Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1893 Vol. 18 N. 20

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
be found on another page of this paper, and
while it gives an outline of the vast interests
controlled by this go-ahead house, to thoroughly
realize the important part this firm plays as manu-
factors of piano supplies, it is necessary to pay
a visit to the pretty town of Deep River, Conn.
You will come away with a deep appreciation of
what energy and perseverance has accomplished,
and impressed with hearty New England hospi-
tality.
W. KIMBALL, of Chicago, has been in
' New York for the past week, and the
'' know alls '' have opened warerooms and start-
ed him in business at different locations in this
city. The fact of the matter is, that while the
Kimball Company could with safety open a
branch house here, and do a splendid business
on their unequalled achievements at the World's
Fair, yet the condition of business throughout
the country has kept them wisely conservative,
and they prefer to work from the old reliable
headquarters. It is not an improbability that
'' some time '' the magnificent products of the
Kimball Company will be housed in palatial
style, side by side with other celebrated firms in
New York's chief avenue.
a very interesting contribution to the cur-
rent issue of the North American Review
Hon. W. E. Simonds asks, "Are our Patent
Laws Iniquitous ? '' and proceeds to demonstrate
the success of the patent law and its stimulus on
the industries of the United States. In so doing
he shows up many radical defects very similar
to those in the Copyright Laws which we had
occasion to call attention to in recent issues of
this paper. The article closes with a list of the
great American inventors whose reputations
have become national and whose improvements
have formed the foundation of manufacturing
industries of great magnitude, among which we
notice the honored names of Jonas Chickering
and Henry Steinway in relation to pianos.
ROBT. M. WEBB is a rising and pro-
gressive personality in the field of piano-
supplies. He has built up an excellent trade
upon sound business principles, and it is no sur-
prise to see him succeed in all his undertakings.
Heretofore he represented others to a large ex-
tent; now he is about to start in for himself. He
will soon have 35 hammer machines in opera-
tion in his new Brooklyn factory where he has
splendid facilities, and will be able to supply
any and all demands. He has taken the step
believing that goods made under his personal
supervision would be more acceptable to cus-
tomers. We have no hesitation in predicting the
largest measure of success for Mr. Webb.
is rumored that A. H. Hammond will rele-
gate W. A. Munn, who has for some time
paraded the title of Secretary and Treasurer of
The Loring & Blake Organ Co., to an obscure
position in the affairs of the concern^ Before
Mr. J. B. Woodford, the man who really made
the Loring & Blake Company, discovered
Mr. Munn, surrounded by the suds and steam
of a laundry, he had never been able to impress
his fellow men with his budding genius, and
there were many who felt that Mr. Woodford
was spoiling a good laundryman when he ele-
vated Munn to a clerk's position.
In order to maintain successfully a position
in the industrial world of to-day, a business in-
stitution must have at its head a man of educa-
tion and business training, a man who can com-
mand the respect of those with whom he is
thrown in contact. No silly inflation or self-
elongated cranium can supply the real natural
deficiency. Now, there are cases in which good
laundry men make good business men, but there
are others, as in the case of Munn, where they
do not.
SOHMER & CO.
magnificent line of pianos in the hand-
somely furnished booth of Sohmer & Co.,
at the World's Fair Prize Winners' Exposition,
which is now being held at the Grand Central
Palace, is a stellar attraction to visitors, and it
is the central point for all musically inclined.
It was certainly a wise move to bring these mag-
nificent instruments, that won golden opinions
from all who saw them in the West, before the
appreciative musical public of New York, and
it could not be done in a better way. Here we
are enabled to see World's Fair prize winners
and pianos that have been winners all along the
line. The great success achieved by Sohmer &
Co. throughout the States as a result of their
exhibit at Chicago, will, without doubt, be
duplicated in a local way, as this exhibit affords
a splendid " object lesson " of the standing of
the house of Sohmer.
