The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1913)

THE TALK INC MACHINE WORLD. 5T» FROM OUR LONDON HEADQUARTERS— (Continued from page 54). various classes — singing, piano and violin and other instrumental playing, ele. Some idea ol the popularity of these competitions may be gleaned from the fact thai the contestants numbered close upon 1,000. Dealers attended the exhibition in large numbers, and although public visitors were many the attendance fell far short of expectations. From the business viewpoint, it is safe to say that every exhibitor was delighted with the results. The talking machine linns without exception experienced a rush of orders in unprecedented quantities. No similar exhibition has resulted so splendidly in this respect, and many firms now regret that they refrained from participating therein. Below we present a brief notice of the talking" machine exhibits: The Columbia Stand. Occupying a prominent central position, the Columbia exhibit was of the most comprehensive description, and included a complete display of new season's models, several of which were here shown for the first time. The Columbia program in graphophones for a new season is always looked for with more than ordinary interest, their announcements being regarded not only as indicative of the trend of affairs, but as certain to contain some novelties that will rank high among the season's features. This season is productive of some very important additions to Columbia models, the whole range of which now totals twenty-five in number, from 52s. 6d. to £105. It is significant that all of the new models are of the hornless variety, the horn-equipped graphophones remaining exactly the same as last year. Most of these were shown at Olympia, and their merits evoked general expressions of praise from the many dealer-visitors, of whom there was an unending stream every day. The Lord Mayor of London was the very first to evince interest in the special exhibit demonstrating the various stages of the manufacturing processes of Columbia records. Preceded by the mace-bearer, the sword-bearer, and the city marshal in gorgeous array, the Lord Mayor took a few steps from the center oi the great exhibition and slopped shorl ai the 1 olum bia stand, lie drew his cicerone's attention to the showcase with the words "How Columbia Records \iv Made" and, bending over the exhibil studied them with curio ity. lie questioned the attendant, who briefly ex pl. lined the processes I ia nil the recording by the Scots Guards Hand (illustrated In a photograph), the making of the master-matrix, its duplicate . the steel dies for pressing, the record material, the pressman at work, and the finished records, the Lord Mayor specially asking how they were reproduced, and expressing his deep interest in so wonderful a device. 1 learn that the Columbia officials are very well pleased with the amount of orders taken at Olympia for machines and records, and the number of new accounts opened was very satisfactory. Pathe Freres Exhibit. This company made an exceedingly good showing of new models which attracted much attention. Business, we understand, was all the time very brisk, and the company is very much pleased with results generally. A wise provision was the erection of special rooms for demonstrating records, and under these circumstances buyers were able to examine machines and records in comfort. One of the first among the many distinguished visitors to patronize the company's recording salon was the Lord Mayor of London, who heard his voice, doubtless, for the first time as others hear it. The facility with which sound could be recorded and immediately afterward reproduced considerably impressed his Lordship, who evidently regarded it as a novel experience. Several contestants in the various vocal and instrumental competitions made good use of the recording machine— a mechanical fault finder — which did most faithfully disclose to the unwary their imperfections of voice or technique, as the case may be. It certainly proved "a boon and a blessing to men." At Lockwood's Stand. Messrs. Lockwood's stand was the center of a continuous stream of trade visitors all day and every day. Their array of "I'erophones," and other machines, was most imposing, not to mention the excellent showing of Cinch, Jumbo, and Xonophone discs, for all of which large orders were placed. Great interest was evinced in the diamond point needle, which is of almost permanent wear, and in use considerably minimizes surface scratch. Lockwood's travelers were in attendance every day, and to their efforts is due not a little the splendid success of the company's representation at Olympia. At the greatcity road headquarters I found the staff working at full pressure in handling the many orders secured at Olympia. Barnett Samuels' Exhibit. This firm's display was in every way representative of the several lines which they will feature during the present season. They comprised the popular "Dulcephone" series oi gramophones, and in records Fonotipia, Odeon, and Jumbo. Their trade parlor proved exceptionally convenient for demonstrating machines and records, and it was continuously thronged by dealers from all parts of the Kingdom. Here, again, many new accounts were opened, and good orders secured from quite a large number of old customers who visited the exhibition. The firm is altogether pleased with the results. At the Marathon Booth. The National Gramophone Co., I learn, is con-, gratulating itself upon its eleventh-hour decision to occupy space at Olympia. They had to be content with a somewhat small booth in consequence, all the best having been taken. Even so, it may be questioned whether theirs was not, after, all, the best possible position, having regard to local surroundings. Anyway, the dealers got there all right, and I have it on good authority that they left richer in prospects than before. My readers will doubtless remember that the "Marathon" is a fine-cut record which provides double the playing time of the 100-thread cut. The value of the Marathon agency will, therefore, be appreciated as (Continued on page 56). To T.M. the King and Queen of Spain To H.M the King of Sweden To H.H. the Khedive of Egypt To H.M. the King of Italy 66 — the trade-mark throughout the that is recognised world as the Hall-mark of Quality To H.M. the Shah of Persia AUST^ IA : Oesterr. Grammophon — Gesellschaft. m. b. H., 8, Krugerstrasse, Vienna. BELGIUM: Cie. Francaise du Gramophone, 51, Avenue de la Porte de Hal, Brussels. DENMARK : Skandinavisk Grammophon-Aktiesel skab, Frihavnen. Copenhagen. FRANCE: Cie. Francaise du Gramophone, 115 t-oulevard Richard Lenoir, Place de la Repub lique, Paris. GERMANY : Deutsche Grammophon-Aktien gesellschaft, 35, Ritterstrasse, Berlin, S42. HOLLAND : American Import Co., 22a, Amsterd, Veerkade, The Hague. HUNGARY: The Gramophone Co.. Ltd.. IV. Kossuth Lajos-Utcza 8, Budapest. SPA 1 N : Cia. Francesa del Gramophone, 56, Balmes, Barcelona. SWEDEN : Skandinaviska Grammophon-Aktiebolaget, 52. Appelbergsgatan, Stockholm. RUSSIA: The Gramophone Co.. Ltd.. 45. Nevsky Prospect. St. Petersburg ; 9, Golovinsky Prospect, Tiflis ; 30, Novia Svit. Warsaw. EGYPT: The Gramophone Co., Ltd.. 13. Rue Stamboul, Alexandria ; Rue Mousky, Cairo. EAST AFRICA: Bayley & Co., 8 Beira. Lourenzo Marques. SOUTH AFRICA: Darter & Sons. Adderley Su Cape Town ; Mackay Bros., Rissik Street, Johannesburg ; Mackay Bros. & McMahon, 443. West Street, Durban ; Ivan H. Haarburger, Maitland St., Bioemfontein, INDIA : The Gramophone Co., Ltd.. 139 Balliaghatta Road. Calcutta ; 7. Bell Lane, Fort, B >mbay. AUSTRALIA: The Gramophone Co., Ltd., Hoffnungs Chambers. Pitt Street, Sydney. GREAT BRITAIN: The Gramophone Co, Ltd.. 21, City Road, London, E.C. Great Britain : The Gramophone Company Ltd By Appointment To H.M. Queen Alexandra 21 City Road London EC