The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1910)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. content to shine in comic opera, however, Mme. Sylva went to Paris, where, after a few years of careful training by some of the best masters, she successfully appeared in grand opera. She speedily became a favorite at the Opera Comique, whence came to us so many of our great singers in the past. Her appearance at the Manhattan Opera House (Hammerstein's) at once firmly established her in the hearts of her countrymen, who will soon be able to hear her magnificent voice on the Edison phonograph in records which are all excellent examples of good recording, and which will carry her voice into thousands of homes throughout this and other lands. Maria Labia, of noble Venetian family, was eulogized so frequently by the press on the occasion of ,her American engagement at the Manhattan Opera House last season that further remarks are unnecessary, for by her charming personality and artistic work, she won the admiration and friendship of all true music lovers. Her voice is a fresh, well-trained lyric soprano, and she always brings a high degree of intelligence into her work. At present Mme. Labia is appearing with great success at Berlin. Maria Galvany is one of the best known coloratura sopranos of the present day. She is widely known in all the Latin countries and especially in Spain, where she has been a great favorite. She is one of the very few who have thoroughly mastered the art of singing, so much beloved by our present and older theater-goers, and which has brought lasting fame to Patti, Melba and Sembrich. Ernesto Carolina, baritone, although still a young man, has had a very successful career in Italy, France, Belgium, and in large South American opera houses. Wherever he has appeared the critics were loud in their praises of his fresh, pleasing voice, and have proclaimed him one of the best baritones of the present day. He has recently been very successful in France in the opera "Iris." Walter Soomer made his greatest success in Leipzig until he came to join the Metropolitan forces last year, where he at once established himself as a conscientious and fine artist. His reappearance within the next few weeks is eagerly awaited. These are the names and careers of only a few of the noted artists who will hereafter sing exclusively for the National Phonograph Co., and whose records will shortly be in the hands of Edison dealers. The National Co. states: "There are other artists of equal prominence under contract whose names will be announced in the not distant future. The company are sparing no expense in building up their catalog, and in the work of securing singers and deciding upon selections they have the assistance and advice of a well-known grand opera Big opportunity to buy a stock of machines and records. Dealer who owns paying business is closing out same on account of outside enterprises. Has in stock nice line of Edison records and machines. Stock would inventory about $1,200. Any parties interested in purchasing this stock Write at once to O. B. W. Care Talking Machine World No. 1 Madison Avenue NEW YORK critic. Moreover, the greatest care is being exercised by the company's experts in the recording of these selections, so that there is no fear of any defect in that respect. With these new records being placed upon the market at the extremely low price of $1.00 each it will be seen that the National Co., besides giving their jobbers and dealers a grand opera catalog that will be a worthy companion of the Ameberola, are also placing them in a most enviable position to approach the grand opera lover. BOSTON DEALERS PLEASED With the Manner in Which 1909 Closed and the Present Year Opened — Holiday Trade Never Better — Oliver Ditson Co. Report Phenomenal Victor Business — Commend E. T. M. Co. Employes for Hard Work — The Columbia Co.'s Window Display. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Boston, Mass., Jan. 11, 1910. The end of the year 1909 and the first weeks of 1910 have proven a great surprise to the dealers in talking machines here in Boston, for the reason that the business has kept up much better and longer than ever before. All the dealers, both wholesale and retail, expected that right after the holidays there would be the usual slump, but up to the 10th of January no slump has made its appearance, and everything seems to be bright for at least a few weeks more of really brisk business. The holiday trade was never better. More high-grade, costly machines were sold than was expected, and the advance in the business of the hornless machines was phenomenal. In fact, they were in much greater demand than the machines with horns, even though most expensive. The big improvement in the trade on the costly, hornless machines has convinced the dealers that it really pays them to put in a good-sized slack of high-priced machines, as the artistic taste of the general public is much more developed than it was a few years ago, and they have come to realize that the talking machine is no longer a toy but a really artistic musical creation. The Oliver Ditson Co., who