Music Trade Review

Issue: 1889 Vol. 12 N. 12

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
Music Trade
REVIEW.
The Only Music Trade Paper in America, and the Organ of the Music Trade of this Country.
1879.
NEW YORK, JANUARY 20 TO FEBRUARY 5, 1
VOL. XII. No. 12.
PUBLISHED + TWICE * EACH • MONTH.
J E F F . DAVIS BILL.
EDWARD LYMAN BILL,.
BILL & BILL,
EDITORS AND PROPRIETORS.
All Checks, Drafts, money orders, Postal
Notes and Mall matter should be
made to
BILL & BILL,
EDITORS k PROPRIETOR.
3 EAST 14th STBEET, NEW YORE.
StiBst-RipntoN (including postage) United States and Canada,
13.00 per year, in advance; Foreign Countries, $4.00
ADVERTISEMENTS, $2.00 per inch, single column, per insertion;
unless inserted upon rate* made by special contract.
. Entered at the New York Pott Office at Second Clou Matter.
HELPFUL HINTS
Have you seen our last publication ? If not, let us
know and we will mail you one.
FARE AND & VOTEY ORGAN CO.,
DETROIT, Mich.
THE BURDETT'S RETIREMENT.
A STRICTLY CONSERVATIVE ERIE COMPANY DECIDES TO
DISCONTINUE BUSINESS.
HE Burdett Organ Co, (limited) of this city, being
unwilling to do business as too many manufac-
turers do it—that is run in debt, consign goods,
take customers' paper and incur numberless other trade
risks—has determined to discontinue the organ manu-
facture, the profits of which are not sufficiently large to
induce its continuance. Judge Converse, this company's
business manager, will close out its stock of organs in
the execution of its regular orders, the steady inflow
of which will consume it all, in the space of a few
months. The company will necessarily retain its present
corps of employes for some time to come. It will sell
the very large and valuable stock of seasoned walnut
and other lumber which it owns and has on hand, and
which, in itself, represents an amount of capital large
T
enough to run an ordinary factory. It will also offer
for sale the western half of the block-front on West
Twelfth street owned by this company, its building and
yards occupying the eastern half of this block. When
its present stock of organs, lumber, material, etc., has
been disposed of, it will then decide whether it will un-
dertake some other kind of wood-working or manufac-
turing enterprise or not.
This company's present officials: Messrs. R. Burdett,
chairman; P. Metcalf, treasurer, and C. C. Converse,
secretary and business manager, have held their respec-
tive offices ever since this company was organized here.
Mr. B. O. Church, its former superintendent, retired
from business because of ill health, a few years ago.
This solid company's affairs have been so managed as
to yield all its stock-owners very large cash returns lor
their investments, aggregating several times the cap-
ital stock, whilst its organs have ever held the first rank
for musical excellence. This company's governing mot-
toes have ever been these:
I—Make the best organ possible.
2—Sell it and get the pay.
3—Pay as you go.
This eminently conservative company has never had
discounted a single scrap of paper, nor resorted to the
use of accommodation paper, nor to any of those trade
make-shifts which at every hardening of the money
market sends many a manufacturing concern to the
wall. This safe company could go on in business for
years to come, as it has done, and make money, or it
could undertake the making of cheap, scamp organs, or
assume the credit-risks which its trade rivals embrace.
This solid company prefers to stop. Because of its ad-
mirable conservatism, this sound company does not owe
a dollar to-day. It owns a very valuable plant, which,
with its many other valuable, money-bringing assets,
place it in a pecuniary condition usually designated as
extremely well-fixed. Its highly successful business
management forms a trade-model, richly worthy the
praise and emulation of all business men, many of
whom seem not to know when to begin or to stop bus-
$3.00 PER YEAR.
SINGLE COPIES, 15 CENTS.
iness. Doubtless the fact that each of this company's
members is in such a personal pecuniary condition as
to render him independent of its gains, may be a prime
factor in its conservatism, yet it deserves great credit
for that true business prudence and wisdom which has
ever governed its transactions. The Burdett Organ
Co.'s capital stock is owned by Judge Converse, P. Met-
calf, R. Burdett, Hon. W. A. Galbraith, Hon. S. A.
