The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1909)

4 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. TRADE ON THE PACIFIC COAST. Dealers Well Pleased with Talking Machine Business for November — Holiday Buying Already Begun — Better Class of Goods in Demand— Heine Piano Co.'s Fine New Department— Bacigalupi & Sons Get Edison Shipment— Columbia Co. to Remain in Present Quarters — Difficult to Get Sufficient Stock — Featuring Dr. Cook's Record — Other Items. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) San Francisco, Nov. 29, 1909. All the San Francisco talking machine dealers report a further increase of business for the month of November, the retailers being especially gratified with the showing made. Without exception they find a far heavier volume of sales than a year ago, and while it is of course impossible to get any definite figures at this time, the wholesalers say that if the next month holds up anything like as well as that just past, the total sales for the year will be far in excess of anything in former years. The quietness following the Portola festival lasted only a short time, and the season of Christmas buying has begun unusually early. Local retailers have been rushed, and those outside, while they ordered quite liberally early in the season, report that their supplies are already running low. The class of goods sold on the coast has shown a steady and constant improvement. Victrolas have of course been a tremendous success from the start, and a large inquiry is reported for the more expensive styles of machines produced by the other companies, while machines of a really cheap character find little sale anywhere. A similar observation is made in regard to records. Popular music, etc., is of course still popular, but quality is insisted upon, and the great vogue of expensive machines has caused an enormous increase in the sale of the more expensive opera selections. Frank Anrys, manager of the Wiley B. Allen Co., says: "Our talking machine department is making very satisfactory progress. We are now all on a common basis in this line, and the amount of business we get depends entirely upon the service we can give, the attractiveness and convenience of our quarters, and similar factors. We believe nobody in the city can surpass us in these particulars, and we accordingly have the highest hopes for the future of this department. It is a new feature, but is becoming known, and the volume of business is growing steadily." The Hauschildt Music Co. of Oakland, Cal., which opened a branch in San Francisco this week, intends to install a fully equipped talking machine department in the store at 51-53 Grant avenue. The stock is not yet on hand, but will be ready early in December, and demonstration rooms are being fitted up on the third floor. The Heine Piano Co. have fitted up a fine talking machine department in the basement of the new store on Stockton street, near Market, putting in a large stock of Victor goods under the supervision of J. H. Wales. There are four nicely appointed demonstration rooms. Peter Bacigalupi & Sons have just received a large shipment of Edison goods, of which they were badly in need to fill current orders. They report a heavy demand for Cygnet goods, which keeps them busy shipping, and are also sending out large lots of records. They state, in fact, that business on the entire Edison line is picking up with the approach of the holidays. C. E. Lyons, from the factory of the National Phonograph Co., passed through from the north recently with samples of the new Amberola machine, which has attracted great interest on the part of local dealers. C. H. Wilson, general manager of the National Phonograph Co., also spent last week in this city, and is now visiting other points on the coast. W. F. Geary, of Kirk, Geary & Co., of Sacramento, Cal., jobbers of Columbia records in the northern part of the State, is in San Francisco this week. The Columbia Phonograph Co. have been unable to close a deal for a downtown location on favorable terms, and have finally made arrangements to remain in their present home at Van Ness avenue and O'Farrell street through the winter. The retail department has been rearranged for the sake of greater convenience, and in spite of the distance from the regular retail district of the city, Mr. Scott, the local manager, is having quite a rush of business. The wholesale department, however, will be the main standby, and the sales in this department have shown a most encouraging growth during the past year. This office has been rather short of goods lately, and a large shipment which arrived last week has helped to relieve the situation. Practically all the goods, however, were delivered to the outside agencies. The new GraphonolaElite has been a subject of general inquiry, and a number have been sent to other branches, leaving only one or two in stock here. While quite a lot of the new four-minute records have come in, the shipments so far have hardly been suffi oient to fill the many orders taken in advance. Mr. Beck, of the retail talking machine department of Kohler & Chase, is now very busy with preparations for getting into the new quarters, which will be occupied in about a week. The department will be located on the fifth floor of the new building, and is being fitted up in most elaborate style, ten rooms being provided for demonstration alone. The regular business is very active at present, and it is expected that with the increased facilities there will be a decided improvement. Kohler & Chase have had notable success with the Cygnet goods, and have taken quite a number of advance orders for the Amberola, which they expect to have in stock shortly. Mr. Jones of the Pacific Phonograph Co. is also working on preparations to get into the new quarters, but will probably not attempt to move the wholesale stock until the end of the month, as with the present rush of business there is too much other work to be done. The company are keeping their stock of Edison goods complete in every way, and have found this policy a great help in the development of their trade. Sherman, Clay & Co. have quite a distinctive talking machine display in their window this week. The feature is the record of Dr. Cook's narration of his North Pole experiences, and the display shows a full-size figure representing Dr. Cook, with a realistic arrangement of polar bears, icebergs, etc., giving the window quite a Christmas appearance. The Wiley B. Allen Co. are also making a special display of the Dr. Cook records. Sherman, Clay & Co. report increasing sales of the Victrola all the time. They are giving this machine some extensive advertising in this .city at present, and expect a very heavy demand during December. Adams & Shinn have bought out the talking machine store of Wauschope Bros, at Lodi, Cal. The business will be conducted under the name of the Lodi Music Co., both Victor and Edison goods being carried. WULSCHNERSTEWART CO. OPENING. Well-Known Indianapolis Music House Entertains Thousands of Visitors on Interesting Occasion — Arrangement of the New Quarters. The formal opening of the new establishment of the Wulschner-Stewart Music Co. at 229-231 Pennsylvania street, Indianapolis, Ind., was held on November 24 and was a decidedly interesting event, judging from the thousands who attended. Orchestral concerts were given in the morning, afternoon and evening, by prominent local musicians, and souvenirs were presented to all visitors. The entire building was elaborately decorated for the occasion. The new store is one of the handsomest music houses in the Middle West, and elicits words of commendation and surprise from those competent to judge. Phonographs are displayed in the commodious basement, which is divided into a number of cozy salesrooms; the main floor is given over to sheet music, small instruments, etc., with the offices in a mezzanine at the rear. The three upper floors are occupied by salesrooms for pianos and player-pianos. LEASE NEW QUARTERS. Daynes-Beebe Music Co., Salt Lake City, to Have More Commodious and Handsome Store — Columbia Jobbers. The new DaynesjBeebe Music Co., Salt Lake City, Utah, have leased elaborate quarters at 45 South Main street, where they will occupy over twelve thousand square feet of floor space. Plans have been completed for an entire new front, as well as a handsome main show room and separate soundproof parlors for demonstrating talking machines and pianos. They are exclusive Columbia jobbers. YOII (ihi li Al l. HRfWTTN Send your Victor and Edison orders to the "House of Quality." All orders for records, both Victor and Edison, are being filled with records of the most improved recording now leaving the factory. This is important to you. Our dealers say that we pack goods with more care, ship more promptly and fill orders more completely than jobbers who sell talking machines as a side line Send your orders to the "House of Perfect Service." It costs no more. The man who hasn't made an error is dead, and those who say they never make one will die soon. We admit making an error occasionally but we are just as quick to rectify it as we are to acknowledge your remittances. That is Satisfaction. If you will send your orders for Victor and Edison to us you will not only be on a par with your successful competitor, but you will stick out from the bunch like a large wart on a small pickle. Eastern Talking Machine Qt