Shorpy Photos: Talking Machines: 1914

From the March 3, 2016, Shorpy site.

Richmond, California, 1914.  "Victor Talking Machine display, Hawley Piano Company, Macdonald Avenue."  With Nipper heading the list of the latest platters.

Early, early stereos.    There is an ad poster for Harry Lauder "Lauder Laughs and when you hear his Four New Victor records you will laugh with him.   12 in Purple Label.  Price $1.25.  Come in and laugh with Harry Lauder."

Another poster:  "New Victor Records "The Spring Maid.  Daydreams: Two Little Love Bees.  Sung by Christie Macdonald.  The Rabbit Story ? by Tom McNaugh ?.

Comment:  One of Lauder's biggest hits was in 1911 "Roamin' in the Gloamin." Price of records appears to be 75 cents to $1.25, which was a whole lot of money back then.

RCA did not come into existence until 1919 and bought Victor Talking Machines.

--Cooter

Bits O' History: "Four Eyes"-- Avocados, Anyone?--Chicago Food Prices 1914

BITS O' HISTORY--  Tidbits, you know.

1.  'FOUR EYES"--  You can calls him Ted, or youse can call him Fed.  Just don't call him "Four Eyes."  Before he was president, Theodore Roosevelt got into a bar fight after being called "four eyes."  Must have charged up the guy's forehead.

2.  AVOCADOS, ANYONE--  On their way to the New World, European sailors used avocados in place of butter.  Avocado it up.  Well, I just learned how to spell avocado.  I always thought it was avacado.  Never too old to learn something I suppose.

3.  CHICAGO FOOD PRICES IN 1914:

MILK:  9 cents a quart
EGGS:  35 cents a dozen
BACON:  28 cents per pound
POTATOES:  18 cents per pound
SIRLOIN STEAK:  26 cents per pound

Just a Touch.  --Cooter