The talking machine world (Jan-June 1925)

156 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD April 15, 1925 Combination Radio-Phonograph Sales Lead the Field in Portland Territory Many Artists in Local Concerts Have Stimulating Effect on Record Sales — Dealers Tie Up With Spring Opening — H. N. Quackenbush in New Post — Successful Edison Tone Test Portland, Ore., April 4. — Business was inclined to drag considerably during March and machine sales did not develop as much as was expected at the beginning of the year. The majority of sales were combination radio-phonograph machines. Records have held their own, due somewhat to the great number of concei ts given during the past month by celebrated recording artists. A plethora of Victor artists invaded Portland during March and all dealers were benefited somewhat through their appearance. Many Artists in Local Concerts Among the artists appearing here were Alfred Cortot, pianist and Victor artist; Ernst Dohanayi, pianist and Ampico artist; Royal Dadmun, baritone and Victor artist; Mabel Garrison, coloratura soprano and Victor artist; Feodor Chaliapin, baritone and Victor artist; Mme. Jeritza, Viennese dramatic soprano and Victor artist; Fritz Kreisler, violinist and Victor artist, and Roland Hayes, negro tenor. Stage Spring Opening The Portland Chamber of Commerce, with the co-operation of the retail merchants, staged a Spring opening on a large scale with over three hundred retail stores joining in the event. The night of March 13 the curtains were simultaneously drawn aside and the streets were thronged with window shoppers. Radio Dealers Meet The Oregon radio dealers held their monthly meeting at the Portland Elks Club March 27 with a good representative attendance. G. F. Johnson, of the G. F. Johnson Piano Co., presided. The dealers agreed to continue to merchandise radio the year round in an aggressive manner. G. J. Skiff, radio advertising manager of the Morning Oregonian, was elected secretary of the association. H. N. Quackenbush in New Post Harry N. Quackenbush has been made manager of the Bush & Lane Piano store. Mr. Quackenbush has been with the Bush & Lane Piano Co. for twelve years and for the past two was district manager of the southern Washington district. The Bush & Lane Co. recently moved to new quarters at 348 Morrison street and Mr. Quackenbush reports the new location is proving most satisfactory in every way. The record department is on the main floor and Audak tables have been installed. A sheet music department has also been installed and occupies space on the main floor. The radio and phonograph departments are on the mezzanine. The piano department is on the second floor. A Vigorous Sales Drive Sherman, Clay & Co., retail, made an intensive Victrola -drive and launched "Victrola Week" March 30 to April 4, to help offset the quiet and dull season that seems to be upon the buying public. Half-page advertisements in all the leading dailies were featured in the Sunday editions, followed by quarter-page advertisements in the dailies during the week. Circular letters were sent to all prospects in advance and an increased force of men was placed in the field. Attractive window displays were used in connection with the drive. C. Neilson in New Post The radio department of Sherman, Clay & Co. has been placed in charge of Clifford Neilson, formerly manager of the phonograph department of the Wiley B. Allen Co. Mr. Neilson has made arrangements for a series of semimonthly radio concerts over the Morning Oregonian station, KGW, presenting talent of the Sherman, Clay & Co. store, assisted by prominent local artists. In Spacious New Home The G. F. Johnson Piano Co. is established in its new location at 410 Morrison street and is ideally situated to handle a splendid volume of business. The store has a spacious window space, well lighted and conducive to attractive window displays, which at the present writing is devoted to an artistic display of Cheney and Victor phonographs, along with radios of the Radiola Corp., Atwater Kent, Ware neutrodyne and Operadio. The phonograph and record and musical merchandise departments are on the mezzanine floor. Wm. Hodecker, manager of the phonograph, radio and musical merchandise departments of Meier & Frank Co., returned March 25 from a five weeks' trip to New York and other Eastern cities in the interest of his department. A big stunt to draw the crowds to the sixth floor, where the music department is situated, was a children's circus, given Saturday, March 28, to the children of Portland. Three performances were staged and the auditorium adjoining the phonograph department was "jammed to the guards" with happy children and their mothers. Successful Edison Tone Test The Hyatt Music Co., of 386 Morrison street, which last month so successfully presented Betsy Lane Shepherd, soprano and Edison artist, assisted by Jacques Glockner, cellist, in an Edison Tone Test recital at the municipal auditorium, which was attended by over 3,200 persons, reports excellent returns from the recital, with many new customers added to their already long list. Mr. Hyatt has offered a handsome silver trophy for the salesperson in his store who makes the fewest errors for three months, beginning April 1. Wiley B. Allen Activities B. R. Brassfield, manager of the Wiley B. Allen Co., also reports business quiet, but says in spite of this sales show a decided increase over last year, and that he is looking for improvement in the near future. Ocla White, of Bend, Ore., and J. A. Price, of Centralia, Wash., Wiley B. Allen representatives, were Portland visitors attending the annual Pacific Northwest Rotary Convention held here March 23, 24 and 25, inclusive. George Botsford, office manager of Sherman, Clay & Co., also attended the Rotary convention. F. L. Hutchinson has been placed in charge of the phonograph department of the Wiley B. Allen store to fill the vacancy of Clifford Neilson, who resigned to take charge of the radio department of Sherman, Clay & Co. J. T. Carr, also formerly with the Wiley B. Allen Co. phonograph department, has joined the radio department of Sherman, Clay & Co. Charles Soule, district manager of the StanPiano Co., is covering his southern Oregon district and sending in encouraging reports. Remick Opens Radio Department The Remick Song & Gift Shop has installed a radio department, equipping it with sets of the Radiola Corp. of America, Crosley Radio Corp. and Gilfillan Bros., Inc. L. D. Heater Busy L. D. Heater, jobber for the Strand console, Thomas and Swanson portables, Okeh and Odeon records, Walter Camp's Health sets, Thompson neutrodyne and Honest Quaker products, reports excellent business. A large advertising campaign has been launched by Mr, Heater on the Thompson radio with the result that many dealers have been signed up. Mr. Heater has appointed Jerry Cooney to represent him in the Seattle territory. H. F. Johnson, of the R. E. Thompson Mfg. Co., of New York, visited Mr. Heater during his recent Coast trip. Louis A. LaVaie, sales manager of the Wolf Mfg. Industries, of Quincy, 111., was also a recent visitor. STYLUS BARS Stylus Bar & Mfg. Co. Clague Rd. North Olmsted . . . OHIO