The talking machine world (Aug-Dec 1919)

September 15, 1919 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 39 Barbara Maurel sings "Kathleen Mavourneen" and "Love's Old Sweet Song." Millions will want to hear her. A-6112. Columbia Graphophone Co. NEW YORK STOCK SHORTAGE HAMPERS TRADE ACTIVITY IN TOLEDO Dealers Looking for Larger Allotments — Leading Houses All Optimistic Regarding the Fall Outlook— Crop Conditions Mean a Large Urban Trade — News of Month Toledo, O., September 3. — The talking machine business in this city shows increased activity with the approach of the fall season, and, although some dealers are somewhat hampered by the shortage of machines and records, intensive efforts are bringing results. With most of the men back again from their vacations ready for hard work all stores are making preparations for big campaigns. Red Seal records especially are selling fast and every dealer is taxed to supply the demand. Chas. H. Womeldorff, manager of the Toledo Talking Machine Co., with his wife and baby, is spending his vacation at The Breakers, Cedar Po'nt, Ohio, and will return home after making a tour around Lake Erie, stopping at Cleveland, Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Detroit. Mr. Womeldorff feels that there will be a good allotment of machines from the factory for the rest of the year, but feels that he will not get anywhere near enough to take care of the demands of his dealers. He has left Warren L. Kellogg in charge during his absence. Warren L. Kellogg, who is taking charge of the Toledo Talking Machine Co. while Mr. Womeldorff is on his vacation, says that he is now a resident of Toledo, or will be as soon as his new home is completed, and will then be in better shape than before to give assistance to Mr. Womeldorff, and can also make his trips in the territory to much better advantage. Mr. Kellogg says that the crops in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana are certainly looking fine, and that the dealers all say that the people have money in plenty, and seem to want to spend it for Victrolas and records. The dealers in his territory' are trying hard to get in shape for the big fall rush that is sure to come. H. G. Pulfrey, the new manager of the Cable Co.'s Toledo store, now feels very much at' home here, as his wife and family have joined him at their new home in Wildwood Road. He says business is very good, especially in Red Seal records that the Victor Co. have recently reduced in price, and from all indications the Cable Co. at Toledo will have the largest year in their twenty-three years of business in Toledo. With the purchase of the Whitney & Currier Co.'s retail department by the Grinnell Bros., the Whitney & Currier name, before the public for many years, passes into history. This establishment is now a Grinnell store. Mrs. McDonald has resumed charge of the talking machine department of the People's Outfitting Co., and reports business as very good. Miss Tuey, manager of the La Salle & Koch talking machine department, has just returned from her vacation, and says that the record business has been exceedingly good, especially in Red Seal records. Arthur J. Pete, of the Lion Store, just returned from his vacation in Michigan, and, while the fishing was nothing much to brag of, he had a very delightful time. He says the Lion Store is going to stick loyally to the Victor Co., and looks for continuing increase in machines and records. Mr. Pete reports a wonderful increase in business so far this year, and especially so in records, notwithstanding the shortage, and feels that the change in price of the better Red Seal records means a great deal to every Victor dealer. Out-of-town visitors at the Toledo Talking Machine Co.: G. L. Lathrop, of North Baltimore, O.; Fred Meier, of Monroe, Mich.; Mr. and Mrs. Lowell E. Meek, of Hudson, Mich.; Bruce Carpenter and wife, of Detroit, Mich.; Dan Baumbaugh and family, of Cleveland, O.; Carl K. Rowlands, of Lima, O.; Geo. W. Robinson, of Steubenville, O.; Ralph P. Crane, of Bowling Green, O.; F. H. DeWitt, of Port Clinton, O.; Fred C. Kloepfer, of Bucyrus, O.; E. O. Little, of Auburn, Ind.; Mr. Wagonlander, of Sylvania, O.; Ed. Lyons, of Cleveland, O. Wm. W. Smith, president of the J. W. Greene Co., is very busy these days arranging his campaign for the wonderful increase in business that he has a right to expect for his company in all lines this fall. He is particularly optimistic about the talking machine end of his business, and believes that the better classes of Red Seal records especially are going to have a tremendous sale this fall and winter. The Wm. B. Duck Co. is closing out the stock of pianos and players to make more room for the ever-increasing Victrola business. A BOSTON INCORPORATION The Symphony Talking Machine Shop, Inc., has applied for a Massachusetts charter. The capital is $10,000, divided into one hundred shares at $100 each. The officers of the incorporation are Charles Soddeck, president; Robert J. Howell, 31 Topliff street, Dorchester, treasurer, and William C. Pree. ENLARGING VICTOR DEPARTMENT E. Clyde Ferguson, of Niles, O., has just purchased the building where he has a Victrola and drug business and will now go ahead and put both of the departments in much better shape to get the increased business that is coming his way. L. C. ST0WELL IN MAINE 1 Leon C. Stowell, of New York, sales promotion manager of the Dictaphone branch of the Columbia Graphophone Co., recently spent a few days in Bangor, Me., visiting E. G. Curtis. No talking machine store ever closed up because it was too attractive. Ideally Equipped for Efficient Service to the Victor Dealer Mellor's, whose Victor Wholesale Warerooms are here illustrated, would appreciate the opportunity of demonstrating to you their prompt and efficient service. Victor Wholesalers Established 1831 604 Wood St. Pittsburgh OFFICE 604 Wood St. PITTSBURGH