Early journal
about the
technology, manufacture and sales of gramophones
Talking
Machine World was a monthly
magazine
published in New York City between 1905 and
1928. During that time it was the main trade
magazine dealing with phonographs and early
sound recordings, including cylinders and
discs. In later years it also covered radio
products, and in 1929 was renamed "Talking Machine
World and Radio Music Merchant",
becoming Radio Merchant in 1930
The
magazine was founded and edited by "Colonel"
Edward Lyman Bill (1862-1916), who had been
editor of another magazine, The Music
Trade Review. The content included
information on sales in different areas, on
new innovations, and on the activities of
recording artists. The magazine also
featured a wide variety of advertisements
for phonographs, other equipment, and new
record releases. Issues from 1916 averaged
about 100 pages, but by 1920, as the
recording industry expanded, issues were
routinely over 200 pages in length.
After Mr. Lyman's death, the magazine was
edited by his son, Raymond Bill.The journal became Talking Machine &
Radio Music Merchant in 1929, and then
simply Radio Merchant in 1930.
In the early 40's it became "Radio &
Television Journal with Talking Machine
World"
