RECREATION. xi 



SINCE NOVEMBER, 1896 



We have been doing our best to keep up with the increas- 

 demand for Gramophones :::::: 

 Our manufacturing facilities have been steadily ex- 

 tended ; work has been carried on night and day ; much 

 foreign business has been declined; yet (on July 7th) we 

 find ourselves with hundreds of orders unfilled* : % 



But one conclusion can be drawn from this unprecedented de- 

 mand: the Gramophone is without question the most popular, as 

 it is the simplest and most wonderful, talking machine* li is the 

 only sound reproducing instrument in the world that gives such 

 results as were witnessed in the Metropolitan Opera House test, 

 referred to in the following unsolicited letter. 



OFFICES OF 



ABBEY, SCHOEFFEL & GRAU, Ltd. 



Metropolitan Opera House 

 Corner 39TH Street and 7TH Avenue 



new york April 24, 1897. 



National Gramophone Company, 



874 Broadway. New York, N. Y. 

 Gentlemen : — Enclosed please find my check for $31.00 to pay for 

 Gramophone and records. 



By the way, I was very much interested in a trial of the Gramo- 

 phone in the Metropolitan Opera House a few days ago. I had no idea 

 that so small an instrument, with a horn only about twelve inches long, 

 could fill every nook and corner of the largest auditorium in New York 

 City. Every word seemed to be distinct, and the rendering of the selec- 

 tions nothing short of marvelous. 



I congratulate you upon the possession of such a wonderful in- 

 strument. 



Yours very truly, 



John B. Schoeffel, 

 Managing Director Abbey, Schoeffel & Grau 



Arrangements have novj been completed vohereby it is believed that after 

 July 25th all orders can be promptly filled* Great improvements have been 

 made in quality and volume of tone since the above letter vuas written, and 

 vjhat vjas a marvelous reproduction before, is even more so novo* All orders 

 for style No* 25, spring motor, vjill be filled vjith our nevj improved machine, 

 vjith the nevj exhibition sound box* Nevj Catalog ready — by request* 



National Gramophone Co*, 874 Broadvuay, Nevj York* 



