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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
this year was not as good as in 1896.
We do not expect much trade during the
summer months, and do not look for any
improvement until the tariff bill is settled.
Our cash sales have been larger than
time sales.
I have handled only a good class of in-
struments but the cheap instrument has
held the sway in our section for several
years and those who handle them suc-
ceed in misleading the public so exten-
sively that it has been a difficult matter to
sell a good instrument.
From my past experience it is very diffi-
cult to make any predictions as to the com-
ing season but do not believe it will be any
better than the past.
DAVENPORT, IA.
John Hoyt writes: Times with us here
in the West are unmistakably dull, with a
slight tendency to improvement, however.
2.—The first four months of the present
year is about seventy-five per cent, of the
same months of 1896.
3.—We do not look for a very flourish-
ing trade this summer.
4 .—1 do not think the passage of the
Tariff Bill will have any great effect on
business here at once. Prices of our Iowa
products are so low now, and the prospects
of another large crop in sight will have a
tendency to hold them down and make
trade dull, I fear, for some time. Still, I
look for a slow but gradual improvement.
We will have to work harder and be satis-
fied with smaller profits for the next year,
perhaps longer.
5.—There is about the same proportion
of cash sales as last year.
6.—The West is flooded with cheap
pianos—boxes that sell for $115 to $200.
They fill many places that should have
good ones, and will have, in a few years
when their worthlessness becomes unbear-
able.
7 .—As I said before, there is a slight
improvement; the tide has turned and we
can expect a gradual increase of business
and profits until we reach the climax, about
1900, when the next presidential campaign
sets in.
Secure an Immense Factory
Plant.
THE CRAPHOPHONE CO. BUYS THE OLD ORGAN
COMPANY PROPERTY.
[Special to The Review.]
Bridgeport, Conn., May 24, 1897.
The Graphophone Co. of this city have
purchased the property of the old organ
company at Bostwick and Railroad avenues,
the price paid being between $150,000 and
$200,000. The Graphophone Co. turn out
100 machines and 7,000 cylinders daily.
The cylinder department has for some time
been running day and night forces. The
purchase of the organ company's plant
is made necessary by an increase in busi-
ness.
Will Visit Europe.
Herman Leonard, the ever versatile, will
leave this week to visit the Canadian trade.
Some time in June Mr. Leonard will jour-
ney across the water, and spend a while in
the principal European cities. His aged
father resides in Berlin, and his principal
desire to visit Europe is to pass a few days
with the parent whom he has not seen for
many years. Herman Leonard is known
as a hustler and his many friends in the
trade will join with us in wishing him bon
voyage.
The flajestic Home of the "Hajestic" Pianos,
Last week we referred to the spacious
and splendidly equipped manufacturing
home of the Majestic pianos. This fac-
tory, as can be seen from the illustration
herewith, is an impressive structure, in
fact one of the prominent sights of upper
New York. It is located on Lincoln avenue,
Southern Boulevard, East i32d and 133d
streets and is quite convenient to the L
station, hence dealers coming to the city
should not fail to become better acquainted
with the fine line of Majestic pianos which
President Henry Spies and his associates
are now turning out. An acquaintance
with the Majestic pianos never fails to
prove profitable.
His Eightieth Birthday.
man is at present in splendid health and
carries his eighty years as lightly as many
men at sixty.
T. A. HEINTZMAN'S LONG AND USEFUL LIFE
HONORED BY HIS FRIENDS AND EMPLOYEES.
[Special to The Review.]
Toronto, Can., May 24, 1897.
The beautiful residence of Mr. Theodore
A. Heintzman, at Toronto Junction, was
on last Thursday night the scene of a most
interesting event in the life of the worthy
head of the great piano firm of Heintzman
& Co., the occasion being the celebration
of his eightieth birthday anniversary. The
spacious residence and grounds were
thronged with the firm's employees, their
wives and children, who were the guests
of the venerable and respected head of the
firm, and who, with the members of Mr.
Heintzman's own family, were there to do
him honor. Excellent music was furnished
and the guests were made heartily welcome.
Probably the most interesting event in
connection with the occasion was the pre-
sentation by the employees of a most unique
and magnificently carved walnut shield,
resting upon which was a lyre of solid sil-
ver with a wreath of gold, enclosing a pho-
tograph of Mr. Heintzman. The presen-
tation was made on behalf of the employees
by Mr. Ray, cashier of the firm, and who
has been in their employ for twenty-five
years. It was accompanied by the follow-
ing address, which is handsomely engraved
upon the silver lyre: —
"Presented to Theodore A. Heintzman
by his employes, on the occasion of his
80th birthday."
In addition to this mark of esteem, the
employees also presented Mr. Heintzman
with a fine phonograph, which contributed
a full program of vocal and instrumental
music, to the delight of all present.
The different German societies were re-
presented at the festivities. Mr. Heintz-
fluehlfeld & Co. in New Jersey.
[Special to The Review.]
Bloomsbury, N. J., May 25, 1897.
The old Gleitz piano factory opened for
business this week. It has been leased to
Muehlfeld & Co., of New York cit) 7 , who
will manufacture pianos at this place as
well as in your city. They have at present
orders for forty instruments of the grade
manufactured here. It is to be hoped that
they will have better luck than the Gleitz
Co.
Music Dealer Swindled.
David S. Holmes, music dealer, 388 Bed-
ford avenue, Brooklyn,obtained a warrant of
arrest on Saturday against Earl Van Auken,
alias Van Rensselaer, for passing a worth-
less check for $55 on him more than three
weeks ago. Van Auken is under arrest in
New York for swindling. He is a native
of Washington, and his father and Holmes
have been friends for years.
Filed Incorporation Papers.
[Special to The Review.]
Los Angeles, Cal., May 22, 1897.
Sherman, Clay & Co., of San Francisco,
filed to-day a certified copy of incorpora-
tion papers with the county clerk. The
firm incorporated in 1892 with a capital of
$1,000,000 to carry on a music business in
all its varied branches.
Francis Neppert, Jr., successor to Nep-
pert Bros., manufacturers of piano stools,
scarfs, music stands, etc., has removed his
factory business to 637 East Seventeenth
street, and his office and warerooms to 390
Canal street.