The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 37 leisen, principal of the firm of Buegeleisen & Jaoobson, the prominent importers of musical merchandise, at 113-115 University place, New York, observes — and his statement is strongly supported by the facts in the case — that every day is the season for musical instruments; that .there is never any great diminution in the Remand, even during the summer months, for it violins don't "go" fast enough in this period, Ijhere are strings, ^ceordeons, harmonicas, etc., Ijhat fill up the gap to overflowing, almost. Howlever, during the long span that begins with September and ends with April, the stay-at-home period when one looks largely to himself or those about him for entertainment and amusement, the call is most pronounced for good violins, bows and strings, with a dash of all Other instruments to boot. So it may be seen that a healthy trade can 'be built up providing, always, that the right line of merchandise is handled. "The chief thing after all," says Mr. Buegeleisen, "is the price. Money talks, no matter where you are or who your man is. Those who know, beside wanting something good, want that something good cheaply. The 'get ahead' merchant in any branch is the one who can consistently deliver the goods along these lines. This fact was strongly impressed upon all concerned recently when a talking machine dealer way down East, who followed the advice contained in our World advertising and put in a full line from Durro violins to Duss band harmonicas without a break. He soon attracted the attention of the local talent, who immediately recognized the artistic excellence of the goods and were not slow to appreciate the lowness of the prices he was selling them at, at the same time with immensely fine profits to himself." Mr. Buegeleisen insists he is not talking disparagingly of novelties and knick-knacks in suggesting the featuring of musical instruments; the more novelties the merrier, he says, but the logical addition to the main line should not be neglected. ENDORSES THE WORLD. Leading Talking Machine Man Endorses This Publication — Says It Is Worthy of Support. THE RECORD SITUATION. One of the directing heads of a large talking machine manufacturing enterprise remarked the other day: "I have been much interested in the growth of the Talking Machine World and to my mind this industry is especially favored in having a journal conducted on such broad lines, which is evidently doing so much for the trade itself. It only shows what concentration will do and the Talking Machine World ranks favorably with any trade publication in the world. "I have been looking over some of the music trade papers and I find that the World surpasses nearly every paper in that particular field, and still it is published in a limited industry. When the World first appeared, my associates and myself were somewhat skeptical as to its success, hut it has demonstrated a power that has surprised us and I believe that so long as the interests of this industry are served in such a fair and straightforward manner the trade profits by concentration upon one publication, rather than to have two and three nondescript sheets. "It is such a publication which impresses people with the importance of the industry and it must be encouraging to dealers as well as jobbers and manufacturers. The World for me every time, and what money we spend in trade publications I feel is infinitely better concentrated in such a paper as the Talking Machine World than divided among several publications." GEO. W. LYLE'S GREAT TRIP. A POPULAR STYLE OF CABINET. One of the leading styles of talking machine record cabinets made by the Rockford Cabinet George W. Lyle, general manager of the Columbia Phonograph Co., having brought to completion the company's program for the coming season, left New York, October 7, for a business trip of several weeks, during which he will cover the entire country from coast to coast. Mr. Lyle intends to secure a first-hand "line" on trade conditions in every section. Immediate results from the company's recent announcements to the trade, Mr. Lyle states, have been astonishingly satisfactory and promising. His desk has been piled high every morning with mail from dealers already established and for prospective talking machine dealers who have evinced the greatest enthusiasm regarding the prospects for large — and what is more important — profitable business in Columbia double-disc records and in Columbia Indestructible cylinder records. Mr. Lyle says he is keenly satisfied with the quick endorsements, received from dealers in every state, of the Columbia Phonograph Co.'s plan of arranging for the exclusive handling of Columbia goods by dealers who are in return granted exclusive selling privileges. Co., of Rockford, 111., is their most recent pro' duction, a cabinet with circular shelves, hung on a pivot at the left of the door. The shelves are supported on individual pivots and any one may be swung out separately, thus permitting easy access to the records. The cabinet contains five shelves each capable of holding thirty-seven records, and is beautifully finished throughout. For those who prefer to keep their records in their original cartons the shelves are supplied with supporting strips around the edges and each will then accommodate forty records. Paul H. Cromelin, of New York, spent the past week in Berlin conferring with the American Association of Commerce and Trade, which has appointed him its official representative on the newly formed National Council of Commerce at Washington. Conrad Gradner, father-in-law of John Herzog, of the Herzog Furniture Co., Saginaw, Mich., ilied recently in that city. He was highly esteemed in both business and social circles, and his death was lamented by a host of friends. New York Jobbers Meet and Discuss the DoubleFaced Record — Write the Victor Co. Who Refuse to Make the Changes Suggested by the Jobbers — Matter Now Considered Closed. Pursuant to the call issued by J. Newcomb Blackman, a member of the executive committee of the Talking Machine Jobbers' Association, a meeting of the New York jobbers was held September 26 to consider the record situation. The following concerns were represented at the meeting: The Blackman Talking Machine Co.; Landay Bros., Inc.; the American Talking Machine Co.; Stanley & Pearsall; Benjamin Swltky; Jacot Music Box Co.; S. B. Davega Co., and the Victor Distributing & Export Co. The members lunched at Kalil's Park Place restaurant, while they discussed the present record situation, the New Yorkers expressing themselves as opposed to the double-faced record. It was argued that the life of the double-faced record would be short in this country, and a letter was sent to the Victor Company, suggesting that a higher retail price be placed on the double-disc record. Responding to this letter, the Victor Talking Machine Co. politely but firmly declined to take such action. A brief letter received on October 5 by Chairman Blackman, the local member of the executive committee of the National Association of Talking Machine Jobbers, stated that after due and careful consideration, and looking at the matter from all sides, they saw no reason to change their policy, and thought the course they had pursued regarding the price of the Victor double-disc record was the proper one and therefore it would remain unaltered and as originally announced. 'Siegfried Aal has resigned as manager of the Zed Co., New York. Geo. N. Ornstein, manager of the Victor Talking Machine Co.'s selling staff, was in New York recently calling on the distributors. His opinion ofr the fall trade was most optimistic. manager: WANTED For the retail talking machine department of a large southern piano house, Victor and Edison represented. Must have good ability as a salesman and must come well recommended. Address Box 400, care of Talking Machine World, 1 Madison avenue, New York. A mechanical expert of 10 years' experience in the raanufacture and recoTding of disc records is now open for an engagement; no objection to going abroad. Address Box 302. Talking Machine World, 1 Madison avenue, New York. Experienced traveler, familiar with all cylinder, disc machines and records. Factory, general oifice, wholesale and retail experience. Capable of holding any position where expert demonstrating and salesmanship are required. Salary moderate. R. E. C, care of Talking Machine World, 1 Madison avenue. New York. "^auesmajT^oIp^^ Man with wide Euroipean experience in talking machine trade, also with thorough knowledge of American conditions, wants position as salesman for factory of jobber. Full of ideas and has power of initiative. Address B, care of Talking Machine World, Room 806, 156 Wabash avenue, Chicago. SALESMEN VVANTED 'A thoroughly experienced man in the Edison and Victor lines, one who can show results of a satisfactory nature in previous work. Sitate references and salary expected. Address Confidential, care of Talking Machine World. On account of leaving city, we will sell our jobbing business, wholesale and retail, of Columbia goods, inventory about $4,000. Will sell right. Splendid opportunity for a good man. Population, 100,000. Address Box 48, The Talking Machine World, New York City.