Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
TO
instruments that cannot fail to add to their
own reputation and make trade for the
dealer. J. & C. Fischer believe in prog-
ress with a great big P.
- ^ . E D W A R D LYMAN BILL
Editor and Proprietor.
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'THE BUSINESS MAN'S PAPER."
I
T is gratifying to note that the exports
of musical instruments for this year
continue to maintain a decided lead over
the same period last year. The figures in
detail which appear elsewhere in this
paper under the heading of "Exports and
Imports," will be read with interest.
NE hundred thousand pianos made
by one firm! This is the legend
which J. & C, Fischer are about entitled to
emblazon on their banner. What a story
it tells of the estimation in which these
wares are held; of the upward growth and
influence of this house; and more than all
does it demonstrate that the Fischer piano
has kept abreast of the times in all the re-
quirements of this progressive age.
The extensive trade connections of this
house and the wide popularity of the
Fischer pianos in all parts of the Union,
have not led this distinguished firm to
rest on their oars after having attained a
certain altitude. They are much more
alive to-day than they ever were to the in-
terests of their customers by manufacturing
O
PEAKING of the formation recently
of the Music Publishers' Association
of the United States in this city, the Piano
Organ and Music Trades Journal, of. Lon-
don, has the following to say:
"There is one suggestion we venture to
make to the American Association, which
has been considered by our own Music
Publishers' sub-section of the London
Chamber of Commerce, but, owing to a
want of unanimity on the question, has, so
far, not been consistently carried out. It
is for the members of the association, to
agree, in the event of a music-seller's fail-
ure, to buy back their own publications,
and so prevent the stores, the drapers, and
other outsiders from securing the whole of
the stock and advertising it at far below its
proper value. That there are difficulties
in the way is possible. At the same time
we believe the plan is not impracticable,
and it would obviate much of the unfair
and vexatious rivalry to which dealers
have now to submit. It would surely be
better for the publishers to pay the receiver
or trustees, say, a penny per copy for their
own works than to allow an outsider to buy
the stuff as it stood at ^ 1 per foot."
S
attachments have a "mission" to perform.
They will add to the pocket books of our
manufacturers, and judging from what has
been accomplished toward surpassing
human execution, they will act as educators
and accentuate an interest in the higher
grades of music.
WELCOME revolution in the ex-
terior appearance of pianos has been
noticeable during the past two years—more
particularly during the past season. In fact,
it can safely be said that at no time in the
history of the trade has such attention been
devoted to transforming the black, gloomy-
looking cases that have held sway for so
long to the more attractive and agreeable
designs that are in vogue to-day. And bet-
ter than all, this tendency is only in its in-
fancy. The styles which are being manu-
factured by all the progressive piano
makers throughout the country for the fall
trade emphasize this evolution in taste to a
gratifying extent.
It would be absurd, however, to be satis-
fled with an artistic case were the tone and
other essentials of the piano not up to the
standard. But they are. Take any of our
manufacturers of medium and high grade
pianos who have made a specialty of im-
proving the exterior appearance of their
instruments, and you find that they have
not been content with making their pro-
ducts grateful and pleasant objects to the
eye, but they have also paid close attention
N view of the results which are being to their musical qualities. And what is
accomplished by inventors in the per- the result? The dealers handling these in-
fection of automatic attachments to musical struments find little trouble in making
instruments, particularly to pianos, and the sales, for the American housekeeper as well
utilization of electricity to that end, it is as musician have the keenest eye to the
pertinent to dwell on the influence they beautiful in tone as well as in case.
It has been said that a high grade piano
will exercise on the future of the trade.
The services of a seer are not necessary might differ little in appearance from a
to predict that the time is coming, and rap- "cheap" piano, or say a folding bed, and
idly, too, when these electro-automatic de- nevertheless will compel its place—its
vices will have reached such perfection in grade. We hardly think so. Manufacturers
mechanism, and the cost be so brought of high grade pianos are not usually "fos-
within the range of the average purchaser, sils," they are live men, and they cannot
that they will play an important role in afford to injure their reputation by making
the music of the home, the school, the instruments beautiful and perfect in tone,
but behind the age in case design. Such a
church and the concert hall.
Their influence on the piano trade cannot course would work an injury from which it
fail to be beneficial. The countless thou- would be hard to recover.
It occurs to us that there is no written
sands who appreciate music, but "never
had an opportunity to learn," will in time law compelling manufacturers to build
hail with delight a medium whereby they piano cases on the lines inaugurated by
can have in their homes a piano with an their fathers or grandfathers years ago.
automatic Paderewski thrown in, as it We want more variety, more individuality
were. The output of pianos will not alone in case architecture. There has been an
be increased in ever) 7 section of the coun- awakening, apparently, and we trust the
try, but a greater love for music will be coming fall season will witness a lively in-
terest in this important department of the
engendered among the people.
Thus it can be seen that the automatic piano trade.
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