The talking machine world (Jan-June 1923)

Max 15, 1923 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 139 BALTIMORE Attractive Exhibits at Better Ho Up Jt'ith Artists — Business Good mes Exposition — Dealers Tie Jobbers Open New Agencies Baltimore, iSlD., May 4.— The talking machine business in April was better than any Spring month for many years. Business for the month with a number of dealers ran considerably ahead of that of April last year, and in one or two instances was better than any month with the exception of December, since the days of "wartime prosperity." This report is general from practically every, jobbing house in Baltimore, and a number of the houses still find it difficult to keep up with orders already booked. This is attributed to the fact that there is very little unemployment here now and all lines of industry are working full time. Ihc record business has been one of the principal factors in building up large sales volume. May records especially are going big, with "Bambalina" proving to be one of the biggest hits ever put out, and dealers generally predict that it will equal, if not surpass, any record of recent years. Many New Columbia Accounts The Columbia Wholesalers, Inc., is very well pleased with business done in the two months that it has been operating. W. S. Parks Reports the opening of fifteen new accounts during April, a number of them being exclusive Columbia dealers, while others handle other makes of machines. The firm has been practically oversold on the new type console ever since it has been put on the market. Exhibits at Better Homes Exposition .V number of retail dealers had exhibits at the Better Homes Exposition at the Fifth Regiment Armory last month and report results as very gratifying. The Chickering Warerooms featured the Yictrola in their exhibit and Frank Caulfield Co., the Edison phonograph. Other talking machine dealers exhibiting were the G. Fred Kranz Music Co., Hammann Levin Co., Hecht Bros, and the Phonolamp Co. Dealers Tie Up With Artists Paul Specht and his original Columbia recording orchestra played here three nights, May 3, 4 and 5, at the Recreation Center Ballroom, and all three nights the attendance was recordbreaking. A number of dealers took occasion during the week to feature Specht Orchestra selections in window displays. One of the best exhibits was that in the window of Fred B. Hammann's Music Store, 206 North Liberty street, in which were also displayed the Buescher musical instrument lines which are used by the Specht Orchestra. Another big feature during April was the appearance of Al Jolson at one of the local theatres, and during the week all dealers made a big drive on his records. Mr. Jolson himself appeared at several of the downtown stores during the week. One of the best displays during Al Jolson week was that of the Rosenstein Piano Co., which had a very attractive window display of this artist's records. Park Heights Music Co. Opened One of the newest music stores in the city is the Park Heights Music Co., 3535 Park Heights avenue, which was opened the latter parti of last month by Lewis Fooks, who has gone to considerable expense in fitting up his store. Cohen & Hughes, Inc., Activities T. Ralph Clark, sales manager of Cohen & Hughes, Inc., Victor jobbers, has been spending the past month traveling through the terri tory of the firm and is very enthusiastic over the general condition of business. Making Many Sales From Auto Lester B. Harvey, of Oakville, Va., although handicapped by the fact of being a cripple and unable to get in or out of his truck without assistance, reports April business as one of the largest since he has been selling talking machines and records. Mr. Harvey, has a specially arranged truck in which he travels through the country, giving concerts at various country places, as well as demonstrations of machines and records. Busy Season at Brunswick Branch C. F. Shaw, manager of the local branch of the Brunswick ■ Co., has just returned from a trip to Chicago. Mr. Shaw is rather optimistic over the outlook for business in this territory, and his principal trouble now, he says, is how to supply orders already booked, being oversold on practically all popular type models. On his way back Mr. Shaw stopped ofif at his old home in St. Louis for a few days and reports business there as very satisfactory. Mr. Shaw, while In St. Louis, it is said, also made arrangements for a life contract which will be consummated in Baltimore next month when the young lady of his choice will visit here. News Gleanings The Grafonola Shop, Inc., of Norfolk, is another Baltimore territory store which reports a big increase due to a revival of shipbuilding. Ted Lewis appeared in Washington recently, and dealers featured his records in many fine window displays, that of the Harry C. Grove Co. being one of the most artistic that have been noted for some time. L. L. Andrews, vice-president of the Columbia Wholesalers, Inc., has just returned from a trip to New York where he closed a deal for a shipment of many new model machines on which the firm has been oversold. The Lexington Talking Machine Shop has added a new line of musical instruments.