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MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
and reliable than in this section, including the whole
northern part of western New York. But in the
southern part of western New York, and especially
the oil regions of New York and Pennsylvania, all
ALBANY, N. Y., Jan. 11, 1887.
business is quite the reverse—unsteady, poor pay,
rascality, bankruptcy to settle for fifty cents on a
GEO. P. BENT.
MESSRS. BILL & CABR, New York :
dollar is a usual thing; and next to gamblers and
GENTLEMEN : Replying to yours of the 7th inst.,
sewing machine agents, the music dealers are fore-
would say it is a quiet time with us, as we are busy
NEW ORLEANS, LA., Jan. 11, 1887.
most in rascality. One Olean firm recently bust.
taking inventory and have little time to attend to MESSRS. BILL & CARR :
driving trade, as we have at other times of the year.
GENTS: Business better. Started J. S. Johnston, Assigned, with wife preferred creditor. Settled with
We are not fully able to say just what '86 has done son of D. S. Johnston, of Cincinnati, on the road others at discount, and in sixty days from assign-
for us, but we expect an improvement over the year since the first, in Mississippi. Hartmann takes this ment came out with advertisement, "slight finan-
'85.
State; Wilson in Alabama, and want two more good cial difficulties adjusted," "old and reliable firm,"
" fair dealing," "confidence of the public," "best
Mr. F. P. Denison, who has been for a number of men.
years with our house, both in Albany and Troy, has
Will visit New York this summer, accompanied by goods at unheard-of low prices," etc. This must be
decided to enter the profession, and will leave on or my little girl, who is now two years and three consoling to the maker who took fifty cents on a dol-
lar for his honest claim. It is sublime cheek on the
about the 15th of this month for that purpose.
part of the dealer—characteristic of the oil regions.
Yours truly,
Such rascality may escape punishment for a time,
CLUETT & SONS.
but emboldened by success, they usually get behind
TIKIE
the bars at last.
MESSRS. BILL & CARR :
I see our Hon. Governor again asks the legisla-
GENTLEMEN : In reply to yours of the 7th inst.
ture to repeal the laws allowing preferred creditors.
will say I have nothing very interesting to write.
What rascally, villainous laws do slip through our
Trade since Christmas is dull, as is usual at this
Legislature —always attached to some apparently
time, and I am improving the opportunity to accu-
honorable and necessary Act.
mulate a stock in readiness for the trade which I
Thanks to our music journals, who caused the re-
feel sure we shall have soon, as people get settled
peal of the vile law of 1882, by which a dealer renting
down to business after the usual stock-taking, etc.,
a piano could not take his piano back without first
of Jan. 1st, and the weather becomes a little more
MANUFACTUEEES OF
refunding every cent of rent he had received. What
favorable. My business was excellent all through
knaves and fools find places in our legislature!
the fall "months, and I think from present outlook
W. F. GRAVES.
we shall have a good trade during 1887.
The iron business, which is said to be the ther-
mometer of trade in this country, is good, and pig
COHOCTON, N. Y., Jan. 11, 1887.
iron and manufactured stock have both advanced
MESSRS. BILL & CARR, N. Y.:
very much—in some instances twenty per cent. Col-
GENTS : I have had a very fair holiday trade this
lections in some cases are not so good as is desir-
season, fully up to expectations. There is a general
able, and I should be glad to see all business done
complaint of " hard times," but this is getting to be
on much nearer a "spot cash" basis than at pres-
an old story. This plea is always advanced when
ent, believing it to be much better for manufacturer,
the purchaser desires to sound " rock bottom," so
dealer and consumer.
we do not always give it its full consideration. Col-
Yours truly,
lecting is the same difficult task as formerly—hard
C. W. CHADWICK.
and slow. Not long ago I got an order from C. H.
Bad lam, of Ogdensburg, N. Y.; but when I requested
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 8, 1887.
a draft in advance of shipment, " his batteiies were
To T H E MUSIC TRADE REVIEW :
silenced," as I have not heard from him since, only
GENTLEMEN : Enclosed please find my check for
as I see him ventilated in the Music TRADE REVIEW.
one year's subscription for your valuable paper and
Your efforts ought to save dealers from loss by such
one year in your directory. During the year just
scamps.
closed I have done very well in my new store; withal
Notwithstanding the fact that my sales have been
I have h d more people to buy on time during the
mostly in country towns, I have averaged more pi-
holidays than in latter years, and I am satisfied that
anos than organs of late, which leads me to think
I will do a good business this year if there are no
that the taste of purchasers is improving. Also, the
long strikes. Wishing the TRADE REVIEW great Best of Workmanship and Quality of demand for the better class of pianos—uprights
success and a bright prospect for this year and all
without an exception has been very noticeable.
