The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1913)

THE TALKING MACIHNE WORM). r,3 2 GRESHAM BUILDING, BASIN G H ALL STREET E. C., LONDON, W. LIONEL STURDY, MANAGER. Trade Is Remarkably Active and the General Prospects as Far as the Talking Machine Business Is Concerned Are Most Satisfactory — Exhibition Has Been a Great Stimulus — Interesting Review of the Situation — Running Record Prices to the Ground — Some Excellent Numbers Being Produced on the Higher-Priced Issues — Notable Artists in Vocal and Instrumental Fields Represented — Merits of the Talking Machines Being Recognized by Many Municipalities in Great Britain — Taking the Place of Bands in Parks, Bazars and in Public Affairs Generally — The News of the Month in England Set Forth. (Soecial to The Talking Machine World.) London, E. C, October 6. — Judging by the remarkable state of activity prevalent in trade circles, the season's prospects of big business are bright enough from the viewpoint of bulk trade, but one cannot speak so optimistically in regard to the trades' profit on this turnover. The margin allowed is quite inconsistent with sound trading, and among the better class dealers there exists a strong prejudice against handling the cheap records issued, particulars of which appeared in my last report. The music exhibition at Olympia has resulted in giving a great fillip to the machine trade, and already there is a shortage of supplies in more than one direction. Factories have been kept busy during the summer months, and manufacturers endeavored to adequately prepare for good business, but all anticipations seem to have failed miserably in keeping supply and demand anywhere near level. In several instances, too, delay in the production of new models is responsible for stock shortage, and it is a case of executing orders as soon as possible. Those manufacturers in this position are losing orders which cannot be made good later because buyers go elsewhere, and that means for Continental machines, which are selling in thousands weekly. Our friends across the channel do seem to realize the enormous salesprospects in this branch of the industry, and make ample preparation to promptly meet the needs of an ever increasing demand. This source of supply really seems unlimited in its output, and possibly because of vastly superior factory organizations and cheaper labor huge quantities are turned out each week at prices varying from 10s. 6d. (wholesale) upwards. I do not say a satisfactory disc machine is produced at this figure, but it is not necessarily unsatisfactory from the viewpoint of the class of buyer it interests. Of course, quite a substantial business is done in the best types of instruments averaging £5 to £10 in price, yet the unfortunate fact remains that there is no British factory capable of competing with the enormous trade in cheap machines. In the former class we are absolutely pre-eminent, and, broadly speakingthere yet remains to be produced from a Continental factory instruments equal in workmanship, finish, general construction and tone quality to the best productions of our factories. Things are very different in the record field, where our manufacturers have gone the whole hog in the production of thirteen-penny discs. This is generally deplored, having regard to the fact that previously Is. 6d. was the lowest price listed. It is true there were a few obscure issues which dealers sold at varying prices between Is. and Is. 5d., but carrying only duplicated or old titles they were beneath recognition, and certainly were of no importance from the viewpoint of competition. At Is. 6d. the trades' profit is none too fat, but the big demand considered, the dealer and factor is assured of a fair monetary recompense. That is more than can be said of the thirteenpenny record, which cannot pay anyone to handle. It has received anything but a warm welcome, although most dealers feel they must carry stocks just because the other man docs 1 Did 'there but exist any sort of co-operation in the trade, this cheap and profitless business could easily be crushed, liut under present conditions it thrives — for how long, 1 wonder ? Some Appreciative Words. Under date September 29, Mr. Thos. Edens Osborne, the leading Belfast factor, addresses me (in part) as follows : "Your reports from European headquarters in the Talking Machine VV orld are invariably read by me before perusing any other article in that splendid publication. Indeed, I was very much interested in your last notes concerning the cheap records. Although the sale of these records is more productive of trouble than profit to the dealer, I feel constrained to think, however, that the cheapening of records will act as an incentive for many of the outside public to adopt the talking machine who have hitherto been hesitating because of the costly character of the records. I am looking forward to a very busy season, and think there is every prospect of an enormous output of both instruments and records during the coming winter." Decided to Wind Up Business. The Sanders -Meltone Co., Ltd., Walter House, Strand, W. C, held a meeting on September 19, when the following resolution was passed : "That