Music Trade Review

Issue: 1896 Vol. 22 N. 14

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
Smith & Nixon Assign.
Some of the men who sit up on the shelf
bemoaning that suchi facts exist, have be-
come covered 'with cobwebs, and in a few THE CINCINNATI FIRM GO UNDER—AN EVENT NOT UNEXPECTED—AN HISTORIC HOUSE—RE'SUMJE'
years have become mummified.
OF THE SITUATION FIRMS INVOLVED.
We have such examples in the music
trade. There is always room for live men
N last Wednesday, April 2 2d, Craw- tism necessary to successfully conduct a
and live methods, provided they are com-
ford, Ebersole & Smith (Smith & gigantic business establishment.
mercial—up-to-date—honest.
Joseph G. Ebersole is related to the
Nixon), Cincinnati, made an assignment.
Papers which give good value, which are It cannot be said that this state of affairs wealthy family of Glenns, of Cincinnati.
reliable, which are conducted upon lines of was entirely unexpected, yet it is to be
For years Smith & Nixon have been
decency, will exist as they have a'right to, greatly regretted that it has occurred at this factors for the Steinway piano in Cincin-
long after some of the men who are decry- inopportune time. The failure of a firm nati, and from that point covering a num-
ing them have become a sad and in some having such extensions everywhere and ber of towns, embracing the principal points
carrying such an enormous indebtedness where the latter firm controlled agencies.
cases a loathsome memory.
It is stated that the amount of their in-
has a deep effect upon the affairs of the
debtedness
to the Steinway firm is large.
trade.
#
#
We
do
not
believe,
however, in going into a
A
dispatch
to
New
York
Thursday
morn-
Two weeks ago THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
detailed
account
as
to the amounts involved
ing said:
contained information we had received
in
this
assignment;
suffice it to say that
Crawford, Ebersole & Smith, successors
regarding the formation of a piano trust. to Smith & Nixon, makers of and dealers the three principal firms who are creditors
Since that time every music trade paper in in pianos, and agents in this city for the are Steinway & Sons, C. Kurtzman & Co.
the United States has contained similar an- Steinway pianos of New York, assigned and Gildemeester & Kroeger. Smith &
nouncements under startling headlines. this afternoon to D. D. Woodmansee, an Nixon have also been large dealers in the
attorney. The gross assets are $1,000,000; Lindeman, Briggs and Stuyvesant pianos,
This is amusing, truly.
but for some time past their business with
the liabilities are $800,000.
The real facts in the case are these, that
the
three latter firms has been discontinued.
Steinway & Co., of New York, are said
the matter has been in progress for several to hold a great deal of the firm's paper, and
They have also been extensive manufac-
months, but all the papers seemed in total there are other Eastern creditors. The turers on their own account, having built a
ignorance of the matter until the announce- cause is given as the hard times of the factory at Columbia Heights, Chicago, for
ment appeared in this paper. Another three years past. There were no prefer- the manufacture of the Smith & Nixon
proof that THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW is ences. In January there was a meeting piano, an instrument which has been ab-
sorbed largely by their various branches.
sought for and relied upon as a purveyor of of creditors for the purpose of securing
In February last a meeting of the cred-
extensions on the firm's bills payable, but
news.
itors
of the house was held in Cincinnati,
it did not result favorably to the firm.
and
it
was decided to re-organize the com-
#
#
While the gross assets are placed at $1,-
pany,
and to this end the Smith & Nixon
Again we would emphasize that the 000,000, as stated, the actual assets here
Piano
Manufacturing
Co. was incorporated
rumors and predictions freely made in trade will be about $300,000. The unsecured on Feb. 17th, with a capital stock placed at
debts amount to $280,000. The firm claims
circles about the future of certain houses is to have lost $150,000 in two years through $150,000, $50,000 of which was preferred,
uncalled for and unfair. It is just at this its agents. It has branch houses at Pitts- the balance being in common stock. The
time that we should endeavor to brace burg, Detroit, Columbus, Indianapolis and incorporators were C. H. Beecher, A. Hay-
ward, Dr. G. Ebersole, James M. Crawford,
up things and look on the brightest side of Toledo.
Smith & Nixon is one of the oldest piano Henry W. Crawford, J. B. Ebersole, J. L.
trade affairs. Reveling in rumors not only
Smith and E. L. Martin.
injures the party or parties discussed, but houses in the United States, having been
The following week the Smith & Nixon
first established in 1843. It has for years
has a depressing and injurious effect on
been an institution which has conducted a Piano Co., a distinct corporation from the
the music trade industry as a whole. gigantic business. The original proprie- former, was incorporated with a capital stock
Therefore "let us govern our tongues" and tors were James R. Smith, W. K. Nixon. of $300,000. It was thought at the time
be of good cheer.
