Music Trade Review

Issue: 1896 Vol. 22 N. 5

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
ant frame of mind. He said: " I have a
magnificent stock of pianos, which will be
sent out at once, and naturally we expect
to do a big business with the Steinway in
our section."
The securing of the Steinway agency is
a big feather in the Dreher cap, and no
doubt the plume will be worn with honors
and credit thereby accruing.
NATIONAL
vice-presidents of the Association for Cali-
fornia, and Rudolf Dolge, who was a dele-
gate from this State, manifested the liveliest
interest in the proceedings, and are enthu-
siastic over the possibilities of the Associ-
ation as a factor in promoting the interests
of manufacturers—the wealth-creators of
the United States.
In this connection we notice that at the
meeting of the Executive Committee of the
Association, held at the Fifth Avenue
Hotel, in this city, last week, Rudolf Dolge,
of Alfred Dolge & Son, was appointed to
take charge of the enrollment of members
of the music trade industry in this city.
He should have no difficulty in this matter,
for we think that there are few men better
able to appreciate the great value of this
Association and the tremendous power for
good it will exercise, than the members of
the music trades.
One great feature of the National Asso-
ciation of Manufacturers is that it is entirely
free from political or private control, and it
aims—as a business body—to exert an
influence which will mark a new era in
the development of our foreign trade and a
betterment of these conditions which lead
to improved trade and brighter industrial
prospects at home.
ASSOCIATION OF MAN-
UFACTURERS.
O happening within recent years has
been of more vital importance to
the business men of this country than the
formation of the National Association of
Manufacturers, which assembled in con-
vention recently in Chicago, and whose
Executive Committee held their inaugural
session in this city last week.
The organization of so many influential
men for a common purpose, and that a
business one, signifies that the great press-
ing questions which secure stability to our
industries are no longer to be at the mercy
of politicians—that the business men are to
have a voice—and a powerful voice—in
matters which concern the well-being of
the nation.
The music trade, in common with all
industries, should extend a warm support
HE Mason & Hamlin Co., of Boston,
to this association. The purposes and
have held several important confer-
principles underlying its formation concern
ences this week and last, mapping out a
every manufacturer, great and small. It
plan of campaign for the year 1896, and
aims to enforce legislative action in such
taking a more definite position with regard
practical questions as the uniform bank-
to the especial "place" of the Mason &
ruptcy law; the promulgation of uniform
Hamlin piano in the music trade field
freight rates; the uniformity of corporation
of this country. In a conversation with
laws; the creation of a new officer of the
Edward P. Mason, president of the com-
cabinet in Washington to be called the
pany, this week, he said:
Secretary of Manufactures and Commerce;
"We have concluded in the future to
the extension of our trade relations with
manufacture pianos with the pin-block as
foreign countries, especially the Spanish-
well as the stringer system. Now, I do
American Republics; the re-establishment
not mean that this is to be construed to
of treaties of reciprocity, and the establish-
mean in the slightest that there will be any
ment of export commercial agencies at
slackening of energy on our part regarding
home and abroad.
the manufacture of pianos containing our
These are only a few of a number of sub- stringer system.
jects which are of as much interest to man-
"The importance and value of our patents
ufacturers in the music trade industry as
in that line have been commended by
in any other line.
experts, but by adding the pin-block we
Such questions as uniform bankruptcy
will be able to supply our customers with
and freight rates are particularly ripe for
whatever they desire. AH who handle the
speedy adjustment at the present time.
Mason & Hamlin line will push the instru-
Then there is the tariff, which, as President
ments containing our special system as their
Search of the Association so wisely said at
leader."
the recent meeting in this city, "should be
a business matter rather than a political
A LTHOUGH the indications of an
question."
/ " " \ early spring business in the piano
The members of the music trade who trade are not as bright at the time of
were present at the recent Chicago conven- writing as we would wish, yet the fact
tion: E. S. Conway, of the W. W. Kimhall stands that there was never more confidence
Co.; Geo. P. Bent, H. L. Story, one of the and more hopefulness in busipess. circles
N
T
than at the present time. The full vigor
of improved times is noticeable in the
majority of other industries, and there is
no reason why this prosperity should not
come our way in due time. The country
is not poor; we all know that. A few
weeks ago it showed its hand, and a good
full one it was at that. The general feel-
ing among travelers in other lines is that
spring trade will undoubtedly be good.
The feeling of confidence which pervades
the country is of marked variance with that
of the last few seasons.
At the present time it is an open question
whether it is to the interest of manufact-
urers of high-grade instruments to produce
or control a cheaper grade. Endless argu-
ments could be spun out for and against
this tendency so rife in our trade to-day.
