Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1894 Vol. 18 N. 29

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
and distortion, and the position taken by some er than the American because wages are lower
of them, particularly the Chicago Herald, is here than in the United States, although, thanks
notable for its absence of truth and common to free trade, the purchasing power of the
honesty. They have been so blinded by wages of the English workman is considerably
partisan feeling that they cannot see the ab- higher than that of his American brother." (?)
surd position which they occupy. However,
Mr. Dolge can afford to laugh at such small
fry. The leading men of the press of the country
are few instruments so popular with
estimate his speech as one of the ablest argu-
the trade as the seven octave organs
ments on protection ever presented, and it manufactured by H. Lehr & Co., Easton, Pa.
cannot fail to have a distinct bearing on national , If you closely examine the different points of
issues in the near future.
excellence claimed for these instruments you
will not be surprised at their popularity. One
of the most attractive features of the L,ehr organ
are informed thAfe-^Wegman & Co., of
is the piano style of case, which we have spoken
., have been incorporated
of before. It is unusually handsome and always
as a stock company, and will hereafter be
attracts purchasers. By constant endeavor and
known as the Wegman Piano Co., with a capital
experiment H. Lehr & Co. have produced a
of $125,000, divided into 1,250 shares of $100
quality of tone that closely approaches that of
each. Mr. Henry Wegman, who controls the
the pipe organ, and the action mechanism is so
majority of shares, Warren Crocker and Wm.
well regulated that the touch is as responsive as
C. Burgess are the directors. The growth in
that of a piano. But more important than all
popularity of the Wegman piano for the past
are the numerous improvements which they
few years has been such as to render it neces-
have embodied in this instrument and which
sary to thus enlarge its scope in order to better
have contributed largely to its success. Among
push these instruments through the trade.
them may be mentioned a new pedal arrange-
The Wegman piano received marked recog-
ment and a novel coupler connection, which will
nition at the World's Fair, special mention be-
be highly appreciated by performers on the in-
ing made of their patent tuning pin, and they
strument. It is not surprising to learn that H.
have a large clientele of admirers. Mr. Weg-
Lehr & Co. find a gratifying demand for their
man, the head of the business, is a practical
organs, and the fact that they are working full
and competent man, and the other members of time to fill orders is a proof positive of their
the company have had a long connection with popularity.
the piano trade. There is no doubt that this
move will have a distinct bearing on the growth
KNABE & CO.
and development of the business of the Wegman
firms have contributed so much to the
Piano Co., and we can expect to hear a great
development of the piano makers' art as
deal of the progress of this house in the near
Knabe & Company. This is conceded by all
future.
broadminded craftsmen. A visit to their ware-
&feN an article on '' Protection in the United rooms would demonstrate and confirm the state-
Stb> States " the London and Provincial Music ment. The splendid collection of pianos on
Trades Review comments on a trade item which view there is certainly unequalled for beauty
appeared in an American paper, as to the impos- of design, perfection of workmanship and musi-
sibility of English pianos withstanding the cal worth. This does not apply solely to the
American climate, and says : "Of this we have splendid and costly chef-d'ceuvres which were
heard a good deal before, and yet curiously made for the World's Fair, but to the general
enough many an English piano by Broadwood products of their house. Knabe & Co. have not
and other makers has managed to survive for been content with making their pianos a
nearly a century the climate of the United grateful and pleasant object for the eye to con-
States. Indeed, it is found necessary for the template, but they have paid equal attention to
protection of that delicate plant, American home the accoustic features of their instruments.
manufacture, to keep European goods out of They have succeeded in producing a tone de-
the country by means of a prohibitive tariff. velopment which has evoked the highest ex-"
Whether felts can be sufficiently cured in Eng- pressions of admiration from connoisseurs in
land to bear the exhausting dryness of American this special line. At the different concerts in
air need not now be discussed, partly because this city where the Knabe Grands have recently
steam radiation and hot air are by no means un- been used their many points of superiority were
known in British houses—in the residence of most favorably commented upon.
the editor of this Review the music-room and
The recent move of the Knabes in transferring
passages are heated by steam radiators without their Boston agency to the great house of Oliver
the slightest injury to the piano—partly be- Ditson & Co., following closely on their North-
cause a considerable portion of our hammer and western deal with Dyer & Brother, demonstrate
damper felt already comes from the United that the Knabe piano will be a strong and ag-
States.
gressive factor in the trade during the present
All that is really necessary to fit a first-rate
European piano for the American climate is that
the instrument should be of sound make, with
iron frame, and that the case shall be varnished
instead of polished. The English piano is cheap-
year. Wherever the Knabe piano has got a
foot-hold it has won its way to the top solely on
its merits.
