The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1913)

U THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 1 GRESHAM BUILDINGS, BASI NGHALL STREET, LONDON, E. C, W. LIONEL STURDY, MANAGER. Review of Trade Conditions Indicate a Marked Slowing Up in Conformity with the Usual Summer Custom — Business Is Healthy but Competition Is Most Keen — Clever Publicity Being Put Out by Leading Manufacturing Concerns to Stimulate Dealers and Users of Records and Machines — Interesting Lists of Records This Month — New Stylus Bar Introduced— The Frimaphone a Recent* Development— Impressive Demonstration of Edison Blue Records and Opera Machine at the Belle Hotel — Tooting News of the Month. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) London, E. C, June 5, 1913. From reports which have come to hand from various important centers of trade activity it is evident that talking machine business is slowly but surely undergoing a change The -very hot spell of weather experienced recently is doubtless a strong contributory cause of the drop in sales to normal summer proportions. From the retailers' viewpoint the months of June, July and August represent perhaps the worst trading period of the whole year, and only in a few instances, owing to special circumstances, does anything like a solid business obtain. Yet the talking machine industry as a whole is in a very healthy condition. There is keen competition, it is true, but a direct result is an ever widening field for the manufacturer and the dealer whose individual turnover in most cases must progress accordingly. In taking care of their summer trade interests, the leading record houses pin a good deal of faith in press advertising supported by a generous policy of free literature and helpful advice to dealers, who are regarded by manufacturers much in the way a doctor regards his patient — a fitting object for plentiful doses of sales-stimulants, and constant reminders of what is possible by the exercise of energy and enterprise. All of which, it must be admitted, is very necessary to move those dealers who are prone to become lethargic in their outlook. Advertising Produces Results. Of the "H. M. V.," Columbia. Edison and Pathe press advertising it is sufficient to remark upon its beneficial effect generally. To the public it must represent a pilot light upon the offerings and activity of this trade — a constant reminder of the hours of enjoyment derivable from the possession of a musical medium of boundless possibility in our social life. These advertisements are good salesmen — out to interest the buying public for the benefit of retailers, who would do well to make special window displays each week of the particular records advertised. Another Cheap Record Issue in Sight. Among the eighteenpenny record people speculation has been rife for some time past as to the rumor of an impending issue of a competitive priced record by one of the big companies. From inquiries made I learn there is a good deal of truth in this matter, but beyond this it is not expedient at the moment to say more. The fact remains, however, that it is exciting more than ordinary interest in trade circles, having regard to the fact that the company in question has command of unusual resources, artistic and otherwise, of which doubtless good use will be made The new record is expected on the market in good time for the season's trade. Book of Hints for Gramophone Owners. "Hints About the Gramophone,' ' published by Rowell & Sons, 62-68 Roseberry avenue, London, E. C, is a useful little work that may interest my readers. In no sense a technical treatise, it may well be regarded as a "philosopher and guide" to all, and prospective owners of disc instruments, in that many really valuable hints of a practical nature are embodied therein. R. F. Rowell, the author, treats his subjects in a broad and fearless spirit, and is at pains in reasoning very strongly against the prevalent practice of selling records as new when they have been played over often quite a number of times in retail shops. A stamp (why not the copyright one?) over the spindle hole would remedy this very natural grievance. "How to Operate the Gramophone." "Storing and Cataloging Records," "Buying the Instrument," are chapters replete with sound advice, and there is in addition much other interesting reading in "Hints About the Gramophone," the price of which is Is. 6d. Postal Reforms Announced. The postmaster general has announced one or two reforms which are of interest. Names of places composed of compound words will be charged as one word in telegraphic addresses. This does not apply to streets. If within the same d strict parcels may be redirected free of charge. For example, London will count as one district. Parcels to the Far East will in future be forwarded by the Trans-Siberian route. Traders please note. Diploma and Honor for Rayflex Elbow. The Kayflex Co., manufacturers of an ingenious sound reflecting" elbow, which exercises a wonderful effect upon tone delivery, has been advised by the judges of the exhibits at the Kincmatograph Exhibition, held recently at Olympia, of a diploma of honor award for its Rayflex elbow. A tribute to merit ! Wilcox Record Supply Co. Wilcox Record Supply Co., Ltd. ; capital, £'2,000 ; registered office, 33 Oxford street, London, W. Kalliope Co. Creditors to Meet. A meeting of the creditors of the Kalliope Co., Ltd., has been called. Some Splendid Beka Records. The Beka Meister list for June is notable for some splendid instrumental and vocal selections. Two pleasing ballads, "The Children's Home" and "Dear