Davenport, Hon. O. Noble, F. W. Metcalf, E. M. Bliss
and G. F. Brierley. In the successful career of this com-
pany the mechanical genius of Mr. Burdett and Mr.
Church has been admirably supplemented by the rare
business ability, extensive music trade acquaintance and
sound legal judgment of Judge Converse; and the solid
pecuniary results which have been realized have amply
satisfied all concerned.
This company's charter provides for the making of pi-
anos and other musical instruments, as well as organs.
Judge Converse and other leading stockholders have
important data concerning these other musical indus-
tries, and may determine to undertake what would re-
quire the enlargement of the Burdett factory and the
employment of more men than this company has ever
before required. The career of the Burdett Organ Co.
illustrates the sure success which attends the combina-
tion of mechanical talent, business sagacity and money.
The Burdett Organ Co. began business with a capital
ot $105,000. Its great trade compeers have employed
very much larger capitals, yet because of their lack of
discrimination as to music trade-credits and their faulty
business judgment, their larger sales of organs have
been, because of great losses, less profitable than those
of this company.
Judge Converse's familiarity with the organ trade
and knowledge of the tendencies of the shoddy organ
business led him to the opinion, several years ago, that
organ-making had become unprofitable. Hence his
suggestion, at this company's annual meeting a year
ago, that their best course then was to merge their busi-
ness into some other line of industry. At their meet-
ing this year his prudent suggestion was duly approved
and acted upon.—Erie, Pa., Dispatch, Jan. 14th.
MASON & Riscri, the Toronto piano makers, have
purchased the patent, plant, stock and good will of the
New York Church Organ Co. They already control
the sale of the vocalion in Canada. Mr. Robert S.
Gourlay of Toronto and Mr. J. W. Currier are associated
with Mason & Risch in the new enterprise.
MR. R. M. WALTERS, the well-known piano-forte man-
ufacturer has been appointed chairman of the floor
committee of the Union Boat Club hall, which will take
place at the Metropolitan Opera House on Tuesday
evening next, January 22d.
THE Bridgeport (Conn.) Organ Co. are having a very
large January trade. Their business of last year far ex-
ceeded their most sanguine anticipations.
THE actions of The Comstock, Cheney & Co., of
Ivoryton, Conn., are finding greater favor with the
trade than ever. This famous firm are experiencing
considerable difficulty in meeting the demands upon
them.
THE Dennison Organ & Music Co. of Glasgow, Ky.,
report a good and increasing trade in that city and the
vicinity. The Co. anticipate establishing a branch mu-
sic store in Nashville, Tenn. All the dealers in the
neighborhood enjoyed a magnificent holiday trade.
MR. C. H HENNING, formerly of the firm of Wegman
& Henning, of Auburn, N. Y., is perfecting arrange-
ments for the manufacture of pianos in this city, and
will shortly commence operations.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
2O6
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
We would respectfully refer you to one of these
agencies.
Yours truly,
We were not surprised upon receiving from the in-
quiring correspondent a letter running as follows :
tinguished the flames immediately. The extent of the
loss, which was very slight, and fully covered by in-
surance, is not at present accurately known. The re-
sulting inconvenience and delay in the manufacturing
department will be exceedingly slight.
" MESSRS, BILL & BILL, Publishers,
3 East 14th Street, New York City, N. Y.:
GENTLEMEN: We enclose herewith a bit of corres-
pondence, which would serve to " point out a moral or
adorn a tale." You are at liberty to publish the same
in your valuable paper, " if you can use it," with suit-
able reservations. We have always deemed it a pleas-
ure, and withal a duty, to answer any inquiry of a like
nature, and should accuse ourselves of a total lack of
ordinary courtesy and fraternal feeling towards the
trade if we pursued the tactics of our esteemed inform-
ant.
Kindly .return correspondence and oblige.
Yours faithfully,
ANANIAS SQUARELY CHALLENGED.