The number of manufacturers who have
gone into this field lately have been
governed no doubt by the demand for a
commercial piano, but as long as the qual-
ity and price of the higher grade is not
sacrificed few objections can be raised.
The ridiculous statement in a local con-
temporary last week that the Chickering
and Fischer houses would amalgamate in
this city, was not taken seriously; and
wisely, for there is not an iota of truth in
the statement. It is surprising how any one
conversant with music trade affairs could
have given credence to this absurd rumor.
We understand that the initiation fee for
admission to membership in the National
Association of Manufacturers of the United
States is $50. With Rudolf Dolge actively
interested in this matter we expect to see
the names of quite a number of manufact-
urers in the music trades inscribed on the
roll of membership.
x
Notwithstanding the man)' rumors rel-
ative to the reorganization of the Weber
Piano Co., nothing definite can yet be
reported. The receivers of the Weber-
Wheelock concerns are now aiming to make
as good a showing as possible to the Courts
early in May.
As Karl Fink, of Alfred Dolge &
Son, has been variously reported in differ-
ent localities in the trade papers, during
the last few days, it may interest his friends
to know that he is at present in New York
City, and will remain here for some little
time.
The extremely cold and inclement
weather which was experienced by New
Yorkers the greater part of the past week,
interfered materially with retail trade.
Wholesale business, however, as far as we
can learn, shows a slight improvement.
A trade paper should, we think, draw
a line of demarcation between the pub-
lication of trade news and that reflecting on
the private character of a member or mem-
bers of the trade. The family affairs of
every one should be sacred.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
Interest on the Purchase Price
of a Piano.
HE Treat & Shepard Piano Co., Bridge-
port, Conn., are plaintiffs in a novel
suit against William Playfoot, of that city,
to recover a claim of $14.50 for interest.
The firm sold a piano to defendant which
was to be paid for, $25 down and the bal-
ance in monthly installments until the pur-
chase price, $300, was paid. These terms
were complied with by the purchaser, and
the last payment was made in September,
1894. Shortly after this Mr. Playfoot was
presented with a bill of $14.50 for interest,
but as there was no condition of the kind
mentioned when the sale was made, and
nothing in'the lease given by the company,
nor in its receipts, Mr. Playfoot refused to
pay it. Frequent demands, covering a
period of over a year, were made for the
money. Finally the company instituted
suit, and a writ was placed in the hands of
Sheriff Hamilton, directing him to attach
defendant's property to the value of $300.
The Sheriff made forcible entrance and
took the piano away. Judge Comley has
filed an answer to the complaint, and a suit
against the company for damages will be
one of the results.
on the goods, and $200 on the building-
Both were fully covered by insurance.
T
Robert n. Webb.
M
R. WEBB reports business to be in
excellent condition. January trade
was the best experienced since the forma-
tion of the business—the largest month's
trade in ten years.' There is a heavy
demand for the Cooper, Hewitt & Co. mu-
sic wire, and Mr. Webb stated emphatically
that since January 1, '95, they had not lost
a customer for the Cooper-Hewitt wire, and
had not had one pound returned. The
hammer business was unusually heavy, and
the general outlook for trade he considered
excellent.
Mr. Webb leaves for a ten days' Western
trip about Tuesday next.
His Sons in Partnership.
REPRESENTATIVE CUMMINGS has intro-
duced a very important bill to prevent the
willful piracy of copyrighted musical com-
positions and plays. A committee of
representative New Yorkers went to Wash-
ington last Wednesday for the purpose of
urging favorable action.
£ A GLANCE at Paul G. Mehlin & Son's
advertisement in this week's issue reveals
THE old Behning factory, on 128th street,
the fact that this enterprising firm is not
between
Third and Lexington avenues, will
only up to date in the manufacture of a
be
the
manufacturing
headquarters of
thoroughly high-grade instrument, but is
Camp
&
Co.
in
this
city.
It
has been leased
quick to "catch on" to a good idea when it
for a term of years, and will be fitted out
presents itself.
with modern appliances for the production
THE Henning Piano Co., of Brooklyn, of the Camp & Co. piano—a medium priced
are experiencing a big demand for the instrument.
Henning pianos, and although they are
A.
A.
BARTHELMES, of the
A.
A.
turning out thirty instruments a week, are
Barthelmes & Co.'s Music House, Toronto,
unable to fill all orders.
