Music Trade Review
Issue: 1920 Vol. 71 N. 20 - Page 48
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48
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
FEATURE PONSFIXE CONCERT
NEGROES AS REDJSEAL BUYERS
Appearance of Famous Columbia Star in Evans-
ville, Ind., Used by Local Dealers to Call
Attention to Her Latest Records
Natural Love for Music Could Be Led Into
Proper Channels by Dealer and Red Seal Rec-
ords Could Be Sold in Place of Usual Blues
EVANSVILLE, IND., November 5.—The local deal-
ers handling Columbia Grafonolas and records
co-operated with the Indianapolis branch of the
Columbia Graphophone Co. in the preparation of
effective publicity incidental to the concert
given by Miss Rosa Ponselle, famous operatic
The question of the relation of the negro trade
to the sale of Red Seal records, especially in
the Southern States, has often been discussed
by talking machine dealers, and opinions seem
to vary widely on the subject. An expression
of views from B. F. Bibighaus, manager of the
Victor department of the Elyea Talking Ma-
chine Co., Victor distributors of Atlanta, Ga.,
will be of interest to members of the trade.
In discussing the negro trade in the South Mr.
Bibighaus said:
"I do not believe anyone has ever tried out
the negro seriously on the Red Seal catalog.
But in spite of haphazard cultivation I have
frequently in my travel run across dealers who
had individual negro customers who were good
and discriminating Red Seal buyers. I have
always contended that the negro should be a
good buyer of Red Seal records, as he is natur-
ally musical and will often buy music before
he will buy bread. It is strange to note that
when the negroes do buy they buy regardless
of tongue. For example, the records I have in
mind were purchases of Galli-Curci's 'La
Capinera' (in Spanish), Elman's 'Kol Nidrei'
and other numbers just as unusual, apparently,
to this class of trade. I believe that if a dealer
catered to the natural cravings of the negro for
'close harmony' and aimed his Red Seal drive
by selecting music distinguished by striking
harmonic treatment he would go far toward
supplementing the present craze for blues by
a more tractable demand for Red Seal and other
records. But, as I said before, I have never
found anyone who has made a determined and
intelligent effort in this direction."
Window Display of Rosa Ponselle Records
soprano and exclusive Columbia artist. The lo-
cal dealers used their windows to advantage and
featured distinctive Ponselle displays which at-
tracted the attention of all passers-by.
J. E. Henderson, who covers this territory for
the Columbia Indianapolis branch, was an im-
portant factor in the presentation of this pub-
licity, and through his efforts several unique dis-
plays were prepared, one of which is shown in
the photograph herewith. The House of Crane,
which featured this window, carefully followed
out the ideas on window display advanced by
Mr. Henderson.
The Ponselle concert was a distinct success
and served to emphasize the fame and re-
nown of this celebrated artist. The local Co-
lumbia dealers were enthusiastic regarding the
stimulative help accorded Ponselle records by
this concert and Miss Ponselle will undoubtedly
visit this city on her next tour through this sec-
tion of the country.
NEW POST FOR THALLMAYER
Appointed Manager of Foreign Record Depart-
ment of General Phonograph Corp.
W. C. Fuhri, general sales manager of the
Okeh record division of the General Phono-
graph Corp., New York, announced this week
the appointment of A. Thallmayer as manager
of the company's foreign record department,
with headquarters at the executive offices, 25
West 45th street, New York City.
Mr. Thallmayer is one of the best known
members of the foreign record language field in
the country, having been associated with the
Columbia Graphophone Co. for over eighteen
years. He served in important executive posi-
tions with this company, both in Europe and
America, and is thoroughly familiar with every
phase of the foreign record language field. Mr.
Thallmayer numbers .among his personal friends
dealers from Coast to Coast who will be glad
to know that he will direct the destinies, of the
Okeh foreign record division.
THE AEOLIAN-VOCALION IN OREGON
Weeks & Orr, Medford, Ore.; H. J. Winters,
Klamath Falls, Ore., and W. C. Crawford, Pen-
dleton, Ore., are numbered among those who
have taken the agency for the Aeolian-Vocalion
in that State recently through the Aeolian Co.
of California.
J. F. TOLLESON AN EDISON DEALER
Well-known Traveler for Atlantic Jobber Buys
Interest in Tolleson & Co., Gaffney, S. C.
Announcement has just been made that J. F.