J
OHN J. SWICK is manfully meeting the attacks
made upon him by malicious and blackmailing
persons, He offers four sums of $1,000 each, as
follows: 1. To the circulators of the report that the
Swick piano is manufactured in Paterson, N. J., if they
can show him a Swick piano that has been made there,
$1,000. 2. To any one who can produce a circular,
falsely reported to have been issued, in which Herlich
& Co. state that they are willing to stencil any name on
OR
a piano that the purchaser may desire, $1,000. 3. To
see a Swick piano that was ever made, or stenciled
For tlje wrong tfy
The question for our readers and for the trade is: " Swick," in the Herlich factory, $1,000. 4. To any one
For I k future
who can show that Herlich & Co. are stenciling for any
"Seeing that a well-accredited house cannot of itself one at the present time, $1,000. Many representative
tbi p»d tljat
command common business courtesy on the part of an- dealers in all parts of the country testify to the stand-
other eminent house in so important a matter, in what ing of the Herlich piano, among them being the follow-
way is the desired (and necessary) information to be ob- ing:
EDHOLM & AIKEN, Omaha, Neb., who have bought
tained V The answer will have occurred to every in- over
60 Herlich pianas, say: " The last pianos you sent
telligent peruser of these lines. It is, " By establishing us were very fine ones; they are equal to any pianos we
have
ever seen."
an association whose business it shall be \.Q investigate
MISSION OF T H E F R E E LANCE.
A. VANDERBECK, Plainfield, N. J.—"Your pianos are
OUR free lance is " free " only in the sense conveyed all such matters." As we have frequently pointed out perfect, and I congratulate you on your success as piano
of late, such an organization could not fail to be of in- manufacturers. I know of pianos that sell fifty per
by the poet Cowper when he said:
cent, higher in price, which I might call 'name board'
calculable value. Had such a body existed at the time pianos, which do not compare with the Herlich piano."
" He is the freeman whom the truth makes free,
of our correspondents' inquiry, they would not have
Russ C. MUNGER, of St. Paul, Minn.—"I consider
And all are slaves beside."
been subjected to the churlishness characterizing the your piano a very good instrument."
C. E. PROUTY, Bradford, 111.—" I can recommend
Time was when kings claimed that by right divine
answer printed above, nor to the delay involved in pur- your pianos to any one as first-class."
they were empowered even to do wrong. No such ty-
suing their investigations elsewhere. Civilities be-
I. G. HOYT, Osceola, Pa.—-" Your pianos rank with
rannical arrogance actuates THE MUSIC TRADE RE-
the best. I consider them first-class. They give the
tween traders, as we have inferred, are among the best best
of satisfaction."
VIEW. Our lance is not free to oppose the right, or to
amenities of commercial intercourse, but in the absence
OLIVER PECK, Oswego, N. Y.—" Your pianos give
defend the wrong ; but it is free, and will remain free,
of a properly-ordered bureau of information they can- the best of satisfaction. They are first-class, and will
soon prove the same to all dealers."
to attack without fear and without mercy every dis-
not always be counted upon with certainty. The es-
C. N. STIMPSON & Co., Springfield, Mass.—"We put
honorable thing connected with the music trade of
tablishment of a Protective Union does not mean the the Herlich in competition with lhe '——,' and beat the
America, and to shield and protect the honest and the
inauguration of a system of unnecessary or disagree- same on two sales. , Your piano is first-class."
THOMAS CAREY, Charlotte, Mich.—"Send me five
good, regardless of social position or mercantile influ-
able espionage. Membership of such a body would be Cs. in walnut, one in oak and one in ash. Find check
ence. Everything connected with the divine art of
a sufficient guarantee of the standing and character of inclosed. Your pianos are A No. 1. and give the best
of satisfaction. I know of none better."
music should be held aloof from the faintest suspicion of
the members. No manufacturer or dealer of doubtful
KOERBER PIANO CO., St. Louis, Mo.—" Send four a
selfish or immoral taint. Mercenary motives must be
antecedents or crooked business habits would gain ad- week right along. Your pianos sell at sight, and I like
held in check, trade papers should be actuated by a pro-
mission to its sheltering fold. All inquiries as to the them. I want 280 of them for the year 1889 at the
lowest."
found desire for the honorable welfare of the trade, and
bona fides of applicants for credit or otherwise would
Further, the following firms have lately received ship-
a chivalrous courtesy should be maintained. These
be conducted quietly, quickly, and without the possi- ments from Herlich & Co.: Dawson & Karn, Fort
ends have ever been sought by THE MUSIC TRADE RE-
bility of offence or injury to any firm or individual. In Wayne, Ind.; Wm. G. Fischer, Philadelphia, Pa.; G. F.
