Music Trade Review

Issue: 1891 Vol. N. A

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
VOL. XV. No. i.
NEW YORK, AUGUST 5 TO 20, 1891
CHICAGO.
A MORE PROMISING STATE OF T R A D E — T H E MANUFAC-
TURERS' r i A N O CO.—A GOOD SHOWING—STEGER &
CO.'S
FINE
QUARTERS—IMMENSE
OPERATIONS
OF LYON & H E A L Y — T H E W . W . KIMBALL
CO.'S
EXTENSIONS—TRADE
PERSON-
ALS, ETC.
CHICAGO, July 31, 1891.
Editors Music TRAbE REVIEW :
To marty unfamiliar with the vagaries of Chicago
trade it may seem like " midsummer madness" to say
that business is fairly good and that dealers are in great
good humor. Yet things in general are going very
smoothly for our friends in the trade, and a grumpy in-
dividual is the exception. July has been an exception-
ally good month for all, and 1 now hear very little
detrimental to the fair reputation of the McKinley Bill,
derogatory to our winter visitor, la grippe, or condemn-
atory of characteristic Chicago weather. To the en-
thusiast in the pursuit of business there is little incen-
tive to go abroad to recuperate, for we have every
concomitant of health, comfort and pleasure right
with us,
I have rarely found such a good state of feeling ex-
tant in the middle-year season as is now everywhere
apparent.
To-day completes the first year's business of The
Manufacturers' Piano Company, of Chicago, which, it is
generally understood, has been an extraordinarily suc-
cessful ohe. The annual meeting of the stockholders
and directors is to be held Tuesday, August, n t h , and
directors William Foster, the trustee of the Weber
estate, and Wm. E. Wheelock, John W. Mason and
Charles 13. Lawson, of the Wheelock, Stuyvesant and
Lindeman houses, are expected to be present from New
York. During the first year of its organization The
Manufacturers' Piano Company has established agen-
cies for the sale of its instruments in most of the prin-
cipal cities and towns of the West, and it is safe to say
that in the course of another twelve months the field
will be thoroughly occupied. The construction of the
warerooms, salesrooms and offices has been so changed
as to give more light, space and convenience, and work
is now easier alike for employees and customers. All
parties interested are clearly satisfied with the present
status of affairs.
Messrs. Steger & Co., since they have moved over
from State street to Wabash avenue, have just been
making things lively, not only for the trade but for
themselves and friends. Their selection of a location
bids fair to prove a happy one in every respect. They
are on the main drive thoroughfare from the grand
Michigan Boulevard to the West Side, where live two-
thirds of Chicago's population of over a million people,
and midway between the former and State street, the
great retail street of the World's Fair city. In addi-
tion to having an eligible corner they have a house that
is in itself a gem for the piano business. The show
windows, fronting on two streets, are artistically ar-
ranged, while the first floor show room, with its display
of Sohmer and Steger pianos, is the admiration of all
those who call, and they are legion. But the very acme
of taking display is reached on the second floor, where
costly draperies and art objects in sculpture and paint-
ing, from the elevator shaft to every imaginable nook
and cranny, combine, with the beautifnlly carved and
polished instruments to make the place a very bower of
beauty and attractiveness,
Mr. Steger made an advantageous lease of the whole
building, reserved the best part of it for his own uses,
and sublet the remainder. As he has it fixed his ship-
ping is all done from an alley in the rear, and his cus-
tomers never see or know how or where the hourly
shipments and receipts go and come.
It would surprise many people, not only abroad but
here, to know the amount of business now being done by
the music trade of Chicago. The total business done by
the Lyon & Healy Co. alone in 1890 aggregated $2,000,-
000. 564 people were engaged in handling this immense
business, which is all done by departments, each having
its particular chief, but all under one general head. In
pianos their trade is confined to America, but in organs
they circle the globe. Half a hundred men are engaged
in the piano department, and the value of stock therein
foots up nearly 150,000. The firm have a factory on the
West Side, where they manufacture harps, guitars,
violins, zithers, mandolins, organs, &c, &c. In the
small-musical-instrument department examples of the
achievements of the best musical mechanics in the Old
World are always to be found. The music and book
department and business offices are on the first floor.
The house of Lyon & Healy is voted to be one of the
most complete musical establishments to be found any-
where. Their business is constantly on the increase.
In Knabe pianos alone the sales for July were 175 per
cent, over those of the same month in 1890.
John W. Northrup, salesman for the Kimball Com-
pany, is still on the sick list. His confrere, E. S. Smith,
is on a well-earned vacation.
Mr. Cheney, of The Comstock Cheney & Co., of Ivory-
ton, Conn., the well known key makers ; Mr. M. J. Chase,
of the Chickering-Chase concern, Muskegon, and C. C.
Colby, of the Colby Piano Co., of Erie, Pa., were here
this week. Mr. Colby, while here, completed arrange-
ments for opening his new branch house in the World's
Fair City.