It is satisfactory to note that the retail trade
for the month of January was most gratifying
and fully up to the standard ; this is a good in-
dication that the long expected " good time " is
in our midst.
SOHMER vs. SOMMER.
has taken Sohmer & Co. a quarter of a
century of hard and faithful work in the
piano field to build up the splendid reputation
which they now hold as makers of an art pro-
duct, maintaining a distinct individuality in
the musical world. Yet to-day they are con-
fronted with an annoying situation through
the persistance of a firm recently started to put
on the fall-board of their piano a name so
similar in sound—in fact bearing the identical
euphony—that they are compelled to resort to
the courts of law for redress.
It was supposed a short time ago that this
would not be necessary, for the offending parties
made a statement to the effect that they would
henceforth discontinue the name "Sommer "on
their pianos. But it appears they have not done
so. Sohmer & Co., through their attorney, Mr
Gilbert R. Hawes, have applied for an injunc-
tion to restrain Sebastian Sommer & Co. from
using the word '' Sommer '' on their pianos or
in their catalogues and advertisements. Sohmer
& Co. have little desire to enter law courts, but
in this case they have been forced to take formal
steps to protect themselves.
This is a free country and every man has a
right to use his own name on the piano he
manufactures, but this apparent endeavor to
trade on the fame of others should cease. It is
neither honorable nor just.
If the Sebastian Sommer Piano Company
were desirous of avoiding the popular con-
struction which is placed upon their action,
they should have taken the honorable course—
which it was supposed they would—and have
placed their full firm name on the fall-board
of their pianos. As they refuse, Sohmer & Co.
have taken a justifiable course in applying for
legal protection. It is a case that will be fol-
lowed with a great deal of interest by the trade.
THE annual report of the Nelson Piano Co.
makes the following showing: Capital stock,
$200,000 ; paid in, $50,220 ; real estate, $14,774 ;
personal estate, $14,564 ; debts, $21,089 ; credits,
$8,664. The following officers have been elected
for the ensuing year : President, C. L,. Barrell;
vice-president and trej
-"ell", lurectors, Messrs. C. L. & J.
E. Barrell and H. A. Wolff.
THE proposition to increase the capital stock
of the C. F. Zimmermann Co., of Dolgeville, N.
Y., from $100,000 to $500,000 was adopted at a
special meeting held January 27th. This was
rendered necessary by the large increase in
foreign trade. Indications are that a large in-
crease in business will take place this year.
A. H. RINTELMAN, of Chicago, is now pushing
the McCaotmon pianos in the " windy city."
He has made a good choice, for the McCammon
is one of the popular pianos of the day.
THE handsome and genial Mr. John Sommers,
of Erie, Pa., honored our sanctum with a visit
during the week.
CHAS. JOHANN has bought the interest of W.
L. Edwards in the music store, Mapello, la.,
and hereafter will conduct the business alone.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
'4
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
MR. H. D. CABLE of the Chicago Cottage Or-
gan Co., who recently returned from a Southern
trip, reports a marked improvement in general
business down South. He says the prospects
for the Spring are decidedly bright.
The G. W. CORNWALL CO., organ manufac-
turers, Huntington, Que., whose failure was
brought about by the Somerville failure, show in
their statement of affairs, liabilities of $45,160
and assets $46,586.
THE Will A. Watkin Music Co., of Dallas,
Tex., are one of the go-ahead firms of that city.
