The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 25 FROM OUR LONDON HEADOUARTERS Continuedi. from the gold-molded master to the finished production we are perhaps most familiar with. The birth of a record furnishes much food for interesting impressions, and perhaps I ought to con fess to obtaining a little "instruction" also, but that is by the way, for of course we talking machine men are supposed to know all about it. Most traders know that from the original wax master a gold-molded impression is taken, which in its turn is backed up by copper to obtain sufficient rigidity for usage through the various processes without damage. In some cases it is necessary to make three or four master reproductions where the selection is of a very popular nature. When these metal masters are ready it is practically plain sailing from the molding room to the cooling, trimming, and name-embossing departments, until they get to the testing room. Perhaps it would surprise many to know that each and every record is put to a thorough test before it is allowed to pass to the boxing department. The slightest fault in the record is sutficient to banish it to the melting pot, but it is a pleasure to state that the throw-outs in the Clarion factory are of an insignificant number compared with the thousands of records that are despatched every week. One can hardly grasp the enormous detail involved in a record factory, and were it not for an admirable and strict system, confusion would reign supreme. All the factory officials, from the manager, C. Hawtree, down to the least important, know their work well and do it well. The company have their own gas-making plant, and I can unhesitatingly say it is one of the hest organized factories, fully equipped in every way with up-to-date machinery and appliances to produce a record which has obtained well-deserved success. The guiding spirit of it all is W. Forse, who will even yet make his name still more prominent in the realm of inventions to which his minu gives practical evidence. Megaphone in Law Court. Unable to hear a witness in a recent law action, counsel suggested that a megaphone would be a most useful instrument in a court of Justice, to which the judge replied, "We could only hear one at a time then, and that would not suit the bar!" Agreement With Canadian Pacific Railroad. An agreement has been come to between the postofflce and the Canadian Pacific Railway to convey the mails from Liverpool to Hong Kong by the all-British route in thirty-four days in summer and thirty-six in winter, for £45,000 per annum. Columbia Double-Face Discs. That it was a good move on the part of the Columbia Co. to bring out their fine 12-inch records on double-face discs is shown hy the cordial reception given to the new line. The December Columbia supplement contains a list of 51 12inch double-face discs (102 selections), and 10 double-face "Celebrita" records (selections from "grand opera" and other fine arias by singers of the first rank and world-wide reputation). Recording Folk Songs. Percy Grainger, an Australian pianist, has been recording folk-songs on the phonograph and he tells about his experiences in a volume of the "Journal of the Folk-Lore Society." He recorded seventy-three tunes in Lincolnshire, England, alone. Many of the songs were recorded by old men, and their impressions, when brought face to face with the talking machine, were amusing. Edison Bell "Crystol" Records. The new Edison Bell 200 thread records, to play five or six minutes, will be named the "Crystol," and they will be sold at the price of one shilling. TRADE REPORTS FROM THE PROVINCES DERBY NOTES. Derby, Dec. 3, 1908. In Derby business, truly, is not nearly so good as had been anticipated. Supported practically by the Midland Railway Co., whose head works are here, employment is given to many thousands of men in the various branches of railway plant and running stock. For some considerable time past the depression in railway work has been very great. Consequently, the employes have been working short time. Generally speaking, the depression is not felt so acutely as in Lancashire. Nevertheless, less wages means less money to be spent, so that in reality industries like the talking machine trade are the first to suffer or to feel the effects from it. The past season has not been reported good, by any means. but most of the traders hope that business will considerably improve before long. Edgar Horne & Co., The Strand, Derby, who are one of the largest dealers in the town, both wholesale and retail, state that at present sales are only just moderate. They handle principally Gramophone, Twins, Zonophone and Pathe, both in machines and records, and they have recently taken up the Klingsor machines. At Charles Foulds, in Irongate, Derby, who concentrate principally upon Gramophone and Zonophone goods, J. C. Threlfall, the manager, states that the past September and October months have been exceptionally good with him. T. Kay, of 14 Sadler's Gate, Derby, handles a good range of both cylinder and disc records, and although not dissatisfied with past results, he anticipates an altogether better trade when the ^XCEUSIOR ]y|ACHINBS EXCEL EVERV 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. Model XII. Once you have stocked EXCELSIOR MACHINES you will never be without them, because THEY GIVE THOROUGH SATISFACTION and ADVERTISE THEMSELVES. COLOGNE-NIPPES (Germany) 121 Niehler-Kirchweg Write at once for Free Catalogue to Excelsiorwerk, Ltd. or London, Eng., 45 City Road