The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1906)

10 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. FOREIGN RECORDS. An Explanation of Why It Will Pay a Dealer to Push Them. I have made it a point to question a number of dealers regarding tlie attention they pay to the foreign record division of their business, and they all informed me that there yas not a great deal doing along that line. "We are so busy with our American selections that we have no time to waste on dead material," was the usual answer they gave to my inquiry. If foreign records are dead material, it is the dealer's own fault, for every large city in the world has its foreign element, a very large majority of whom are music lovers, and eager to take advantage of just such an opportunity as the talking machine affords of bringing melody into their homes at a small figure. In Philadelphia alone there are 310,000 foreigners, and If they were made to understand the musical excellence and great variety of the records set forth in the foreign catalogues of the different companies by a little judicious advertising on the part of the talking machine man, they would be quick to grasp the chance to enjoy the beloved airs of their native land, sung in their mother tongue. The following little story illustrates what the VISION.S OF THE PAST. talking machine has done, and is still doing for one poor Italian: A member of the White Wings squad of street cleaners is working in front of a phonograph store. A talkin.T machine is playing "Mattinata." "II Barbiere di Siviglia," and resting on his broom the man drinks in the flood of melody greedily. It carries him back to a summer night in Italy. The moon is shedding its silver splendor on the rippling waves of the lagoon. Inside the veranda a hammock swings in the breeze, and nestled within its gaudy meslies a dark-eyed girl gazes out at him. Near them a phonograph is playing a song of love. An original record it is, of the girl's sweet soprano, and on the morrow her lover is to take it with him in the great ship to America. Ah, what bitter disappointments have come since then! In his dear Italy he had enjoyed the distinction of being addressed as Signor — in America, the land of the free, he cleans the streets. However, he is making money; he still has the voice of his sweetheart to cheer him, though thousands of miles away, and soon he will have saved enough to go back to the villa by the lagoon and lay a bag of gold at the proud Padrone's feet and demand the hand of his daughter in honorable marriage. No more can the old man cry out in a rage. "You have no money I Would you have my daughter married to a beggar? Begone!" Now he will be welcomed as v.'orthy of the girl he loves, and all will be well. The only thing that has kept this poor Italian from giving up in despair, time and time again, has been the voice of his loved Signorina, who is awaiting his return in the land across the seas. Every night, in his humble lodgings, through the tin horn of a cheap talking machine, he hears her sing to him, and when he lies down to rest, it is with the sweetness of her song in his ears, and a smile of supreme content upon his lips. When slumber comes, it finds him smiling still. This foreigner is one of the very few who know the talking machine, and who have taken advantage of its power. It is for the dealer to ac quaint others of the greatness of this instrument that talks, laughs and sings, and in doing so he will bring into his business a new line of trade that will pay him well. In other words, he will enjoy a state of remunerative philanthropy by bringing joy to many a lonely heart and making money by it. How.\RD Taylor Middleton. OUR FOREIGN CUSTOMERS. Amount and Value of Talking Machines Shipped Abroad from the Port of New York. JULY 30. Berlin, 15 pkgs., §44C; Buenos Ayres, 5 pkgs., $200; Colon, IS pkgs., $870; Genoa, 33 pkgs., ?495; Glasgow, 156 pkgs., $927; Guayaquil, 8 pkgs., $163; Havana, 19 pkgs., $797; Havre, 27 pkgs., $1,211; La Paz, $10 pkgs., $221; Limon, 16 pkgs., $947; Liverpool, 103 pkgs., 650; London. 