The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1909)

76 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. WITH THE TRADEJN CLEVELAND. The Business of 1908 in Retrospective — Excellent Prospects for Present Year — Good Demand for Ideal Horns — Wurlitzer Co. Buy Out Witt Music Co. Department — Pleasing Reports from Various Dealers — Robbins & Co. Succeed Robbins & Emerson — New Talking Machine Stores. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Cleveland, O., Jan. 8, 1909. In writing of present conditions in talking machine circles, one cannot help but retrospectively view the situation. The year 1908 opened in Cleveland with industry paralyzed, factories idle, wheels at rest; clearing house certificates doing the duty of specie and currency — in fact, deadlocked in the enervated condition of the first stage of convalescence following financial panic. The year closed with 75 per cent, of the prosperity volume of activity restored, and with fair prospects that this year will bring back most, if not all, that was lost. Among the first to feel the chilling blast of business adversity was the talking machine trade. The masses — mechanics and workmen — without work, had to forego the luxury of a machine, and those who had a machine, that of their habitual weekly new record purchases. But all is now changed, and a brighter outlook forecasts a year of plenty. An unexpectedly large increase in both wholesale and retail trade developed in December, and the result was the demand was greater than the supply, and thereby the holiday trade suffered to a large extent. The consensus of opinion in the trade is that the present year will be one of continuous improvement, and that the manufacturers will be taxed to their utmost to supply the demand. Louis Devineau started for Paris Jan. 1, where he has gone to look after a legacy bequeathed to his two little girls by an aunt. His wife and children have been there some weeks. The Federal Mfg. Co. are busy these days on talking machine novelties, including the Ideal horn. The Witt Music Co. have disposed of the automatic music department of their business at 206 Prospect street to the Rudolph Wurlitzer Co., who are continuing the business at that address. The new Akron Graphophone Co., mention of which was made in last issue of The World, report business opened up in the most satisfactory manner, and that they enjoyed a splendid holiday trade. W. J. Roberts, Jr., reports a very satisfactory year's business, which extended into the new year. He said his sales of Victrolas and Amberol attachments and records were circumscribed only by the inability of the factories to supply them. Mr. Towell, of the Eclipse Musical Co., says their December business was exceptionally good. He says they still have unfilled orders for Victrolas and some of the higher-priced machines on their books. "Business," said G. J. Probeck, of G. J. Probeck & Co., exclusive distributers of Columbia goods, "is very good — both in machines and records. The prospects for the winter season are very promising. Our new double-disc and Indestructible cylinder records have given an impetus to business of the most desirable character. Our holiday trade was far beyond our most sanguine expectations. We sold a large number of the higher priced machines." Mr. Enierson, of Robbins & Emerson, has sold his interest to the firm of Robbins & Co. They have moved from 145, the Euclid avenue floor of The Arcade, to No. 42, on the Superior avenue floor, with larger rooms and better facilities for doing business. Mr. Robbins stated that during Christmas week they sold a number of Victrolas and the better grade of machines, with a good record trade. Business with the new firm has started in fine with the new year. They are selling large numbers of the Amberol and Red Seal records. Their new location, 2010 East Ninth street, magnificent rooms and large and complete stock of Victor and Edison goods is accounted the reason by W. H. Buescher & Sons for their largely increased business. They had a splendid holiday trade, and it has continued right up to the present time. "The Victor and Edison Talking Machine Store" has opened up at No. 27 the Taylor Arcade, under the management of Edna Rankin, formerly with the Witt Music Co. A full line of Edison and Victor machines and records is carried, and Miss Rankin says that the holiday trade was exceptionally fine. At the store of Brown Bros., Columbia dealers, 2040-44 Ontario street, business was reported exceedingly good in the talking machine department by Loretta H. Byrne. The International Talking Machine Co. opened their new store at No. 13 the Taylor Arcade just prior to the holiday season, and had satisfactory patronage. The company handle Columbia goods, Fonotipia, and a full line of imported records. Mr. Bourgeois, manager, is an old-timer (though a young man) in the business, and very popular. Here's the Best Talking Machine IT'S THE BIG SUCCESS ever offered for the money THIS is not a toy, but a perfect machine with elegant quartered oak cabinet and fitted with high grade diaphragm and Reproducer of concert size. Has 14" flower horn with 12" bell opening. The motor is of standard clockgear movement type and is carefully adjusted. The entire machine is of Superior Mechanical Construction In shipping, the machine is concealed within the cabinet, making shipment entirely safe. Let us tell you more about it and quote our "Factory to You" PRICE. Cabinet size 12% x 5% E. S. PEASE CO. NEW YORK Hudson Terminal Bldgs Suite 1654-1655 Collister & Sayle report business exceptionally good with the advent of the new year. During the holiday season they sold out their entire stock of Victrolas and one Auxetophone, the latter installed in the "Crystal Room" of the Hollenden Hotel. Phil Dorn, manager, is enthusiastic over the outlook. B. A. Friedlander, manager of the talking machine department of the Bailey Co., said that they had the best holiday trade in the history of the company, with big sales of Victrolas, highpriced Edisons, Victors and Zonophones. The sales of Amberol attachments and records was exceptionally large. Mr. McNulty, manager of the talking machine department of the May Co., reported an exceptionally good holiday trade, principally of Victrolas and the higher grade machines. The sales of records run up into thousands, including a large number of Red Seal and the new four-minute Amberols. Business is reported only fair in the talking machine department of Flesheim & Smith. The manager of the talking machine department of the Caldwell Piano Co. made an encouraging report regarding business. A full line of Victor and Edison goods are carried. Holiday trade has been of the most satisfactory character at the Hartwell Phonograph Store. There is a big demand for Victor records, including a very large number of Amberols. John Reiling, who purchased the West Side Columbia Phonograph Store, No. 1831 West 25th street, is an old-time and popular resident of that section. He stated he had a fine holiday trade, and that the business prospects were highly encouraging. He carries a fine stock of Columbia machines and records, and caters largely to the foreign element, not forgetting his Yankee friends. CATALOGSJNAUSTRALIA. Duty Levied on All Advertising Matter Sent Into That Country Under New Tariff Act. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Washington, D. C, January 2, 1909. Consul H. D. Baker, of Hobart, Tasmania, writing to the Department of Commerce and Labor under date of November 23, 1908, calls attention of merchants and manufacturers in the United States who send catalogs to Australia to the fact that under the new tariff act of the Commonwealth of Australia a duty is levied on catalogs, price lists, trade circulars, and all similar advertising matter introduced through the post, at the rate of sixpence per pound, even when forwarded in single copies addressed to individuals, provided the duty on the whole quantity posted by the consignor by any one mail to any one State of the Commonwealth exceeds 1 shilling. 50,000 COLUMBIA RECORDS ORDERED For Export Shipment, of the Double-Faced Family — Export Business Generally Good. The export department of the Columbia Phonograph Co., General, have a single order for 50,000 double-face records, to be ready for shipment Saturday, December 19. E. N. Burns, the manager, had been rushing around for that week getting things in shape, and supplicating the Bridgeport plant not to "throw him down." The factory worked like beavers in the pressing department, and made Mr. Burns happy by delivering the goods on time. Business was never so brisk with the department as now. The export section is sending out a new hanger in colors, subject, "A Daughter of Spain," a reproduction of a painting reflecting the true Castilian spirit in pose, action and costume of the fair femininity, the personal choice of Messrs. Burns, Sause and the Interpreter, assisted by other experts in Spanish graphic art. The hanger exploits "Grafofonos Columbia, discos dobles." There is more to honesty than good policy. But if you can't be honest because it's right, be honest for what there is in it.