The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1915)

70 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. THE EDISON -BELL VELVET-FACE (VF) RECORD DOUBLE-SIDED— NEEDLE-GUT— 10 inch and 12 inch IS THE SUPREME EFFORT OF GRAMOPHONIC ART 10 inch 2/6 12 inch 4/— There are no faulty VFs as Every Record has to pass a crucial test before it is released for sale. The production is of the highest quality. The Titles and Subjects recorded are by the most prominent artistes in the Gramophone world. If your jobber doesn't stock them try our Direct Service. It will pay you both for quality and price. Duty paid. For full particulars, Wholesale and Retail, apply to J. E. HOUGH, Ltd., Edison Bell Works, Glengall Rd., Peckham, London, England FROM OUR LONDON HEADQUARTERS— (Continued from page 73). in local journals to make known more widely the ■wonderful "H. M. V." value obtainable at the recently reduced prices. An Elaborate New Publication. "Supremacy — Being a Story of Leadership," is the title of a magnificent new work just published by "His Master's Voice" Co., of Hayes, Middlesex. It is said to be the most expensive booklet so far issued in the talking machine trade, a fact which no one who has seen it could dispute. I must admit I have never seen anything quite like it. The conception and carrying out of this splendid book fully justifies it being described as a work of art; nothing less. Interleaved with the story of "His Master's Voice" leadership in the domain of things gramophonic are beautiful pictures of all their cabinet models—art studies one may say, which convey the most natural expression of each instrument's appearance without, be it noted, the aid of colors. The moral of the story pertains to this, that it has taken the Gramophone Co. twenty years to perfect its instruments — twenty years of constant experiment— of ceaseless endeavor after improvement; this period to secure the loyalty and homage of the world's greatest artists. That being so, any comparison is not possible. "His Master's Voice" is supreme. It is a powerful and convincing story, and I have little doubt but that it will fully accomplish the obvious desideratum at which the Gramophone Co. aims. Supplies of the book are being sent to "H. M. V." agents for judicious distribution. W. H. Reynolds (1915), Ltd., Catalog. Those having knowledge of the difficult position in which the British gramophone trade finds itself by reason of the shortage of supply parts and accessories will appreciate that it is in the nature of a triumph for any one firm to commit itself to the issue of a new catalog. As a matter of fact, few have dared to embark upon what after all can only be described as a somewhat daring venture. "Of many parts" is the slogan of the House of W. H. Reynolds (1915), Ltd., and, as if to substantiate its, by now, world-wide reputation in that respect, the company has produced and issued broadcast certainly one of the finest and most comprehensive catalogs within its history. To attempt anything like a complete review of this encyclopedic produc J. STEAD & CO., Ltd. Manor Needle Works SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND MANUFACTURERS OF Talking Machine Main Springs Best Prices — Best Quality Inquiries Solicited. tion would be impossible within the limit of the space at my disposal. Readers interested will best be advised to write Messrs. Reynolds, 45 City Road, London, E. C, for a copy. In it is itemized in great variety a hundred-and-one articles, such, for instance, as exterior horn, cabinet and hornless gramophones at all prices ; tone-arms, inverted and otherwise; tone-arm rests; screws, bolts; soundboxes ; metal and wood horns ; needles, steel and sapphire ; record carrying cases ; stylus bars ; diaphragms, and dozens of replacement parts ; springs ; brakes ; turn-tables ; tools, etc., too numerous to mention. Almost anything required by the gramophone trade is obtainable at Reynolds'. The terms and conditions of trading are set forth in plain language. On the record side the company features one of the best 10-inch double records on the market here at a competitive price. It is well named the "Favorite," on which is recorded every phase of vocal and instrumental music, covering an exceptionally wide choice of titles. Russell Hunting Bound for China. Following his recent visit to America in company with E. Pathe, Russell Hunting made but a brief stay in Paris prior to undertaking a special trip to China, where Pathe Freres have considerable business connections. The object is to further develop those interests, and I have no doubt that Mr. Hunting will do so to the best advantage of his company. In his absence G. Menke will take charge of the London office. For six years this gentleman had control of the Pathe interests in Holland, and has altogether been associated with the firm for some ten years. With such a wide experience as Mr. Menke possesses the British and Colonial trade interests of the house of Pathe are in good hands. The Winner Co.'s December List. The Winner Record Co.'s Christmas specials embrace band selections from the popular revue, "Shell Out" (2903), and from the musical comedy "The Only Girl" (2904). The Royal Court Orchestra are the interpreters, and this well-known orchestra do all that can be done to provide acceptable Christmas samples. On 2895 Stanley Kirkby sings "God Bring You Back" and '^Christmas Bells of Hope," and on 2896 "Somewhere in France, Dear Mother," and "My Heart Is in the Trenches." No more appropriate selections could be offered to British families at the present time. "Dear Old Mother" and "There's a Light Burning in the Window" are sung by Robert Carr, whose clearness of voice and distinct enunciation is unrivaled. From the musical play "To-night's the Night" Doreen Herbert and Yorke give us the duet "They Didn't Believe Me" on disc 2901, and on the reverse side Cove and Thompson sing of "Jane." On 2905 that very useful vocalist Ted Yorke describes musically "John Bull's Christmas Tree" and "John Bull's Christmas Party." Anyone with national feeling hearing either of these will demand an encore. These selections will "catch on." The first section of the descriptive portion of the list contains "Christmas with the Kiltie Boys" (2894), in which the Scotch company sings snatches of various songs that will cause "Glesca' Chiels," "Sons o' Auld Reekie," "Ayrshire Gallants" and all the "Hielan* Laddies" to place their hands on their hearts to stay the throbbing. The six following items : (2897) "His Last Record" and "In the Good Old Days," (2898) "On a Cold and Frosty Morning" and "The Village Blacksmith" (not Longfellow's), and (2899) "Whitlock's Boarding House," parts 1 and 2, are offered by Billy Whitlock, Bluff and company. The humorous Billy works hard to please his patrons and has added to his repertoire half a dozen descriptive sketches flavored with the characteristics of the season. Altogether there are over one hundred and one subjects! Sir Henry Wood Indorses Columbia. What is undoubtedly a historic pronouncement upon the status of records as a musical achievement is embodied in the following letter sent by Sir Henry J. Wood to the Columbia Co. after hearing the records he made for it. Sir Henry wrote : "I feel I must write you a few lines to express my warm approval of your orchestral records. In my opinion, they surpass anything yet attempted in orchestral recording, because the characteristics of each orchestral instrument make their due effect. There is also plenty of light and shade, and one realizes that it is a full modern orchestra that is playing, and not a brass band." Seeing that Sir Henry J. Wood has persistently declined to make records for many years until the new Columbia recording process was brought to his notice, this valuable testimony is an unmistakable Columbia triumph. The Columbia December supplement is another tower of strength. On the celebrity side it presents us with a striking list of artists, leading off with Mme. Clara Butt and following with the Beecham Symphony Orchestra, Pachmann, Ysaye, W. H. Squire, Mme. Stralia and a first record of the famous Russian basso, Vallier. On the popular side we have the "1812" overture by the Grenadiers, a "Bric-a-Brac" selection, a new recording by the Milan Symphony Orchestra, four records of carols, and new records by Jacobs' "Trocaderians." It is a list that should find much favor this month. Pachmann's record on Columbia this month should enjoy immense popularity, for the great pianist treats us to his famous interpretation of the best known of all the Chopin nocturnes, that in E flat. It is a wonderful piece of work, and few will care to miss it. HEINEMAN MOTORS "The Motor of Quality"