The Kimball Company are still in the front rank in
all that pertains to the music trade. They are now
making a great specialty of small pipe organs, in the
manufacture of which they are excelling. Although
their warerooms seemed large enough for almost any
state of trade they have bad to curtail desk room to
accommodate their display room. The retail trade of the
firm foots up over $30,000 more than for the same month
last year, and while the wholesale does not make quite
so good a showing it is yet very encouraging. Alto-
gether the house is congratulating itself on the change
from State street to Wabash avenue. The large music
hall in their new place is almost constantly engaged,
and the music studios are all taken for the coming year.
Mr. A. G. Cone, of the firm, is back from an extensive
summer outing and has settled down to business.
Mr. E. S. Conway is off with his family on a trip to
the Yellowstone Park, while Mr. Kimball himself is
enjoying a sojourn with his family at Geneva Lake.
Yours, &c,
Banjo, No. 456,029, F. Gretsch.
Musical instrument, No. 456,027, G. A. Ernst.
Piano pedal, No. 456,088, J. V. Goodman.
Music stand, case and portfolio, No. 456 433, S. C.
Rue.
BANJO.—Frederick Gretsch, Brooklyn, N. Y. This
invention provides a means whereby the brackets usu-
ally employed on a banjo head may be dispensed with
and the neck may be secured to the head in such a
manner as not to weaken but to strengthen the head,
with the object of lessening the cost and improving the
quality of the tone. A sounding plate with a central
opening constitutes the bottom of the head, to the
under surface of which the neck is secured, while a
clamping band encircles the body band, resting on the
sounding plate, the clips engaging the clamping band
being passed through the sounding plate and being pro-
vided with adjusting or locking devices.—Siietttific
American.
EXPORTS AND IMPORTS.
CUSTOM H O U S E , BOSTON. MASS ,
\
Exportations of Musical Instruments for the month
of June, 1891.
To Germany.
Twelve (12) pianos
$3,000
-
To England:
One hundred and seventy-four (174) organs. $10,250
2,207
All other and parts of
Total,
-
-
-
-
$12,457
To Nova Scotia.
Three (3) pianos
All other and parts of -
Total
75o
256
$ 1,00b
To Newfoundland.
Five (5) organs
$980
To Br. West Indies.
One (1) organ
$125
Combined total,
$17,568
Importations of Musical Instruments into the Port of
Boston during the month of June, 1891:
I. A. FLEMING.
POLLOCK & Co., N . Y . , are moving ahead. Their
pianos are attracting attention In many quarters,
)
Collector's Office, June 16, 189L
Countries
France
Germa n y . 5
Value.
$4,847
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
ments.
And we are known not alone in the United
States, but in European and other civilized countries.
*
* *
MUSIC TRADE REVIEW has caused us to realize the
T H E MUSIC TRADE REVIEW has been reared upon a
PUBLISHED * TWICE * EACH * MONTH
3 EAST 14th STREET, NEW YOEK.
SUBSCRIPTION (Including postage) United States and Oanada,
$3.00 per year, in advance; Foreign Countries, $4.00
ADVERTISEMENTS, $2.00 per inch, single column, per Insertion;
unless inserted upon rates made by special contract.
strong and solid foundation, viz., the confidence and
good will of the trade, who have never failed to re-
spond generously to our efforts in their behalf. Our
progress has never been barred or marred by the
flighty, the unreliable, or the sensational. We have
aimed to publish all the news of the trade, and to set
it forth in a concise, intelligible and attractive form
Personalities—and particularly those of an undignified
character—have been eschewed ; threats have been
avoided ; our extensive business has been founded and
maintained wholly and solely upon the opinions volun-
tarily formed of us by our patrons, whose displayed
cards are sufficient recommendation of our habit and
manner of doing business, for nearly every reputable
manufacturer connected with the music trades of
America is represented in these pages.
• »
To have arrived at our present position is, of course
highly satisfactory to us. But the measure of our sat-
isfaction is by no means full. Wider fields and higher
heights await our exploration, for the purposes whereof
we propose to make, from time to time, additions to
our paper which will interest our friends, and invest
our endeavors with greater influence and importance.
Entered at the New York Pott Office at Second Class Matter.
* • *
MR. G I L D E M E E S T E R
OUR T H I R T E E N T H
YEAR.
FOR two reasons we take some pride—of a justifiable
character, we hope—in this issue of T H E MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW,
First, we have started upon a series of
changes which will vastly improve the appearance of
our paper, and which when completed will render it
more of a favorite with the trade than ever; and sec-
ondly, this number marks the commencement of the
thirteenth year of our existence.
During twelve years this paper has been placed reg-
ularly before the trade in every section of the Union.
Not once has an issue been missed or skipped. ' T H E
MUSIC TRADE REVIEW began as a weakling of a dozen
pages, with a very slight advertising patronage. It has
increased and progressed, surely and steadily, until it is
a healthy adult of twenty-four pages, occasionally
stretching, as on the present occasion, to twenty-eight
or thirty-two pages. There has been nothing mush-
room-like about its growth, which has been tended
under the most favorable conditions, and with the
marked approval of the music trades of America.
