The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

6 THE TALKING IVIACHINE WORLD. NEWS FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. strong Undercurrent of Trade — Political Records Big Sellers — Schooling Edison Dealers— Recent Visitors to Los Angeles — A Budget of California Items. (Special to The Talking Machine 'Woi ld.) Los Angeles, Cal., August 27, 1908. There is a surprisingly strong undercurrent of activity in the trade just now — a movement which seems quite unprecedented at this time of the year. The spirit of continual endeavor seems to be universal. Most of the dealers are continuing their campaigns for business and planning for the holidays. The announcement of the National Phonograph Co. regarding the new types of machines and the new Edison amberol records has created more interest than anything else, although the Victor exchange of discontinued records was a very welcome proposition, as many such records had accumulated from time to time. The Victor Bryan records and then the Taft records, for both Edison and Victor, have served as attractions for the dealers and no time has been lost in getting the business with them. Every dealer is featuring in his advertising and show windows these records -by the two candidates for presidency. The Geo. J. Birkel Co. are among the busiest dealers in the city and their continued newspaper advertising brings them excellent returns. The advertising of new Bryan and Taft records together with a very attractive show window display, doubtlessly accounts for the volume of business done. Ed. Geissler has returned from a vacation trip spent in Yosemite Valley, where he had a most pleasant time. He is now busy planning for his fall trade. Both A. Graham Cook and Irving Andrews have had their vacation and are busy as usual again. W. A. Scott, of the Columbia Phonograph Co., has been in this city on his vacation and has spent a good deal of his time with Manager Stidham, of this city, who reports a good disc record business. In their windows they are displaying a symphony grand, in front of which is an old style cylinder machine, suspended between the two is a sign bearing the words, "From the Old to the New." The Southern California Music Co. have sold a number of Edison business phonographs. They mean to make a special feature of these machines. J. H. Gill, representative of the National Phonograph Co.. has been in this city demon strating and schooling the dealers in the new product of the National Phonograph Co. His visit was a very pleasant one and much appreciated by the jobbers and dealers. The Southern California ^Music Co. have been doing a large business with the carrying boxes for Edison records, which they lately announced to the trade, and have also been sending some attractive advertising matter to their dealers with their names printed thereon. Frank Moreno, who has taken a position as Spanish salesman and interpreter, expects to increase the demand for talking machines and records among the Spanish and Mexican customers and is introducing the recently received Zonophone Mexican records. R. A. Smith, of Jerome, Arizona, has stocked a complete catalog of Edison Mexican records through the same firm. A. J. Caldwell, of Caldwell & Carithers, Redlands, Cal., has been making a call on the Edison jobbers in this city. He states business as being very good in his section and makes a specialty of developing trade by means of the automobile, which he says is the best ad. he could have. The popularity of Clark Bros., Edison dealers of Uplands, seems renowned, they having received and filled an order for records from the far away state of Florida. This spealis either very well for Clark Bros, or poor for Florida dealers. Visitors to the city recently were T. J. Hammet, Victor and Edison dealer of Redlauds, Cal.; F. A. Homan, of Homan & Co., Fresno, who handle sporting goods and the largest line of talking machines in the Valley; George T. Fisher, Tucson, Arizona, Victor and Zonophone dealer, who is spending a few days at the seashore. Mr. Miller, of the Miller-Sterling Co., who it will be remembered recently bought the Victor & Edison business of E. L. Andrews & Sons, Phoenix, Ariz. The Southern California Music Co.'s San Diego branch, has recently made improvements in the talking machine department, changing their stock system to better advantages. Mrs. Spooner has returned from a week at La Jolla, V. here she has spent her vacation. Mr. Nicholls is very much impressed with the Edison line and is doing a splendid business with the same. Thearle & Co., of the same city, are preparing to move to their new building and are advertising a special instalment plan. The Wiley B. Allen Co.'s branch are selling a great many Victors. The date of their removal has not yet been decided but they expect to occupy the premises in which Thearle & Co. now are. R. A. Wise, of Clark Wise & Co., San Francisco, has returned to that city after spending his vacation at Coronado beach. Jas. A. Stitt, treasurer of the Southern California ]Music Co., has returned from a trip East, and has some new ideas for the benefit of the talking machine department. PHONOGRAPHIC POTJITRY. "My dear!" crowed Mr. Rooster, His tone denoting wrath, "Why would you always listen To that loud phonograph? You see it's most alarming; Dame Nature's played us tricks. Just look at what she's given us. These phonograpnic chicks." — Howard Taylor Middleton. DESERTS BUSINESS FOR MARRIAGE. (Special to The Talkiug Machiue Woi Id.) Pittsburg. Pa., September 5, 1908. All of the old-time talking machine boys will learn with regret that Miss A. C. Schaefer has left the talking machine business, having been married recently to Adolph R. Meyer, a most estimable young business man of the Northside, Pittsburg, Pa. Miss Schaefer entered the talking machine business when a mere child, her father Joseph Schaefer being the first dealer in the city of Pittsburg. The old dealers who started earlj' in the business received their first bills of goods through Mr. Schaefer. When he gave up the business Miss Schaefer went with Henry Braun, of Allegheny, Pa., and remained with him a number of years, later .going with the Powers & Henry Co., of Pittsburg, with whom she stayed until last month. Miss Schaefer's tact, amiability and integrity are generally known and require no comment, and her retirement from the business will be regretted not only by the firm she leaves, but by all with whom she came in contact in her experience in the talking machine trade. After September 15th Mr. and Mrs. Meyer expect to reside in Bellevue, Northside, Pittsburg. WERLEIN"S ENLARGED "TALKER" STORE. ( Special to The Talking Machine World.) New Orleans, La., September 6. 1908. Owing to the enlargement of the talking machine stock of the Philip Werlein house, due to the purchase of part of stock of the Cable Company's department when the latter was closed out, it has been found necessary 'to move the department from the fourth down to the first floor. It is planned to manage the entire department and make it one of the most elaborate in the South. HE DID SOMETHING TO AROUSE THE COUNTRY. "GiAC me a little time," said the literary young man, "and I will do something that will arouse the country." Three months later he had his chance. He was peddling alarm clocks in a farming community. ANDREWS TALKING MACHINE — = SUPPLY HOUSE — Credits itself with being the quickest and most prompt shipper of all orders on this line — making no distinction on size of order, as our stock is large and complete. GENERAL DISTRIBUTERS FOR EDISON and VICTOR MACHINES and RECORDS COMPLETE STOCH OF RECORD CABINETS, HORNS and Accessories A Trial Order Will Convince SYRACUSE, N. Y. W. D. ANDREWS BUFFALO, N. Y. The "political record" is a live issue.