The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1915)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 7 CLEVELAND BUSINESS SHOWS INCREASE OVER 1914. Distributers and Dealers of Talking Machines Optimistic Over Fall Outlook Following Successful Six Months' Business — Eighteen New Pathe Dealers — W. H. Maxwell, VicePresident of Thos. A. Edison, Inc., Recent Visitor — New Edison Models Announced. Edison diamond disc phonographs and records, recently sold three expensive styles to the High School in his city. His business is steadily growing— beyond his expectations. HAS COMPREHENSIVE STOCK. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Cleveland, O., August 8. — Among the various jobbers and dealers in this city there prevails a spirit of optimism, since every talking machine man interviewed reported an increase over 1914 business. Many companies have had special talking machine sales for campers. Collections are good, and the fact that interest will be charged on talking machines helps to induce prospective customers to pay in larger payments. The Euclid Music Co., which is located in the business district of the East End, reports that the summer business is all that can be expected. It takes a good deal of plugging in the summer, but its splendid sales force is amply able to take care of that. James G. Card is president of the company and is a hustler. Grant S. Smith, the man who has been instrumental in making the Euclid Music Co. what it is to-day — one of the most progressive and luxuriously equipped talking machine stores in the city — is the general manager of the company. Mr. Smith and family are at present in their summer home on the lake shore at Wicliffe, O. The Fischer Piano Co., distributer of the Pathe talking machine, reports that eighteen new dealers have been recently added. The company has the entire State for its territory. Louis Rich, popular violinist, went to New York with Mr. Caldwell, where he expects to makea series of records for the Pathe. Earle Poling, recently appointed manager of the W. F. Frederick Piano Co., and who was formerly assistant manager of the talking machine department of the McCreery Co., Pittsburgh, reports that the special sale of Red Seal records was a decided success. The G. M. Ott Piano Manufacturing Co. now occupies the store formerly occupied by the H. M. Brainard Piano Co. Manager Morton, of the Columbia Grafonola department, just returned from his vacation at Atlanta, Ga., his home city, lie got back on the job by landing several cash deals on high-priced machines. The Eclipse Music Co. under its new management is putting forth every effort during this season to prepare for the fall season. C. K. Bennett, general manager, just returned from a trip to the Victor factory. He said he was very successful in arranging for increased shipments of goods, so that the company is in better shape than ever to supply its numerous dealers. Mr. Bennett visited the Victor jobbers in Philadelphia, Pa., and stated that they are optimistic concerning the fall business. T. IT. Towell just returned from a trip to the Coast. George D. Ornstein, manager of sales for the Victor Talking Machine Co., stopped in Cleveland on his way to the Coast. Edward B. Lyons, sales manager of the Eclipse Musical Co., finished his trip around the territory and secured many large orders for immediate and future delivery. He said that the trade was very much pleased with the service it was getting. Mr. Yahrling and Mr. Raynor, both prosperous talking machine men of Youngstown, O., were in Cleveland visiting the Eclipse Musical Co. Norman Cook, from the Boggs & Buhl Co., Pittsburgh, called on his friends in town. He was formerly manager of the Victrola department of the Frederick Piano Co. W. H. Maxwell, vice-president of T. A. Edison, Inc., was in Cleveland talking over fall plans concerning the campaign that is to be launched. He called on all the local jobbers and was very much pleased over the increase as compared with a year ago. The Edison Co. has placed three new model phonographs on the market. The machines — the $100, the $150 model and the $200— are now in the hands of the local trade. On August 1 several new dealers were added to the list of the Phonograph Co. The demonstration work that was started about a year ago is still being continued in this territory. Manager Brophy is very energetic in advertising and demonstrating the Edison machine. He said that the lake excursion boats between Cleveland and Put-in-Bay, Cedar Point and Port Stanley are supplied with the Edison diamond point phonograph for demonstration. P. A. Davis, manager of the Victrola department of the William Taylor & Sons Co., said that his department has been enlarged to such an extent that it is now the biggest and best talking machine department in town. He said business was good, and, with the added facilities, looks forward to a greater volume of business. F. E. Beach Handles Four Prominent Lines of Talking Machines and Records in Bridgeport. THREE EDISONS FOR HIGH SCHOOLS. J. H. Sunier, of 112 Washington street, Iowa City, la., who recently took on the agency for the (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Bridgeport, Conn., August 5. — One of the most comprehensive stocks of talking machines and records in this city is that of F. E. Beach. The business has developed from a stock of three machines and 100 records to a point where close to 100 machines and a library of 15,000 records are required to take care of current demands. Mr. Beach handles the Victor, Columbia, Edison Diamond Disc and Sonora machines and records, this department of the business being under the direction of Charles Potts, an experienced talking machine man. Study the other fellow's advertising — you'll get many a good pointer about the lacks in your own. Boston— Oliver Ditson Co. NewYork-Chas. H. Ditson & Co. V/EARS of experience in co-operating with A musical instrument dealers particularly fits the H ouse of Ditson to anticipate and fill the requirements of Victor dealers. We know musical instrument conditions and we help you in every way. Many Victor dealers handle sheet music or musical instruments, such as drums, cornets, violins, etc., and there is an advantage here in a saving of freight and express to those who send combination orders for goods of both class. What we desire to impress as our greatest service, however, is the vast stock of Victor goods continuously on hand, including machines, records and other supplies, and a service of this kind is not only desired, but is absolutely essential to the dealer who wants to make the most profits during the next four months. Ditson Victor Service