The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1910)

34 VICTOR CO.'S GREAT BUSINESS. December the Largest of Any Month in the Point of Sales — Enormous Record Business — Louis F. Geissler's Remarks on the Situation. One of the best proofs that prosperity is becoming broadly diffused throughout the country, and that we are approaching stable conditions, is to be found in the tremendous business done by the Victor Talking Machine Co., of Camden, M. J., during the year which so recently closed. The Victor is an instrument that goes into the homes of the wealthy and the working classes alike, and the demand for these creations tells its own story. Louis F. Geissler, general manager of the Victor Talking Machine Co., in discussing conditions said: "I do not remember a year which enters so auspiciously as does 1910. At our factory we are exceedingly gratified at the high percentage of trade that we were blessed with during the panic, and at the enormous recovery that the summer months of 1909 brought to us, and at the record breaking fall and winter months that we have had. "The month of December was the largest of any month in the Victor Talking Machine Co.'s business in the point of sales. Our factory will be unable to complete the orders upon which it is now working, if it does not receive an order for a single machine, in three months' time. "We worked up on January 1 our record capacity 50 per cent, in order to take care of the large record orders which always follow after the holidays. "Our record business has been exceedingly satisfactory for the past three or four months, showing a steady growth each month, and I regret to report the prospect of a record famine within six weeks. We are doing our utmost to prepare for the trade, but it takes a long time to train people to whom we can entrust even the smallest detail of the manufacture of Victor quality of records." "TALKER" A CAMPAIGN FACTOR. Being Used in the General Election in Great Britain with Good Results. In the general, election, which is now under way in Great Britain and Ireland, and in which the future of the House of Lords so largely figures, the talking machine is being used to a very large extent in promulgating the speeches of Prime Minister Asquith, Lloyd George— the strenuous fighter for the tax on idle land instead of foods — Winston Churchill, on the liberal side, and by a number of other prominent representatives of the Conservative party. In the towns where the voters have little chance to hear these gentlemen in person, the records of their speeches are being splendidly utilized in the campaign of political education. In Belfast T. Edens Osborne has been bringing these records into quite some prominence, ergo his establishment and his progressive methods. The leading papers of that city have had representatives call upon him and listen not only to the speeches of the great celebrities of the Liberal Party, but also comment on Mr. Osborne's versatility both as a merchant and speaker. In all the prominent lectures and important affairs held in Belfast and locality Mr. Osborne makes it a point to introduce the gramophone with good results for those who attend, and naturally for himself in a business way. CHINESE ACTOR KILLED. Chinese Actor Who Recently Made a Number of Records for the National Phonograph Co. Murdered in New York's Chinatown. Ah Hoong, a Chinese comedian who recently assisted the National Phonograph Co. in making forty-eight Chinese records, fell a victim on December 29 to the war of the Tongs that is at present raging in New York's Chinatown. Hoong, who had deserted the Say Sing, or "Four Brothers," in San Francisco and joined the On Leong Tong, had been commanded under threat of death to desert the latter organization. This he refused to do and the threat was quickly put into execution despite the extraordinary police precautions. Hoong, who was thirty-five years old, was one of the best known Chinese actors in the country, and a special favorite in San Francisco. He made his appearance in New York about five months ago in the Chinese theater in Doyer street in "Daughters of the Thousands Dragons of the Sun." The play, which has since been stopped by the closing of the theater, would have been finished in only six more months. MUSIC MASTER WOODEN HORN. McMenimen's Successful Trip to the West on Behalf of This Product — Enthusiastic Over Conditions. H. N. McMenimen, manager of Sheip & Vandegrift, manufacturers of the "Music Master" wooden horn, Philadelphia, Pa., after returning from a trip to the Middle West, said: "Business west of Chicago done my heart good — nothing like it East. Lyon & Healy, Harger & Blish and other concerns have been doing a great trade, and I predict that before the close of 1910 business in the talking machine line will be a tremendous surprise in point of volume — best in the history of the country. I feel like a different man since meeting the western trade. The farmers out there are buying liberally and you will see the people in the East loosen up also. They have the money, but they have been holding fast In connection with the highest grand award secured by the Columbia Phonograph Co. at the AlaskaYukon-Pacific Exposition, the chairman of the Jury of Awards has sent the following letter to It. Wo are turning out 175 horns daily and disposing: of tne entire output." WANAMAKER ENTERPRISE. "The Opera News," appearing intermittently during the season, and published by John Wanamaker, New York and Philadelphia, with L. J. Gerson, manager of the talking machine departments in the mammoth establishments, editor, has for its mission the exploitation of Victor records in connection with the performance of the different operas during the season. The cast and story of the opera is given, followed by a list of the record selections, accompanied by the catalog number. It is a clever idea, and Editor Gerson is not only fostering the growth (if Victor record sales, but with his special Victrola numbers on the daily concert programs of each of the Wanamaker stores, in connection with the regular orchestra, affords concrete means for the cultivation and appreciation of the best In music. The Victor department of the Wanamaker store, New York, secured a gi'eat amount of publicity through the lectures of H. E. Krehbiel. for thirty years musical critic of the New York Tribune. Mr. Krehbiel has exemplified his musical talks on grand opera in the auditorium by the use of the Victrola, grand organ and piano, as well as by Marie Stoddart, soprano, and Grace Hornby, contralto. The Universal Glee, Banjo snd Mandolin Combined Clubs have been engaged by L. Jay Gerson, manager of the departments, for the concert in the auditorium February 5, at 2.30 p. m. This club constitutes fifty men, and, of course, records will figure in the excellent program. to the Director of Exhibits, in which he emphasizes special Columbia features. Enlarged reproductions of this letter have been sent out to Columbia agents EXHIBITS AND PRIVILEGES SKATTLiK liMMJ HENRY E. DOSCH, IT! RECTOR August 27, 1909. Col. Henry E. Dosch, Director of Exhibits, A.-Y.-P. Exposition, Seattle, Wash. Sir« The Columbia Phonograph Co. are Justly entitled to the Grand Highest Award for Disc Talking Machines and Records and also the highest praise for the superlative merit of their produot. Special mention should be made of the marvelous reproducer used on this make, its Automatic Needle Clamp . and the remarkable superiority and smoothness of its motor. It is the unanimous opinion of your Jury that this firm has attained the highest standard in the manufacture of Disc Machines and Records. Respectfully submitted. COLUMBIA HONORS AT THE ALASKA-YUKON-PACIFIC EXPOSITION.