The talking machine world (Jan-June 1928)

JOHN HAVILSON, Manager 324WASHINGTON ST.,BOSTON,MASS iflOSTON ENGLAND Distributors Covering the New England Field Report Increased Demand by Trade Twenty Per Cent Gain Reported by Columbia Branch— Francis D. Pitts Looks for a Busy Year — Business Booming at the J. H. Burke Co. — Changes in the Steinert Co. Boston, Mass., February 8. — The Columbia's New England business was one of those that made as good a showing as any, the increase lor January being about 20 per cent over the corresponding month last year, says Manager Bill Parks. Moreover, he says, the prospects for February are very good. The company is still shipping out from this end the Columbia-Kolsters as fast as they are received. Assistant Manager Flemming, of the Columbia Co., has been confined to his home in Milton for several days with a severe cold and, in fact, Manager Parks himself was somewhat under the weather the latter part of January. Looks for a Good Year "A very substantial year" is the way Francis D. Pitts, president of the F. D. Pitts Co., refers to the accomplishments of this company for 192?, and he further expressed himself by saying that the business was 25 per cent over 1926, and as for the actual increased profit he believed that, too, was considerably in excess of the year before, all this, of course, referring specifically to the Kellogg product, which the Pitts Co. is handling in so large a way. President Pitts during January paid a flying visit to the Kellogg factory in Chicago and was much impressed with the new goods that are to be put on the market this current season. J. H. Burke Co. Busy Business booming — that's what one learns from the J. H. Burke Co., which is making marked progress with the Atwater Kent line. The new 37 AC, one of the specially popular models, is completely wiped out and though two and sometimes three shipments a week are being received the demand continues to exceed the supply. Rather severe weather of late on the water has delayed the arrival of some of the boats, which has meant a delay in the receipt of goods, which is embarrassing because of the insistence of dealers. A week or so ago Joe Burke and his brother, Philadelphia, where they found the outlook for the Atwater Kent line excellent. A visitor to the Burke Co.'s headquarters here a few days ago was Al Araney, the New England field representative for the Atwater Kent Co., who stayed here the better part of a week. Rearranging Its Quarters Because of the rapid development of its radio business, as well as the expansion of its Victor output, the Eastern Talking Machine Co. is entirely rearranging its quarters at 85 Essex street. Manager Alan Steinert is having a new and enlarged private office in the front corner especially for quiet conferences and there are to be new display rooms, as well as new repair quarters and space for parts and accessories. The record racks have been more conveniently located and when the entire interior is completed it will take on an aspect of newness. Regret Leaving of Harry L. Spencer There is general regret in the trade that Harry L. Spencer is quitting Boston, where for a long time he has been the New England manager of the Brunswick Co. More official announcement of Harry's change of company and scene will be found in another part of this issue. Meanwhile there will be a welcome awaiting his successor when he arrives on the scene. Official Changes at Steinert Co Because of the death of Albert M. Steinert, at Providence, a few weeks ago, there has been a rearrangement of officers in the house of M. Steinert & Sons Co., which has handled the Victor product for a long time. Robert S. Steinert, his nephew, and son of Alexander Steinert, becomes president, and Alan Steinert, another nephew and at present in charge of the business of the Eastern Talking Machine Co. here, becomes secretary. Phonograph Society Concert The second Winter's concert of the Music Lovers' Phonograph Society was held at the attendance numbered about fifty. Adolph Berwind presided and gave a talk on the old masters, as well as on some of the new ones; and appropriate selections were played on several makes of Victor, Columbia, Brunswick and other records. The next meeting is to be held at the same place and the date is Friday evening, February 17. Mr. and Mrs. Steinert Sail Alexander Steinert, of the M. Steinert Co., here, sailed a few days ago with Mrs. Steinert tor a several months' visit abroad, a trip up the Nile being one of the features of the itinerary. News Brieflets The concern of Drayton, Erisman, Inc., at 126-128 Summer street, this city, dealers in radio and talking machine supplies, suffered a $500 fire a few days ago. Waring, himself, he of the Pennsylvanians, who are Victor recording artists, appeared last week at Keith's Theatre and entertained a large audience at the warerooms of the C. C. Harvey Co. Winthrop A. Harvey, head of the C. C. Harvey Co., lately returned from a hunting trip into the Carolinas, is preparing for another getaway, this time to Sunny Africa, on which trip he will embark with friends about February 10. Partly because of the illness of Secretary Billy Merrill, the annual meeting of the New England Music Trade Association has been postponed, but it is now likely to be held some time this month. Message of Appreciation The Plaza Music Co., New York City, manufacturer of Pal portable phonographs, Banner, Domino and Regal records, and other merchandise, and distributors of musical merchandise and radio, has mailed this month to the trade "An Appreciation" written in the staccato sentence style made popular by K. C. B. This appreciation calls attention to the fact that it is nineteen years since the Plaza Music Co. began to feature musical merchandise and began to grow. It voices appreciation of the co-operation of the music merchant Tom, the company's sales manager, were in Fenway School Center a week ago and the which made this growth possible. I i i i p I i£3 THE SEASON FOR VICTOR SALES IS OF THE DEALER'S OWN MAKING Every month of the twelve is one of opportunity for the dealer who has a representative stock of Orthophonic Victr6las, Records and Combinations, for public interest and demand is constantly on the increase. Ditson Service Will Keep Your Stock Complete Oliver Ditson Co. BOSTON Chas. H. Ditson & Co. NEW YORK I ft l ft i i ft 1 62