The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1916)

THE TALKING MACHLNE WORLD. 69 POLICY OF EXPANSION IN CLEVELAND TRADE Talking Machine Dealers Taking Care of Unusual Volume of Business — Edison Record Tone Tests Attract Much Attention — Big Increase in Pathe Phonograph Sales — Encouraging Reports Regarding General Conditions — Outlook for 1916 Very Bright. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) ClevelaxDj O., January 4. — During the past month every talking machine dealer in the city experienced an exceptionally heavy holiday business, and although a big shortage of goods was reported by many, there was a marked increase over the preceding year. The weather was dry and seasonable for shopping, and one dealer sold the total of thirty-two talking machines in one day. The deposits in the banks were unusually large, and, owing to the fact that Cleveland is a big center for industries, there are very few unemployed. Tremendous advertising has been done during the season and many beautiful window displays helped to attract a host of purchasers. The Phonograph Co., of this city, jobber of the Edison phonographs, is continuing its demonstration policy, and during the past month held a very important demonstration in its salesrooms for all its dealers. This demonstration consisted of a tone test, and Miss Marie Kaiser, Edison artist, and Harold Lyman, flutist, were the assisting artists. Seventy-two dealers from Cleveland territory were present, and in connection with the tone test a lecture was delivered by a mechanical expert, who went over the Edison motor and reproducer, explaining their details. Every dealer was exceptionally well pleased and expressed himself as gaining much valuable information at the lecture. C. C. Koch, of the Edison laboratory, lectured on sound waves and their principles, showing by blackboard illustrations some of the different waves and their formations. The Phonograph Co., according to L. N. Bloom, secretary, has experienced the most successful year in its history, having an increase of over 100 per cent, over the preceding year. The Starr Piano Co., which recently entered the talking machine field, reports a heavy holiday business. R. E. Taylor and W. W. Brett were elated over the results. The Victrola department of the Wade H. Poling Piano Co., under Earle Poling, enjoyed the largest month since the company's inception, and the sales were largely for the higher priced instruments. The outside men helped materially to make December the banner month of the year. O. E. Kellogg, manager of the H. E. McMillan & Sons Piano Co., has just recovered from a serious illness. He stated that he was well pleased with the outcome of the holiday season. The volume of this December's business was slightly less than that for the same month last year, but the class of business was much higher and terms shorter. Larger down payments were received on all the goods sold, and Manager Kellogg is very well pleased with the result, although he turned down considerable business which did not comply with the new ruling of the company. The Fischer Piano Co., jobber of the Pathe Freres phonograph, reports that business during the month of December was three times as large as was anticipated, and Manager Caldwell hopes to put in vogue an even more extensive policy. Three new dealers have been added to the company's staff to open new territory in the State. The Grafonola department of the J. T. Wamelink & Sons Piano Co. was a mecca for many holiday purchasers of Grafonolas, and Manager H. J. Wamelink reported that the record trade was unusually active and hopes to make 1916 the big year in the talking machine trade for the company. Manager J. J. Schriner, of the talking machine department of the Bailey Co., stated that a big clean-up was made on Victor, Columbia and Edison phonographs. An unprecedented record was made in volume of business and was far in excess of the previous year. The largest number of machines sold in one day in 1914 was seventeen, as compared to thirty-two machines in one day in 1915. Manager Schriner and his splendid sales force were elated over the wonderful results. The May Co.'s Victrola department was so busy that during the holiday rush four or five men were kept busy all day unpacking Victrolas, and extra delivery facilities were required. The William Taylor & Sons Co., having one of the finest talking machine studios in the city, excelled any previous holiday season under Manager P. A. Davies. Robert Osborne, of Orange, N. J., expert Edison demonstrator, is now in this city and hopes to settle here. He gives demonstrations of the Edison Diamond Disc phonograph afternoons and evenings, and is very well pleased with the results already obtained since his arrival. The Diamond Disc Phonograph Co., new East End Edison dealer, achieved good results during the holiday season. Manager E. A. Friedlander said that nearly all the sales were for the higher priced instruments. With the beautiful store, splendid location and excellent sales force, Manager Friedlander hopes to make 1916 a banner year. The results obtained by the Eclipse Musical Co. in the last six months of 1915 were far beyond ex pectations. The company was much pleased with the excellent shipments received from the factory, and while they did not fill all the orders received they far surpassed the shipments of previous years. The Eclipse Musical Co. has received a number of letters from dealers relative to the large increase in business in 1915 over the preceding year. E. B. Lyons spent one week at the Victor factory, and succeeded in getting large shipments of records in great demand among dealers here. C. K. Bennett is now at the factory making arrangements for large shipments of Victrolas and records during 1916. Manager Schirring, of the Victrola department of the Caldwell Piano Co., stated that the last month in 1915 was the largest in the history of the company. SOME BIG ADVANCE ORDERS For Sonora Phonographs Received at the Home Office Tell of Holiday Trade Throughout the Country — Sales Force Increased. Reports to the home offices of the Sonora Phonograph Corp., 57 Reade street, New York, indicate the fact that nearly all of the Sonora jobbers and dealers were sold out of all types of Sonora phonographs the day before Christmas. President George E. Brightson, speaking to a representative of The World, commented upon this fact, and stated that the advance orders for January are greatly in excess of December, and that it is going to require every energy to come anywhere near filling the volume of orders. Mr. Brightson also remarked about the demand for the higher priced models of Sonora phonographs, which indicates a desire on the part of the public to secure expensive musical instruments. To further help fill the orders of its customers, the Sonora Phonograph Corp. has leased additional floor space and has greatly increased its staff of workmen, as well as its traveling force. HOW CAMDEN BENEFITS. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Camden, N. J., January 5. — The Victor Talking Machine Co. turned over to the city treasurer the sum of $58,830 for the use of a portion of the south side of the wharf property at Cooper street. The City Council at its last meeting directed that this sum of money be placed in the sinking fund. THE STEVENS BILL STABILIZES INDUSTRY. IT WILL MAKE TALKING MACHINE STOCKS IN EVERY STORE IN THE LAND WORTH THE INVESTMENT. IF THE CUTRATERS WIN, STOCK VALUES WILL TUMBLE. EFFICIENT A RECORD SERVICE ^ ECLIPSE f ORDERS FILLED PROMPTLY Jobbing Victor Product Exclusively CLIPSE MUSICAL CO Victor Distributors CLEVELAND