The talking machine world (Jan-June 1922)

April IS, 1922 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 111 FROM OUR CHICAGO HEADQUARTERS— (Continued from page 109) is to put on our salesmen, and it will not take long before these fellows will make the business warrant them." Fire Does Serious Damage The biggest fire that Chicago has witnessed since Mrs. O'Leary's cow kicked the lantern over, way back in 71, occurred three weeks ago, when an entire block of bufldings was destroyed, and half the interior of a modern office building (the C. B. & Q. R. R. offices) was gutted. Most of the buildings were eight and ten-story affairs, housing numerous printing and publishing concerns. The fire, of unknown origin, started about midnight and within twenty minutes the entire block was blazing away merrily. Among the firms with connections in the talking machine trade who suffered by fire loss were: The "morgue" or art filing department of Barnhart Bros. & Spindler. This department was quite a distance from the main plant arid was used for storage purposes by the art department. This company, besides making the famous Scotford tone-arm and die castings, runs the largest type foundry in the country. Another concern, which unhappily was entirely destroyed, was the Rosenow Co., publishers of The Brunswick Record Digest, which it got out monthly for all Brunswick dealers. No sooner was it apparent that their building was doomed, than the heads of the Rosenow Co. began plans for an immediate resumption of business in new quarters, so as to get the Digest out on schedule time. "Robinson, the Plater" also suffered heavily by the fire. The same "I will" spirit characteristic of Chicagoans in 1871 again prevailed, however, and hardly had the firemen got the fire under control in this building than a number of building repair men were put on the job by Mr. Robinson and ere long a sign was hoisted over the front door, "Business going on as usual." The Modern Phonograph Co. was another victim. This company manufactures knock-down cabinets. The safe was buried in the debris for ten days and upon being opened the contents were found to be in perfect condition. The ShawWalker Co., of this city, maker of steel files and safes, now has this safe on display in its show window and it is needless to say that it has attracted quite a great deal of attention. The Modern Phonograph Co. is making temporary headquarters with the Lakeside Supply Co., at 416 South Dearborn street. Benson at the Tivoli Victor dealers on the South Side took advantage of the appearance, recently, of Benson's orchestra, with Roy Bargy directing, at the Tivoli Theatre, Sixty-third street and Cottage Grove avenue. This galaxy of stars was the center of attraction at this wonderful theatre and Victor dealers for miles around were early on the job and cashed in on the tie-up offered them. Many of the dealers formed "community parties" and took large numbers of their customers to the theatre to see these famous Victor stars in person. The Tivoli is a Balaban and Katz house, and is said to be the most beautiful and commodious movie theatre in the world. The week the Benson orchestra played at this theatre happened to be the week set aside by the management to celebrate the first anniversary of its opening. According to South Side Victor dealers, Messrs. Balaban and Katz could not have hit upon a better attraction for this event than Director Bargy with Benson's orchestra. Attractive Easter Windows With eggs selling at 25 cents a dozen and plenty of good Easter records on sale the populace of Chicago and its numerous suburbs ought to have a happy time this Easter. As a matter of fact, there are more strictly fresh eggs on the Chicago market than there have been in more than a year. In fact, eggs are so plentiful and so fresh that Chicagoans are quite apt to forget the taste of the cold storage variety if some steps are not taken immediately. The dealers in Chicago are certainly tying up with the Lenten season this year and many beau tiful and seasonable greetings are sent throughout the city. It seems as though the manufacturers of records have concentrated on Easter as well, for many of these dealers are heralding handsome and extensive Easter libraries. At this particular time it might be well to recall to the readers of these columns the fact that our next national holiday will be on May 30, Decoration Day. Open Chicago Office The Jewett Phonograph Co., of Detroit, Mich., has opened a handsome and commodious suite of offices on the sixteenth floor in the North American building. A full and complete line of Jewett talking machines is on exhibition. The offices are in charge of H.J. O'Connor, but the preliminary organization