handle the Victor exclusively, report a phenomenal business in this line during the month of December. Mr. Bobzin, the general manager of the store, is not averse to having the figures of this department known. From his books this week he figured out that the entire talking machine business on Victors for the month of December was $31,811.50, and the retail portion of that amounted to $14,000. This for one month is not at all bad. "A little better than $2,500, as it was four years ago," says Mr. Bobzin. The entire year's business was heavier than that of any previous year, and greater things are predicted for 1910. December also figures out larger than any. other month in the history of the Eastern Talking Machine Co. A little slacking up has been noticed here the past few days, but it is a welcome relief after the strenuous days around Christmas. It is only a temporary relief, it is believed, as business is expected to pick right up again after the cold snap is ended. The E. T. M. Co. Associates, at their last regular meeting, were highly complimented by the management for their hard and efficient work during the holidays. Chairman Fitzgerald of the concert committee was given a hearty vote of thanks for his unusually good work at the last concert, and the same courtesy was ex: tended to the others of his committee. Mr. S. H. Brown of the sales force was made chairman of the committee for the next concert. The Columbia Phonograph Co. are making a remarkably effective window display this month, running largely to the hornless instruments, and featuring their Library Table style which is having a great vogue here. Their Christmas display was very attractive. The retail business is big and the wholesale business is bigger, so Manager Erisman declares that he is perfectly satisfied. He looks for a big business for the balance of this month. Manager Sylvester, of the C. E. Osgood Co.'s department, says that, while the holiday business was much greater than he had anticipated, he can hardly account for the constant and persistent business that has continued since then. He says that he had hoped to have a let-up after Christmas, but that he is working even harder than ever now to keep up with the demand for prompt service. The latter point is one that it is well to dwell upon for a little in connection with this company, for it has attained the reputation in town of being about the quickest respond to an order of any firm in the city. Manager White, of the new Victor department at the Henry F. Miller & Son store, said this week: "We have taken more money out of our Victor department than we have put into it, and we are more than pleased at the results attained. We feel that the department is in a section of the city where the very best class of people will patronize it as soon as it becomes known to them. We look for a most satisfactory year." Mr. White was formerly associated with M. Steinert & Sons as manager of their Boylston street talking machine department. The Iver Johnson Co. reports that their talking machine business last year, especially during the Christmas holidays, was far greater in volume than at any other similar period in its history. The talking machine business in the large department stores is booming especially at Houghton & Button's, where Mr. Howes has charge of the department. Manager Holmes, at the Jordan, Marsh Co. department, is greatly pleased with the new quarters assigned him and the additional space afforded. He reports a large increase in the volume of business. Edison Jobbing proposition in a city of 400,000. Good field for live man. Am in poor health and wish to retire from business. Capital required about $3,000. For particulars, address E. U., care Talking Machine World, 1 Madison avenue, New York, N. Y. OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS ! Here's a chance to get a good, snappy, thoroughly-posted retail manager or both. Has both selling and executive ability. Has made good and can produce the proofs. Address G. M., Room 806, No. 156 Wabash avenue, Chicago. SALESMEN WANTED. Salesmen wanted to carry our cylinder and disc cabinets on commission for the Middle West and West. Address E. Schloss & Co., Foot Of East Grand street, New York City. MR. JOBBER ! Have you a business with a future? Could a compeient wholesale and retail man make himself worth a a percentage of the profits? No objections to traveling a portion of the time. Make me a proposition and look up my references. Address "EXPERIENCE," care Talking Machine World, 1 Madison Ave., New York. $ WANTED FOR'SPOTCASH $ Will pay spot cash lor large lots ol Talking Machines, records and supplies oi any description. Must be very cheap. Send full particulars to BUYER care Talking Machine World, 1 Madison Avenue. New York City Manager Desires Position Position desired as manager of Wholesale Talking Machine Department, either Edison, Columbia or Victor. At present in charge of one of the largest Wholesale Talking Machine Businesses in the West. Desires a change as soon as possible. Best of references from present employers. Address "MANAGER" Care of Talking Machine World, 1 Madison Avenue, New York