The talking machine world (July-Dec 1924)

178 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD December 15, 1924 Holiday Activity Manifests Itself in Increased Sales in Louisville Territory Record Demand Particularly Active — Local Appearances of Well-known Artists Influence Buying — Christmas Club Drives Productive of Results — News of the Month Louisville, Ky., December 8. — The approach of the holiday season is reflected in the sales volume of the talking machine and radio departments of the various dealers here. The healthy condition of the trade is indicated by the fact that a consistent business is being done in all lines, both talking machines and records, as well as radio sets. Record sales have in particular been very satisfactory. The appearance here of several recording artists was followed by an unusual demand for their records. Foremost among these was John McCormack, Victor artist, who sang at the Auditorium on Tuesday, December 2, to a capacity house. Louisville is honored each year by being on the concert tour of this popular artist, and Victor dealers are aware, through their former good experiences, of the value of a tie-up with the concert. On Wednesday, December 3, Josef Hoffmann, world-renowned pianist and exclusive Brunswick artist, played at the Woman's Club Auditorium to an enthusiastic audience. The Brunswick Co. had, for several days prior to the recital, inse.ted advertisements in the local papers regarding the appearance of this artist, and Brunswick dealers report that immediately following the recital the demand for this artist's recordings was unusually active. It is believed that the performance here, during the week of December 11, of "Blossom Time" will have a further good effect on record sales. This musical entertainment was given in Louisville last year, with a resultant increase in record sales, so dealers are providing for the demand which is expected next week. The Belknap Hardware Co., distributor of Outing portables, reports that all models of this popular make of portable talking machine are idling well, with the senior Outing most in favor. The new model, encased in green leatherette, has been enthusiastically commented on by dealers. The volume of portable business done during the past month compares very favorably with any like period of the Summer. The Baldwin Piano Co. is vigorous^ pushing the New Edison baby console and is advertising this popular model heavily in the local papers. The campaign has been fruitful of results and sales are quite satisfactory. The Stewart Dry Goods Co. has put in operation the Christmas Victrola Club plan and states that the results already secured assure the December talking machine business of being up to the standard set in other years. The Sutcliffe Co., wholesaler, is pushing [lie Atwater Kent sets vigorously and is advertising the receivers in all the local papers. The difficulty encountered by this firm is not in selling but in filling the rush of orders from dealers for the various models of receivers. The Louisville Music & Radio Co. has secured a large amount of Christmas business in Atwater Kent sets through the operation of a Christmas club. Advertisements in the daily papers explained the procedure of the club and stressed the reasonable terms by which this set could be purchased at this time. The result was a large volume of business. Newport Corp. Exhibits at Boston Radio Show The Newport Radio Corp., New York, manufacturer of the Newport radio receiving set, was among the exhibitors at the recent Boston Radio Show, exhibiting its three models, the Georgian, Bruce and Patrician. T. B. Campbell was in charge of the exposition during the week of the show. "We were greatly pleased with the reception accorded the Radio Show by the public of Boston. There was an excellent attendance during the entire week, and practically everybody who visited the exhibition was interested in the buying of radio. We were so pleased with the results obtained that we have contracted for additional space at next year's show," said Mr. Campbell in a recent chat with The World. i i Dealers: Every customer to whom you sell an expensive radio set is the best kind of a prospect for an Ultra Handy Battery Charger. And don't forget those customers whom you have already sold! The Ultra Handy Charger is absolutely Fireproof. It may be connected and left alone. Even if allowed to run for several days there is no clanger of overcharging the battery or causing fire. The Ultra Handy Battery Charger is easily connected. Simply attach pat ent clip on cords to the terminals of the battery — then plug the other cord into a light socket and turn on the current. The Ultra Handy Charger is neat and compact. There are no bulbs to break and no acids to spill. It will not make the home messy and cannot harm the furniture. Dealers everywhere are making big profits by handling this convenient radio accessory. Order from your jobber. Write in for illustrated literature. Price $18. OO INTERSTATE ELECTRIC CO. 4339 DUNCAN AVENUE ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI a 'Ouf-Jiandlc handles it 'Master of Movable Music' 4 Years Have Proved Outing Portables Are the Best Belknap Hardware Co. Louisville Outing Distributor Kentucky G. E. Burghard, Continental Corp., Active in Radio The Continental Radio & Electric Corp., New York, distributor for the Radio Corp. of America, Colin B. Kennedy and other standard lines of radio merchandise, has in the two years of George E. Burghard its existence reached a position of being regarded as one of the leading jobbing houses in its locality and one that offers real service to its dealers. It is this latter policy which is attributable for the growth of the business which has expanded from occupying one floor at 15 Warren street to taking over four complete floors at the same address. George E. Burghard, the president of the company, is one of the best known figures in radio circles. The other officers of the company are J. Grinan, vice-president, and J. Stantly, secretary and treasurer. .^millillllllllJIIftllfllHllllitlllll^ General Phonograph Corp. Distributing the Kimberly The distributing division of the General Phonograph Corp., 15 West Eighteenth street, New York, recently arranged to wholesale the products of the Kimberley Phonograph Corp. of New Jersey. Norman Smith, manager of the distributing division, is enthusiastic over the acquisition of the Kimberley line as it rounds out and makes complete the line of musical products handled by his organization, which includes Okeh and Odeon records, the Outing Portable line and Honest Quaker parts and accessories, and, now, the Kimberley phonographs.