The talking machine world (July-Dec 1918)

July 15, 1918 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD FROM OUR E. P. VAN HARLINGEN, Manager CHICAGO HEADQUARTERS World Office Republic Bldg., 209 South State St., Chicago Telephone: Wabash 5774 Chicago, III., July 10. — The record situation has seen much improvement within the past month, and as a result the wholesale trade of Chicago was partially able to satisfy the demands made upon it for standard numbers. However, the relief was not great enough in any particular instance to enable the wholesalers to entirely take care of back orders, but enough standard records of all makes came in in numbers large enough to show that the manufacturers were doing their best in order to relieve the situation. There is still a large demand for the medium and high-priced machines, but this, as is well known to the trade, cannot be taken care of due to the lack of labor and shortage of material. The machines which are being shipped are coming through on schedule time and the wholesalers are not experiencing much trouble due to railroads. Shipments of the small table machines have been coming in in fair quantities and the demand for these instruments has been taken care of in a fine way. In general the wholesale dealers report that the demand made upon them by the Chicago retailers in no way approaches the demand made upon them by the country dealers. In the retail trade it seems as though the demand for patriotic and popular record numbers will never be satisfied. The dealers are experiencing some difficulty in continually turning down their clientele and in trying to unload what they have in stock. As far as operas and classical numbers are concerned it is an easy matter to satisfy the local trade, but the dealers are finding it hard to get enough of the popular numbers and military dance music. This demand is being taken care of in a small way at present, more so perhaps within the past month than with any other month so far this year and from present indications the retail dealers are anticipating further relief along these lines to come gradually. H. A. Beach Entertained H. A. Beach, head of the Victor traveling department, accompanied by Messrs. Yeager and Browning, Victor travelers for Illinois and Ohio, were recent visitors to the Chicago trade. During the visit here Mr. Beach was entertained at a basket outing by L. C. Wiswell, manager of the Victor department of Lyon & Healy, and Mrs. Wiswell and daughter. Mr. Wiswell took the party in his auto for a visit to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, and from there the party motored to Hubbard Woods for luncheon. After luncheon Mr. Wiswell drove Mr. Beach back to the Great Lakes Station, where he boarded the electric car for Milwaukee. It is the intention of Mr. Beach to make a tour of the Central States territory before returning to his headquarters at Camden. Attractive Lyon & Healy Window The Lyon & Healy show window which faces both the corner of Wabash and Jackson is very attractively fitted out depicting a fishing camp. A figure representing the fisherman, dressed in appropriate costume, is standing in the foreground dangling his line in the bubbling brook that flows around the window wherein there are quite a number of live brook trout. The background is decoratively arranged to represent a wood and immediately in back of the fisherman there is erected a pup tent, in front of which there is a campfire burning. The conventional Victor dog is replaced by a stuffed brindle bull, which is chained to a tree stump near the tent. By the side of the camp fire there is a small table Victrola, suggesting "music in the camp" and bearing the caption, "Take a Portable 'ACamper' Victrola Outfit and Carrying Case With You." Had Shorter Vacation Than Usual L. E. Noble, manager of the wholesale Victor" department of Rudolph Wurlitzer Co., has just returned from a week's vacation trip to Lake Koshkonong, Wis., where he was accompanied by his wife and child. Mr. Noble was unable to stay the customary two weeks on his vacation this year, owing to business matters which needed immediate attention, but anticipates being able to return for another week's rest-up about the first of September. Harold Huemoeller, Illinois wholesale Victor traveler for Rudolph Wurlitzer, was called to the colors the latter part of June and is now in training at Camp Grant. He was one of Manager Noble's best men and had been connected with the Wurlitzer Co. about a year. Move Offices Sam J. Turnes, advertising manager for Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co.. has had his department removed from the general office building at 633 South Wabash to No. 163. This is the store room formerly occupied by the retail Brunswick Shop, prior to its removal to the present location. Mr. Turnes has his new offices attractively fitted out and is very well pleased with the new location as well as the bevy of beautiful and charming young stenographers he now has as his assistants. Increase List Prices The Vitanola Talking Machine Co. has just announced an increase in the retail listings of their product which is now in effect. The increase embraces the entire Vitanola line, and is as follows: No. 25 is increased to $27.50; No. 50 to $55; No. 67 to $85; No. 100 to $110; No. 125 to $135; No. 150 to $165; No. 175 to $190. These increases it is stated will allow a larger margin to the dealers. It is also stated that the new 175 will soon be supplied in Circassian walnut. Jeffrey B. Schiff, sales manager of the company, stated that business has been very favorable with him and both the eastern and western business is very good. "We have opened up several new accounts around the country," he continued, "and the dealers are having a very good demand for high priced goods. The growth of this demand has been very noticeable during the past six months. We will soon have ready for the trade a beautiful period model of the Louis XIV design. This is of the table type machine equipped with a large and powerful spring motor playing both lateral and vertical cut records. It is very artistically designed and will be equipped with a new style tone chamber built especially to conform with this type of machine. It can be had in any of the woods desired and looks especially beautiful when finished in either the antique or Circassian walnut. The new instrument will be known as the Vitanola Model No. 17. New Incorporation A new company to be known as the Illinois Talking Machine Co. has just been incorporated under the State laws of Illinois with $5,000. The officers are Edwin Frankel, president; J. L. Isaacs, treasurer, and Garret Woodward, secretary. The new company, it is stated, will manufacture high-grade cabinet talking machines. The first model to be put upon the market will be known as the "Verdiola" grand concert. The {Continued on page 69) THE "WAD FIBRE NEEDLE CUTTE assures "20 or more" Original New Points to each Fibre Needle The WADE Fibre Needle Cutter "She ORIGINAL "Repointer The 20 (or more) Original Repoints AFTER — and therefore is the most economical Fibre Needle Cutter on the market. You know the many advantages of using Fibre Needles — more natural reproduction; more tunes for one cent; no wear and tear on records, etc., etc., but, do not make the mistake of buying anything but the best Fibre Needle Cutter. The Wade TheWadeJ is the oldest Fibre Needle Cutter on the marketsells on demonstration — never fails to give satisfaction — is made in two styles — $1,50 and $2.00. 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