The talking machine world (Jan-June 1919)

January 15, 1919 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 117 FROM OUR LONDON HEADQUARTERS— (Continued from page 116) REX GRAMOPHONE CO. are making a Specialty of EXPORT in Horn, Hornless & Portable Disc Machines REX GRAMOPHONE CO. 2 Elizabeth Place Rivington Street, LONDON, E.C. 2 Cable Address "Lyrecodisc. London" Enquiries Solicited . tive efforts to "carry on" may result from the impression that with peace will at once come plenty. We must make up our minds to continue without anticipating for some little time any lessened stringency of our present "rationed" existence. If that determination moulds our actions we shall be contributing materially towards expediting the day when things begin actively to shape themselves towards resuming the normal. A Real Blood and Iron War Record A Bismarckian touch surrounds the issue of a real battle record by the "His Master's Voice" Co. All sorts of unique things and noises have at times been "impressed" for the purpose of imitation, but there is no fake about this war disc;'it is an actual record made on the battlefield of the R. G. A. gas shell bombardment of the Huns .just prior to the British capture of Lille. The report of the guns, the screaming and whistling of the shells as they winged their way through space towards the German lines, is all terribly and faithfully real. It is the most marvelous piece of recording even accomplished. The profits derived from the sale of this war disc are to be devoted to merciful purposes — the King's Fund for the Disabled. A Musical Peace Xma's Celebration The peace Xmas at home has been a musical one if the rush for records is any criterion. Determined purchasers packed the shops. The record supply held out well, except in the more recently popular airs redolent of the spirit of this Xmas tide. Machines were at a premium, and as was foreseen most dealers keenly felt the great shortage of supplies. H. M. V. agents made good use of the fine series of publicity literature, window pictures, etc., issued by this company to concentrate attention upon their great range of dance and other suitable music for Xmas enjoyment. There was a remarkable absence of advertising of the usual carol and sacred selections. British Ministers Make Electioneering Records The Gramophone Co. announce the issue of four special records by Winston Churchill, Walter H. Long, George H. Roberts and J. R. Clynes. The records carry speeches by these Rt. Honorable gentlemen to the British nation. We have not heard the records and cannot therefore speak as to their merit, but in any case it may be anticipated that such historical mementos of the Parliamentary election will be much sought after. Trade With Holland Resumed Export trade can now be resumed with Holland under license. Applications will be considered by the War Trade Department. Records Made of Rubbish From Dust Bins The above interesting if somewhat misleading statement figures in the propaganda publicity of the Salvage Exhibition authorities. With "there is no such thing as rubbish" as a kind of slogan, the exhibition at the Savoy Hotel, London, was held to demonstrate the many useful things that may be made from rubbish salved from our dust bins. As an example, among other ai-ticles on show, were some grarrtophone records made from waste cotton clippings. It, of course, takes more than that to make a record, and my readers will doubtless know that the waste in question is merely a substitute for the cotton flock ordinarily used for "binding" the record material. Instructive work, nevertheless! Output of "Popular" Records to Be Doubled With the suspension of hostilities — the virtual termination of the war — British gramophone and record manufacturers are on the move. Owing to the demand being so much ahead of supply there has not been overmuch time for the development of plans, but now that the boys are returning and official restrictions are being gradually lifted, things are expected to progress quickly. The Sound Recording Co., who are makers of the "Popular" brand of records, have enterprisingly committed themselves to a big expansion. In conversation with the manager I learn that the whole record-pressing plant is being duplicated at the factory and will be in running order about the middle of February. This development, it is hoped, will enable the company to successfully grapple with the enormously increasing demand for Popular records from buyers all over the world. The recording department has fortunately been kept running full steam ahead, and there will be scores of new up-to-date titles, including a budget of new "Victory" marches, ready within the near future. Welcome news, indeed! The World Covers the Universe A letter received from the Sound Recording Co., Ltd., this city, pays unsolicited tribute to the value of advertising expenditure in The Talking Machine World. Under date of December 7 Mr. Chapman, the general manager of the company, writes in part as follows: "We have pleasure in advising you . . . that we can now renew our advertisement in your paper. It was with regret that we had to stop our advertisement for October, November and December, but we deemed it advisable, as we were being snowed under with orders from every quarter. . . . We have actually had to shut down orders for hundreds of thousands of records during these last few months, as it was utterly impossible to accept business from new houses. ^^'e have fortunately been able to handle busi Soundboxes IF you are after a genuine offer of soundboxes, you'O do well to communicate with us immediately. We have tens of thousands of perfect soundboxes, fitted with the best quality mica. Confidently recommended for cheaper machines, absolutely reliable and give excellent reproduction. Price to clear $50 per gross, F. O. B. London. Orders for less than gross lots not accepted Wirt "Knolashpt, London". W.H. Reynolds (1915) Ltd. 45, City Road, London, E. C. Write for new illustrated Complete CatEilo^e ness from our established circle of factors and dealers. . . . We propose addressing a letter of thanks to our oversea friends through the columns of The Talking Machine World, as we have found your journal circulates over a wide area from Norway to Argentina, Africa and our other colonies in addition to the U. S. A., Canada, etc., a great number of our patrons having the journal regularly sent them." It need hardly be said that it has always been the endeavor of the proprietors to create for The World a cosmopolitan news and advertisement service that represents a real value to its readers. We believe we have succeeded. Our subscribers are numbered in thousands over every part of the world, and if ever there was a time when British manufacturers should appeal to them, with every prospect of excellent results, it is without qualification NOW! Is the Luxiury Tax Abandoned? Owing to a general impression that this measure has been officially abandoned the Gramophone Association has circulated the trade and profession urging that there shall be no relaxation of efi:ort on this important question. The "Winner" Victory Records As was to be expected under the happy circumstances, the different record companies are vying with each other in friendly competition bj' the issue of records of a triumphantly martial flavor, not forgetting the several airs which have obtained popularity with the joyous crowds of merrymakers. In this type of issue the Winner Co. is particularb^ strong this month. A special band number is 3277, bearing a potpourri of standard songs of the "Home, Sweet Home" class, military marches and national an{Continucd on page 118) ''Popular'' Records are London's Leading Value TO ALL OUR OVERSEA CUSTOMER FRIENDS December, 1918 We know that a great number of our Oversea friends are Subscribers to this Journal, we are therefore using this space to tender everyone our very best thanks for the courteous consideration which has been given us during the last few months in regard to some unavoidable delay in clearing our Shipments. The coming Year 1919 now gives great promise of a quick return to something approaching normal labour conditions and Supplies of Raw materials, together with better facilities for ocean Transit and reduced Insurance premiums. We may say that the phenomenal growth demand for our Products, especially the "POPULAR" brand of RECORDS, has previously taxed the factory to its fullest capacity. but the Pressing Plant has been duplicated, and we hope same will be in running order within the next few weeks ; we therefore expect to be efficiently equipped to handle and promptly ship all Cabled or mailed orders reaching us during the coming Year 1919, and give our friends lower quotations than those at present ruling. THE SOUND RECORDING COMPANY LIMITED, Swallow Street, LONDON, ENGLAND CABLES ' Grammavox " London