6 pkgs., $340; 597 pkgs., $7,265; 4 pkgs., $189; Melbourne, 44 pkgs., $1,425; 11 pkgs., $1,475; Milan, 37 pkgs., $1,095; Neuvitas, 4 pkgs., $121; Para, 13 pkgs., $428; Rio de Janeiro, 9 pkgs., $717; Shanghai, 12 pkgs., $726; St. Petersburg, 3 pkgs., $104; Valparaiso, 27 pkgs., $1,418. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Washington, D. C, August 10, 1906. Manufacturers and dealers in talking machines will doubtless be interested in the figures showing the exports of talking machines for the past four weeks from the port of New York: JULY 9. Amapala, 4 pkgs., $130; Asuncion, 4 pkgs., $213; Bombay, 23 pkgs., $558; Buenaventura, 4 pkgs., $156; Cape Town, 3 pkgs., $74; Cartagena, 5 pkgs., $222; Colon, 3 pkgs., $139; 4 pkgs., $129; Delagoa Bay, 2 pkgs., $128; Havana, 13 pkgs., $272; 12 pkgs., $501; Havre, 18 pkgs., $844; La Guayra, 10 pkgs., $239; Limon, 16 pkgs., $282; London, 16 pkgs., $704; Marta, 9 pkgs., $208; Para, 12 pkgs., $458; Rio de Janeiro, 6 pkgs., $166: Sagua La Grande, 15 pkgs., $256. JULY 16. Berlin, 74 pkgs., $880; 64 pkgs., $1,308; Cardiff, 30 pkgs., $260,; Ceara, 17 pkgs., $604; Colon, 4 pkgs., $280; Guayaquil, 3 pkgs., $163; Hamburg, 5 pkgs., $180: 9 pkgs., $136; Havana, 31 pkgs., $695; 7 pkgs., $354; Havre, 13 pkgs., $345; Liverpool, 22 pkgs., $129; London, 8 pkgs., $344; 817 pkgs., $6,523; 13 pkgs., $606; 3 pkgs., $606; 439 pkgs., $5,327; Manchester, 62 pkgs., $407; Milan, 8 pkgs., $295; Rio de Janeiro, 19 pkgs., $788; Santiago, 4 pkgs., $131; Savanilla, 1 pkg., $163; Sheflaeld, 62 pkgs., $407; St. Petersburg, 30 pkgs., $407; Vienna, 25 pkgs., $755;. 6 pkgs., $335. •lULY 23. Bangkok, 6 pkgs., $110; Berlin, 46 pkgs., $394; Brussels, 201 pkgs., $1,441; Buenos Ayres, 93 pkgs., $4,542: 235 pkgs., $3,757; Callao, 12 pkgs., $566; Cape Town, 7 pkgs., $133; Havana, 11 pkgs., $168; 48 pkgs., $1,319; Havre, 7 pkgs., $311: La Guayra, 15 pkgs., $406; London, 442 pkgs., $6,145; 6 pkgs., $273; 12 pkgs., $548; Matanzas, 11 pkgs., $321; Milan, 14 pkgs., $592; Progresso, 8 pkgs., $219: St. Petersburg, 8 pkgs., $236; Sydney, i pkgs., $168: 744 pkgs., $9,613; Tampico, 3 pkgs., $223; Vera Cruz, 17 pkgs., $550; Vienna, 8 pkgs., $105. MANY VISITORS TO COLUMBIA CO. The Columbia Phonograph Co., General, have just brought out two sets of records, one for the disc and one for the B. C. type of machines, which comprise an entire dance programme. The first. No. 12, comprises twelve assorted dances, including waltzes, polkas, quadrille and lanciers. The B. C. assortment has seventeen numbers, covering the same field. These will fill a want long felt, and they feel assured of their immediate popularity. The jobbers who visited their oflices at 90 West Broadway this week were loud in their praise of their new Home Twentieth Century Graphophone, which has attracted so much attention since its introduction. EDISON BUYS HIS OHIO BIRTHPLACE. Diomas A. Edison has come into possession of the ;.;ace near Milan, Erie County, Ohio where he was born. A deed transferring the property to him has just been filed in Norwalk. The trarsfer is made by the granddaughter of Edison's sister, and the consideration is announced as $1. J. Samuels & Bro., of Providence, R. I., are among the largest talking machine jobbers of Victor, Columbia, Edison and Zonophone machine records and supplies in the State. H. Wonderlich, who has charge of this end of the business, is a hustler in the fullest sense of the word, and it is largely due to his efforts that his company occupy so firm a foundation in the talking machine trade. They are fast building up for themselves a reputation for their progressive and up-to-date manner of doing business. J. R. Diener, the talking machine dealer, of Bellefontaine. O., has increased his trade considerably through a number of public concerts. Mr Diener chooses a varied programme for his concerts, and always attracts a large crowd. Cleapol Waterproof Metal Polish PMPARTS A LASTING LUSTRE to all metals ; will remove all Tarnish, Spots, Fly Specks, etc. Will not injure the hands ; contains no acid. NOTE.— All horns, etc., treated once with this polish can be kept in perfect condition always by using the CLEAPOL CMAiVlOIS SKZIIN. <I[ Special discount now being given to jobbers and dealers. <If Write for Samples and price lists. THE CUEAROU COA4RAINV 288 Springfield Ave.