The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 23 FROM OUR EUROPEAN HEADQUARTERS(Continued.) value than ever; the instrumental and vocal records which we shall have ready in September will be the finest we have issued, and will include several of the latest hits, besides selections of Sullivan's opera on our new 12-inch discs." Several ot the "Favorite" agents have already placed advance orders, and it is expected that these records will reach a large sale. Traders can have full particulars on application to the company's London headquarters, 45 City Road, E. C. Somewhat of a Mix-Up! Discussing the new patent law and its result, a London newspaper says that the first important company to meet the new conditions is "the Edison-Bell Co. of America. A large factory has been opened at Wiliesden, and there phonograph records, hitherto exported to these shores from America, Germany, France and Belgium, are being made by English workmen. It is estimated that in a year's time 500 men will be employed in the factory." The factory in question is, of course, that of the National Phonograph Co., but we have not seen that any disclaimer has been issued. Talking Machines as Soap Premiums. A while back we heard of the Sunlight Soap people offering pianos as prizes to their customers. Messrs. Lipton have gone one better, and in order to introduce a new soap which they are placing on the market, they have initiated a huge advertising scheme, the essence of which is that thousands of talking machines are to be given away. A. Lyon & Co., factors, have secured the first order to supply 10,000 disc machines and records. We understand that the Beka record will figure in this. It constitutes perhaps the largest order ever placed in the talking machine industry, and we congratulate Messrs. Lyon on their smartness in fixing up such a fine contract. Mme. Tetrazzini in IVlilan. Mme. Tetrazzini is taking a rest in Milan from August 1 to September 28, on which date she returns for a long provincial tour covering all the principal centers. After this New York and Philadelphia will see something of her until April next year, when she returns to London for the giand opera season. "Celebrita Records" Just Issued. Public taste is every year growing more in the direction of the very highest class of music, and record manufacturers are recognizing this and catering to it. Evidence of this is furnished by the announcement in the Columbia August Supplement of twenty-seven 12-inch "Celebrita Records." They are songs and operatic selections by singers of the very highest repute. S. H. Sheard's Long Tour. Perhaps the longest tour ever made in the interests of the talking machine was that of S. H. Sheard, of the Gramophone Co., who has just reurned to this city after a journey lasting thirteen months. During this period several of the British eastern dependencies were visited, and many new accounts opened up as a result. Columbia Record Haunted Him. Splendid things are being said about the new tone-arm cylinder graphophones introduced by the Columbia Co. Those accomplished duettists, Collins and Harlan, have been making more Columbia records, one of which was announced in July. The editor of the Cardiff Weekly Mail heard the record and it caught his fancy. So he played it over again and then once again, and he repeated the process so often that finally he wrote and published in his paper the following paragraph: "We have had serious thoughts of entering an action against the Columbia Co. for distracting our thoughts by the haunting jingle tune of 'I'm A-running After Nancy,' a tune that has stuck to us waking, sleeping, working and idling. We can't get rid of it." Good Line for Colonial Trade. In his advertisement this month Daws Clarke again draws attention to the Graduated Flex Diaphragm, which, by the way, is a remarkably good line for Colonial and foreign dealers. The "Flex" gives a natural reproduction, and retail ers can considerably add to their turnover by introducing this diaphragm to their customers; especially those of an inventive turn of mind, who like to experiment and make up their own sound boxes. Through his advertisement in The World Mr. Clarke is doing good business with American jobbers and others. An Arrangement of Exceeding Interest, Sterling & Hunting, Ltd., of 59 City Road, this city, announce that on August 1 they transferred to Barnett Samuels & Sons, Ltd., the sole selling rights for the United Kin'gdom and Australasia of all goods previously controlled by them. In future all orders and other matters relating to "Odeon" and "Fonotipia" records and "Odeon" machines, etc., will be dealt with by the latter company. Sterling & Hunting, Ltd., also announce that, acting on the advice of many of the foremost dealers in the country, they have decided that all future "Odeon" records shall be double-sided. The proprietors of "Odeon" records have, in the past, always identified themselves with this form of disc, and as the new records will retail at a reduced price of 4s. each, it is confidently expected that a greatly increased volume of business will result. Barnett Samuels & Sons, Ltd., in a letter to the trade announcing the acquisition of the new selling rights, state that they will very shortly issue a new and completely revised catalog of "Odeon" records, in which the prices of the various sizes and particulars as to exchanges, etc., will be clearly set forth. TRADE REPORTS FROM THE PROVINCES MANCHESTER NOTES. Manchester, August 3, 1908. In Manchester trade has held up exceptionally well, but the past week or two has, however, distinctly shown signs of a little set-back. Holiday making has commenced in real earnest, and for the next month or two will hold its kingly sway. The fine weather recently experienced has caused most of the dealers to think of taking a little recreation and recuperation. In nearly every establishment, however, preparations are now being considered in regard to the next season's trading. Very exceptional terms are being offered by some of the leading London houses, who cater for the trade in the North, to say nothing of dating and invoicing three or four months ahead. This, however, is bad business. Short credits are becoming the rule, and beneficially so, as far as the factors and leading merchants are concerned; but we hear that some of the southern factors have such heaped up stocks that they are only too glad to dispose of them on the above system, which is most regrettable, because such goods, if bought now, say at three or four months' post dating, are likely to become obsolete and out of date before the season opens, and as there are so many changes at the present moment occurring and likely to occur, it will be poor policy for the retailer to handicap himself for later sales, for the benefit of three or four months' extra credit during the holiday season, when no sales are taking place worth mentioning. We have also had our attention directed to the policy observed by certain wholesale houses in giving credit indiscriminately to retailers who have, by hard work, fostered a nice little growing business. Their representatives give such credit, that is quite unwarranted by the size and stock and "locus standi" of the retailer, and the result is the latter is packed up with goods Have You ^ Got This Free Sample? As a Dealer You Are Entitled to It WRITE AND ASK FOR IT 3/ JUMBO 10 Retail Duplex Wholesale Agency 32-36 Worship Street, LONDON, E. C, ENG.