Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1880 Vol. 3 N. 6

October 20th, 1880.
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
NEW MUSICAL INVENTIONS
PREPARED EXPRESSLY FOR THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW, BY
PARK BENJAMIN & BROS., EXPERTS IN PATENTS,
50 ASTOR HOUSE, NEW YORK.
No. 232,970.
15
TRADE IN THE WEST.
WHAT WE SAW IN CHICAGO.
A PRELIMINARY ARTICLE, TREATING OF AFFAIRS WITH THE TRADE AND THE
IMPROVED PIANOFORTE :
Mr. Richard Howson, of Middlesborough, England, has patented a new
way of constructing pianos, so that a crescendo or diminuendo effect may be
produced at the will of the performer. Instead of placing the sound-bridge
on the sound-board, as is usual, he secures upon a narrow so-called " vibra-
tion-rail," against which the sound-board may be pressed. The effect of
bringing the sound-board into contact with the vibration-rail, is to cause the
tremulous motion of the latter when a note is struck, to be transmitted to
the board. The volume of sound is thus augmented. Conversely, by separat-
ing these two portions, a diminuendo effect is produced. The mechanism is
operated by a pedal.
MUSICIANS OF THE WEST.
ACCOUNTS OF PROMINENT HOUSES AND PEOPLE.
THE ROOT & SON'S MUSIC CO.—JULIUS BAUER & Co.—W. W. KIMBALL.
No. 1 .
T was my intention to preface this article with a few general remarks con-
cerning my recent very delightful western trip; but as I returned to New
No. 232,857. KEY FRAME BED FOR PIANOFORTES :
York only a day or two before this issue of the MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE
That indefatigable inventor, C. F. Theodor Steinway, has added another REVIEW was going to press, I found plenty of other work ready for me, and
to the many valuable patents now owned by Messrs. Steinway & Sons, and at so I will hold over the generalities until November 5th, and plunge at once
the same time has contributed a new feature of excellence to the piano into particulars.
manufactured by his firm. His latest device is constructing the wooden
bed which supports the key-frame, so that the former is prevented from act-
THE ROOT & SON'S MUSIC CO.
ing as a sounding-board, and thus augmenting the thud of the key-levers as
This
house,
by
reason
of its succession to the pioneer publishing house
they strike against the touch-rail of the key-frame. The invention also serves
the useful purpose of preventing warping or upheaval of the bed. Mr. of Root & Cody, represents the oldest business in the trade in Chicago.
Steinway constructs the bed of parallel strips of wood secured by tongued Probably no publishing house ever achieved such a phenomenal spontaneous
and grooved joints in end cleats. Between these strips he places a soft pack- success as Root & Cody. Their prosperity in this line was simply colossal
ing of fibrous material which obstructs the lateral transmission of vibrations and unparalleled. Some of their great successes were the " Triumph," by Dr.
from one strip to another. The invention is applicable to both horizontal Geo. F. Root, which sold 175,000 copies in its first year ; " The Song King,"
and upright pianos, and is secured in the case in the same manner as the by Palmer, the " Curriculum," and various other instruction books by Root,
which have since become standard, and, by no means last, their great war
ordinary key-board bed.
songs, " The Battle Cry of Freedom, " The Vacant Chair," " J u s t before the
No. 233,038. IMPROVED REED :
Battle, Mother," " J u s t after the Battle," "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp," &c,
In reeds as ordinarily constructed, known as " free reeds," the frame of which carried the name of Geo. F . Root deeply into the hearts of the
the reed is made with a level surface. Mr. Hermann Smith, of Canterbury, people.
Dr. Root is now a hale, hearty gentleman of 60 years, whose pure and
England, modifies both the shape and form of the frames and also the tongues
of the reeds, in order, as he claims, to obtain an increased range of variation gentle life is quietly reproduced in his expressive features, so well known
in qualities, and greater promptness of speech. Thus by placing a raised everywhere. He spends an hour or two of his daily leisure from his writ-
piece on each side of the upper surface of the reed frame, so shaped as to con- ings at the office, where I had the pleasure of meeting him ; but the active
form nearly to the bend of the tongue, he obtains a horn quality of tone. If business of the house is in the hands of Mr. E. T. Root and Mr. Charles C.
the raised parts be continued so as to form an enclosure for the top the qua- Curtiss. Subsequent to the great fire and incident to its reverses, the busi-
lity is " cremona " like. The tongue bent so as to have a set lower than the ness of the firm was somewhat restricted, but for a few years past it has
level of the root and the frame conforming to it gives a flute-like tone. Other steadily regained and surpassed its former volume, and its present magni-
curves situated at different parts of the tongue produce tones of cornet, tude may be conjectured from the statement of the firm, that during the
string, trombone or clarinet quality.
