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Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
May 20th, 1882.
lumber, in their factory. Wood seasoned accord-
ing to this method is said to resist all the influ-
ences of the atmosphere, is made perfectly dry,
and at the same time preserved from decay and
INTERESTING TALK WITH MR. PHXLTP P. SAMUEL,
rendered imperishable.
OF THE LONDON FIRM OP BARNETT,
It is applicable to all kinds of wood, and has
SAMUEL & SONS.
become a principle in manufacture by this firm.
E had the pleasure recently ©f a call from
The wood in every instrument made by Christie
Mr. Philip P. Samuel, of the London firm,
& Son undergoes this process before it is utilized.
Barnett, Samuel & Sons, manufacturers and im-
This is in itself an advantage in favor of the
porters of musical instruments, who has just ar-
Christie piano. The case factory is located on
rived from Melbourne on his way to London.
Forty-first street.
The firm has houses in Melbourne, with branches
The agents of the firm and dealers that handle
in Sydney and Adelaide, Australia, also a house in
their pianos are extending and increasing the pat-
Klingenthal, and purchasing houses in Paris,
ronage of the firm constantly. Their is no doubt
NO REASON TO COMPLAIN.
Vienna and Leipsic.
that Christie & Son is one of the most j)rosperous
"Mr. Behr, what is your opinion of trade pros- houses in the trade.
The firm supplies dealers throughout the British
Empire, selling nothing at retail, and is well known, pects?" our representative asked the senior mem-
ber of the firm of Behr Bros. & Co., the manu-
having been in business for over fifty years.
' "CHECKING."
Mr. Samuel left London two and a half years ago, facturers of cylinder-top uprights, the other day.
"Trade will, in my opinion, remain steady until
during which time he has been actively engaged
in trade matters in Australia. He will return in about the fourth of July; so will prices remain
OPINION OF MESSRS. SOHMER A CO.
about three months, via Suez, taking in India en about the same as they are. We have no reason
to complain. This week our full complement of
I" FULLY agree with the article contained in
route.
J_ the last number of THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND
The opportunity being a rare one to get direct orders have again come in."
"How is it in your case-making department?" TRADE REVIEW on the. subject of 'checking,' " said
information regarding the general condition of
"Our case business is exceedingly brisk; more Mr. Sohmer the other day to a representative of
the music trades in Australia and the special trade
in American goods, we took advantage of his call oi'ders on our books than we can fill, and we ex- this journal.
"Checking has been a serious evil, which all
to obtain Mr. Samuel's opinion on this important pect it to remnin so all summer, simply because the
manufacturers have had to contend against. As
subject, which is of interest to American manufac- manufacturers will stock up for the fall trade."
"We understand you are about getting a new long as rosewood veneers are used, 'checking' will
turers of musical instruments.
occur, although not as much as we find it, but
"It is the difference in price between the Ameri- catalogue?"
'Yes, I expect our new catalogue will be finished still it will always be an impediment. The reason
can and the German pianos," said Mr. Samuel,
"that makes it difficult to compete with the latter in about two or three weeks. W<> expect it will be I say not as much as we find it, is, that if more
instruments. The excellent quality of the Ameri- :>ne of the finest and most artistic that has ever care were taken Avith pianos there would be less
'checking.' In the country, especially where
can pianos is conceded, although I contend that been issued."
pianos are placed against the outside wall of the
our European pianos are made as well as we re-
ESTABLISHING NEW AGENCIES.
parlor, or near it, they are subjected to the influ-
quire them, but they are too high-priced, and the
"How do you find trade?" was asked of a repre- ences that hasten 'checking.' People often claim
consequence is, that out of 100 sold in Australia, sentative of the firm of Calenberg & Vaupel.
that the wood is not seasoned, but, as a fact, the
70 are of German make. You see, through heavy
are establishing new agencies all the time. dryest and most seasoned wood will absorb more
duties, you keep foreign competition out of this Mr. "We
Calenberg
has
recently
returned
from
an
country, and then when you must pay the same Eastern trip, where he has opened several excel- rapidly than green wood will."
duties elsewhere, you cannot compete on account lent connections. It is all we can do to keep up
"Consequently it cannot be successfully pre-
of the high jjrices of your goods."
vented?"
our supply."
"So far, it has not been prevented. I think
"How is it with organs?"
"And how is your retail business?"
"American organs are well represented in Aus- '•That is altogether a different trade. That that rosewood is the handsomest wood for a piano,
tralia. We are selling Peloubet's 'Standard' or- trade must be looked for. Competition is so very and it is certainly best adapted on the score of
gans, controlling the whole of Australasia, where vigorous that profits are being cut down more beauty, but it will always give this trouble. I am
they are selling right along, the trade being four- and more. However, we cannot complain, as our satisfied that if cherry could be brought into gen-
eral uRe, it would soon make a desirable article.
fold over what it was when I first went out, over trade is fair, with prospects of continuing so."
Ebonized cherry certainly makes an excellent
two years ago."
TWO MONTHS BEHIND ORDERS.
substitute, especially if handsomely decorated
"How are organs generally shipped?"
"How is trade in Sohmer pianos?" asked our with gilt work. If a good design is used, it makes
"Many are shipped from New York directly,
a handsome piece of furniture."
and quite a large number from here via London, representative.
