The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1915)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 15 Whether looked at from the viewpoint of art, reproduction, volume or tone, the Columbia Grafonola "De Luxe"— $200— is a winning article of merchandise. (Write for "Music Money," a book "full of meat" for those dealers interested in quick and frequent turnover of capital.) Columbia Graphophone Company Wool worth Building, New York ONWARD MOVE TO BUSINESS IN BALTIMORE. Columbia Co. Manager Tells of 200 Per Cent. Increase in July Business — Victor Distributers and Dealers Also Make Cheering Reports — Everyone Seen Seems Certain of an Enormous Trade the Coming Fall and Winter — Outlook Is Most Satisfying to Trade. (Special to Tne Talking Machine World.) Baltimore, Md., August 6. — Business continued to move forward during the past month in most instances, and there was practically no let-up in trading. With the retail trade, however, the warm weather caused a lull in business, but all dealers are optimistic and look for a big fall trade. There is an inclination on the part of dealers to lay in heavily of fall stock to prevent a shortage of machines when fall buying gets under way. A. J. Heath, manager for the Columbia Co., reports an increase of 200 per cent, in July business over last year. The retail business also kept up, and Mr. Heath looks for a continuance of trading. He made a trip during the month to North Carolina and Virginia and found business in good shape. He obtained a good fall order from James Cowan, the Richmond, Va., distributer of the Columbia line, and Mr. Cowan reported trade as very good. Mr. Heath left yesterday for another trip throughvarious Virginia towns. W. W. Gibson, manager of the McKee Co., Inc., the Edison distributer, is off on a vacation. At the headquarters of the company Mr. Goodfall reports a fair month's business, with a number of new accounts in sight. He also looks for a big fall trading. Cohen & Hughes, Inc., Victor distributers, report a good month's business and had a number of men out on the road. I. Son Cohen, president of the firm, made several trips to New York during the month, and also to the Camden headquarters of the Victor Co., trying to get in more machines. Delivery is somewhat better, but not what it ought to be. Jesse Rosenstein, of the National Piano Co., Pathe distributer, reports exceptional business with the line. A number of high-priced machines have been sold and he has also signed up several firms to handle the Pathe line. The Penn Talking Machine Co., of Baltimore, and a Washington concern have put in the line. The firm is also the Southern distributer for the little Wonder machines, a talking machine selling for about $7.50 and $15 retail. Although no complaint is made, the summer weather seems to have had a somewhat telling effect upon the business of H. R. Eisenbrandt & Sons, Victor distributers. It is reported there that although some business was done far more could have been handled during July. Several higherpriced machines were sold last week. W. C. Roberts, of E. F. Droop & Sons Co., another Victor distributer, is getting machines ahead for the fall trade. He does not want to be caught as he was last fall, when many of the orders had to remain on file for months before they could be filled. This company reports very good business. The Victor business with Stewart & Co., one of Baltimore's large department stores, keeps up remarkably well, and J. L. Gibbons, the manager, is much pleased. Extensive improvements in this department are under way. Each of the five large rooms will be divided so there will be ten rooms, and Mr. Gibbons will have a private office. Stewart & Co. report excellent business for the month. Mr. Gibbons says that the business more than doubled that done during July of 1914, therefore he has no complaint. The record sales also held up well and amount to 38 per cent, of the total sales during the month. Charles Edward Stran, of the Stewart sales force, won the monthly race with a good margin to spare. He turned in some excellent orders for both machines and records. The Kranz-Fink Talking Machine Co., through Mr. Fink, reports a good July business in both Columbia and Victor goods. The better grade of machines had the call. Mr. Fink reports an increased sale of records since the establishment of booths and a record salesroom on the first floor of the building. Dance records still are in the majority. Miss Alice Kirby, of the sales staff, has gone on a two weeks' vacation. Mr. Fink will leave on his vacation the latter part of the month. A few weeks ago G. Fred Kranz, of the firm, made a visit to the Victor factories at Camden, N. J., and was much gratified with his trip, which he said was truly a revelation to him. July with the Victrola department of William Knabe & Co. was far better than was anticipated. During the month a large number of machines were sold and the record sales kept up remarkably well. One of the sales which makes Manager Milton Boucher particularly happy was to the handsome yacht "Alert," which is one of the finest boats of its kind on the Chesapeake Bay. The company sold two machines to the boat owners, to be used for dancing and to supply other music. Leon Rosenstein, of the Hub Piano Co., Columbia dealer, says that the month was a good one both for machines and records. Isaac Benesch & Sons, the Hammann-Levin Co., M. C. Hecht, Theodore Hentschel, the Rosenstein Piano Co. and Hecht Bros. & Co. all make encouraging reports regarding business. The expected splurge of advertising by the Consolidated Gas & Electric Co., which signed up the Columbia line a few months ago, has not appeared as yet, but all of the local dealers are anxiously awaiting what will take place when the company's campaign gets under way. The company is getting its branches in shape to handle both records and machines. Its main offices downtown are already fitted up, and machines are kept going all through the day, which attracts customers. It is estimated that no less than 5,000 persons visit the main office daily, and the Columbia people argue that machines in places of this kind bring a vast amount of advertising to talking machines and aids wonderfully in the sale of records, not alone by the company, but indirectly by other dealers. "The Best of Service" CO-OPERATION is the keynote of our Dealer=Service. A big stock of every called=for Victor Specialty and exceptional facilities for handling "RUSH ORDERS" enable us to keep in advance of all com= petitors — in service — and satisfaction. Proof on your next order. Mail it now. Victrolas Records and Supplies I The Smith's Leading Victor Distributors 213 EAST BROAD STREET RICHMOND, VA.