Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
iuleutio lally lgno.ed. The reading public,
however, cannot be misled in this way. The
motives of the assailants of the Knabe piano are
quite di:*cernible.
" Fair play is bonnie play," and if there was
an honest intention back of this friendly ad-
vice (?) tendered the Knabe house by our
contemporaries, they would certainly have
noticed the many good words spoken on behalf
of the Knabe piano by the leading papers in this
and olher cities. For example, the Boston
Traveler, of December 28th, speaking of Staven-
hagen's recital in that city, said :
" Mr. Stavenhagen was aided in his effort by
the magnificent Kuabe grand piano which he
placed, an instrument representing the highest
point reached in piano making. It is unneces-
sary to enumerate the excellencies of the Knabe
piano, for long since its inestimable value as a
concert instrument has been assured and made
evident by such world-famous virtuosi as Von
Bulow, D'Albert and other concert pianists."
Now every man has a right to his own
opinion, and it should be as valuable and as
much esteemed as the utterance of any egotist
who sets himself up on all occasions as a self
constituted authority. And when the high
estimate of the artistic merits of the Knabe
piano, as illustrated by Mr. Stavenhagen's play-
ing, is not confined to one or two critics, but
is the opinion of the majority of noted judges,
it means something. Large audiences have
heard the Knabe piano time and time again,
and have been loud In its praise as an Instru-
ment in every respect up to the standard which
enables a virtuoso like Stavenhagen to display
his exceptional talents.
DEPARTMENT STORES AND PIANOS.
the music trade there are constant changes
steadily going on, particularly in the man-
ner of disposing of pianos. This is possibly not
noticeable in one year, but when looking back-
ward over a period of years continual changes
are apparent which have been in constant opera-
tion in the trade. There is no mistaking that
the trend of affairs is toward consolidation and
concentration. During the past twelve months
this tendency has perhaps been more noticeable
than in any previous twelve months for the past
ten years. Manufacturers are becoming more
and more interested in the disposition of their
wares at retail in prominent trade centres. This
condition of affairs has undoubtedly taken its
course for good reasons.
There is another matter which enters more
and more into consideration, and that is the
matter of department stores retailing pianos. It
seems from information within our reach that
there will be many department stores which will
try the experiment of selling pianos in the near
future. At the present time it cannot be truthfully
said that this method of disposing of pianos has
reached more than an experimental stage. Our
opinion is that this matter will never be carried
to a successful issue. The department stores as
a whole have been disposing of wares which,
when the sale is once made, the matter is dis-
posed of forever. In the piano business we
>\
know that such a condition of affairs does not
exist. It is a constant exchange, barter, and
lookiag after stock, which has been placed out
on rental and installment contracts.
The piano business requires a special educa-
tion to carry it on successfully. Again, with
manufacturers interested in their own branches
In the principal cities, the purchasing public
will be more likely to gravitate toward the
establishments wherein goods are sold with the
reputable manufacturers'' guarantee, and where
they know they can secure a standard of value
from a firm which makes a specialty of this one
branch of manufacture, and ventures into noth-
ing else.
It is natural if one desires an expensive piece
of jewelry or a superb suite of furniture, the lead-
ing store which makes a specialty of those wares
would be patronized. In our opinion it will al-
ways be the same in the purchase of pianos.
The original store, as the term is used in this
country, was such a general bazar, as multi-
farious in its stock of merchandise as the de-
mand and convenience of its patrons made pro-
fitable.
A. T. Stewart was perhaps the first one of our
merchants who saw the advantage of grouping
together in a single establishment almost every-
thing that mankind desired. His idea has been
further enlarged upon by others until to-day the
great mercantile establishments in the cities of
New York and Chicago carry in a single estab-
lishment everything that a man wants, from
clothing and the feeding of his family to the
furnishing of his house, the outfit of his kitchen j
and the requirements of his stable.
The present tendency of the concentration of
trade in "all embracing " establishments is to
public advantage, because it builds up great con-
cerns, whose extensive business enables them to
introduce a system of organization which di-
minishes their running expenses relatively to
the volume of their trade as compared with that
of each of the many shops which together might
make up as great an amount. This concentra-
tion of trade, moreover, conduces to the advan-
tage of all those who are employed as clerks and
attaches in the business. It strengthens the
security of the establishment so that the risk of
the employees not getting their wages is reduced.
Their pay is prompt, and they have no reason
for fear that they will lose their place through
the bankruptcy of their employers. It decreases
liability to failure. It also has a tendency to
lower prices, and lower prices means a greater
demand by bringing goods within the reach of a
larger number of people.
There is no question as to the present great-
ness and the brilliant future of the great depart-
ment stores. It is only this week that real
estate was secured on Sixth avenue by a Chicago
syndicate for the erection of a mammoth depart-
ment store, which shall eclipse anything yet
arrived at. We emphasize again the fact that
the department stores are all right. But we
question whether in all their gieatness they will
make a howling success of the piano business.
As we have previously said, that part is only in
the experimental stage.
In our opinion the present position of the
trade is simply this, while the tendency of the
age is toward concentration and consolidition
of business, the piano business has also made
its move in the same direction. The move, how-
ever, is toward a consolidation of manufacturers
in the music trade and by the establishing of
their own branches or establishments in which
they have a partial if not a proprietary interest.
We hold this, that during the next ten jears
at least, piano purchasers will patronize piano
stores instead of department stores.
I
WALTER H. MILLER.
J
SJjfHR death of Walter H. Miller, of Boston,
*€> which occurred Friday, January 4th, will
be received with a great deal of regret by the
trade. Mr. Miller was the second son of the late
Henry F. Miller, and was born in Providence,
R. I., in February, 1850. His death is the first
bn.ak in this noted family of distinguished
brothers, five of whom constitute the Henry F.
Miller & Sons Piano Co.
Walter H. Miller was highly esteemed by all
who came in contact with him, and his devotion
to the interests of the Henry F. Miller & Sons
Piano Co. conduced to its present standing and
success.
Mr. Miller was educated in the public schools
of Boston, where he graduated with high honors
and with a Franklin medal in the class of 1868-9
After graduation he at once entered his father's
establishment, and ever since has given his life
toward the up-building of the business founded
by his esteemed father. Mr. Miller was always
of a studious bent of mind, and although he was
strongly devoted to his business, he yet found
time to encourage a mind which naturally leaned
toward literary pursuits.
On Monday a meeting of the Boston trade was
held, at which the following resolutions were
passed regarding the death of Mr. Miller :
WHEREAS, It has pleased the Almighty to
take from us our friend and associate, Mr. Walter
H. Miller, the piano manufacturers and dealers
of Boston assembled this day unanimously
Resolved, That in bowing submissively to this
dispensation of Providence we grieve at the loss
we have sustained and that has fallen upon his
family and friends.
Resolved, That we appreciate the sad affliction
that has' fallen upon his family, and offer them
the assurance of our deep and heartfelt sympathy.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions
shall be sent to the afflicted family and to Henry
F. Miller & Sons Piano Co.
I
CEO.
F. COLBURN.
&X? STURDY and respected type of New Eng-
(£^b lander was Geo. F. Colburn, who died at
his home, Leominster, Mass., Friday evening
of last week. Mr. Colburn was a member of the
firm of A. W. Colburn & Co., which makes a
specialty of the manufacture of merchandise for
the musical supply trade. He was born in Leo-
minster sixty-five years ago, and was deeply
interested in the welfare of that city since he
attained his majority. He figured prominently
In many positions of trust and honor in that
town. His death was due to pneumonia, and
quite unexpected. It has brought a great deal
of sorrow to his immediate family and wide
circle of friends.