The talking machine world (Jan-June 1928)

so The Talking Machine World, New York, February, 1928 Increased Business Creates Optimism Throughout the Kansas City Territory Dealers and Wholesalers Report Satisfactory B usiness as the New Year Gets Under WayCombination and Higher-Priced Talking Machines and Radio Sets Lead the Demand Kansas City, Mo., February 7. — January closed here with the talking machine dealers reporting sales for the month ahead of January a year ago, and all dealers predict a good year for phonographs and radios during 1928. The past year was on the whole an improvement over 1926 in the experience of most of the retail houses in this city. Paul's Music Shop has had a nice increase in sales of machines during January over January a year ago, and believes that the volume for the month will exceed January, 1927, by a good margin. Combination Orthophonies and Radiolas are receiving the most attention at this time at Paul's. The new Victor Herbert record set is expected by Paul's to be the biggest thing of its kind of the year. They are already taking advance orders at $7.50 for the complete set of five records. O. D. Standke, of Standke's Music Shop, reports a fine Christmas business, with exceptional activity in the higher-priced Orthophonies and combinations. January has been a very good month with the Brusnwick-Balke-Collender Co.'s branch here, according to T. H. Condon, head of the phonograph division. Although there is no large demand at this time, Mr. Condon looks for a fine year in the phonograph line during 1928. The new PR 17-8 with electric operation is being well received in this territory, as well as the new prices on the Valencia at $175 and the P-ll at $550. Record business since Christmas has kept up surprisingly well, according to H. H. Dickson, of the Brunswick branch. Radios and Columbia phonographs are enjoying a brisk demand at this time, according to the Sterling Radio Co. C. M. Willis, sales manager, stated the demand for radio is above normal for this season of the year, and they expect a good volume of business on radio until well into the Spring. The Columbia-Kolster combination is rapidly gaining ground in this territory, according to the experience of the Sterling Co., and they are stressing more than ever at this time the Columbia line, opening up several new dealer accounts. The Queen City Electric Co., of Sedalia, Mo.; Trenton Music Co., of Trenton, Mo., and the Maryville Drug Co., of Maryville, Mo., are three new Columbia accounts recently opened by the Sterling Co. The Jones Store phonograph department reports a very good Christmas business, and brisk activity in talking machines and records since Sherman, Clay & Go. Buy Allen Go. Northern Chain Coast Music House Buys Wiley B. Allen Co. Branches in San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, Stockton, Fresno and San Jose San Francisco, Cal., February 4. — The largest and most important deal ever made in the music trades on the Pacific Coast was completed on February 1, when Sherman, Clay & Co. took over the northern California interests of the Wiley B. Allen Co., in a purchase that involved approximately $1,000,000. The stores which were transferred to Sherman, Clay & Co. include those in San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, Stockton, San Jose and Fresno. The properties were taken over with the organiza the holiday season. According to Miss J. M. Poynter, head of the department, they have enjoyed a fine demand for the new ColumbiaKolster combination instrument. At the recent meeting of the Kolster Dealer Club H. H. Southgate, sales manager of the merchandising division of Federal Brandes, Inc., was the principal speaker, talking on the future of Kolster during 1928. W. E. Miller, of the Butler Music Co.; H. C. Bonfig, of Sterling Radio Co., and C. M. Willis, also of the Sterling Co., were speakers at the dinner meeting. More than 100 dealers from this territory were present. The hook-up of the Columbia broadcasting chain with a Kansas City broadcasting station, KMBC, on February 1, is considered an outstanding radio event in this section. An involuntary petition in bankruptcy was filed here in January against the American Auto & Radio Mfg. Co., which operates four stores in this city, under the name of the Big Radio Stores. E. L. Foutch, formerly of the B-R Electric Co., of this city, has been appointed receiver for the concern. tions intact and are being run under the Sherman-Clay name. Frank Anyrs, general manager of the Wiley B. Allen Co., stated regarding the company's withdrawal from the music business in central and northern California: "Our music business is to be merged with that of Sherman, Clay & Co." The Southern branches of the Allen Co. are not included in the sale. Sherman, Clay & Co. have branches in all the cities where they purchased Allen branches. Sherman, Clay & Co. will continue the Allen Co.'s store in San Francisco until the conclusion of the lease, the date of which has not been announced. Many progressive retailers are resorting to outside selling to increase sales volume of radio receiving sets. Canvassing is proving a valuable business producer. THE NEW VERAPHONIC VINCENNES PHONOGRAPHS Instruments of rarest tonal quality, they incorporate the new Veraphonic principle and important amplifying discoveries of Vincennes engineers. Employing its own individual reproducer, entirely developed in its own laboratories, the Veraphonic offers reproduction of music that cannot be approached by any other mechanical phonograph. The diaphragm used is specially constructed of three concentric layers of MICA, and will not crystallize under vibrations. Model No finish : dimensions: equipment: erta 110 Console Mahogany or Walnut. 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