The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1906)

24 THE TALKING MACfflNE WORLD. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) London. Eng.. ]Marcli -5. 19U6. The readers of The Talking JIachine World in the Colonies, as well as in South America, will be much interested in the complete list of Sterling records recently issued by the Russell Hunting Co. They are among the most comprehensive in their line, and include all the latest successes in lioth instrumental and vocal fields'. The success of this house has simply been phenomenal, and it is due unquestionably to the production of a value which at once appeals to both dealer and purchaser. $ ^ The Gramophone Co., in reply to requests, have made up the following phonetic spelling of some foreign names for one of our most energetic provincial dealers, who complained that his assistants, while anxious to do a Red Label business, were often nonplussed in the matter of pronunciation. We venture to reproduce his efforts herewith. Singers: Tamagno (Tamarino). Caruso (Caruzo). Plancon (Plonson), Michallowa ( Miclci-low-ver). Composers-: Tschaikowsky ( Chicoughs-kie ), Tannhiiuser (Tan-hoy-ser) . AValdtetifel ( Val-toy-fell) . Wagner (Vargner). Gounod (Goo-no). Titles of operas: Pagliacci 1 Pal-earchie). :ii ^ :^ The expansion of the talking machine business on this side of the water is well illustrated in the growth of the Neophone. Ltd., whose new headquarters are now located at No. 1 Worship street. The building is an imposing one, admirably fitted up in every respect for their growing business. The ground floor is devoted to the show room, assistant manager's ofiices, bookkeeping and correspondence departments, in which latter more tnan a dozen typists are employed. The assistant managers, E. J. Sabine and H. Hinks Martin, are possessed of unbounded enthusiasm and untiring energy. The show room is one of the finest in the trade, and among the models displayed is the Neophone Grand, which retails at $100, being especially built for playing 20-inch discs. These records, which play for about 10 minutes, will certainly be in great demand, as they are a distinct novelty. Their great advantage is that long selections can be reproduced without omissions, and the volume, tone and quality are excellent. But it is the unbreakable disc records, at 12c. and 25c., which are making the Neophone so widely popular. On the lower ground floor are the printing presses, which are capable of turning out 10,000 discs per day. The Phono Trader reports that just now they are working night and day to keep pace with the demand. The shipping department is also s-tuated on this floor. The board room, secretary's office and experimenting department are all on the first floor; stock room and mechanics' deiJartment on the second floor, and on the top floor are the recording and testing rooms. The employes of the Columbia Co.'s branch in Glasgow held their second annual reunion recently when about fifty sat down to tea at their large premises on Union street. There was music, singing and dancing. Mr. Shearer, the local manager, presided over the festivities. A very interesting and welcome feature of the program was a speech delivered by Frank Dorian, the company's European general manager, which was spoken in London and reproduced on the graphophone. His message included an appreciation of the work accomplished by the staff and included a message of encouragement and good wishes for the future. * * * * The local papers continue to devote considerable space to the use of the talking machine by candidates in the recent general election. One of the leading papers in Glasgow utilized one of the Columbia's sound magnifying graphophones on election night, and during the time the returns were being received the machine played and sang, and in the chorus of popular songs the immense crowd joined in with hearty good will. In one of the cities in the nortn of Ireland the Edison phonograph and gramophone were also employed to entertain the crowds. It kept them in splendid good humor, and instead of the usual acrimony and bitter feeling which prevails around election time the talking machines kept the crowd in best of spirits. There is no mistaking the fact that the talking machine has played quite a part during the election, and it has been impartial, too, featuring neither the liberal, conservative, nor labor parties. * * * * An important suit has been up before Justice Farwell in the Chancery Division, the plaintiff.s being the Gramophone and Typewriter, Limited, and Ch. and H. Ullmann, defendants. The charge was an alleged infringement of patents controlled by the plaintiffs on the tapered arm, especially that granted July 1, 1903. and which is described as "a curved, tapered, amplifying horn, with joints such that the larger portion thereof may be adjustable on a fixed support, while the small end thereof, or that on which the soundbox is mounted is pivoted so as to swing, horizontally, and also has a secondary joint, which allows the soundbox to move vertically to follow the irregularities of the record, and also of the needles Ijeing inserted or removed." A number of witnesses, including patent experts, were heard for the plaintiffs and the defendants in their pleadings claimed that the patent was anticipated by Jensen and Grivolas. The plaintiffs, however, in rebuttal, denied that these inventors covered the patent at issue on which the suit was instituted. Judgment was not rendered at time of writing. * :ic ^ James S. Bradt, who has been appointed manager of the Columbia Phonograph Co.'s local in 4< IT BEATS THE BAND" ( Registered Trade Mark i The Best Phonograph on the Market for Anything Like the Price No Restrictions, No Price Maintenance Large Stock on Hand. Superior to AH Others As a Newspaper Scheme Phonograph, We sell ALUMINUM HORNS separately also. They can be furnished to fit all machines. Spun in one piece — no seams or joints. Light weight combined with strength. Will never tarnish. Inexpensive. Write for pa,rticula rs. THE DENHAM MERMAID 1906 MODEL. XME EDWIIM A. DENHAIVI COIVIRAIMY, Inc. LONDON 31 Barclay Street, NEW YORK, U. S. A. BERLIN WASHINGTON