Mr. Nixon retired about thirty years ago, that this move would safely tide the com-
subsequently W. K. Smith and J. Llewelyn pany over the depressed times, but the fail-
#
#
ure just announced does not seem to have
Smith were admitted into the firm.
There has been a marked improvement
It was in April, 1886, when Henry W. justified this view of the matter.
in retail trade in this city during the past Crawford first became connected with the
week. In a conversation with Mr. Nahum business. At that time James R. Smith
In an interview with Mr. William Stein-
Stetson yesterday, he said that "Steinway retired. New methods were introduced way on Thursday, he said: "At the pres-
& Sons were experiencing an unusually ac- immediately under Mr. Crawford's regime, ent time there is nothing new to relate rela-
and in January, 1889, Joseph G. Ebersole tive to the failure which would add to the
tive retail business," and at a number of
entered the firm. Snce then they have es-
other warerooms the same gratifying reports tablished branches and formed connections facts of which you are in possession. Mr.
Chas. H. Steinway is on his way West to
were gleaned.
with large dealers in the principal cities in investigate, and we will hear from him in
Ohio, as far East as Pittsburg, covering a due course. I may say that the bulk of
#
#
territory
South as far as Tennessee, and Smith & Nixon's indebtedness to Steinway
The good news reaches us from Washing-
North to Detroit. Recently a number of & Sons is ampl)' and safely secured."
ton that Congress proposes to adjourn, if these branches have become independent
possible, around the middle of May. This from the parent house.
information will not be received with any
Henry W. Crawford has been a very am-
SCHEDULES of Charles B. Lawson, the
bitious man, but his methods to achieve "Co." of William E. Wheelock & Co.,
regret by business men.
success have been severely criticised in piano manufacturers, at No. 785 East 149th
#
#
some sections, and the result shows that street, show individual liabilities, $34,800;
THERE has been no new ^development his desire to become one of the greatest nominal assets, $21,826; actual assets, $10,-
relative to the failure or re-organization of piano men of the age was not tempered by 000 in real estate at 138th street, near Lin-
the Briggs Piano Co.
a certain degree of judgment and conserva- coln avenue.
O
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
The "Crown" Pianos.
The Ludden & Bates flusic House
'EO. P. BENT, of
Chicago, has
-_, something to say to
%- n dealers elsewhere in
this issue.
.
It invites the closest
study, and will be found of the liveliest in-
terest; for Mr. Bent rarely sits down to
"put his pen to paper" unless he has some-
thing mighty interesting to exploit.
He talks about the "Crown" piano; and
why not? The history and standing of a
successful piano, like a successful man, is
always fascinating, and well worthy being
"read, studied and inwardly digested."
In his essay Mr. Bent eschews rodomont-
ade or literary verbiage. It bristles with
logic, and is right to the point. He tells
some forcible truths which may be incom-
prehensible to those who are running busi-
ness on methods which prevailed a century
ago. On the other hand, the progressive
and up-to-date dealer will not need an inter-
preter to "make plain" the strong points
of this "unvarnished talk."
If there breathes a man with soul dor-
mant to the charms of the "Crown" pianos,
it must be due to the fact he is not selling
or not acquainted with them. Hence the
sooner he falls in line and investigates their
special claims the sooner will he augment
his trade, increase his bank account, and
perpetually admire his good judgment the
day he decided to handle the products of
the "Crown" factory.
TO CONTROL THE OUTPUT OF THE MATHUSHEK
PIANO MANUFACTURING CO., OF
NEW HAVEN.
RRANGEMENTS have been con-
cluded between the Ludden & Bates
Southern Music House and the Mathushek
Piano Manufacturing Co., of New Haven,
whereby the former concern will control
the wholesale and retail business of the lat-
ter firm in New York as well as control the
output for a large portion of the United
States, in addition to the Southern territory,
which they now have charge of.
The Ludden & Bates Southern Music
House will open up a New York establish-
ment early in the fall, at least as soon as the
Mathushek people will close their retail
warerooms, which we understand will take
place around the first of May. This deal por-
tends a pushing of the products of the
Mathushek Piano Manufacturing Co. on
aggressive and modern lines, and ensures
the Ludden & Bates house being a factor
in local trade. The change reported above
will not be an unwelcome one.
A
Chickering & Sons.
fct
W 1
C. F. TRETBAR, of Steinway & Sons, will
leave for Europe early next month. He
will be absent several months.
P. J. GILDEMEESTER, of Gildemeester &
Kroeger, was in Cincinnati the early part
of the week, and is expected to return to
town about Wednesday next.
A PIANO factory is to be established at
Portsmouth, O., and the company will be
known as the Golden Rod Piano Co.
Messrs. Brown & Walker are incorporators
and owners.