Sohmer & Co. are entitled to all possible suc-
cess. They are progressive and enterprising,
and they make an instrument that has fought
its way to the front solely on its merits, and, we
are pleased to say, stays there. It is not sur-
prising to learn that notwithstanding the late
depression in trade, business orders are being
received in a way to afford the greatest satisfac-
tion to this popular house.
CHICKERING & SONS.
is clearly evident that the distinguished
house of Chickering & Sons have acquired
a new and distinct force in the management of
their extensive business. They have already
attained an altitude in the piano industry that
would suggest "nothing more beyond," but
the present management seems determined to
adopt a new and progressive business policy
which will give the Chickering piano a greater,
and if it is possible, a more far-reaching popu-
larity than ever.
A potent demonstration of the progressive
order of things in the Chickering house is the
decision, come to during the past week, to
make radical interior changes in the famous
Chickering Hall—an old land mark that has
exercised a decided influence on the musical art
of the metropolis for the past twenty years. It
has been found necessary, owing to the grow-
ing demands of their business, to demolish the
familiar concert hall, and instead, there will
probably be three floors devoted to offices and
studios for teachers. This will give opportun-
ities for displaying their magnificent instru-
ments to the greatest advantage. It is estim-
ated that these changes will be effected by
next March. The present will undoubtedly be
the last musical season at this house, and
music lovers will experience a pang of regret at
the disappearance of a hall made famous by
such masters as Gottschalk, Thalberg, Herz,
Von Bulow, Josseffy and De Pachman.
The house of Chickering & Sons have
assumed a veritable renaissance in a business
sense, and with an unequalled prestige and
standing as a leading American house, the
Chickering piano is bound to attain larger and
broader scope in the musical world which con-
servative methods alone prevented it from ob-
taining: years ago.
THE TARIFF BILL.
jjffT is rather premature to discuss or speak of
STsP the bill to amend the tariff, recently intro-
duced, as the tariff bill which will survive the
battle royal that is bound to ensue between now
and the final passage. Nevertheless, a direct
assault has been made upon the industries of
the country, and it behooves the piano and con-
comitant industries to keep a close eye on Wash-
ington. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.
As far as it concerns the musical industries the
bill is confusingly broad, and it is impossible to
form an estimate as to how it will effect the
duty on pianos. After a careful reading, we
fail to find any mention of pianos, organs or
musical instruments, hence the duty will prob-
ably come under the head of component parts,
or a special clause may be introduced later on
covering musical instruments. It will be the
duty of the manufacturers to pay close attention
to the progress of the bill, and suggest such
needful changes as can be effected with advant-
age to the trade.
A rather strange thing, in this connection, is
the amendment recently presented to the Com-
mittee on Ways and Means by the musical
merchandise importers, through their board of
trade, to make '' musical instruments and parts
thereof, including strings not otherwise speci-
fied, 35 per cent." By the acceptance and
passage of this amendment the tariff would
remain just as at present. This is a rather odd
position for importers to take, as the change in'
duty as planned in the new bill would, undoubt-
edly, be to their benefit; but as business men
they see—as we all see—that the change of
duty on their wares would create uncertainty
and misunderstanding, and dealers would hesi-
tate to place orders until the question had been
finally settled. By that time an irremediable
amount of injury would be done their business.
A plethora of talking and thinking will be
done between now and the time the bill receives
the President's signature, and the sooner the
" long talk " commences and terminates, the
sooner will the business interests of the country
get a chance to obtain equilibrium and pros-
perity.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
FROM the Denver News we learn that Denver
is yearning for some Eastern manufacturer to go
West and establish a factory for the manufacture
of guitars, banjos and mandolins.
MR. ARTHUR
A. ALLEN,
one of the bright
young men connected with the house of Messrs.
Goepel & Co., got caught recently in Hymen's
net. His bride is Miss A. Marie Schermerhorn,
of Albany. The ceremony took place at the
Collegiate Reformed Church, this city.
MR. F. T. HART, of the Southern California
Music Co., placed a large order with Decker
Bros, on his recent visit to New York.
F. G. SMITH, JR., is on a Western tour look-
ing out for the reliable Bradbury. He was in
Chicago last week, and is not dissatisfied with
the condition of business out there.