Various other improvements are de- year ending June 30th last their sales showed an increase of over $60,000,
scribed, notably the uniting together and use in one channel of two reeds of while in the month of September just passed they had been nearly double
the amount for the corresponding month of last year, indicating a still larger
different forms, so as to produce a compound quality of tone.
increase during the current year.
On entering the store, which is located in the very heart of the city, I
BUSINESS IN PIANOS.
found myself in the department of sheet-music and music-books, which in-
REVIEW of the piano trade for the past two weeks show a fair average, deed occupies both the first floor and basement of their fine building, of 130
especially in the retail trade, for first-class high priced pianos. The feet depth. In this line the firm especially represent Messrs. John Church
wholesale trade, although much larger than last year, has not come up to & Co., of Cincinnati, the largest publishers, with one exception, on the con
the expectations of many manufacturers, who had largely increased their tinent, and who make the most popular books now in the market, among
manufacturing capacity, and who, because they do not find their factories which may be noticed " The New Musical Curriculum," the " Model Organ
driven to their utmost capacity, complain that trade is not active enough. Method," and the "Palace of Song," all by Dr. Geo. F. Root, the latter a
Then the nearness of the presidential election is not without its effect on the recent work for convention use. I t would be difficult to suggest any im-
trade, for men are anxiously waiting to see whether the financial situation provement in the admirable system of teaching, of which these books are
and the tariff are going to be interfered with, before greatly increasing their the exponent. As may well be inferred from the space devoted to this de-
orders. It seems to be the general impression that after the 2nd of Novem- partment the stock is enormous ; and that it is comprehensive, appears from
ber there will be a great increase of activity in the business, and that possibly the claims made by the firm of their ability to fill orders more completely
higher prices may prevail; and it is rumoured that already some manufac- than can be done by any house outside of Boston. The offices are also lo-
turers are obtaining better prices ; but in regard to this last item of news Ave cated on the first floor, in which are employed a force of eight bookkeepers
feel that we are hinting at something which should be discussed strictly and correspondents, which is another indication of the extent of the business
entre nous. The trade throughout the country seems to be in a healthy con- done.
dition as a general rule, although we hear in a few cases of difficulty in mak-
department is under the personal supervision of Mr. Curtiss, who
ing collections and a tendency on the part of dealers to revert to the old is the This
business manager of the house. Mr. Curtiss is the youngest man in
and vicious note system, which we trust not to see again revived.
the trade in Chicago, but one whose influence is by no means least felt.
Of his ability, the success of the business since he became connected with
SCHOMACKER PIANO Co.—The Schomacker Piano Co., of Philadelphia, it is the very best possible demonstration, and I find that in all branches of
opened on Monday, Oct. 11th, a branch store at No. 3 East 14th Street, his trade, both at home and in New York, no one is more popular. The
for the sale of their celebrated gold-string pianos.
policy of the house is eminently respectable, and entirely above any of the
BEHNING. —At a testimonial concert to Madame Chevalier, given at questionable practices so frequently current in business circles.
Harlem Temple, 125th Street, near Fourth Avenue, on Thursday evening,
The piano and organ warerooms occupy the entire second-floor, besides
Oct. 14th, the Behning Grand piano was used, and was much admired for its large storage rooms for reserve stock, which the firm has been forced to ob-
fine tone. The Baby Grands are steadily increasing in number.
tain elsewhere. This department is under the personal direction of Mr.
AMERICAN INSTITUTE FAIR.—There is a very slim representation of piano Root, who has been longer in the business than any man in Chicago, and
and organ manufacturers at the American Institute Fair this year. " Why is probably no man is wider or more favorably known than " Towner Root."
this thus ?" Is it possible that a suspicion has entered the minds of the Mr. Root is now nearly sixty years of age, but his activity is unimpaired,
manufacturers that the medals, diplomas, etc., are distributed too much after while his affability is as pronounced as before it had passed into a proverb.
the manner of the Centennial, where the distinctions as to quality were so The firm control such agencies as the Weber piano, the Wheelock piano, and
finely drawn that it is still a matter of dispute as to who received the highest the Standard Organ, made by Peloubet & Co., besides furnishing a cheaper
award ; and it has been stated that the accommodation offered to the music piano, made for them by one of the largest houses in New York. Concerning
trade for an exhibition of their wares was very cramped and insignificant, these instruments the firm informed me that their experience had been in the
compared with the space devoted to such important industries as shoe-black- highest degree satisfactory; that, for instance, their sale of the Weber piano
had steadily increased
at the rate of more than 100 per cent, per annum
ing and preserved fruit.
