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
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."
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
1O
Honored Steinways Memory.
ACTION TAKEN BY THE NEW YORK AND BOSTON
TRADE ASSOCIATIONS — RESOLUTIONS
PASSED—A GRACEFUL CHICKER-
ING ACT STEINWAY DEAL- .
ERS PRESENT AT THE
FUNERAL.
MMEDIATELY after the death of Wil-
liam Steinvvay was announced, the
American Piano Manufacturers Association
issued a call for a special meeting which was
held last Tuesday, when it was voted to at-
tend the funeral in a body; also that an ap-
pro priate floral emblem be sent by the Asso-
ciation. A committee was also appointed
consisting of the following members:
Robt. Proddow, F. G. Smith, W. F. Deck-
er, R. M. Walters, W. D. Dutton, to draft
resolutions to be submitted to the Associa-
tion at its regular meeting next Tuesday.
Among the Steinway agents who were
also present at the funeral, we noticed
William Rohlfing, of Milwaukee; Morris
Steinert, New Haven; Alexander Steinert,
Boston; E. F. Droop, Washington; Her-
man Leiter, Syracuse; Otto Bollman, St.
Louis; Edwin A. Potter, Chicago; J. B.
Woodford, Philadelphia; Cluett Bros., Al-
bany; Charles Pabst, Wilkesbarre, Pa.;
Ernest Urchs, Cincinnati, Geo. C. Cox,
Rochester, Robt. Denton and Wm. Daniels,
Buffalo.
Seldom indeed has the public mourning
been so manifest on the death of a noted
man as in Mr. Steinway's case. The flags
on all the public and private buildings
were at half mast until after the funeral.
There was one particularly graceful act
which we noticed. We refer to the mourn-
ing emblems which were placed on the ex-
terior of Chickering Hall, and the closing
of the Chickering warerooms on the day of
Mr. Steinway's funeral. Mr. George H.
Chickering, president of Chickering &
Sons, came on from Boston specially to
attend the funeral services. He called at Mr.
Steinway's late residence and was present
at the obsequies at the Leiderkranz Hall.
The Boston Music Trade Association
also convened a special meeting at which
it was voted a delegation be appointed to
attend the funeral. The members who
were appointed and who came to New
York were: Henry F. Miller, Edward P.
Mason, P. H. Powers, Alexander Steinert,
E. N. Kim ball, Chandler W. Smith and J.
H. Gibson. The following resolutions
were adopted:
I
WHEREAS, in the death of William Steinway,
a leader among men has passed from our midst,
and feeling keenly the loss which this event cre-
ates, we would place on record our sentiments of
friendship and esteem. Therefore:
RESOLVED, that in the death of William Stein-
way the piano manufacturing trade of America
has lost its most distinguished member.
RESOLVED, that we desire to recognize at this
time our sincere admiration for Mr. Steinway's
honorable career as a citizen, merchant and man.
He enforced, by daily example, those traits of
character which are always contributing to a bet-
ter human society, a nobler business world, and a
finer American'manhood.
RESOLVED, that we hereby express our appre-
ciation of the unceasing energy which marked his
years, so that we see him at the end of his course
still in the vieor and prime of usefulness and res-
pect. His outlook over life was large and varied,
his interests many and helpful.
RESOLVED, that we believe such an inspiring
example will long continue to light the way for
those who are seeking an honorable pathway up
from the sources of humble circumstances. Rec-
ognized by royalty, proffered high positions, hold-
ing offices of great trust, Mr. Steinway was always
a lover of justice, progress and peace.
RESOLVED, that these resolutions be placed
upon our records, and that copies be forwarded to
Mr. Steinway's family and Messrs. Steinway &•
Sons, with our deep sympathy and friendly
wishes.
ALEXANDER STEINERT,
EDWARD P. MASON,
EDWIN N. KIMBALL.
Committee.
^Eolian News.
M
ISS Dora Valesca Becker, the well-
known violinist, will appear as solo-
ist at to-day's iEolian Recital, West Twen-
ty-third street.
W. B. Tremaine is not expected back
from his extended road trip before Christ-
mas. He is in Chicago at the time of writ-
ing.
Juanito Manen, the Spanish boy violin-
ist, was re-introduced to a New York audi-
ence by Mr. F. Toledo, of the ^Eolian Co.,
on Thursday afternoon last. The recital
