The talking machine world (July-Dec 1927)

Armistice Day and Thanksgiving Displays Both Days of Celebration Offer Talking Machine and Radio Dealers Unlimited Opportunities for EyeArresting Institutional Displays UNLIKE Memorial Day, with its sadly sweet remembrances, Armistice Day is a most joyful occasion. Everyone recalls the riotous demonstrations that took place when the news was flashed over the country that an Armistice had been declared after the terrible World War. And ever since that first celebration the event each year has been an occasion of joy — of music, and singing and dancing. Consequently, it is a fitting occasion for advertising music of all descriptions. There will be Armistice Day programs in countless towns and cities, with patriotic readings and much good music, so now is the time to get your radios before the public, and suggest that one be installed in time to "tune in" on these joyful demonstrations. Striking Armistice Day Windows On such occasions as this an institutional window will often prove more effective than a merchandise one. It calls attention to the store and fixes it on the public mind. Indirectly, one's line of phonographs or radio sets may be brought to the attention of the public by having one in operation which can be heard as the display is being viewed. A very beautiful setting was arranged by Bullocks, Los Angeles, Cal. The window was floored with green turf. On this reposed a large basket of red roses and white chrysanthemums, the high handle being tied with streamers of red, white and blue ribbons. A tall panel with light behind it visualized the poem "In Flanders Fields." Here were shown a cluster of ghost-like soldiers ascending from a field strewn with poppies. At one side was a framed copy of "In Flanders Fields" and at the other "America's Answer." The May Co., Los Angeles, had a large island window floored with green turf. From the ceiling hung the flags of all the allies, and standing under the American flag was an American soldier, with metal helmet and short sword. Beside him was a Red Cross nurse. In the corner was a stand of guns, and down front on a strip of black velvet was a vase of white By W. B. Stoddard chrysanthemums. A card observed: "Armistice Day — America Can Never Forget What They Did There." Cashing in on the Hsirvest Season November is the Harvest Season and a Harvest Sale at this time with a "harvest of bargains" will put the department in excellent shape to show the new holiday stock. Nugents, St. Louis, conducts an annual Harvest Sale, at which time all the departments are decked with the fruits of the orchard and the field. Here is the way in which they called attention to radio in one of their "harvest" ads: IN HARVEST TIME " — the air's, so appetizin'; and the landscape through the haze Of a crisp and sunny morning of the airly autumn days, Is a oictur' that no painter ha'^ the colorin' to mock — When the frost is on the pumpkin an' the fodder's in the shock. WATCH FOR PARTICULARS There's a hint of Fall in the air to-day— little folks hurry home from school. Long, cozy evenings on the way. Saffron skies and cool, keen winds. Cuddly furs and rosy cheeks. Easy chairs and a bright fire. The "homey" time of the year is here. Better add to the comfort of these long winter evenings by installing a Blank radio. See them at our great GOLDEN HARVEST SALE The Geo. J. Birkel Co., Los Angeles, took occasion to play up phonographs at this time. Their ad showed at the top a phonograph, in a wreath of autumn leaves, and suggested: ON THANKSGIVING GIVE A THOUGHT TO MUSIC To-day we are offering up thanks for the things that have come to us, for the favors that have come to bless this land of plenty. It is a day when our minds turn to higher and better things, a day of retrospection, truly a day of Thanksgiving. Let us be thankful for the rewards the year has brought us — for the influences that have inspired nobler thoughts and deeds. Give a thought to music — and be thankful for it. Let appropriate music play an important part in our every day lives — let it guide us to loftier ideals. How Kimbrell Co. Sets the Stage Another firm that staged a very successful Harvest Sale was the Kimbrell Co., Columbia, S. C. The entire store was trimmed with cornstalks, pumpkins and apples. They ran a big ad FULL LINE of HARDWARE For Radios and Phonographs H. A. GUDEN CO., Inc. 87 WALKER STREET NEW YORK, N. Y. showing a phonograph surrounded by a number of turkeys, captioned "You buy the phonograph —We'll furnish the turkey." Both windows showed different types of phonographs and records. In one the phonograph was mounted on a lofty platform, and the floor was covered with straw, among which a number of live turkeys were seen scratching for grain. Owing to the high price for turkeys their ad and exhibit attracted a great deal of attention, and a number of people who had talked for some time of getting a phonograph took this opportunity of investing. Eye-arresting Exhibit of Rhodes-Burford Co. The Rhodes-Burford Co., St. Louis, Mo., set out a decidedly interesting window at this season to call attention to the phonographs. It showed a cornfield strewn with dead leaves and stalks. In the background were vines, the leaves of which were turning red and brown. Scattered over the floor were big pumpkins, on whose sides were painted "Price is our last argument — but look at the price." "One dollar delivers the machine to your home." "Twelve records free with each machine." In the background was a scarecrow, with head made of a lighted jack-o'-lantern. In one of the corn shocks was a lighted jack-o'-lantern, and the entire window was flooded with an orange glow. Set out in the midst of the corn and pumpkins were three cabinet phonographs. A single-column ad used last season by a Western firm was set up in the form of the column conducted by "K.C.B." — broken up into very short phrases, the first two words of each being set in capitals: AN IDEAL THANKSGIVING With apologies to K. C. B. Goodness, how we are looking forward to our next visit to the Smith's. Each year it has been our custom to spend Thanksgiving with them. And how well do I remember that wonderful turkey, with gravy, and all th"e delicious trimmings that go with it. But best of all, after everyone is stuffed to the gills, we joyfully repair to the drawing-room and sit and listen to the wonderful music that comes through the air and is wafted to us through the radio, which I vow is the best I've heard in all my life. New Algonquin Unit Arousing Wide Interest The new Algonquin Remote Control radio tuning unit, said to be the first device ever invented for the control of radio reception and set operation at a distance from the set, is arousing sensational interest wherever demonstrated, according to Leo Potter, president of the Algonquin Electric Co., New York, and inventor of this new control unit. It is manufactured in two forms, mechanical and electrical. Both models are easily attached to any single dial receiver with a removable dial, according to Mr. Potter, without cutting the set or in any way disfiguring it. The mechanical unit operates automatically, while the electrical unit is operated by a reversible motor. Columbia 1928 Catalog Out The Columbia Phonograph Co. recently issued its 1928 record catalog, which has grown to fifty additional pages over last year. It follows the system of index and descriptive matter previously used, with a new and attractive cover, featuring' a graceful design ot ancient Greek musical instruments tied together by white ribbons on a barred background of cerise and white. The design is one of formal elegance in the Japanese manner. 28