE FOR RECORDS On the Tabard Inn Plan Opened by an Enterprising Talking Machine Man in New York. An enterprising retailer of talking machines on the west side of this city has opened an exchange for records. Since the withdrawal of the exchange system by the leading companies he found that his sales were gradually falling off, due in a measure to the exchanging of records by his customers among themselves. He at once applied the Tabard Inn system to his business, securing a quantity of used records for a base of supplies. By the purchase of a new record at least once a week, his patrons upon the payment of five cents could secure the use of a used record for one week. He finds that his sales have increased, and that he has more than made himself good on the records that he had regarded as dead stock. MARIE HALLS GOOD WORK. The Great Artiste Says Many Things in Favor of the Talking Machine, of Which We Are Most Appreciative. Marie Hall, the distinguished violiniste, who has just returned to Europe after a successful tour of the United States, is an ardent admirer of the talking machine, and had good words to say for it. no matter where she appeared throughout the country. As Marie Hall is an artist to her finger tips this commendation has helped in no small way to emphasize the artistic merits of the "talker." For instance, in several Westerii papers we notice that in the interviews she gave the reporters she made the point that she has a talking machine in her home in London which plays many American airs, and plays them well enough to please her. _^'She has also paid tribute to the possibilities of the machine in most pleasing way, for all of which many thanks.