Novel -- Entertaining -- Instructive -- November 3, 2015

Bisbee Daily Review, 19-November-1914

100 years ago, ballroom dancing was very popular.  The Columbia Phonograph Company offered Columbia Dance Instruction records for $0.75 each. 

"IMPORTANT NOTICE:

"All Columbia records will play on Victor talking machines.  Likewise all Columbia Grafanolas will play Victor records." 

Columbia Double-Disc Records Fit Your Machine -- September 3, 2015

This ad from the September, 1915 Photoplay offers Columbia Double-Disc (two-sided) records for $0.65. 

Entertain Your Lumberjacks -- October 6, 2014

Canadian Forest Product Industries, 01-July-1914

"It will pay you to give your men entertainment after the day's hard work.  It will keep them cheerful and contented."  This is even better than giving them fair pay and decent working conditions. 

The Columbia Graphophone -- May 14, 2014

The original graphophone was a cylinder machine designed by Alexander Graham Bell and Charles Sumner Tainter as an improvement on Edison's phonograph.  Instead of using tinfoil wrapped around an iron cylinder, they recorded sound on a layer of wax around a cardboard core.  This produced better sound reproduction and more durable records.  The graphophone eventually became controlled by Columbia Records.  Columbia continued to use the name even after they began producing disc machines. 

This ad, from the 16-April-1905 Omaha Bee, offers a Columbia Disc Graphophone "Practically Free to Omaha Bee Readers."  Columbia Records offers "3,000 Different Selections From Grand Opera to Rag-Time." 

Genuine Grafonola -- January 3, 2014

This ad, from the 30-December-1913 San Francisco Call and Post, offers a limited number of Genuine Grafonolas for $38.90.  The Grafonola was the Columbia Phonograph Company's product intended to complete with the Victor Talking Machine Company's Victrola.  Both machines used an internal horn. 

"At last a thoroughly desirable, well made Talking Machine, with top, is obtainable for less than $50.00. Tomorrow we will offer a limited number of the latest 1914 genuine Grafonolas at $38.90.  Price includes 12 selections and 300 needles. We enthusiastically say it is the greatest money's worth ever offered. Embodies all the desirable features of the higher priced models, such as Metal Motor Board, Bayonet Joint Tone Arm, No. 6 Reproducer, Unobstructed Tone Chamber, Tone Control Leaves, etc. Plays both Columbia and Victor records. Cabinet is 16 inches high with top. Only a limited number, so shop early. Other models up to $500.00."

The Emporium, "The Big E," was a department store on Market Street in San Francisco.  The store opened in 1896 in the Parrott Building, which is not to be confused with the Parrott Block on Montgomery Street.  The façade was preserved when the store was demolished to make way for a Bloomingdale's.  I fondly remember the Roof Rides.