The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

66 THE TALKING MACfflNE WORLD. THE VIASCOPE SPECIAL IN DEMAND. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Chicago, 111., Sept, 6, 1908. The Viascope Mfg. Co., of 112 East Randolph street, this city, are having a remarkable demand for their "viascope special" moving picture machine, recently introduced. The new machine is simple in construction, rigid, artistic and durable. The working parts of the viascope special are enclosed in a handsomely nickel-plated steel case, so that they are absolutely protected from all dust and foreign matter. It is constructed throughout of the best materials obtainable. All of the shafts are made of the finest grade of tool steel; the movement, also, is made of the best grade of tool steel, hardened to prevent wear. All of the bearings are so arranged that they can be replaced by any one, at any time. All parts of the machine are interchangeable. It is oiled by a series of oil tubes extending from the outside frame to the bearings inside of the machine. The main points of the viascope special are its steadiness and its lack of flicker. If the film is perfect it shows a picture that is perfectly steady. There is absolutely no vibration to the machine itself. The film is moved by a single cam, which, having a connection on all four sides at once, is always in contact with the film-carrying mechanism. The machine is as nearly flickerless as it is possible for a machine to be, the shutter being very small and at the same time covering the picture during the entire movement of the film. Now, in framing a picture on the viascope you never get away from the shutter as in other machines, for the shutter is so constructed that it always remains in the same position with the framer and lens. It is possible to frame two pictures with this machine and still keep the shutter in the same position with the framer. The viascope special is absolutely fireproof. It is also fool-proof, as all parts are so made that anyone taking the machine apart can get the various parts in the right place, for it is impossible to get it together any other way. All of the work on the machine is done by skilled mechanics, each an expert in his own line. The work is under the personal supervision of J. J. Pink, the president of the company. Mr. Pink has had long experience in the manufacturing and repairing of all kinds of moving picture machines, and is himself an inventor and practical mechanic. AN ATTRACTIVE LINE OF POST CARDS. The accompanying illustration shows one of the attractive "invitation" post cards issued by the Simplicity Co., Chicago. There are a large number of subjects, adapting the card for use for many purposes, each with a distinctive de SPECIAL OFFER 500 POST CARDS — No two alike ; all retail at 2 for 5 cents and 5 cents each, $2.50. Cash with order; prepaid. SIMPLICITY CO.. Chicago, 111. I^lijkdfi ieen ai^joi^d ^ give, an ^ Lc.J{°f<^®1^ OTl ^ d^^ (ffclc_= sign. In many sections of the country these invitation cards have created a perfect furore, and no society woman feels she is quite in style unless she gives her invitations via the new route. Elsewhere in this page will be found a special offer made to dealers on an attractive series of picture post cards. PROFIT IN A LINE OF STATIONERY. What a Canvass of the Trade Reveals — Lesson Taught in Lax Method of Keeping Accounts — A Subject of Interest to Talking Machine Dealers Handling Side Lines — Some Interesting Figures Compiled by Those Who Know. Many talking machine firms in looking around for good side lines to go with the phonograph have undoubtedly had their attention drawn to the stationery trade. We believe therefore that a few extracts from an article headed "Figuring Profits on Stationery," which appeared recently in a well known journal in this field, will be read with interest. It seems that a certain stationery manufacturer decided to find out if possible just what gross and net profits were made by a manufacturer, a jobber, or dealer, in that business; also how much was lost from bad debts, depreciation of stock and fixtures, etc. He therefore got up circulars and blanks to be returned and sent them to all the members of tho different stationers' associations throughout the country, asking them to supply the date and send it in unsigned. Here are some extracts from the replies received: "I am at a loss to figure the gross profits on my sales and shall be glad to have you show