The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1906)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 15 GOOD REPORTS FROM -CLEVELAND. Business Satisfactory — Columbia Window Publicity— Buescher & Sons New Store — Columbia Amusement Co. Have Nine Stores — Probeck to Yellowstone Park. (Special to The Talking Macliine World.) Cleveland, 0., August 10, 1906. Considering that this is the vacation season of the year, conditions generally are very satisfactory in this city. Quite a number of machines and a large number of records have been purchased by parties to take with them on their vacation, and the sales aggregate a goodly ivolume of business. No complaints are heard, and the dealers are all optimistic of the future. One of the most attractive window displays in ^hf city is that of the Columbia Phonograph Co. "ItHs a camp scene. The floor of the large window is strewn with broken limbs and bark. In one corner a large mirror blossoms into a lake. A tent is labeled "Camp Columbia," and inside and out are camp stools, fishing rods, guns, etc. Hanging from a tripod of limbs of trees by a chain is a kettle with a red-hot fire apparently blazing up all about it. Beneath a wire screen, about 18 inches square, resting on stones raised about 15 inches, the screen covered with small limbs and bark, is a small electric fan, and just above the fan and below the screen two electric bulbs, one covered with orange and the other with lemon-colored tissue paper. Fastened to the limbs and bark lying on the screen are narrow strips of varying lengths of red, white and yellow tissue paper, with the bulbs glowing and the fan blowing, keeping the narrow strips of tissue in motion. The scene is a most realistic one, and attracts thousands of sightseers. . G. J. Probeok, manager of the Columbia Co., stated that business had vastly improved during July, and was picking up wonderfully, sales having been especially good of Twentieth Century graphophones. Mr. Probeck will leave for Yellowstone Park, August 15, where he will rusticate for two or three weeks. There is some talk that Smith & Nixon, piano dealers, located in the Arcade, will carry a line of talking machines this fall. Mr. Denslow, who was formerly with the W. C. De Forrest Co., of New Castle, Pa., is now with the Ohio Phonograph Co., of Youngstown, 0., who handle the Lyric phonograph. He was in the city a few days ago. Flesheim & Smith, who handle the Zonophone, report business a little dull, but about the same as usual at this season of the year. They have placarded in their window a machine with 20 Excelsior records for $25. largest CABINETS Line FOR Disc and Cylinder Records Piano Player Music Rolls Music Box Tune Sheets WRITE FOR CATALOGUE JAS. W. COOPER CO. 17th and Washington Ave. PHILA., PA. If You Are Interested YICTORmKiiGMlCIIIII[S OR Write at once to SOL. BLOOM, 3 E. 42d St., N.Y.City Your correspondent called on W. J. Roberts, Jr.. the other day, and during his "visit several of his former customers made substantial purchases, and expressed themselves pleased to see him back in the business. Mr. Roberts said that day by day his old trade was returning, and he feels highly elated over the prospects. E. A. Neff, of the Ball Fintz Co., of Newark, 0., was interviewing the talking machine people of Cleveland last week. "The Victor" is the name of W. H. Buescher & Son's new retail store at 254 Prospect street. Mr. Gulley, manager, stated that trade was fairly good, and that there had been within the past two weeks decided increase in sales of Victor and Edison machines. Hei said they were doing an excellent business in Red Seal records and having a good sale of August records. Visitors express themselves much pleased with the arrangement and decorations of the rooms of "The Victor." Trade, is reported very good at' Collister & Sayles'. Victor and other records are in good demand, though it was stated this was their usual dull season. Business at W. J. Buescher & Son's was reported good. "It is keeping up remarkably well." said Mr. Buescher, "with prospects of its continuing right along. We are having a good demand for the new records, and there is a steady call for the old. The 'Mario,' our new picture show and arcade, is doing a nice business." The Columbia Amusement Co., the most extensive amusement slot machine operators in Ohio, are at present operating eight places of amusement in the city and report that all are doing good business. Their headquarters are at 635 Superior avenue. Harry S. Lavine is president and F. R. Mosley, of the Union National Bank, treasurer of the company. The Eclipse Musical Co. are having a good demand for records, and are selling a good many machines. The manager stated they were very busy, especially in the jobbing department, and that prospects were flattering. The Central States Jobbers' Association, which meets in Detroit, August 14, will be largely attcEded by the jobbers of Cleveland. T. H. Tarvell, president of the Eclipse Musical Co.. has just returned from the Edison jobbers' meeting at the factory, and reports a very enjoyable and profitable time. The Eclipse Musical Co. will have something new in the way of a horn crane, which they will put on the market shortly. It is claimed it will be superior to anything now in use. NOW THE BURGLAR=ALARM Field Has Been Invaded by the Talking Machine— Something of John C. Hood's Invention. John C. Hood, of Wilkinsburg, Pa., is the inventor of an electro-phonographic device which calls up the police station when a burglar tries to get into the house. It tells the man at the police end of the 'phone to hurry along with the wagon and take the robber away. When the burglar forces a door, window or other opening where the device is placed the machine, which is worked by electricity, is set in motion, and a phonograph, located in the garret, where connection between the telephone wire and the wire connected with the burglar alarm has been made, calls "central" and asks in plain English for the ijolice station. When connection with the police station has been secured the phonograph informs the police as to the street and number of the house that is being robbel. and repeats the information as long as the receiver is off the hook. TO MAKE MUSICAL SPECIALTIES. M. Redgrave, 9-11 Willow street, Jersey City, N. J., has incorporated to manufacture musical specialties and parlor games. Capital, $10,000. Incorporators: Montague Redgrave, Dana F. Putnam, John J. Mellck and Chas. E. Putnam, M.D., all of Jersey City. If your jobber isn't prompt That's a big stumbling block that loses customers for many dealers. It pulls down your business instead of building it up. It's bad for the customer, bad for the dealer, bad for the jobber. The customer loses his patience, the dealer his customer, the jobber his order. If your jobber isn't prompt, he is not only standing in his own light, but, worse yet, is retarding your progress. There's no reason why you should put up with this sort of thing, and the jobber has no one but himself to blame if you take your trade where more attention is given to it. We take a load of worries from your shoulders by shipping your orders the same day they reach us, and you can always count on this. No delay, no excuses at any time. Victor Talking Machines and Records, Trumpet Horns, English Needles, Fibre Cases and accessories and specialties of every sort are always here in sufficient quantities to meet all demands. Let us send you our newest catalogue. That will give you a comp ete idea of the extensive line of Talking-Machine goods we handle and put you in a position to get your goods without the least delay. The Victor Distributing and Export Company 77 Chambers Street New York