Tolleson, for a number of years traveling repre-
sentative for Phonographs, Inc., Edison jobbers
in Atlanta, Ga., has purchased an interest in the
firm of J. R. Tolleson & Co., Edison dealers in
Gaffney, S. C, with whom his father has been
associated for many years. Mr. Tolleson's ex-
periences, while visiting Edison dealers through-
out the South, have afforded him every oppor-
tunity to acquaint himself with the proper man-
agement of an Edison dealer's establishment
and will no doubt be reflected in the success
which is expected to attend his latest venture.
DOLLS REALLY TALK THESE DAYS
Tiny Talking Machine Concealed in Body Makes
Final Improvement in Child's Toy
The effort to make a talking doll probably
dates back to the time soon after the first doll
was made. Dolls dug up in the ancient ruins
have been found to have metal strings incor-
porated in their construction, and the inference
is that this was an early effort to make the effigy
emit something like the sound of the human
voice. The perfection of this idea has been
recently attained in the invention of a doll into
the body of which a complete phonograph has
been disposed of. The driving mechanism is con-
tained in the trunk portion of the doll, while the
revolving platform which carries the record is
contained in the head. The flare of the horn is
hidden in the hair, which does not obstruct the
passage of the sound but yet is sufficient to hide
this part of the mechanism. This rear opening of
the head also permits of the changing of the
records as desired.
Consult the universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge for men who desire positions.
NOVEMBER 13,
1920
io double
Vourlncome
and the proposition could be proved
sound from every angle, you wouldn't
hesitate, would you? Of course not,
but do you realize that a talking machine
department can be made to provide
sufficient revenue to take care of the
overhead on your entire establishment ?
Thousands of other retail music
chants have proved the above made
statement true and thousands of retail
music merchants have looked to The
Talking Machine World for guidance
in the matter of selecting the make of
talking machines they would handle, the
way they would map out their talking
machine department, etc.
T h e Talking Machine World is the
oldest and largest trade journal in the
world devoted exclusively to the talking
machine industry. N o w running over
250 pages per issue.
Some book, eh? Yes, and some encyclo-
pedia of the kind of information that
will positively double your income.
Don't miss your chance.
coupon now.
Send in the
TALKING MACHINE WORLD.
373 Fourth Ave., New York City.
Please enter my subscription for one year. I want to
learn how to double my income via a talking machine
department. Bill me $2 at your convenience to cover
cost of same.
Name
Firm
Street
Citv and State
48
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
FEATURE PONSFIXE CONCERT
NEGROES AS REDJSEAL BUYERS
Appearance of Famous Columbia Star in Evans-
ville, Ind., Used by Local Dealers to Call
Attention to Her Latest Records
Natural Love for Music Could Be Led Into
Proper Channels by Dealer and Red Seal Rec-
ords Could Be Sold in Place of Usual Blues
EVANSVILLE, IND., November 5.—The local deal-
ers handling Columbia Grafonolas and records
co-operated with the Indianapolis branch of the
Columbia Graphophone Co. in the preparation of
effective publicity incidental to the concert
given by Miss Rosa Ponselle, famous operatic
The question of the relation of the negro trade
to the sale of Red Seal records, especially in
the Southern States, has often been discussed
by talking machine dealers, and opinions seem
to vary widely on the subject. An expression
of views from B. F. Bibighaus, manager of the
Victor department of the Elyea Talking Ma-
chine Co., Victor distributors of Atlanta, Ga.,
will be of interest to members of the trade.
In discussing the negro trade in the South Mr.
Bibighaus said:
"I do not believe anyone has ever tried out
the negro seriously on the Red Seal catalog.
But in spite of haphazard cultivation I have
frequently in my travel run across dealers who
had individual negro customers who were good
and discriminating Red Seal buyers. I have
always contended that the negro should be a
good buyer of Red Seal records, as he is natur-
ally musical and will often buy music before
he will buy bread. It is strange to note that
when the negroes do buy they buy regardless
of tongue. For example, the records I have in
mind were purchases of Galli-Curci's 'La
Capinera' (in Spanish), Elman's 'Kol Nidrei'
and other numbers just as unusual, apparently,
to this class of trade. I believe that if a dealer
catered to the natural cravings of the negro for
'close harmony' and aimed his Red Seal drive
by selecting music distinguished by striking
harmonic treatment he would go far toward
supplementing the present craze for blues by
a more tractable demand for Red Seal and other
records. But, as I said before, I have never
found anyone who has made a determined and
intelligent effort in this direction."
Window Display of Rosa Ponselle Records
soprano and exclusive Columbia artist. The lo-
cal dealers used their windows to advantage and
featured distinctive Ponselle displays which at-
tracted the attention of all passers-by.