Can., was a visitor at Alfred Dolge & Son's
TRADE with the ^Eolian Co. keeps up
on Thursday last. In reply to an inquiry
satisfactorily. The Tuesday and Thursday as to the general business outlook in Can-
afternoon recitals continue to draw large ada, Mr. Barthelmes is reported to have
and .enthusiastic audiences.
stated that "we are not as hard up as you
W. A. FREELAND, with Hamilton S. Gor- are, but are getting a smack of it."
don, New York, paid a flying trip to Phil-
FRED. J. MABON, the Mehlins' road repre-
adelphia yesterday in the interest of the
sentative, will leave Monday next for a
small goods department. Mr. Freeland
three weeks' trip through Pennsylvania,
reports a big mandolin boom, and the de-
Ohio, Michigan and New York.
mand for all grades of that instrument is
very large.
HENRY J. SHAW, a member of the New
York
Piano Co., Montreal, Can., died last
BUSINESS with Hardman, Peck & Co. is
Monday
in that city.
moving satisfactorily. Mr. William Dal-
HOLLINGSHEAD & STULTZ, of Baltimore,
liba Button reports February trade quite
equal to last year, but the result has been Md., have been compelled, owing to the
obtained by persistent effort. Mr. Moak, growth of their business, to lease larger
of Buckingham, Moak & Marklove, Utica, quarters at 109 North Charles street, which
N. Y., who does an excellent business with they will occupy on March 12.
the Hardman, was a visitor to the ware-
THE following have been in town
rooms yesterday.
during the week: Mr. Henry Dreher, of
AN order has been filed by Judge Smith B. Dreher's Sons Co., Cleveland; Mr.
directing M. A. Paulson to turn over ten Handel Pond, of the Ivers & Pond Co.,
shares of Century Piano Co. stock to the Boston, Mass.; Mr. Nicholas Schneider, of
Northern Trust Co., assignee of the Farm- Albany, N. Y.; Mr. Louis Leiter, of Leiter
ers' and Merchants' State Bank. The stock Bros., Syracuse N. Y., and Mr. W. T.
is said to be worth $1,000.—Minneapolis Bobbitt, of St. Louis; Edmund Cluett, of
Cluett & Sons, Troy and Albany, N. Y.; A.
Tribune.
A. A. DEWEY, piano dealer, Main street, H. Reed, of A. H. Reed & Sons, Chicago,111.
Little Rock, Ark., was knocked down by an
H. KUHN, who has for nearly a electric street car in that city last Sunday,
quarter of a century been engaged and was badty, if not seriously, hurt.
#
in the piano business in Washington, I).
R. E. WARD, alias Tripp, who has been
C., has taken into partnership with him his
securing musical instruments from Mrs.
two sons, so that the firm name will here-
Penfield, Dyer Bros, and the Century Piano
after be Kuhn & Sons. Mr. Kuhn started
Co., of Minneapolis, on false pretenses, has
in as a dealer in musical instruments in
been arrested.
1872, and some time ago moved to the
TRADE with Lindeman & Sons is satis
handsome and commodious building at
1209 G street. He has built up a large factory. Mr. J. A. Norris, who is now on
trade, and is generally regarded as one of an extended Western trip, is placing good
the progressive and successful business orders and making some valuable new con-
nections.
men of Washington.
DAVID PRINCE, JR., of Prince & Son, had
the misfortune to sprain his back on Tues-
THE Invitation Musical given by Chick -
day evening last. In alighting from the
ering & Sons last Tuesday was largely
car at 105th street and Third avenue, he
attended by a host of music lovers who were
accidentally slipped and fell heavily. The
given much enjoyment by the delightfully
accident is not of a seri-ous nature.
even and finished playing of Richard
Hoffmann and the singing of Miss Wright,
F. D. R. WARNER'S music store, Main
soprano soloist. Under Hoffmann's' magio street, Florence, \Mass';, was damaged by
fingers the Chickering never sounded better. fire last Sunday. The loss is about $800
G
Prince & Son.
N encouraging state of affairs exists
at Prince & Son's new factory,
corner of 128th street and Park avenue.
Mr. Taylor, of the Taylor Music House,
Springfield, Mass., placed a large order for
goods on Wednesday of last week. Prince
& Son have received a number of orders from
the South recently, and a steady trade is
being built up in that quarter.
It has been found necessary to work
nights in order to catch up with the orders.
There is a considerable demand for Style
XXX Princess Royal, and Mr. Prince, Sr.,
expressed himself as being highly elated
with the general outlook for business in his
new quarters. The firm is in excellent
shape for shipping five to six pianos a day,
and with a capacity of fifty instruments a
week, a loyal staff and a "good seller," the
outlook is undoubtedly very satisfactory. -' -
A

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