took place at the ^olian Co.'s Recital
Hall, West Twenty-third street, before a
large and appreciative audience. The first
and last selections on the program were
accompanied on the ^Eolian by Mr. Vin-
cente Toledo. The concert was an em-
phatic success.
Well, Well! What Next!
Amos C. James.
NE of the well-known piano makers of
the old school, and senior member
of the firm of James & Holstrom, this city,
died last Monday, Nov. 30th, at his resi-
dence, 13 West Eighteenth street, after an
illness of three weeks.
, Mr. James was born in Albany, N. Y.,
seventy-two years ago. He was a pupil of
James H. Grovesteen, a well-known New
York figure who was in business in Albany
in 1840. He was later employed in the fac-
tory of Boardman & Gray, where he ac-
quired a thorough training as a piano maker.
He organized the firm of Marshall, James
& Traver, which was subsequently suc-
ceeded by Marshall & Wendell, a name
well known at the present time. He served
in the Civil War, after which he worked in
Baltimore. He became a resident of New
York in '71, being employed in the Brad-
bury factory. In '74 he joined with An-
dreas Holstrom and organized the present
firm of James & Holstrom. A widow and
two daughters survive him.
The funeral services were held last Wed-
nesday morning at St. Bartholomew's
Church, this city. The interment was in
Woodlawn.
The American Piano Manufacturers'
Association of this city at a special meeting
held on Tuesday last appointed a committee
consisting of Robt. Proddow, Robt. Kam-
merer, Wm. E. Wheelock, B. H. Janssen,
A. H. Fischer, Myron A. Decker, Louis
P. Bach, to attend the funeral of Amos C.
James. A large floral wreath was also sent.
Resolutions will be passed concerning Mr.
James' death at the meeting to be held next
Tuesday.
O
DISPATCH from Columbus, O., says:
There is said to be a corner in the
church music market here and the furnish-
ing of songstresses and songsters is to be
governed by a monopoly. Hereafter, if
the report is correct, it will be necessary to
have a standing with the trust before a posi-
Carreno in Demand.
tion can be secured and then it can only be
had at a price named by the managers. It
ERMANN WOLFF, the Berlin impre-
is a somewhat queer and decidedly modern
sario, wrote Mr. Ferdinand Meyer,
innovation. It is understood Columbus
with
Knabe
& Co., this city, under date of
music will soon be in contiol of this syndi-
Nov.
17th:
cate, which is putting down the price that
"Carreno's success in St. Petersburg
it is necessary for the church to put up.
and Moscow has been extraordinary. On
Dec. 12th she appears in a grand orches-
44
The Sign of the Golden Lyre." tral concert at the Gewandhaus, Leipsic.
Madame Carreno has been invited by the
AYLOR'S Music House, of Springfield, Royal Music Society, Madrid, Spain, to
Mass., has had completed by the Car- appear as soloist at three successive con-
ter Electric Co. a new sign, which has certs; much to her regret, however, she
been placed on the store corner and which has had to decline, owing to her approach-
was illuminated for the first time last Mon- ing American tournee."
day evening. The sign is in the shape of
a golden lyre. It is about four feet high
by two and one-half wide, and is composed
Decker & Son.
of about forty electric lights, the outline of
the lyre being formed by sixteen-candle / ^ H A R L E Y SISSON continues to ren-
power white lights, and the strings by \ ^ der yeoman service in the interest of
about twenty three-candle power red lights. Decker & Son. During the present week
The sign is very attractive by day, because
he has sent in good orders from Buffalo,
the sign proper is made of wood covered
Toledo and Detroit and expects to add to
with gold leaf, and in the sunlight makes a
his record in Chicago, where he is due
very brilliant spectacle.
next week.
Mr. Sisson's present trip will embrace the
THE music trade establishment of John Northwest and the South; he is not expect-
H. Foss & Co. will be discontinued after ed to return to the metropolis before Feb-
Jan. 1st, '97.
ruary.
'
A
H
T

Download Page 9: PDF File | Image

Download Page 10 PDF File | Image

Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).

Pro Tip: You can flip pages on the issue easily by using the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard.