The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1916)

1 10 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD PROSPERITY ABOUNDS THROUGHOUT THE PACIFIC COAST Demand for Machines and Records — Association to Celebrate Anniversary — Byron Mauzy's Attractive Department — Recitals at Wiley B. Allen's — Edison Shop Activity — Other News San Francisco, Cal., October 28. — California talking machine dealers all speak most optimistically of the autumn situation. The demand for $75 and $100 machines exceeds the supply, and it is not always possible to get enough records. General business conditions on the Pacific Coast are better than a month ago, and there is every reason to expect one of the heaviest holiday seasons in years, not only in talking machines, but other musical instruments. The sale of cheap machines is pretty heavy, and the record business is very satisfactory, and on a better basis than ever before by reason of the policy of restricting the taking out of records on approval. It is noteworthy the number of splendid improvements made in the Coast talking machine departments this fall. Almost all of the large dealers have increased the facilities of their departments, and made numerous decorative improvements. Also some very handsome exclusive talking machine shops have been opened of late. First Anniversary of Association The San Francisco Talking Machine Dealers' Association held a meeting on October 18, which was well attended. Plans were discussed for the next meeting, to be held on November 15, which will be the first anniversary of the association. The election of officers will take place at this meeting, and there will also be an informal banquet. A. W. White, manager of the talking machine department of the Emporium, says the month of October has been very brisk in his department, and he is gratified that so large a proportion of the sales are in the higher-priced machines. Owing to building delays due to the difficulty in getting structural steel, the Emporium department has not yet been enlarged. Edison Music for Motion Picture Theatre The Maio Theatre on Market street has for some time been using an Edison phonograph to accompany reel features, and the manager states that the people seem to prefer good talking machine records to poor orchestral music. He is anxiously awaiting the promised largersized records, as they will be even more suitable for moving picture work. O. N. Kruschke Makes a Change O. N. Kruschke is no longer with the Pacific Phonograph Co., and it is unofficially announced that he will shortly accept the Pacific Coast agency for the Pathephone. Mr. Kruschke also has a talking machine business in Berkeley, Cal. He has just returned from a prolonged Eastern trip. W. G. Garland, factory man for the Victor Talking Machine Co., now makes his headquarters in San Francisco. Educational Work Gets Results The Pacific Phonograph Co. is enjo'ymg fine success with its educational recital work over the Coast territory. Glenn Ellison, the wellknown Scotch vaudeville comedian, has been engaged to give tone tests with the Edison machines, and his work has been enthusiastically received wherever he has sung. He will be in San Francisco on November 2, and will give a tone test recital at Scottish Rite Hall. These recitals are all free to the public. The Pacific Phonograph Co. is getting records a little more promptly from the factory, but there is still a shortage on some numbers, and also on certain medium-priced machines. Paul Levy, a cousin to A. F. Levy, proprietor of the talking machine department of the Eilers Music House, and for whom he has been working, is now associated with the Edison Shop on the sales force. Mauzy Department Growing Rapidly The talking machine department of the Byron Mauzy music house has developed so successfully in the last few years that now Charles Mauzy has had to delegate some of the managing to H. A. Rayner, a talking machine man well known on the Coast who has just joined the Mauzy forces. Mr. Rayner was formerly with the Wiley B. Allen Co., and the Eilers Music House in Portland, and manager of the Eilers talking machine department in Tacoma for some time. He expects to find the opportunity with the Mauzy Co. to develop trade along progressive lines. The Mauzy talking machine department has outgrown its quarters again, and two new sales P R E PARED Avail Yourself of Our SPECIAL SAMPLE OFFER WM. F. NYE New Bedford, Mass. simply tested once to see if it is perfect, and then is sealed until sold. Occasional Recitals Prove Best Mr. Haydock, manager of the Edison Shop, says business was exceptionally good during Edison Week, and that the new sales and demonstrating rooms, were used to the limit. No recitals are being given by the Edison Shop at Byron iviauzy s onow window Jjuring "'.Patri of rooms have just been added on the third floor. These are large rooms, and are handsomely furnished and decorated with rugs, furniture and draperies. They will be devoted chiefly to the high-priced machines for the more exclusive trade. A new feature of the Mauzy talking machine record department is the sealing of every record envelope so that the customer is assured of getting an absolutely new record. No records are exchanged or sent out on approval, and all demonstrations are made from a separate set of sample records. The record sold is Gold Week" (Shows New Lighting System) present, it having been demonstrated that continued recital giving is not productive of the best results on account of the large number of "deadheads." Occasional recitals are judged to be more useful in promoting sales of machines, though regular recitals stimulated the sale of records. Edison Department Making Good Grove & Boggs, who conduct the talking machine department at Capwell's department store in Oakland, handle Edison goods only. Mr. Grove says that in the year that they have had the department business has grown stead ESTABLISHED 1868 EDWARD B. JORDAN & CO., Inc. 127-135 DEGRAW ST.— 36-60 TIFFANY PL., BROOKLYN, N. Y. Talking Machine Cabinet Manufacturers We made the first talking machine cabinets created in this country, and we have specialized in this particular line ever since. We will submit special designs of talking machine or record cabinets, or quote you from blue prints or samples. We manufacture to order only.