IT is expected that the Metzerotts, of Wash-
ington, will resume business in a short time.
THE growth of the Stein way business has
necessitated the removal of the salesmens' de-
partment to the first room on the West side of
Steinway Hall, and the wareroom so occupied
has been transformed into a boudoir of exceed-
ing beauty for the display of their magnificent
grands in fancy cases.
THE Automaton Piano Company is to be re-
MR. M. FRACKEL, of Dayton, O., handles the
Bush & Gerts and Everett pianos, and his suc- organized by Mr. Emile Klaber.
cess is such that he recently removed to the
MR. MARK THOMPSON, of Canton, O., has
large and handsome new store on Phillips Hotel assigned, with liabilities about $8,000. Assets
block, where he carries a fine line of instruments. nominally the same.
THE Schubert pianos are finding quite a
AT the United States Circuit Court, Boston,
demand in the West. The Chicago Cottage November 28th, Judge Cole assigned December
Organ Co. report a total sale of seventy-five in- 29th as the date for the hearing of the long
struments during the past month.
standing friendly copyright suit between Oliver
Ditson Co. and Novello, Ewer & Co.
T. C. JAMES, music dealer, Hannibal, Mo.,
G. H. GILBERT, piano dealer, of Amsterdam,
was burned out November 24th. Loss is un-
N. Y., has retired from business.
known.
for, but will be consummated within the next
few days and most likely with an experienced
Chicago hotel manager.
MR. ERNEST KNABE, one of the rising young
men of the piano industry, honored Gotham with
his presence last week.
IT is said that the Story & Clark Organ Co.
are about to start a factory at Hamburg, Ger-
many. They recently incorporated the Story &
Clark Piano Co. in that country and will sell
pianos as well as organs all through Europe.
J. F. DUNBAR, with Jack Haynes, is on the
road and is sending in a good supply of orders.
WILCOX &
WHITE
ORGAN CO., Meriden,
Conn., have commenced running ten hours a
day, six days a week, in their " Symphony " de-
partment.
ONE of the prettiest openings of the season
was that of Bollinger's music house, Oskaloosa,
la. The entire store was elegantly decorated
with flowers, and attracted much attention.
THE International Piano Makers' Union of
this city have adopted new by-laws for its sick
and death benefit.
THE: wissrcR GRAND,
first Seidl Matinee of the Seidl Society
took place yesterday afternoon at the Aca-
JOHN F. SMITH, of Essex, Mass., has opened demy of Music before a large and fashionable
R. W. STEWART, of Springfield, Mo., agent
audience. The concert was given for the benefit
for the Kimball pianos and organs, is as full of a factory for the manufacture of mandolin rims. of the Brooklyn Orphan Asylum. We can hardly
business enterprise as the head house, and re-
MR. FRANK STRATTON, of the new firm of
find enough words of praise for the Seidl Society
cently he put out a neat little book showing the Stratton & Scribner, is expected home from for giving us every season the very best of
sales made by him since he first entered business Europe December 28th. While in Europe, he music, orchestral, vocal, as well as instrumental.
some five years ago. He is evidently a hustler, made many business connections of great value. The Solvejg song by Grieg, and " Bluette " by
for he now carries no less than 100 pianos and
Gillet were the most delightful numbers on the
THE Portland, Me., branch of the M. Steinert
100 organs in stock.
programme, which Mr. Seidl conducted with his
& Sons' Co. has removed from 540 Congress
RTJFUS W. BLAKE, the president of the Ster-
usual artistic skill and temperament. All of
street to larger quarters at 517 Congress street.
ling Company, is being widely spoken of as the
the orchestral numbers were immensely enjoyed
ESSEX, CONN., is to have a new music empor-
coming Mayor of the city of Ansonia, Conn.
by the audience, which is always the case when
The Ansonia Sentinel has a lengthy and com- ium. It will be managed by Gilmore Post.
