The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 29 experiment with a new disc record. There used to be a saying that it tool?; ten men to malse a pin, and on this occasion it took twenty-three men to ma'ke a disc. The experiment was a great success, and more will be heard of the process whieb will probably have no inconsiderable effect on the disc trade. It has been said that canny Scots are prone to look after their "siller," but it goes to show the interest taken in a scientific experiment when a request to look into a new form of disc was responded to by the superintendent of a large factory detailing the twenty-three men mentioned to rig up plant to do what was necessary accompanied by a refusal to accept any remuneration. Yours very truly, Henry Cowen. FOREIGN INTEREST IN ELECTION Aroused by Records Made by Messrs. Taft and Bryan Sent Abroad — Taft Records Advertised as Bearing Speech of Next President of United States. The talking machine has this year been instrumental in causing Europeans to take a decided interest in the contest of Messrs. Taft and Bryan for the presidency of the United States. There was a surprisingly heavy demand for all the records from abroad and especially Great Britain, and upon Mr. Taft's victory his records were widely advertised as being those of the next President of the United States. Never before have the British exhibited such interest in our election as this year, when the result was watched with interest. Previous to the entrance of the "talker" in the campaign, our election was looked upon abroad as a matter of small international moment. In advertising the Taft records after election, T. Edens Osborne, the prominent factor of Belfast, Ireland, said: "An up-to-date electioneering method! Not by any means the least important of the potent influences which contributed to Mr. Taft's victory on Tuesday was that produced by the faithful, clear, loud, and distinct reproduction of seven of his political speeches, which he personally dictated to the 'talking machine,' and of which records were made." GREAT VICTROLA DEMAND. Louis XV. Style XX Reduced in Price to Supply Call for Style XVI — Louis F. Geissler's Cheery Report. In an effort to partially relieve the pressing demand for style XVI. Vietrola, selling at $200, and which they are unable to meet In that particular style, the Victor Talking Machine Co. on December 1 announced that, at a severe loss to themselves, they have reduced the price of the Louis XV. style XX from $300 to $250 list. The company only had 275 of the style XX Victrolas on hand when the reduced price was announced, and only distributers who make their wants known at an early date can have them supplied. The Victor Co. state that the shortage is due to the fact that distributers and dealers did not anticipate their wants far enough ahead. In regard to the announcement, Louis F. Geissler said: "We have to-day practically sold every Vietrola we can manufacture up to February 1, 1909, and will not be able to deliver one-half the Victrolas, now in order for shipment, prior to Christmas. As we have but 275 of the style XX finished, on hand at present, these will no doubt be hurriedly taken up by our distributers, and in consequence if they wish to have any of these on hand to help out during the holidays, they must give the matter immediate consideration. The same percentage of discount to both distributers and dealers will prevail upon the $250 price as applies to Victrolas generally. The Zed Co., former jobbers of Zonophone goods in the Greater New York territory. New York city, has complied with the legal formalities, and on December 2 was dissolved. CONDOR is the Only Needle in the World having Each Point Warranted therefore Best Reproduction No Ruin of Record Sole Manufacturer Jos. Zimmermann Needle and Pin Works AACHEN, GERMANY DETROIT'S BUDGET OF NEWS. Grinnell Bros. Pushing the Victor Line in a Vigorous Way — The Auxetophone for Hotel Pontchartrain — Manager Johns Sells Columbia Records by Telephone. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Detroit, Mich., Dec. 10, 1908. Grinnell Bros.' music house has been pushing the Victor and Vietrola in a way that has attracted a great deal of comment and which has brought considerable business. One of the $500 Auxetophones was placed in the Hotel Pontchartrain and is now being used in connection with the dining-room orchestra to the delight of the guests of tne fashionable hostelry. The talking machine was secreted among the palms behind which the orchestra plays. A few nights ago when the innovation was introduced the orchestra began playing the opening measures of a familiar grand opera aria and then the unmistakable voice of Caruso was heard. It was the Auxetophone. In this manner all of the vocal celebrities are being accompanied, to the delight of the patrons of the hotel. Of course this is accompanied in the papers by big display advertisements: "Great iSingers at the Pontchartrain." Max Strasburg, manager of the Grinnell Bros.' talking machine department, says tht business is good, and increasing every day. Of the new Amberol records of the Edison people, he said that the only difBculty is in getting the new product fast enough to supply the demand. Kenneth M. Johns, of the Columbia Phonograph store, reports good business conditions, and in discussing the trade told of a new way be has sometimes of letting regular patrons hear the new records as they come in. There are some buyers wiho buy many records and want to know what the new catchy things are like, and Mr. Johns gets them on the line and lets them hear the new production over the telephone. There is an agent of the company up in a rural district who does considerable business with the farmer trade on records, and he adopts the same method through Mr. Johns. There are about ten farmers on one line in one rural community and they all get on the line at one time and hear some of the new records. LANDAY BROS.' NEW QUARTERS At 27 West 34th Street Will be Conducted In Addition to Their Fifth Avenue Establishment. Leasing premises at 27 West 34th street, New York, November 25, in three days Landay Bros., the Victor distributers, 400 Fifth avenue, opened a new salesroom, complete in every respect. The No. 2 store, which is in the heart of the new shopping and music center of the metropolis, was remodeled and redecorated in record time, while a fresh Victor stock, a line of handsome cabinets and other requisites of a first-class retail establishment were installed. The place has splendid, deeply-recessed, double window space, which is made the most of for display purposes. The color scheme of the interior, running back a hundred feet, is a warm red, with three demonstrating booths in the rear. Soft rugs cover the parquet floor, and a uniformed colored boy stands ready to open the door for incoming prospects and visitors. B. Feinberg, recently proprietor of the Victor Talking Machine Shop, and previously a partner in the Western Talking Machine & Supply Co., Chicago, is managing Landay Bros.' new Victor salesrooms, assisted by Mr. Ellis, also from the Windy City. Any ordinary salesman may sell talking machines, but that is not what your employer desires. He wants the sale made, of course, but furthermore, he wants that customer made, and to effect that, means that the customer must be waited on properly and the salesman must make such an impression that the customer will come again and call for him by name.