THE New Brunswick, N. J., Board of
Trade announces that they have collected
$2,500 to meet the expenses of moving the
Muehlfeld & Haynes Piano Co. to that
place. The company want $3,000.
A. M. WRIGHT, of the Manufacturers'
Piano Co., Chicago, arrived in town on
Monday last. He is staying at the Everett
House, and expects to remain in the city
for two weeks.
CHAS. H. STEINWAY and wife will leave
for Europe around the middle of May.
A SALE of second-hand pianos — old
squares and uprights—taken in exchange
by Hardman, Peck & Co., were sold in
Philadelphia the early part of the week by
Birch, the auctioneer.
E really ought not to complain
very much of the state of trade,"
said Mr. Theodore Pfafnin to THE REVIEW
on Friday last. "Of course, I do not mean
to imply that business is what it should be,
FERDINAND WESSELL is the athletic mem-
but, at the same time there is a steady and ber of the family of which Mr. Otto Wessell
increasing demand for Chickering pianos, is the head. At the games of the Seventh
The Autoharp.
and as the business in New York for the Regiment last week, he won two prizes—a
'""T'HE Autoharp trade is distinctly hope- months of March and April up to date is diamond crescent and a silver flask—at the
[
ful," said Mr. Rudolf Dolge to ahead of that for the corresponding time athletic tournament held in the Armory.
THE REVIEW during the week. "Our road last year, I feel fairly encouraged with the Ferdinand inherits the Wessell grit and
men are doing business, and our extensive general outook. We have received the ability, which always comes out ahead when
advertising of last year is undoubtedly first shipment of our new line of Marshall & put to the test.
bringing us good returns. "
Wendell and Starr pianos, and they make
J. KOEHLER, formerly employed by James
It would be a good thing for dealers to a very nice showing."
&
Holstrom, has opened a wareroom at 225
bear in mind that the Autoharp—like the
East
Twenty-first street, this city, for the
bicycle—is an admirable "vacation" instru-
transaction
of a retail selling and renting
Desirous
of
Hoving.
ment, and this point cannot be too strongly
business
in
pianos. He is well-known and
emphasized by dealers.
'T'HE Virgil Practice Clavier Co., 26 West esteemed, and the prospects for building
I Fifteenth street, have written the up trade are favorable.
Burned Out.
Board of Trade, New Brunswick, N. J.,
THE following music trade men and deal.
that
they
want
a
desirable
factory
site.
ers
have been in town during the week: A-
RED. W. PEABODY'S music store,
The
companj'
employ
fifty
hands,
and
will
M.
Wright,
Manufacturers' Piano Co., Chi-
208 Merrimac street, Haverhill, Mass.,
require
a
factory
containing
about
10,000
cago;
Charles
Keidel, Jr., of William
was badly damaged by fire last Monday
square
feet
of
floor
room,
with
an
engine
Knabe
&
Co.,
Baltimore,
Md.; Mr. Wood-
afternoon. Estimated loss by fire and
and
boiler
capable
of
supplying
at
least
35
ward,
of
Hollingshead,
Stults&
Woodward,
water, $2,000. On building, owned by W.
horse-power.
The
company
is
desirous
of
Baltimore,
Md.;
Albert
Krell,
Jr.,
of Krell
O. Tasker, damage $1,000. The losses are
making
a
permanent
location
at
a
good
ship-
Piano Co., Cincinnati; S. A. Ward, of
covered by insurance. The origin of the
ping point, and asked the Board what in- Newark, N. J.; J. N. Burtis, Asbury Park,
fire is a mystery.
ducements it can offer.
N. J.
"A Celebrated v.ase.
IT is reported that the Hemme & Long
Piano
Co. will consolidate their business
Decker 6: Son.
HE "celebrated violin case" of Bott vs.
with
that
of the late Chas. S. Eaton, ot San
Flechter is still occupying the Court
Francisco,but
the matter lacksconfirmation.
RANK DECKER, of Decker & Son, re-
of General Sessions. The prosecution
G.
F.
BLAKE,
president of the McPhail
ports a good demand for the Decker &
rested on Wednesday, and the defense is
Piano
Co.,
Boston,
was in town during the
now successfully refuting some of the most Son piano. Charles & Mayer, of Brooklyn,
incriminating evidence against Mr. Flech- are among their most valued agents, and week.
GEO. N. GRASS, of Geo. Steck & Co., made
ter. Many sensational features have been are doing a fine Decker business. Mr.
introduced, both by the prosecution and Fred. Mayer, of this enterprising house, a flying business trip to Washington, Balti-
defense, which make it hard to express an was recently asked how he spelt piano. more and the South, early in the week.
He immediately responded—D-E-C-K-E-R. He is expected back to-day.
opinion as to how the case will wind up.
F
T
F

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