The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1913)

10 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. HOLIDAYS INTERFERE WITH PACIFIC COAST TRADE. Strong Early Shopping Campaign for Christmas, However, Enables Talking Machine Men to Build Up Good Month's Average — What the Prominent Houses Are Doing With the Various Lines — Interesting Personal Items. — The Emporium Combines Departments. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) San Francisco, Cal., December 4. — Election and holidays cut into business in some lines to a considerable extent the past month, but the talking machine trade, according to reports from various sources, did not suffer. November proved equally as good as October in the wholesale quarters — and October was one of the best months ever experienced here — and was somewhat better at the retail departments. The shop-early campaign, which has been waged quite strrnuously here in the last two years, has been emphasized even more strongly this year than previously, and the response has proved gratifying to dealers in talking machines, as well as other branches of business catering to holiday trade. All the talking machine departments for the past month have been setting aside machines for holiday delivery, and some now have a large list in reserve. With increased interest in machines the record business has also gained impetus, and a . very brisk month's business, both wholesale and retail, is reported during November. The wholesale orders were esepcially heavy, as dealers are now anticipating the large record business which is bound to come in January following the big holiday distribution of machines. Sherman, Clay & Co.'s Heavy Victor Business. A. G. McCarthy, of Sherman, Clay & Co., who devotes particular attention to the talking machine department, reports a banner business to date this holiday season in the distribution of Victor products. Notwithstanding the fact that much larger stocks were available this year than heretofore, it looks now as though the first of the year would find this company entirely sold out. They are coast distributers of Victor goods, besides maintaining retail departments at all of their stores, and they report a steady increase in busi ness all this year over corresponding periods of lastThe two-story addition to their building here is nearing completion, and will be ready for occupancy by the first of the year, which will give them a tenstory music establishment, comparing favorably with any in the country. The Emporium Combines Music Departments. For the further development of the music part of its business the Emporium has combined its piano, talking machine, and sheet music departments, under the general supervision of A. A. Schell, who is well known in the trade, having been general sales and advertising manager orf Eilers' Music House in the northwest for a number of years. Later he rendered very good publicity service for the AlaskaYukon Pacific Exposition in Seattle. Mr. Morgan continues with the talking machine department, which handles Columbia products exclusively, and under the new arrangement for expansion expects increased business. He reports a steadily increasing demand for the new "Leader" machines. Higher Priced Machines in Demand. P. H. Beck, of the Kohler & Chase department, says the principal feature of holiday trade in this department is the big demand for the $100 Victor Victrolas. The reason for this is perhaps largely because that style machine is featured very strongly by Mr. Beck, and at all times is a big factor in the business. Byron Mauzy's Good Trade. Byron Mauzy reports holiday business in all departments fully up to expectation at his establishment, and particularly good in the talking machine and player-piano sections. Increasing Demands for Edison Products. At the local branch of Babson Bros., J. S. Balcy says that business has been better the past month Won't You Have a Lesson in Spanish? 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 in Edison products than in a long time, and not only is disc business looking up, but the demand for cylinder products is also greatly improved, especially for the hornless machines. The $30 machine of this type is particularly popular at the present time. E. I. Jessen on Honeymoon Trip. The Wiley B. Allen Co. received a visit a short time ago from E. I. Jessen, manager of the talking machine department at their Portland store. He was en route home after getting married in San Jose, Cal., and the news of the wedding reached here before he did, so he was greeted befittingly. Visits Many Columbia Dealers. W. S. Gray, local manager for the Columbia Graphophone Co., was out of town the greater part of the month. After returning from the northwest, where he met Geo. W. Lyle, general manager of the company, he accompanied him to the southern part of the State, and since that time has made a few short trips to nearby points. He considers the prospects for future business bright all along the coast, in California general conditions being greatly improved since the rains, which have given the State a good soaking since the first of November. The rain was needed quite badly in some sections, and was the occasion for great rejoicing all over the State. Mr. Gray says that the special demonstration record put out by the Columbia Company a short time ago has attracted much attention in this section, and has been in great demand. He has been devoting particular attention to the record end of the business for some little time, and reports very satisfactory results from the campaign. Secures Long Leave of Absence. While in the northwest Mr. Gray arranged that A. Glenn, manager of the Columbia headquarters in Portland, Ore., should take a three months' leave of absence for the benefit of his health, as he was oh the verge of a nervous breakdown. During his absence L. D. Haeger, formerly traveling representative for the company in Oregon and Washington, is acting manager. Mr. Glenn will probably make a trip to the factory before assuming his regular duties again. Working Hard on Edison Disc Line. A. R. Pommer, manager of the Pacific Phonograph Co., reports a rush the past month in getting out shipments of Edison disc products. J. E. McCracken, traveler for the Pacific Phono. Co., is calling on the trade in the northwest, and Mr. Pommer says is sending in some fine business from that section. E. V. Chandler, special representative of Thomas A. Edison, Inc., has been working the northern part of the State the past month with very good results. Talking Machines for Barker Bros. It is reported here that Barker Bros., of Los Angeles, Cal., who are large furniture and piano dealers, have taken on the Edison line of talking machines, and will feature them extensively. Pleased with Holiday Business. Peter Bacigalupi, Jr., manager of the Bacigalupi talking machine department, is well pleased with holiday business in Edison disc products. Eureka Phonograph Co. Sold. W. B. Coombs has sold the Eureka Phonograph Co., at Eureka, Cal., to W. B. Baley. COMMENTS ON EDISON PUBLICITY. Commenting on Edison advertising in the daily papers, Printers' Ink says: "Thomas A. Edison, Inc., has adopted a combination reader and display style of copy for exploiting the 'New Edison.' A one-column reader headed 'Success Again Crowns the Labor of Edison' appears alongside a fivecolumn display advertisement illustrated with pictures of Thomas A. Edison and the new Louis XV. Style Edison phonograph. As an inducement to get people to bring old disc records of any make to the stores and hear them on the new instrument a free concert is advertised from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The concerts have been well attended because the copy emphasizes these points: 'Absolutely no obligations — hear your old records on a new instrument even if you don't intend to buy — we want you to come so you will tell others'." Stagnation and lack of progress are degeneration.