The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1915)

52 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. FROM OUR CHICAGO HEADQUARTERS— (Continued from page 51). they took the ocean route to the north coast, spent a week in Portland, ascended the Columbia River to the Dells, visited various points in Oregon and Washington and returned, making various stops, via the Twin Cities. "It was a matter of keen gratification to me to find out by personal contact with jobbers and dealers the esteem in which our products are held," said Mr. Wade. "This was my first visit to the far Western trade, and while we have done a very good business out there in the past I made arrangements by which not only the Wade fibre needle cutter, but our trio — Wadolatum, Wado-Oil and Wado-Pol, respectively designed for the lubrication, oiling and polishing of talking machines — will be given the very thorough distribution in that territory that they have received in other sections. I was greatly impressed with the two expositions, and there is no question but that their influence will be felt in the increased prosperity of the country by the attraction of a vast amount of additional capital in the further development of the resources of the Pacific Coast." A Timely Window Display. Arthur T. Boland, manager of the Grafonola Shop at 12 North Michigan avenue, took advantage of the opportunity offered by the engagement of the Boston Opera 'Company at the Auditorium by arranging a timely and effective window display. On a large shield in the center of the window were photographs of the artists appearing during the week who make records exclusively for the Columbia Co. They were grouped around the photo of Pavlowa, whose dancing was a feature of each performance and whose indorsement of the Grafonola-Columbia instruments and dance record was reproduced. Ribbons from the photographs of the singers connected with their records displayed on the base of the window. The artists thus exploited were: Felice Lyne, Rosa Olitzka, George Baklanoff, Maggie Teyte, Luisa Villani, Maria Gay, Giovanni Zenatello and Jose Mardones. The color scheme of the shield harmonized with a Grafonola Grand and Nonpareil, both in walnut, standing on either side. The Grafonola Shop will have an extensive exhibit at the Home Exposition at the Coliseum October 20-30. Harry D. Schoenwald, a former member of the sales staff of the Grafonola Shop, has returned to the service of the company and is pil'ng up new sales records. Catalog of Cabinets and Accessories. Lyon & Healy have now on the press a new catalog of cabinets and accessories. The record showing is a decidedly impressive one, embodying a number of new styles not shown in previous catalogs. Lyon & Healy are bringing out another new poster which, as usual, will not only be used on their local billboard space, but will also be syndicated to jobbers and dealers. It is a twenty-four sheet poster, the largest they have ever issued, and shows the complete line of Victrolas. Inaugurate Teachers' Day. Saturday has been made "Teachers' Day" in the talking machine department of Lyon & Healy. The house has been a leader in the work of interesting the city schools in the Victrola as an educational medium and has in the last few years placed Victrolas in no less than 178 of the 310 school buildings in Chicago. As reported last month the engagement of William H. Nolan, who formerly traveled for the Victrola educational department as manager of the record department, gives an opportunity to care for the school business as they have not been able to do heretofore. Invitations have been sent to every teacher in the city to come in any Saturday and post thamselves regarding the use of Victrolas in schools, and also avail themselves of Mr. Nolan's experience in mapping out courses and in the selection of records suitable to the practical needs of their pupils. Last Saturday a number of teachers took advantage of the opportunity offered. In anticipation of the holiday trade nine additions have been made to Lyon & Healy's corps of young women record clerks. Supplies Repair Parts. Charles Bryan, of 25 West Lake street, Chicago, is prepared at all times to furnish springs and repair parts for any machine on the market. Mr. Bryan has made a specialty of this business for some years past and has a large trade among Western dealers. The value of a central source for such supplies is apparent, and no matter how old the machine may 'be, or even of a discontinued type, Mr. Bryan may be depended upon to supply the needed parts. He also ha:, the facilities afforded by one of the largest and best equipped repair shops in the West for doing expert repair work for the trade, and so great is his reputation for excellent work and promptness of service that he has a number of dealers outside of Chicago who intrust the larger amount of their business to him. Will Furnish Models. The Chicago Hinged Cover Support & Balance Co. reports a very wide interest among manufacturers of talking machines in its top 'support and balance. Expressions of approval are being re ceived by the company in every mail, and the probability is that within a very short time several well-known machines will be equipped with it. A number of large dealers are already equipping machines in stock and in the homes of customers. The company is now prepared to ship to manufacturers wishing to acquaint themselves with the device a model of the section of a machine top and cover equipped with the support and balance. As previously announced, with the use of this device only a touch of the finger is required to raise the top or close it, and it can be raised to any desired height, where it maintains itself. J. T. Abbott, of the company, expects to leave the middle of this month on a trip through the Middle West. New Traveler Appointed. H. Elthorn has been appointed the new Wurlitzer traveler for the State of Illinois. Following the company's usual custom, Mr. Elthorn was selected from within the institution, where he has been connected with the wholesale talking machine department for the past three years. Fred A. Siemon, manager of the talking machine department, reports that the past thirty days have shown an increase in the wholesale department of about 25 per cent, over the same period of last year. The retail department did not make quite as good a showing, but did display an increase over last year. New Pathe Agencies. H. K. O'Neill, of the Pathe Pathephone Co., exclusive Pathe jobber in Chicago, reports a' number of new agencies that have been licensed during the past month. Philip G. Johnson, formerly superintendent of the King Piano Co. factory at Bluffton, Ind., and before that identified with the Steger piano factories, has opened a well-equipped Pathe shop at Blue Island, 111. This has been Mr. Johnson's home for a number of years, and he starts out with the advantage of a wide acquaintance. Herman Bros. Co., of Calumet, Mich., is adding a large Pathephone department to its establishment. The retail store of the E. P. Johnson Piano Co., at Ottawa, 111., has opened a Pathephone department, to be run in connection with its present establishment. The E. P. Johnson Co., which operates a large piano factory at Ottawa, is also opening a large retail store in Joliet, 111., where it will handle a large stock of pianos and talking machines, including the Pathephone. Joseph Kuss is another Ottawa merchant to add the Pathephone to his lines. A. J. O'Neill has had much to do with the appointment of these various agencies and has done considerable traveling in behalf of tie Pathephone Co. To Make Columbia Supplement Covers. Hatcher & Young, Inc., advertising specialists and publicists, are now working upon the issuance of a supplement cover for use with Columbia monthly supplements. The decision followed the recent announcement of the Columbia Co. concerning the new style and size of its monthly lists, and inasmuch as Hatcher & Young have met with much success in supplying supplement covers to Victor people, it was decided to extend the service further. Numerous Columbia dealers have approached Hatcher & Young regarding the furnishing of such a cover, but previous to this time conditions have been unfavorable. These covers BRYAN'S SUPPLY DEPOT When in need of springs and repair parts or supplies of any kind for ANY talking machine send order or sample to CHARLES BRYAN 25 W. LAKE STREET : CHICAGO EXPERT REPAIRING FOR THE TRADE A SPECIALTY We Arc Exclusive RATHE Jobbers in CHICAGO For information regarding the Pathephone and our jobbing service, write the . . . PATHE-PATHEPHONE SHOP,' 17 No. Wabash Avenue, Chicago