The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1909)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 59 FROM THE CITY OF BROTHERLY LOVE. Good Trade Reported Especially in Higher Priced Goods — Business Prospects Excellent — Louis Buehn & Bros.' Good Service — Weymann & Sons Report Increase — Musical Echo Co. Have Busy December — Opera Season Gives Added Impetus to Talking Machine Trade — Other News of Interest to the Trade. (Special to The Talking Machine World ) Philadelphia, Pa., January 9, 1909. Members of the talking machine fraternity in this city enjoyed a fairly brisk holiday demand for their product. This was especially evidenced in the higher-priced outfits, and many Victrolas and new Edison machines were disposed of. The Columbia agents also reported a big showing. Their new double disc and Indestructible records having a great run. The usual new year's slack j was felt during the first week in January, but now things are adjusting themselves and there is every prospect of good business ahead. Louis Buehn & Bro., of this city, are not letting any grass grow under their feet in getting after wholesale business. Having headquarters in both Philadelphia and Harrisburg, and traveling out from each, they not only can cover their territory more thoroughly, but give the dealer far better service in the rapid filling of orders. Weymann & Sons report a large increase in both wholesale and retail departments. This company are large distributers of sheet music and musical merchandise, and are meeting with success in introducing these lines in the talking machine trade. The Penn Phonograph Co. are enjoying an especially heavy demand for the new Edison outfits and Amberol records, while local business on Victor high-priced outfits is very satisfactory. Since the establishment of the talking machine department on the ground floor, the C. J. Heppe Co. have felt a decided increase in their business. This, of course, has mostly been true in a retail way. Collections with them have greatly improved. The Musical Echo Co. experienced a very large December business and an increase of over 20 per cent, over 1907. The retail business was particularly large and of the best quality, and, in the language of Mr. Gerson, the manager, it might be termed "a rich man's Christmas." Not that the medium class of retail buyers did not purchase plenteously, but the very fact that the largest percentage of purchasers wanted Victrolas, was an indication of the great popularity that this particular type of machine is now enjoying in the "Grand Opera City." The demand for Victrolas in Philadelphia was so great that it was impossible to supply the demand, purchasers of the Louis XVI. or gold trimmed Victor-Victrola being many. In fact, it was just as easy to sell this $250 Victrola, as it was the $200 type, owing to the scarcity of the latter. The brilliant season of grand opera in Philadelphia, which is now second to none in the world, has given an additional impetus to the talking machine business, and a wonderful sale of records has ensued. In fact, it is not an unusual occurrence for the Musical Echo Co.'s store on its daily sales, to deliver Red Seal records averaging $400 to $500. The morning after an opera finds many of the opera goers purchasing the favorite records of the "star" of the preceding night. Philadelphia has five performances of opera every week in two opera houses, and to this, is due the enthusiasm of the opera goers who possess talking machines. "MUSIC MASTER" HORNS IN DEMAND. General Manager McMenimen Closes Some Big Sales — Successful Southern Trip. H. N. McMenimen, general sales manager of Sheip & Vandegrift, Philadelphia, Pa., was m New York last week, and during his visit closed an important deal with the Columbia Phonograph Co., whereby they will handle "Music Master" wood horns in thirteen of their retail stores throughout the country. He also arranged for their representation by the Regina Co., and is negotiating with another leading talking machine company for the selection of these horns as part of their regular equipment. Just before Christmas Mr. McMenimen returned from a five weeks' trip through the South and Southwest, covering 11,000 miles, in which he sold "Music Master" horns to practically every jobber in that section excepting two. Mr. McMenimen, who leaves this week for a trip through the Canadian provinces, stated that Sheip & Vandegrift were very busy, and that their additional factory, which they only recently occupied, affords them none too much room to meet the growing demand for the "Music Master" horn. It is winning the golden opinions of jobbers, dealers and purchasers. FEINBERG WITH UNIVERSAL CO. B. Feinberg, the well-known talking machine man, this week signed with the Universal Talking Machine Co. as special representative to cover the principal cities in the United States. He left Wednesday night for the West, making his first stop at Buffalo. Mr. Feinberg, who was temporarily associated with Landay Bros.' 34th street store, will call on every jobber in the West. This is only one of many moves on the part of the Universal Co. whereby the Zonophone products will be brought to the attention of the trade in a most convincing manner. Their new catalog, containing a list of 500 double-faced records — 1,000 selections — is now on the press. It is to be gotten up with velvet cover and will be a most artistic production. COLUMBIA CO. LEASE NEW QUARTERS. The Columbia Phonograph Co., General, have acquired the lease of the store at 89 Chambers FOR SALE Stock, Good Will and Fixtures of the large and well established Phonograph and Musical Business of the late O. F. KAUFFMAN of the City of Reading, Pennsylvania. A large portion of the stock consists of phonographs, records and phonograph supplies. Same will be sold either in bulk or in parts. For further information apply to J. WILMER FISHER, Esq., attorney for O. F. Kauffman estate, 29 N. 6th Street, Reading, Pennsylvania. The "MELLO-TONE" is the only PERFECT ATTACHM bNT for modifying and regulating the volume of sound on any style or size of TALKING MACHINE or PHONOGRAPH. Produces Natural Tone Makes Talking Machines More Musical PRICE $1.00 EACH Manufactured by THE MELLO-TONE CO. SPRINGFIELD, MASS. New York Office and Export Department 92 Beaver Street, New York, U. S. A. street, New York, now occupied by the Excelsior (formerly Douglas) Phonograph Co., and will remove their branch at 111, on the same street, to the new premises on or before May 1. The company have also secured the lease of the Powers & Henry store, 619 Penn avenue, Pittsburg, Pa., and will move there at the same time. Both are commanding locations. THE "CONDOR" NEEDLES. 1908 Was Banner Year With Zimmermann. Joseph Zimmermann, Aaschen, Germany, manufacturer of the famous "Condor" needles, is well pleased with the result of last year's business. Notwithstanding that 1908 was a dull year in trade circles, Mr. Zimmermann sold more "Condor" needles than the year previous. This product was first placed upon the market in 1904 and since then has acquired a world-wide reputation. UNQUESTIONABLY A BIG WINNER Everybody who sees, buys, and every dealer who buys, sells THE MONARCH MIDGET This little "Monarch" can be placed on the counter, and will hold about 8 months' records in compact and convenient space. The clerk can thus choose records without losing the customer's attention for a moment. Very convenient and effective when you are playing the new records of a month, because you face the customer all the while. No matter how many racks you have, you need this little countersize revolving "Monarch" Baby. Write your Jobber or to Us. Syracuse Wire Works University Ave. SYRACUSE, N. Y.