it has been proved to the satisfaction of this meeting that the company cannot by reason of its liabilities continue its business, and that it is advisable to wind up the same, and accordingly that the company be wound up voluntarily, and that Mr. Hubert S. Baker, of 5 Broad Street Place, London, E. C, chartered accountant, be, and is hereby appointed liquidator for the purpose of such winding up." What a wonderful document, to be sure ! Aeronaut as Well as Singer. It may not be generally known that Miss Ruth Vincent, the eminent singer, is a very enthusiastic aeronaut. She is about to apply for a certificate as an air pilot. To the great talking machine public this charming singer is well known through the medium of Columbia records. Lower Telephone Rates. A considerable decrease in the telephone rates between England and France is announced. New parcel rates will also shortly come into operation. Mme. Melba to Canada. Mme. Melba has left for a tour in Canada and the United States, and will be met there later by Mr. Kubelik for a combined tour through North STROH VIOLS VIOLIN, VIOLA, ETC. The mellow and matured tone of these instruments, which are constructed largely of aluminum, yet possess none of the characteristics of the gramophone or wind instrument, is only one of its many points which are fully set out in an illustrated booklet which will be mailed free on request to String Fiddle the sole makers. GEO. EVANS 94 Albany St. V/V/« London, Eng. OR in U. S. A. to their sole repre sentatives Oliver Ditson Co. 150 Tremont Street BOSTON NEW YORK and PHILADELPHIA Violin America. For 100 concerts a guarantee of ,£100,000 has been assured them, the newspapers state. Noted Humorist Passes Away. All music lovers will regret the loss of that great humorist, H. G. Pelissier, who died in London on September 20. From the talking machine viewpoint he will best be remembered for the very fine series of records made by his troupe — a company of first-class entertainers known as the Follies. If we mistake not these records were listed by the Odeon Co. some few years ago. Arrangements Made in America. All business arrangements regarding the Edison phonograph department are now conducted from your side of the pond. Quite a large number of the staff have left, includ.ng C. E. Maryn, who controlled the advertising departmental interests for the last nine or ten years. He was responsible for not a little of the forceful and effective "copy" used in the trade and public press, and organized thoroughly the issue of all the company's multifarious publicity matter. I wish him every success in his new sphere of activity, which, doubtless, will be in the same profession. Jumbo Record Not Reduced. In my last report upon the record situation the sequence of order in which the various new issues and price reductions were given is open to slight misunderstanding in connection with the Jumbo record reference. Messrs. Barnett Samuel & Sons, Ltd., write us that : "The Jumbo record was not reduced from 2s. 6d. to Is. 6d. as a result of the issue of thirteen-penny discs; on the contrary, this move was an independent one, and took place considerably before the other events to which you refer." The circular announcing the reduction is dated August 15. This will clear up any misconception which may have arisen in the minds of my readers. Splendid List of Records. In addition to the usual galaxy of good fare, the outstanding feature of the "H. M. V." October supplement is undoubtedly 12-inch record No. 02472, bearing the new "Ave Maria" (Kahn) by Signor Caruso, with violin obligato by no less than Mischa Elman himself. The manufacturing company naturally accords high praise to this record, especially, too, as it is accompanied on the pianoforte by the composer, Percy B. Kahn. Another very special record is "Grande Valse" (Op. 10), (Venzano), sung in Italian by Mme. Tetrazzini, whose beautiful voice is said to be admirably suited to this number. Mme. Clara Butt contributes "Aria-Rendi '1 sereno al ciglio," Sosarme (Handel) in Italian, and this record also merits much praise. A typical American song recentlypublished, "You Made Me Love You" (Monaco, arr. by Sadler), finds a first place In the list. It is sung by Miss Grace La Rue. The full program this month is as follows : Twelve-inch, double-sided — "Under My Darling's Window," Valse (Lincke), and "Sleeping Water," Valse (Felix Bord), Mayfair Orchestra; "Heart to Heart," Bridal Valse (Ernest Verdayne), and "The Butterflies' Ball" (Air de Ballet) (C. Higgin), Mayfair Orchestra. Ten-inch, double-sided — "Swing Away March" (Cheeseman), and "Our Director March" (Bigelow), Band of H. M. Coldstream Guards; "My Lady Gracious," Intermezzo (Carl Monteith), and "Little Gadabout" (Colin), Band of H. M. Coldstream Guards; "Dreams of the Flowers," waltz (R. Nelson), and "Shall We Reverse?" waltz (Jean Gilbert), Palais de Danse Orchestra; "The Doll" (Puppchen), waltz and two-step (Jean Gilbert), Hungarian Gypsy Orchestra. Twelve-inch, single-sided — "L'Arlesienne Suite," Farendole (Bizet Ronald) ; "L'Africaine," March Indienne (Meyerbeer), new Symphony Orchestra; "Come Into the Garden, Maud" (Balfe), (Continued on page 54.)