The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1906)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 21 From Our European Headquarters No. 69 Basinghall Street, London. E. C, England W. LIONEL STURDY, Manager THE TRADE IN ENGLAND. Trade Satisfactory — Longer Records Commanding Large Sale — Indications of Strikes l\1ay Interfere With Trade Somewhat — The Edison Bell Co.'s Long Record — Interesting Chat With Mr. Ruhl — A New Incorporation — The New Columbia Quarters Centrally Located — Russell Hunting Co. Expansion — Growth in Talking Machine Popularity Evsrywhere — Used as an Aid to Drilling and in Recita's in the Hop Fields — A Birmingham Concern — Other Items of Interest. (Special to The Talking Mactiine World.) London, England, Oct. 6, 1906. The general trend of our September trade has been good. Reports from all quarters bear out the fact that the longer records now supplied by the Edison Bell, Russell Hunting and General Phonograph Co., have commanded an exceptional sale, and have awakened great public interest. Unfortunately for us, this country is at present threatened with many trade disputes, that in two cacei have already matured into strikes. Employes in the Scotch and South Wales collieries, the Clyde boilermakers and British railwaymen are agitating for higher wages and a shorter working day. We are not so much concerned with the justice or otherwise of the disputes as to what bearing it will have upon the talking machine trade. As these labor wars tend to divert capital from this country, it will be felt that at any rate in the particular strike counties some detrimental effect must result to most trade, perhaps more so to our own when we consider that the talking machine is not so much a necessity as a luxury. In my August report I gave currency to the fact that the Edison Bell Co. were placing a longer record on the market. Instead of onequarter to three-eighths of an inch, it will occupy almost the whole length of the mandril. The extra space will, of course, be utilized in many cases to the full, and consequently certain selections can now be rendered complete, which hitherto was not possible on the ordinary standard length record. Interviewed on the subject Mr. Hough said that the output of the larger record will naturally be limited, in comparison with the whole amount of trade. For some time to come the greater part of the business will be in the standard size, but undoubtedly the longer record will grow rapidly in public favor and probably lead to a revolution in demand, which from one too obvious point of view is much to be regretted. On the principle so characteristic of humanity, "get as much for your money as you can," the masses will clamor for the longer record, whether or not it contains more music than the ordinary. Asked as to condition of sales Mr. Hough said trade was splendid. Last month was synonymous with marvelous sales, and this month bids fair to outshine all its previous records. Great preparations are in hand, and new plant has been put down with the object of being ready for those sudden expansions of trade, which appear to be characteristic of this business during the winter months. A splendid range of new artists is promised for the future, some who have never yet been known to the phonograph. Asked if he wished to tell The World readers anything more, my informant replied that it might interest them to know that there had been no recent fire at the works, nobody had died in their connection, and he wished to say nothing more, except to assure friends throughout the world that "all's well." Disc Records Made in Great Britain. The Columbia Phonograph Co. drew our attention to a statement circulated in the trade to the effect that certain disc records are the only composition disc records made in Great Britain, very properly pointing out that the statement is untrue, inasmuch as Columbia disc records come within this description, being made of composition and manufactured in London. Recent Columbia Records. The 12-inch Columbia disc records by Miss Ruth Vincent and David Bispham, to which I drew special attention last month, have proved exceptionally good sellers. The demand for them even in the first few days of September was indeed so great that the shelves were soon emptied. A further stock was speedily requisitioned by cable, and before the month closed another large shipment had arrived, so that the company are again in a position to give prompt attention to the large orders which these excellent records are calling forth. Mr. Marconi's Plans. Mr. Marconi is evidently not the man to let the grass grow under his feet. We announced last month that he had accepted the position of consulting physicist to the Columbia Phono graph Co., General, and we are now able to say that he has already given attendance at the company's American laboratory and made such arrangements as will enable him to proceed with his projected experimentations forthwith. .Just now, we hear, he is back in Europe on important business concerning his wireless telegraphy undertakings, but it is his intention to give his immediate attention to the talking machine, and in pursuing his investigations he will, of course, make the fullest use of the unique resources which the Columbia Co. can offer him in their laboratories on both sides of the Atlantic. While in America last month he spent a day at the Columbia's Bridgeport factory, and in the evening was entertained at a banquet at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York. He expressed himself as delighted with the splendid m.anufacturing and experimental facilities the Columbia people have provided in America and proposes to visit their London plant at the first opportunity. Carl Lindstrom's Great Business. The famous house of Carl Lindstrom stands out as one of the largest manufacturing firms on the Continent. They occupy commodious premises in Berlin, besides having their depots and agents throughout the world. Their principal outside agency is in London, under the able management of Mr. 0. Ruhl, a gentleman of wide experience as a talking machine manufacturers' agent. In the course of a very interesting interview with Mr. Riihl I learned some particularly good news in relation to the firm he represents. The fact that their output increases not only each month but right throughout each whole year, summer as well as winter, shows a very satisfactory state of affairs. This condition is but the "effect." Let us trace the "cause" and we are immediately led to quality, workmanship and service. These three form the basis of business progress. They stand for the word "recommendation," which means everything in these times, when the market is overrun with articles of gaudy and inferior quality. From time to time the growth of Carl Lindstrom's business has rendered it necessary to secure additional space; to-day the needs of the business have demanded still more room, and the new up-todate warehouses situated in a central quarter of Berlin will enable them to offer dealers still better service in the future. As an instance. I CARL LINDSTROM, G. m. b. H. BEIRL-I N LARGEST Continental Manufacturer of All Kinds of TALKING MACHINES Best Quality Best Workmanship Agent for England and Colonies: Best Value o. rLjhl, 6 and T Red Cross St. London E. C, England To whom all inquiries should be addressed