ABSTRACT
A trade organization formed in September 1907, through a merger of the Eastern and Central States associations. In 1908 the name was changed to the National Association of Talking Machine Jobbers.
Founded in 1905 by Edward Lyman (known as Colonel E.L.) Bill, this was the major trade journal for the phonograph industry through its folding in late 1929. Universally known as TMW, the journal was aimed at phonograph dealers and equipment manufacturers. Bill purchased the Music Trade Review in the early part of the 20th century, and transformed it into TMW by early 1905. He died in 1916, but the journal was continued under associate editor Raymond Bill and treasurer C.L. Bill, both relatives of the founder. Published in a large, 11 by 15 format on fancy paper, the journal featured many advertisements, and grew from around 100 pages per issue in the mid-1910s to over 200 pages by the mid-1920s. Major labels vied for advertising positions in the journal; Victor held the coveted front cover advertising spot until financial difficulties forced it to give up this position in 1925. It was subsequently purchased by Brunswick. Edison took the back cover. Okeh often purchased two-color (and occasionally even full color) advertisements for its releases. Major phonograph dealers and manufacturers of components advertised regularly. For smaller manufacturers, their ads often are the only record of their activities during this period.