* *
Our patrons are to be found in every section of
the country. They have constantly and consistently
aided us in building up and in firmly establishing an
organ in which they have ever reposed firm faith,
and to-day we are proud of the fact that T H E
MUSIC TRADE REVIEW is
respected wherever it
is
known, both by reason of its frank and fearless policy
and of the fullness and accuracy of its news announce-
OUR N E W Q U A R T E R S .
DURING many months the growing business of T H E
RETIRES.
O N the 29th ult. Mr. P . J. Gildemeester, who for
thirteen years has been an active officer of the firm of
Chickering & Sons, severed his connection with that
house. Since his first association with that eminent
concern Mr- Gildemeester has labored indefatigably in
its interests, and has merited and been honored with
the highest esteem and the most implicit confidence of
all his associates. Mr. C, Frank Chickering personally
expressed to us, shortly before his death, his deep appr-
eciation of Mr. Gildemeester's character and services.
Events have occurred which, in the opinion of Mr.
Gildemeester, justify the step he has taken. He has
resigned his position as manager of the firm's whole-
sale department, and has sold his stock in the firm.
At present he has not definitely decided as to his future
movements, but that he will re-enter the music trade
at an early date is a foregone conclusion. A man of
Mr. Gildemeester's integrity, energy and ability cannot
long remain out of the active life to which he has been
accustomed.
Mr. Gildemeester parts from the firm of Chickering
& Sons amid the regrets of all his old associates and
employees. When he called together the latter on last
Thursday afternoon, and informed them of the decision
at which he had arrived, an affecting scene occurred,
for the departing manager was always exceedingly
popular with the Chickering staff as an officer and
member of the concern, while as a man he enjoyed
their unfeigned respect and admiration.
Mr. Gildemeester has, as we have said, labored with
tireless devotion in the interest of the house of Chick-
ering, and for their weal has not hesitated to draw to
the full upon his powerful will and superb mental
force. No wonder that his withdrawal from member-
ship of the firm, and the resignation of his position as
manager, are keenly felt by his late colleagues and
associates. The final arrangements were conducted in
the most amicable and pleasant manner, as might have
been anticipated. Only the kindliest of feelings are
entertained between Mr. Gildemeester and all from
whom he has parted.
inadequacy of our present offices to our needs. We
have been " cribb'd, cabined, and confined," and con-
stantly reminded of the necessity of suiting our sur-
roundings to our improved circumstances and greatly
extended operations. However, not desiring to move
very far from the old stand, which has for so many
years been the scene of our struggles and successes, we
have relied upon the undertaking of Messrs. Alden &
Sterne to procure for us more commodious quarters in
the building in which we are located. The promise
given to us by those eminent real estate agents has
now been redeemed, and we are ensconced in the
offices recently vacated by the publishing firm of
Charles L. Webster & Co., a suite of rooms fronting on
No. 3 East Fourteenth street which will compare
favorably with those occupied by any newspaper pro-
prietors in the country. Here we propose to write at
desks, and with pens, though, unlike some of our contem-
poraries our desks will not be provided with electric
buttons or other evidences of puerility. The new dig-
gings are fitted up in a manner that will, doubtless, be
pleasing to those who have taken an interest in us while
we were yet in a humbler dwelling, and also to those who
are about to be made acquainted with us. We shall be
glad to greet all our old friends, and can conveniently
accommodate any number of new ones. Come and see
us. You will receive not only a hearty welcome, but
good value for your good money.
#
• #
DULY APPRECIATED-
W E desire to thank, very heartily, our numerous
friends who have expressed, verbally and by letter,
their
wishes for the success of
T H E MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW under its new management. Kind messages
from well-wishers are always gratifying, but are especi-
ally appreciated by us on the present occasion, when
we are making a strong and earnest effort to render
this organ more acceptable than ever to our supporters
and the music trade generally. Cheering and encour-
aging words from friends have been accompanied by a
goodly number of very complimentary press notices in
all parts of the Union, some of which are reproduced
in this issue.
Our prospects,
made still more
which have flown
pens of our very
which were never brighter, have been
roseate by the words of good cheer
in such abundance from the lips and
many friends.
« «
UNREASONABLE
DEALERS-
W E were recently privileged to be made acquainted
with the views of a celebrated manufacturer upon some
matters that should have an interest for dealers of a
certain order.
The C. M. was opening his morning
mail, and, as he confidentially showed us an epistle, re
marked : " There is a sample »f the species of letter
frequently received by piano manufacturers.
This will
show you that among ' dealers' exist a number of men
who ask of us concessions which involve absolute loss
to us."
The letter read as follows:
" Please send me another style, rosewood finish, in
exchange for the one you sent me some time ago, and
which is entirely too harsh in tone to suit the people
with whom I deal.
The gentleman who ordered this
piano had seen and heard one I got from you in the
winter, and was very much pleased with it. He waited
for this one, and was anxious to see if it was of as
good a tone as the other.
I like the finish of your
piano, but the people in this section want their pianos
Whatever field Mr. Gildemeester may enter, he will
always have the earnest and hearty wishes of T H E
tuned so as to be adapted to both instrumental and
MUSIC TRADE REVIEW for his abundant and triumphant
vocal music, and more particularly instrumental.
success.
ther, the touch should not be heavy.
Fur-
I think a medium

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