The talking machine world (Aug-Dec 1919)

20 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD September 15, 1919 J. G. WIDENER BUYS COLUMBIA RETAIL HEADQUARTERS New York Retail Establishment of Columbia Graphophone Co., at 409 Fifth avenue, Purchased by Prominent Columbia Dealer — H. E. Speare to Continue as Manager, With Increased Staff The retail establishment of the Columbia Graphophone Co., at 409 Fifth avenue, New York, which opened in August, 1917, and which has been one of the most attractive and talkedof establishments of its kind in the country, has recently been sold to J. G. Widener, of Boston. Mr. Widener already operates eight Columbia stores under the name of Grafonola Shop, Inc., in Boston. Hartford, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Kansas City and St. Louis. MAKE AEROPLANES SING SONGS Someone Suggests Another Improvement to Add to Comforts of Air Travel We all know what the "music" of the aeroplane is, and our ears have become so attuned to it that the least mechanical of us can tell instantly if anything is wrong with the engine. But why not make the "music" of perfect action real music? Is it past the skill of the inventor to make the aeroplane, instead of humming like a bee, sing like the talking machine? Why Break Records? Just File Them! That is if you have the wonderful Record filing system which is a feature of The Marvelous MAGNOLA W&tcKii\j tKe Music Come Out This is only one feature of many that will command your interest and attention. Let us send you handsome illustrated catalog and information as to our plans for helping you to make money with MAGNOLA. MAGNOLA TALKING MACHINE COMPANY OTTO SCHULZ. President General Office! Southern Wholesale Branch 711 MILWAUKEE AVENUE 1530 CANDLER BLOG. CHICAGO ATLANTA, GA. The New York retail establishment of the Columbia Co., which is one of the most palatial stores of its kind in this country, will probably be operated under the name of Widener's Columbia Shop, when Mr. Widener takes possession of the establishment this month. H. E. Speare, the present manager of the shop, will retain his position with the change of managership, but the sales force will be greatly augmented by expert salesmen taken from other of Mr. Widener's establishments. The period models of the Columbia Co. will continue to be the type of machine featured, although other models produced by the Columbia Co. will be on sale. It is Mr. Widener's intention to do considerable retail advertising, as he believes that wide publicity readily pays for itself. The magnitude of the investment involved may be judged from the fact that the establishment has considerable frontage on the busiest part of Fifth avenue. It has three floors, including a main floor of old English design, a mezzanine, where the clerical staff of the office is located, and from where all those entering the reception room can be seen and immediately taken care of, and a third floor, which contains more than twenty demonstrating rooms, each spacious and fitted up as a private showroom. There is also a fine concert hall on the second floor which wili seat over 200 people. The rental alone of the establishment amounts to over $60,000, and the entire store represents as fine a retail headquarters as can be found in any other line of business in this country. Aerial voyages are uniquely solitary, and the airman would experience a welcome mitigation of boredom if he could at will call for a vocal or an orchestral performance from his engines. A NEW WAR REVENUE DECISION Department Holds That Musical Instruments Sold to Public Institutions Are Liable for Usual War Excise Taxes — The Latest Ruling In a new ruling handed down recently the Internal Revenue Department has reversed a decision made some time ago to the effect that musical instruments subject to war revenue tax were exempt when sold to the United States or any State or municipal subdivision and paid for out of the public funds. The ruling was taken to indicate that talking machines and pianos sold to Boards of Education for use in public schools, or sold to public institutions generally, would be free from the payment of a war excise tax. In the new ruling made by the Attorney General it is held that musical instruments and other goods are subject to war revenue taxes under all conditions of sale, with no exemptions allowed. It is declared that the revenue officials realize that the new ruling is unfair, but that it cannot be helped. Various trade interests have already filed protests with the authorities in Washington, seeking to have the original ruling sustained, as a protection to education, but it is given as a general opinion that the latest ruling will stand until such time as there is a general overhauling of war revenue matters and their application. PREVATT ACTUELLE CO. OPENS New Concern Organized in Charlotte, N. C, to Handle Pathe Phonograph Announcement is just made of the organization of the Prevatt Actuelle Co., of Charlotte, N. C, exclusive Pathe dealers. The Prevatt Co. will be located on South Tryon street and expect to have their establishment ready for business within a few weeks. They are leaving nothing undone toward making their store a model phonograph shop in every particular. ANY STANDARD PHONOGRAPH and THE BLISS REPRODUCER "A Wonderful Musical Combination." A Reproducer with a super-sensitive silk diaphragm that eliminates the thin, raucous, ear-straining "Talking Machine" effect. The "BLISS" Reproducer plays all records with greater volume, less scratch, better tone balance, and a wonderfully human, natural quality. THE MUSIC IS PROJECTED INTO THE ROOM. The "BLISS," used on any standard Phonograph, will not only help sales of instruments, but will increase your record trade through its extraordinary tone quality. Send sample order and make your own tests with your favorite demonstration records. Give make and style of tone arm. BLISS REPRODUCER, Inc. 80 FIFTH AVENUE NEW YORK CITY Columbia Co.'s Fifth Avenue Warerooms