The talking machine world (Aug-Dec 1919)

74 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD December 15, 1919 STOCK CONDITIONS IN LOS ANGELES MATERIALLY IMPROVED November Sales of Talking Machines and Records Phenominal — A. Hamburger & Sons in New Quarters — Barker Bros. Enlarge — Music Trade Association Holds Meeting. Los Angeles, December 5. — Dealers have been pleasantly surprised and very much encouraged by the unexpected arrival of a number of carloads of instruments and the immediate distribution of same by their various, jobbers. The huge business during November would. have entirely depleted the stocks of many stores, but for these welcome additions, and the last -month of the year, with its holiday season, is looked forward to as another high water mark in volume of sales. A Los Angeles department store, which claims to be the largest of its kind in theWest, has fitted out a new talking machine department which, . judged from the amount of space '"occupied and the sumptuousness of its appointments, may well appear to be one of the finest in the United States. Other houses have also found if-, necessary, to enlarge their departments in "order, to take care of their ever-increasing numbers of record purchasers. The introduction of a profit-sharing scheme for employes has been made by two companies, the one a great furniture store, including its music department, and the .other -a well known exclusive music house. Wholesaler's Largest Month Beating all past records, the Los Angeles branch of the Columbia Graphophone Co., closed its books for the month of November on the 26th. The month included 22 days '" only, ■ there beiug two holidays, Armistice and Thanksgiving days, five ! Sundays, while November 28th and 29th were closed days to allow for moving into the new quarters. The sales for the month, according to Branch Manager Stidham, were the largest in their history with many thousands to spare. The hew premises on Los Angeles street, near Eighth, will be occupied at once and the facilities accorded in a specially constructed building will enable the branch to take care of the increasing volume of business with fewer difficulties than heretofore, Barker Brothers Enlarge General Manager Boothe, of Barker Bros, music department, has found it necessary within the last two or three weeks, to still further increase the number of. record rooms. "We found that business was getting away from us, ' '• remarked Mr. Boothe, "through lack of accommodation.' So we have now brought the number of our record rooms up to seventeen. With our talking machine sales rooms, we " have a total of thirty rooms altogether and should be able to take care of the business during the holidays this year, although we have none too many even now." Wiley B. Allen Specialize Discontinuing the Edison line by mutual agreement with the distributors, Edison Phonographs, Ltd., the Wiley B. Allen Co., are devoting their efforts entirely to the sales of Victor and Brunswick only. Department Manager Jackson reports good sales for the month and excellent prospects for December. Palatial Quarters for Hamburger's Department Manager Humphrey wears a smile of the "won't come off" type now-a-days. His new salons de luxe are undoubtedly superb both CHAS. H. YATES 311 Laughlin Bldg. Los Angeles, Cal. Manufacturers' Distributors of High Grade Phonograph Accessories and Supplies. Send for my new catalogue and price list. It will interest you. TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT "If I haven't got it, I'll get it for you." This is part of my service. Exclusive Pacific Coast distributor for the JONES-MOTROLA in point of magnitude and size, as well as beauty of decoration and arrangement. The new department is reached on the fifth floor. As the visitor steps from one of the elevators he is immediately in phonograph land. A few steps take him to the reception hall or main auditorium, at . one end of which is a full-sized stage. If the auditorium was cleared and seats provided several" hirhdsed persons could be accommodated for a performance. As it is the visitor finds a soft carpeted lof ty* \hall, furnished with luxurious davenports and oriminented with various machines and tall lamps with art colored shades. A beautiful fountain gently splashes in the center. Again the carpet can be rolled up, fountain wheeled away and the polished floors cleared for dancing at will. On three sides, sixteen demonstration and record sales rooms have been provided, large, double lined, sound proof and furnished in dull mahogany. The department is completed by a fine pipe organ which was heard on the formal opening day, December 1, at which (Continued on Page 75.) ating Buyers voluntarily state that Console Model 250 RADIVARA "KNOWN FOR TONE Is the finest piece of phonograph merchandise on the American market today, regardless of price or make. This is literally true because of its super-quality, backed by our organization schooled for years in the spirit of service and co-operation. No more modern phonograph factory is to be found in the country today. The very atmosphere of quality pervades our entire plant. Model 250 presents a rare combination of musical quality and artistic beauty. Its superb tone is its crowning feature. All equipment the best. Extra large fourspring motor. Heavily gold plated metal trimmings, and velvet covered turn-table. Record shelves and filing device. Elegant finish. Dull English Brown Mahogany. A Complete Line to Correspond Liberal Discounts Advertising Service Play Safe! 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