Music Trade Review

Issue: 1896 Vol. 23 N. 20

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
ICrTRM
EDWARD L\ MAN BILL
Editor and Proprietor.
PUBLISHED
EVERY
SATURDAY
3 East 14th St.. New York
SUBSCRIPTION (including postage) United States and
Canada, $3.00 per year; Foreign Countries, $4.00.
ADVERTISEMENTS, $2.00 per inch, single column, per
contracts.- special dis-
dis
insertion. On . quarterly or yearly contracts.
count is allowed.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency form, should
be made payable to Edward Lyman Bill.
Bnttredat ths New York Post Office as Second Oass Almtttr.
NEW YORK, DECEMBER 5, 1896.
TELEPHONE NUMBER 1745. — EIGHTEENTH STREET.
••THE BUSINESS MAN'S PAPER."
WILLIAM STE1NWAY.
ITH the death of William Sceinway a
great man is taken from the field of
earthly endeavor. William Steinway was
a great man in every way and no matter
from which side we may study his charac-
ter, the fact must impress itself strongly
upon anyone who is conversant with his
life and history, that he possessed not only
all the essential attributes of leadership to
a phenomenal degree,' but he still had that
peculiar and wonderful God-given gift of
swaying men and at the same time being at
all times in touch with the great heart of
the people.
It is seldom indeed that a combination of
such talents as he possessed is found em-
bodied in one human being. William
Steinway was an indefatigable worker from
his early boyhood to the close of his life.
Notwithstanding the fact that he began
to accumulate wealth faster than any man
could spend it, he never relaxed his efforts
W
in gaining, and at the same time his gener-
osity was practically without limit in dis-
tributing it. With him it was toil, toil, to
the end. But it was not vain endeavor, or
for selfish aims—the more rapid the accu-
mulation of properties for him, the wider
became the avenues for their distribution.
While there has been many speculative
theories as to the amount of money which
Mr. Steinway has given for charitable,
benevolent, and friendly purposes, yet the
amount will probably never be even approx-
imately known, because thousands—untold
thousands—were given away by this man,
simply with a desire to do good, and to re-
ceive no reward or notoriety for his gifts be-
yond the kindly expressions of the benefi-
ciaries and the knowledge that their aims
in life would be furthered.
His fame was confined to no land, for it
extended wherever music or art is known.
A German-American, and one of the
noblest types of that race, which has been
embodied to such a material degree in the
development of America. While he could
be called in the truest sense an American,
because he was scarcely more than a boy
when he landed on these shores, yet the
love for the German Fatherland was with
him developed to a large degree, in fact al-
most a passion.
Perhaps no man in America has done
more for the development of German litera-
ture, of German art and German music
than William Steinway. He sought to im-
plant upon these shores the love for those
great products of German intellect which
should become an indestructible part of
American institutions.
The piano trade has aright to feel proud
of William Steinway's record, because he
dignified and adorned that trade in which
his life was worthily spent. His aim was to
elevate—it was the art instinct rather
than the commercial which dominated him.
His business and executive capacity
were of prodigious breadth. His power
of discrimination were such that many a
man would spend hours in weighing this
and that, where William Steinway's power
of analysis was such that his decision could
be made almost instantly and was invari-
ably correct.
Seldom, if ever, has a manufacturer in
any line received such encomiums from the
daily press as have appeared in all parts of
the country concerning the death of Mr.
Steinway. It shows the greatness of his
stature in public esteem.
In this busy, bustling age, when great
men drop from the ranks of the living we
are too apt to forget and too quickly what
they have accomplished, not alone for them-
selves, but for the benefit of their fellow-
men. This we know, that the musical
world of America owes William Steinway
a debt because it was through his vigorous
personality and liberal dispensing of money
—through his time and influence, that
musical art has been fostered and encour-
aged to such an extent in this city. It is
possible that New York would have waited
longer for the initiative, but for his step-
ping into the breach and his generous
encouragement of that artistic spirit which
has been felt in all the musical circles of
this great metropolis, which has had a reflex
effect in all the art centers of the continent.
It was through his influence that the world's
greatest artists have been brought to our
shores, and by their presence have encour-
aged higher musical art.
