The talking machine world (July-Dec 1923)

172 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD November 15, 1923 SAN FRANCISCO Third Annual Music Week Stimulates Every Branch of the Music Trade — Dealers Plan for Banner H oliday Trade — News of Month San Francisco, Cal., November 5. — Talking machine dealers in the San Francisco Bay Section are in line for a banner holiday business, according to reports from various representative houses in this part of the country. In fact, sales for the past month have been very satisfactory in volume and the outlook is for steady improvement for the remainder of the year. Music Week Stimulated Trade Music Week has, no doubt, exerted quite a stimulating effect on the sale of talking machines and records, as well as other types of musical instruments and musical merchandise. This city celebrated her Third Annual Music Week, October 29 to November 3, and the event turned out to be one of the most elaborate and successful affairs of the kind ever attempted in the West, at least. The program was noticeably wider in scope than last year's Music Week, or the year before, and the attendance was more than double. The music dealers gave their hearty support. George R. Hughes, secletary of the Wiley B. Allen Co., served as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, other members of which included Shirley Walker, of Sherman, Clay & Co., who is also president of the San Francisco Advertising Club, and James J. Black, treasurer of the Wiley B. Allen Co., who devotes special attention to the talking machine end of the business. Besides the daily afternoon and evening programs in the Civic Auditorium, which embraced the best talent to be had in all kinds of music, various special events were staged at the theatres, hotels, cafes and music stores. Prominent among the latter was the personal appearance of the Duncan Sisters at the Quarg Music Shop, 198 O'Farrell street. In striking costumes they sang some of their popular selections and autographed their records. After an unsurpassed run of their "Topsy and Eva" at one of the local theatres, needless to say, the store was thronged with people to see and hear them at close range, and the autographed records were sold as fast as they could be tied up and handed out. Naturally the event had been well advertised. The sale of Paul Ash Orchestra records was likewise stimulated very noticeably by an entertainment in the Wiley B. Allen Co.'s store, arranged by the record department. Wiley B. Allen Stores Improved During the past month the Wiley B. Allen Co. has celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in business, and, one might add, is still growing. At present extensive improvements are in progress at the San Jose branch, which will give the talking machine department greatly increased space and importance in the new arrangement. This will be the fifth of the company's eight stores to undergo complete renovations during 1923; or to be more exact, the Fresno, Sacramento and San Diego stores have been completely remodeled and new quarters have been occupied in Oakland. A recent visitor to the local trade was Arthur Geisler, of the New York Talking Machine Co., accompanied by Mrs. Geisler. While here Mr. Geisler made his headquarters with Sherman, Clay & Co., Western Victor jobbers. Prof. Cheney a Visitor Prof. Forest Cheney, originator of the Cheney phonograph, was in San Francisco early in the month, accompanied by W. H. Munson, of the Munson-Rayner Corp., Western distributors of this line. Prof. Cheney spoke before the local Ad Club, Downtown Association, the Buyers' Club of the Emporium and other organizations. The Emporium address was arranged for by Charles Mauzy, manager of the phonograph department of that large department store. News Gleanings B. R. Scott, manager of the talking machine department of the Nathan-Dohrmann Co., is receiving the congratulations of his friends on his recent marriage. Returning from his honeymoon in Southern California, Mr. Scott is ready for a very active holiday sale of machines and records. His department handles the Victor, Cheney and Emerson lines ^and, owing to the rapid growth in business, is now beginning to feel the need of more space. W. E. Henry, better known as "Pop" Henry, Pacific Coast manager for the General Phonograph Corp., of New York, is limping around as the result of an automobile accident on his The territory we serve NEwffliSON GOMPABISON "fsinmpiliLIVING AUTIST REVEAlllNgJiSlSSEBENCE Comprises the Entire Pacific Coast If you are a live dealer in this territory — or vs^ant to become a live one and would know, in detail, the full possibilities that this great market holds for Edison goods, write one of our three offices. We carry at all times an exceptionally large stock. This means prompt service. Edison Phonographs, Ltd. Portland San Francisco Los Angeles way back from a trip to Los Angeles. Mrs. Henry sustained more serious injuries. Following the disastrous fire in Berkeley, across the Bay, when over thirty blocks of residences were destroyed, Henry Hauschildt, of the Hauschildt Music Co., immediately announced to the "fire victims" cancellation of all indebtedness to his company on destroyed pianos and talking machines, which action was greatly appreciated by the losers of homes. Clark Wise & Co. have been celebrating their thirty-fifth anniversary in business. Live Columbia Dealer A very optimistic spirit permeates the atmosphere in and around San Francisco, in relation to the new Columbia phonograph line. In the city of South San Francisco, a hustling little suburb, Columbia has just about the livest dealer in this territory. J. J. Jennings is an exclusive Columbia dealer. With an eye towards the future he has just completed the erection of a new building on the main street. A beautiful mezzanine floor is being devoted exclusively to the sale of the Columbia line of phonographs. Mr. Jennings has also installed an amplifier, so that no person can fail to hear the latest Columbia records. Ordering Edison Holiday Stock Edison Phonographs, Ltd., distributor of the Edison line in the Coast territory, with ofifices in this city, Los Angeles and Portland, Ore., is having a busy time of it these days in keeping up with the demands of the many dealers which it serves. The number and size of the orders being received indicate that the Edison retail trade is expecting a very busy holiday season, for which preparations are being made. PLANS FINE NEW DEPARTMENT Geo. C. Wille Co. to Feature Talking Machines in a Big Way in New Location to Be Occupied Early Next Year Canton, C, November 8. — The George C. Wille Co., in its new local Nobil building. Fourth and Market avenue, after January 1 will have a talking machine section second to none in the State, according to announcement recently by George C. Wille, head of the music house. "I plan to spend more than $5,000 on appointments and interior decorations and fixtures," said Mr. Wille this week. "I want to make it the finest music store in Canton, to cater to the musical needs in every line," he said. Installation of eleven full-sized booths, all prettily appointed, will be made on the main floor of the store, and in the rear of the store will be at least nine other booths, making a total of twenty. In the new store Mr. Wille plans to specialize in the same line of talking machines as he has always featured, the Victor and Edison. ANNOUNCES THE OUTING JUNIOR Outing T. M. Co. Places New Instrument on Market — New Jobbers in Southern Territory Appointed — Factory Working Full Speed The Outing Junior is the name of a new portable that has just been placed on the market by the Outing Talking Machine Co., Mount Kisco, N. Y., manufacturer of the Outing portable, which has secured country-wide distribution during the past year. The new model will retail at $25 and will be ready for delivery within the next week or ten days. A. J. Cote, president and general manager of the Outing Talking Machine Co., is enthusiastic regarding the sales possibilities for the Outing Junior, which he states has several unique features, including a new method of tonal reproduction. The Outing factory is working at full speed, and orders have been received from Outing distributors which indicate that this portable is being accepted as an all-year-round seller. Several new jobbers have been appointed recently, including the Independent Jobbing Co., Goldsboro, N. C, and the Junius Hart Piano House, New Orleans, La.