The talking machine world (Jan-June 1928)

Edison Phonograph in Far Corners of the World Instruments Entertaining and Educating Civilized Peoples and Untutored Savages MUSIC is hailed as the universal language, for although various nationalities and various races may have their own particular ideas as to what constitutes acceptable music, nevertheless, they all use music as a medium for the expression of their emotions and their temperaments. The international character of the demand for musical instruments of American make alone may be accepted as proof of the universality of the art. But beyond the simple catering to the musical desires of the peoples of the world, there is to be found an abundance of romance not only in supplying the media for the production and reproduction of that music, but in making permanent records of the songs of the peoples in far distant places. It is in this dual role of benefactor and historian that the Edison phonograph has found its way into the far corners of the world, and there is The Peculiar' Costume hardly a country, civilized or uncivilized, in which that instrument is not widely known. Not so long ago there appeared in the newspapers the thrilling adventures of the DutchAmerican-New Guinea Expedition in exploring new and unknown territories in the East Indies, and in this work of exploration the Edison pho smiles would appear as some popular Broadway ragtime singer would render a negro ditty. The instrument and records were furnished by the Batavia branch of Messrs. Larsen, DeVrey & Co., Edison distributors for the Dutch East Indies. A recording outfit made possible over 200 records of native songs and dialects recorded by the expedition. The Edison distrib Listening to Broadway in the Jungle of the Natives Consists of Woven Strands of Rattan Worn utors were quick to give publicity to the choice of the expedition for the Edison phonograph by publishing rather unique advertisements featuring the fact in the local newspapers. One of the ads is sufficiently interesting to reproduce as an example of the up-to-date publicity employed in a tropical country situated right under the Equator. From the jungle of New Guinea to South Africa is not a long jump in the minds of many, for Africa has always been associated with stories of mysterious wilderness de Establishment of C. Alkan, Inc., Manila, P. I. ceive a shock when looking at the pretentious building that houses the business of C. Alkan, Inc., Edison distributors in Manila, for here is a modern city with a population of over 300,000. From this center Edison products are distributed throughout the islands. Coming closer to Broadway there are to be found the attractive premises of the Cia. Fonografica Mexicana on Av. 16 De Septiemhre, No. 26, Mexico City, distributors of Edison phonographs in the Republic of Mexico, and maintaining branches in a number of the large cities of the republic. The native Cuban, like most of his Spanishspeaking prototypes, is musical by nature, and his island, "the Pearl of the Antilles," is among the largest customers of the United States for musical instruments of all kinds. In Havana and as a Body Protection other large cities there are many establishments promoting the sale of phonographs and records of all descriptions, and the fact that their merchandising methods are similar to those employed in this country will surprise many. As an example, the illustration on the next page represents one corner of the demonstration rooms of Compania Harris, S. A., distributors of Edison phonographs and records in the City of Havana. The building is a modern structure in the heart of the city with ample show windows and up-to-date merchandising facilities. We in America are accustomed to pretentious business establishments for the distribution of musical instruments, yet there are to be found in other countries business houses Interior View of Premises Occupied by Cia. F tributors of Edison Phonographs in nograph played a most interesting and exceedingly important part. The Dutch members of the expedition were primarily interested in mapping out the unknown district, while the American members of the party were chiefly concerned in collecting anthropological and other data regarding the pigmy and other tribes of which little was known. Part of the equipment of the expedition was an Edison phonograph which not only gave relaxation to members of the party, but was used in interesting experiments in observing the reaction of the half-wild native tribes to modern music. Rather curious, according to Dr. Leroux, a member of the party, was the fact that "coon" songs made a greater impression on these people than instrumental music or foxtrots. Eyes would light up in wonderment, and onografica Mexicana, DisMexico City spite the _fact that there has developed in many quarters of the continent a high standard of civilization. There is Johannesburg, for instance, associated in history with the Boer War, and to a certain extent with the diamond mines. Here one is led to think of London because of many similar characteristics in the layout and construction of the city, and among the reminders are the buses of the London type, carrying on the front the Edison phonograph advertisement. Those who regard the Philippine Islands more or less in the light of a great jungle will re Reception Room of H. W. K. de Brey & Co., The Hague, Holland that may be described as veritable temples of music, as, for example, that of H. W. K. deBrey & Co., of The Hague, Holland, distributors for the Edison throughout the Netherlands. The company maintains branches also in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, the establish(Continued on page 43) 42