It was his wonderful business capacity
that enabled him to carry out all his enter-
prises, whether industrial or artistic, to the
highest degree of success. He has won for
himself an enviable place in the musical
history of America. His name can never
be erased from the list of the world's great-
est names.
High up on the scroll of fame will for-
ever be the name of William Steinway.
Should New York easily forget what this
great departed personality has done for her
in an art and industrial sense? By afford-
ing our people opportunities in which to
cutivate a higher art which leads to a high-
er civilization this man was a public bene-
factor.
Should not something be done to per-
petuate in a fitting manner the name of
Steinway in the metropolis of the New
World ?
In the public parks of New York there
are statues of distinguished men. We
would suggest that there could be made to
our collection no more fitting addition
than placing in a prominent position in
one of our parks or public squares a statue
of William Steinway. Then Steinway's
name would be further perpetuated by his
face in enduring bronze which would look
down upon coming generations of Ameri-
cans. His illustrious career should furnish
inspiration to those who come after.
Men of all races would gladly contribute
towards the erection of such an emblem.
The German-Americans would gladly con-
tribute because William Steinway was a
man who loved his ancestral race and home.
Americans would gladly contribute because
William Steinway advanced and has helped
to make distinctive American art.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Let a statue be reared to the, memory of
Steinway in our public parks, but let it not
be done by large subscriptions. Let the
people contribute their mite, because Mr.
Steinway was in every sense a man of the
people, and in honoring his memory they
would show that America is not unappre-
ciative. Faithful, warm-hearted, he was
always in touch with the people. Let
us show our respect to his memory by rear-
ing a. tribute in bronze.
#
#
The affairs of Decker Bros, have occu-
pied considerable space in the columns of
the daily papers of the city during- the
week. Reporters have just learned what
the music trade press published months
ago.
There is absolutely nothing new regard-
ing the affairs of Decker Bros, notwith-
standing the frequent and extended notices
which have appeared recently concerning
them. William F. Decker is busily en-
gaged in settling the estate of his father,
the late John Jacob Decker. When this
shall have been completed it will be time
enough to announce the future business in-
tentions of Mr. Decker.
Urchs & Co.'s Opening.
E
RNEST URCHS & CO., 121 West
Fourth street, Cincinnati, have pre-
sented to us an invitation to be present at
the formal opening of their warerooms in
that city on Tuesday next. An extended
description of this new music emporium ap-
peared in THE REVIEW last week.
The Review '' Extra. 3
L
AST Monday after the death of William
Steinway was announced, the RE-
VIEW issued an extra containing a sketch
of Mr. Steinway's career as a manufacturer
and philanthropist, as well as all prelimina-
ries connected with his final obsequies, and
comments of leading men concerning his
career. Copies are not on sale at the news
stands or at this office. Any of our sub-
cribers, however, who desire extra copies
can have them as long as they last, free
for the asking.
Kroeger Piano Co.
B. GARRITSON, President of the
m Kroeger Piano Co., this city left on
Wednesday morning last on a three weeks
road trip in the interest of his house.
Mr. Garritson's itinerary will embrace
Southern and Western territory, visiting St.
Louis and Chicago.
The Kroeger Co. report a heavy month's
business for November and excellent pros-
pects for December. The firm are working
overtime and have considerably increased
their staff of workers during the past week.
C
In The West.
WILLIAM STEINWAY'S DEATH — UNIVERSAL SORROW MARKS 01' RESPECT ESTEY 4 CAMP
SECURE NEW QUARTERS—E. S. CONWAY HEADS THE SENATORIAL LIST—LYON &
HEALY'S HARPS IN EUROPE—J. V. STEGER THROWN FROM HIS HORSE—
THE SMITH & PARNES PIANO WITH ERNEST URCHS & CO.—
BUSINESS PROSPECTS—KIMBALL BACK FROM THE
COAST—B. SHONINGER CO. TO RELINQUISH
BRANCH HOUSE—GENERAL NEWS.
• T H E sad news of William Steinway's
J death, which reached Chicago on
Monday, came like a shock to the entire
trade.
Mr. Steinway had successfully
battled so many attacks of illness that his
hosts of friends here found it hard to real-
ize that death was at last, the conqueror.