Mr. Seidl, the king of conductors, holds the
plimentary article on Mr, Blake, which places
baton. Mme. Materna and Mr. Emil Fischer,
AMONG the jury selected for the trial of Dr.
him before the people as we all know him—a Meyer we notice the name ©f the genial Edward artists of the very highest, sang several num-
progressive and honest business man.
Bornhoeft, an ex-member of the trade. He bers with exquisite taste and finish. An inter-
esting feature of the programme was Mr. Seidl's
THE piano factory of C. A. Gerold, 65 North started business under the firm name of Born-
piano
accompaniment to the singing of Mme.
Clark street, Chicago, is in the custody of the hoeft & Gollnik, and later founded the firm of
Materna (Richard Wagner's favorite singer) and
Edward
Bornhoeft.
He
retired
from
business
sheriff on a confession of judgment for $700. It
Mr. Emil Fischer on a Wissner Grand Piano.
is said that the matter will be shortly adjusted some time ago.
Mr. Wissner is to be congratulated on the mag-
so that Mr. Gerold will continue in business.
THE Carnegie Music Hall got a shaking up nificent grand piano that made its first appear-
Miss ELLA CLEVELAND, 23 Montcalm street, by dynamite last Tuesday. It was not the work ance on this occasion. It was a revelation. It
Detroit, is the composer of a pretty waltz, en- of our anarchistic reformers, but the result of a possesses great power, a large, round tone of
titled " Damascus," and dedicated to the Damas- blasting of rock preparatory to laying the great sonority, purity and sweetness ; its remark-
cus Commandery, No. 42, K. T., of Detroit. foundation for an annex to Carnegie Hall. able carrying of singing quality was the subject
From a cursory examination we can safely pre- Windows were smashed in all directions. The of universal praise. Under the artistic fingers
dict a large popularity. It is in the key of G, men in charge of the blasting were arrested, and of Mr. Seidl (who in addition to his other great
released on the contractors promising to make musical attainments, is also a pianist of the first
and is not over difficult.
good the damage done and exercise more care rank), so sympathetic and beautiful were its
DARNELL & THOMAS, at Durham, N. C , will in future.
tones that they seemed almost human. No finer
remove their business to Raleigh.
MR. LOUIS GRUNEWALD, president and senior grand has ever been heard either in Brooklyn or
WE regret to announce the death of Mrs. member of the great Southern Music House, The New York. After the matinee the Grand Piano
Turner, wife of G. W. Turner, of the firm of L Grunewald Co., Ltd., New Orleans, has almost was taken to Wissner Hall, where it was used
Steere & Turner, organ builders, of Springfield, completed a most elaborately finished edifice on in the evening at the Inaugural Concert of Wiss-
Baronne street, near Canal, in the heart of the ner Hall. A delightful programme was arranged
Mass.
city,
and is finishing it up as a hotel. It by the Fifth Avenue Musical Club, which was
GEO. M. KEMP, of Sebewaing, Mich., has built
will
be
strictly first class in every particular, enjoyed by a large and fashionable audience.
a new store, which he intends to stock with a
managed both on the European and American When the concert was over a number of artists
complete line of pianos and organs.
plan. The most modern improvements and best and musicians remained to hear Mme. Rive King
S. S. STEWART'S Banjo and Guitar Journal is comforts for the travelling public have been ap- who kindly consented to play a few selections
out for December and January, and is an inter- plied. The structure is after the Italian Renais- in order to show the beautiful quality of tone of
esting number. It contains an exhaustive sance Architecture. A first class hotel was very the Wissner Grand Piano. Mme. King's play-
account of the great banjo club contest to be much needed in New Orleans, and Mr. Grune- ing was immensely enjoyed by those present.
held at the Acadtmy of Music, Philadelphia, wald with his usual enterprise and business cap- We have not heard more masterly and finished
Saturday evening, January 13, 1894, and is full abilities has every assurance of great success. piano playing since Rubinstein.—Brooklyn
The management has as yet not been arranged Daily Eagle, Dec. 2d.
of literary matter interesting to banjoists.

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