The talking machine world (Jan-June 1925)

102 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD May 15, 1925 Improvement in Industrial Situation in Detroit Has a Marked Effect on Business Continued Improvement a Source of Satisfaction to Dealers— People's Outfitting Co. to Expand Department— Weil & Co. Constructing New Store— Other Trade Activities of the Month Detroit, Mich., May 9. — Talking machine business has not been booming the past thirty days, yet as compared to last year it has more than held its own. True, the first three months did not fare so well, but we can say with authority that since the first of April the improvement has been a decided one. The fact that the labor situation has improved and that the dealers themselves have made a more concerted effort to create sale is responsible for "better business" conditions. The special campaign conducted some time ago by the Victor Co. proved a boon to not only the Victor dealers but to all retailers regardless of the line they handle. Good Edison Business The Edison Shop on Woodward avenue has had very good April business, according to Peter Sweeney, manager there. He states that Edison phonographs and records have been selling very actively and that the radio sales have jumped ahead of all expectations. Adds to Lines The Artonian Piano Co., at Grand River and Bagley avenues, recently added the Victor and Brunswick lines, having taken an entire store adjoining its piano store to handle this newdepartment. The new store has been attractively fitted up with booths and is already enjoying good business. This store, in reality, takes over the franchise for both Victor and Brunswick lines formerly handled by the Henry S. Doran Co., on Washington boulevard, which discontinued business. People's Outfitting Co. to Expand The addition to the People's Outfitting Co., on Michigan avenue, at Shelby street, will mean an enlarged talking machine and piano department, according to Manager Reddaway, of these departments. "We certainly need the room, as these departments are very crowded," he declared. Mr. Reddaway is one of the few managers who report an increased business for the first four months of this year. Local Orchestras Record Artists Detroit now has at least four or five orchestras who record regularly for the national talking machine companies. We refer to the Jean Goldkette Orchestra, the Finzel Orchestra and others. This week the Emerson Gill Orchestra, which records for Okeh records, is playing an engagement at the Capitol Theatre, prior to opening the season at one of the Summer roadhouses. This orchestra has been playing all Winter in Cleveland. Doing Well With Adler-Royal S. E. Lind, of the S. E. Lind Co., jobberfor the Adler-Royal line of phonographs and combination radio phonographs, reports that he has enjoyed a satisfactory business since the first of the year. "We are opening new accounts right along and our old accounts are constantly re-ordering," he declared. "This indicates that not only are the dealers satisfied but that the line is going in this territory." Mitchell Co. in New Home The Mitchell Co., which handles a big line of Big Gall for Audak Record Demonstrating Product A. Hospe & Co., of Omaha, Pays Tribute to the Merits of This Equipment The Audak Co., 565 Fifth avenue, New York City, manufacturer of the Audak record demonstrating product, states that the demand for its equipment has greatly increased during recent months. This is, no doubt, due to the rearrangement of many stores in order to care for enlarged departments devoted to radio, which often necessitates the curtailment of space previously given to records. Dealers find that the Audak record demonstrating tables allow for the care of many customers in a minimum of space. To-day with space so valuable in retail establishments this method of conservation is welcome. The attractiveness of these Audak units has served in many cases to renew interest in records and increase sales. A. Hospe & Co., the well-known talking machine dealers of Omaha, Neb., recently installed a series of Audak units with exceptional results. In a letter to the Audak Co., William Zitzman, vice-president of the Hospe firm, said: phonographs and records, has just moved into its new and enlarged store at 3000 Gratiot avenue, directly across the street from its former location. This is the only neighborhood store that carries on a consistent newspaper advertising campaign in the dailies, using large space with every insertion. Good Brunswick Demand Continues Manager Quinn, of the Brunswick Shop, on East Grand River, reports a big change for the better since the first of April. Of course, the high-priced combination phonograph is what sells best at this store and at times Mr. Quinn is unable to carry enough in stock. This store has also been enjoying a very good record business. In fact, the sale of records is very consistent and does not vary a great deal from month to month, unless there is some particular hit. Weil & Co. Building New Store Weil & Co., who handle the Brunswick line in their downtown store, are building a new store on the West Grand boulevard, and will handle the Brunswick line at the new location as well. "We were able to cut down our overhead, less rent, less help and be'tter service to our customers." These are facts that must be given consideration in what is to-day a highly competitive field. Kameraphone De Luxe Is Introduced to the Trade The Specialty Trading Co., New York, manufacturer of Kameraphone portable talking machines, has recently placed on the market a new model which will be merchandised under the trade name of the Kameraphone De Luxe. "The Kameraphone De Luxe will embody several new features, the most notable being that it has a real phonograph tone arm and sound box. The method of reproduction is by means of using the lid of the machine as an amplifier. This feature has been patented by the Specialty Trading Co., in the United States, and we will vigorously prosecute all infringements on this patent," declared Emil Bornstein, president of the company. "In addition to the sound box and tone arm, the machine has a solid plush-covered turn-table. The new Kameraphone is very simple to assemble in preparation for playing, each component part has a definite place provided for it so that it may be instantly prepared to play or assembled and closed for carrying. It is about the same size as an ordinary camera and is very light in weight," said Mr. Bornstein, in discussing the new product. A number of jobbers have been appointed in the phonograph trade and an excellent volume of business is being anticipated, in addition to the orders already on hand for the new model. Second Radio World's Fair Plans Maturing The Second Radio World's Fair is making very rapid progress, and the management has already arranged with the welfare bureaus of eleven well-known industrial institutions in New York territory to purchase large blocks of tickets which they will in turn retail to their employes at slightly below box office prices. Orders for 26,000 of these admission cards have already been distributed. Three unique features have been arranged for the Second Radio World's Fair, whereby one night will be designated as a "Radio Factory Employe's Night," the second a "Radio Salesman's Night" and the third an "Amateur Radio Club Night." The 258th Field Artillery Armory, at Kingsbridge road and Jerome avenue, is going to house the Second Radio World's Fair, and James F. Kerr, manager of the exhibition, states that the space reservations to date assure the success of the enterprise. WESTON never enters a field with its electrical measuring instruments unless it can contribute to the economy or the accuracy of the work being done in that field. Radio dealers are benefiting today by selling to their trade Weston Table Voltmeters and Weston Radio Plugs. The Weston Radio Table Voltmeter — invaluable for improving reception, prolonging tube life and for removing guess-work from set operation. Pin jacks and a pair of cables accompany each instrument. The pin jacks serve to connect the filament circuits to the panel so that the voltmeter may be plugged in at will. Weston Radio Plug — for instantaneous and positive switch from headset to loud speaker. Dealers can get immediate results with a supply of "Weston Radio Instruments" on their counters. Write for your supply of this famous booklet today. WESTON ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENT CORP. 190 Weston Avenue Newark, N. J.