Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE NE 1 .YORK
PUBLIC
THE "SMALL GOODS" TRADE
L€«OX AMD
The Phonoharp Co.
The permanent address of the Phono-
harp Co. is now 150 Liverpool street, East
Boston. Mr.Pierce.in abrief trade talk with
The Review on Tuesday, mentioned the
fact that one of the Phonoharp's most act-
ive and successful agents, Mr. Maurice
Wolfer, of 14 Clinton Place, this city, had
just placed a large order for Columbia
zithers. Those who represent this firm
(the Phonoharp Co.) are indefatigable in
their efforts, and judging from their re-
ports, the work done by them is extensive
in scope and effective in results.
Mr. Pierce and his associates evidently
realize that in the presence of so many
worthy competitors, they must seize every
available opportunity to let people under-
stand the peculiar merits of the instru-
ments they represent. This they are do-
ing, and doing it so well that, Mr. Pierce
says, the demand keeps ahead of the sup-
ply all the time. This is a healthy state of
affairs. If it were a disease, The Review
might justifiably express an earnest wish
that it would prove contagious until all
branches of the music trade became in-
fected. Come to think of it, some other
things besides diseases are infectious; why
not prosperity? Therefore, let it spread,
says The Review.
A Novelty—The Solophone.
Whenever another musical novelty is
added to the already lengthy list of unique
contrivances for producing harmonic
sounds, the first impulse is to call it, among
other things, a surprise. On second
thought it is remembered that surprises
are not for us in these days of telephonic
photographs and perpetually suspended
air-ships. To be surprised in this age and
generation is to be vulgar, ancient, odd,
out of fashion. Everything must betaken
as a matter of course, from a policeman's
solemn oath to a politician's promise.
If The Review were permitted to express
surprise, the recent importation of William
Tonk & Bro., called the Solophone, would
be just cause. To describe it would exceed
the limits of one brief article. Enough to
say at this time that it is well worthy of the
term "unique." It embraces, among other
attractive features, the qualities of first and
second violin, viola and cello. An instru^
ment having such remarkable virtues, yet
easy to learn, is evidently a gem of the first
water.
The riartin Guitars.
In moving around among dealers in
musical instruments in New York and
other cities, it has frequently been noted
that the Martin guitars, for which C. A.
Zoebisch & Sons, 19 Murray street, are fac-
tors, occupy conspicuous positions amid
other exhibits. When questioned about
them, proprietors and salesmen do not hesi-
tate to speak very highly of their good
qualities and the esteem in which they are
held by reputable professionals and am-
ateurs. These instruments certainly have
had and do now enjoy a wonderful popular-
ity. For over half a century they have
held a conspicuous place in this country
and in Europe. Solo players have indorsed
them strongly.
Apollo Harp Advertising.
People who have doubts as to the prac-
tical advantages of systematic intelligent
advertising ought to take counsel with
those who have tried it and secured good
results. Then they will learn that it is the
very best investment a business man can
make when he is endeavoring to develop
legitimate trade. A case in point is the
Apollo Harp. A cut appears each week in
The Review, alongside of the descriptive
letterpress of the advertisement- The an-
nouncement refers to the " wonderful trans-
posing keyboard." Without the cut, deal-
ers and others who read the notice could
have but a misty notion of the mechanical
arrangements. The illustration, however,
gives them an intelligent idea of the plan
adopted. Not only that. It excites curi-
osity. Inquiries are made as to the method
of using the keyboard, how it is moved, the
regulation of tone, etc. These inquiries
form the foundation for correspondence,
which frequently leads to the establish-
ment of agencies. Once a month, too,
there is a string of questions from readers
of the Keynote department, often ending
in orders for expensive styles, not always
to the headquarters, but through the Wan-
amaker firm or other channels of distribu-
tion.
The Aluminum Mandolin in
Demand.
The aluminum mandolin, manufactured
by the Hutchins Manufacturing Co., of
Springfield, Mass., continues to excite con-
siderable interest in trade circles. Dealers
who have investigated this new applicant
for trade patronage are very warm in their
praise of its tonal quality, while its appear-
ance, beautiful scroll work and engraving,
as well as general finish, is so artistic that
it at once compels admiration.
Leading mandolin players have testified
in no uncertain language regarding the
merits of these instruments, and the opin-
ions of dealers and musicians is having its
effect as a matter of course. The factory
is busy and there is a steady shipment of
instruments to all sections of the country.
Dealers who have not so far looked up
this instrument should not hesitate to do
so at once. They will find that it attracts
trade and further it is a good seller.
Some of the claims made for the alumi-
num mandolins are as follows: They will
not warp, crack or split; they are particu-
larly adapted for hot climates; the tone is
superior to the finest wooden mandolin;
they will not tarnish or change color; they
can be enameled in any color to order; as
a companion on a yachting or vacation trip
they are invaluable; they are all fitted with
a patent tail piece; a blow that would break
a wooden mandolin will onlydent an alumi-
num one and will not injure its tone; the
finger board being mathematically accurate
enables the player to tune the aluminum
mandolin correctly. In a word the alumi-
num mandolin is perfection.
A "Regina" Invention.
Star-wheel standard for music boxes.
Gustave A. Brachhausen, Rah way, N. J.,
assignor to the Regina Music Box Co.,
same place. Patent No. 577,835.
This invention relates more particularly
to music boxes, and consists in a star-wheel
standard of the construction hereinafter
described. In music boxes as heretofore
made and wherein star-wheels were em-
ployed, it has been customary to cast the
standard for the star-wheels in a single
piece, and with a hole cored therethrough
for the passage of the shaft of the star-
wheels. The standard was then cut with
a saw, so as to provide a series of saw-kerfs
of equal extent divided by spacing par-
titions. The star-wheels must fit close in
th.e_spaces between the partitions, and the
saw-kerfs left roughened sides to the par-
titions, and at times fins of metal were left
projecting therefrom, which unduly re-
tarded the rotation of the star-wheels.
The object of this invention is to over-
come these and other objections to star-
wheel standards as heretofore made.
The Lyon & Healy Harp.
Three Lyon & Healy harps are in use at
the Royal Orchestra in Berlin. No better
proof of the artistic merits of these instru-
ments can be needed, for it is a known fact
that there is no body of musicians quite so
critical and ultra-conservative as the Ber-
lin Royal Orchestra. It speaks volumes
for the excellence of the Lyon & Healy
harp.
The Keyboard Harp.
Charles E. Remick and E. P. Chapman,
Jr., of Oneida, have associated themselves
with Hon. William A. Beach, of Syracuse,
N. Y., for the purpose of manufacturing
a keyboard harp. It will be manufactured
in Syracuse.