They report an excellent trade with the Newby
& Evans pianos and the Hillstrom organs. In
attractive little leaflets they have quoted critical
opinions of these instruments which appeared
recently in the columns of this paper, and are
circulating them very largely throughout the
state. This enterprise cannot fail to bring
them business and add materially to the popu-
larity of Newby & Evans pianos and Hillstrom
organs.
W E have received S. S. Stewart's Banjo and
Guitar Journal for February and March. It
WEGMAN PIANO CO., Albany, N. Y., has been
contains an interesting account of the grand
incorporated with $125,000 capital. Directors Banjo and Mandolin Club contest which was
Henry Wegman, Warren Croker and Wm. C. given at the Academy of Music, Philadelphia,
Burgess of Auburn.
January 13th. It is full of information of great
value to all lovers of the banjo and guitar.
COL. CAUFIELD WARING, formerly manufac-
Several
musical numbers are given as supple-
turer of piano stools in this city, who shot and
killed his brother-in law, Geo. Freund, May 26, ments.
1884, has been released from Sing Sing after
MR. E. B. WOOD, of Boston, Mass., who ex-
serving a term of nine years. He was sentenced pected to monopolize the wareroom trade in
for 15 years but was released because of good that city, has had his ideals rudely shattered
behavior.
and has accepted a position with Champlin &
MR. JOHN SUMMERS, well known by his con- Co.
nection with Chase & Smith, Syracuse, N. Y.,
G. DEHAIGE is one of the popular dealers of
has resigned from that concern and will in fu- Port Huron, Mich. He is a warm advocate of
ture be associated with Mrs. Z. Smith, of Erie, the Newman Bros, organ, and carries it as a
Pa. Excellent proof of Mr. Summers' popular- leader. Mr. De Haige has established quite a
ity with the firm which he so ably represented trade in that section of the country.
was the reception and dinner given him on the
THE Starr Piano Co., of Richmond, Ind., are
evening of Jan. 30th. Mr. Chase made a felici-
tious speech, thanking Mr. Summers for the hard at work rebuilding their new factory.
good work he had done for their firm, and Mr. When completed it will contain the most im-
Summers responded in his happiest manner. proved machinery and all modern equipments,
Quite a large number was present, who joined thus enabling it to rank with any in the United
in wishing Mr. Summers all manner of success States. In the temporary quarters case makers
and draughtsmen are doing some hustling, so
in his new venture.
that there will be very little delay to the re-
W. F. GUNTHER, at one time agent in Mun- appearance of the popular Starr piano, and
cie, Ind., for the well-known music house of when the new styles of Starr pianos are placed
Emil Wulschner & Son, Indianapolis, has been on the market they are going to surprise the
arrested for embezzling some one thousand dol- trade.
lars. Gunter's method was to collect the money
Presto prints a very handsome picture of Mr.
on the instruments sold and report the debtor as
delinquent.
He disappeared some months C. A. Hyde, the latest addition to the Chicago
since, but was run down last week at Grant house of Mason & Hamlin.
City, Mo.
GEO. GEMUNDER & SONS, 27 Union Square,
THE Henry F. Miller & Sons Artists Grand still have temporarily suspended, owing to a judg-
continues to be used at many of the prominent ment secured by John F. Stratten for six hun-
concerts down East. In the West it is just as dred dollars.
popular. In Minneapolis last month Prof.
OUTSIDE of a few small bequests to personal
Johnson with Siebert's orchestra, and Mr. H. E. friends, Geo. W. Lyon's entire estate was left to
Zoch of the same city, used Miller Grands at his widow and children. It is valued at some-
very successful concerts which were recently thing over three hundred thousand dollars.
given there. At a concert given by Prof. Rice
CONGRESSMAN CONN, the well-known band
and his pupils at Sterling, 111., the Miller
Grand also won the encomiums of the audience instrument manufacturer, of Elkhart, Ind., is
fully cognizant of injury which tariff tinkering
and local critics.
is
doing to the business of this country, and
Le Monde Musical says that the French ex-
with
that end in view, he proposes introducing
hibitors at the World's Fair are anxiously
the
measure
into Congress for the establishment
awaiting the medals which the French govern-
of
a
tariff
commission,
composing representatives
ment decided to bestow on successful exhibitors
of
the
different
interests
involved. It is not a
Jan. 1 st. For some reason or other the French
bad
idea,
and
if
Mr.
