The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1916)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 71 TRADE IN EXCELLENT SHAPE ON THE PACIFIC COAST Demand for Talking Machines Is Strong, and Stocks Are Fairly Satisfactory — New Association Officers Elected — New Stores and Changes — What Various Concerns Report San Francisco, Cal., November 28. — In these days of soaring prices it is gratifying to know that in talking machines the prices have not materially changed, and that even better values than formerly can be obtained by the public desirous of making the home homelike by the addition of talking machine merchandise. The pa^t month in the trade has been exceedingly healthy as far as the demand is concerned, and conditions in shipping appear to be improving somewhat. There is a shortage of stock with many dealers, but most of the larger concerns are well provided for the holidays. Sufficient stocks of both machines of all styles and records are here to warrant full scope in the advertising departments. Business is such that Victor Window Display of Hall Bros., Inc. there is no special need for elaborate recitals and public demonstrations of any kind. The natural growth keeps pace with the ability of the dealers to supply goods in most quarters. The only feature in the trade that is different from the past is that there is a pretty steady drifting away from the exclusive talking machine shop idea, both in the department stores and the regular music houses. The best concerns now seem to prefer carrying several makes of machines, as well as all standard records. Association Has Fine Banquet and Meeting A most successful banquet and meeting of the San Francisco Talking Machine Dealers' Association was held last month, when the officers for the ensuing year were elected. This was the annual meeting of the aggressive body, and the number present embodied almost the entire membership. James J. Black, manager of the talking machine department of the Wiley B. Allen Co., was elected the new president, amid cheers and acclamations of accord; Charles Mauzy, of the Byron Mauzy talking machine departments, vice-president, and A. W. White, manager of the Emporium talking machine department, was chosen the secretary-treasurer. This meeting was made specially attractive by the splendid musical program provided. Among those who participated were: Harry Vegar, who did things on the piano, and Ray MacDonald and Robert Canning, who demonstrated to what heights of beauty the human voice can attain even in the commercial world. A number of informal speeches were delivered on topics of intimate interest, and it was agreed among the dealers present that a minimum price on old machines should be maintained. The usual spirit of harmony prevailed, and said harmony was in no small measure due to the gastronomic diplomacy of Billy Morton, chairman of the "Good of the Order" committee, who arranged the banquet. He was voted a tribute of thanks. A. W. White, manager of the Emporium talking machine department, has a good supply of machines and records for the holidays, having begun to anticipate his holiday needs as early as May. A Growing Department The talking machine department of Hale's Department Store has been growing steadily since it was first established, and the volume of business for the present month shows a big increase over last year at this time. The department has been enlarged once, and several more fine demonstrating rooms are to be added shortly. Victor machines are handled exclusively. Edwin Humphreys, manager of the department, says the largest demand is on the higher-priced machines. Pathephone Shop Closed The Pathephone Shop, 322 Post street, has been discontinued. This shop has been under the management of Louis S. Blackly for some months, but the venture was not a success. The location was against the business, and the exclusive line imposed too great a restriction on the enterprise in this particular field. The stock of the shop was sold by Mr. Blackly to O. N. Kruschke, who has a talking machine business in Berkeley. Mr. Kruschke will conduct a jobbing business also in the California territory. F. B. Travers, manager of the Phonograph Shop, 109 Stockton street, says business in the new stand is flourishing, and that they are in splendid shape on deliveries. They have ample supplies of every model and finish. Business on Columbia machines is good, and the show window showing the process of manufacturing Columbia goods has just been installed. This is the same exhibit which the Columbia Co. had at the Exposition last year. Visits Sonora Factory F. M. Steers, president of the Western Sonora Co., has just been visiting the factory in New York, and has succeeded in getting a carload of $100 machines for the San Francisco Christmas trade. The Emporium of Music at Reno, Nev., is the latest Coast music concern to take on the Sonora line. This firm already handles the Victor line. Mrs. Aline M. Baker, who formerly was with the San Francisco Edison Shop, but who for the past few months, has been in Portland, has now returned to the Edison Shop here. The Edison Shop is in pretty fair shape for the holiday trade. Records have been coming in better this month than last. An Effective Window Display A particularly effective local window display was recently made by Hall Bros., Inc., who arranged the window of .their store at Market and Fifth streets as a drawing room with figures representing the famous Victor artists entering the room just as they do in the magazine advertisements. The idea was that of Edward Humphrey, manager of the department, and is illustrated herewith. New Demonstrating Room for Mauzy The latest new demonstrating room in the Byron Mauzy talking machine department is hung with old rose draperies and furnished with comfortable wicker furniture. The room is as Jewel Needles DIAMOND, SAPPHIRE, AGATE For All Types of Records Our methods of grinding needles are the most scientific known, producing a most uniform and highly polished product. We manufacture ALL parts of Talking Machines Dixon Manufacturing Co., Inc. 295 FIFTH AVENUE NEW YORK cozy as a home living room. Charles Mauzy says the talking machine business is picking up fast in response to the progressive advertising done by the firm. They now run ads in the newspapers, on the billboards and in the street cars all at the same time. Fred A. Dennison, Pacific Coast manager of the Columbia Graphophone Co., is at present on a trip to the factory in the East trying to hasten the delivery of Columbia merchandise to the Coast. Columbia Co. Auditor a Visitor F. S. Binger, of the auditing department of the Columbia, has been visiting in San Francisco for two weeks. He had already been in the Northwest, and from here went to Los Angeles. This was Mr. Binger's first visit to San Francisco, and as usual in such cases, the gay old city by the Golden Gate paralyzed him with delight. He expressed the fond hope, as so many have done before, of sometime making this city his permanent abode. Kahn Bros., of Oakland, Cal., who have an exclusive Columbia department, which is under the management of W. C. Henry, held a three days' special term sale last week, and in those three days did more business than for any single month up to that time. It is estimated that less than 5 per cent, of reverts result from easy-term sales on the Coast. New Department Manager The manager of the Columbia department in the Eastern Outfitting Co. on Market street, is A. R. Timanus, formerly of the talking machine department of the Hauschildt Music Co. Hockett & Bristol, well-known piano dealers of Fresno-, Cal., have taken the Columbia line. They also handle the Edison line. F. F. Dawson, of the executive office of the Columbia Co., who has now returned East, put in new Columbia agencies on his recent trip at the following cities and towns: Petaluma, Areata, Porterville, San Jose, Lindsey, Hanford, Tulare. Merced and a few others. The Jackson Furniture Co., of Oakland, which firm has been handling the Columbia line on a limited scale, now have stocked the complete catalog. Awaiting New Victrola Style James J. Black, manager of the talking machine department of the Wiley B. Allen Co., says they are eagerly looking forward to the new Victrola style XVII, to sell for $250. None of these machines have yet arrived in San Francisco. He says the local store is not short on any line, and can take care of the holiday trade, without difficulty this year. Mr. Louder, manager of the talking machine department of the Portland store of the Wiley B. Allen Co., is preparing for an aggressive holiday campaign in the North. Here is the TONE-ARM You Have Been Looking For! 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