The talking machine world (Jan-June 1925)

164 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD June 15, 1925 FROM OUR EUROPEAN HEADQUARTERS — (Continued from page 162) "The VULCAN MAINSPRING The Vulcan Mainspring has a world-wide reputation for reliability. Every Vulcan is thoroughly tested before dispatch, and dealers may have full confidence in offering them as the finest Mainsprings it is possible to produce. The Vulcan Mainspring made our reputation. Let it make yours! J. STEAD & CO., Ltd., Manor Works, SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND Note GreaseProof Paper by 7j/> inches by 4 '/a inches, but weighs only Syi pounds. It carries a swan-neck tone-arm, which is attached to a scoop-shaped amplifier, giving a tone equal to that of a gramophone of much larger dimensions. The Gramophone Co. (His Master's Voice) has an even more comprehensive exhibit than that of last year, and again is easily the best exhibit in the whole of the music section. Brief Paragraphs of Interest Keith Prowse & Co., Ltd., the music publishers and musical instrument wholesalers, and sole agents in this country for the Sonora phono graphs, recently offered 43,000 odd £1 shares to the public at par. I understand that the whole of the shares were applied for and that the issue was entirely successful. Recent gramophone share quotations are as follows: Gramophone Co.'s £1 shares stand at 34-35s.; Vocalion 10s. quoted shortly after issue stand somewhere around shares are to-day standing Smith & Co. (Gramophones), Ltd., manufacturers of the well-known "Itonia" models, have recently taken additional premises at City road, shares which were at a discount, now 12s.; Columbia 10s. at 44s. to cope with the continued increasing demand for these instruments. Their new portable model is the smallest portable carrying records and it is attracting trade attention. The Columbia Co.'s record pressings of the Palace Theatre "hits" from "No, No, Nanette," viz., "Tea for Two," and "I Want To Be Happy," totaled over 100,000 in a few weeks. J. D. Cumner, a well-known recording expert, has recently patented a process for manufacturing records practically unbreakable yet bendable, the material in texture and thickness being similar to the ordinary men's linen collars. Oregon Music Trades Association Reorganized at Second Meeting in Portland Committees Appointed and Other Important Routine Business Transacted — Many Answers Received in Atwater Kent Music Memory Contest — Other News and Activities of the Month Portland, Ore., June 4. — The Oregon Music Trades Association has been reorganized and held its second general meeting at the Elks Building, May 21. After partaking of a sumptuous dinner, G. F. Johnson of the G. F. Johnson Piano Co. and president of the Association called the business meeting to order. The president then announced the following committees: Membership, Frank M. Case, manager of Sherman, Clay & Co., chairman; Chas. Soule, district manager of the Starr Piano Co.; E. B. Hyatt, of the Hyatt Music Co.; Harry Quackenbush, manager of the Bush & Lane Piano Co., and Herbert G. Reed, president of the Reed, French Piano Co. Finance: J. J. Collins, of Collins & Erwin Piano Co., chairman; L. D. Heater, of the L. D. Heater Co., and B. R. Brassfield, manager of Wiley B. Allen & Co. Entertainment: Warren A. Erwin, of Collins & Erwin Piano' Co., chairman; Frank Lucas, of Seiberling & Lucas Music Co., and W. A. McDougall, of the McDougall-Conn Music Co. The association then adopted unanimously two recommendations of the executive committee. First that a minimum charge of $10.00 be made for the erection of an antennae and second that when a radio sale was made a coupon be given the purchasers entitling them to three free service calls after the sale. This to correct an abuse of the privilege by many prospective buyers. The addition of the 5 per cent carrying charge on radio, phonographs and musical merchandise was discussed and adopted to go into effect June 1, and the executive secretary instructed to send a copy of the rule to all the dealers in Oregon. It was also decided to hold a Statewide meeting during the Portland Rose Festival June 15 to 20 w hen many of the up-State dealers would be in the city attending the Festival. Ii was also announced that the Association would hold a joint music and radio show early this Fall in connection with the Radio Association. Persons from all parts of Oregon, Washing ton, Idaho and California, numbering 300, sent in answers to the Atwater Kent Music Memory Contest, broadcast through radio station KGW, The Morning Oregonian, sponsored by the Sunset Electric Co., the Atwater Kent distributor for Portland. A series of three concerts was broadcast, one week apart, at which time fifteen p:ano numbers -were played. First prize, a complete Atwater Kent five-tube set was awarded Arnold Leduc, whose list contained thirty-seven correct titles out of the forty-five selections b oadcast. A four-tube set was given for second prize, an Atwater Kent de luxe loud speaker for third, loud speakers for fourth and fifth prizes, and an Atwater Kent phonograph radio attachment for sixth prize. Music houses cooperating with the Sunset Electric Co. were the McCormick Music Co., the Hyatt Music Co. and the G. F. Johnson Piano Co. The Victrola and radio departments of Sherman, Clay & Co. have been consolidated and both placed under the management of Criff Neilson. A new Sherman, Clay & Co. store has been established at Roseburg, Ore., . with Oakly White placed in charge. Charles Soule, district manager of the StanPiano Co., is making an extensive trip in his territory, covering all of Oregon, Washington and Idaho. In making the swing of his circuit Mr. Soule sends in numerous reports to his local office, with piano business being exceptionally brisk and Starr phonographs and Gen nett records showing a steady gain. Mr. Soule expects to return in time to straighten out his local business before leaving for Los Angeles, where he will attend the Western Music Trades convention. Freda Hempel, famed coloratura soprano and exclusive Edison artist, presented a "Jenny Lihd" costume concert at the municipal auditorium, May 14. The Ross-Woodman Furniture Co. of Astoria, Ore., has been appointed Columbia representative, according to a report of Randall Barglett, district manager of the Columbiv. Phonograph Co. Mr. Barglett states that the trade is receiving the new Columbia radio attachments for phonographs with enthusiasm. Business is extremely brisk in phonographs and records. Carl Jones has been placed in charge of the piano department of the Hyatt Music Co. and the phonograph and radio departments placed under William Bartlett. William D. Fenton, Jr., general manager of the Seiberling, Lucas Music Co., is receiving the sympathy of his friends on the death of his father, William D. Fenton. Fourth Edition of "Opera at Home" Is Issued From the Gramophone Co., Ltd., London, Eng., The Talking Machine World is in receipt of the fourth edition of "Opera at Home," in which the stories of one hundred and fifty-six operas are briefed for the information of music lovers, together with short biographies of the composers and the index numbers of "His Master's Voice" records as they are sung in the operas. An interesting preface by Sir Hugh Allen, president of the Royal College of Music, appears and the book is profusely illustrated with photographs of the leading operatic artists. E. G. Browne Moves E. G. Browne, who has operated Browne's Music Shop in Hackensack, N. J., for the past two years, is moving to a more central location at 142 Main street, that city. The Browne Shop is known as "Hackensack's Music Center." The new home will be one of the most attractive retail shops in the city and will handle a line of high-grade pianos, Victor -talking machines, quality radio products and a complete line of sheet music. Fire recently destroyed the entire stock of phonographs, records and radios at the Music Shop, Princeton, N. J. The amount of the loss is placed at $20,000.