Mr. Steinway's achievements in the realms
of trade and public life and his many noble
traits of character well entitled him to be
looked upon as a great leader, a great fig-
ure-head, not only of the institution which
bore his name, but of the piano art indus-
try of this country. Mr. Steinway's death
has evoked eloquent eulogies from all of
the members of the trade here, and they
are so universal that I hardly think it
right to select any for mention. Mr. E.
A. Potter left for New York on Sunday
afternoon on one of his regular Eastern
trips. Lyon, Potter & Co.'s establish-
ment was closed on Wednesday, the
day of the funeral, as a mark of respect
to Mr. Steinway's memory. The Chicago
papers have published lengthy notices of
Mr. Steinway's death and several of them,
notably t h e " Chicago Tribune, "paid grace-
ful editorial tributes to his memory.
Estey & Camp have secured the old ar-
mory building on Jackson street, near Wa-
bash avenue, as warerooms, and will re-
move there from their present quarters
about May ist, 1897. The entire building
will be reconstructed and handsomely fitted
up. I understand the rental will be in the
region of $17,000 a year.
E. S. Conway, of the W. W. Kimball
Co., now heads the list in the popular vote
for Senator from Illinois, inaugurated by
the "Chicago Tribune." This is a marked
indication of the great esteem in which
Mr. Conway is held by the Republicans in
this State. Mr. Conway may not consent
to enter into the contest for Senator, but it
seems to me that he would be a strong can-
didate should he incline that way.
Orders for harps from Europe continue
to arrive at Lyon & Healy's. These in-
struments have received a strong endorse-
ment from celebrated harpists abroad, and
who knows but Europe may have to look
to us for their harps, as we have had to look
to France in the past ? General business
with Lyon & Healyis improving, and they
are laying in quite a stock so as to cater to
Christmas trade.
John V. Steger was thrown from his
horse last Sunday while riding with his
nephew, but fortunately was not seriously
hurt. The shock, however, was severe,
and Mr. Steger was confined to his home
for a few days.
Charlie Becht is sending in some big
orders to the Smith & Barnes Piano Co.,
and a very busy factory is the order of the
day. I understand that Ernest Urchs &
Co., of Cincinnati, have taken on the Smith
& Barnes piano and are certain to have a
big success with it.
According to the reports from the ware-
rooms, business this week is very fair,
while the factories all seem to be increas-
ing their force so as to fill the big orders
which they are now daily receiving.
O. A. Kimball, of the Emerson Piano
Co., passed through this city on his way
back from a successful trip to the Pacific
Coast. He is delighted with the business
outlook. Geo. M. Woodford, the Emer-
son traveling representative, was also a
visitor to this city.
The B. Shoninger Co. will relinquish
their branch house in this city the early part
of next year and will place the representa-
tion of their instruments with some leading
house. Joseph Shoninger, who is very pop-
ular and highly esteemed in the West, will
devote himself to the wholesale trade of
the house.
C. C. Briggs, of the Briggs Piano Co.,
Boston, and O. W. Williams, of the Hockett
Bros. Puntenney Co., Cincinnati, were in
town during the past week.
W. W. Kimball has returned from his
visit to the East.
Moriz Rosenthal, the great pianist, who
has been quite ill in this city with typhoid
fever, in fact at one time quite seriously,
is now improving.
Haines Bros.
ILLIAM P. HAINES reports heavy
business for the past week and ex-
cellent indications for the balance of the
month.
" We have all we can do to fill orders,"
stated Mr. Haines to the REVIEW on Thurs-
day last. " Our agents, among whom may
be mentioned William C. Hamilton, who
has recently succeeded to the firm of A. L.
Bancroft & Co., San Francisco, Cal. ; D. H.
Baldwin & Co., Cincinnati and Indiana-
polis; Mr. Utley of Buffalo, O. L. Twitchell
of Chicago and others are pushing the
Haines pianos for all they are worth and
sending in good orders."
Bert Haines of Haines Bros, returned
yesterday from a business trip' in New
York State, where he met with excellent
results.
W
ONE of those effective full-page adver-
tisements of the Autoharp for which the
factors, Alfred Dolge & Son, have become
famous, appears on the back cover page of
the Thanksgiving number of the "Youth's
Companion."

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