Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1895 Vol. 20 N. 1

Page 4 Text:

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
EI/EI^V §f\]U\\bf\Y.
3 EAST 14th STREET, NEW YORK.
SUBSCRIPTION (including postage) United States and
Canada, $3.00 per year, in .^vance; Foreign Countries,
$4 00.
piano manufacturer who wishes to be
termed progressive and who desires to ad-
vance the standing of his wares and enlarge his
trade in the year '95, should not overlook the
special merits of the Dolge blue felt. The piano
trade are realizing more and more each day that
this felt is not alone superior to any other, as
far as wearing quality is concerned, but it
possesses those essentials which aid in the de-
velopment of a superior quality of tone in the
piano. For hammers and dampers it cannot be
surpassed. No better proof can be adduced of
the excellence of the blue felt than the rapidly
increasing and enlarged orders which are coming
to the manufacturers week after week. It is
getting a stronger hold upon the good opinion
of the trade as time progresses, and the manu-
facturer will be indeed slow to his own best in-
terests if he fails to give the Dolge blue felt a
trial.
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.
>I ! flE
If OR lift'Cause that lacks'assistance,
For the wro?g that aesds resi&tajf^y/
For lie future in "•- /! -'-- < ^/'-•*'J 1
E Hazelton piano ! This is an instrument
that the wide-awake dealer should keep in
mind during the year 1895. He can pin his
faith to it. Once a customer always a customer,
is the rule with all who have had any experience
with the Hazelton product. Its popularity is
not transient. It has grown with the times, and
it holds its place solely on its intrinsic musical
value.
«
STEP UP, GENTLEMEN.
HE income tax regulations have been ap-
proved by Secretary Carlisle. Every
citizen of the United States, whether residing
at home or abroad, and every perion residing
doing business in the United States who has
annual income of more than $3,500, is re-
to make return, under oath, before the
[onday of March of each year. The first
to include all income received in the
Persons having less than $3,500
are not required to make return,
and over are taxable 2 per
incomes for the year 1894
fable on or before the first
the music trade, as in every other industry,
a number of manufacturer can always be
found who possess the idea that the spirit of
enterprise is not essential to success—that their
own personal reputation, or the reputation of their
wares, will enable them to hold their own with
their progressive brother manufacturer. And the
most singular thing in this connectihn is the
inability or indifference of these individuals to
see where their misguided policy is leading
them. Take the last year for instance, and the
most superficial observer will admit that the
piano or manufacturer best known to-day are
those kept before the public by broad minded
enterprise and skillful management. While
merit is absolutely essential to the success of
the modern piano, it is a foolish policy to ima-
gine that this alone will insure success com-
mercially. This is not the day when a high
class piano is one among the few, but one among
the many—hence conservatism should be shelved
with the old }eir, and a new, a progressive
policy should be ushered in with the new.
IT DEPENDS.
all lines of special industries there are cer-
tain names which have become the embodi-
ment of all that is highest and best in those
trades. They represent a degree—a standard of
value. The piano industry does not in this
particular differ from other industrial fields.
Those names which are known the continent
over have reached a point of eminence for special
reasons. In those instruments were incorpo-
rated ideas which were recognized from a me-
chanical and an acoustical standpoint as perfect.
Investigation, research, and the practical de-
velopment of advanced and theoretical ideas had
clearly proven the results ot human skill and
human brains—bad emphasized their practical
use by years of successful manufacture.
The highest experts, musical and scientific,
had pronounced them as nearly approaching
perfection as it was possible to hope during the
present development of the pianoforte. These
instruments have grown with the years, their
very names have acted as an impelling force.
The new salesman, frequently referring to them
in the way of comparison, saying, by way of
argument, that his piano was as good as so and
so's—admitting their value as a standard.
\
The structure has taken years to build. It
has been built not upsn sensationalism, not upon
false foundation. It has been built upon prin-
ciples as solid and enduring as the trade itself,
because the causes which evolved these names
1
from the mist of obscurity and caused them tjo
shine in the light of public esteem, are princji-
plee upon which rests the very essentials which
support the citadel of our business and our com-
merce. Can the structure that has taken a life-
time to build be toppled over in a minute?
No, assuredly not; you may believe, con-
fidently, that any article which represents a
standard of value is not easily depreciated.
Attacks which are inspired by mercenary mo-
tives oftentimes fall short of gaining their object.
Oftentimes, particularly in the music trade, they
do not. But the injury resulting from these
attacks is often overestimated. One thing is
certain, a piano that has stood the ever changing
conditions of trade currents for a half century
and haB held its place, cannot be removed from
its position and stripped of its rank just because
some particular individual desires it relegated to
the rear for reasons which are apparent to the
onlookers.
If these things were possible what a funny
condition of things there would be. We say
what a funny condition of things there would be
roundabout.
Take the Knabe piano for instance. Suppose
any well-meaning, kindly disposed journalist,
should attack it, or suppose just for the sake of
argument that he was not so gentle and lamb-
like. Suppose he should exhaust himself in
labyranthine rhetoric and pyrotechnical attacks
until the very skies reflected the effulgence of
his mouthings ?
Suppose he should twist himself into all kinds
of tortuous paths in trying to belittle the Knabe
piano.
Of course we will presume this for the sake
of argument; would it effect the status of that
instrument ?
j
Would not the individual who was insincere
enough to make the attack rebound from the
encounter of the stonewall of public opinion (
with a force which would shake the barnacles off'
an iron-clad ?
Would he be shaken ?
Well, that depends.
Just a little on the man, doesn't it ?
f
HE year 1894 was a good one for the Brad-
bury piano, notwithstanding the general
depression. Mr. F. G. Smith is well pleased
with the excellent business transacted by the
different concerns in which he has an active in-
terest. Apart from the increase in business, the
Bradbury piano has gained in prestige and
popularity, and the year just opened bids fair to
add still further to its sale and growth in appre-
ciation.

