The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

30 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. FROM OUR LONDON HEADQUARTERSContinued.) the same manner as it affects Manchester. Its effects are felt only in an Indirect way, as in outward bound shipping and freights. The wholesale factors report business as fair. At Messrs. Richardson's, great things are anticipated with the introduction of the new Edison records, and they believe it will result in large and increased sales. Klingsor machines with this firm are selling very well, and they look for a good demand the forthcoming season. At Thompson, Helsby & Co. the sales in Pathe records during the past few weeks have been exceptionally good, and tney anticipate a fair season. The Melograph Disc Record Co. have every hope of doing considerably better this year than they did last. Archer & Sons are fitting up a large salon furnished in the latest style, with a view of utilizing it entirely for the sale of the very highest class records. Smith & Co., Lord street, have a nice display of Gramophone, Zonophone and Pathe goods. The way the records are shown is particularly attractive. J. B. Cramer & Co., Church street, also are displaying a choice line of gramophone goods. They report sales as exceptionally good for the past month. Jake Graham, of Renshaw street, states that business with him has been satisfactory and the sales have been considerably greater than for the same period last year. ;Mr. Parr, who has recently taken over the Gramophone Supply Co., Lime street, informs us that business is looking up. Messrs. Dibbs, Ltd., have closed their depot, and their stock has been purchased by another Liverpool house. Mr. Smith, the late manager of Messis. Dibbs, Ltd., has accepted a position with Messrs. Lange's Successors, the makers of the Klingsor machines. Paradise street and the vicinity appears to be rapidly becoming the center of the phono and talking machine industry. Within a radius of probably 150 yards there are no less than ten distinct firms handling these goods — Messrs. Meads, Cundle, Richardson, and the Reliance Co. all being within a few doors of each other. It now looks as if the Liverpool dealers will have a fairly good season, taking it altogether. The shipping depression having passed over, money is circulating more freely, and we do not think that there will be anything to mar the very promising outlook. LEEDS NOTES. Leeds, Nov. 5, 1908. In this district the factors, in many cases, have a very fair amount of orders, but there is no disputing the fact that they are nothing in proportion to what they were twelve months ago. Owing to labor difliculties on the northeast coast business was at a standstill for some months past, and although work has now been resumed, it will be some considerable time before luxuries can be well afforded. Even now the shipping trade is in a very depressed condition, a large number of steamers being held up owing to the scarcity of freights, and with no prospect at present of being engaged for some considerable time to come. Notwithstanding this, most of the wholesale factors in Leeds are pushing around among the dealers on the northeast side for whatever orders can be obtained. Scott & Co. and Hilton & Co. report business as only fair, while Messrs. Sykes are having a good demand for gramophone goods. Pathe goods appear to be holding their own well in Leeds. Mr. Jenkins, of Queen Victoria street, states that he has made several good sales lately in expensive machines, besides doing very well in the 11-inch discs. T. Byrom, of East Parade, is also making a good show of Pathephones and Pathe records. Generally speak ing, the cycle dealers are now considering their winter supply, and each will, no doubt, do his best to capture part of the trade in machines and records. In chatting with Mr. Bleakley, of the Magazine Holder Co., 180 Cardigan Road, we were pleased to learn that this firm are exceptionally busy. Their specialties being cabinets with or withou^t machines, and record cabinets, etc., are well known all over the British Isles. They have a large factory and manufacture throughout from the raw material. Hitherto they have used a large number of Excelsior motors, which they consider to be the best in the world; but later on they may make arrangements for making even the motors, themselves. This firm have recently patented an improvement in sound boxes, playing either a Pathe or a needle record, which we hope later on to describe in detail. It looks now as if some severe competition is likely to ensue in the cabinet manufacturing businesses. Several of the leading houses in this city are giving their attention to this part of the business. TALKING MACHINE MEN IN TAPT PAHADE. It was the intention of talking machine men to parade with the piano trade division in the magnificent turn-out October 31 of the Republican Business Men's Association. They were dilatory in arriving at the point of assembly, and therefore turned in "any old place," the music section being already "on its way" a half-hour or more. Enough were present, however, to form two companies, M. A. Carpel, of the Herzog Art Furniture Co., manufacturers of record cabinets, being captain of the first and J. Newcomb Blackman, of the Blackman Talking Machine Co., in command of the second company. They went over the full line of march, and doubtless received an ovation here and there for duty sturdily performed. f^XCEUSIOR ]yjACHINES EXCEL EVERY OTHER MACHINE A trial will convince you of this statement Not the Cheapest — But — The Best This season's demand more than doubles the previous two years taken together. Our LOUD -TONESOUNDBOX is considered by Experts THE BEST that ever has been brought on the market. IVIodel XII. Once you have stocked EXCELSIOR MACHINES you will never be without them, because THEY GIVE THOROUGH SATISFACTION and ADVERTISE THEMSELVES. h: COLOGNE-NIPPES (Germany) 121 Niehler-Kirchweg Write at once for Free Catalogfue to Excelsiorwerk, Ltd. London, Eng., 45 City Road