The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 65 OUR MONTHLY REVIEW. [We solicit Inquiries from our subscribers wlio are desirous of any Information In regard to paying side linos which can be handled In connection with the Talking Machine. We put you in direct touch with the leading manufacturers. When in doubt, write us, care the Side Line Department] The American News Co., of this city, are malting an especially attractive offer in The World this month to dealers on Christmas and New Year's cards. This firm are agents for all the cream in the post card world and are in a position to offer retailers the most comprehensive assortments at the lowest prices. Now is the time for dealers to add this line if they have not already done so. In order to fully realize the possibilities in the business they should send for the news company's new fall and winter catalog. "Joss" is the name of a quaint Chinese idol made by a Chicago firm. It is a smiling Oriental image 514 inches high, finished in ivory, with hand-colored cap and queue. The figure is very unique in design and in addition to being decorative, it has a practical use as an incense holder. On account of the scarcity of leather used to make pocketbooks and other novelties, these will advance considerably in cost. We notice that British post card makers have formed an association to try and instill life in the trade over there. About time they did something and not be dependent so much on American custom, seeing that our dealers are beginning to show a strong predilection for domestic products. A novelty which is bound to have a great sale during the holidays is the Reflectoscope. All dealers who are handling post cards as a side line should be sure to have a stock on hand. The best feature of this machine is that the dealer not only makes a good profit from its sale, but each sale will stimulate the demand for cards for months and even years afterward. The new "Echo-phone" is bound to take its place at the head of the line of live premiums. Some new post cards by Howard Chandler Christy have just made their appearance and are most striking and attractive, notable among the subjects are "Sailing Close," "Teasing," "Love and Duty," "Signs of a Thaw," "Excess Baggage," etc. Walter Wellman, the cartoonist publisher, is at it again. Some of his new ones are "Big Hand" series, "Weaker Sex" and "Last Will and Testament." They are very clever, and done in this artist's best style. brought out by the Savage Arms Co. Of 32 caliber, this gun is so constructed that all powder gases are utilized, insuring extreme accuracy as well as freedom from fouling. Their offer to the trade is a liberal one. A new and very useful little article is the "Little Clincher Ice Creeper." This device fits any shoe; no nails, screws or rivets required in fastening; can easily be put on or taken off. Retailing at 25 cents a pair, it should be a seller and make a good winter side line. Reports from all parts of the country demonstrate conclusively that the roller skate business is still at its height, and that dealers who are handling these goods are reaping a harvest. And while speaking of skates, don't forget that the ice variety make mighty acceptable Christmas presents. Raphael Tuck has scored another triumph on the following new numbers: "Gallery Pictures," by Van Dyck, Greuze, Gainsborough, Hals, and Reynolds; "Famous Autographs," "Happy Childhood," "Little Nemo," "New Stork Series," "College Kings," "College Queens," "Scottish Christmas and New Year" subjects. PHOTOGRAPHING WINDOW DISPLAYS. A new 10-shot automatic pistol has just been Every trimmer should photograph his best efforts. Often they come in mighty handy for references, and besides it gives one pleasure to sit down and look over the past records and note the improvement. Many times an old trim will suggest a new idea, and unless you keep your photos you are very liable to forget them entirely. Besides, good window photos are the best advertisement the trimmer has, and will add mightily in securing better positions. An experience has proved that the best results can be obtained by photographing by electric light, provided the window is properly lighted, and making a long exposure, gaged according to the power of the lens and the class or color of goods to be photographed. A window with sharp, distinct contrasts, or one containing light colored goods, does not need as long an exposure as a display of dark colored goods, or one without sharp contrasts of light and shade. A 15-minute exposure is enough for the average well-lighted window. A poorly lighted window, or one containing dark merchandise, will require a longer exposure — 20 to 30 minutes is not unusual. During all this time the camera is exposed people can pass to and fro in front of the camera without spoiling the photograph, provided they do not stand in one place for any length of time. Sometimes the top of the window is lighted much more strongly than the bottom of it, so that the photographs always come dark at the bottom. This can sometimes be avoided, says the Sporting Goods Dealer, by placing two or three electric lights in the bottom of the window (ex tensions can be run from some of the sockets in the window), and so shielding them as not to shine directly into the camera. Always remember that the window must be lighted more strongly than any objects across the street, otherwise these foreign objects will be reflected unless the screen is used. Also remember that a long exposure cannot be taken if there is even the faintest wind blowing, for the slightest shaking of the camera will blur the photograph. MOVING PICTURES A HELP. Give Easy Work to Many a Struggling Actress — The Pay Is $5 a Day and There Are No Expenses to be Met — Costumes and Properties Supplied by the Companies — Call for Athletic Women. Woman's chances of making a living have been increased by the rise of the biograph machines. Many a young actress anxiously awaiting an engagement will agree to this. At the start, when one concern controlled the production of moving pictures in this country, women helpers were not seriously considered in the plans of managers. As a rule when a woman was needed a man donned petticoats and played the part. Even now in a certain class of pictures this is sometimes done, but generally with pretty poor results. Every year there has been an increased demand for women to pose, and indications are that the demand will go on increasing, for instead of one concern in the Held there are now fifteen at least. "I need these in my business," explained a young woiaan who was surprised in her bedroom by a visit from a friend. She was working on what looked like a very full pair of bloomers made of coarse, inexpensive gray flannel, with blouse waist to match. "When do you expect to need anything so ugly?" asked the other in surprise. "Next Monday morning, when I shall jump into the water, strike out for a row-boat, clamber in and row off." "Mercy!" gasped the listener. "What sort of a play are you booked for now? I thought you were not expecting an engagement for two months to come?' Then the other confessed. She was posing for moving pictures, and her ability to swim and manage a rowboat had got her the job. These talents had not so far been of any particular use to her in her stage career, but supplemented with her stage experience they made her eligible for a moving picture model at a time when a few flve dollar bills looked like a fortune to her. In doing her stunt, she explained, after she and the photographer and his assistants had journeyed to an isolated suburban spot, the young woman would wear the gray flannel suit — the full bloomers easily passing for a skirt, especially when watersoaked. In scene number two of the same series she beaches the boat, supposedly half a mile away, although in reality she only goes a few yards down the shore, jumps out and runs away. In fact, at this juncture she 300 POST CARDS FREE We will send 300 samples of Post Cards, no two alike, FREE, to any merchant of good standing, who will write on his own letterhead. We are obliged to make a nominal charge of $1.00 for these cards in the first instance, but if we receive orders for $25 worth of goods from the same party, we will rebate the $1 paid for the samples. We do not ask anyone who is rated in Dun's Agency to send cash in advance, but those who are not rated we will have to ask them to send casli in advance. Our line consists of about 1,000 subjects, including Christmas, Birthday, Easter, Valentine, Santa Clans, Floral, Fruit, Imitation Burnt Wood, Comics, Quotation, Embossed, Gold and Silver Backgroimds, etc. We have a great many specialties, such as Astrological, Language of Flowers and others. WE ARE NOT JOBBERS, WE ARE PUBLISHERS When you buy from us you get rock-bottom prices. We will send our entire set of nearly 1,000 cards for $2.50. If you do not care to order so many samples, we will send you 100 selected samples for 35 cents, if there is any chance of our doing business with you. James Lee Company TERMS LIBERAL Satisfaction Guaranteed 51 7 W.Madison St. Chicago