they acqi n ired the agency, about four years ago—and that their instru-
JARDINE & SON.—The fine organ made by this firm, which is now on since
had become exceedingly popular among the most critical purchasers
exhibition at the American Institute Fair, will, on the close of the fair, be sent ments
of Chicago and the West, generally. " People" said they, " are beginning to
to the Second Reformed Church, Somerville, N. J., instead of the Church of find
out that the Weber is really better than anything else, particularly in
the Annunciation, at N. O., as stated in our last issue.
point of tone." They speak of Mr. Weber himself as inheriting his father's
MUSICAL COMPOSITION. —The worst kind of musical composition we know remarkable enterprise, sagacity and aggressiveness, all of which are so well
of is that of a music dealer, when he compounds with his creditors for ten known to me.
cents on the dollar.
They speak also of the Wheelock piano in the highest praise. As a
thoroughly reliable instrument in every respect, and for a medium price, they
THE GAZETTE.
consider it better than anything they have seen, its capacity for standing in
Greenup & Reid, pianos and organs, Fresno, Cal.; sold out ; meeting ot creditors called.
tune being remarkable, the tone smooth and powerful, and the mechanism
D. A. Friend, pianos, &c, Gloucester, Mass. ; chattel mortgage, $345.
of the best kind. I find they also corroborate my opinion of the firm of
C. Bruno & Son, musical instruments, New York city. Dissolved. Chas. Bruno, Jr., Wm. E. Wheelock & Co., who, they say, are gentlemen with whom it is a plea-
sure to do business, as they are always to be depended upon, not only to do
continues under same style.
what they think is right, but to know what is right to do.
L. A. Baker, Music, etc., Lansing, Michigan. Now Baker & Thayer.
A
I
16
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
"In fact " I was told " our relations with all these gentlemen are of the
most satisfactory character. With Messrs. Peloubet &Co. we have done busi-
ness for about eight years. Mr. Peloubet is a very bright man of business. Has
a clear perception of the relationship of manufacturer and agent, and the firm
turn out a quality and style of work that we have not seen elsewhere, particu-
larly as to design of cases, which are in our opinion the finest that have
been produced; and we find that with our agents it sells readily and brings a
good price."
The third floor is devoted to their department of imported merchandise,
which has become a leading feature of the business of the house, and is under
the charge of Mr. H. J. Baker, who has been in the service of the house for
more than 15 years. Mr. Baker, who has recently returned from a pur-
chasing trip to Europe, informed me of the difficulties he had been obliged
to overcome to secure goods enough of the proper quality to fill their
orders, particularly in the matter of violin stiings, of which they have se-
cured a very large stock of the best quality. The firm are very extensive
importers, drawing their supplies from France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria,
Belgium, and Germany, many of their goods coming from the depths of
the Black Forest, Bohemia, &c. They are now enlarging this department
by finishing off the fourth floor, heretofore devoted to storage, in which
will be located their stock of band and orchestra instruments, uniforms,
&c, of which a special department is to be created, and where will also be
located the shops for the manufacture and repairing of drums and band
instruments.
I was very much impressed with the activity shown in every department
of this house, every one seeming to be up to his ears in business whenever I
called, endeavoring to attend to the wants of an unending rush of customers;
and I learned that for a number of weeks past work had been kept up until
11 o'clock at night, nearly every night; and still with their full force it had
been impossible to fill all orders promptly. The firm has lately acquired
the control in the West of the McTammany Orguinette, and report indications
of a large trade in those instruments, when they are fairly put upon the
market, for which they are now arranging.
I ascertain that the firm buys almost exclusively for cash, discounting
all their bills, which, of course must give them a great advantage in the way
of prices, such as very few houses are able to command.
In a conversation on general trade matters, Mr. Curtiss spoke
of the prejudice that had long existed among western dealers against buying
of Chicago houses, which, he said, had limited them to very close margins,
and in some cases necessitating their selling at less than the manufacturer's
price, in order to successfully combat this feeling which he thought was
gradually disappearing in the clear light of experience, and that the dealers
generally having proven that they could actually buy of the general agent
as low as of the manufacturer, are now preferring to do so, thereby
keeping their money as near home as possible.
JULIUS BATJER A CO.
This house is one of the oldest and largest in this part of the country.
