The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1909)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 27 THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TRADE. Decided Improvement Noted in All Branches of the Talking Machine Trade — New Victor Records Help Business — Big Holiday Shipments for Southern California Music Co. — Good Columbia Co. Report — Other Items of Timely Interest. (Special to The Talking Machine World. I Los Angeles, Cal., Dec. 3, 1909. , Los Angeles dealers and jobbers are advancing on the holiday trade with great expectations. Statistics indicate a great increase in all branches of the talking machine trade for the coming season. Favorable signs have already made their appearance, although the latter part of November was somewhat quiet, which is to be expected before the big business begins. Stock conditions are very favorable, the jobbers taking extra care to place early orders with the manufacturers. Sherman, Clay & Co. have already moved some ol their surplus stock of Victor goods in orders which are daily increasing. The splendid list of December Victor records will no doubt help the trade for such goods during the holidays. Their supply of Victor machines and Victrolas seems to be in splendid shape and sufficient to meet the growing demand. The Southern California Music Co. are still receiving holiday shipments of Edison goods, and have a creditable supply of the same on hand. The Christmas advertising matter sent to the dealers for Edison machines and records is greatly appreciated by them. The appearance of the new Amberola has commanded more attention in the trade than any other new instrument in some time past. Demonstrations under the direction of C. E. Lyons, the National Co.'s representative, have been witnessed by most of the dealers in the section, whose approval of its merits seems to mark the era of the greatest advancement in the existence of the Edison phonograph. A great future is expected for this new idea in cylinders. The Columbia Phonograph Co. are receiving a volume of business through the efforts of W. G. Farquharson, who has lately joined their traveling force in place of A. B. Kaufman, who has left the Columbia Co. to return to his home in Chicago. Although a stranger in the talking machine business, Mr. Farquharson has shown marked ability, and hopes to share a large portion of the Columbia Co.'s holiday trade. Wm. Stidham, manager of the local store, is pleased with the fall prospects and says the stock of machines and records is in excellent condition. The Grafonola "Elite" is expected to arrive at an early date, as well as a shipment of the "Regent." The new style disc graphophones are in great demand, as are the December double records. The recently announced four-minute Columbia Indestructible records are very much in demand, and many inquiries regarding them have been received. Harry Club, of the Wiley B. Allen Co., reports several good sales of Victrolas, as well as the sale of an Auxetophone to an Arizona customer. He is now working on the perfection of h s picture machine, for which he has several patents. Particulars regarding the same will he announced later. The Holnjes Music Co. have had a good trade during November, and are ready for the holiday buzz. All retailers are well supplied with goods and most of them have started the holiday advertising campaign. The recent recital given in this city by George Hamlin has increased the demand for the Red Seal Victor records. Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Redlands and other Southern California cities are sending in orders which look as though they were preparing for a larger Christmas trade than ever. Many of the dealers have visited the jobbers to make selection of goods for the occasion. C. E. Wilson, general manager of the National Phonograph Co., has visited Los Angeles and vicinity, together with Mrs. Wilson. His trip is one of business and pleasure combined, which he expects to continue up the coast to Washington. The Victor-Columbia litigation is being followed by the local trade with some interest. HARDY IS A HUSTLER. Goes After Trade in His Territory and He Gets It Too — Pays Big Tribute to the Phonograph. One of the talking machine hustlers in Michigan is H. A. Hardy, proprietor of Hardy's music store at Standish, Mich. He has worked up a splendid trade in talking machines, as well as pianos and organs, in his territory, by merely not waiting for trade to come to him, but seeking it. In this connection he utilizes a very bright and intelligent pair of horses and wagon and hardy's equipment. canvasses his territory most assiduously. Mr. Hardy remarked to The World: "I never think of going out with a piano or organ without taking along a phonograph and a good assortment of records, and I seldom ever bring any of the goods back. In the last three years the talking machine business has brought me in more clean cash than all the rest of my business put together. Business this fall looks fine. I am selling more high-priced machines than I ever have before." The goods shown in the picture are eight phonographs and six hundred records, which Mr. Hardy is drawing from the freight office to his store. The "B.&H." Fibre Manufacturing Co. extends best wishes for A MERRY XMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR = TO YOU ALL = May the year 1910 be as good to you as 1909 has been to us ! ! /p* Fibre Needles bring new customers and Prosperity to the wise dealer — they also make thousands of converts to the "Talking Machine" each year. WE CAN PROVE IT. "B. & H." FIBRE MFG. CO. 33 W. KINZIE ST. CHICAGO, ILL.