J. E. Henderson, who covers this territory for
the Columbia Indianapolis branch, was an im-
portant factor in the presentation of this pub-
licity, and through his efforts several unique dis-
plays were prepared, one of which is shown in
the photograph herewith. The House of Crane,
which featured this window, carefully followed
out the ideas on window display advanced by
Mr. Henderson.
The Ponselle concert was a distinct success
and served to emphasize the fame and re-
nown of this celebrated artist. The local Co-
lumbia dealers were enthusiastic regarding the
stimulative help accorded Ponselle records by
this concert and Miss Ponselle will undoubtedly
visit this city on her next tour through this sec-
tion of the country.
NEW POST FOR THALLMAYER
Appointed Manager of Foreign Record Depart-
ment of General Phonograph Corp.
W. C. Fuhri, general sales manager of the
Okeh record division of the General Phono-
graph Corp., New York, announced this week
the appointment of A. Thallmayer as manager
of the company's foreign record department,
with headquarters at the executive offices, 25
West 45th street, New York City.
Mr. Thallmayer is one of the best known
members of the foreign record language field in
the country, having been associated with the
Columbia Graphophone Co. for over eighteen
years. He served in important executive posi-
tions with this company, both in Europe and
America, and is thoroughly familiar with every
phase of the foreign record language field. Mr.
Thallmayer numbers .among his personal friends
dealers from Coast to Coast who will be glad
to know that he will direct the destinies, of the
Okeh foreign record division.
THE AEOLIAN-VOCALION IN OREGON
Weeks & Orr, Medford, Ore.; H. J. Winters,
Klamath Falls, Ore., and W. C. Crawford, Pen-
dleton, Ore., are numbered among those who
have taken the agency for the Aeolian-Vocalion
in that State recently through the Aeolian Co.
of California.
J. F. TOLLESON AN EDISON DEALER
Well-known Traveler for Atlantic Jobber Buys
Interest in Tolleson & Co., Gaffney, S. C.
Announcement has just been made that J. F.
Tolleson, for a number of years traveling repre-
sentative for Phonographs, Inc., Edison jobbers
in Atlanta, Ga., has purchased an interest in the
firm of J. R. Tolleson & Co., Edison dealers in
Gaffney, S. C, with whom his father has been
associated for many years. Mr. Tolleson's ex-
periences, while visiting Edison dealers through-
out the South, have afforded him every oppor-
tunity to acquaint himself with the proper man-
agement of an Edison dealer's establishment
and will no doubt be reflected in the success
which is expected to attend his latest venture.
DOLLS REALLY TALK THESE DAYS
Tiny Talking Machine Concealed in Body Makes
Final Improvement in Child's Toy
The effort to make a talking doll probably
dates back to the time soon after the first doll
was made. Dolls dug up in the ancient ruins
have been found to have metal strings incor-
porated in their construction, and the inference
is that this was an early effort to make the effigy
emit something like the sound of the human
voice. The perfection of this idea has been
recently attained in the invention of a doll into
the body of which a complete phonograph has
been disposed of. The driving mechanism is con-
tained in the trunk portion of the doll, while the
revolving platform which carries the record is
contained in the head. The flare of the horn is
hidden in the hair, which does not obstruct the
passage of the sound but yet is sufficient to hide
this part of the mechanism. This rear opening of
the head also permits of the changing of the
records as desired.
Consult the universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge for men who desire positions.
NOVEMBER 13,
1920
io double
Vourlncome
and the proposition could be proved
sound from every angle, you wouldn't
hesitate, would you? Of course not,
but do you realize that a talking machine
department can be made to provide
sufficient revenue to take care of the
overhead on your entire establishment ?
Thousands of other retail music
chants have proved the above made
statement true and thousands of retail
music merchants have looked to The
Talking Machine World for guidance
in the matter of selecting the make of
talking machines they would handle, the
way they would map out their talking
machine department, etc.
T h e Talking Machine World is the
oldest and largest trade journal in the
world devoted exclusively to the talking
machine industry. N o w running over
250 pages per issue.
Some book, eh? Yes, and some encyclo-
pedia of the kind of information that
will positively double your income.
Don't miss your chance.
coupon now.
Send in the
TALKING MACHINE WORLD.
373 Fourth Ave., New York City.
Please enter my subscription for one year. I want to
learn how to double my income via a talking machine
department. Bill me $2 at your convenience to cover
cost of same.
Name
Firm
Street
Citv and State
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