Mr. J. Bauer, who is at the head of it, has been known for years in the piano
trade, and the business of the firm is entirely conducted by him. He has a
fine, large store in one of the best localities in the city, on Wabash Avenue,
between Monroe and Adams streets. The firm is widely known by its
" favorite Bauer piano," and their factory has lately been established in East
129th street, New York city. In addition to this, they handle the Behning
(New York), the Miller (Boston), and the McCammon (Albany) pianos, and
the Bauer and New England Organ Co. 's organs. Mr. Bauer's business has
increased between 300 and 400 per cent, during the past two years.
The Bauer piano, Mr. Julius Bauer told me, has become so popular
that it now ranks among nmsical people with the leading instruments. Large
numbers of these instruments are sold throughout this country, and they are
also meeting with a profitable sale in South America. In fact it was plain to
see that Mr. Bauer was supremely delighted with their success. By having
houses in both Chicago and New York they are able to reach trade in the
East as well as the West. They have established many important and highly
successful agencies in all the states and territories west of Chicago, and
their interests are being pushed by these agencies with great zeal. The
Bauer piano possesses many good qualities, and I am not surprised to hear
that it is everywhere making friends. An important branch of the business
of J. Bauer & Co. is that of band instruments and miscellaneous musical
merchandise, of which they carry a very large stock. They are their own
importers ; consequently cannot be beaten in matters of price and quality,
and supply a large number of the leading western bands with their instru-
ments. Mr. Bauer's warerooms are the headquarters of several of the leading
Chicago musical societies, which find ample room and facilities for rehearsals
and entertainments in the spacious room on the second floor of his building.
Mr. Bauer has a quiet but effective way of transacting business, being
pushing and enterprising without undue demonstration.
MR. W. W. KIMBALL.
I cannot imagine a person connected with this trade visiting Chicago with-
out calling upon Mr. W. W. Kimball. He is the perfect type of a
western business man ; shrewd and active in commercial dealings, open-
hearted and full of humor in his social relations. ' He has a fund of anecdotes,
and a dry way of relating them, which alone give a clew to the sagacity and
penetration of the man.
I found him just returned from an extended visit in the east—in fact he
arrived in Chicago the morning that I did. He had been away from business
for about two months, spending the greater part of the time in the White
Mountains, and paying an occasional visit to some of his commercial friends
in the larger eastern cities. " I thought I had earned the right," he re-
marked, "to a few weeks' vacation, after having devoted myself steadily to
business in Chicago for about 20 years."
Mr. Kimball's warerooms are no exception to the rule in Chicago. They
are as large, if not larger, than the others, and during the time of my several
calls upon Mr. Kimball were crowded with instruments. The spaces be-
tween were crowded with buyers. Do not for a moment think that because
the warerooms were filled with instruments that Mr. Kimball was too heavily
stocked up. It was only by the most strenuous efforts that he was able to
keep stock enough on hand to supply the demand of his retail customers,
and the instruments he was ordering for his agents were not even brought
into his store. As fast as they could be brought from the freight trains they
were re-marked upon the side-walk, and re-shipped at the first opportunity.
October 20th, 1880.
Mr. Kimball's agents can be found all through the north-west; the goods
they send out may be found in every part of the country west, north-west, or
south-west of Chicago.
Mr. Kimball has no partner, manages his business with immense admin-
istrative and executive ability, and devotes himself to pianos and organs
alone.
Upon my asking him some general questions concerning the extent of
his business, he took out his private books, and we ran over the figures to-
gether, coming to the following conclusions—that for the year ending with
the last day of the past month his sales had reached the sum of $1,000,000,
during which time he has sold the very large number of 5,500 organs, and
2,500 pianos. This is a large increase over the business transacted by him
during the preceding year. The chief instruments handled by Mr. Kimball
are the Hallett & Davis, the Kranich & Bach, the Emerson, and the Kimball
pianos, besides several makes of organs.
Mr. Kimball is without doubt the greatest dealer in pianos and organs
in the world. He stands among the first of Chicago merchants in the
characteristics of integrity, enterprise, and honorable dealing. As a promi-
nent Chicago paper says, " To his enterprise and business sagacity is Chicago
largely indebted for the high prestige she now holds as the great musical
centre of the west."
Mr. Kimball's store is a very handsome building in the choicest location
in Chicago. It stands at the corner of Adams and State streets, and has five
floors, each floor containing more superficial feet of space than is occupied
by any single music-house west of New York.
C. A. W.
(To be continued.)
BALTIMORE SESaUI-CENTENNIAL NOTES.
