The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1911)

46 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. RECITAL OF VICTOR AND PLAYER. Interesting Photograph Showing Ernest McGlli, Seated at a Chase & Baker Piayer-Piano Accompanying Caruso's Voice on the Victrola — Effective Talking Machine Exploitation Which Should Interest Trade. (Special to the Talking Machine World.) Topeka, Kan., Jan. 31, 1911. The picture herewith shown was taken while the recital hall, and very enthusiastically showed its appreciation. Many were converted to the possibilities of the player-piano, who were before somewhat skeptical of its possibilities. The instrumental solos rendered by Mr. McGill were "A la bien aimce," by Schuett, and "Whispering Flowers," by Blou-Rosenbecker. Other artists appearing on the program were Miss Leavitt, soprano, who sang with pleasing grace, accomp nied first by Miss Hazlerig and then by the Chase & Baker player-piano. Miss Waller, a well-known local violinist, gave violin solos which met with A THESIS ON ADVERTISINi. Every Little Letter Has a Meaning of Own — An ABC Book for the Business Man. Ernest McGill, of the Chase & Baker Co., was playing an accompaniment on the Chase & Baker player-piano to Caruso's singing of the "Arioso" number from "Pagliacc'," on the Victrola. The gentleman standing just to the right of the Victrola in the picture is J. C. Emahizer, at the head of the Emahizer-Spielman Furniture Co., Topes:*.. The audience present filled the seating capacity of much applause. The violinist was first accompanied by Miss Tinker and then by the Chase & Baker player. The Victrola came in for its share of the entertainment by giving orchestral numbers alone — and by reproducing the voices of Caruso, SchtimannHeink and other artists with player accompaniment. TRADE NOTES FROM BALTIMORE. Business for the First Six Wesks of the New Year Has Been Most Satisfactory in Monumental City — The Expensive Machines Are Most in Demsnd — Good Reports from the E. F. Droop & Sons Co — Columbia Co.'s Excellent Trace — Other IVews in Tabloid. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Baltimore, Md., Feb. G, 1911. "It might sound to you fellows on the outside like mere talk when I say that there has been no let up in the excellent showing of the talking machine business in this city which characterized it during the better part of 1910 and especially during the month of September, but, nevertheless, it is an actual fact. Of course, January has not been as good as December, and none of those engaged in the business expected it to be. But, compared with January of the several preceding years, it has been a corker and I feel thoroughly convinced that the same delightful business conditions will prevail for the most part during the present year." This statement was made by one of the proniineait dealers in Baltimore the past week and is in line with the remarks made by the majority of those who follow the trade here. And judging by tlie number of customei;s seen in the various stores by a casual visitor there is no reason to believe that the statements are otherwise than true. The expensive machines continue to be more popular than ever and many sales of Victor Victrolas and Columbia Grafonolas are reported by the various dealers. Only during the past week Albert Bowden, manager of the talking machine department of Sanders & Stayman, announced that among the many sales made during January he disposed of two Columbia Grafonob Regents to one of the best known business men of this city, while he also reports the sale of a number of Victrolas. Another machine that has pleased the Baltimore public is the Columbia hornless "Favorite" and many of these have found their way into the homes of persons of more moderate circumstances, where they have afforded much amusement and pastime during the winter evenings. Manager Laurie, of the local branch store of the Columbia Phonograph Co., is responsible for this statement and he is highl}' pleased with the reception accorded this instrument. He also states that January has been an excellent month for the trade, far ahead of the showing made during January of 1910, and, except December, compared favorably with all the other months of last year. Manager Roberts, of E. F. Droop & Sons Co., is one of Baltimore's greatest optimists and he says that he has good reasons for being such. He declares that the firm's business has' kept up in fine shape and that the excellent showing made during December continued during January and indications are that the same conditions will prevail in February. Like most of the other dealers, he announces that his firm has had splendid results from the higher grade