The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1913)

6 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. GETTING AFTER SUMMER TRADE ON PACIFIC COAST. Talking Machine Dealers Featuring Cheaper Outfits for Vacation Time — New Store to Be Opened in San Francisco by Clark Wise & Co. — Grafonola Grand Attracts Much Attention — Spokane Dealer in New Quarters — Good Demand for Edison Line. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) San Francisco, Cal., May 9, 1913. The local talking machine dealers, as well as dealers in other lines, are beginning to cater to the summer vacation trade, with the result that more emphasis is being placed on the cheaper grades of machines than for -some time past. During the winter and early spring months the demand ran largely to the higher-priced machines. Now the argument is to leave your high-priced instrument at home and get a smaller and cheaper one to take to the country for the summer. A good many machines were sold last year to that class of trade, and taking into consideration the steadily increasing popularity of the talking machine, it seems safe to predict that many more will be sold this year than last. Wholesale business, according to the reports from the different houses, continues to run considerably ahead of the corresponding period of last year. Much new territory has been opened up within the past year, and the field of operation for the talking machine man seemed unlimited. One enthusiastic dealer said not long ago that owing to the great progress his company had made in perfecting its machines and the variety of styles offered, he could aspire to place one in any home in the city. He further stated that the talkingmachine is the one musical instrument which is available for 'rich and poor alike. New Quarters for Clark Wise & Co. Announcement was made here the past month that San Francisco is to have another fine downtown talking machine department, and preparations are well .under way for its opening about the middle of May. It is to be located at 51-53 Geary street, in the new Bankers' Investment building. which runs through to Market street, and will be operated by Clark Wise & Co., who have been connected with the local trade for many years. They have been in business in several different locations, but for the past two years have occupied comparatively small quarters on the second floor of the building at 334 Sutter street. Now they are going to open a first-class music store, the principal feature of which will be the talkingmachine department. The entire ground floor of their new establishment is being fitted up for this part of the business, the plans for which call for one of the finest departments in the city. Aside from the Wiley B. Allen Co., which has part of its talking machine department on the ground floor, it will be the only first-floor talking department in the downtown section. Mr. Wise says he will carry a full line of Columbia and Victor machines and records, and possibly the Edison. Grand Grafonola Interests Trade. The principal feature of the Columbia trade this month was the arrival of the Grand Grafonola. W. S. Gray, local manager for the Columbia Graphophone Co., says most every dealer around the bay has been in to see the $500 machine, and that the expressions of praise have been most lavish. Others besides dealers have called to see the new machine. Among the most enthusiastic visitors was the music critic of the Examiner, who spent nearly two hours trying various records, studying the quality of tone, etc. F. R. Anglemeier, wholesale manager, is receiving inquiries from all over his territory in regards to the new product. Mr. Moore, traveling representative, is at headquarters for a short stay after a very successful trip down through the San Joaquin Valley. The Emporium department is also showing a Grand Grafonola, and J. J. Morgan, manager of the department, says it is attracting much attention. The plans for the permanent arrangement of this department have been delayed, but Mr. Morgan has had the promise that the work of enlargement will be started in the near future. More Room for Pacific Phonograph Co. The Pacific Phonograph Co., Edison jobbers, reports a fine month's business and has again made arrangements for more room. It has taken the third floor of the building in addition to the fourth and fifth, which it already occupied, the new floor to be used as a stock room for disc machines. A. R. Pommer, manager of the Pacific Phonograph Co., is elated over the orders coming in from the road. E. L. Sues, who is covering Washington and Oregon, sent word that he has signed up Meier & Frank, one of the large department stores in Portland, Ore., for an initial order of disc machines. J. E. McCracken, who covered the San Joaquin Valley the first part of the month, booked some nice orders and is now on his way to Reno, Nev. New Quarters for Storms in Spokane. Willis S. Storms is preparing to move to new quarters in Spokane, Wash. For the past two years he has been located with Kohler & Chase, but has decided to open an exclusive talking machine store. He has secured quarters at 818 Sprague avenue, and the place is being remodeled to suit the needs of the_ bus:ness. A new front of plate glass and marble is to be installed, and the place is to be fitted up with new fixtures. Four demonstration rooms are provided in the plans. Activity with Sherman, Clay & Co. A. G. McCarthy, of Sherman, Clay & Co., says wholesale business in Victor products has kept up splendidly the past month, and that retail business is fully normal for this time of the jear. He is one of the boosters for the Portola Festival, to be held here in October, which has the endorsement of the trade in general. Brieflets. A. Roncovieri, superintendent of the public schools of San Francisco, has recommended the purchase of more talking machines. Manager Baley, of Babson Bros., says that business continues to run a little ahead of last year. He is doing a fine business with the blue amberol records. Eilers' Music Co. has enlarged the talking machine department at its Bellingham, Wash., store, and increased its facilities for handling a larger stock. The improvements include a new display room and a new record demonstration room. J. W. Schenk, a dealer of Elmhurst, Cal, is a frequent visitor to the San Francisco trade. MUSIC TO SPEED ATHLETES. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Cambridge, Mass., May 10, 1913. The effect of music in making athletes move faster is being tried at the big Harvard locker building on Soldiers' Field. A talking machine is in constant operation grinding out two-steps and other instrumental numbers to keep students at concert pitch. Accommodations in the building are limited and it has been found difficult in the past to accommodate all who wished to crowd into it during the rush hours. Under the spell of the music students are said to be much more speedy in going through the shower baths, putting on their, street clothing and making way for other men. VICTOR CO.'S "T0NE"~PUBLIC1TY. The advance proofs of newspaper advertisements to be used in the daily newspapers of the Victor Talking Machine Co. during the month of May, which are unusually forceful and attractive, are devoted to Victrolas Nos. X and XVI. A somewhat different heading for the May 26 advertisement will, doubtless, attract considerable attention because of its unique appearance. This advertisement features the Victrola XVI and bears the headline "Tone, That's Where the Victor Victrola is Pre-eminent." The rest of the copy is in harmony with the strength of the heading. Won't You It's so easy to learn by the I. C. S. system — and a knowledge of Spanish is so 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