The talking machine world (July-Dec 1926)

76 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD October 15, 1926 Increased Sales Activity Marks First Weeks of Fall Season in Toledo Field Annual Style Show and Radio Exposition Draws Crowds — Frazelle Store Expands Talking Machine Department by Addition of New Line — Artists' Appearances Create Sales Toledo, O., October 7. — The first weeks of Fall have produced much activity in phonograph and radio houses. A good share of this speeding up is no doubt due to the new lines of merchandise added, the increase in sales staff's and the widening of store policies. The Woman's Style Show and Radio Exposition at the Armory Building is daily drawing crowds to see the styles and to learn what a woman should knowabout radio. W. Bear, director, says it's the greatest show of its kind held here and merchants are giving it their hearty support. The concert season opens with Sousa and his band shortly. Dealers will exploit records in connection with this artist as well as future performers. Ray Miller and His Brunswick Orchestra sold many records for dealers during their stay here. The Frazelle Music House — one of the strongest general music stores in the city — was granted a Victor franchise recently. As a result a new department in charge of Gladys Mumma, with Esther Gotchell as assistant, has been opened in the store. Columbia and Sonora lines are also handled here. Another new item of merchandise is the Atwater Kent radio. Frank H. Frazelle, president, stated that with the addition of the lines the store will launch an aggressive sales campaign. Harry L. Gatschall is a new member of the staff. At the Lion Store Music Rooms Brunswick and Victor records and machines are selling ahead of last year, according to Lawson S. Talbert, manager. The department has a booth at the Radio Show, where new types of phonographs are demonstrated. A feature which is selling additional records here is a daily cash prize awarded to the sales girl with the highest unit sales and a push record prize for each week. The outside salesmen are given a cash prize if two Credenzas are sold during the week. Several thousand circulars announcing the opening of the Christmas Club were mailed with statements to customers. RoUand Smenner, formerly with Wolf & Dessauer Co., Fort Wayne, Ind., and well-known to the trade, has joined forces with the house. In the radio section trade is above last year, Doyle Wyre, manager, stated. He recently at tended the Radio World's Fair in New York. He believes indications are for the biggest radio season on record. ."^t the J. W. Greene Co. the house is attaining marked success with the Panatrope, also with the Orthophonic and Panatrope combinations. Trade has opened up so briskly that in the opinion of Manager E. A. Kopf it will be a question of getting sufficient merchandise to take care of the demand. He recently attended the Atwater Kent dealers' meeting in Cleveland, where a number of speakers, including Allen McQuish, Gordon McNamar, V. W. Collamore and R. E. Humphries gave dealers valuable sales information and tips. Mrs. Kopf attended the ladies' sessions. An elaborate banquet was served the visitors. On the return trip a truck wrecked the Kopf car. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kopf suffered cuts and bruises, but were not seriously injured. The Toledo Radio Co. is making an important announcement to dealers. The Sparton light socket radio has been taken on. It is said to have extraordinary volume and is the only machine with one exception using the new A. C. tubes. Chas. H. WomeldorflE, president, stated that although the new merchandise has been shown to only a few dealers all, without exception, have placed substantial orders. It is made by the Sparks-Withington Co., Jackson, Mich., which is making every effort to supply the demand already in sight. Twent^'-five jobbers attended the factory announcement meeting recently. At the Goosman Piano Co. Fall demand ha-; stimulated the call for Columbia machines and records. Miss lona Thompson reported. A drive has been launched for new business at both the Toledo and Bryan stores. C. E. Everingham is a new member of the sales staff. The Cable Piano Co. attracted unusual interest lately through its Panatrope concerts. These were conducted every afternoon and evening as a feature of "Panatrope Week." A large number of blanks for the Brunswick $5,000 prize slogan and title for new machines were distributed to visitors. Manager A. F. Maag stated the event stimulated interest in machine^ and combinations. The Hayes Music Co. reports greater activity in Edison phonographs and DeForest radios. Nicholas Baertschi, manager, attended the Edison dealer meeting at the Hotel Hollenden, Cleveland, recently. He is much enthused over the new forty-minute record and the four new Edison models, likewise the transformer which will bring old type machines up to date. Aug. Rolle has joined forces with the house. Flightner's Music Store made a special effort during the past month to prepare for obtaining its full share of Fall and Winter business on Columbia Viva-tonal phonographs and New Process Columbia records. All of the available Viva-tonal models are now on display in the store. Walter Bryan & Son, London, O., have recently featured the old fiddle, guitar, banjo, accordion, ha 'monica and such like tunes listed in the Columbia Old Familiar Tunes catalog, with gratifying number of sales resulting. K. F. Mocek, Toledo Columbia dealer, is closing an increased record business with the NewProcess Columbia Polish discs. The new models are well received here. Don O. Flightner, Columbia representative for Toledo and territory South, reports an awakening of trade throughout his district. The new records and machines are winning newfriends every day. Mrs. Flightner is sojourning in California with relatives and friends. Panatrope Is Installed in Kent House, Quebec Picturesque and Famous Old Canadian Hostelry Has Special Model of Panatrope for Amusement of Guests The Kent House, of ^Montmorency Falls, Quebec, Canada, is one of the most picturesque Special Panatrope at Kent House and famous old hostelries in the Dominion, has been at one time the original home of the Canadian Governor General and has been in constant use for one hundred and fifty years, deriving its name from its former occupant in 1791— H. R. H. The Duke of Kent, the former Que?n Victoria's father. It is now used as a Summer hotel. Its natural conservative policies v,-ere completely swept aside when H. R. Braid, in charge of Brunswick activities in Eastern Canada, demonstrated a Panatrope and pointed out its advantages for use in the Kent House. The managers were completely won over by the musical quality of the instrument and immediately made preparation to have one installed for the amusement of guests. At special request the instrument v.as mounted on wheels to permit its ready transportation through the famous rooms where royalty once trod. Maynard Music Co. Holds Formal Opening of Store Salisbury, N. C, October 4. — The formal opening of the new home of the Maynard !Music Co., at 201 South Main street, was held recently and several hundred visitors were entertained. This house was conducted for a long time at 224 South Main street under the name of Maynard Bros. With the change of name, J. R. Maynard remains as head of the concern and is in active charge of the establishment. SALESMEN WANTED Salesmen of highest standard in past performance and good standing, and who understand the retail Radio and Music Dealer angle — and who have a trade following — communicate with us at once. To those who CAN QUALIFY the future possibilities are unlimited. While we'd enjoy hearing from all aspirants ■ — you will be saving your time and ours by not applying unless your past experience has been as above specified. Give full particulars in first letter. Address — General Sales Manager BELL & HOWELL COMPANY 1805 Larchmont Avenue CHICAGO