Page 5 Text:

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
An Artistic Home for
the Henry F. Miller
Piano.
Something about the New Warerooms of
a Noted Boston House.
jflpASSING down Boyliton street from Tre-
•*" s mont you are attracted by a neat artistic
sign. It is that of the Henry F. Miller & Sons
Piano Company. Turning to the left you will
enter a building which impresses you at once as
being a decided departure in the matter of fit-
ings from most business establishments, and an
;esthetic coloring of the hall and mural decora-
tions accentuate the air of refinement which
pervades this establishment. On the left as you
enter are located a row of private offices—five in
number. These are all conveniently arranged
with speaking tubes which connect with the
various departments of the establishment. The
last office is the consulting rooai of Htnry F.
Miller. Passing on, a vista of surprises is
opened up. There are four rooms, each fitted
with an eye to the convenience and easy dispo-
sition of the products of the firm. These rooms
extend for a distance of two hundred and
twenty-five feet, the last room being devoted ex-
clusively to grands. Throughout the mural
decorations are finished in such aesthetic color-
ings that they present, with a pure white back-
ground, a most charming effect. This is further
intensified under the soft glow of the electric
lights with which the entire building is illumi-
nated.
On the lower floor is located the commodious
music hall, which has exits to Tremont street
and Van Rensellear place. A portion of this
floor is also devoted to rooms which are specially
arranged and fitted up for repair purposes. In
the rear there are two upper floors which are
used for storing and shipping pianos. A large
freight elevator connects the storing and ship-
ping rooms with the different floors.
It may be well to note that this elevator,
which was built by the present occupants, is run
by electricity, and thus far they have found it in
many ways superior to other motive powers.
Its cleanliness, ease of running commend its
use. It might be well for other firms who con-
template matters of this kind to investigate the
use of this motive power. There is also in the
front part of the building a passenger elevator.
With such a charming home it is only fair to
predict, and with a degree of certainty too, that
the sales of the Henry F. Miller piano will be
largely augmented in Boston and vicinity, and
it must be distinctly understood in this connec-
tion that ^this piano has also exercised a tre-
mendous influence in the musical circles and
homes of Boston. With the impelling power
behind it we will predict that '95 will be a ban-
ner year for the Henry F. Miller piano.
An Exhibition of Patents.
international exhibition of patents and
inventions will be held in this city in
March, 1895. The enterprise is under the
auspices of the Commercial Exhibition Com-
pany, which has executive offices at the Grand
Central Palace, 43d street and Lexington avenue,
which will be the seat of the exhibition. It will
be divided in three departments : First, patents,
inventions and novelties ; second, photographs
and photographers' supplies ; third, patent and
proprietary medicines.
Mr. Dolge's Residence Destroyed
;
by Fire.
Mr. Martius Acquitted.
MARTIUS, music dealer, with head-
quarters at Winter & Harpers' store,
Seattle, Wash., was arrested last September for
opening a package belonging to another party
and purloining a sheet of music therefrom, and
was held for the Grand Jury. It seems the ar-
rest was the result of jealousy on the part of a
business competitor. Last week the case came
up for hearing, and Mr. Martius was completely
exonerated, to the delight of his many friends.
- ALFRED DOLGE'S new unfinished
residence, at Dolgeville, was damaged to
the extent of ten thousand dollars by fire, last
Sunday night, December 30th. This fine resi-
dence was almost ready for occupancy. It was
three stories high with a gabled roof and was
gothic in style with many wings and additions.
It contained upwards of sixty rooms. The in-
terior hard wood finishings and arrangements
were superb, this part of the work having been
To the Trade.
directed by Mrs. Dolge personally. As the
damage was fully covered by insurance the only
PHILADELPHIA, PA., January 3d, 1895.
loss sustained is the inconvenience which Mr.
Ludwig Hupfeld, of Leipsic, is the owner of
Dolge will have to undergo through not being United States Letters Patent No. 429,419, ot
