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THE MUSIC TRADE
THE " SMALL GOODS ' TRADE
Gordon's "Unexcelled" Band In-
struments.
T
HE Presidential election always causes
somewhat of a boom in the sale of
brass band instruments, and Hamilton S.
Gordon, manufacturer of the Gordon piano
and dealer in musical merchandise, 139
Fifth Avenue, is accordingly making ar-
rangements for the 'rush."
His catalogue of brass band instruments
is now ready for circulation and it gives
the reader a very excellent idea of the spe-
cial reasons why the Gordon "high grade"
and Gordon "unexcelled" brass instru-
ments should become quite popular in this
country.
lin, guitar, and banjo strings are knov^n to
be among the best on the market, and their
great popularity and large sale are high tri-
butes of their excellence. The Excelsior
Drum Works, of Philadelphia, is one of the
best equipped drum factories in the country,
and Mr. Stratton, among others of their
agents, is kept busy supplying goods for
the "campaign" trade.
C. G. Conn.
T
HE "best in the world," claim the ma-
kers of the celebrated Conn instru-
ments, and judging by the splendid repu-
tation gained by the various band and
orchestral instruments manufactured by C.
(T. Conn, of Elkhart, Ind., and Worcester,
Mass., there seems a good deal of truth-in
the claim.
There is a continued heavy demand for
the Conn instruments, and the magnificent
endorsements received from some of the
most noted virtuosi in the world, in favor
of the Wonder Solo Cornets, certainly add
to their prestige. Of the splendid service
to American musical life rendered by the
Hon. C. G. Conn, we do not propose to
make any extended reference, suffice it to
say that the superb factories at Elkhart,
Ind., and Worcester, Mass., and the excel-
lence of the output, are among the most
noted achievements in the music trade
industry of this country.
Novelties In Music Boxes.
M
These two grades of instruments are
made especially for Mr. Gordon by a lead-
ing maker in Germany, and bandsmen
and musicians speak of them very favor-
ably. We present herewith a cut of a bari-
tone "unexcelled" grade — a very handsome
instrument indeed.
These goods are sold at a price which will
commend them to the public, and conse-
quently Mr. Gordon expects that during
the coming season there will be a great in-
crease in the volume of his business, par-
ticularly in the small goods department.
Frank A. Stratton & Co.
W
HILE trade in musical merchandise
generally is naturally somewhat
dormant at this time of the year Mr. Frank
A. Stratton, of Frank A. Stratton & Co., 35
Great Jones street, N. Y., reports an in-
creasing demand for the renowned "Maz-
zoni" strings and a fairly brisk trade in
"Excelsior" drums. The "Mazzoni" vio-
USIC box manufacturers and impor-
ters are already making prepara-
tions for the fall and holiday trade of 1896.
Some very interesting and amusing novel-
ties are promised.
Quite a number are at
present in stock. There is the hall chair, a
very well carved article in polished wood,
the musical apparatus concealed in the
seat, and which plays when a person sits
down upon it. The price of the chair is de-
termined by the number of tunes it will
play, and is from $15 to $25. A musical
decanter is certainly a very novel thing,
and one is manufactured which plays two
tunes when lifted. The musical part pro-
jects upward in the inside, and is entirely
concealed by the wine that is put in. The
price is $7.
Another extraordinary thing is a Swiss
cottage cleverly carved in soft wood. In
the front is a clock which has a cathedral
gong and runs for eight days. After the
last stroke of the gong the music begins to
play. The price ranges from $15 to $18.
Besides the above, there are beer mugs
of majolica in antique patterns, and flagon-
shaped, the music, which starts automatic-
ally, begins as soon as the mug is lifted,
and continues to play during the drink.
The price 'for a pint mug, playing two
tunes, is $6. The quart mugs, twelve
inches high, are $7.50.
Little savings banks are shown in Swiss
cottage form, with a one-day clock set in
front, and which play when a coin is
dropped down the chimney. This is sup-
posed to be very alluring to children, who
drop in their nickels in order to hear the
music.
In no other way can the music
be heard. The price of these savings
banks is $5.25 for two tunes, and $8 for
four tunet,.
Lyon & liealy.
T
HE marked success achieved by the
noted Chicago music house of Lyon &
Healy with their celebrated "Washburn"
guitars, mandolins, banjos and zithers is
a strong evidence of the splendid qualities
of these instruments, inasmuch as the comj
petition in this country in t!" is line of goods
is somewhat severe.
The "Washburn"
goods possess wonderful musical attributes,
they are admirably made and present a
most ornate appearance. Their reputation
covers a wide area, embracing prominent
points in both continents, and the heavy
demand for the goods is constantly increas-
ing.
The flartin Guitars.
T
HERE is a standard of value in every-
thing; a standard of value in musical
instruments just as well as in our national
currency. Take the Martin guitars, for ex-
ample, for which C. A. Zoebisch & Sons
of 19 Murray street, are the factors. Here
we find instruments which have been be-
fore the trade for over sixty 3 7 'ears, and
which have grown in the estimation of pro-
fessors and amateurs year after year until
they enioy a world-wide reputation—in
every sense of the word a standard of value.
Some of the best solo players use and re-
commend these instruments, and they are
to-day as popular as they were years and
years ago, thus proving that even in this
great age of competition, the Martin is so
built as to maintain its place and keep
right in the front.
It must not be overlooked that Zoebisch
& Sons are also importers of all kinds of
musical instruments, strings and general
"small goods" which are thoroughly reli-
able and command a wide degree of appre-
ciation.
OVER fifteen thousand people are em-
ployed in the manufacture of violins and
other string instruments in Markneukirch-
en, Saxony. In fact it is the staple indus-
try of that as well as other adjacent vil-
lages.