The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1911)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 43 Fair comparisons are neglected only by the reckless buyer, and objected to by the manufacturer who will suffer by them. When a ''prospect" gets as far as comparisons, we have the sale and you know it! Columbia Phonograph Co., Genl., Tribune Building, New York TRADE NOTES FROM CLEVELAND. A Fair Measure of Business Enjoyed — International Motion Picture Service — Revelations Through the Phonograph — Motion Picture Exhibitors Meet — Victor Miniature Theater Attracts — Lawrence Lucker Back from Europe — Business Grows with U-S Phonograph Co. — Dreher Doing Wei with the Victor — Will Erect New Building — Interest Increases in the Multinola — Reports of Present and Prospective Business Are in the Main Exceedingly Satisfactory. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Cleveland, O., Aug. 9, 1911. .-Mthough the summer months in the Cleveland territory are reckoned as the dull season, each month this year has shown, as a whole, considerable increases over the same period of last year. This is largely accountable by reason of the bountiful crops, inuring to the prosperity of the farmers, who are becoming to be the best patrons of the dealers. Their purchases, too, of both machines and records are of the best. There is nothing too good for them. Dealers generally are averaging a full normal midsummer volume of trade, tending largely to the higher grade machines and records. Ai the same time there has been a good volume of business in the lower priced machines, and records, which are being used in camps and on the lake boats, and at the numerous parks and summer resorts. Dealers, both jobbers and retailers, are making preparations for the fall trade, and are placing larger orders than usual. They will endeavor to avert the difficulty heretofore experienced in securing supplies for the holiday trade. The August lists of records are highly spoken of and meeting wdth general approval and good sales. The numerous theatres in the city are greatly interested in the outcome of the international motion picture news service now being inaugurated in the principal cities of the civilized world. It is announced this news service will be in the nature of a motion picture .\ssociated Press. Camera reporters are to make films of everything worth reporting that happens anywhere. A number of sect of Revived Spiritualists, of Findlay, O., who claimed to receive revelations from God through a phonograph, and were directed by the Lord to go to the Pacific coast and bathe in a river there and await His commands, departed last March, mention of which was made in the World. Another party of the cult have just left to join the first, taking with them the phonograph through which they have received instructions, in the hope of iinding' the sacred stream, the efforts of the first party^ proving fruitless. Until recently the Cleveland daily press has habitually slightingly mentioned and more frequently ridiculed the talking machine. But they are coming to a clearer understanding of this unique and remarkable reproducing instrument. One of the local papers, mentioning the August lists of records, says : "There are two w-ays, and i.inly two wajs, to get a perfect and intelligent understanding of Victor Herbert and his music. One is to hear Victor Herbert's orchestra in concert, the other is to hear this great orchestra in the new records. The first way is open to only a comparatively few people among the 90,000,000 inhabitants of the United States. But in the latter way the exquisite music of Victor Herbert's orchestra can be enjoyed by everyone — by the great masses of the public, who find it impossible to hear it in any other way." The first convention of motion picture show exhibitors ever held began in Cleveland, August 3. Exhibitors, picture company players, in fact, all the interests of the United States and Canada, were well represented in the three days' sessions of the convention. A constitution providing for a compact organization was adopted. M. A. Xeff. of Cincinnati, was elected president, and C. M. Christenson, of Cleveland, secretary. One of the ultimate aims of organization, it was stated, is a co-operative film company, by which exhibitors may make their own films. The next convention will be held in Chicago in 1912. A. F. Lee, Ravenna, O., an exclusive Columbia dealer, is using a motion picture theatre, demonstrating the records, in connection with the display of operatic films. The theatre is nightly crowded. He is the most popular man in town and is doing a big business. In providing municipal free music, the New ^'ork Parks and Playgrounds Association are following the example of Cleveland in giving municipal moving picture shows, accompanied with phonographic music. During the last two weeks in July. Ernest John gave daily, at stated intervals, exhibitions of the \'ictor Tableau.x Theatre, at the store of the Eclipse Musical Co. The unique entertainment attracted and interested select audiences who were in attendance at each recital, and the various operatic numbers, coupled with the illustrative lectures of Mr. John, were favorably commented on. and eulogistic of the Victrola as an artistic musical instrument. The store of the Eclipse ]\Iusical Co. was neatly arranged, giving prominence to the miniature theatre, with a seating capacity of about one hundred in the auditorium. A large number of Victrolas in the various woods were shown in the hall and the different demonstration parlors, and was a distinctive feature of the season's entertainment. Manager George J. Probeck, of the Dictaphone department of the Columbia Phonograph Co., reports business has been a little quiet during the hot weather. He states he has, however, been kept fairly busy placing machines, and that with quite a number of good prospects in view, the outlook is very encouraging. Laurence H. Lucker, who opened a new Edison jobbing house here last month, while on his way from Minneapolis, on a bridal trip to Europe, returned to the city July 29. He was in London during the coronation of King George, and visited the principal cities of Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland and other countries. While abroad he made arrangements for a large line of small musical merchandise, wdiich he w-ill place on sale here and at Minneapolis. He remains here for several w-eeks. A. M. Robinson, of the Columbia Phonograph Co.'s staff, spent his vacation visiting with his aged mother at Seaforth, Canada. W. J. Roberts, Jr., of Buescher & Sons, has just returned from a two weeks' vacation up the lakes, much improved in health and spirits. G. ;M. Nisbett, of the U-S Phonograph Co., stated that business was good and constantly growing in the most substantial manner. The company are receiving orders from. all sections of the continent and many inquiries from foreign countries. The U-S combination phonograph and the Everlasting non-breakable records have attained an enviable reputation with dealers everywhere they have been introduced, and the prospects of the company are of the most encouraging character. The Columbia Phonograph Co. are doing an excellent business. ""Trade is good," said G. R. Madson, manager. ""The last week in July was the best we have had since opening the branch, both in machines and records. Our sales of records are especially good. The public appreciate the fine selections we are offering for the summer season, and there is no occasion for dealers not to keep as well stocked up at this as any other season of the year.'' New and pleasing experiences are noted as daily coming to the B. Dreher's Sons Co., since the installation recently of a Victor talking machine department. The large list of patrons of this house, established more than 50 years ago, is already showing its influence in the receipt of orders for talking machines and records of the highest grade. During the coming winter the B. Dreher's Sons Co. will move to a new building on Euclid avenue, where the talking machine department will be housed in greatly enlarged and the most modernly equipped quarters. At the office of L. H. Lucker, Cleveland's Edison's jobber, business is reported exceptionally good, a large volume of orders having been received since opening, and an additional force put on to take care of the increasing business. The May Co. report business very good in the phonograph department, for this season of the year. The manager stated that while the demand for machines was not large, it was especially good for records, the selections being made largely from the Victor Red Seal, and Edison Amberol August lists. At the office of the American iNlultinola Co. conditions were said to be very satisfactory. The company have been literally deluged with inquiries resulting from the full page advertisement run in the July issue of the World, indicating a marked interest by dealers generally in the '"Multinola," and which the company believe bespeaks a promising future. ""The demand for the instrument," said the manager, '"is really beyond our expectations, but we are not at all surprised to note how quickly the trade has realized (Coiitiimed on foge 44.)