The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

48 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. CLEVELAND'S BUDGET OF NEWS. steady Improvement in Trade and Dealers Optimistic — Higher Grade Machines in Demand— International Talking Machine Co. Open for Business — Columbia Co. Changes — G. J. Probeck Co. Buy Both Stores — Akron Graphophone Co. Incorporate — How Various Houses Find Business — Talker Causes Plant to Shut Down — Moving Picture Shows Popular — Interesting Budget of News. (Special to The Talking Macliine World.) Cleveland, O., Dec. 9, 1908. The talking machine trade improves month by month — a fair exponent of the general state of trade, the full volume of which is not yet reached. The feeling among the talking machine dealers of Cleveland is rather optimistic, and, as a matter of fact, they are enjoj'ing as lucrative a trade as, comparatively, that of any other kind of business. It is noticeable that during the past year, and due to the unstable conditions that existed, there has been a considerable change going on in the talking machine business. Wliereas, previously, the bulk of the trade was in cheaper machines, it is now in the higher grade, and the best class of records. The result is that talking machines are quite frequently finding their way into Euclid avenue and Euclid Heights residences. Not that the sales of cheap machines has ceased — they are still sold, and in aggregate large quantities, and as conditions in the industrial world improve a noticeable increase in demand from the mechanic and working man is evidenced. The new records recently brought out, together with new improvements in various directions, is attracting attention and adding to the impetus of trade. A new candidate for public favor, the International Talking Machine Co., are opening up at No. 13, the Taj'lor Arcade, under the management of Cleo. S. Bourgeois, formerly of the West Side branch of the Columbia Co. The company will handle a complete line of Columbia goods, also the Odeon records. They have secured an ideal talking machine location and will undoubtedly do a successful business. An enterprising young man. T. W. Simpson, has purchased from the Bailey Co., a Victor V machine, with 100 records, including comic, opera, solos, instrumental and sacred songs and hymns, and has started out on the road giving concerts. He announces in a hand bill program, two hours entertainment for 15 cents. Visiting small towns and settlements, where as yet the talking machine has had limited hearers, he undoubtedly will do well. There has been quite a change in the Columbia Co.'s affairs during the past month. G. J. Probeck said: "We bought both stores, No. 420 Prospect street, and 1831 W. 2oth street, and sold the latter to John Reiling, who will continue an exclusive Columbia store at that place. The new company will be called the 'G. J. Probeck Co.,' and retaining the main store, will be the exclusive representatives of the Columbia Phonograph Co. in this section. Our company purchased outright the stock, fixtures and good will of the Columbia Co., and will carry a complete and entire line of their goods." Mr. Probeck said business was good and improving. He stated that one of the first sales made by the new company was one of ?2,000 to a talking machine company. Mr. McNulty, with a number of associates, are busy as bees at the May Co.'s. He stated that business during the past month had been excellent— very satisfactory. His only complaint was their inability to fill orders for Victrolas, for which there is a big demand, which it seemed impossible for the manufacturers to supply. The holiday trade, he said, was well under way, and it was already evident it would be larger. The Arcade talking machine dealers, Robbins & Emerson, are busy and report trade good. They have recently made sales of several Victrolas and report an excellent demand for machines of all kinds. They also report increasing sales of records, especially Red Seal. The Akron Graphophone Co., incorporated under the laws of Ohio, have opened a completely equipped store in the Walsh Block, S. Main street, -Akron, 0. The company are incorporated to handle graphophones, talking machines, moving picture machines and supplies, photographic and music supplies. In the talking machine line the company will be exclusive Columbia dealers. Their thoroughly appointed store is located in the business center of Akron, and with the exclusive right to handle the Columbia goods, they are certain to do large business. The directors of the company are: A. F. Peebles, C. M. Dickinson. G. A. Lance, George J. Probeck and H. E. Jones. Mr. Peebles, president and general manager, has for a long time been connected with the Columbia Co.'s business in Cleveland, and the company are fortunate in securing so well posted and thoroughly competent an executive. The other directors are well known and