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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
tous for the aesthetics of these wards of the
state ! Why not erect a special building and
equip it with a faculty of eminent teachers ?
But perhaps the warden is a Wagnerite and has
an ulterior motive in inaugurating the new
order of things. He could conveniently hire
the prisoners out during the German opera sea-
son for the purpose of helping the grand clim-
axes in some of the master's sublime efforts.
Truty, the luxuries of the modern penitentiary
are such that it is not surprising to find so many
of our eminent] citizens sojourning, or about to
sojourn, there.
big Third avenue department house of
Bloomingdale Bros, have opened their
musical department, and in last Sunday's papers
advertised extensively their "thoroughly high-
grade piano entitled the ' Harmony ' at $195,"
which they say is " equal in all respects to any
$500 piano, being beautifully finished in oak,
walnut or mahogany ; guaranteed for five years,
and if not perfectly satisfactory, agree to put it
in good order or replace it with another."
Bloomingdale Brothers are modest (?) in
their description of the famous "Harmony."
They might have stated that the woods were
specially imported for the case work, the ele-
phants raised on a special farm in Africa to insure
a perfect quality of ivory in the keys, and the
action, plate and other essentials made in their
own establishment and under their own super-
vision, all resulting in a tone quality that is
sui generis.
Bloomingdale Bros, make the following an-
nouncement in connection with the inaugura-
tion of their musical department: We shall sell
pianos precisely the same as we sell dry goods
and groceries—handling only such goods as we
know and can guarantee, and selling them on a
close dry goods basis, which insures a clear
saving to the purchaser of not less than 25 per
cent.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, it seems to us
hardly probable that this progressive house can
afford to sell dry goods or groceries on a basis of
$500 worth for $195, and this is equally true of
pianos.
THE NEW STECK SCALE.
ATTENTION has been called in these
columns to the new Steck scale recently
placed upon the market. Messrs. Geo. Steck &
Co. are in almost daily receipt of letters of com-
mendation from their various agents throughout
the country. There appears to be no mistaking
the fact that the trade appreciate the latest pro-
duction wrought by the mechanical and invent-
ive ability of this concern. The trade all seem
to agree upon the fact that the latest advance
made by the Steck concern in piano construction
is most assuredly one which tends to advance
the Steck piano in point of popularity and emi-
nence. The well known firm of C. J. Heppe &
Co., Philadelphia, under a date of December 5,
write:
" We have always maintained that the Steck
piano made by you during the past eight years
was the zenith of perfection in piano mechanism
and beyond any possibility of improvement.
Your new scale changes our opinion somewhat.
It does improve what we always regarded per-
fect ; it increases the power and gives more life to
the tone without taking away from the former
tone quality—so harp like.
Congratulations to your continued progress.''
I. G. Loomis, the well known dealer of La
Crosse, Wis., says under a date of the 4th inst. :
" The style ' E ' just received from you with
your new scale is a perfect success and pleases
the professors and teachers, of whom I have had
quite a number try it. I am delighted with it
and want you to send the new scale in my order
just placed."
Trade Conditions With
Sohmer.
g
& CO. have ever kept a for, most
^=^ place in the retail trad^ of this city, and a
brisk condition of business with them is gener-
ally assured. It must be conceded that they
have reason to be well satisfied with the present
condition of trade, both in the retail and whole-
sale branches. The musical people of New York
and vicinity have come to look upon the Sohmer
piano as an instrument representing a high
standard of excellence. Thus, whenever there
is any retail trade in New York, Sohmer & Co.
are among the first to experience it. Their re-
tail trade this year is a marked demonstration of
this truth.
Sohmer & Co. 's wholesale trade shows an im-
provement that is as deserved as gratifying to
them. Thtir pianos have won increased pres-
tige and popularity in the South, East and West
and on to the Pacific slope. This can be attribu-
ted in a measure to the efforts made by Sohmer
& Co. to add to the excellence of their instru-
ments. Sohmer & Co. believe in moving with
the times, and this is illustrated in several of
their latest style instruments, which are splen-
did examples of what a high grade piano should
be. They are able to withstand criticism from
an acoustical and architectural standpoint. The
new style " Sohmer," No. 7, has proven especi-
ally popular with the dealers of this house. In
addition to other improvements in this piano
their new style extension music desk and fold-
ing fall-board are worthy of comment.
Progressive McCammon.
McCAMMON PIANO COMPANY,
Oneonta, N. Y., and its product, are illus-
trations of what can be achieved by intelligent and
progressive men. The best-made piano in the
world cannot become known if its manufacturers
lack ambition and enterprise. This, however,
cannot be said of the McCammon concern. They
are making a good piano, and they are impress-
ing that fact on the trade—hence the members
of this company are enabled to pick up orders
for the McCammon piano no matter where they
visit.
The Foster Piano.
fjpOSTER & CO., of Rochester, N. Y., are
^
practically newcomers in the field, but
they are fast building up a snug business. Their
pianos are being handled by many well known
houses in different sections of the country, and
they are giving much satisfaction.
The " Capen " Piano.
W H A T the Brockport Piano Company, o
S
Brockport, N. Y., are making progress
can be judged from the several styles shown in
their new catalogue, which we called attention
to last week. They are finding a very satisfac-
tory demand for the " C a p e n " pianos, which
are carefully made under the supervision of a
competent piano maker. The instruments shown
in their new catalogue should certainly appeal
to dealers. They are modest in price, and their
case designs are attractive.
New Seven Octave Organs.
LEHR & CO., Easton, Pa., are working
on a series of new style seven octave
organs. These instruments, both in architecture
of cases and musical quality, are bound to add
to the reputation of this house.
Wanted—a Husband.
f
HE following interesting advertisement ap-
peared recently in Neue Nachrichten, a
Leipzig newspaper:
"Marriage.—Wanted by a young lady who is
musical, and in possession of means, a husband
—pale, black hair, and with two Bechstein
grands. Offers, with photo, not later than Oc-
tober 9th, to be addressed 'Lilian,' 18, at the
Post Office, Leipzig, to be called for. "
The Wegman Piano Company.
popular instrument, the Wegman
piano, is in great demand these days.
The Wegman Piano Company's factory at
Auburn, N. Y., is working with a full force of
hands to catch up with the orders on the books.
Mr. R. O. Burgess, road representative for the
company, is doing good work for the house.
Some of the latest " Wegman " styles are very
attractive.
The Hamilton Organ Company.
C Hamilton Organ Company, of Chicago )
report a highly prosperous condition of
business. The Hamilton organs are growing in
popularity wherever sold. They make friends
for the dealer who handles them, and, better
still, they retain friends made. Members of the
trade should not overlook these instruments
when looking for a " seller.''
C. Kurtzmann Busy.
& KURTZMANN & CO. shipped on Decem-
«3& ber 1st the last complement of an order
for one hundred pianos received from Smith &
Nixon, Cincinnati, a short time ago. Kurtz-
mann & Co. are just as busy as they can be, and
the trade outlook with them for the opening of
the new year is favorable. They are doing their
utmost just now to catch up with orders on hand*
Stavenhagen Uses thej Knabe.
| R . BERNHARD STAVENHAGEN, the
*~ distinguished European pianist and
pupil of Franz Liszt, will make his appearance
at Carnegie Hall next Wednesday in conjunction
with the Symphony Orchestra. He will play
the Knabe exclusively during his tour of this
country.