VIEW, and to gain them is the mission of our Free Lance.
a word, the approval or disapproval by the Union of Wentworth, Denver, Col., late of King Piano Co., who
*
received twenty style C's, and sent an order for fifty
* *
any house or person would stamp such house or person more, to be shipped as soon as possible; Alexander H.
as honorable, reliable and straightforward, or as tricky, Revell & Co., Chicago, 111.; and Kohler & Chase, San
IN UNITY IS STRENGTH.
halting and unworthy of confidence.
Francisco, Cal.
EVEN SO insignificant a thing as a straw, as a familiar
Further,
the
social
advantages
of
such
a
combination
old adage reminds us, can serve a good purpose by in-
THE HALLET & DAVIS COS ATTRACTIVE
dicating the direction of the wind. We are in receipt of ought not to be overlooked. Head-quarters would par-
METHOD OF ADVERTISING.
a very valuable " straw " in connection with our humble take of the character of a club; and what finer or more
E notice, on perusing the pages of the recently
efforts to place before the trade the desirability of a imposing club could there be than one wherein would
issued Indicator annual, that the Hallet &
Protective Union of Organ and Piano Manufacturers. congregate the Mite of the music trades ?
Davis Co. have adopted a new and striking
On
the
whole
it
appears
to
us
and
to
many
of
our
A firm of organ makers, of the highest repute, recently
mode of bringing their instruments to the notice of the
advertising
patrons
and
friends,
that
the
formation
of
dispatched to one of the largest wholesale and retail
trade. Five pages are occupied by capital portraits of
music dealers' houses in the country the following com- an American Piano and Organ Manufacturers' Protect- eight leading Chicago musicians, each picture being fol-
ive Union would conduce to harmony and good fellow- lowed by the testimonial and fac-simile autograph of
munication :
ship
among the trade, as well as to their great com- each person represented in it. The testimonials are ad-
"DEAR SIRS: Mr.
, of
, refers us to you.
mercial
benefit. Once more we cordially and respectfully dressed both to the Hallet & Davis Co. of Boston and
Any information you can give regarding his character
to the W. W. Kimball Co. of Chicago. First comes a
and commercial standing, or any reasons why credit invite suggestions and counsel in regard to this im-
representation of August Hyllested, the renowned pian-
dealings would be unwise, will be appreciated and used portant matter. Our columns are at the service of the
ist, seated at his piano. Then follow Messrs. Hans and
in confidence for commercial purposes. We shall be manufacturers and dealers of the country. Our inter-
Christian
Balatka, the one leading an orchestra, and the
glad to reciprocate the favor, should an opportunity
other
taking
the part of piano accompanist; Mr. Emil
ests
and
the
interests
of
our
customers
are
identical.
ever present itself. Please reply on this sheet. Stamped
Come then, friends, and let us reason together. " In Liebling, with lissome fingers gliding gaily over the
envelope enclosed.
keyboard ; the dignified violin-master Jacobsohn, whose
the multitude of counsellors is wisdom." Cool, frank,
Yours truly,
strings are well attuned to the Hallet & Davis piano
and fair discussion cannot but result in the discovery of upon which Mr. Louis Falk accompanies him ; and Dr.
Assuredly a polite and business-like epistle, and, ema- truth, and with truth as a fundamental basis our cause Florence Ziegfeld and Miss Clara Osborne, the learned
nating as it did from a house of unquestioned probity will flourish and prosper unto the remotest ages of ap- doctor wielding his baton with facile grace, and the dis-
tinguished lady at his side producing joy and sunshine
and world-wide celebrity, worthy of a more extended pointed time.
*
from the world-renowned Boston instrument. The por-
* *
reply than the following:
traits are at once recognized, and the attitudes are ex-
A FIRE broke out in the basement of the factory of ceedingly characteristic. These pages reflect the great-
"GENTLEMEN: In reply to yours of the 17th inst., re-
Behning
& Son, at Harlem, about 5.30 P. M. on the 17th est credit both upon the artist and upon the conceiver
questing information about Mr.
, of
, would
say that we are not in the mercantile agency business, inst. The firemen were promptly on the scene, and ex- of this most realistic style of advertising.
TJffllfiEE
W

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