The talking machine world (July-Dec 1928)

JOHN HAVILSON, Manager 324WASHINGTON ST,BOSTC>N,MASS MQSTON ENGLAND New England Dealers Add the Brunswick and Columbia Lines Record Business Continues in Satisfactory Fashion — Brunswick Combinations in Big Demand — Columbia Artists' Appearances Aid Sales — Schubert Centennial Observed Boston, Mass., December 4. — The holiday rush of business is nearing its height, and while a few concerns report a slackening of business there are others that found November big all through to the end. New Brunswick Dealers Appointed The record business at the Brunswick headquarters is reported as being very large, and November was the best month in the company's Boston business. The new 2KRO combination came and went in short order; in other words the entire stock was quickly depleted. Some of the newest representations for the Brunswick are Sprang's Radio Co., Boston; Arvens Music Shop, Roslindale; J. F. Denno Store, Millbury; Marcellus Roper Co., Worcester; Billy Murray's Song Shop, Barre, Vt. ; Rivoli Song Shop, New Bedford, and the Music Box, Milford. Big Atwater Kent Yearly Volume The J. H. Burke Co. has been experiencing a slight falling off in the demand for Atwater Kent products which the house says is not surprising in view of the enormous demand for goods during September and October, and well into November for that matter. The prime call of course was for goods anticipating the national election, and that demand now satisfied it is to be expected that there is a lull. Nevertheless the earlier insistent demand helped most materially to bring the average up high so that the current year is bound to make a splendid showing, for there is yet the Christmas rush to be supplied. Record Business Continues Big The Eastern Talking Machine Co. had a very big November business, and for some time past the record output especially has been extremely large and this is likely to continue right through to the end of the year. Receives Big Majestic Shipment The F. D. Pitts Co. has just received a big shipment of Majestic merchandise for which the local house will find ample use, for dealers are calling for goods lustily from all over New England. The latest shipment has been divided between its local storehouse and those at Portland, Me., lately opened as mentioned last month; and that at New Haven, Conn. Columbia Artists in Local Theatres Walter McNally, the Irish baritone, and Columbia artist, has been appearing at the Keith Memorial Theatre this past week, and while here he paid a visit to the Boston wholesale quarters of the Columbia Co. where he was entertained by Manager N. B. Smith. Another local caller was Ted Lewis, who also was appearing at this same theatre, and whose Columbia records are big sellers. A looked-for visitor in a few days is Paul Whiteman, who with his band is to be here for a concert in Symphony Hall, December 9. His records also are splendid sellers. And again speaking of Columbia records there are those of the music in "Blackbirds" which is the attraction at the Tremont Theatre, which local dealers can't supply enough of. A new instrument which Columbia dealers are inspecting with great interest is the Columbia-Kolster combination 980 built in Tudor Gothic style, samples of which are now at the Boston headquarters. Schubert Centennial Observed The Schubert anniversary celebration was widely observed under Columbia auspices throughout the New England territory. In twenty-one cities and towns in Greater Boston there were all sorts of observances in schools, public halls and over WBET and WBZ broadcast stations, and in every instance there were both vocal and instrumental numbers used. In this territory the local Columbia quarters had a busy time of it supervising programs. New Columbia Accounts Opened New Columbia accounts include: Harry Elfbaum, of Dorchester; E. H. Bickford Music Rooms, Franklin, N. H.; C. C. Harvey Co., Brockton and Lynn; Codman Square Music Co., Dorchester, and the Rivoli Song Shop, New Bedford. Manager Smith states that business is forging ahead splendidly, and the November business made the best showing of the year thus far. Big holiday demand is assured. In New Post F. Gerald Macomber was recently appointed assistant sales manager of the radio distributing firm of Stern & Co., of Boston and Hartford. He has been connected with the company for a number of years. CeCo Go. Goes on the Air Dealers throughout the country will be glad to receive the good news that the CeCo Couriers are to be on the air for 52 consecutive weeks. The assurance of this has just been made public by the CeCo Mfg. Co., manufacturer of the CeCo tubes, and the Columbia Broadcasting System. This is the largest broadcasting campaign ever presented to the American public exclusively in behalf of a radio tube, it is claimed. The new contract involves an expenditure of over $125,000 and will be heard over the air through the 22 stations of the Columbia Broadcasting System which, by the way, reaches approximately 76 per cent of the total number of set owners in the United States. The CeCo Couriers began their programs on September 17 of this year, it being their first venture in radio broadcasting as an advertising medium. The first contract was of a test nature, the principals deeming it advisable to try out radio as a medium before entering into long-term agreements. The series has met with overwhelming success, soliciting unlimited approval from radio audiences in the form of applause mail, and what is more important, increasing the sale of CeCo Tubes so tremendously that the CeCo Mfg. Co. has been forced to add greatly to its facilities and has, in turn, decided to enter into a long-term broadcasting contract. Programs go on the air at eight-thirty, Eastern Standard time each Monday evening. The recently organized Mallory Piano Co., Inc., has leased a store in the building at 390 Broadway, Long Island City, where one of the chain of stores planned by the company will be opened. The Victor Caravan Has Come And with it a display of the greatest line of instruments in Victor history — every one the greatest value in its class. BUT to be SOLD — they must be shown and demonstrated to the public through the dealer. Let Ditson Service Take Care of Your Stock Requirements Oliver Ditson Co, Boston Chas* H* Ditson & Co* New York 68