The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1915)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 17 First records by FerrariFontana, the famed dramatic tenor, are announced in the Columbia list for June. A whole lot of talking machine owners have been waiting for the announcement of these records. (Write for "Music Money," a booh "full of meat" for those dealers interested in quick and frequent turnover of capital.) Columbia Graphophone Company Woolworth Building, New York Andrew G. McCarthy, treasurer of Sherman, Clay & Co., who devotes particular attention to the Victor department, has been East the past month. L. S. Sherman says the talking machine end of their business was very satisfactory in April, the only difficulty being to get enough goods. Word has been received by Edison interests in this city that Harry L. Marshall will be here shortly on his first visit in the capacity of special representative of the phonograph sales department of Thomas A. Edison, Inc. A. R. Pommer, proprietor of the Pacific Phonograph Co., jobbers of Edison products, is the proud father of a son and heir, who has been christened Robert Shaw. As far as business is concerned, Mr. Pommer says stocks are coming through in good shape now, and that the force has been kept very busy the past month filling orders. The travelers for the company are sending in encouraging reports from the country districts, and Mr. Pommer says local business is picking up nicely. P. H. Beck, who operates the Kohler & Chase talking machine department, reports an increase of business in April this year over the corresponding month of 1914, both in records and machines. He says "T'm on My Way to Dublin Bay" records are in very popular demand at present. James J. Black, manager of the Wiley B. Allen department, says sales have been running strongly to the higher priced Victrolas, the new style No. XVI being particularly well received. Victor Recitals Interest. By actual count 125,82iJ people had visited the Victor Temple of Music at the Panama-Pacific Exposition by April 26. Few places in all the beautiful grounds exerted a stronger or more satisfying influence upon the visitors. Long after the exposition has closed its doors there will be many thousands who will recall the restful and refreshing hours spent in this dignified abode of the Muse. Among the special features which have been provided for the entertainment of visitors to the Victor Temple is a program of interpretative dances, given recently by the child pupils of Mile. Louise la Gai, a famous dancer who has been prominent in the ballet of the opera in Paris. The initial performance was a presentation of the "Awakening of Spring" and, done by eight children, it proved to he a marvel of beauty, grace and interpretative art. Mile, la Gai believes, and there are many who believe with her, that the interpretive and classic dances given with the beautiful classic music so easily accessible with the Victrola are in the highest sense educational. This performance was attended by no less than 5,G00 persons, which number has been closely approximated on other occasions. Other memorable days in point of attendance were St. Patrick's Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Patriots' Day, Shakespeare Day, and the May day fete. On St. Patrick's Day three thousand persons were delighted with songs of the Emerald Isle and an attractive interpolation was furnished by the dancing of the horn pipe by a young Irish lad. On Easter Sunday -1,642 visited the Victor Temple, which was the record attendance up to that time. Some phase of educational work forms a part of almost every one of the four daily concert programs, which are conducted by skilled lecturers, giving a running fire of pungent comment on the carefully selected records used. ENTERTAINS HIS EMPLOYES. R. Montalvo Bring Staffs of Two Stores to New York to Attend Association Dinner. R. Montalvo, the well-known talking machine dealer of New Brunswick, N. J., and with a branch store in Perth Amboy, N. J., is one of those who believes in the old adage that "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" and as a result gives his employes an occasional treat to break the monotony of work. At the recent annual dinner of The Talking Machine Men at the Hotel Gregorian, New York, Mr. Montalvo acted as host to eight of his employes, bringing the entire party to New York in two automobiles, which he uses in his business. The party stayed over night in New York and then motored back to New Brunswick and Perth Amboy in the morning. The Piquet Piano Co., Bridgeport, Conn., is one of the latest additions to the ranks of Columbia representatives in near-by territory. This concern is one of the most successful piano houses in Connecticut and is in a position to develop a profitable business with Columbia products. AT LAST! V FOR v USE WITH 9 Diamond Poii THE Playsall (TRADE MARK) Patents Pending (An Attachment (or Victor Machines only) "PLAYSALL" fills a want that has been felt wherever Talking Machines have been sold, ever since Up and Down -cut records were conceived, and which many bright minds have tried — and failed — to meet. "PLAYSALL" represents Perfection, Simplicity, Ease. There is no possibility beyond it for the purpose. A child can manipulate it. Nothing is to be connected or disconnected for the varying purposes. List Price, $2.50 nickel-plated, or $3.00 gold-plated. DIAMOND POINTS, list $4.50 SAPPHIRE POINTS, list $1.00 Any dealer will be furnished ONE nickel-plated attachment, for demonstration, on receipt of $1.50 with order. After thatregular trade quantity-discounts. For trade quotations, address MECHANICAL DEVELOPMENT CO., 106-108 Reade St., New York, N.Y.