The display made by the music trade in the procession at the Sesqui
Centennial in Baltimore, last week, was very creditable to their enterprise,
and is said to have fully equalled, if not excelled, the display made in Boston
on a similar occasion.
Win. Knabe & Co. had 220 men, 28 wagons, some six horses, others four,
and the rest double teams. The first wagon carried, a harpsichord, made in 1789,
by Burkat, of London, for Charles Carroll of Carrollton. The next wagon
carried a grand piano of the present day, made at the Knabe factory. The
succeeding wagons were filled with employes at work in every branch of
the trade, going down through each department until the piano received the
finishing touches.
Charles M. Stieff had six wagons, 100 men and the Valley Greys' Band,
of Hagerstown, Captain Winter. The Stieff display had two wagons repre-
senting the old and new, designed by George A. Gardner. The first was an
old Amsterdam piano, 4>2 octaves, made in 1745. The horses were led by
men dressed in the costumes of that period. The man who sat at the ancient
instrument was dressed as anciently. The second wagon carried a '' Stieff
Grand," the scene representing a parlor, with male performer dressed in the
latest style, and young ladies sitting around. The first wagon displayed
the names of old composers, and the second wagon made proper mention of
Rubinstein, Von Bulow, Wagner and other modern composers. The other
wagons carried the workmen, engaged in different branches of piano-making.
Pomplitz & Co. had two six-horse wagons, each with a large church
organ. The organ in the first wagon was labeled 1780, and looked old. The
other carried a beautiful new-style church organ.
Wm. Heinekamp, four wagons, with displays of pianos, &c.
Sanders & Stayman, two wagons, with fine Weber piano and Estey
organ.
John Magez. two wagons.
Wm. H. Bendler, one wagon, with patent accordeon and other instru-
ments.
Geo. Willig, music dealer, had a wagon upon which were five men at
work upon a lithograph press, a plate press and a music engraving stand,
printing and engraving music on the way.
THE A. B. CHASE OUGAN CO.
The A. B. Chase Organ Co. have issued the following circular to their friends and the
trade generally :
NORWALK, O., October 11, 1880.
SINCE our disastrous fire September 3d, we have not been idle. We found ourselves
then without buildings, machinery, tools, workbenches, patterns, dry lumber, or anything
with which, or out of which to make organs. Since that time we have kiln dried our
lumber, bought tools, purchased or contracted for machinery—much of it we are having
made to order—our workmen are making workbenches, patterns, and finishing up the
organs saved from the fire. A new brick factory is fast rising from the ruins, 200 feet
long, 40 feet deep, and three stories high, larger, better and more convenient than the one
burned. With fair weather we will have part of this enclosed this month, and be setting
our machinery, cutting up lumber, and making cases, while the masons are putting up the
rest of the building, and within 60 days we hope to be down to business on organ work
again, with over 100 men and the best machinery in America. Be patient as possible with
us ; we shall not keep you waiting any longer than is absolutely necessary for our organs.
Concerning our new designs and the precise time at which we can supply you regu-
larly, we will write you later.
Hopefully yours,
A. B. CHASE ORGAN C O .
ASTISTS' TESTIMONIALS.
SIR,—For the future, in writing notices of concerts, instead of saying that the eminent
pianist, Signor Thumpardio, for instance, selected a
" stately " Grand, to illus-
trate his surpassing execution, would it not be as well to PUT it thus, ' ' the
agents
selected the eminent pianist, Signor Thumpardio, to illustrate the magnificent ' points' of
their stately Grand." It begins to be a question whether the printed opinions of great
artists is not, like the distribution of exhibition prizes, a " gigantic farce," for we see the
names of precisely the same players and singers signed to gushing testimonials to the three
or four great makers. At one time "Dear Mr. Decker" is assured that, after a most
thorough trial, his piano has proved a miracle of perfection in tone, touch, quality, &c.
And, again, "Friend Weber" is thanked as the long sought-for genius, whose instruments
have satisfied their longing souls and fingers. Similar professions are offered to other
makers—and all by the same parties, recollect—while the makers dish them up to the
public as genuine certificates. The words "gigantic farce," Mr. Editor, are about the
only ones that fit the case properly.
A friend at my elbow, who pretends to be as unprejudiced as he is excellent in judg-
ment, says I must not close without giving HIS opinion of the relative merits of the two
most prominent combatants. The Weber, he says, has a weird and war-like tone, while
the Decker is dulcet and delicious. You pays your money and you takes your choice.—
Montreal Herald.
X. Y. Z.

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