The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1913)

6 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. TESTIMONY AS TO ACTIVITY IN DETROIT. The Talking Machine World Scout Makes Gratifying Report Regarding Conditions as He Found Them in His Quest for News — Found an Army of Buyers of Talking Machines at Points Visited and a Cleaning Out of Stock That Bodes Well for Continued Activity During the New Year — News of the Month Worth Noting. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Detroit, Mich., Jan. 9, 1913. Some people are suspicious of 'the veracity of figures, arguing that they can be made to lie, so probably there will be among those who read the following a few skeptics who will glance aslant at the truthful facts herein recorded. But all scoffers are warned that The Talking Machine World scout in Detroit, having no reason to prevaricate, and having no physical disabilities causing him to see double, guarantees what is herein set forth, for one year, or money refunded. On his monthly news-seeking tour he dropped into Grinnell Bros., State jobbers for the Victor and Edison companies, and found no less than twenty-eight prospects undergoing the ordeal of deciding just what machine they wanted to buy. And it wasn't the day before Christmas, either, but one week later, with the holiday rush seven days astern. Manifestly, under those conditions getting an interview was out of the question, so The World scribe, marveling, betook himself to the Victrola shop of the Max Strasburg Co. There, too, every one of the dozen demonstrating rooms was in use, Mr. Strasburg himself waited on two or three patrons at once, Exit once more, disappointed and wondering where the copy was coming from to fill a column in the January number. Invasion of the Detroit branch of the Columbia Phonograph Co. followed. All rooms in use and all attaches humping themselves. Something had to be "did," so in desperation Manager K. M. Johns was chased into a corner and held there by main strength until he was forced to disgorge a few remarks. "No, it wasn't anything unusual," he said. That sort of stuff had commenced s'hortly after the first of December and had waxed steadily greater until in the closing hours of the holidays it had assumed proportions which made to-day's scramble seem considerable of a lull. The evidence was to the effect that almost everyone who had heard a Christmas phonograph had decided to go buy one of his, or her, own. The business had extended beyond the holidays in a way that made December a far bigger month than the same period of 1911, and put the entire year miles ahead of last year. The talking-machine manufacturers have at last awakened to the importance of the Detroit trade, too, if not to the possibilities, for they kept all stores fairly well supplied, in comparison to last year. "We couldn't get enough of the $200 models," said Mr. Johns, "nor enough of three or four of the styles costing less than a hundred, but otherwise we filled our orders pretty promptly. The machines came in large lots, and besides that, we had enough special orders shipped by express to run up a bill of $80 for that kind of transportation. All styles were in good demand, and we had lots of inquiry for the new $500 grand, but it didn't arrive in time. All of our downtown Detroit agents had ordered from the picture, without seeing one." The Farrand Co. is the fortunate possessor of the only Columbia Grand that has yet reached Detroit. It oame in December 30 and held a levee in the show-window all day Tuesday. It was displayed in a way to show its gold-mounted arm and gold-plated tools, oil can and other interior fix Won't You Have a Lesson in Spanish? It's so easy to learn by the I. C. S. system— and a knowledge of Spanish is s,o useful nowadays. The I. C. S. system of language instruction by means of the phonograph makes easy the mastering of a foreign language, and appeals with compelling power to thousands. The dealer in phonographs who does not carry I. C. S. Language Outfits is neglecting a quick and sure way to increase his business. The new $35 Language Outfit of the I. C. S. is a marvel. It represents the highest art in the teaching of languages, and embodies a method that has won the warmest praise of thousands qualified to speak authoritatively. The Spanish, French, and German Embassies at Washington, as well as the leading colleges, have cordially indorsed the I. C. S. method of teaching languages. The I. C. S. Language Outfit consists of an Edison Gem Phonograph made especially for language work; small horn; headband hearing tube; oil can; and 25 Conversational Records teaching pronunciation guaranteed to be absolutely correct, with native intonation and inflection. In addition to these Conversational Records there are pamphlet Instruction Papers teaching the theory of the languages. The new Outfit is at one and the same time the best and cheapest ever offered — the price being only $35. If you want to increase your business, write to-day for full particulars. International Correspondence Schools Box 918, Scranton. Pa tures, and a crowd was always on hand. Manager E. P. Andrews was so proud of it that he took delight in personal demonstrations for all comers. The owner of a $200 machine, the best previously to be had, put in a bid for it, and it was as good'as sold before it had been on exhibition a day. A second trip to the Victrola Shop found Mr. Strasburg in position to talk while he worked, having switched from demonstrating to checking up a big shipment of records. "I could have sold twenty-five machines to-day if we had had them to send out," he said. "As it was, we sent ten to their permanent homes. You see we are pretty well cleaned out. During the holiday trade we lost at least six or seven thousand dollars' worth of business in just that way— we couldn't get the goods to deliver. "It puts me in a quandary. Here we are with a big store, all fitted up, and the talking-machine business growing at a rate that makes it seem as if we shall have to go after still more space. Yet, we can't get the stock to fill it and make the added expense pay a profit unless we put in a line of pianos to utilize the room. So I haven't decided what I shall do. I think we will wait a while, in hope that the talking-machine manufacturers will take care of us, for it is the best end of the music trade business. The goods move quicker because of the smaller prices and greater variety of styles and of music they furnish, and consequently the profits are turned over faster. But if we can't get the talkers, we will be compelled to put in pianos." The Strasburg Co. has just hung up one of the finest electric store signs in Detroit. It is placed so that it can be seen from Library avenue, Farmer street, Grand River avenue and Woodward avenue. It is large enough to be read half a mile away. It says : "Victrolas and Grafonolas. Max Strasburg Co." Lack of stock is not deterring the Detroit dealers from advertising, however. They are all intent on building for the future, rather than for the present alone, and are confident that in time the facilities of the manufacturing plants will be increased so that their trade may be adequately catered to. Then they expect a business that will repay them for the trials of the present. VICTOR RECORD TO HELP COMPOSER. May Offer Mascagni Means for Learning Tones of Nightingale's Voice. According to the London Telegraph Mascagni has put nearly all the finishing touches on the opera in which he has collaborated with Gabriel d'Annunzio and the libretto of which is based on Byron's "Parisima." The only thing completed is a section of the music, which is expected to represent the voice of the nightingale. It is said that Mascagni has never heard a nightingale warble and must wait until spring to become familiar with its notes. "But wait !" says the Evening Post, of New York, "there is a Victor record, the result of a lucky chance, which reproduces the song of the nightingale most charmingly." It is little comments like these that help. VICTROLA FEATURE OF COMEDY. Instrument Acts as One of the Central Figures in a Charming Love Scene in "Years of Discretion." One of the features of the new Belasco comedy, "Years of Discretion," at the Belasco Theatre, New York, is the use of a handsome Victrola in the second act, the instrument and the record of a love ballad which it plays dividing interest with the actors in a charming love scene in which the Victrola furnishes inspiration and acts as a scene between two couple. It is not often that a talking machine is referred to so directly or plays so prominent a part in a legitimate production as the Victrola at the Belasco. The Victrola was furnished by the Silas E. Pearsall Co. Steam is useful only when properly disciplined. It's the same with energy and enthusiasm.