Heart," are beautifully interpreted by an old favorite in the person of Miss Jessie Broughton, while the "Tannhauser overture, Parts I and II, by the Meister Orchestra, is a superb example of perfect recording. A new Beka artiste, John Perry, contributes two old favorite songs in fine swing, and Jamieson Dodd is also listed, his selections being "Galloping Dick" ?nd "Sergeant of the Line." The 10-inch list is exceptionally comprehensive and up-to-date in its contents, and the recording throughout is marked by a standard of quality which deserves the highest praise. New "His Master's Voice" Records. Another fascinating list of titles is announced by "His Master's Voice" Co. for June. It is throughout characteristic of the magnificent vocal and instrumental standard of quality maintained by the Gramophone Co., and special mention should be made of the New Symphony Orchestra's contributions thereto. The two 12-inch discs, containing Wagner's "Tannhauser" overture, Part I and II, are a veritable triumph of recording, and but serve to enhance the reputation of this brilliant orchestral combination. Comparatively new to the talking machine world, Hubert Eisdell has quickly won to the front rank on merit alone. His latest record, "Awake," offers peculiar scope for an effective display of one of the most beautiful tenor voices ever heard on records. Other attractive items in this list are as follows: "Kitty! (What a Pity)" (Percy Fletcher), Charles Tree; "A Soldier's Song" (Mascheroni), Robert Howe; "The Valley by the Sea" (Adams), Mme. Edna Thornton; "Dear Love, Remember Me" (Marshall), Miss Ruby Helder (Lady Tenor) ; "Gems from Pagliacci" (Leoricavallo), Grand Opera Company. "Pagliacci" records by Caruso — 12-inch, 12s. 6d., "Vesti la Guibba" ; "No, Pagljacci, non son." 10inch, 8s., "Vesti la Guibba." "Le Cygne" (SaintSaens) ('Cello), W. H. Squire; "All I Want Is Mary" (Wilson and Tate), Miss Clarice Mayne; "Short Stories, No. 1," Miss Helen Mar; "Snookey Ookums" (Irving Berlin), -Harry Carlton; "My Sumurun Girl" (Hirsch), Stanley Kirgby; "My Honolulu Honey Lou" (Melville Gideon), Mine. E. Jones Hudson and chorus; "Burlesque Lucia Sextette," from "Come Over Here" revue. H. M. V. double-sided records — "ReminisceVices of Verdi," Part I and Part II (arranged by F. Godfrey) ; "Mignon," overture (Thomas, arranged by Mackenzie Rowgan), and "Swan Lake Ballet," "Dance of the Swans," "Hungarian Dance — Czardas" (Tschaikowsky), band of H. M. Coldstream Guards ; "Fairy Tiptoe — Morceau Elegant" (J. Fredericks, arranged by A. Lotter), and "Valse Naila" (Leo Delibes), Mayfair Orchestra; "Come Over Flere," London Opera House Revue, Selection I and Selection II, the Ragtime Orchestra; "Row, Row, Row Medley," one-step, and "On the Mississippi Medley," turkey trot, Metropolitan Band ; "When the Midnight Choo-Choo Leaves for Alabam' Medley," turkey trot, and "Waiting for the Robert E. Lee," medley, turkey trot, Metropolian Band. A Cargo of Song Birds. Such is the Daily Telegraph's artistic expression in reference to the number of operatic stars who made the journey across from your side aboard the Kaiser Wilhelm II recently. Of eleven artistes, the Gramophone Co. point out that no less than seven contribute to its lists. And all of these are stars of the first magnitude. This was prominently brought before the notice of dealers in a special brochure recently issued. Other publicity matter put out this month by the "H. M. V." concern deserves mention. Posters by the famous Hassell and other interesting matter is now in the hands of dealers, the avowed object being to stimulate summer trade. Letters to customers, advertisement copy and various other matter, on a generous scale, form part of the sales scheme, and apparently "H. M. V." agents are in for a good time. It won't be the company's fault if they don't have it. "His Master's Voice" Savoy Concert. In connection with the return of Caruso and Melba to Covent Garden opera after their brilliant season abroad, the Gramophone Co , Ltd., conceived a happy inspiration. Quite a number oi its artistes are appearing at Covent Garden this season, and some new celebrity records have just been prepared for issue. To demonstrate these a concert was given at the Savoy Hotel on May 27 before a very representative gathering of musical critics and press men. For the occasion a cabinet grand was used, and its splendid tone was shown off to excellent advantage in the spacious white room of the hotel. Records by Caruso, Melba, Scotti, Franz, McCormack, Sammarco and Kirkby Dunn were played over to an appreciative audience. Eulogistic references as to the scientific strides made in the art of mechanical reproduction within recent times were many, and as one present said, "One might well imagine Caruso, himself to be present," his records of "Manon" and "Ballo in Maschera" being particularly fine. Melba, too, in numbers with violin obligato by Kubelik, aroused much enthusiasm, and a word of praise must be accorded the faithful reproduction of the voices of McCormack, Sammarco, Kirkby Lunn, etc. If the favorable notices in certain of the leading London and Provincial press organs the following morning is any criterion, the whole affair was highly successful and much enjoyed by those privileged to be present. The records, by the way, are now on sale. Ysaye for Columbia. The Columbia Graphophone Co. advise rne it has succeeded in obtaining a perpetual and exclusive recording contract with Ysaye. The record public has heard many great artists in recent years and they have included great violin virtuosi of technique and temperament. But it is