The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1916)

10 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD Doehler Die Castings are particularly adapted to the economical production of TONE ARMS and SOUND BOXES for Talking Machines. Cast from permanent steel mould, no machining operation is necessary — all parts delivered ready for plating or enameling and assembling. DOEHLER DIE CASTINGS are used with entire satisfaction by some of the most widely known makers of Talking Machines because of the conviction that "DOEHLER" product is economical, and "DOEHLER" service is dependable. Send blue print or sample part for estimate. "DOEHLER" Die-Cast Tone Arm and Sound Box — produced for one of the most widely known talking machines on the market. BROOKLYN. N.Y. TOLEDO. OHK Producers of Die Castings in Aluminum, Zinc, Tin, and Lead Alloys Also manufacturers of Die-Cast Babbitt Bearings and Babbitt-Lined Bronze Bearings INCREASED ACTIVITY EVIDENT ON PACIFIC COAST After a Busy April, May Has Opened With Excellent Prospects for Larger Sales in Both Machines and Records — Tungs-Tone Needles Popular — Many Stores Enlarging Their Quarters — Many Visitors During the Past Few Weeks — News of the Month in Detail San Francisco, Cal., May 2. — The first part of April was not very brisk in the talking machine business on the Pacific Coast, but the latter half showed signs of greatly-increased activity. Even the week before Easter, which is a poor week in San Francisco ordinarily, the record sales were satisfactory. This was largely due to the new Easter records on the market and the prominent featuring of them by the progressive shops. The month closed with the brightest of prospects, both in the large cities and country districts. There is not quite as much complaint about shortage of stock either in machines or records. Grand opera records had a fair run during the month, which demand was probably stimulated by some high-class musical attractions here. Cannot Get Enough Tungs-tone Needles Charles Mauzy, manager of the Byron Mauzy Victor and Columbia departments, says his department is inconvenienced by being unable to obtain the required amount of Tungs-tone needles. Business in talking machines and records is fully normal for the season. The company had a very beautiful Easter window, displaying talking machines in a setting of Easter lilies and old rose plush draperies. H. Moorey, assistant auditor of the Columbia Graphophone Co., has just paid a visit to San Francisco in the course of a trip over the Western territory. He reports Columbia business flourishing on the Coast. James J. Black, manager of the talking machine department of the Wiley B. Allen Co., San Francisco, is expected back from his three weeks' trip to Portland in a few days. He went North to introduce certain changes and improvements in the talking machine department in the Portland store. A Handsome Easter Display One of the most strikingly beautiful Easter displays in the talking machine line here was that of the Wiley B. Allen Co. The show window was backed with a fan-shaped trellis entwined with vines and showing a profusion of wisteria blooms, orchids and other rare flowers. C. J. Kendrick, representing the Victor Talking Machine Co. on the Pacific Coast, is back in San Francisco, after a trip over bis territory. To Enlarge Department in San Jose The Wiley B. Allen Co. is preparing to greatly enlarge its talking machine department in the San Jose store. The whole store is to be renovated and re-decorated, but the chief reason for the alterations is to give more prominent space to the very flourishing talking machine department which has long been handicapped by a lack of space. The company is soon to make changes for increasing the efficiency of their talking machine department in Portland also. Andrew McCarthy, secretary of Sherman, Clay & Co., and head of the Victor talking machine wholesale activities on the Pacific Coast, is in the Northwest on a trip to visit the company's stores at Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane and Portland. The jobbing business in the Northwest is showing a big improvement. Awaiting Popular Pathe Model Louis S. Blackey, of the Pathe Pathephone shop in San Francisco, is expecting the arrival of the new Model No. 25, the $25 machine which will play all records. Business here is good and the new store is a marvel of attractiveness. Mr. Burgee, of the traveling force, has left for a trip through the Northwest in the interests of the Pathe. Mr. Durant, the accomplished musician, late of the Manhattan Grand Opera Co., has taken the agency for the Pathe and opened a fine little shop at Berkeley, Cal. Mr. Durant has just been making some very successful tone tests at his place, which is located at 2213 Bancroft Way. F. B. Travers, manager of the Sonora Phonograph Co., San Francisco, is making a trip North, covering Portland, Seattle and other points. Sonora Business Keeps Up Strong April business in the San Francisco Sonora establishment has held up strong. The company is short on $100 and $150 models just now, We Are in the Market For Talking Machine Notes, Leases and Contracts Held by Responsible Dealers and Manufacturers. Will Pay the Highest Percentage. EMPIRE 208 S. LA SALLE ST. SECURITY COMPANY CHICAGO but expects adequate supplies shortly. The new $1,000 Sonora Supreme, which was recently shown in New York, has created considerable interest in the trade here. A machine or two of this type will be brought here and demonstrated to the public in the near future. Mr. Steers, of the Sonora Co., has just returned from Los Angeles and the South. Mr. Steers is president of the local company. Mr. Parker, of Bush & Lane, who handle the Sonora in Seattle and Portland, has been visiting in San Francisco for a few days on business in connection with talking machines. Interesting Edison Tone Test The Edison Shop, San Francisco, had a very interesting tone test musicale on April 20. This was the first of a new series, and proved of even greater attraction to the public than the others. Special invitations were issued and as a result a very select audience was gathered to appreciate the program rendered. At this test the musicians who participated were local people of accomplished talent, and they were most successful in their achievements. Ruth Brown, soprano; Lowell Moore Redfield, baritone, and Eleanor Snodgrass, violiniste, made the tests. The Edison re-creation Easter music was well received in this market and helped to keep business up to the average during Lent. The present widow display of the Edison Shop has a special attraction at night when the electrical effects are to be seen. A spotlight, which is concealed from view above, plays upon a handsome Edison phonograph and the outside beholder is at a loss to account for the light. The talking machine department of the Emporium, which is soon to be enlarged and rearranged in accordance with plans for extensive alterations in the Emporium music department, reports a lively business in opera records. The Columbia and Edison machines only are sold in this department. A lady customer at the Clark Wise talking machine department came in the other day and said, in reference to a phonograph record, of course: "I Want a Little Love, a Little Kiss." The accommodating salesman instantly responded like a gentleman with: "Step right this way, madam." NEW CONCERN IN HAVANA, CUBA The Universal Music Co. is a new concern in Havana, Cuba, which has opened a store on Neptune street, that city, for the purpose of handling talking machines and pianos. Charles Echemendia and Saturn Huguet are the heads of the company. EDISON TRADE IN OMAHA Schultz Bros., Edison jobbers of Omaha, report that the dealers in that section are finding it difficult to get goods enough to meet their demand in both machines and records. The machine demands appear to be heaviest for those phonographs selling for $100 and more.