Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
MAY
10, 1919
GEO. KELLY CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY IN TRADE
Manager of the Record Ordering, Stock and Traffic Department of the New York Talking Machine
Co. a Real Veteran of the Industry—Silver Service From A. D. Geissler
Members of the local trade will be interested
to know that George Kelly, one of the veterans
of the Victor industry, celebrated recently his
twentieth anniversary with the New York Talk-
ing Machine Co., Victor wholesaler. Mr. Kelly
occupies the important post of manager of the
record ordering, stock and traffic departments
for this company, and he has filled this respon-
sible position with signal success. His execu-
tive ability, his tact, his intensive knowledge of
the business and his inherent sense of loyalty
"boss" of the shipping room, Mr. Kelly de-
veloped a keen sense of appreciation of music,
and a phenomenal knowledge of the Victor rec-
ord catalog.
By appreciation of music is meant that he
formed the happy faculty of being able to judge
in what proportion any particular selections
would be welcomed Uy the public. Perhaps he
has no musical ability. We don't know if he
plays a ukulele or a bass drum—or neither—or
both. If he has any harmony in him it is still
there, because no one has ever heard it come
out—but when he discusses records, sales meth-
ods, or anything pertaining to the betterment of
the Victor business, the dealers listen to him
as eagerly as if he were the greatest artist under
contract.
In conclusion, we may add that West Con-
cord, Vt., can well be proud of George Kelly,
for it was in that city on August 26, 1878, that
he arrived at the home of George Alfred Kelly.
FOREIGN TRADE OPPORTUNITIES
Chance for Expansion in the Countries of Eu-
rope Now Passing Through Critical Period
of National Reconstruction
George Kelly
to all things Victor have made him invaluable
to the industry and respected and esteemed by
all the dealers in the East.
As an evidence of the high regard in which
he is held"by the New York Talking Machine
Co., Arthur D. Geissler, president of this com-
pany, made a presentation to Mr. Kelly of a
very handsome solid silver service. The employes
of Mr. Kelly's own particular division presented
him with a beautiful cut glass smoking set, as
a mark of the affection and admiration they
have for their "chief."
George Kelly came up from the ranks and the
large measure of success that he has achieved
in the Victor industry can be attributed to his
conscientious work, unfailing ambition, zeal and
loyalty. As he has progressed in the Victor in-
dustry, so has he progressed in the hearts of his
friends, for year after year George Kelly has
gained new friends until to-day he can proudly
point to a legion of true friends in all walks of
life.
On April 9, 1899, Mr. Kelly went to work for
Maguire Bacaus, the first distributor of Victor
products in New York City. Afterwards the
firm's name was changed to the Victor Distrib-
uting Export Co., which has since become the
New York Talking Machine Co.
His twenty years in the Victor business dat-
ing since that time are replete with unusual ex-
periences. For the beginner to-day the busi-
ness is easy compared to the olden times.
Kelly had no one to teach him. No one solved
his problems nor pointed out the easy way of
doing things. He was his own teacher—and he
did a wonderful job of it.
While working as a packer he studied con-
stantly to fit himself for a bigger field. He
never was a dreamer. He is too practical for
that. But he is a thinker. Often, while nailing
up packing boxes, he "rapped" himself on the
fingers with the hammer because he had sudden-
ly thought of a new method of stocking records
or a more efficient system of filling orders
promptly.
^ "•*
This continual concentration on ideas 'Which
made for the betterment of the business even-
tually won for him the position of shipping
clerk and superintendent of the stockrooms. In
addition to being a conscientious, hard working
The talking machine is strictly the child of
American ingenuity and is one of our many
products which is gaining high favor in every
part of the world. The countries of Europe
which have brought forth so many musical mas-
terpieces and have had more opportunity to de-
velop the musical genius than our newer land
are coming to realize the value of the talking
machine in making it possible for every man,
rich or poor, to have the best music in his own
home.
In the larger countries, which are firmly es-
tablished and enjoy the security of a well-
founded government, the introduction of the
talking machine has been followed by a steadily
growing demand. In the other countries, es-
pecially those in which the peoples are under-
going the upheavals incident to the struggle for
democratic ideals, there is a good field for the
enterprising manufacturer who is progressive
enough to do and dare in the present instead of
holding back and waiting for the millennium.
To primitive peoples music is necessary in
helping the soul to find its true level, as is evi-
denced by the great songs which have come
from races fighting for their very existence. The
power of music can sway the multitude, and it
takes but little imagination to glimpse the possi-
bilities of the talking machine in such a coun-
try.
Today the talking machine ranks with any
other musical instrument, and is well able to
compete for final honors.
How You Can
Safely Increase
Your Income
Piano merchants, who have
not investigated the talking
machine field, will find that
the subject is one of deep
interest to them and they
will also learn that talking
machines constitute a line
which can be admirably
blended with piano selling.
The advance that has been
made in this special field
has been phenomenal and
every dealer who desires
specific information con-
cerning talking machines
should receive The Talking
Machine World regularly.
This is the oldest publica-
tion in America devoted
exclusively to the interests
of the talking machine, and
each issue contains a vast
fund of valuable informa-
tion which the talking
machine jobbers and dealers
say is worth ten times the
cost of the paper to them.
NEW MUSIC STORE IN GREENSBORO
Piedmont Piano Co. Will Handle Large Stock
of Grafonolas and Records—Baby Popularity
Contest Starts and Attracts Much Interest
GREENSBORO, N. C, May 5.—The Piedmont
Piano Co. has opened a new store and will en-
gage in a general musical instrument business,
handling the Columbia Grafonola and Columbia
records, as well as the Lester piano. As an in-
ducement to get everyone in the city to visit
the store a prize of a piano is offered for the
winner of the baby popularity contest. Every
customer-coming to the store is asked to de-
posit his vote for the baby of his choice, and
the..*winner will be rewarded by an instrument
from tfecompany's warerooms.
The nfiW-iteoncern has been incorporated under
the Ta^fSL^of Michigan, and the officers are: H.
S. Leete, .president; J. F. Moore, vice-president
and local manager; L. R. Rich, secretary, and
W. W. Crocker, treasurer.
You can receive the paper
regularly at a cost of $2.00
a year and we know of no
manner in which $2.00 can
be expended which will
supply as much valuable
information.
EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Inc.
Publisher
'
373 Fourth Ave.
NEW YORK