of the sales and office staff is being directed by E. F. Sharpe, assistant sales manager of the Jewett Co. New Hall Needle Envelopes The Hall Mfg. Co. is now packing its product in very handsome and elaborate envelopes, lithographed in three colors. The major part of the front of the envelope is colored, which shows up in shadow a background of bamboo poles. The famous Hall trade-mark is shown in red and yellow, and the lettering of the address, etc., is in white. The color scheme for this background is of two kinds, a royal purple for No. 1, or 50-cent. package, and an emerald green for the No. 5, or 25-cent, package. The needles come packed in a handsome display carton, which is gotten up along the same lines as the needle envelopes. Kreisler Praises the Hall Fibre Needle A great tribute to the merits of the Hall fibre needle, made by the Hall Mfg. Co., 33-35 West Kinzie street, this city, has been paid by Fritz Kreisler, the famous violinist and Victor artist, who recently made this statement: "The effect produced by the Hall fibre needle is most pleasing. The music becomes mellow, enriched. I believe that it is really the best to use in order to obtain the most from a record. (Continued on page 112) THE GEER REPEATER If we asked you to accept our views regarding the Geer Record Repeater, you might justly hesitate, but what about the judgment of men who are in the same line of business as you? Letters of Proof Hill Talking Machine Co. (Huntington, W. Va.) "We received our three demonstration Geer Repeaters this morning, and while it has been a bad day, with few people in the store, they are all sold and orders booked for more. Kindly ship us at your earliest convenience twenty-five repeaters." Brunswick Phonograph Shop (Chicago) "A few weeks before Christmas, we placed an electric machine in our window demonstrating the Geer Repeater and sales tripled at once. The demonstration is still running, and we are convinced that it has increased our business considerably in all departments.1' Consolidated Talking Machine Co. (Chicago) "We have very carefully tested the Geer Record Repeater and are convinced that it is something that ought to be in the hands of every phonograph owner. From a sales point of view, we are very glad to handle this repeater and to recommend it to our dealers because we know it will give satisfaction to their customers and be an unexpected and additional source of profit." Wade Talking Machine Co. (Chicago) "We are pleased to advise you that after making a test of eight hours per day for two weeks, we decided to use your Record Repeater in our show windows as an attraction, with the result that it has kept large crowds of people before the shozv windows continuously, resulting in the sales of 15 to 25 repeaters per day, and a very material increase in our sales of dance records." C ALES records are being broken every month — that ^ is the latest news regarding the Geer Record Repeater. If you could see the rapidity with which hundreds of our dealers are selling Geer Repeaters, you would say instantly : "Yes, sir, ship me an order today." Some of the letters which we have recently received are herewith reproduced. Why Geer Repeaters Sell Quickly Practically every large distributor of phonographs and accessories has endorsed the Geer Record Repeater. Here are the reasons why Geer Repeaters sell quickly : 1. It is as easy to put on and take off as a record. 2. It will repeat instantly and as often as desired. 3. It cannot possibly break or get out of order, and will last a lifetime. 4. It will not injure the record, needle or machine. 5. It fits any phonograph with free swinging tone arm. 6. It comes packed in a beautiful, durable box and can be laid away when not in use. 7. When dancing, entertaining, dining, or when you want music while working or resting, the Geer Repeater proves its remarkable usefulness. Send for Our "DEMONSTRATION PACKAGE" Today For the dealers who want to stock the Geer Repeater immediately and share in the quick profits that are being made, we have arranged a "Demonstration Package," containing three repeaters. Should you desire to place a larger order than three repeaters, you may do so, direct or through your jobber. The coupon attached is for your convenience. Our Special Window Demonstrating Record Is Now Ready. Sent FREE on Request. New York Office, 200 Fifth Avenue. WALBERT MANUFACTURING CO. 925-41 Wrightwood Avenue, Chicago, 111. Please send by return mail your "Demonstration Package," containing three Geer Repeaters. I agree to pay $4.75 C. O. D.* for the repeaters — the retail price to be $2.50 each. | | Check here if you want Free Window Demonstrating Record. Name . Address Jobber . *Credit extended to rated concerns.