successful business men of this citj'. Geo. J. Probeck and H. E. Jones are both old hands at the talking ma cbine game. Everything points to the success of this new venture. W. H. Buescher & Sons, 2010 East 9th street, report business very satisfactory. "Business is gradually improving," said Mr. Buescher, Sr. "We are having a good trade in the higher class machines, Victrolas and Red Seal records, but the resumption of business has not yet created that degree of prosperity as to affect the mchanic to any great extent. Holiday selections are being made and that trade promises to be good." W. J. Roberts, Jr., is busy these days, with a fine assortment of machines and records in stock. He said: "Business during November was excellent, and this month has started in fine. We have made sales of a number of the high-grade machines, including a good list of records, intended for Christmas presents for wives and sweethearts. The Amberol records are taking well and the demand for them is increasing. The holiday trade has started in lively and we anticipate a very satisfactory season's business." Business is reported very satisfactory at Collister & Sayles. Phil Dorn, manager of the talking machine department, said: "Business is very good and there is a noticeable daily improvement. There is a big demand for Victrolas, and the new double disc Victor records are selling well. The demand is largely for the higher grade machines and Red Seal records. Business is fair in our wholesale department." "Trade is very good," said Mr. Towell, of the Eclipse Music Co. "Our December business has opened up fine and is improving daily. Indications are that the talking machine dealers will have a profitable holiday trade. There is a large demand for the higher priced goods, and we are experiencing difficulty in procuring Victrolas — have several unfilled orders now on our books." The Bailey Co. report business improving. Tha gentleman in charge of the talking machine department said: "We are selling a good many machines, including Victrolas and Zonophones, which seem to be desirable and satisfactory to our customers. We are selling Amberol records as fast as we are able to procure them — they are taking well. The holiday trade, which has already set in, will undoubtedly be good." Conditions generally were reported very satisfactory at Hartwell's Phonograph Store. "We are having calls for machines daily," said Mr. Hartwell, "and record sales have increased 50 per cent, in the past month. More men are being constantly employed, and many of our customers who had not made a purchase in months, are again adding to their repertoire, and buying liberally. Indications are that we shall have a good holiday trade both in machines and records." In a suit for damages in the sum of $50,000, brought by the mayor of the suburban town of Newburg Heights, against the American Steel & Wire Co., the mayor related how he had tried to can the roar of a slag crusher. He testified that he and his attorney carried a phonograph to a spot just outside the company's land, wound up the recording mechanism and were just getting a fine reproduction of the horiible racket, when every wheel in the mill suddenly stopped, and it became silent as the grave. The employes had divined his purpose and stopped the ponderous machinery. He claims that the noise and dust emanating from the machinery makes life at his nearby home unbearable. Hundreds of Cleveland women are utilizing the moving picture shows for prai-tical use as well as entertainment, using them as a meeting place, instead of street corners or stores. Two women decide to meet on an afternoon and go shopping together. "I'll see you at 2 o'clock in such and such a moving picture theatre,'' says one. It is a certainty that one of the women will be late, so that the other has a comfortable place in which to wait and see an entertainment, besides, for which she has paid, but little more than street car fare. The moving picture show business, by the way, has grown to enormous proportions. Already scores are in existence and not a week passes but a new one opens in some section of the city. Tatcnted Feb. i, 190S. The Ravenskilde Talking Machine Starter Vor Either Edison Phonoe;raphs or C'ohin)hia Cylinder Grapliophones THE NOVELTY OF THE CENTURY Put a record on the machine and set the clock at the time you want the record played. It will wake you to the sound of music divine or of any shout or remark you may have dictated into a blank record. It's mors than an Alarm Clock. | It sells llsatl. It will surprise and startle evening guests. Can be attached Instantly by a child. As a trade attractor In the store It Is unexcelled. ! Is a periect device. Does not get out ol order RETAIL PRICE, $5.00 (^rdcr sample tu-d.iv. If not s;itisf;u-t<irv --rii.l n li.irk .ind ni(>nc\ will he rofundod. P. M. RAVENSKILDE Patentee and Sole Manufacturer CABERY, ILL.