me how to do it." "Expense account kept, but never added." "Actual profits on investment 7 74 per cent." "All expenses not charged to stationery department that rightly belong to it." "Made gross profit of 53 per cent, on sales of one year. The year before 57 per cent., but does not take stock nor keep an expense account." "Two meals a day." One of the largest dealers in the country writes: "Our method of inventorying our stocks is about as follows: We inventory at $1 stock that costs $1. that is new, fresh and salable, and has not been in stock over a previous inventory. If on hand at second yearly inventory and still fresh and salable it is taken at 25 per cent, discount, at third inventory 50 per cent, discount, at fourth 75 per cent., and at fifth nothing. In this way the 'shop-keepers' get down to a low inventor\ valuation whatever may be the actual selling values. This latter determined according to the items and its salabilify." The division of classes is as follows: As to iflurns received we have divided them into (1) THE F»IAIVOVA C01VIF»AIVY, Manulaclurers ol 44 AND 65 NOTE ELECTRIC PLAYERS with or without nickel In the slot attachment SECURE THE AGENCY NOW. 117-125 Cypress Avenae, New York. retailers, (2) wholesale and retail, (3) wholesale, (4) manufacturers. (M) annual sales less than $25,000. Other classification up to $150,000 or over we have omitted as we have not the space to devote to it. , Per cent, on sales. — s Class M Gross profit Expense. Net.* Xo. 1 33i«, .23 .09 " 2 40 .80 .10 " 3 30 .22 .05 " 4 33% .26% .04% Average 347? .25% .07 'After deductins all bad debts and depreciation for fixtui'ts. merchandise, machinery, etc. It is assumed that in the above figures all parties included in their expense account a fair salary for themselves and partners, if any, or if a corporation salaries for their officers. It is to be remembered also that in the net results above no interest on capital was included. It would be interesting to know what was left of the profits if this should be done. Is the stationer always getting in adition to his living 6 per cent, on his capital? If so, how much? MOVING PICTURES OF MARATHON. Used by Hayes, Winner of Race, in Illustrating His Lecture in Vaudeville. "Johnny" Hayes, winner of the great Marathon race is to go into vaudeville to tell of his great run and how he felt at different stages of the race. The growing importance of the moving picture machine is proven in that connection as such pictures will be used in conjunction with his talk to show just how the race looked and how he crossed the finish line. While the Marathon race dates back to the time when Greece was one of the ruling nations of Europe, never before has a race been reproduced in actual motion pictures for the benefit of a people thousands of miles away, for Athens with her wonderful marble stadium had no moving picture machines. Dorando, who got to the stadium first but collapsed and was helped across the line, is also to appear in vaudeville as soon as the leg he broke bicycling is mended. Probably the moving-picture machine in his case will show him being shoved across the line; but as he knows no language but Italian some one else will have to do his monologuing "stunt." Lamps placed along the lower edge is one of the latest improvements in show window lighting. To be effective, they should be screened from view by either a permanent fixture or a shade which can be raised slightly above the line of the lamps. SPECIAL TO THE TRADE! FOR 30 DAYS ONLY — These 1907 Song Hits at 10c. per copy, or $10.00 per hundred : " Every One Is In Slamberland Bat Yon and Me " "Twinkling Star" " Sweethearts May Come and Sweethearts May Go " "Where The Jessamine Is Blooming, Far Away" Instrumental — Paula Valse Caprice It will pay you to keep in touch with us. Write to-day! THIEBES-STIERLIN MUSIC CO. ST. LOUIS, MO. 60 YEARS' EXPERIENCE I RADE IVIARnS Designs Copyrights Ac. AnTone sending a nketoh and description may quickly ascertjiin our opinion free wliether an Invention I9 probably putentable. {.'oninuinlcatlonantrlctlyconililcntlal. HANDBOOK on Patent* sent free. OMeat ni;cnc.v for seourlnff patents. ratcnts taken tliroutih Munn Jk Co. receive »pffiii( inifu-f. wiHiout charge, In the Scientific Jimericdtt. A hanilaoMu'Iy Ulnatratpd weekly. I.arcpst circulation of any m-lonllllc Journal. Terms. »3 a year; four months, Sold by all rowsilcalers. MUNN &Co.36'Bro.dw.,. New York Branch OfDce. 626 F St.. WashlDglon, D. C