The talking machine world (Jan-June 1922)

April IS, 1922 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 77 OK, play that 'Song of In-di-a a gam. 5 There's some-thing so ap-peal-ing in..eacH strain, LAY THAT Song of India A AGAIN J A Hit Vocally and Instrumentally ASK TO HEAR IT AKRON, 0. Trade Trend Is Most Gratifying— Price Stability Is Assured — What Dealers Say Akron, O., April 1. — Talking machines, pianos and practically all musical merchandise has now reached a standard rating, according to Akron dealers who are now starting to make a display of their newest merchandise. Prices vary but little from those which have obtained during the past few months, and this, they believe, is going to have a healthy effect on trading, for buyers realize that the period of constant price changing is now practically past. April looms as an active month for music dealers of Akron. Money is easing up, and in nine of ten stores visited this week by a representative of The World collections were reported better and prospects more plentiful. Little Damage by Fire Business continues good with the A. B. Smith Piano Co., South Main street, probably the largest distributor of musical merchandise in the city. This store, damaged by a recent fire, suffered less actual loss than was first reported, according to officials. Sales in March were of a satisfactory volume. "In my opinion business is on the upward trend," said Ray Porter, head of the sales department at the store of George S. Dales. "While March has been nothing startling, there is every reason to believe that April will be much better," he said. From his observation he declared that most people are buying machines ranging in price from $100 to $200. Concerts Help Business Presentation of two concerts this month, Sousa's band and Schumann-Heink, at the city armory, has given the Windsor Poling Co., exclusive Victor dealer, considerable prestige locally. This firm has done much to stimulate record sales by offering the concerts, which in each instance were largely attended. Rockwell Installs Radio E. G. Rockwell, proprietor of Akron's only exclusive small goods music store, in South Main street, has installed a radio outfit, and his store these nights is the Mecca of hundreds of music and radio fans. Eventually he intends to carry a complete line of radio accessories, he told a representative of The World. Mr. Rockwell, some months ago, opened this store with the intention of making it a complete musical merchandise emporium, and to this end he has accomplished much. M. O. Neil Co. Sales Big Talking machine sales with the M. O. Neil Co. have been very brisk during the month of March. The month's volume was boosted by a special sale of a popular-priced machine, of which a carload was disposed of in less than a week, according to Miss Elsie Baer, head of this department. The console type of machine is meeting with much favor and record sales are keeping up well. The fiscal year for the music department of the store ended in January, 1922, and, according to Miss Baer, last year was the biggest year from a standpoint of sales in the history of the store excepting 1919, when all records were shattered. Starr Co. Doing Well Manager Currie, of the Starr Piano Co., reports business on the up trend and says that with continuance of existing industrial conditions his store this year will exceed the business of a year ago. Special record sales are helping the month's business volume, and outside piano salesmen are doing a nice business. Retail Merchants Meet Music dealers of Akron affiliated with the Akron Retail Merchants' Board of the Akron Chamber of Commerce joined with merchants of other lines at the annual banquet of the association April 4 at the Portage Hotel. Retailers of national prominence discussed topics of the day of interest to retail merchandising. CHAS. H. MURRAY CO. INCORPORATES Plans to Manufacture a Combination Radiophone and Talking Machine at Early Date A New York State charter has been granted by the Secretary of State to Charles H. Murray, Inc., to manufacture, buy and sell musical instruments, etc. C. H. Murray, who was advertising manager of the Pathe Freres Phonograph Co., resigned from that organization last September, taking effect on December 31 last. Mr. Murray announces that there will be little to say for two or three months in regard to his company except that it is the plan to market a high-class combination radiophone and talking machine at a price even lower than is asked for the ordinary straight phonographs. RICE AUDISCOPE CO. CHARTERED A charter of incorporation was recently granted to the Rice Audiscope Co., of New York City, under the laws of New York State, to deal in talking motion pictures, with a capital of $200,000. Incorporators are: M. Spero, G. I. Wiley and W. Kessler. NEW MANAGER IN CANTON Canton, O., April 6. — Wilbur E. Pyle, until recently identified with the music department of the May Co., Cleveland, is the new buyer and manager of the talking machine department at the William R. Zollinger & Co. store, it was announced Saturday. Mr. Pyle, who assumed his duties a week ago, succeeds A. E. Jones, who left the Zollinger Co. January 1, after several years as head of the department, to become manager of the piano department of the George S. Dales Co., Akron. There IS Something New in Fine Drum Making It's the GRETSCH Laminated Hoop That won't— CAN'T!— Shrink or Warp This exclusive feature is found in every Twentieth Century Drum. It's a guarantee of lasting durability — insurance against dissatisfied customers. And it is only one of several features that make GRETSCH Twentieth Century Drums easy to sell and satisfactory to own. Send for our Confidential Trade Price List. Look over the big selection offered here. Compare the prices. And then, we believe, you'll want to stock these dependable drums. Here Is the New T WENTIETH-CEIN TURY "ORCHESTRA" A beautiful drum in polished rock-maple. Has the GRETSCH laminated hoops and counter hoops; of course, its tone is wonderfully snappy and responsive. Usually retails as follows: A1300— Shell, 14x3 in. Each $20.00 A1304— Shell, 14x4 in. Each 21.00 A1310 — Shell, 15x4 in. Each 22.00 Write for Wholesale Prices Write on your own letter-head for our Confidential Trade Price List, quoting nearly 3,000 articles of musical merchandise. For dealers only. The FRED. GRETSCH MFG. COMPANY Musical Instrument Makers Since 1883 60 BROADWAY BROOKLYN, N. Y