The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi All,

I recently acquired this letter and have been trying to research the signer. I was not able to find anything on Google or web searches and wanted to see if anyone has any information on W.B. Howe, who served as President of the Victor Distributing and Export Company in 1904. Perhaps he would have reported to Eldridge R. Johnson, but I don’t know this. I realize that this may not be the right place to post this, but the machines section gets a lot of traffic.

Thanks,

PS - I also find it interesting that the cost of photograph needles was two dollars per thousand!

John

My guess is that he was not employed by Victor Talking Mach. Co., but instead, was a Victor distributor/dealer.

Jerry is Correct,

They are a New York Victor distributor. Here is an add from the 1905 Talking Machine World. They have ads over many years in that magazine. You can sometimes find their cardboard horns for Victors with their distinctive decals.
Shawn

Thanks to both of you Jerry and Shawn. That certainly makes a lot of sense, and I hadn’t thought of that. It’s rather amusing that the president of a NewYork distributor in downtown Manhattan (77 Chambers Street), is signing a letter over a matter of 35 cents!