Conn
succeeds in divorcing
Chamber of Deputies have neglected to an-
Tariff
from
politics
he
will
certainly
deserve well
nounce the lucky ones up to the 20th of Janu-
of
his
kind.
ary.
AT the expiration of George P. Bent's lease
of his present location on Canal street, Chicago
—which will expire in a short time—it is said he
will build an up-to-date factory which will sur-
prise Chicagoans. The increase in trade and
popularity of the " Crown '' pianos and organs
have made this an absolute necessity.
BUSINESS with the Wilcox & White Organ Co.,
Meriden Conn., for 1893, has almost equaled
that of the preceding year. At present they are
placing some splendid styles on the market, and
expect a good spring trade.
A CLOUGH & WARREN combination organ,
containing their qualifying tubes, has just been
forwarded to Sidon, Syria. This is another tes-
timonial to the worldwide popularity of these
instruments.
THE Chicago Music Trade Association will
hold their annual meeting for the election of
" officers on Saturday evening, February 17th.
The usual dinner will follow.
WM. D. DUTTON & Co., Philadelphia, will be
succeeded by Wm. D. Dutton & Co., agents.
Parties in the new firm being Mr. W. D. Dutton
and Hardman, Peck & Co. The Hardman piano
will be carried as leader, and the Harrington
and Standard pianos w T ill also be pushed by this
house.
To JUDGE from the Western trade papers,
Chicago is nothing but "rumors." They are
opening and closing houses, forming new com-
binations, and heavens knows what else. In
this matter-of-fact day people want reliable news,
not words. It is a childish pastime to build
wooden houses and throw them down again !
IRA E. MAYEES, who was formerly located at
Galena, 111., will in a short time open a music
store at Rockford, 111.
FURBUSH is doing some lively work for the
house of Vose & Sons in California and Oregon.
Here is a chance for walnut veneers. The
Baltimore American says : '' What was supposed
to be the largest walnut tree in Northern Mary-
land was felled on the farm of Col. Enoch Noyes,
near Port Deposit, last week. The tree at the
butt measured over six feet in diameter and
nearly eighteen feet in circumference. Its height
was eighty six feet. The age of the tree, ac-
cording to tradition and close calculation was
nearly three hundred years. Col. Noyes intends
to sell the tree, which he thinks is worth over
four hundred dollars."
MCDONALD & GRANT, general music dealers,
Columbus, O , have moved from 805 N. High
street to n o SGuth High street.
GRAND RAPIDS' PIANO CASE CO., Mich., has
filed its annual statement as follows : Autho-
rized capita], $50,000; cash capital, $17,280;
personal estate, $19 507 ; debts $13,808 ; credits,
$11,581. M. H. Ducey, F. Raniville, C. C. Corn-
stock and others stockholders.
BARROW'S MUSIC CO., Saginaw, Mich., has
been incorporated, capital $5,000, Geo. W.
Bostwick, President, Enos L,. Gregory, Vice-
President, J. F. Barrows, Secretary and Trea-
surer.
AUSTIN GIBBONS, music dealer, Clinton,
Mass., has moved from High street to larger
and more suitable quarters at 50 Union street.
I. N. CANNON OF ELSBERRY, Troy, Mo., con-
templates opening up a new music store at Troy.
LEO WALDTEUFEL, son of A. Waldteufel,
THE Wissnei piano has a pushing representa-
tive in the West in the house of R. W. Cross Co.,
Chicago.
music dealer at 721 Market street, San Francis-
co, Cal., was found in an unconscious condition
on Market street a few evenings ago and was
taken to the hospital where he soon recovered
and was taken home. Young Waldteufel claims
to have been drugged.
A. EMMONS, of Albion, Mich., being the pro-
prietor of the only music store in his town, has
a monopoly of trade and is not complaining of
dull times.
MARIETTA, O., is in evidence with the good
news that the Stephens Organ Company and
the Lawrence & Son Piano Company have re-
sumed operations on full time.

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