The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1916)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 11 The instrumental line of Columbia DoubleDisc Records gains a marked increase in strength through the announcement of the first recordings by De Pachmann, master pianist. First recordings in the September Columbia list— out August 20th. (Write for "Music Money," a book "full of meat" for those dealers interested in quick and frequent turnover of capital.) Columbia Graphophone Co Woolworth Building, New York BIG PERCENTAGE OF INCREASE IN PACIFIC COAST TRADE Excellent Reports Made for First Half of Current Year — Labor Troubles Tie Up Shipping — New Sonora "Supreme" Model Displayed — Talking Machine Men Now on Vacation Bent — Remodeling Recital Hall of Edison Shop — Changes Among Sales Staffs — Other News San Francisco, Cal., August 1. — The first half year reports in the San Francisco talking machine business show a considerable increase over the same period a year ago. Some firms report business over the entire Coast territory to be as heavy for the first half of the year as for the entire year of 1915, but on the whole it is perhaps unsafe to claim there has been more than a 25 per cent, increase. The greatly increased demand for records has helped most to swell the volume, and, of course, the number of cheap new machines on the market is largely responsible for the unusually heavy record sales. The summer months are not much brisker than normal in most of the local talking machine departments, but spring business was very good. Labor trouble in the shipping trades has interfered with business a great deal since the first of June and the trouble is not over yet, though the situation has eased up a great deal in the past two weeks. There was some car shortage due to the tying up of water shipping, but the talking machine trade has not suffered unduly. Leading concerns are still hampered by their inability to get sufficient supplies from the factories. This is vacation season and many dealers are away to the mountains or other summer retreats. Talking machines seem to be more popular for dancing at the summer resorts this, year than ever before. Displaying the Sonora "Supreme" The San Francisco branch of the Sonora Phonograph Corp. has now on display one of the magnificent thousand-dollar phonographs, the "Supreme," at its Geary street sales rooms and it is attracting a lot of attention. F. B. Travers, manager of the company, has been spending a very pleasant vacation in the High Sierras this month. A. R. Pommer an Enthusiastic Golfer A. R. Pommer, head of the Pacific Phonograph Co., attended the national golf tournament at Del Monte, Cal., this month. His enthusiasm for the ancient and royal game is just as keen as ever. O. N. Kruschke, sales manager of the Pacific Phonograph Co., is at present calling on the trade up the Sacramento Valley. The Pacific Phonograph Co. reports business up to July first to be greater than for the whole of last year, with the best half of the year yet to come. The record business has been exceptionally good, but the sale of machines outstripped all expectations. The average price of the machines sold came to over $125. Mrs. Edwards Back to Edison Shop Josephine Edwards, who has been with the Pacific Phonograph Co., is now back on the floor of the Edison Shop. "It seems like home to be back here," she remarked, "and it is most pleasing to know that the old customers have not forgotten me." Mrs. Edwards has had a wide experience with Edison phonographs, having been with the Edison Shop previously and on the traveling sales force of the Pacific Phonograph Co. Last year she was in charge of the Edison recital work at the Panama-Pacific Exposition, playing the Edison diamond disc with the Kimball pipe organ. Here she attained considerable distinction by the high order of the entertainment she provided and won recognition as one of the ablest women in the talking machine field of the Pacific Coast. Mrs. Norris, who was very popular as a demonstrator of the Edison phonograph, is no longer in charge of the recitals at the Edison Shop. In fact, the voice and phonograph recitals have been discontinued for the summer, though the weekly Saturday record recital is still given. Mrs. Norris is at present at Fresno. Remodeling Recital Hall The recital hall on the mezzanine floor of the Edison Shop is undergoing a radical transformation. Though beautiful enough before, it would seem, Manager Davis was not satisfied, and he has spared no expense to make the room a model for phonograph recital demonstrations. The little stage is being removed as the elevation interfered with the acoustics somewhat. By the addition of beautiful draperies and playing from the floor level, a better result is obtainable. The hall is being redecorated in delicate tints and the floor will be laid with a carpet of sea-green and blue shades. New draperies and upholstered chairs will be added also. And not only is the recital hall being reconstructed, but also the private demonstrating rooms. Each room, instead of being bare of wall and coldly business-like, is to be refurnished to resemble a cozy sitting room in a private home. Pictures will grace the walls, rugs relieve the shining hardwood of the floors and draperies and upholstered furniture will further lend a home aspect. Commencing in August daily recitals will be given at the Edison Shop. Roger Haydock, of the Edison Shop, who has been visiting the laboratories of the Edison Co., in New Jersey, has returned to San Francisco. Mr. Storms, of the Pacific Phonograph Co., is covering his territory in the Watsonville district. In Charge of Dictaphone Department Paul F. West, who has been for some years the San Francisco manager of the Royal Typewriter Co., and who has won a splendid reputation as a sales campaigner, is now in charge of the Dictaphone department of the Columbia Graphophone Co., Pacific Coast headquarters in San Francisco. Mr. West brought with him from the Royal Typewriter office three of his ablest assistants who are now devoting, their energies and enthusiasm to the welfare of the Dictaphone. These persons are: Miss McKim, who had charge of the employment department of the Royal office; Mr. Matthews and Mr. Coombs, both of the sales force. Fred A. Denison in the Northwest Fred A. Denison, manager of the Columbia Graphophone Co., on the Pacific Coast, is making a trip through the Northwest this month for the purpose of visiting the various branches of the company in Seattle, Portland and other cities. The local branch of the Columbia Co. has been handicapped by the non-arrival of goods from the factory. They are oversold on some machines and records. J. J. Black, manager of the talking machine department of the Wiley B. Allen Co., allowed himself a vacation this month and spent the time at the Yosemite Valley. He came back greatly refreshed in mind and body. W. S. Gray with Domestic Corp. Walter S. Gray, who is well known in San Francisco as the former manager of the Columbia Graphophone Co., and who has been absent from the city for several months, has now returned as the Pacific Coast manager of the Domestic Talking Machine Corp., a Philadelphia concern. Mr. Gray is an old hand at the talking machine game and he will lose no time in establishing his new line in the Coast territory. The headquarters will be in San Francisco, but no definite location has been decided upon as yet. Mr. Gray intends to inaugurate a lively campaign for trade. WlPNEY MANUFACTURERS OF Turntable Felts Our extensive stock and specially designed machinery enable us [to offer you . Quality-Service Price We also want to quote you on Felt and Rubber Bumpers May we submit estimates on your requirements ? THE WIDNEY CO. Patton Bldg. CHICAGO, ILL.