"Well," said Sohmer, "we are way ahead in
"There are other woods also which could be
the freight being forty shillings per ton by either
route, including steamship freight from here to orders, which will take us fully two months to fill used?"
" Yes, sir, there is French walnut and mahogany
London, and thence with sailing vessels to Aus- Especially is this the case with uprights, orders
for the same being as large as before the holidays." wood. If the public would take to these woods it
tralia around the Horn."
' 'This is doing business, eBpeciallyat this season." would be of great advantage to the manufacturers,
"What is the general condition of trade in Aus-
"Yes, sir, we are satisfied with our trade; it is because they are constantly annoyed with 'check-
tralia?"
"Trade is prosperous. We suffer at times from only three o'clock and we sold three pianos at re- ing,' notwithstanding the great care that is taken.
droughts which interfere much with business. tail to-day. In fact, we are as busy as we can be." I know that we are as careful as can be in order to
prevent it in our cases."
BUSINESS STEADY.
When I left we had been suffering somewhat from
'' You agree in general with the opinion expressed
a drought for two or three months, and unless it
"We find trade in excellent condition," said
is broken up trade will suffer. During the past Mr. Hazelton, of Hazelton Bros., the piano manu- in THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW?"
three or four years business has been remarkably facturers, to a representative of THE MUSICAL CRITIC " Yes, in general. There is one point, however,
with which I do not agree, and that is where an
good, and large shipments of wares have been AND TRADE REVIEW.
of rosewood or ebony finish is recom-
made. I wish to call attention to the general cli-
" What indications are there for June and July?" imitation
I do not believe that staining should be
matic influences. Organs must be substantially
" Business will probably continue steady. At mended.
built, as the climate varies greatly, and they are present we are way behind in orders, and, as you resorted to. Let the wood appear natural, because
work looks better and is more durable I am
thereby subjected to a severe test "
gee, we are shipping and cannot get a stock ahead the
glad the subjeot is being ventilated in your valu-
"Do time payments exist among the dealers to for our wareroom here."
able paper. It is a vital subject with the whole
a great extent?"
" How is the trade in uprights?"
trade, and the investigation should be made as
"As in England," said Mr. Samuel, "there is a 1
"About the same as in squares. You see the exhaustive
as possible."
time-payment system which is called two-years square piano is a solid instrument, especially
payments, which enables installment purchasers adapted to practice and for schools, seminaries,
to make easy payments."
and such institutions, and orders for it continue to Mr. Munger, music dealer, of St. Paul, Minn.,
"When will you leave here?"
come in regularly. All the indications point to a was in town recently, looking jovial as ever and
"I leave for England on the 'Republic' on May steady business for some time to come."
with his supply of good stories by no means ex-
25, and you will hear from me when I get back to
hausted.
Australia."
CHRISTIE & SON.
NE of the busiest piano manufacturing firms R. D. Gardner, Adams, N. Y., moved into his
GERSTER TO HAINES.
is Messrs. Christie & Son, formerly Christie new block, corner Church and Main streets, on
& Co., of Nos. 209 to 221 West Thirty-sixth street. May 13. His store is a pleasant one, 22x45 feet,
T)EAD the following letter:
The business was established in 1850 by Mr. two stories high. The first floor is used for the
Christie, a practical and experienced piano maker, office, pianos, organs and small musical merchan-
VICTORIA HOTEL,
who understands every feature connected with the dise, sheet music, stools, &c, and the upper floor
TWENTY-SEVENTH STREET AND FIFTH AVENUE,
is used for a repair shop and storage. He has on
manufacture of pianos.
NEW YORK, May, 1882.
Dear Messrs. Haines—I beg to acknowledge re- At the start, the production was limited to one hand several kinds of organs and pianos.
ceipt of invoice of the magnificent upright of piano per week, from which number the increase Ouvrier Bros.'piano warerooms are now situated
your make that I selected, and herewith inclose has steadily grown, until now the firm manufac- at Nos. 1 and 3 Union Square, west side.
shipping directions. Neither in Europe nor tures thirty pianos per week.
Mr. P. D. Strauch, of Strauch Bros., pianoforte
The trade of the house extends all over the
America have I seen an upright that equalled
yours in pure singing quality and great volume of country, but the great majority of their instru- action manufacturers, is out of town on a business
tone, or elasticity and evenness of action. It will ments is sent West. At present they are unable trip. He is expected back by the 25th inst.
have constant use in the saloon of my villa at to fill all the orders that are constantly coming in.
R. E. Letten, Quincy, 111., dealer in pianos and
Bologna, and it will be a daily reminder of the de- One agent alone should have been supplied with organs, has been partly burned out. Fully in-
lightful associations I have found in America. fourteen uprights at least ten days ago, but the sured.
Hoping to have the pleasure of a visit from you at busy condition of the firm prevented them from
Angell, Bower & White, Omaha, Neb., music
Bologna, and with thanks for your many kind- supplying the instruments in time.
nesses, believe me, with much respect, sincerely Messrs. Christie & Son have applied Robbins's dealers, have dissolved partnership. Angell &
invention, known as the process for vulcanizing Brown succeed.
your friend,
ETELKA GERSTER. G
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