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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
Hardman Qualities.
In Washington,
E
"wear and tear" on the instrument.
I
notice that F. G. Smith's permit for altera-
tions to his branch store here has been filed.
The contract amounts to $6,000.
E. F. Droop & Sons are transacting a fair
share of business at their temporary quar-
ters.
Judging from the number of buildings
now in process of renovation, the music
trade will be represented in the fall by a
collection of music stores equal, if not
superior, to any in any other city in the
Union.
In a talk with G. H. Kuhn, at the Temple
of Music, 1209 G street, recently, he told
me that after twenty-five years in the in-
stallment business he can say that he never
has had to take a piano out of any house,
never has had a note given in payment
protested, never has had a collector, and he
always received full money for his goods,
all of which rare good fortune he ascribes to
his own judgment of character. He has
been scrupulously cautious in his dealings,
and has never failed to question, and to
scrutinize most carefully all would-be cus-
tomers. No honest person minds the ques-
tioning, or the scrutiny, and if they turn
restive, it is thought by Mr. Kuhn that you
would only "burn your fingers" dealing
with them.
VEN in these troublous times, when DIVERSE VIEWS ANENT BUSINESS TRADE LOOK
general business is so bad, the Hard-
ING UP W. KNAliK & CO. IN THEIR NEW
man piano seems to be in as great demand
HOME
T H E BRADBURY
WAREROOMS.
as ever. Messrs. Hardman, Peck & Co.
SOME GOOD " A D S . "
A TALK W I T H G.
report a largely increased business over last
H. KUHN
MR. L U C K E T T MAY RENT
year, both in their wholesale and retail
MR.
THOMPSON'S STORE — HUGO
trade. They say that, while there is great
WORCH
MAKING
A
PIANO.
room for improvement, business has been
RIGGS WILL GO TO CHICAGO.
•decidedly better since January ist than they
E. G. P F E I F F E R & CO.
anticipated it would be. Their New York
business, they report as fully 50 per cent,
WASHINGTON, April 3, '95.
in advance of that of last year.
HERE will be differences of opinion
After all that may be said of good busi-
even in Washington. In talking with
ness methods, push and enterprise—and all
a well-known dealer this morning he ex-
•of these qualities certainly distinguish the
pressed himself as highly pleased with the
house of Hardman, Peck & Co.-—there re-
condition of business, stating that "good
mains the fact that the Hardman piano is a
times were no longer problematical, but
thoroughly satisfactory purchase, not only
certain; in fact, they were here," and pro-
for the dealer, but for the ordinary buyer
ceeded to back this assertion by opening his
.and the accomplished player. In the long
books to show the number of instruments
run, the reputation of a piano is more af-
he had sold during the past ten days. And
fected by a certain consistency of behavior
he said, "this improvement is not spon-
on its part, so to speak, than anything else.
taneous, but a steady growth."
This
An instrument which is thoroughly healthy,
optimistic statement was, I need not say,
which rarely gets out of tune, which never
gratifying.
has jingles or jars in it, the sounding-board
I visited a fellow dealer on the .same
of which does not split, and one which is
street, and here I was informed that trade
fully equal tp all the requirements of use,
was never so quiet, and he proceeded to
no matter how severe or how irregular, is
resent statements made by Washington cor-
I learn that Joseph E. Luckett has rented
the instrument which comes to stay. Old
respondents recently, as to the "booming the Thompson Music Store, on Eleventh
dealers who have handled many makes of
business, large sales" transacted here. He street. Mr. Luckett is well known in trade
pianos, and who have always been very
said "conservative men want the truth, circles here.
careful of their reputation, always look for
especially in trade journals. If the daily
Hugo Worch, of Seventh street, is manu-
wearing qualities, next to price, for general
papers desire to elaborate with puffs, well facturing a piano from his own design,
durability saves them annoyances without
and good; but such statements are misrep- which is not- yet quite completed.
