Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
3 EAST 14th STREET, NEW YORK.
SUBSCRIPTION (including postage) United States.and
Canada, {3.00 per year, in advance; Foreign Countries,
H oo.
ADVERTISEMENTS, $2.00 per inch, single column, per
insertion; unless inserted upon rates made by special
contract.
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Class Matter.
from the exhibition of the sample, and that
when four instruments were sold the sample
would be left with the parties without charge.
Before leaving he stated that it would be neces-
sary for him to have a memorandum of the
agreement signed, so that the piano could be
shipped. After completing the arrangement he
asked for a party living several miles away in
another direction. He was taken to this party,
and made a similar arrangement. He then
asked to be taken to still a third party, living
several miles away in an entirely different lo-
cality. He then received permission to leave a
piano, but the man refused to sign any contract.
'' At this time the man who had been with
him became suspicious and refused to go further
with him. In two or three days another man
came along with a piano for the party first
visited, and holding his order for the same,
agreeing to pay $375 for it when delivered. His
legal adviser told him to have nothing to do
with the parties nor to allow the piano left on
his premises, but the smooth-tongued swindler
was too much for the lawyer and succeeded in
taking away nearly the full amount in money.
'' At this point the man who showed the first
man around took a hand in. He stated that if
the paper obtained of the second man visited
was not destroyed he should see what could be
done. The swindlers seemed to think they had
better not try to carry the matter any further,
and destroyed the paper in his presence.
'' I presume these facts will enable you to
make out such items as you desire.''
Every dealer in the State of Ohio will receive
a copy of this issue of T H E MUSIC TRADE R E -
VIEW. We ask them to exhibit the same pro-
minently, and also to send to this office any
information they may obtain regarding the
further operations of this nefarious gang. We
propose to drive such scoundrels from the piano
trade.
.»•
OUR PREMIUM.
READERS of this journal always find it of
importance to preserve their file. By so doing
they have a convenient volume which contains
not only the events transpiring in the music
trade during the year, but also a vast amount of
entertaining historical and scientific matter. In
order that our readers may be provided with
binders for this paper, we have contracted with
the National Binder Co. for a large number of
their binders, which are acknowledged to be the
most perfect made. An illustration of one
appears below.
PIANO SWINDLERS.
sections of Ohio and the West have
been for some time infested with a gang of
piano swindlers who adopt the most reprehen-
sible bluffing schemes in order to force, at a
good round figure, pianos of the very lowest
grade upon gullable inhabitants of the rural
districts.
We have received from a well-known resident
of Ohio the following article descriptive of the
swindlers' methods, and showing clearly their
modus operandi :
'' We have enquired into the facts in regard
to the swindlers selling pianos, and find that
the plan adopted here was for the man who first
came on the ground to engage a person well
acquainted in the locality to take him around.
He was extremely reticent in regard to his busi-
ness before starting out, giving as a reason that
he did not want to awaken the opposition of the
local music dealers. He had the name of the
party that he first wanted to see. On arriving
at the place he claimed to be advertising pianos,
and asked the privilege of leaving a piano in
the family for a few weeks to show to the people
These binders are usually sold at $1 each.
in that section. He did not try to make a sale
We
make the following offer: To all new
of the instrument, but offered a heavy com-
mission upon any pianos that might be sold yearly subscribers, and to all who renew their
CERTAIN
subscriptions, we will, until October 1st, 1892,
send one of these binders free. This is a special
offer, and we have no doubt that many will
avail themselves of it.
A LITERARY GEM.
" A LINE of special advertising this fall and
winter is open to any firm of piano or organ
manufacturers that is prepared to pay for origi-
nal advertising. The scheme embraces a series
of special advertisements which is bound to pay
from the mere fact that it is not only novel but
dignified and full of suggestion, and will appeal
to the better instincts of those firms whose trade
is sought. It is also sure to make an impression
on the musical profession of the whole Union.
It will cost money, but it will be highly re-
munerative ; will increase the reputation of the
firm that goes into it and will be their exclusive
privilege.''
We have previously commented upon the lack
of common sense and the inability to correctly
use the English language, displayed by pachy-
derm Marc. One has only to peruse the above,
taken from The Musical Courier of August 24,
to be convinced that we were absolutely correct
in what we have said. A comparison of THE
MUSIC TRADE REVIEW of August 20 and
The
Musical Courier of the above date, will be suffi-
cient to convince the trade of the truth of our
criticisms and of the jaundiced jealousy of the
wily Marc.
Read the article carefully, and if you wish to
spare a dollar we would suggest that it be given
to establish a fund for the education of our
esteemed friend, who at present devotes a large
portion of his time to perpetrating silly, school-
boy puns on names. Blumenberg, however,
has always had a peculiar sense of humor, as
those of our readers who were present at Claren-
don Hall on an occasion when he delivered him-
self of one of his choice, ribald, Blumenberg
puns can testify.
* *
THE TUNERS' ASSOCIATION.
The National Association of Piano and Organ
Tuners will hold their next meeting at Mason &
Hamlin's Hall, 158 Fifth avenue, on Tuesday,
September 27th, 8 P. M. Every tuner who has
any interest in, or even curiosity regarding, the
Association should be present. Officers for the
coming year are to be elected, and a board of
examiners appointed. The aims and objects of
the Association will be fully explained, and the
matter of a national convention discussed.
BUSINESS WITH HENNING.
THE Henning Piano Co. write us as follows :
" Trade is much more promising. Our
Chicago and Kansas City agents have sent us
orders to the effect that we should ship them
Henning pianos until telegraphed not to do so.
They control the West and Southwest for the
Henning piano. Messrs. Reeder, of the Kansas
City house, and Hauxhurst, of the Chicago
house, are ' hustlers,' and they give us much
encouragement for the booming of the fall
trade."