The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1913)

THIS TALKING MACillNH WOULD 55 "TONE! —that is not the only reason why you should buy a Columbia Grafonola." (Page 1, July 26th issue, Saturday Evening Post.) Columbia Graphophone Company Woolworth Building, New York CONDITIONS IN CINCINNATI. Business Disturbed Through Labor Troubles — Leading Houses, However, Handling Victor, Columbia and Edison Goods Speak Optimistically About Outlook for Fall and Winter. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Cincinnati, O., July 8. — In a general way business is not so satisfactory in the talking machine field. It is true that those who have specialized along certain lines have been successful, but accounts indicate that the general volume of business is not at a high stage. This is due to existing local conditions, principally of the labor type, and the extreme hot weather. Meanwhile, business at Aeolian Hall was splendid in June — 'way ahead of a year ago. Manager Ahaus was never so enthusiastic as at present over the entire situation and looks for a fine trade the rest of the heated term, with a land office business the coming fall. The Aeolian Co. has been doing extensive newspaper advertising on Victrolas and Victor records, keeping the vacation thought in the foreground, suggesting that the camp or vacation in the country will not be complete without a Victrola. The $50 and $100 Victrolas have shown best selling Simplex Automatic Starts Stop Device LISTED BY 95% OF VICTOR JOBBERS WHY? STANDARD GRAMAPHONE APPLIANCE CO. 1 73 Lafayette Street, New York, N. Y. Stop /Start strength, and the record business has really teen phenomenal. "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine" was the best selling record for the month, in fact, one of the most popular hits in a number of months. Another summer business feature has been the large number of Victrola owners who have called on the Aeolian Co. to box their machines for shipment to their summer homes. This is a practise which seems to be growing in favor. Manager R. J. Whelen, of the Columbia Graphophone Co., reports June business a little slower than usual, caused principally by the intense heat during the month, he presumes, but even at that business has gone ahead of June, 1912. Mr. W'helen does not anticipate any marked decrease ii' sales during the summer months, for the campers and summer vacationists of all types are beginning to realize the pleasure to be derived from a Grafonola and Columbia records. ''The Eclipse,'' he says, "has proven exceedingly popular for this purpose, owing to the fact that it can be easily 'toted' around and fits into a boat or canoe like it was built for it. On the other hand, a large number of the more expensive types are being sold to people. who do not even spare expense in the fitting up of their summer quarters.". The Columbia dealers who were damaged during the flood are beginning to get on their feet again, and quite a few have visited, the local store, placing orders for immediate delivery. R. L. Seeds, the Columbia dealer and Dictaphone agent in Columbus, O., stopped over in Cincinnati the latter part of the month and was very enthusiastic about the prospects in Columbia for both the summer and fall business. News comes from Cleveland of the formation of the Phonograph Co. at that place, which will have a capitalization of $75,000. It will deal in musical instruments. Among the incorporators are L. D. Greendale, J. A. Freund, Lela Pugh, Charles Kovanda and J. G. Reyant. . The Milner Musical Co. did a splendid business during June. The entire interior of their store has been rearranged and additional space allotted to the Victrola department. During the past year this store has become quite a factor in the talking machine business of this city. They now carry one of the largest stocks of Victor goods, and their enthusiasm and push in going after business is stirring up the trade generally. Mr. Stotler, the manager, while primarily a piano man, and a very successful one, takes an active interest in 'the Victrola department. He has recently added to his force Allan Hyer, formerly of E. F. Droop & Sons Co., of Washington, D. C. Mr. Hyer has been placed in charge of the sheet music department. The Rudolph Wurlitzer Co., when asked regarding conditions, said: "We enjoyed great business during the last thirty days, both wholesale and retail. The unrest in labor circles showed itself in the lack of interest in that quarter, but this was more than made up by the demand for higher grade Victrolas and records. Wholesale trade was very heavy considering circumstances which would have a tendency towards the opposite. Business is showing a very healthy increase over last year, and with stock more plentiful a prosperous and profitable summer is in view. Judging by the number of requests that have been made for packing and shipping Victrolas to summer resorts,_the Victrola is as essential to the modern vacationist as rod and reel and other standard equipment. We have just completed four new display rooms on our main floor which are duplicates of those previously installed. A system of direct service from rack to Victrola will give us facilities for giving the quickest possiple service in the most satisfactory manner and will undoubtedly have a vast influence on our record business. The new advertising circular gotten out by the Victor Talking Machine Co. is now reaching the public, and it is universally conceded the most artiste and beautiful talking machine advertisement that has ever been gotten out. A great number of the folders are being framed by those who receive them, and they will prove to be an ornament in many a home. This circular will undoubtedly be a factor in increasing the volume of Victor sales during the summer, and its effects will be felt for many months to come." OPEN VICTROLA DEPARTMENT. Powers Mercantile Co. of Minneapolis, Minn., Will Give Victor Line a Strong Showing. The Powers Mercantile Co., of Minneapolis, Minn., is the most recent link in the Claflin chain of stores to announce the introduction of a Victrola department. Work is now being rushed on the construction of a large and handsome department which will be a model of comfort and refinement. A complete library of records will be one of the features of the department, which will be opened as soon as possible. A manager for this new Victrola department will be appointed in the very near future. PH0N0GRAPHISCHE ZEITSCHRIFT BERLIN W. 30, GERMANY The oldest and most up-todate trade paper covering the talking machine line published in the German Language. PUBLISHED WEEKLY. FOUNDED 1900 Circulates all over the world. SPECIAL EXPORT NUMBERS appear in four different languages at regular intervals. Subscriptions for this talking machine publication 10 Marks yearly. Sample copies sent free.