The talking machine world (July-Dec 1922)

154 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD December 15, 1922 LOS ANGELES Start Big Brunswick Publicity Drive — W . S. Gray at Strand Conclave — Vocation Concert — Association Dance— Other News Los Angeles, Cal., December 4. — Although reports indicate that business is excellent with all the talking machine departments, sales, big as they were in the aggregate for the month of November, did not show the heavy increase oyer the preceding months as was anticipated. Perhaps September and October, following close on the heels of a wonderful Summer business, were so unusual that a temporary highwater mark was reached. However, November was really very good and, as the saying goes, there were "no kicks coming." Again, if we turn to the wholesalers and jobbers, reports are simply astounding — business swamped all past records and was almost overwhelming and outof-hand. The reason for this is easily seen, of course, namely, that the dealers were stocking up in anticipation of a monster December holiday trade. Big Brunswick Guns of Publicity The Brunswick dealers of Los Angeles started some big half-page newspaper advertisements in all the morning and afternoon papers on November 27 which will continue until Christmas. G. H. Barnes, president of the Barnes Music Co., was appointed chairman of the committee of advertising managers who prepared the copy and he and his confreres have done an excellent job. The Brunswick Co. shared in the expense which was borne jointly with the leading Brunswick dealers of Los Angeles and Hollywood, both exclusive and combination dealers. Parmelee-Dohrmann Pleased The talking machine department of the Parmelee-Dohrmann Co. has just celebrated the first anniversary of the opening of its department. Extensive alterations, enlargements and improvements have also been made throughout the main store, which bears the enviable reputation of being one of the highest class concerns in the Southland. The Cheney phonograph and Vocalion records are carried exclusively and the department is under the management of Mrs. H. P. Howard. Gray Visits Strand Convention Walter S. Gray, president of the Walter S. Gray Co., jobber of phonograph accessories and distributor of the Strand phonograph, attended the convention of Strand phonograph distributors at Salem, Ind., last month. He returned via Los Angeles and reported that the convention, which was attended by twentythree distributors, was a very great success and that, in addition to learning about the new Strand sales plans for 1923, two new models were shown. Mr. Gray was especially pleased with the showing of the Los Angeles branch, which was opened in June under the local management of J. J. Grimsey. Sales indicate an increase of 100 per cent over last year. Wiley B. Allen Shows Big Increase E. P. Tucker, general manager of the Wiley B. Allen Co.'s southern California division, reports a splendid business during the month of November in the Brunswick and Victor department of the Los Angeles store. He declares that all previous sales totals have been beaten in this department, of which W. Bell is manager. Mr. Tucker also spoke very highly of the steady increase of sales in the record department, which is in charge of Freda Stephan. Cecil B. De Mille Buys Victrola W. H. Richardson, president of Richardson's, Inc., has always specialized in Victrola sales to members of the motion picture world and re cently sold a Victrola XIV to the famous producer, Cecil de Mille. The instrument was purchased for use on Mr. de Mille's private yacht and some alterations had to be made when it was finally installed in its new home. Mr. Richardson also sold a $375 console model to Helene Chadwick, Paramount star, last week. Vocalion Artist in Concert John Charles Thomas, gifted baritone, appeared in concert at the Philharmonic Auditorium in the latter part of last month and was accorded a great reception. Incidentally this was the first concert to be given under the direction of the Fitzgerald Concert Bureau, and Merle Arniitage made a point of giving complimentary tickets to the Thomas concert to all the salesladies of the various Vocalion record departments, believing that they had in sales talks to customers givA a considerable amount of publicity to the concert. Association Gives Dance Members of nearly all the various talking machine departments attended the dance given by the Music Trades Association of Southern California on November 16 at the Goldberg Bosley School of Dancing. A good time was enjoyed by all and many compliments were paid to the excellent orchestra which was provided by Dick Schattinger, piano salesman of Hamburger's Music Salons. J. W. Boothe, general manager of Barker Bros, music department, was chairman of the entertainment committee and arranged for the evening's gaiety. President Tucker, H. N. Briggs, A. C. Danz, Irving Andrews, H. T. McCallon, Harley Long and J. Patten were among those present. Mrs. H. P. Howard, of the Parmelee-Dohrmann Co., and Mrs. Dear, of Barker Bros., and Miss Hallenbeck, of the Broadway Department Store, acted as hostesses during the evening. Barker Bros. Report Increase Barker Bros, report a wonderful increase of sales in the Sonora and Victor department during the month of November. J. W. Boothe, general manager, states that he is fearful of a shortage of stock for December business, which THE EMPIRE UNIVERSAL TONE ARMS Will Give Your Product Individuality That Will Greatly Strengthen Its Selling Force Send for sample of our new Tone Arm for Portable Machines. Pivot Base We invite a personal test. There is nothing more convincing. Order a sample arm and test it out. It will win you on merit only. Our prices are low and the quality second to none. Write or wire us for samples and quotations and give us an outline of your requirements. THE EMPIRE PHONO PARTS COMPANY, 1362 East Third Street, Cleveland, 0. Ettablithed in 1914 Manufacturers of High-Grade Tone Arms and Reproducers W. J. McNAMARA. President Cable Address "Emphono"