The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1906)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 21 69 BASINGHALL STREET,' LON DON, E. C, W. LIONEL STURDY, MANAGER. THE TRADE IN ENGLAND. Business Uneven During the Past Month — Factories. However, Are Very Busy — Price Cutting Being Discouraged — Great Financial Showing by Gramophone Typewriter Ltd. — Henry Seymour, Ltd., Brings Out Novelty — Sterling Special Record Popular — Remarkable Zonophone Sales — Cromelin's Speech Noticed — Recent Business Changes — Interesting Suit — Great Beka Catalogue — Columbia Co.'s Grand Prize — Some Rathe Freres News — The Month's Happenings in Detail. (Special to The Talking Macliine World.) London, England, Nov. 6, 1906. The last month has seen rather a lull in certain quarters, although it is satisfactory to observe that sales have maintained a good average generally, in some districts dealers complain that business is quiet in comparison to a few weeks ago, while others declare for increased sales. The factories are up to their eyes with orders, and the manufacturers are unable to meet the demand. In conversation with the head of one of the largest cylindrical record concerns, he said: "It is a fact that the condition to-day is far and away ahead of any previous season. The stupendous and ever-increasing shoals of orders are more than we can cope with. Our factory has been considerably enlarged, and is working every minute of the twenty-four hours, yet we cannot get in front of the demand." These words are synonymous to what other manufacturers state, so it is pretty evident there is an abnormal demand, which every dealer should secure a good share of. The labor market is still in .a very unsettled state, but the country is more quiet than last month. Pricecutting is being vigorously discouraged on all sides, and altogether the talking machine industry Is in a most satisfactory condition. Witness the report of the Gramophone and Typewriter, Ltd., for the j-ear ending June 30, last. The trading result is a credit balance of £212,236. Add to this the amount brought forward from last report, £445,297, makes a grand total of £6.57,.533. The increase is over £72,000 on thp previous year. An interim dividend of 10 per cent, had already been paid on the ordinary shares, and it was now proposed to pay in addition a bonus of 10 per cent., leaving, to be car ried forward, £487,176. Since the company was started, they had paid altogether 90 per cent, to the original shareholders. There has been a considerable increase in the demand for the company's goods during the year, as compared with the previous year, and the directors report that such demand continues; the sales for the three months — July, August and September, 1906 — being considerably in excess of the corresponding months of last year. Howell Bros. Great Business. Howell Bros., the well-known factors of St. John street, Clerkenwell, report a splendid business state. At the time of my call they were busy unloading a large vanful of records. These I learned were a portion of a consignment of "Rex" records, issued by the late Lambert Co. Altogether. Mr. Howell has bought from 70,000 to 80,000, and dealers would do well to get into touch with the firm at once if they wish to secure a share of the bargains. How the Gramophone Sells. Walking into the Regent street quarters of the Gramophone & Typewriter Co. the day after Caruso's appearance in Berlin, a gentleman, after listening to certain of the renowned artist's records, purchased £50 worth before he left. Another Unbreakable Record. At the offices of Henry Seymour, Ltd., I saw some good specimens of what they claim to be an unwearable and unbreakable record. Unlike other attempts put upon the market, its surface is as smooth and as perfect as the genuine Edison wax records. It is made of an entirely new composition, which cannot be gone into at present; suffice it to say that the principal ingredient is celluloid, but experiments are stili being made to abtain a non-inflammable material. The tone of the record is ideal, while the surface noise is nil. The Sterling Special Record. The Sterling special record has won for itself such a tremendous sale that the Russell Hunting Co. are a long way behind in the execution of thei|c orders. Mr. Manson reports the huge factory capacity as inadequate, although working night and day. List No. 26 contains some fine selections, many of which, it is expected, will gain enormous popularity, particularly the descriptive record, entitled "Trafalgar." The Linguaphone language series of records are boom ing. The provincial factors are taking up and pushing the sales with marked success. I am asked to give denial to the rumor now current that this company have marketed a new cylinder machine. There is no truth in the report, outside the fact that a machine will eventually be manufactured and issued by the Russell Hunting Record Co., who have in hand the perfecting of an instrument that will be thoroughly reliable and a credit to the firm. The Odeon and Fonotipia records are going well, and there is a notable increase in the sale of those selections, recorded under the supervision of Russell Hunting. The vast tone improvement and general power will surely win additional favor and demand for these discs. Will Stock Gramophone Goods. A matter of considerable interest lies in the fact that the Edison Bell Co. have decided to stock gramophone goods. There is a good demand in the West, and the company have rightly set out to fulfil it. American Talking Machine Co. Catalogue. The American Talking Machine Co. will shortly issue a new catalogue, which it is said .will contain an illustration of every talking machine on the British market. The time taken in its preparation and the expense involved is sufficient justification of the company's claim that it will be absolutely the most comprehensive general catalogue of its kind. Remarkable Sales of Zonophone Records. ■ The remarkable sales achieved by the Zonophone records is a matter of comment throughout the trade, and the boom is still on. The company's representatives are busy "accepting" orders, which is rather reversing the usual method of salesmanship. Mr. Malyon, the assistant manager, gave some very interesting details respecting the popularity of his company's products. Said he: "In the first place we know the sale of our records will continue to show an increase week over week throughout the season. Why? Because we cater to the popular taste." "And that is, Mr. Malyon?" "Out of the many class cf selections we list the majority are of a seriocomic nature, and, therein lies the point of Zonophone popularity. Yes; our list of classical, sentimental and other class selections reach a good sale, and in our November list they are fairly represented, together with four Welsh titles. The number of ten-inch records sold is more than