Mr.
number, besides ultimate loss.
Instru-
resentations and injure business instead of Worch is too modest to care to fully discuss
ments which require constant looking after,
helping to improve it."
his new undertaking at present, but the
which have to be tuned frequently, which
trade will ere long be made acquainted with
Two
such
diverse
opinions
placed
me
in
have sticking keys and "sympathetic vibra-
the results of his labors.
a
quandary,
and
I
thereupon
proceeded
to
tions, " in other words, annoying little
Wm. Riggs, who represents the Kimball
jingles and jars, are a chronic exasperation call upon other dealers and get their views.
Co.
in this city, informs me that he will
As
a
result,
it
is
my
opinion
that
trade
in
to a dealer, who, when he sells a piano,
leave
here the end of next month, and will
general
is
picking
up.
It
is
not
startlingly
desires only to hear good things about it
thereafter
be connected with the Chicago
brisk,
nor
is
it
dulV
Sales
are
less
spas-
which will help him in selling others. The
Cottage
Organ
Co. He will be associated
modic,
and
there
is
a
steady
growth
toward
purchaser also becomes more and more fond
with
Mr.
Price
in pushing the Conover
better
times.
To
be
sure,
there
is
room
for
of an instrument that gives him no trouble
piano.
improvement,
and
the
dealers
here
are
look-
and is always in the best of condition for
Mr. Pfeiffer, of E. G. Pfeiffer & Co.,
use.
These characteristics are those which ing for it. They still continue to close
their
letters
with
"hoping
for
better
times,"
thinks
now Washington has got rid of Con-
have done more than any others to give the
and
that
is
a
motto
that
might
be
hung
up
gress,
trade
cannot fail tojjick up rapidly.
Hardman piano its wonderful popularity
in
many
business
houses,
were
mottos
as
The
late
Congress
is certainly getting
from one end of the country to the other.
some
pretty
hard
hits,
but it deserves all it
fashionable
as
decorations.
The "Hardman" is distinctively a popular
gets.
Win.
Knabe
&
Co.
are
now
settled
in
piano, but its popularity is owing to the
combination of these points, together with their new quarters, next to the Grand Opera
Newton's School of Harmony.
House, and Manager Erck is highly pleased
its possessing a beautiful musical quality of
with
his
attractive
home.
It
affords
him
tone. There is no piano manufactured to-
S. STEWART, the well kiijiwn man-
day which can be more satisfactorily increased facilities which were badly need-
• ufacturer of the "Stewart" banjo, and
handled by well-posted dealers than the ed. Wm. Knabe & Co. are displaying a
"Hardman." Its position is unique, and very handsome stock of pianos, and are not music publisher of Philadelphia, has sent
us "P. W. Newton's Practical School of
the advantages accruing to clever men who complaining of business.
At the Bradbury warerooms, Mr. Van Harmony for the Guitar." It is a hand-
push it quite exceptional.
Wickle informs me that business is en- somely printed book of some 56 pages,
We hear that the Southern country is
couraging. By the way, he has been plac- bound in board. It gives an amount of in-
now being remarkably opened up in the
ing some effective advertisements in the formation on chord construction, musical
Hardman interests, and we bespeak a bril-
Star during the past week; one with the notation, musical progression, transition,
liant future for the instrument in this lo-
caption "Everlasting Pianos," is especially modulation, etc., that is invaluable to all
cal it v.
good. He makes a special point of the interested in the guitar. The book is liber-
"lock practice pedal"—the most wonderful ally interspersed with exercises.
S. S.
CJUITE a select stock of latest styles of and useful patent applied to pianos in late Stewart should experience quite a demand
Steger pianos are now on exhibition at years. A simple touch of the foot locks it for this well written work. A handsome
Winterroth & Co.'s warerooms, 105 East so that the children can play all day without photo cut of P. W. Newton adorns the first
Fourteenth street.
disturbing the household, and without any inside page.
L
S