The talking machine world (Jan-June 1923)

150 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD January 15, 1923 -^EUROPEAN HEADQUARTER fciWI^^^I^^ I mm mil 2GR.ESHAM [3LDG.,BA$INGHALLST..E.C.LONDONl ' Excellent Holiday Business — Pemberton Billing Home From the States — Review of Last Year's Business — Arrange for Music Exhibits at British Industries Fair — Continental Firm Boosts Capital — The Kodisk in London — Passing of H. B. Dicken and F. Sharman — Peter Pan Gramophone — News of Month London. E. C, December 30. — As I write, every section of the trade is enjoying itself hugely. Just according to expectations, for, as we appraise it, gaiety and trade these days go hand in hand. Never was such a time — we say it every year— and mean it, too! During Christmas week a round of trade visits puts one in good heart, contributary as it were to a full appreciation of the smiling atmosphere in which everyone concerned bends to the task of completing all orders "in time." Fraught with a world of meaning are those words. Dealers waiting in small queues on the jobbers, the jobbers worrying manufacturers, and they in turn speeding up their factory staffs — all in an endeavor to satisfy the insistent demand for delivery of goods "in time." Well, there may have been a few disappointments, but as usual retailers must hold the blame for delay in placement of orders. Such a rush during the last week; a storm of applications on the last day, naturally ending in a little confusion and general bewilderment! Well, it is over. And now, in the first month of the new year, we settle down to the steady jog-trot of business and perhaps register a vow to turn over a new leaf of enterprise, determined upon the exertion of every ounce of endeavor that will carry us a step further toward the goal of progressive achievement. P. Billing Home From the States After a five weeks' visit to New York Pemberton Billing reached home December 5. In the course of an interview at the Piccadilly office of World Record, Ltd., P. B. descanted upon the interesting nature of his trip and the good reception accorded his long-playing World record and the controll&r by which it is usable on any disc machine. Mr. Billing said: "I think I saw most of the leading men in the talking machine trade over there and they evinced great interest in what I had to show them. Thanks to your articles in The Talking Machine World I found that American gramophone men knew a lot about the World record and controller. Some of the technical men who were much impressed had seemingly prejudged my inventions as more in the nature of laboratory experiments than practical achievement, but actual demon W. LIONEL STURDY. MANAGER strations on various machines soon convinced them of the soundness of the proposition." Queried as to whether anything definite had been arranged regarding the manufacture of his patents or their sale on your side Mr. Billing stated that negotiations were proceeding with certain firms for sale of the American rights and failing fruition his company was prepared to market the goods, believing the American field offered huge and promising scope for their sale. The State of Business in 1922 For the British gramophone trade the past year has not been one of unalloyed blessing. Nineteen hundred and twenty-two went out to the accompaniment of tremendous sales, both in machines and records, but taking the whole year through trade was exceedingly patchy — good at times; generally poor. With the registered and unregistered unemployed totaling nearly 2,000,000 (part-timers excluded), it will be appreciated that great hardship and actual want have prevailed. The effect upon trade is too obviously demoralizing to detail. Against such adverse conditions has the trade struggled manfully, and, in a sense, successfully. Though the sum total of it all is not great, the fine spirit displayed by every section of the trade augurs well for the future, be that ever so difficult. The British Industries Fair The Federation of British Music Industries has supervised and completed arrangements respecting the music section of the above exhibition which opens its doors next month at the White City, Shepherd Bush, London. A separate committee for each section of the trade will look after the interests of exhibitors, of whom there are close upon fifty, at least fourteen being purely gramophone firms. General rules and regulations have been laid down for the guidance and observance of music exhibitors to which doubtless all will conform. While there is nothing definite to go upon it is believed that this year's fair offers better prospects of satisfactory business than the last. Certainly the music exhibits are more numerous, and being thoroughly representative of all departments of British musical products should attract a goodly number of vistiors from overseas. News From the Continent According to the Frankfurter Zeitung the Polyphonwerke plans an increase of its capital from forty-two to seventy-five million marks. The object in view is the development of its establishment owing to the fact of present monthly turnover exceeding the share capital. An increased dividend for the current fiscal year is expected. All sections of the music trade are expected to participate in the first French Music Salon to be held in Paris May 10 to 25. An exhibition is also to be held in Barcelona, Spain, some time during May or June and foreign manufacturers of pianos and gramophones are invited to exhibit their wares. The Kodisk in London Described as the greatest gramophone novelty of the year — it is certainly unique — the Kodisk self-recording record disc has made its appearance on this market. All anticipations point to a big demand from gramophone users on this side. This is very likely to materialize since the Kodisk meets an undoubted long-felt want in the absence here of any kind of homerecording device. "His Master's Voice" News A new instrument catalog for 1922-23 has been issued by the Gramophone Co., Ltd. It illustrates all models and with descriptive matter and prices represents a complete guide to comprehensive service provided by this firm. The big London store of Harrods is very up to date. Its music department carries a complete range of H. M. V. instruments and records and many are the excellent sales schemes which Manager E. H. Aird is continually devising. One of the best is the engagement of leading exponents of the terpsichorean art who give exhibitions of the latest dances accompanied by H. M. V. records. For this purpose Harrods have erected a magnificent stage with a special dancing floor. In addition to the provision of over four hundred seats there is standing accommodation for three hundred persons, and usually the place is crowded with enthusiastic followers of Terpsichore. Wonderful success has attended the H. M. V. Sales School. I am informed that during its nine months' existence some hundreds of dealers and their assistants have taken the full course of salesmanship, specialized lectures, etc., by sales experts. The courses recommence on March 5, 1923, and already a number of dealers have booked dates of attendance. My reference in the November issue to "occasional" H. M. V. lectures on the educational value of the gramophone brings me a reminder from W. Manson that his company has under constant engagement no less than three highly specialized lecturers whose educational work throughout chief centers of the country is laying a solid foundation of increasing recognition EDISON BEU ARE THE GREATEST VALUE FOR MONEY PRODUCED IN GREAT BRITAIN TEN INCH DOUBLE SIDED NEEDLE CUT PLAY ON ALL GRAMOPHONES Catalogue contains 4000 Titles by the Premier Artistes, Instrumentalists, Orchestras and Band of the British Empire DEALERS PREPARED TO DO BUSINESS ARE INVITED TO COMMUNICATE WITH Proprietor* and Mannfechirers, J. E. HOUGH, Ltd., 62 Glengall Road, London, S. E. 15, England