The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1911)

34 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 13 Can you imagine anyone saying there would be no demand for Nordica records? Or Mary Garden records ? Or Fremstad records ? Or Nielsen records ? And can you imagine any Smart Aleclc trying to offer you a substitute for them? And does a manufacturer's policy shut you out of the profits in them? Columbia Ptaonograpli Co., Genl., Tribune Building, New York. CONVENTION OF TALKING MACHINE JOBBERS. {Continued from page 33.) have no fault to find that our methods have been copied, because if one method of doing business is desirable, it is well that such a method should be followed by all. Mr. Edison Original In His Ideas. Mr. Edison set his face like s^eel against copying any of the types or designs of our competitors, and has produced a new disc record based on his ideas that run back as far as 1878, when he took out a patent in England on the first disc phonograph ever made, and which, by the way, disclosed a double-faced record. This record is made of an exceptionally hard material, so that it may sland very rough usage, and the grooves are practically unwearable. A jewel stylus is used which does not require changing. Surface noises are reduced to a minimum. The record is rotated at a high surface speed, so that its perfection of detail is remarkable. Notwithstanding this, by reason of the fineness of the record groove, a 10-inch record runs upward of five minutes, and a 12-inch record more than seven minutes — between one-'.hird and onehalf longer than any other disc record now made. Its tone is marvelously sv/eet and pleasing to the ear, being entirely free from the harsh, strident, horn tones that are often noticed in reproduction. It is essentially an ar ist'c record — one that makes its appeal to the artistic sense of the hearer, and which can be heard over and over again with undiminished pleasure. The records in question will be 10 and 12 inches in diameter, generally doubleface, although in the case of very expensive records they will probably be single-face. It may be of interest to know that in the development of this record Mr. Edison constructed and tested almost 3,000 separate reproducers and recorders. New Product Ready for Fall Delivery. Although we have not definitely settled upon the price, and while the records are considerably more expensive to make, are of superior qualify, and run much longer than other d sc records, yet we expect to be able to list them at prices and with such profits to the trade as will be entirely satisfactory. W e confidently expecL to have a fair size list of records ready for delivery in the fall, and the number will be added to as rapidly as possible until a catalog of substantial size is secured. We recognize that the trade have looked forward with considerable interest to the introduction of this new disc record by us, and in some instances jobbers have expressed impatience at what they evidently thought were unnecessary delays. If they could, for one moment, appreciate the tremendou.s efforts and expense that are required to practically irai'gurate a new industry they would realize that we have moved as rapidly as could be expected vnder the circumstances. It has come to^our knowledge that in the case of a prominent typewriter company upwards of five years were spent in developing and introducing a new visible writing machine; and we regard the introduction and development of the new disc machine and records as a much more difficult task. Two Types of Machines Perfected. On the subject of disc machines we were strongly hopeful that by this fall we would be able to present to the trade at least five different typeb, but in this we have been disappointed. We shall, however, have a high class enclosed horn cabinet machine, similar in appearance to the Amberola, and we hope also to be able to offer a considerably cheaper machine in time for the holiday trade. The larger machine will represent the very highest class of finish, workm.anship and material. It will be equipped with the finest motor ever put into a talking machine, and the horn will present a continuous passage from the reproducer through to its mouth, without any joints to give trouble or leakage, and interfere with the reproduction. It will be so arranged that sound boxes of varying degrees of volume can be used from a soft low tone, suitable for the home, to a louder tone of great carrjang power. Important contracts have been made with noted artists from the opera houses in London, Paris, Berlin, St. Petersburg, Vienna and Alilan, as well F. K. DOLBEER. as with some of (he finest and best known orchestras in Europe. The trade need have no apprehension, therefore, as to the character and advertising value of the records we purpose putting out, and we believe our list will compare in these respects very favorably with that of any other company. Tlie introduction of the Edison disc machine and records will not be difficult, and in view of the name and reputation behind the goods, and their intrinsic novelty and merit. Many dealers and users are anxiously awaiting the advent of this great musical instrument. Improvements In Cylinder Outfits. So much for the new disc product; and now taking up the cylinder business, this should have your thoughtful attention, because it is through this line that a large majority of dealers will make their sales. We expect to materially improve our cylinder machines from time to time, and this fall many of the present options will be eliminated, and a smaller number of standard outfits will be listed, ranging from the Gem machine with straight horn, to the Amberola with concealed horn. This will eliminate many of the troubles which the trade have experienced in handling a larger number of outfits, each with different options, and w.ll simplify the proposition very materially. The improvements being made by us should clearly demonstrate our faith in the future of the cylindrical goods, as well as convince you that we. do not in any way propose to lessen our efforts in promoting that line. We, therefore, urge most strongly upon jobbers not to diminish their efforts in pushing Edison cylinder phonographs and records. They are the machines which have always appealed to the working classes, and when the prosperity of the working man is re-established these machines will still appeal to him as strongly, as ever. In fact, considering the country at large, they are now sold to a greater extent than any other type. Upwards of two millions of these machines sold by the Edison Co. alone are in the hands of the public, which means the sale of records in large quantities by those dealers who are active and en husiastic enough to go after the business. Record Exchange Proposition Discussed. Before leaving the subject of phonographs, it would seem well to refer to a matter that appears to be the cause of considerable anxiety to some of our jobbers, although entirely satisfactory to others. We have reference to the 10 per cent, record exchange, as announced in our bulletin of December 31, 1910. It would seem unnecessary to discuss the facts leading up . to the exchange in question. The plan, as is well known, was not arbitrarily put into operation, but was seriously and carefully considered and fully discussed, and it was approved and endorsed by several members of your executive committee and by numerous other jobbers. Every jobber to whom the plan was explained approved it in prmciple, although in two or three instances the claim was made that an allowance of 10 per cent, was not sufficient to the