The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1912)

20 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. PRIZE WINNING WINDOW IN MEMPHIS COMPETITION. O. K. Houck Piano Co. Carry Off First Honors with Display in Which the Victrola and the Steinway Piano Were Featured — Business Policy Emphasized in the Display Cards. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 9, 1912. The O. K. Houck Piano Co. continues to receive the congratulations of its many friends and associate merchants upon the winning of the first prize offered in the competition for the most -attractive window display in the city offered during the recent Tri-State Fair held here. A large number of which appeared the words, "Hurry! It Is Time to Get a Victor-Victrola." The hands of the clock were connected with an electric motor and revolved at the rate of ten years per hour, which was enough to convince the observer that time was flying, and that it was the proper moment to settle the Victrola question. In the center of the window there was erected The Attractively Prepared Wi of local houses entered the competition, but the Houck Co. carried off the prize without, a dissent~ ing voice. As will be seen in the accompanying illustration, the window was well calculated to attract attention from those passing the store of the company. On the left of the window there was placed a Victor Victrola, with the Victor dog sitting in front of it and a large clock placed at the right, on the dial ndow of the O. K. Houck Co. a small dog house on which was placed 'the sign, "One Price, No Commission, Guarantees Absolute Protection." A live pet bulldog was chained to the house wearing a collar upon which appeared practically the same warning. A beautiful Steinway grand piano occupied the right of the window, while the background was made up of posters regarding the Tri-State Fair. Certainly the prize was well deserved. order for Edison goods ready for the Christmas trade, which he anticipates will be very large in his section. Another Edison dealer to visit the city was R. M. Wilber, of Delano, Cal., who brings a good report from his district. The T. J. Johnston Music House of this city is enjoying a remarkable trade this fall in the Victor line. Chas. S. Ruggles, local manager for Sherman, Clay & Co., Victor distributers, states that the past month has been the largest in their history, and that even a much larger business would have been done if he could have obtained the goods. The Van Sant & Raynard Music Co., of Santa Monica, Cal., has been so successful in the past few months that it has opened a branch music store at Sawtelle, Cal., carrying a complete Victor and Edison I'.ne. C. A. Graham, of the Wiley B. Allen Co., returned from a hunting trip, bagging the limit of teal. Mr. Graham is just as good a marksman as he is a seller of talking machines. S. E. Purser is now back in his old stand with the Eiiers Music House. Mr. Purser has just recovered from a very serious operation and will now take hold of the talking machine department and do his share of the business in this line. O. A. Lovejoy, manager of the talking machine department of the Southern California Music Co.,, Edison jobbers, states that the new Amberol record is creating a stir among the dealers, who are nearly all doubling their orders since they have heard these new records. The firm also has" secured the jobbing agency for the Woods filing cabinet, which has proven a big seller. The Pasadena Music Co., Paradena, Cal., has just added six more sound-proof salesrooms to the talking machine department. W. R. J. Campbell, manager, is sparing no expense for the convenience of customers. This gives this department one-half the floor space of the entire store. A new firm, Grey, Maw & Thompson Co. (Inc.), has just opened in San Diego, Cal., with one of the largest talking machine departments in the Southwest, handling the complete line of machines and records. Guernsey S. Brown, of Santa Barbara, Cal., has opened a branch store at Ventura, where he will handle the Victor goods. BUSY TIMES IN LOS ANGELES. Past and Present Month's Business of Large Proportions, but It Will Be Excelled by an Enormous Holiday Trade, Judging from the Present Trend — The Month's News. S. W. Mixter, Edison dealer of Exeter, Cal, spent a few days in Los Angeles placing a large Never go to any of your fellow salespeople and talk and laugh over anything while your customer is waiting. This creates a bad impression and often customers think that they are being laughed at for some reason or other. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Los Angeles, Cal., Oct. 30, 1912. Jobbers and dealers of Los Angeles. and the surrounding section report a very good talking machine trade for the past month. .Great preparation for the coming holiday trade is being made by all dealers who are looking forward to the largest trade they have ever known, providing the goods can be obtained promptly. J. H. Sturgis, of the Sturgis-Bowring Music Co., 714 South Grand avenue, r states business looks very promising for the future in both the Edison and Victor lines. A. Graham Cook, manager of the talking machine department of the Geo. J. Birkel Co., has been making things hum in his department in the last few weeks'. The Circassian walnut Victrola XVI has been featured, thus causing many sales in this popular finish. Another strong point of interest is the featuring of records by the" noted Victor artists as they appear in concert. Scott T. Allured, talking machine manager for the Wiley B. Allen Co., San Diego, reports many recent sales of Columbia Grafonola Regents. Their monthly concerts are so well attended that they have not the room to 'accommodate the crowds. Mr. Allured works up the opera selections in such a way that they are very enjoyable, to hear on the talking machine. r The DITSON Pledge -| Is to see that our clientele has a better service than ever — setting a new standard in Victor jobbing deliveries. The demands of alert Victor dealers — the kind that grow — are many and varied, and we furnish the "first-aid" in every instance. We believe this year's Victor business will be of tremendous proportions, and it will pay you to have The Fastest Victor Service which is a requisite in this hustling age. We possess the largest stocks, the best organization and most up-to-date equipment in the Eastern half of the country. This covers Victor machines, records and supplies of every kind, not to mention cabinets, needles and trade-marked accessories. Will you let us tell you more about Ditson co-operation? A postal gets this information ! " ■OLIVER DITSON CO., Boston, Mass..