The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1907)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 9 ALLURING PROSPECTS FOR CLEVELAND TRADE. New Year Promises Well — Talking Machine Becoming a Necessity in Every Home Because of Its Educating and Refining Influence — Holiday Season Exceedingly Satisfactory — Year as a Whole All That Could be Desired — Handsome Holiday Windows of Columbia Co. Deservedly Praised — No Necessity for Closing Up Arcades — The News of the Month. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Cleveland, O., Jan. 9, 1907. The year 1907 opens with the most alluring prospects for the talking machine trade. The Pi St year has more than fulfilled the most sanguine expectations of the dealers, not alone in the volume of business transacted but in the verv manifest desire on the part of the general public to purchase the best grade of machines, and the higher artistic class of music. The talking machine has become the great musical entertainer and educator of the day. Every household possessed of a machine is daily giving pleasure and instruction in the art, such as no other means can accomplish. It is remarked that Cleveland is advancing, and the hope is expressed that it will soon take a position among the advanced musical centers of the country. There has been an extraordinary increase in the demand for talking machines during the past three months and the holiday season accentuated it in a remarkable manner, the suitability and appropriateness of these instruments being an acknowledged factor. The dominating demand was, and, is, for high-grade goods, and the Christmas trade was largely curtailed by the inability of the factories to furnish a sufficient supply. "We closed an entirely satisfactory year's business for 1906 " said Mr. Probeck, manager of the Columbia Phonograph Co. "The volume of business was largely in excess of the previous year, and there was a noticeable demand for the best grade of instruments. During the year we were compelled to increase the capacity of our store for both machines and records, in order to meet the increasing patronage. The 12-inch disc records are being called for more often and are becoming very popular. While December started in a little slow, it more than made up in the last three weeks, and the holiday trade was the best we ever had. The Monday previous to Christmas was the largest single day's business we ever transacted, and since then both cylinder and disc records sales have been immense. Prospects for the future are better than ever." The Eclipse Musical Co. enjoyed a most satisfactory holiday trade. Mr. T. H. Towell, manager, said: "We had a phenomenal holiday trade, both in the wholesale and re-tail departments. It far exceeded our most sanguine expectations, and would have been very much larger had it been possible for us to get the goods desired from the manufacturers. There was a big demand for Victrolas — we couldn't during the holidays, nor can't now, get enough to supply the demand. The prospects are that trade will continue exceptionally good during the winter. The past year was the best we have had. Our increase in business was 75 per cent, over the previous year." WE SOLICIT YOUR PATRONAGE W. H. Buescher & Son report having had a splendid year's business, their sales amounting to about 50 per cent, more than in the previous year. "The holiday trade," said Mr. Buescher. "surpassed our most sanguine expectations. We never were kept busier than during the two weeks preceding New Year's. The sales of machines were the largest in our history, and were principally of the best grades. The demand for records is constantly increasing, especially the I'Mnch, and sales are simply immense." A carload of goods piled up on the sidewalk in front of the store was evidence that there was "something doing" inside. "Ihe year wound up in a surprisingly satisfactory manner with me," said W. J. Roberts, Jr. "Our holiday trade was large, exceeding my fondest expectations. It kept us busy day and night, and it seemed as though it would never end. During the six months since re-starting in business, trade has been increasing from day to day, and prospects are most flattering. We have not been quite so busy since New Year's, but business is keeping up in a remarkable manner, and the sales of records is phenomenal. Collister & Sayle report having had a good year's business — the best in their history. "The holiday season," said Mr. Sayle. "nearly completely cleaned us out. It was the busiest three weeks in our experience. Trade continues good, and we are constantly increasing our facilities to handle it. Hugh Gulley, manager of "The Victor," No. 924 Prospect avenue, said: "If I had much more business I could not handle it. December trade was far above expectations in spite of one or two dealers offering horns and cranes below current prices to induce the sale of certain machines and records, which is a violation of the agreement made with the manufacturers. The prospects for 1907 are good. I am getting new business every day, and the better class of trade. My stork is the most complete of any in the city." Mr. Gulley claims the credit of having made a sale of the highest price outfit ever sold in Cleveland. The Smith & Nixon Piano Co. state that since installing a talking machine department that branch of their business has been constantly increasing, and that they had an excellent holiday trade. The manager of the departments at the May Co.'s, the Bailey Co.'s, Flesheim & Smith's, and other stores who make a side line of the talking machine business, all report business good. Cleo. S. Bourgeois, assistant manager of the Columbia Phonograph Co., designed and executed two show windows during the holiday season, which were the prettiest we have ever seen, and deserving of mention. One window was gotten up to represent a "den," and according to the designer, is his conception of what an ideal "den" should be. The window was closed in by a backing of green burlap, with a dado of buff color, giving the window a semblance of a room. Arranged around the window were various pieces of weathered oak furniture, including large, easy chairs, magazine racks, and on a large leathercovered table rested a Columbia disc grapho A CLEVEIi CIIKIST.M.VS WINDOW. phone, with an assortment of records. Pipe racks and fine pictures ornamented the walls, and on one side was a cellarette, with steins and a box of cigars visible through an open door. A beautiful art glass dome heightened the general effect, and the tout ensemble made the passerby wish he could enter and make himself at home, light a cigar and enjoy a few selections on the grapho AXOTHKI: iitinh IDEA WINDOW PfBLICITY. phone. Cards in the window called the attention of the onlooker to the Columbia product, stating that: "With a Columbia graphophone you can hear operatic stars and vaudeville artists at will, in the ease of your 'den.' " The other window showed a room with a long, lew fireplace, such as used to warm the homes of our forefathers. Large andirons held pieces of log, which were made to burn and glow in a very realistic manner. The logs were laid over incandescent lamps, covered with orange tissue paper, and the whole placed on a piece of wire screen, beneath which was placed a fan motor, Edisoiv Headquarters WRITE TO-DAY Open your Account with us Your Orders will have prompt attention AT OSGOOD'S Our Complete a-nd Comprehensive Stock include Edison Phonographs, all st>'Ies, Complete Stock of Records. Horns, Black and Gold, all sizes. Flower Horns, new designs, Herzog Cabinets, Disc and Cylinder, Carrying Cases. HORN STANDS AND CRANES The Tea. Tray Co. atvd HawtKorrve a.nd Sheble Co 's Produeta a.re fully represented Our New and Enlarged Quarters enable us to fill orders promptly The c. E. OSGOOD CO. '""""^'%'*ii:?s'rs;,% 744-756 Washington St., BOSTON J