The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1913)

THE TALKING M A( !l I INK WOULD. t3 HEALTHY CONDITIONS IN 'FRISCO'S RETAIL TRADE. Business, Present and Prospective, in Excellent Shape — Central Phonograph Parlors Open in Oakland — W. S. Gray's Active Campaign — Agencies for New Edison Line Taken by Many New Concerns — Emporium Talking Machine Department's Activity. (Special to The ralking Machine World.) San Francisco, Cal., March 8, 1913. January and February are usually rather quiet mouths in the sale of musical instruments, but this year business has kept up in good shape during both these months, with no great falling off alter the rush of the holidays, and now with the regular spring activity near at hand prospects, are very bright. The jobbers and distributors have been shipping out orders as rapidly as they could get the goods for delivery, which indicates a healthy condition in the retail trade. Exclusive Columbia Shop in Oakland. A new exclusive Columbia shop 'has been opened in Oakland by W. S. Styles under the name of the Central Phonograph Parlors. He is located at 388 Twelfth street, and has his place fitted up in first class shape. The quarters are commodious, having a large reception room and several sound-proof demonstration rooms. The walls are white enamel, with blue decorations artistically arranged, which produce a very pleasing effect. Mr. Styles is well known to the trade, having been manager of the Columbia Graphophone Co.'s Oakland retail store when it was in operation, and since its closing has been head of the talking machine department of the Madson Furniture Store in San Jose. Mr. Styles opened with a complete list of Columbia machines and records, and is very much encouraged by the interest that has been shown in his establishment the first few days it has been in existence. He feels that there is a good opening on that side of the bay, the only dealers in Oakland up to this time handling Columbia goods being Clancy & Le Clair at the Kohler & Chase store. Finds Conditions Good Throughout State. W. S. Gray, local manager for the Columbia Graphophone Co., is continuing his short visits to dealers in different sections of the State. He has made several trips the past month, and is now getting ready to go South. In all sections, he says, he has found that dealers are doing a nice business. When in Stockton recently he made arrangements with Treadway Bros, to take the agency for the Dictaphone in connection with their 'stationery and office supply business. Mr. Gray has been assured deliveries of the new Columbia Grand within the next few days, and in view of this fact several hundred announcements have been sent out from the wholesale ollice in this city to prospective customers. New Head for Davis Music Co. Department. The talking machine department of the E. R. Davis Music Co., Stockton, Cal., is now under the management of Miss June Clark, who was with the California Music Co. prior to its removal to San Jose, and since that time has been with the Columbia Graphophone Co. here. Lively Times with Edison Representatives. The local Edison enthusiasts continue very active in the introduction of the disc machine. E. L. Sues, traveler for the Pacific Phonograph Co., is now calling on the trade in Nevada with very good results. J. E. McCracken is about ready to go on the road again after spending a few weeks at headquarters. A. V. Chandler, general representative of the Edison Co., is working the southern part of the State, being accompanied on some of his trips by O. A. Lovejoy, manager of the wholesale department of the Southern California Music Co., Los Angeles, Edison distributors for the Southwest. New Agents for Edison Disc Line. A. R. Pommer, manager of the Pacific Phonograph Co., says he has lined up several new dealers since the introduction of the Edison disc machine, who before did not handle talking machines at all. One of the largest of these is the John Breuner Co., of Sacramento, who has a large furniture house. Another is the Art Shop, 1600 Haight street, San Francisco. It is rumored that a large exclusive Edison talking machine store is to be opened in the retail district of this city, providing a suitable location can be obtained. New Edison Machines Well Received. The new Edison $80 machine, which is being distributed to the jobbers, promises to fill a real demand on the Coast, also the new model school machine. Manager Baley, of Babson Bros., says the new Edison products have already stimulated trade to a great extent, the advantages of the diamond reproducing feature and the Blue Amberol records being a strong appeal. The Santa Rosa Music Co., of Santa Rosa, Cal., conducted a special demonstration of Edison disc machines during the recent citrus fair held in Cloverdale. Dealers from Interiors Placing Orders. Among the country dealers in town recently placing orders for spring stocks were Robert Logan, of Logan's Music Co., Salinas; J. S. Riggs, from Santa Maria, and Ira Jones, manager of the talking machine department of the A. J. Pommer Co., Sacramento. Burbank Gives Victrolas to Schools. The Wiley B. Allen Co. received a pleasant surprise a few days ago, when Luther Burbank visited their talking machine department, listened to several selections on Victrolas, and left an order for five machines, to' be supplemented by about $500 worth of records. Later it was learned that the machines were gifts to the public schools of Santa Rosa. Talker Man Prominent in New Association. A. G. McCarthy, of Sherman, Clay & Co., is a member of the police and publicity committee of the newly organized Downtown Association, the nucleus of which was the former downtown committee of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. The association has for its object the development and improvement of the downtown district. Mr. McCarthy reports Victor business, both wholesale and retail, as showing decided gains over the month of February a year ago. The sale of Mischa Elman's records has been stimulated by his engagements here and in other cities along the Coast. Eilers Music House in this city is offering to take talking machine outfits in part payment for pianos and players. Attracting Bargain Hunters in Emporium. Manager Morgan, of the Emporium talking machine department, has enjoyed a nice business the past month, especially the last days, when the formal spring opening was being held in the women's ready-to-wear departments. Among the people calling primarily to look, at the fashions a good many responded to the invitation to visit the music department on the floor above. H. S. Gutermute, who has a chain of stores in Sonoma County, has opened the New Music House in Sebastopol, and placed H. Freeman in charge. HANDLE EDISON DISC PHONOGRAPH. Thomas F. Morris Opens in Newton as Edison Distributer — Admirably Arranged Quarters. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Newton, Mass., March 7, 1913. Thos. F. Morris has opened an attractively arranged store at 297 Center (Nonantum square), this city, for the exclusive sale of the new Edison disc phonograph, for which he will act as a distributer. The fixtures throughout are in antique oak, and the majority of supplies in the store are furnished by the Globe-Wernicke Co. The furnishings of the private hearing rooms are of the Spanish leather craftsman style. The arrangement of the entire establishment reflects credit on Mr. Morris, who intends to go after business in a vigorous style. MANY LETTERS OF COMMENDATION. The National Publishing Co., of Philadelphia, Pa., is receiving many letters of commendation for its disc record albums. These albums are made in two sizes, to fit ten and twelve-inch records, and are admirably gotten up and finished. Among the commendatory letters recently received by the National Publishing Co. are those from the Wiley B. Allen Co., San Francisco, Cal. ; the Aeolian Co., New York ; the Oakland Phonograph Co., Oakland, Cal. ; the R. S. Williams Co., Ltd., Toronto, Cal. ; the Portland Phonograph Agency, Portland, Ore., and others. If you don't feel enthusiastic, get up and rub against some fellow who does. Recharge your batteries and do the hard thing first; it will stimulate your nerve. To gibe visitors, or to give fresh and flippant answers, even to stupid and impudent people, is a great mistake. 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