able to occupy his house as soon as expected.
June 3d, 1890, for a Mechanical Key-Board
Player. Heretofore you have been warned
against making, using, and selling piano at-
A Smart Swindler.
tachments which are infringements of the afore-
said patent, especially such as are made by the
wjft MAN named Williams has been traversing
Automaton Piano Co.
£y=s> the West soliciting contributions for the
Our attorneys, Messrs. Goepel & Raegener, of
aid of the sufferers by fire at Minnesota. He
New York, have begun suit against the Automa-
claimed he was employed by Steger & Co., of
ton Piano Co., permission having at last been
Chicago, and he made use of the statement that
granted by the Court. It was necessary to
Mr. Steger had instructed all of his employees
make application to the Court, because this
to devote five days' time to this charitable work.
Company for some time past has been in the
Mr. Steger has no knowledge of this individual,
hands of a receiver. This suit will be vigorously
and the charitable public got to be on their
prosecuted, and all infringements and those
guard against having anything to do with him.
handling the Automaton attachment will be
dealt with to the fullest extent of the law.
Interesting to Shippers.
BLASIUS & SONS,
1101-03 & 1119 Chestnut street, Phila., Pa.
Sole Agents for the Hupfeld Piano Attachment
-4jl?N future there will be no saving to ship pianos
^
in carload lots from New York or Chicago for the U. S.
to San Francisco. The special rate of $1.50 a
A Valuable Present.
hundred pounds was abolished on December
25th. Thereafter the rate will be $2.40, whether
,R. ALFRED DOLGE has just given an-
for a single instrument or for ten of them. The
other proof of his thoughtfulness, if it
reason assigned is that shippers have been hold-
were needed, by donating, in the form of a
ing back and then freighting mixed cargoes, in-
Christmas present, twelve rare and expensive
stead of all from one factory, as was the under-
works to the library of the Dolgeville School
standing when the reduction was made.
Society. They are in German and are as follows:
" Klein Deutschland," C. Stuerenberg ; "Das
Deutsche Element," 1818-1848, GustavKoerner;
Mr. Pfafflin's Christmas.
" Federzeichnungen aus dem Amerikanischen
•R. THEODORE PFAFFUN, manager of Statdtleben, " Johann Rittig ; " Anton in Amer-
Ji the retail department of the Smith & ika," 2 volumes, Reinhold Solger, "Die Deut-
Nixon concern, Cincinnati, O., was presented schen im Staate New York," Frederick Kapp ;
with a handsome gold watch, suitably inscribed, " Bilder aus der Deutsch Pennsylvanisch Ges-
by the salesmen of the establishment on Christ- chichte,'' Oswald Seidensticker ; '' Deutsch in
mas eve. Mr. McCourt made the presentation Amerika," Dr. G. A. Zimmermann; "Vier
speech, and Mr. Pfafflin returned thanks for the Hundred Jahre Amerikanischer Geschichte," Dr.
thoughtfulness and kindness of his associates. G. A. Zimmermann; " Unser Adoptiv Vater-
land," L. W. Haberom; "Der Buergerkrieg,
1861-1865," Martin Liicke; " I n der Neuen
Heimath," Anton Eickhoff.
Does Away With the Pedals.
These books give a history of the settlement
of parts of America by Germans, and their pro-
| R . W. A. OTTO G1ESLER, piano tuner, gress in their adopted country. Mr. Dolge also
of Milwaukee, Wis., has completed an gave the library some time ago a complete set
invention which he claims will tend to greatly of the Census of 1890.
increase the life of the average piano and also
add much to its musical qualities. His arrange-
Progressive Prescott.
ment, he says, does away entirely with the
pedals and performs far better work in their
HE Prescott Piano Company, of Concord,
stead.
N. H., expect to issue a supplementary
catalogue containing illustrations of their new
Gov. McKinley Buys an A. B. styles of instruments early this year. They in-
tend in future to confine their number of styles
Chase Piano
to five, instead of ten, the number at present
carried. The Prescott Piano Company report
A. B. CHASE COMPANY, Norwalk, that '94 netted them a fair share of business,
Ohio, have sold one of their finest pianos, being far ahead of the business transacted the
with beautiful figured walnut case, to Governor previous year. They expect to be much in evi-
McKinley. It was shipped to Columbus last dence during the present year both in new styles
Saturday and placed in the Governor's apart- and the development of new features in their in-
struments.
ments on New Year's Day.
f

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