The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1911)

6 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. Question: What Is thc one musical instrument tliat tias no substitute? Chorus: Ask it right f Tliere are three Graf onola Regents ! " Columbia Phonograph Co., Genl., Tribune Building, New York ACTIVITY IN CLEVELAND TRADE, Approach of the Holidays Serves to Keep Talking Machine Dealers Busy Meeting the Demand— Better Understanding of the Possibilities of the Talking Machine Prevails — U-S Phonograph Co. Plant Rushed with Orders — New Agents for That Line — What the Various Dealers and Managers Have to Report Anent Trade Conditions. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Cleveland, O., Dec. 9, 1911. The activity in the talking machine trade noted last month still prevails, accelerated by the approaching holidays. The dealers are all unusually busy, and the only expression of discontent heard is the fear that they will be unable to obtain sufficient machines to meet the demand. December started with an impetus to the business indicative of an unusually large trade, and already some of the dealers are keeping their stores open evenings to afford those unable to make purchases in the daytime an opportunity to buy. Increasing inquiries are being made, more interest is manifest and a higher appreciation of the unlimited musical possibilities of the talking machine are in evidence, and sales are larger, including a greater proportion of the higher-priced instruments and records than in any former period. More and more people are coming to an understanding that during the long winter evenfngs there is no better way of furnishing entertainment than to treat their friends to a musical feast, and with a talking machine and selection of records hours may be spent pleasantly and instructively. Business at the factory of the U-S Phonograph Co. is booming, and the manager states they are pressed with orders, which are constantly increasing. The new $50 hornless called the "Royal" has made an instantaneous hit, and the "Rex," another hornless model at $25, is now ready for shipment. H. D. Benner has opened a phonograph store at 36 The Taylor Arcade and is handling U-S goods exclusively, both jobbing and retail. The Brooklyn Piano Co., of this city, have just put in a full stock of U-S phonographs and records. The News, Cleveland's leading evening daily, is conducting a "Book Lovers' Contest." Among the prizes offered are a U-S Peerless phonograph, value $200, a U-S Royal, value $50, and a U-S Banner, value $45. Whaley, Royce & Co., of Toronto, Canada, have taken on a jobbing stock of U-S phonographs and records, carrying complete stocks at both Toronto and Winnipeg, The Barfield Piano C^., of Jacksonville, Fla., report great success with U-S phonographs and records. This is a branch of the same concern at Columbia, 'S. C, and at Augusta, Ga. The manager of the Talking Machine Co., in The Arcade, reports business, for some unaccountable reason, very dull. He said the conditions were unusual for this season of the year. However, he expressed hopefulness of a profitable holiday trade. One among the many busy marts of trade in the city is the talkng machine store of W. H. Buescher & Sons Co. The company's large display of Victor machines and elaborate stock of Vicior records is one of the attractions of the "Sixth City." "Our present trade," said Mr. Buescher, "is unsurpassed in the history of the company. We are busy from mornteg to night and find it difficult to keep up our supply of either machines or records." George R. Madson, manager of the Columbia Phonograph Co.'s store, is very enthusiastic over the present flattering prospects of a large holiday trade. He said : "The new models of Grafonolas are great favorites, and our trade in these, as well as in the various priced graphophones, is very brisk. Our volume of business in November was large and we closed an exceptionally good month. All our retail dealers locally and throughout this section of the State are ordering good-sized stocks for the holiday trade, and report business good and improving. The Witt Music Co., one of the oldest talking machine dealers of Cleveland and Lorain, have just put in the full line of Columbia products at the latter city. Among other recent new Columbia Ohio dealers are F. C. Bowman, Collinwood; J. R. Emerick, Nottingham; J. A. Baldwin, Bellevue; E. E. Schaefer, Fairport Harbor, and J. C. George, Geneva. Geo. W. Lyle, general manager, and Marion Dorian, auditor of the Columbia Phonograph Co., were recent visitors to the company's store in this city. Activity is manifest at the store of the Eclipse Musical Co., both in the wholesale a:iJ retail departments. A. L. Parson, manager of the retail department, said trade was constantly expanding, and that the sales were mostly of the highest-grade Victor and U-S goods. A. O. Peterson, manager of the Lawrence H. Lucker Edison jobbing house, said : "Business is good, better than expected when we opened here, both in machines and records. The retail dealers generally will have a good holiday trade this year, judging from the receipt of daily liberal orders." Mr. Lucker, on his way East and again on his return, stopped over for a few hours at his new store the latter part of November. He stated that business at Minneapolis was unusually good. The B. Dreher's 'Sons Co. have met with instantaneous success in the new talking machine department at their piano warerooms in The Arcade. F. B. Guyon, manager of the department, said : "Business is fine — 'way past expectations in both machines and records. We are delighted with the trade, which is daily increasing." The talking machine trade at the store of the W. F. Frederick Piano Co. has opened up very satisfactorily. Norman H. Cook, manager of the department, reported a very substantial business, considering the time the department has been opened. Business in the talking machine department of the Bailey Co. is very satisfactory, said Mr. Friedlander. The demand for machines, especially Victrolas, is surprisingly good and is constantly increasing. The combination Edison machines and Cygnet horns are also selling well. Geo. J. Probeck, manager of the Dictaphone department of the Columbia Co., says business is good and has appreciably improved since the company placed the new Model 6 on the market. He made the first sale of the new machines, or rather the customer, to whom he showed his samples, insiste'd he leave them and take a check in payment. Probeck says he couldn't help himself, he had to leave them and telegraph the home office for another set. Phil Dorn, of the Collister & Sayle Co., reports business good in both departments, retail and wholesale. O. E. Kellogg, manager of the McMillins talking machine department, also expressed satisfaction with conditions. H. D. Scroxton, manager of the Caldwell Piano Co.'s talking machine department, stated conditions generally were fine and trade good. The demand, he said, for the Victor-Victrola XVL is greater than ever. The record business is also very good, especially from the Red Seal lists. The A. D. Coe Piano Co. reports the U-S talking machines of the various models in high favor, and together with the Everlasting records meeting with ready sales. Mr. Coe believes there is a grand future for the U-S products. R. Svehla, of the West Side Columbia store, is doing a prosperous business in talking machines and records, pianos and musical instruments generally. He carries a large list of foreign records and does an extensive trade in that line. Flesheim & Smith are making a good display and report an excellent trade in Victor machines and records and Zonophones. Aldrich, Howey & Co. are doing a fine business in the different grades of graphophones and are having a large demand for records. The company have made preparations for a big holiday trade. NEWS FROM THE NORTH COAST. Formal Opening of Branch of Eilers Music House in Spokane — Open House for Apple Show — Eilers Branch in Albany Removes. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Spokane, Wash., Dec. 1, 1911. The new store of the Eilers Music House in this city, which was occupied some time ago, was given a formal opening last week, the celebration to extend over three weeks, during which time special musical programs are to be rendered and special arrangements made for the entertainment of guests. The local store of Sherman, Clay & Co. is keeping open house this week in honor of the Apple Show now being held here. All out-of-town people are invited to visit the store and enjoy the music which is provided. The store is. being kept open evenings throughout the week. G. H. Graham, outside manager for the Eilers Music House, and A. T. Nunnelly, of the Portland store of the same company, are spending the week at Dallas, Ore., assisting at the special sale being held by the Stockwell Music Co. The Albany, Ore., branch of the Eilers Music House has been moved into fine new quarters in the Odd Fellows building in that city. The management of the Albany store has been put in charge of W. S. Mitchell.