Life — November 29, 1917 — page 3: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Wouldn't you like to have these Netropolitan. Stars as your Christmas Guests ? WeoULnnt it be a pleasure to be able to sit down amidst the comfortable surroundings of your own home and listen to Anna Case, Marie Rappold, Mcaani Mamas Margaret Matzenauer, Arthur Middleton, Thomas Chalmers, and the other great Of te dtetropeliian Oper singers of the world? That would be a privilege, wouldn't it? We said would be a privilege. But thanks to the genius of Thomas A. Edison it is a privilege which is now within your grasp. So far as the enjoyment of their voices is concerned you can actually have this distinguished group as Yuletide guests. You can sit in your own home and revel in the beauty of their magnificent voices. Lhe NEW EDISON “The Phonograph with a Soul’ Anna Coe of the Metropolitan Opera Arthur Middleton ef te Metropolitan Oper, Thomas Chalmers of ihe Betropolitan Opera reproduces the human voice with such fidelit and accuracy that no human ear can detect a shade of difference between the living artists and the New Edison's Re-Creation of their voices —or instrumental performances. You will, very naturally, feel skeptical about so strong a claim. But before hundreds of audi- ences we have conducted our famous “tone tests” in which the instrument was pitted against the artist and invariably the verdict was the same; no difference could be detected. In a “tone test,” the artist sings in his natural voice; then suddenly cease: ing the instrument to continue the song alone. Thirty different great artists have made these tests. More than one million people have at- tended the tests and not one of them has been able to tell, except by watching the singer's lips, when the living voice left off and when the New Edison began. With the lights lowered not one could tell when the change took place. $00 unprejudiced news- paper critics who witnessed the recitals unite in this assertion. In this new instrument Mr. Edison has actually succeeded in re-creating the human voice. We have never heard of any sound-pro- ducing device whose manufacturer dared to tisk so relentless a trial. Until the New Edison was perfected such an achievement was un- dreamed of. The actual photographs reproduced on this page depict five Metropolitan Opera Stars singing in direct comparison with the New Edison’s Re-Creation of their voices. No lis- tener could detect the slightest shade of difference between the living voices and their Re-Creation. A ROYAL GIFT It Means a Richer Life As a Christmas gift what can surpass this wonderful instrument? It is like a permanent pass to all the opera: all the concerts, ail the music of the whole world, It does actually add something real and vital to life. Have you ever considered the New Edison as a family gift? Nowadays many families are eliminating the jer individual presents to one another and are pooling their holiday funds for the acquisition of “the phonograph with a soul.” ‘We believe that you'd find our literature of interest. It's different from the usual catalog style. Drop us line and we'll send you copies of our musical magazine, “Along Broadway,” of the brochure, “Music's Re- Creation,” and of the booklet, “What the Critics Say.” Or call at the nearest licensed Edison merchant in your vicinity and receive a demonstration of the New Edison. He advertises in your local papers, THOMAS A. EDISON, INC., Orange, N. J. comicbooks.com