The talking machine world (July-Dec 1920)

August IS, 1920 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 23 I How the Portland Talking Machine Men | 1 Dressed Up for Shriners' Visit =: By w. b. stoddard | iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii^^ Mystic Shriners to the number of between 60,000 and 75,000 took Portland by storm during their recent convention and the Rose City of Oregon, in gala attire, welcomed them with open arms. Thousands of electric lights, each with a red fez for a shade, were strung across the principal thoroughfares; a triumphal arch, showing the pilgrims looking towards Mecca was erected on Broadway; the wonderful rose gardens were abloom with thousands of roses by day and a perfect fairyland of light and color at night, while bales and bales of red, yellow and green bunting transformed the staid occidental buildings into a city of Oriental splendor. In addition to the civic decorations the individual stores had displays on a degree of elaborateness never before attempted and the leading music houses vied with each other in doing homage to the Shriners — in fact, their contributions are worthy of detailed mention for the benefit of all those dealers who are interested in window displays in connection with great pageants. Sherman, Clay & Co. had a window floored with fine sand and in the background several papier mache pyramids. At one end was a number of palms and in front of them a tall column covered with Egyptian hieroglyphics, into which was cleverly worked the picturization of the talking machine and the Victor dog. At the opposite end were palms, in the midst of which stood a Victrola. In another window, backed with palms, they showed a table on which were a number of the silver trophies offered by leading firms and associations as prizes in the big Rose Show. The Bush & Lane Piano Co. had hung against the window a huge Shrine emblem ten feet high, extending from the top to bottom of the glass. On the rear wall was a large canvas drop depicting a caravan of camels crossing the desert. In the window was a tent of silk, made of scarfs of the Shriner colors, in front of which sat an Arab sheik in red satin and spangles with great turban and pointed red shoes, listening to the music of a phonograph set on the sand in front of him. The Wiley B. Allen Co. had a large corner window with canvas back drop showing a desert with purple pyramids enfolded in flame-colored light. The floor was covered with fine sand. Large cutouts of palm trees were shown and in the center of the stage, so to speak, was a Brunswick, around which were gathered a number of life-size figures of Bedouin chiefs in turbans and red and white robes. A second window showed a canvas drop depicting a desert scene, with four Egyptian pedestals, each topped with a phonograph record. In the center of each disc was a white circle, lettered in blue: "Hear Karavan — the most realistic offering of Oriental effects." Palms at either end of the window added to the desert effect. The Hyatt Talking Machine Co. had a large window with broad bands of bunting, red, yellow or green, extending from the top, bottom and sides of the window to a point in the center rear. At the point of focus was a kewpie doll in Shrine regalia. Nothing else appeared in the window, yet it was one of the most striking of any display. The other window of the store showed several talking machines, together with some of the latest popular records, this window also being hung with bunting of the Shriner colors. A decidedly effective publicity stunt which could be used where any convention or large gathering was being held was that of Woodard, Clarke & Co. In the center of the floor was a mound surrounded with a garland of roses, with a card, "Portland, the Rose City," Stand ing on the mound was a tiny figure labeled "Mayor Baker." To the north were little snowcovered domes, labeled Seattle, Spokane and Tacoma, as well as a toy ship called Victoria, B. C. To the south was a toy train, with cars labeled San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. Toward the east was another train with little pennants — Pendleton, The Dalles, Salt Lake City and Denver. In the background was a canvas drop, on which was painted a picture of the rising sun, and small black lines running towards Portland, the end of each being labeled Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Palm Beach, Atlanta and New Orleans. A card down front announced "They're All Coming to Portland." Pasted to the sides of the window v.-ere a number of typewritten messages on Western Union blanks, addressed to fictitious visitors in Portland during Shrine week from friends and relatives in other cities. Among the catchy messages were: "Chicago, Dear Daddy, we miss you awfully. Have a good time and bring us home from Woodard and Clarke a record of some, of the dandy band music you hear. — Myrtle, Tom and Kathryn." "Indianapolis, Sorry I forgot to pack those records to go with your machine for your camping trip after leaving Portland. You can get any you want at Woodard & Clarke's, though, so don't worry. — Annette." There were half a dozen of these messages and any dealer could arrange others to suit local conditions. Powers Furniture Co. had a large window showing the process of taking a candidate over the burning sands. In the background was an elaborate view of the Sphinx and Pyramids, and just in front of it two tall palms. Four life-size figures were shown, three in Shriner uniform and, the other a candidate in bare feet, prodded from behind with a long spear. A card down front suggested: "He'll appreciate it all the more when he reaches the oasis." The next window suggested that the restful interior of Powers store was a veritable oasis. It showed wicker chairs, a soft rug, tall palms and two Victrolas. The company's card of welcome, which was repeated in the papers, was addressed to: glllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllNIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII^ 1 NOBLES OF THE MYSTIC SHRINE 1 i I A ROYAL WELCOME! | I Pitch your tent anywhere! Ye of the East — the 1 1 West — the North — the SouthI Make yourselves at = s home anywhere in the big furniture store = I POWERS I g Would you delight your ear with sweet sounds? § g Pass through the temple gates into the garden of g 1 palms and there list to entrancing strains. 1 ^IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlllllllllll^^ In the large, airy demonstration rooms were comfortable seats and attendants to demonstrate any class of music the visitor desired. OPEN TALKING MACHINE ADJUNCT The Craycraft Dry Goods Co., of Noblesville, Ind., has announced its assumption of the Victor line exclusively. This company plans to make its talking machine department one of the largest and most attractively arranged in the Middle West. WASHINGTON STORE ENLARGES Woodward & Lothrop, the largest department store in Washington, D. C, has enlarged the Victor department by adding additional booths and record counters. Gus Louis is manager. Genuinely Interested in the Dealer Who is Genuinely Interested in Victor Elyea Talking Machine Co. Atlanta, Georgia Exclusively Victor Strictly Wholesale