Goods Guaranteed.
future years, I remain,
Occasionally I encounter an individual who sings
Yours respectfully,
the praises of Beatty and his "twenty-seven stop-
JOHN PIKE.
Correspondence Solicited.
pers," but they are getting scarce and will soon be a
thing of the past.
TRADE CORRESPONDENCE.
and shall soon catch up and get stock a head. Hol-
iday trade was unusually heavy last November and
December.
Wishing you success and a happy new year, I am
Yours truly,
A. B. CHASE CO.,
HIGHEST GRADE
PARLOR AND CHAPEL
ALLENTOWN, PA., Jan. 14, 1887.
MESSRS. BILL & CARR:
GENTS : There are three music stores at this place:
C. F. Hermann, 7th and Walnut streets; G. C. Asch-
bach & Co., 532 Hamilton street; and E. S. Miller,
815 Hamilton street. Mr. Hermann's time is mostly
taken up with teaching, and he is not making extra
efforts to sell pianos and organs. Mr. Hermann is
undoubtedly the best organist in this section of
country and is in great demand as a teacher. He is
also conductor of the choral union.
G. C. Aschbach & Co handle Kranieh & Bach,
Baus, Sterling, McEwen and Mason & Hamlin pi-
anos, and Mason & Hamlin, Worcester, Story &
Clark, Loring & Blake and Taylor & Farley organs.
Their trade, what I know, is fair, considering that
they are an old established firm here.
My own trade was good during last year, and es-
pecially over the holidays.' I sold thirty per cent,
more pianos and organs in 1886 than in 1885, mostly
uprights. I handle Steinway, Decker Bros., Hallet
& Davis, Behr Bros., Opera, Christie, and Newby
& Evans pianos; and Eatey, Miller, Dyer & Hughes,
Sterling and Standard organs; also the Lawrence
Bros, six and seven octave organs. Trade in musi-
cal merchandise is good.
Yours respectfully,
ESSEX, CONN., Jan. 10, 1887.
A.+B.+CHASE+COMPANY,
19 Whittlesev Ave.,
NORWALK, OHIO.
months old, and can still take the medal from any
baby in the country. With very best wishes,
Remain your friend,
JDNIUS HART.
LOUISVILLE, KY., Jan. 12, 1887.
MESSRS. B I L L & CARR:
GENTLEMEN : In answer to your favor of the 7th,
I would like to say that I have no complaints to
make ot last year's business; that it was very good.
Our prospects for this year's work is better than that
of last year.
Respectfully,
E. S. MILLER.
CHICAGO, I I I . , Jan. 11, 1887.
W I L L . E. ADAIR.
ADDRESS,
THEO. GREEN.
CASTILE, N. Y., Jan. 12, 1887.
MESSRS. BILL & CARR :
MESSRS. BILL & CARR :
DEAR SIRS : Organ trade with me is booming.
Am behind orders, but am increasing my facilities,
GENTS : In no part of the United States is music
trade and all other business more staple, steady
MESSRS. BILL & CARR :
GENTLEMEN : I have no news to write except con-
cerning myself. I have sold out all my business
here. Mr. N. G. Post, who has been with me so
many years, will continue the music business at my
old stand. He will sell, rent and exchange, and will
attend to tuning and repairing.
I am not certain what I shall do, but shall remain
here until spring.
Yours hastily,
M. B. HALL.
r
SANDUSKY, O., Jan. 15th, 1887.
MESSRS. BILL & CARR :
GENTLEMEN : We are in receipt of your valued
REVIEW, which has so long been our constant re-
source for learning the true state of trade with deal-
ers and manufacturers of pianos and organs. The
trade in Sandusky and vicinity has been reasonably
good during the holidays, with favorable prospects
for a good trade during the winter and spring.
My personal trade has been quite satisfactory,
having kept a full stock of fine instruments on hand
(all paid for on receipt of shipping bill) and over
(100) one hundred pupils in my school. I have con-
cluded that business may be done with pleasure,
leaving excitement and anxiety to more ambitious
parties.
I am very truly,
MRS. P. A. FOLLET.