The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1914)

24b THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. RETURNS FROM ORIENTAL VISIT. E. E. Robinson Places Important Columbia Agencies in Java, Ceylon, Singapore, Hong Kong and North China — Pleased with the Results of His Trip — Trade in Hawaii Expanding — Recuperating After His Extended Trip. E. E. Robinson, one of the Columbia Co.'s traveling representatives in its export department, returned to New York late last month after nearly a year's trip to various parts of the Orient. While this was Mr. Robinson's first extended trip since he joined the Columbia export department some time since, he achieved a very pleasing success, establishing several important new connections and E. E. Robinson. securing large-sized orders that indicate the popularity of Columbia records and machines in this part of the world. Among the countries Mr. Robinson visited was Java, where he placed a number of new agencies for Columbia products, particularly for the sale of native records. In Java one class of dealers handles the usual types of machines and records, while other dealers concentrate on native records, for which there is a large demand. At Ceylon Mr. Robinson closed arrangements with one of the best known retail merchants in that country to handle the Columbia line. At Singapore he also made a valuable connection for both native and English trade. At Hong Kong, one of the greatest ports in the world, Mr. Robinson established a new Columbia agency which promises to be a very successful and prosperous one. In North China Mr. Robinson found that Mustard & Co., Columbia dealers for this territory, had been closing an excellent busi Talking Machine Dealers Who are desirous of adding new features to their line should consult The Music Trade Review This is the oldest music trade publication in this country, having appeared without interruption since July, 1879. It is published every Saturday, and contains a thorough and exhaustive resume of all departments of the music trade industry. Its editions vary from 60 to 150 pages. It is conceded to be the most influential paper representing the music trade, and if you are interested in the topics with which it deals, do not fail to receive this paper regularly. Ask for a sample copy. Regular subscription price is $2 per year. EDWARD LYMAN BILL EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR 373 Fourth Ave., New York ness both in machines and records, and notwithstanding the difficulties of transportation, had sent Columbia machines far into the interior, sometimes on the backs of camels. Columbia products in Hawaii are maintaining a long-established popularity that bids fair to be steadily augmented in future years. Mr. Robinson is now recuperating from the strain of his long and arduous trip, which although it was a very successful one, was naturally fatiguing and tiring to a degree. Needless to say, Mr. Robinson returned to this country a still more enthusiastic admirer of and believer in Columbia goods than when he left these shores a year ago. VICTROLAS IX ANDX IN FUMED OAK. The Victor Talking Machine Co. made the following announcement last week, which is of considerabler interest to all the company's distributers and dealers: "To meet a growing demand, due to the steady increase in popularity of the fumed oak finish in home furnishings, we have decided to furnish the Victrolas IX and X in fumed oak. ' We probably will be in a position to make shipments in this finish some time in June, but suggest that the dealers and distributers place their orders immediately so that we may determine to some degree what percentage of our output to devote to this finish." The machines referred to in the above letter, Victrolas, Nos. IX and X, are among the most popular models in the Vic M. E. Taylor's Store tor catalog, retailing at $50 and $75 respectively. These machines in fumed oak finish should prove welcome additions to the Victor dealer's line. TAYLOR'S VICTROLA STORE. In Jackson, Miss., Is One of the Liveliest and Most Successful in That Section — Doing an Enormous Business with the Victor Products — Catering to a High Class Trade. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Jackson, Miss., April 6. — One of the liveliest talking machine concerns in this section of the .State is Taylor's Victrola Store at 244 East Capi INCREASE FLOOR SPACE. The Columbia Co.'s wholesale establishment at 89 Chambers street, New York, has found it necessary to increase its floor space to adequately handle its fast growing business. To this end a half of another floor in the same building was leased this week. This extra room will be used for storing purposes, permitting of the store's keeping considerably more stock on hand than if, now possible with its present floor space. in East Capitol Street, Jackson, Miss. tal street, this city, of which M. E. Taylor is proprietor. Air. Taylor has beerf in the talking machine business for about ten years, most of that time as manager of the department for the E. E. Forbes Co,., in this city, and when that concern closed out the local branch Mr. Taylor took over the talking machine department under his own name. He carries a complete assortment of machines and records and caters to a high-class trade with much success. Incidentally, it may be stated Mr. Taylor is an enthusiastic reader of The Talking Machine World, from which he has received great benefit in many ways. SECURE IMPORTANT CONTRACT. New York Board of Education Closes Contract with Columbia Co. for Supplying Graphophones and Records to the Public Schools — Initial Order Is for Sixty Machines. The educational department of the Columbia Graphophone Co. has been awarded the contract by the New York Board of Education for supplying the New York public schools with graphophones and records during 1914. The Columbia department secured this contract last year, and the local schools in 1913, we are convinced that the recent school award to our company was based on the excellent service that we rendered during 1913. The New York school contract is, in my opinion, the most important school contract in the country, and the recognition of Columbia prestige and service is indeed a gratifying tribute to our progress in this special division of our business. "This award indicates conclusively the re.lzation by boards of education and educational authorities that the talking machine is an indispensable article in the school room as an educational Columbia Machine in Use by N supplied a large number of Columbia school Grafo.nolas and Columbia records to many of the local schools. That this school equipment gave perfect satisfaction in every respect is indicated by this new contract for the 1914 equipment. An initial order for sixty Columbia school machines and an adequate supply of records was received by the Columbia Co. last week. In discussing the awarding of this important contract, Frederic Goodwin, head of the Columbia Co.'s educational department remarked as follows : "We are naturally greatly pleased to receive the contract for furnishing the school equipment for the New York schools during 1914. In view of the fact that Columbia school product was used in ew York School on Field Day. factor, and not merely as an en:erta!nment. Cur slogan from the very start of this department has been to impress upon the school authorities the educational value of the Grafonola in the school room. The entertainment feature was but a minor consideration in our estimation, and by continually aiming to emphasize the true educational value of the Grafonola we have secured prestige and standing in the eyes of the school world that we would otherwise have been impossible to secure. Columbia dealers throughout the country should use thh New York award to excellent advantage, as the recognition by the New York school authorities of the value of Columbia school products is, worthy of the widest publicity."