The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1906)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 35 KAISER'S VOICE PRESERVED. Prof. Scripture, Who Has Undertaken the Systematic Collection and Preservation of the Voices of the Famous Men of the World, Was Able to Secure Some Very Excellent Records of Emperor William's Voice to be Filed at Harvard University and the National Museum at Washington. Prof. E. W. Scripture has undertaken the systematic collection and preservation of "the voices of persons of historic, literary, or linguistic importance" by means of phonetic records. The first record actually taken by him for such a permanent archive in America was that of the German Emperor, and in the November Century the professor gives the result of his study of the Emperor's voice. He says: "Through the American Ambassador, Charlemagne Tower, I applied for a record of the voice of the German Emperor, for preservation in durable material in Harvard University, the National Museum at Washington and the Library of Congress at Washington. The record is to be kept as a historical document for posterity. The phonetic archives at the institutions mentioned are to Include records from such persons as will presumably have permanent historical interest for America. The importance of the undertaking can be estimated by considering the present value of voice records by Demosthenes, Shakespeare or Emperor Willam the Great. "The Emperor consented, and the apparatus was set up in the palace. I askeid for four records, one for each of the institutions mentioned and one for my own scientific investigations. The Emperor, however, made only two records, designating one for Harvard University and the other for the other purposes. The two records were made by a phonograph with specially selected recorders on wax cylinders. Such cylinders are of no permanent value because they are often injured by mold, and sooner or later they always crack, owing to changes in temperature." From each original "master record" a metal matrix was made by coating it with graphite and then galvanoplating it. The wax master record was then removed (being destroyed in the process), leaving a mold from which "positives"— that is, copies of the original — could be cast. Durable positives were cast in a hard shellac composition and in celluloid. Some casts were also made in wax, and new metal matrices were made from these. In this manner the fallowing material was obtained: (1) A metal matrix and positive of record No. 1, deposited in the National Museum at Washington; (2) a similar set of record No. 1, deposited in the Congressional Library at Washington; (3) a similar set of record No. 2, deposited in Harvard University; (4) a complete set for both records (a metal matrix and positive of each), which I presented to the Emperor; and (5) a reserve set of both. These are the only records of the German Emperor's voice which exist at the present time. The Emperor declaimed the beginning of the speech made by him at the unveiling of the monument of Frederick the Great near Berlin, and also an original essay. In explaining the purpose of the collection ot which the Emperor's voice is the nucleus, the professor says: "We shall never know how Shakespeare intended Hamlet to deliver his address to the players. He had his own notions concerning his plays, and undoubtedly instructed his actors by precept, correction, and example; but the voice is lost, and all we have to-day are the mere printed words. In printers' ink and metal type we have nothing but the mummy of an author's thought. How much more to us would be Longfellow's Psalm of Life, spoken by his own voice than it can ever possibly be now! What would not the world give for records of the voices of Sophocles, Cicero. Charlemagne. Luther and Washington?" EDISON EXCHANGE PROPOSITION. The record exchange proposition in effect in this country from October 1 to 6 has been universally proclaimed by the trade to be the most satisfactory of any ever promulgated by this company. The conditions imposed were all that could be expected. They were easily understood, and compared to the large number of shipments the friction and errors were of no consequence. The number of cut out, surplus and defective records returned by many dealers was surprisingly small for each. The aggregate, however, has given the specially created "exchange department" at Orange a most busy month. Probably two-thirds of our 9,000 dealers took advantage of the exchange proposition and made shipments to Orange. All of these arrived by freight within two. weeks. With the arrival of the first shipment a^core or more of trucks and wagons were put into commission. Yet at one time fourteen carloads stood on the siding awaiting the trucks and wagons. For a time the local freight officials were literally "up in the air." At the factory the "exchange department" worked like beavers, checking the cases, getting them opened, taking the records out of the cartons, inspecting them and filling in the necessary blanks. It is difficult to imagine in advance the magnitude of a task of this kind. It is practically over now, and since the trade is so well satisfied we are greatly pleased, says the Edison Phonograph Monthly. An exchange proposition similar to the above v/as in effect in Canada from November 1 to 6. Its general conditions were the same as in the United States, excepting that the records were returned through R. S. Williams & Sons Co., Ltd., Toronto. AN ENTERPRISING KANSAS HOUSE. The .J. F. Schmelzer & Sons Arms Co.. Kansas City, Mo., have fitted up an elaborate talking machine department with three separate rooms for demonstrating purposes. They are showing Victor and Edison machines and have built up an extensive trade in these lines. A unique feature of these publicity campaigns is the sending out of invitations to selected list of Kansas City residents requesting that they call and look over the stock of records. The scheme has proven very successful, resulting in a number of sales. WE ARE JOBBERS EXCLUSIVELY A distinction we wish to emphasize. Tour orders, Mr. Dealer, have our first and only consideration and it's dollars to doughnuts we can give them better attention than if our interests were divided. Just bear in mind these few points: Orders are filled the day received ; our goods are absolutely fresh, and have never passed through a retail department; and our immense stDjk, practically unlimited facilities and years of experience, enable us to give yoa the best possible service. If your record orders have not filled as completely as you would like, try us. EDISON PHONOGRAPHS AND RECORDS HORNS, HORN CRANES, TALKING MACHINE SUPPLIES CABINETS EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTORS FOR NEW ENGLAND Fnp THE : VITAK MOVING PICTURE MACHINE The only machine of this character selling at a popular price that accomplishes the same results as the higher jjriced machines, costing many times as much. It is a most logical companion to the talking machine. Your business does not stop with the sale of the machine, as your customers are bound to come back for films, just as in the case of the records. While in no sense a toy, it is perfectly simple and can be operated by a child. Retail price, complete, $6.50 Eetail price, films jjer foot, .10 Write us for circular and Dealer's price and get in line in time to get the Christmas trade. The Pardee=Enenber§:er Co. 96=104 STATE STREET, NEW HAVEN, CONN.