The talking machine world (Jan-June 1922)

March 15, 1922 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 51 LA VELLE CO. MAKES BOBOLINK LINE Takes Over Bobolink Phonograph and Bobo'ink Books From A. C. Gilbert Co.— New Mac ne Won Favor at Toy Fair — Officers of Company New Haven. Conn., March 1. — The La Velle Mfg. Co., of this city, which recently took over the Bobolink phonograph and Bobolink books from the A. C. Gilbert Mfg. Co., which formerly produced this line, is featuring the Bobolink line strongly. This nursery phonograph, which is a toy in everything but the tone reproduction, consists of several models which retailed at $25. Immediately after the La Velle Mfg. Co. took over this new line it announced the production of a new model at $10 in stained oak with white panels upon which appears numerous attractive nursery designs. This new model attracted much attention when displayed at the Toy Fair held recently at the Hotel Breslin, New York City. William Huston, of toy fame, was in charge of the exhibit and reported that this new model also was very popular in Chicago. Mr. Huston will represent the Bobolink in the Middle West and on the Pacific Coast. The La Velle Mfg. Co. specializes in girls' toys and has an excellent reputation in the toy trade. It is also building up a large clientele among talking machine dealers who are handling this non-competitive toy talking machine line. The Bobolink books are proving very popular and it is expected that the La Velle Co. will place a national advertising campaign behind these books in the near future. The officers of the La Velle Mfg. Co. are F. W. Gilbert, president and treasurer; R. R. Roberston, vice-president, and. Frank Degnan, secretary. BRUNSWICK SHOP CHARTERED The Brunswick Phonograph Shop, Inc., of Indianapolis, Ind., has been granted a charter of incorporation under the laws of that. State, with a capital of $30,000. The concern will deal in Brunswick machines and records exclusively. SELLS PHONOGRAPH TO DEAF MAN Steger & Sons Salesman Shows That Deafness Is No Handicap to the Fellow With Pep Selling the talking machine to a deaf man would be considered in most quarters as representing the accomplishment of practically an impossible feat, but the Steger Magazine, published by Steger & Sons Piano Mfg. Co., tells in a recent issue how a salesman in the company's retail department in Chicago managed to do just that little thing. The story was as follows: "One of the customers upon whom he waited was an elderly gentleman who had the misfortune of being very hard of hearing. It was very difficult to converse with him, not to speak of demonstrating a phonograph. But our salesman was resourceful. After the first call, which naturally was unsatisfactory, he persuaded the prospect to come in again. In the meantime our enterprising phonograph expert got busy and rigged up a device which would have done credit to a Goldberg cartoon. "The material consisted of a pair of dictaphone hearing tubes and a 10-cent tin funnel. The funnel inserted in the end of the flexible rubber tube was held in the sound chamber of the Steger, while the customer put the prongs of the hearing tubes to his ears. Great results! The customer was happy as the deal was closed." B. H. ROTH OPENS VICTOR SHOP West New York, N. J., March 2. — An attractive new Victrola establishment was opened on Berganline avenue here this week by B. H. Roth. The opening was marked by a concert and the large number of people who attended the event and exhibited their interest in the store augurs well for the success of the enterprise. The International Music Co., of Los Angeles, has secured a lease on quarters at 229 West Third street. Talking machines, records, pianos, etc., are handled. A. H. MAYERS OPENS NEW STORE Well-known Talking Machine Dealer Now Has Elaborately Equipped Location on Broadway, New York, Known as "Symphony Hall" A. H. Mayers, who has long been an active factor in the retail talking machine trade in New York, marked a new forward step on the evening of February 21 when he held the formal opening of his elaborate new store at 1989 Broadway, near Sixty-seventh street, only a few doors from his former location on the same block. The opening of the new quarters, known as "Symphony Hall," was made the occasion for an elaborate concert and entertainment followed by dancing. The program served to attract a representative crowd which packed the commodious store from early in the evening till after midnight. The new store is fitted up in a most elaborate manner, with a commodious foyer in the front leading into a broad aisle flanked on both sides by numerous booths. The woodwork is finished in mahogany throughout, and the walls in cream tints, with the exception of the foyer, where the walls are elaborately decorated with mural paintings. The lighting system is of the indirect type and serves to add materially to the general artistic effect. The equipment throughout the store is most modern in every particular, and is thoroughly in keeping with the fine Broadway location. REMODELING IN NEW PHILADELPHIA New Philadelphia, O., February 27. — Alterations to the interior of the Gintz Co.'s store on West High street, now Hearing completion, will give the concern 1,125 additional square feet of floor space. The new Victrola parlors are among the best in this section of the State. The balcony in the rear of the store has been enlarged for the convenience of the store's patrons. Two additional booths have been provided for Victor record demonstrations, there now being six booths in all. 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