Presto

PRESTO
January 29, 1920.
33
THE
TALKING MACHINE THE ELLIS
News of the Week in the Phonograph Field
TALK=MACHINEOR PHONOGRAPH
When the marvel of a machine that could
talk first appeared it was natural to call the
automatic wonder-worker a "talking machine."
That's just what it was.
But now that the machine has graduated
from the primary class, and become a recog-
nized member of the art community, it no
longer deserves to be classed as merely a ma-
chine that talks. For it can now do so many
other things that the talking, in parrot fashion,
is the least of its accomplishments.
Therefore the phonograph is entitled to its
more comprehensive title. In the dictionary the
word is recorded as meaning "an instrument
for recording and reproducing speech, music,
etc." And the "etc." covers very much. For
the modern phonograph reproduces every
sound in nature and art. It re-creates the phe-
nomenal pianism of a Gabrilowitsch or Godow-
sky, and it thrills again with the wonderful
voice and expression of a Schumann-Heink,
Mary Garden or Galli-Curci. It brings again
the swiftest keyboard flight of the greatest
pianist, and the most delicate nuance of the
most perfect violinist. There is no sound of
woods or field that can not be frozen into the
phonograph disc by the imitative faculties of.
man, and the future years will know the pow-
ers of the artists of today whose forms they
may never see.
So that "talking machine" is no more the
name of the phonograph today than it is the
proper descriptive name of man—or even
woman! That's why so many of the manufac-
turers are getting away from the old-time
nomenclature. In time it is probable that there
may be no such generic name as "talking ma-
chine." Phonographs will be more and more
in use and, as an industry and trade, their pro-
duction and sale will increase. For the phono-
graph is one of the things the world needs. It
helps to make life worth living, and nothing on
this earth can have a better mission than that.
PUBLIC LIBRARY PHONOGRAPH
Made to Fit Any Phonograph
instructive lectures are illustrated with the
aid of talking machine records.
AN IDEA EXCHANGE
At the gatherings of men of the music trades
in New York will be many who will talk talk-
ing machine topics. The Hotel Commodore
and Grand Central Palace will have a good
sprinkling of enthusiasts who cannot keep
from talking talking machine, so that by just
keeping his ears open the most bashful phono-
graph dealer cannot help imbibing wisdom.
One of the main advantages of the con-
vention of any trade is the opportunity it af-
fords for the free circulation of ideas. The
sharing of ideas points to the successful solu-
tion of local problems and leads the way to
the proper handling of somewhat bigger na-
tional problems. The growing and active talk-
ing machine trade has, and will continue to
have, its problems which will have to be de-
bated wisely, and solved carefully and cor-
rectly, if the trade and industry are to con-
tinue on a safe and stable basis.
So it is the plain duty of every talking ma-
chine man who attends the convention of the
music trades in New York to impart to others
his logical ideas concerning the trade. In that
way many a piano man with a growing talk-
ing machine department will be enabled to
imbibe lots of valuable suggestions.
COLUMBIA BUYS PROPERTY
Site of Old Mansion of the Late A. T. Stewart Se-
cured and Additions Planned.
The Columbia Graphophone Company has pur-
chased the Columbia Trust Company Building, the
one-time site of the residence of the late A. T.
Stewart, at the northwest corner of Fifth Avenue
and 34th Street. Max N. Natanson, the seller, ac-
quired the property, which is known as 360 and 362
Fifth Avenue, from the trust company on November
25 last. The property has a frontage of 61.9 feet in
the avenue and 100 feet in the street, and was re-
ported to have been held at $3,000,000. The buying
company will immediately commence the erection of
a nine-story addition 1 to the present structure and
will occupy many of the floors as executive offices,
etc. The trust company will retain possession of
the lower portion of the building.
The original building was designed by McKim,
Mead & White, and this firm of architects is prepar-
ing plans for the alteration. The foundations are
strong enough to permit this change in the height.
It is estimated that the improvement will involve
abotrt $1,000,000. Byrne & Bowman were the bro-
kers in the resale.
Public library boards here and there
throughout the country are showing greater
interest in the music department of the li-
braries. The attention, however, is just as
much as the local conditions warrant or the
users of the public libraries demand. In fact
the importance of the music department in the
PHONOGRAPHS IN MUSIC SHOW.
libraries is in equal ratio to the requirements
As will be seen by the list on another page, of ex-
of the citizens. Librarians as a rule make their hibitors at the Music Show in New York, February
the phonograph industry is largely represented.
personal attitude conform to the wishes of the 2-7,
And the displays will include those of some of the
communities. That is a fact that some keenly important industries. Tt will pay all visitors in New
observant talking machine dealers in some York to go to Grand Central Palace during the
Music Show for the purpose of examining into the
progressive although not very big cities take claims of the exhibitors and their products. Num-
into consideration to their own and the pub- bers of the booths occupied by the various displays
accompany the list of names.
lic's advantage.
The music lovers and musicians had suc-
NEW FACTORY FOR ACME.
ceeded in having installed a department of
The Acme Engineering & Manufacturing Com-
works on music and music for reference pur- pany, now at 1622 Fulton street, Chicago, will move
poses. Then the talking machine men pointed on March 1 into a new building at 355 Union Park-
Chicago. The company is spending $50,000
out the incompleteness of the department court,
in new equipment for the manufacture of its Acme
without an effective music producing instru-. Speed Indicator, "the repairman's stethoscope" and
ment. They had phonographs added to the also ils Xeedle Holder and Microphone. The Acme
test with the drag of the needle throughout
equipment. Now the most interesting and allows
the length of the record.
In producing a Musical Instru-
ment that will serve its intended
purpose, great care must be ex-
ercised as to the alliance of good
and useful improvements; you
will then be assured of a per-
manent and profitable business.
The Ellis will transform
your phonograph into a
Musical Instrument.
Ellis Reproducer Co.
Powers BIdg.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.
"Hear That Tone"
A MOTTO JUSTIFIED BY
ACHIEVEMENT
The remarkable clarity of tone re-
production which characterizes all
FUEHR & STEMMER
PHONOGRAPHS
is due to the PERFECTED TONE
CHAMBER which, with the in-
genious TONE MODIFIER lifts
these instruments far above other
talking machines.
Write for particulars.
BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL CABI-
NETS WITH PIANO FINISH.
Make your Talking Machine De-
partment pay.
FUEHR & STEMMER PIANO CO.
Chicago, III.
"Guesswork Won't Do"
"The
repair-
man's
Stetho- *
scope."
—The ACME allows test with
the drag of the needle throughout
the length of the
record.
*=
Acme Speed Indicator
—is precision made.
—clears the tone arm.
—locates
motor
troubles.
—registers 78 and 80
revolutions.
Made by
The Acme Engineering & Mfe. Co.
1622 Fulton St.
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CHICAGO
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