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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Unique $ Artistic * Ornate 8
9
Weber-Wheelock Developments.
MR. W. E. WHEELOCK OUTLINES T H E
T H E NEW COMPANY.
NEW STYLE " C " COLONIAL.
We herewith present an illustration of the
new style C, Colonial, recently introduced by
the well-known New York piano manufactur-
ing house of Paul G. Mehlin & Sons. It is
unnecessary to dilate on the superb finish and
magnificent tonal qualities of the Mehlin
pianos. Few houses pay more attention to
detail or achieve greater results in the realm of
piano manufacture. The instrument repro-
duced contains a number of valuable improve-
ments, and is in many respects a new de-
parture in piano construction. Hitherto the
instruments manufactured by this firm have
been fitted with their patented cylinder top,
and, from a strictly architectural standpoint,
the case was moulded on curved lines so as to
present a perfectly harmonious whole.
In the new style C, Paul G. Mehlin & Sons
have catered to the most exacting demands of
those agents who desire variety by supplying
a flat top, and in order to fully preserve archi-
tectural beauty and symmetry the lines of the
instrument are true to this distinction; arms
and other parts being flat and in perfect har-
mony.
Architecturally, acoustically, and from the
standpoint of durability, these instruments will
undoubtedly compare favorably with any
pianos on the market. They are made in
ebonized or rosewood finish, fancy figured
walnut, choice selected mahogany, and other
fancy woods. The dimensions are: height, 4
feet 7 inches; width, 5 feet 5^ inches; and
depth, 2 feet 3^ inches.
Trade Prospects in the South.
was an unusually quiet year with our company
here. Trade for the past sixty days improved,
and we think, with a change of administration
at Washington, a settlement of the Cuban
question, and some revision of our financial
laws, trade will revive and be in a reasonably
healthy condition.
The following interviews with some of the
leading music dealers in Richmond, Va., which
we cull from the " Despatch " of January 1st,
are interesting, inasmuch as the firms referred
to are unanimous in their opinions as to the
improvement in business during the closing
days of 1896, and the brighter prospects with
which the new year has been ushered in:
Richmond Music Company: The volume
of business for the past year has been much
smaller than that of the previous year, though
our business for the last two months has been
very good, and the indications are that the
next few months will show a marked improve-
ment.
Manly B. Ramos & Co., pianos, etc.: Trade
for the year just closed was not so satisfactory
as the year previous, because the country peo-
ple, as a class, seemed disposed to take a de-
pressed view of finances. Our travelling men,
however, seem quite enthusiastic over the new
year, principally because so many customers
have put off purchasing until then.
Chase Brothers Piano Company: Trade
with us for the past year fell off about one-
third from what we had in 1895. Last year
Walter D. Moses & Co., pianos, organs, etc.:
1895 was the-dullest year in our experience.
Business has been gradually improving with
the close of the present year (1896), until the
climax was reached r with the best holiday trade
that we have know n for five years. We con-
sider the outlook for the new year very en-
couraging, but it requires much energy to find
business.
The Kisner Piano Co. Incorporated.
The Kisner Piano Co., of Boston, has been
incorporated in the State of Maine, with a
capital stock of $100,000. The incorporators
are: O. Kisner Houck, Memphis, Tenn., and
W. II. Poole, of Boston. This firm will suc-
ceed the Poole Piano Co. The " Poole " piano
will continue to be manufactured at 5 Appleton
Street, Boston.
PLANS
OF
The second week of the new year opens up
with the Weber-Wheelock Company almost
prepared to enter the trade arena. The various
interests of which Wm. E. Wheelock is the
moving spirit have been completely rehabili-
tated and every restriction and obstacle which
hitherto existed have been removed.
At the several auctions held last week the
Weber-Wheelock Company, through Mr.
Wheelock, became the owners of the Weber
factory and also purchased the unexpired lease
of the warerooms, 108 Fifth Avenue, as well as
all pianos out on rent and instalments, ac-
counts due therefrom, chattel mortgages, un-
collected accounts, and the trade-names,
" Weber " and " Albert Weber."
The latest developments and policy of the
Weber-Wheelock Company were the subject
of a very pleasant interview with Mr. Wheel-
ock at his office in the Weber-Wheelock Build-
ing on Wednesday last. " We are making
splendid progress, and are fast getting matters
into shape," said Mr. Wheelock. " All the
legal requirements have been fulfilled, and
about the 15th of the month we expect the Re-
ceiver will be relieved, when the Weber-
Wheelock Company will assume a full measure
of business life and activity. Around that time
also the first cash payments on notes, etc., wil.
be paid.
" We have closed the Wheelock warerooms
on Fourteenth Street, and our entire efforts
will be concentrated at our headquarters here,
where we will handle the Weber, Wheelock,
and Stuyvesant pianos.
" We will not alone inaugurate a go-ahead
and progressive business policy in order to
cover lost ground, but we intend that our in-
struments shall be meritorious enough from
every standpoint to win, we hope, the support
of the trade. We have three grades which
should easily appeal to every class of cus-
tomer."
Mr. Wheelock has done some remarkable
work during the past month in his efforts to
bring order out of chaos in the different con-
cerns in which he is interested. No better
proof of his full restoration to old-time
strength and energy is needed. As far as
enunciated, Mr. Wheelock's plans afford evi-
dence of managerial skill and astuteness. He
understands the difficulties to be overcome and
is fully prepared to cope with them.
With the " Weber " as a leader, which can
be made a great power in the trade, the
" Wheelock " as a second instrument, and the
" Stuyvesant" as a third, there is no just rea-
son why the Weber-Wheelock Company
should not be able to command a solid support
from the trade and attain a full measure oi
success during the year now opening.
Adolpho H. Fischer, president of the Amer-
ican Piano Manufacturers' Association, in-
formed The Review on Thursday that the con-
dition of his health would prevent acceptance
of the invitation to attend the banquet of the
Boston Music Trade Association, to be held
in that city this evening.