The talking machine world (Jan-June 1927)

78 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD March, 1927 JOHN H. WILSON, Manager 324 WASHINGTON ST., BOSTON, MASS. aOTON ENGLAND Introduction of Automatic Orthophonic and Beethoven Week Interest the Trade New England Dealers See and Hear New Victor Instrument at Luncheon Meeting — Plans Under Way for Active Participation in Beethoven Centennial Celebration — Other News Boston, Mass., March 8. — The new Automatic Orthophonic Victrola, which runs continuously for an hour, playing twelve different selections, was formally introduced to the New England dealers at a luncheon at the new University Club a few days ago. Allan Steinert was toastmaster at the luncheon and from the Victor personnel there were present James A. Frye and Stephen Pratt, Ivan H. Purinton, of the Victor engineering department, and R. A. Bartley, Jr. Frank Crumit, of the "Queen High" company playing in this city, was present, and so was Jack Renard and His Orchestra, and selections from the recordings of both of these were played. Mr. Bartley described the new instrument and stated that it would not be placed on the market until March 21. The new instrument was previously demonstrated in Portland, Me., and from Boston it was taken to Providence, and later to Hartford, Conn., and to Burlington, Vt. There were about 200 at the Boston luncheon. Active in Behalf of Beethoven Week J. A. Hodge, special representative of the Beethoven centennial committee, which is headed by George Eastman, chairman, has been in town and doing some most effective work toward creating an interest in the forthcoming anniversary, which is to be so widely observed. Mr. Hodge has been able to organize local musical interests in the chief New England centers, all of whom will play a big part in their respective districts, so that the week of March 20 promises to be something out of the ordinary in musical annals. Local newspapers have given considerable space to the event. While making his headquarters for the time being in Boston Mr. Hodge has done considerable traveling about New England. Brunswick Settled in New Home Manager Harry Spencer has now got his new Brunswick quarters at 314-316 Stuart street fairly well settled though naturally there are many minor things to be straightened out. ■II Mr. Spencer kept open house informally on Thursday, February 24, for it happened that there were many talking machine dealers in town for another occasion, and a large number of them, as soon as they saw the Brunswick Co.'s new sign stretched across the front of the building, were moved to cross the threshold and congratulate the Brunswick distributor in his new environment. The guests were treated to a demonstration of the Brunswick Panatrope, although practically all of them were already more or less familiar with the instrument; and a happy conclusion of the impromptu reception was that many orders were left behind for early delivery. Sidney Schwartz, the official demonstrator for the Panatrope, is kept busy visiting sales conferences and familiarizing Brunswick dealers with this new merchandising item. Charles Johnson in New Post Charles Johnson, for some time associated with the Eastern Talking Machine Co. at the Essex street headquarters, has severed his relations with the house and accepted a position with the American Bosch Magneto Corp., for which he began work on March 1. His place at the Eastern has been taken by Emmet Ryan, who also has been with the company for several years. Columbia Records by Irish Artists Manager Bjll Parks, of the New England department of the Columbia Co., has just returned from New York where he completed arrangements for recordings by some more of New England's popular Irish artists, these including Michael Ahern, James Claffey, the Irish fiddler, who won the contest in Lewiston, Me,, and Walter McNally, who is soon to give a recital here. These records should be available soon. Profitable Tie-ups With Artists Speaking of Columbia, Paul Specht and his associates, Columbia artists, recently appeared at Loew's State Theatre in this city and, during the week of their appearance, the R. H. White IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIW Co. arranged for a concert in its music department at noon, announcing the concert over the radio. The department was crowded to capacity and a splendid business in records by this group was the result of the concert. Another Columbia artist whose sale of records has been large is Ted Lewis, who has been appearing in Boston and Springfield. A Clever Window Display The Italian Book Store, Columbia dealer in New Britain, Conn., lately had a novel window that attracted a good deal of attention and was the means of selling many records of the selection "Fire." It was a small cardboard house equipped with electric lights and a fan inside so that the effect was of a house ablaze. Features Beethoven Week The March number of The Phonograph Monthly Review, of which mention has been made in several previous issues of The Talking Machine World, is out to-day. It is a Beethoven centennial number and is as artistically gotten up as has been every issue. Successful Phonograph Society The Providence (R. I.) Phonograph Society bids fair to be a big success and its roster of officers is as follows: President, J. Harvey Barber; vice-president, Mrs. Marion L. Misch;. secretary, A. P. DeWeese, and treasurer, Walter Briggs. It is of special interest that now there are eight of these societies functioning. Last week one was formed in New York City, one is about to be formed even in Bermuda, and shortly there will be one in Cleveland. The Boston society's next meeting will be held on Thursday evening, March 24, at the new Brunswick headquarters at 314-316 Stuart street and it will be a Beethoven centennial concert. Excellent Outlook for Sonora The Sonora business, according to Manager Joe Burke, was not as good in February as was hoped for, but there were sufficient orders ahead to warrant the feeling that March was to make a good showing. Mr. Burke has a well-mappedout policy which he is planning to closely follow this year. The new Sonora models arc highly regarded by dealers. Drayton-Erisman, Inc., moved the first of the month from 34 Avery street to 128 Summer street. The company is' now negotiating for the Starr talking machine line. Another Victor Year The year promises to set a new high mark in Victor production and distribution and the dealer who handles the Orthophonic Victrola and the Victor Orthophonic records enjoys an opportunity limited only by his efforts. Proper service is the first requisite toward capitalizing this great opportunity and this means the Ditson sort of service with its facilities and the long experience back of it. Victor Exclusively Oliver Ditson Go. BOSTON Chas. 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