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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
ON TH£ WING.
JANSSEN FLITS HERE AND THERE—HE WRITES
IN A HUMOROUS VEIN OF THE TRADE CON-
DITIONS—SEEN THROUGH HIS GLASS IN
CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE, ST. LOUIS,
INDIANAPOLIS AND COLUMBUS.
" POINTERS " FOR THE " BOYS. "
TOLEDO, OHIO, October 4th, 1893.
MY DEAR BILL :
To conclude, Chicago is as dead as the
mummy " S h e " at the Cliff Dwellers'Exhibit,
as far as the piano business is concerned. But
let me tell you, right here, that anybody from
the Bast, who imagines that after the B
(came near writing "Ball") Fair is over Chi-
cago is going to '' stagnate,'' or even lose any
of its marvelous "hustle," is going to make a
mistake.
The same conditions that lulled Philadelphia
into peaceful slumber for ten years, will not
affect this great city of the West. It may
suffer, and naturally must, a slight reaction, but
not very long. Philadelphia, at the time of the
Centennial, was an old established, sedate town.
Chicago, to-day, is but an infant growing every
day, spreading so that you need a '' sleeper ''
to go from one part of the city to another, filled
with a people that are proud of it, love it, are
enthusiastic and confiding, and possessing all
these qualities, will soon lose sight of the fact
that World's Fairs are burdens. I am proud of
New York, love my city and home, but I am
not narrow minded, and am glad and- happy to
give praise where praise is due and not afraid to
say to all I meet: I marvel at the greatness of
Chicago, at her people, their energy and pat-
riotism.
We in the East cannot compare, for a moment,
with their enterprise, their marvelous push and
business qualities.
I get so enthusiastic when I am at Chicago
that I forget all else. As I said before, the
piano business is very, very bad.
Lyon & Healy.—Mr. Healy did not complain
very severely when I met him, but I know why.
He captured all the prizes, and I'm glad of it.
Meyer & Weber.—My good friend Meyer,
while he did not complain—he never does—yet
he felt that times were not what they might be,
and he added : " You don't need very fine feel-
ing powers to discover that fact.''
Chickering Chase Bros. Co. — Mr. Dodge,
genial as ever, though he tries very hard to look
mad, said: "Janssen, we've done a wonderful
business ! " and then they called a cab and
drove me to my hotel.
And so each had his little tale about trade
and the prizes.
Kimball was out, I suppose at some sign
painters, announcing First Award, etc., etc. If
he don't get it, and get it all, I lose my guess.
One thing struck me as quite funny. To see
so many German and other foreign pianos
marked sold, and not one placard in Section I.
And I hear the pianos all brought big prices.
Strange, eh ? And another thing. I never
heard "After the Ball" or the "High School
Cadets."
MILWAUKEE.— Here things are very demoral-
ized. Five bank failures have rather staggered
the business world, and they are only beginning
to realize now that it is over.
Wm. Rohlfing& Sons.—Papa Rohlfing, he of
the big heart, complains, but looks for better
times. I was a mascot. He sold 5 pianos during
my stay, and we enjoyed some of the profits to-
gether. What a great place he has ; how well
kept, clean and comfortable it all looks. Its a
real pleasure to see such an establishment, and
what a combination that father and his sons do
make.
Flanner's Palace was deserted just when I
called. A nervy move that, to come to Milwau-
kee and open such a place, for a stranger. His
manager said : '' We are standing still; that is,
our piano trade and the other branch is setting
down. All of us are spending our vacation at
the store. Come in later and see a game of
tennis."
Gram.—"Janssen, everything is dead, and
sometimes I wish I was—busy. But will do
something ; will do something."
ST. LOUIS.—Ah ! fair city of the South, with
thy illuminated streets, veiled prophets, Sousa
Band concerts and solitary hotel, I salute you.
You were kind to me ; that is
Bollman & Dunnheller. — Mind, this is
straight. I got an order for "25 pianos, ship
when ready.''
All the adjectives in use and still to come
would not suffice to express my emotions when
that order was handed to me.
This house is a wonder, and honestly report
business good. Now, fellow persuaders, don't
molest them. Wait until I get in my stock
After that, they are yours.
Estey & Camp.—Mr. Read said : "Janssen,
if you get up a scheme by which we can see a
piano go out of this store, you can call on me
for whatever you want. I know the number, etc.,
of every piano in the house, and have since
July 1st."
Bollman Brothers have had a fair trade. I be-
lieve it, because they told me so.
Jesse French Co.— I hate to say what I think
of the gentleman I met there. But he's a beauty !
Oh, my, but he's a " star ! "
Keiselhors Smith and all the rest are resting,
as actors say.
INDIANAPOLIS.—Pearson's manager said:
The "Opera" Piano
A HIGH GRADE INSTRUMENT.
The " E U T E R P E " Piano
A MEDIUM GRADE INSTRUMENT.
Both Manufactured by
- - F££K
SON
Broad-way a:n-c
- .
S-b3?ee"b,
NEW YORK.
Catalogue, Prices, Terms, etc., on both instruments sent upon application.
WRITE FOR. UNOCCUPIED TERRITORY.