instruments, the demand for the Victor Victrolas being undiminished. "The only trouble I am having these days," declared Mr. Roberts, "is to keep enough machines in stock to satisfy my customers." The high class records are also more to the liking of Baltimoreans, according to Mr. Roberts. This no doubt is due^ especially at this time, to the, fact that the opera season is on and the excellent renditions heard by the accomplished artists each week appeal to the musical tastes of the residents of the Monumental City, who are great opera lovers. During the last week Manager Laurie, of the Columbia Phonograph Co., had as his guest Frank Dorian, manager of the Dictaphone. Mr. Dorian reported business with the Dictaphone to be of the record breaking order. Another dealer who says nice things about the condition of trade is Maurice Silverstein, manager of this department for Cohen & Hughes. Both the Victors and Edisons are having good runs, according to Mr. Silverstein. Ihe word Ad\ertising is composed o' elevoi units representing ten letters of the alphabet, -r five-thirteenths of the total. It shows ui that advertising is not quite the whole thing. The letter "I" alone occurs more than once in advertising. It is used fore and aft of the lett( r "S" to remind us of the So.icitor, who always keeps both eyes on the dollar sign. A stands for Always, and suggests that all should advertise all the time in all the ways available; if anyone doubts this, let him ask any solicitor and be convinced. D stands for "Dough" — the morn you spend for advertising, the more you get. This has been proven over and over again by the solicitor who persuades the advertiser to dig up. It also stands for a lot of other things, but they do not count like the "Dough," and need not be mentioned here. V stands for Valvoline, a high-grade oil, which easily brings the Dough when used by the expert solicitor. It also stands for Vacuum, to remind the advertiser of his bank account before the returns come in. The other virtues of the letter "V," if it has any, are immaterial in this connection. E stands for Easy, and follows V to signify that a liberal use of oil and some earnest work will produce results every time. R stands for Remorse, which usually overtakes the advertiser when he has been too easy. It also stands for Rum and Rebellion, and while these terms hold no terrors for the solicitor, they are sometimes cultivated by his victim. T stands for Time, to show that Advertising bills must be paid on time, and that it takes time to get results from advertising. It also stands for Trade. Being the sixth letter, it shows that the advertiser should not expect profitable returns until after the sixth year of constant advertising. T, in the first place, stands for Ink, which is the principal item of expense to the "Ad." publisher, and explains why space rates vary from one cent to seven dollars per line; it all depends on the quality of the ink used. No advertiser should ever allow his publisher to use cheap ink. S stands for Success. It is the eighth letter and was placed there to show that only one advertiser out of eight makes good. It also stands for Salve to heal the wounds of the other seven, and Sorrow for the man who doesn't advertise at all. I, in the second place, stands for Integrity ; it is placed after Success to show its relative importance. It also stands for Incident? Is, which is the second largest item of cost to the "Ad." publisher. This may seem strange to the novice, but those who ha^•e enjoyed the hospitality of the "Ad." solicitor appreciate the fact perfectly. N stands for Nothing. It is pu\ near the end of advertising to remind us of the Id adage, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained," md to teach us that advertising should not be ligatly regarded. G stands for Gold and also fo ■ Glory, and was placed at the end of Advertisin to show us that consolation awaits the faithful dvertiser in one form or the other. — "Dad" ^ ernicke, in The IMaccy Monthly.. Rev. Gustave Truenet, a popi ar Catholic priest of Anacortes, Wash., after pu basing a Victrola from H. L. Dodge, of that . y, wrote him the following letter, in part as folk 's : "I have heard the most beautiful bands and ' hestras of Europe, many times I have listened t^ iie grand operas of France and Italy, and I wouh not hesitate to say that the reproduction of t : masterpieces of music, as given by the Victc talking machine, is above praise ; it is not onl an echo — it is the thing itself." The Portland (Ore.) Phoi ograph Co., Victor dealers, have had such an increase in business thf t two more demonstrating rooms have been added. Esther Cohen has been added to their selling staff.