The talking machine world (Jan-Mar 1921)

178 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD January 15, 1921 FROM OUR LONDON HEADQUARTERS — (Continued from page 177) mas present-bmnng public. Additional and widespread publicity efforts are the order of the day. This is particularly applicable to the "His Master's Voice" Co. Among special advertising propaganda was a $6,000 front page advertisement in London's most widely circulated journal, devoted to "A Christmas Message to Every Music Lover." That message told of the boundless joy of gramophone music this Christmastide. Many of the "His Master's Voice" models were illustrated, with price and description, while pictures of dancing couples and romping children, of course, in company with Nipper, visualized the value of musical entertainment. A really pleasing and most telling advertisement. Another useful effort by this company was the production of appropriately designed advertisement stereos for their dealers' local use. These are supplied free and quite a goodly number were used. In addition to the usual batch of monthly issues the "His Master's Voice" made ample provision in the way of dance records, a special list having been provided. There are also records of the chief items _ from the musical comedy "A Night Out." Gramophone Retail Dealers' Association A recent committee meeting of the above association considered various designs of a badge for issue in the form of a transfer to be used by members on their windows and in other suitable ways. By a majority choice a design resembling a record with the title of the association around the edge was adopted. It is thought that where the design is displayed the buying public will place their confidence. Members will also be supplied with a framed certificate to hang in their showrooms. The committee will now sit regularly on the first Tuesday each month at 233 Regent street, London, for the . purpose of dealing promptly with matters requiring consideration as affecting members of the association. A general meeting is called for January 26 to approve rules and discuss among other things the ethics of and questions relating to the hire purchase system of trading. In particular it is desired to reach common agreement as to scale of deposits and deferred payments. The foregoing indicates a real progressive spirit which augurs well for the future success of the retail association movement. Unity is strength. The combined support of at least 1,000 dealers will make for the exercise of an influence to the solid good of every section of the gramophone industry. Get together, dealers, and join up! Electric Gramophone Motors In the provision of electrically driven mechanism for gramophones we are unquestionably far behind the U. S. A. Until quite recently nothing of the kind was known here. It is satisfactory to record, however, the almost simultaneous introduction of two such motors, one made by Electric Gramophone Motors, Ltd., of which more will be heard later on, and one by W. H. Reynolds (1915), Ltd. The latter is called a "Motophon" and is said to be the result of no less than ten years' continuous research and experiment. Direct or alternating current on any voltage will suit the Motophon. It has a direct drive and is minus gears, running perfectly silent. For this useful invention Messrs. Reynolds have secured the sole selling rights throughout the world. An electric motor has been much sought after on this side and Reynolds' introduction is ahead}' the talk of the trade. Dealers have accorded it a warm welcome, and it is not too much an anticipation that sales will quickly reach substantial proportions. It may be remarked that under test the Motophon ran for 500 hours consecutively, using up current equalling only that of a 20-watt lamp. Aeolian New Record Factory at Work As previously reported, the activities of the Aeolian Co., Ltd., have for some time past been concentrated upon the production of a new record called the Vocalion. The first impressions from the factory are now in the hands of the trade. By all reports the new disc has found immediate favor by reason of its musical qualities. My own observations confirm the belief that the Vocalion will quickly acquire a firm place among records of standing, for, apart from tonal merit, there is an evident determination on the manufacturing side to produce a perfect record in all respects. The material used makes for an absence of grittiness and consequent lessening of surface scratch, and the good finish of the record is another feature that will appeal. A very artistically designed label is used. Adequate preparation has enabled the company to come out with something like 170 records, which, as a preliminary canter, is decidedly good. And of the titles every known class of music seems to have been catered to in quite a nice variety. There are records of operas, musical comedies, revues, foxtrots, dance numbers, sacred, standard ballads, representing a very careful choice of selections that may be regarded as permanent favorites. Another feature of interest is the goodly number of high-class artists and musical organizations who have signed on for "Vocalion" recording. I notice such names as Albert Sammons (violin), Archibald Joyce's Dance Orchestra, Band of H. M. 1st Life Guards, Lenghi-Cellini, Lionel Tertis, George Baker, Madie Scott. Frank St. Leger, Destournel, to mention only a few. These are sufficient to show that the Vocalion people have planned their productions on a high plane of artistic merit. The records are in size ten inches and twelve inches, single and double-sided, prices varying from 4s. 6d. to 8s. retail. In conclusion a measure of praise is due to the designer of the company's publicity literature, which, throughout, is conceived upon a very artistic, not to say expensive, level. Large spaces have been taken in the chief London and provincial newspapers, maga zines, etc., to advertise the Vocalion productions — records and machines. Exhibition of Foreign Products A great exhibition of foreign goods may now be inspected in London. It comprises no less than 100,000 samples of articles made abroad, and a library of some 13,000 foreign catalogs. This great commercial exhibition has been organized by the Overseas Trade Department of the Board of Trade, the object being to show by practical demonstration what British manufacturers have to meet in the way of competition. On the plea that what others can do British labor and capital can also do, the exhibition will serve to enlighten our manufacturers and help them to a study and emulation of foreign effort. Samples may be borrowed, and every practical assistance is officially afforded that British firms may regain and develop their pre-war standing in the markets of the world. It is regarded as a most beneficent scheme. More Prize Band Zonophone Records The St. Hilda Colliery Grand Championship Band has made further records for the British Zonophone Co., Ltd. Typical examples of fine recording are the two new records just announced. No. 2073 carries two particularly attractive musical items — "Chimes of Joy" and "Kilties' Kourtship" — intermezzo, one-step. No. 2074 is also in big demand — "Dinah's Holiday" and "Pat's in America." Other notable band contributions to this list are 2075, "Whirligig," selection 1 and 2, a big London success, and "Kentucky," fox-trot, with which is coupled "City of Laughter," waltz, introducing excerpts from some recent musical items. These two discs will stand out as brilliant examples of the work of the Black Diamond Band. Another instrumental that is likely to prove a ready seller at this period is No. 2077, "God Gave Me Wonderful Dreams" and "Tulip Time," both prettily rendered by the Royal Cremona Orchestra. There are a number of good vocals itemized, and a special call will doubtless be made for No. T2078, "One Little Hour" and "Milissa," sung by the popular lyric tenor, Sydney Coltham. In addition to the foregoing the British Zonophone Co. features titles appropriate to the festive season in goodly and choice variety. Trade News in Brief It is announced that the next music trade convention will be held at the Thanet town of Ramsgate. Accommodation has been booked at the Granville Hotel for the convention period of May 24 to 30 inclusive. The government is taking a keen and practical part in the development of British trade overseas. At the instance of the Department of Overseas Trade a handbook has been published dealing succinctly with the splendid organization and valuable official service at the disposal of British firms desirous of wooing the markets of the world. It is really a most helpful guide to the propagation of overseas trade. At the Kingsway Hall is exhibited a concert gramophone bearing the terribly unnatural name of the "Naturafone." AUSTRALIA. Herbert G. Polyblank, SYDHEY, N.S.W. BELGIUM. P. Carton, Rue Karel Ooms, 11, ANVERS. ITALY. G. Menaboni, Via S. Sebastiano 2, LIVORNO. SPAIN. Ernesto Yerdu, ALICANTE. ENGLAND. A. Waite & Co., Ltd., 15-17 Figtree Lane, SHEFFIELD.