The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1906)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 37 sellers ef madjines year. In this section for a while the trade had been somewhat slow, but it is now showing considerable pace acceleration. EDWARD LYMAN BILL. . Editor and Proprietor J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor. Trade R.epresentatives: Geo. B. Keller. F. H. Thompson, W. N. Tyler, B. Brittain Wilson. Boston Office: Ernest L. Waitt, 278a Tremont St. CKica.«o Office: E. P. Van Harhngen, 195-197 Wabash Ave. Telephones: Central, 414; Automatic, 8643. Phil».delphia Office : Minneapolis and St. Paul : W. H. Prescott. A. W. Shaw. St. Louis Office : San Francisco Office ; Chas. X. \'.\N BuREN. Alfred Metzger, 1635 Van Ness Ave. Cleveland Office : G. F. Prescott. London, England, Office: 69 Basinghall St., E. C. W. Lionel Sturdy, Manager. Published the I5th of every month at 1 Madison Ave. N. Y. SUBSCRIPTION (including postage), United States, Mexico and Canada, One Dollar per year; all other countries, $1.25. England and her colonies, five shillings. ADVEKTISEMENTS. $2.00 per inch, single column, per insertion. On quarterly or yearly contracts a special discount is allowed. Advertising Pages, $60.00; special position, $75.00. R.EMITTANCES. in other than currency form, should be made payable to Edward Lyman Bill. {^"IMPORTANT.— Advertisements or changes should reach this office by the first ol each month. Advertisements arriving too late for insertion in the current issue will, in the absence of instructions, be inserted in the succeeding issue. Long Dist8Lnce Telephone — Number 1745 Gramercy. Cable Address: "Elbill," New York. NEW YOR.K. NOV. 15, 1906. TRADE for the past month has been excellent, and as a result of the energy displayed in the manufacturing department of the Industry during the summer, there is no such shortage of stock as existed last year at this time, and while the manufacturers are far behind in their orders, the jobbers do not propose to te caught napping in the same way that they were last season. They have been getting in goods for months, so that the jobbing stocks throughout the country are in fair shape to keep up with the immediate demands made upon them by retailers. Jobbers who last year were practically denuded of stock at this time, are in splendid condition to take care of the needs of their trade with promptness, and judging from the large shipments which are being made there will be a great depletion in the jobbing stocks within the next two weeks. THERE is an increased demand for the more expensive products, and the real shortage to-day occurs in the higher priced goods. It would have seemed absurd to have predicted a few years ago that hundred-dollar talking machines could not be created fast enough to supply the demand, but such is the case to-day, and on the special products the manufacturers are rushed to the utmost and cannot keep up with their orders. The business over the country looks particularly bright, and our special reports, which cover nearly every important city in America, indicate that talking machine men are looking for an unusually brisk holiday trade. Surprisingly large shipments are being made to the Pacific Coast. The people in San Francisco are not to be daunted by a combination of earthquake and fire, and are clamoring for goods loudly and insistently, and all over the Pacific Coast talking machines are being sold in larger quantities than ever before. In the South, too, they are moving ahead more rapidly than last THE Middle West is a splendid talking machine territory, and the dealers there are enjoying a trade of magnificent proportions. Our reports from abroad, too, indicate an excellent business condition, and the music and piano dealers throughout England are now being won over to the talking machine. As an illustration showing the importance of this trade in England we may say that the Gramophone & Typewriter Co., Ltd., of London, last year paid a dividend of 10 per cent., a bonus of 10 per cent., and has in hand, after substantial reductions have been made for depreciation, a sum amounting to about two and one-half million dollars. When concerns of such magnitude can be built up in London, it certainly shows that the talking machine has merits which invite the investment of large capital. THE commercial machine, too, is steadily winning its way into business popularity. At the recent busifiess show at Madison Square Garden exhibits of the Columbia and Edison business talking machines have been in evidence, and they came in for a large share of attention Erom visitors, many of whom left orders to have these machines installed in their offices. The business product is as yet comparatively young, but its possibilities in this particular department are almost beyond estimate, and in a few years the commercial talking machine will be in evidence in business offices all over the world. WE are in constant receipt of communications from advertisers who advise us of the excellent results which they are receiving through publicity in the columns of The Talking Machine World. This pleasing state of affairs is not surprising to us, because we know of the thousands of copies of this publication which go forth each month to all parts of the world. There is not a . land where The World is not read, and hardly an island of the sea where it is not a welcome visitor each month. Foreign advertisers are beginning to learn that the circulation of this paper is enormous outside of the land over which Uncle Sam maintains law and order. A TALKING MACHINE MAN, who has recently returned from India, writes: "I have been much surprised to find the position that your publication occupies in the Far Bast, where it is regarded as the greatest publication of its kind in the world. As far as I am able to learn, you have no competitors, and among the European manufacturers I hear nothing but the kindest words for your publication. They frankly say The World is the leader. I wish you all the success which you deserve, and that is a good deal, because you are doing much for the talking machine interests, not only in your United States, but in all other countries where talking machines are sold." We have made for many months past a careful survey of the talking machine situation in foreign lands, and as a result we may say, without fear of contradiction, that we are sending more papers to the English-speaking countries throughout the world than any other talking machine publication, no matter where published. In Canada, India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South America The World is particularly strong, and while we are steadily gaining subscribers in Great Britain, we have not made the same advance there that we have in the British colonies, where The World is looked upon as the greatest exponent of the talking machine industry. HERE is a communication sent us under recent date by the Petmecky Co., Austin, Tex.: "It may interest you to know that we have had replies, and have secured business from our half-page advertisement in The Talking Machine World from all parts of the United States, several from Canada and Europe, and to-day have received one from Delhi, India. We are pleased with the results of the small amount spent with you for advertising, and believe that any one with talking machine goods to sell can get pleasing results if meritorious goods are advertised in your publication." It is easy to see why Europeans regard this publication with so much favor, and why it is so greatly sought in other countries. A comparison of The World with other publications in its line will clearly emphasize its superiority. There is behind this newspaper institution a thorough and comprehensive newspaper organization which extends to all parts of the globe, and there is no other institution that is spending the money or using the energy to produce a talking machine publication. It is gratifying to us to see how highly The World is regarded, because it started out with the view of serving the trade interests fairly and helping to build the industry. It is with pleasure that we receive such communications as the following from Australia: "The last World was the best, and your paper, like wine, seems to improve with age. You don't know what a blessing it is in this country to get such a wide-awake, progressive paper, which contains the news of the world. I am glad to see your English department, because it shows that your progress is of the kind which does not halt on the frontier line of the various countries." NOW that the November elections have been settled there is every good reason why general business should show steady betterment. The last part of October trade in some lines languished somewhat, and as we approach the holiday season it should show the best kind of improvement. Talking machine dealers, however, should not figure that trade will come their way without effort on their part. A progressive policy should be inaugurated and maintained by every talking machine man in the world. We have been receiving recently some clever forms of advertising which have originated with dealers, and it is such work which brings the talking machine effectively and intelligently before the public, and will win good business for the dealer. It is useless to think that interest in talking machines can be maintained without effort. The leading manufacturers are doing their part in the columns of the magazines of wide distribution, and this work should be supplemented by local campaigns on the part of the dealers. THE talking machine is receiving considerable free advertising in the columns of the daily papers, owing to the wonderful advance which it has made, and the fact that it is being used in so many ways in our modern life.