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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE "SMALL GOODS" TRADE
The Ever=Popular Autoharp.
ITS FAME SPREADS AT HOME AND AIJROA1)-
AN INTERESTING BUSINESS TALK.
The Review had an interesting business
talk on Tuesday with Mr. Miller, of the
autoharp department, at the Dolge ware-
rooms, 110 East Thirteenth street. Sev-
eral questions pertinent to the issues of
this department were asked and promptly
answered.
"The claim of the firm is that the auto-
harp has a place distinctly its own among
musical instruments," said Mr. Miller,
"and this claim is borne out by the opin-
ions of purchasers. On this basis its pop-
ularity has reached a stage where it can
safely be allowed to stand, if needs be, on
its own record of results. But that is not
the policy adopted. There must be a con-
stant upward and onward educational
movement, so that in the end none shall
say, 'I did not know of the autoharp. 1 "
"In its largest forms, Mr. Miller, is the
autoharp much in vogue for entertain-
ments?"
"Surprisinglyso, considering the number
and variety of instruments ordinarily used.
It has been found to lend a distinct charm
to each affair where it is brought into ser-
vice. In the form known as the Parlor
(irand, such as you see illustrated in the
cut, the autoharp has been adopted by a
number of musical associations, by college
glee clubs and conservatories of music.
"The Concert (Jrand has been used as a
solo instrument by the Gilmore Band, as
you know, and has been played in every
large city in the United States. Both these
styles, as well as in the smaller sizes, have
been endorsed by some of the most pro-
minent musicians in the country."
" Do you mind mentioning a few of your
strongest indorsers?"
"Certainly not. The firm has had
printed, in booklet form, some of the
most effective testimony. John Cheshire,
the celebrated harpist, than whom no abler
critic is known, asserts, with reference to
the tone, that it is 'touching and impres-
sive. ' He declares it' bath graceful and easy
to play, combining astonishing facility for
harmonic changes and sustaining notes.'
Xavier Scharvvenka, the pianist, gives it
as his opinion that the instrument is 'not
only suitable for orchestral use on account
of its original charming harmony, but
should take first place as an amateur's in-
strument, inconsequence of its extremely
simple technical adjustment, and the ease
with which it may be played.' Those
world-famous musical artists, the Edisons,
refer to the autoharp used by them as
' very powerful in tone, and far superior
to any harpof any description we have ever
used.'"
"Do you find, Mr. Miller, that the
smaller sizes are much in request for mu-
sical instruction as well as for amusement,
and do the prices appear to meet with gen-
eral approval? "
"Yes, to both parts of your question.
Even the smallest sized autoharp has great
value as a teacher of harmony. Not only
that, it teaches what harmony really means.
A mere child by pressing a bar with one
hand and sweeping the strings with the
other, can produce chords of which no other
instrument is capable. For all beginners,
the autoharp is itself a teacher of music.
As to prices, they are adjusted so that all
requirements may be met. No. T, for ex-
ample, having twenty-one strings and
three bars, or padded mutes over the strings,
producing three chords, is sold for $4. No.
2 ^ , with twenty-three strings and five
bars, costs $5. The next size is $7.50.
The parlor grand, as seen in the
the advance shall mean real and lasting
benefit to consumers. So far as my re-
sponsibility goes in connection with the
autoharp—and that instrument, you know,
has been the subject of our talk—my best
endeavors shall not be wanting to aid in
keeping it in the future what it is to-day
—strictly good and up to date."
John Church Co.
The stock of musical merchandise at the
New York warerooms of the John Church
Co., on Fifth avenue, is being steadily
enlarged, under the supervision of Mr.
Adams, who is determined that, if merit
be the standard, there shall be no cause
for fault-finding.
The metronome, pre-
viously referred to in these columns, is still
much in demand, Mr Adams says, as being
the most accurate and most reasonable in
price of any on the market. The John
Church Co. have always taken a great pride
in this branch of their business, and, judg-
ing from what may be observed by casual
visitors, the care taken by those who are
responsible for manufacture and distribu-
tion is being rewarded by an unusual share
of patronage in the trade.
Historic Violins.
cut, has possibilities little short of the
piano. It is very finely finished and
has a superior quality of tone; thirty-nine
strings, the scale being chromatic, ten
bars, and, with the shifters, thirty-eight
chords may be produced. The price, in-
cluding a fine wood case, is $75. The
prices I have quoted are the same as given
in 'The Autoharp and How it Captured the
Family ' and of course refer to what would
be paid at retail."
"Do you find the autoharp much appre-
ciated in Europe? "
"In Great Britain, the demand is large
and increasing. The British colonies, too,
send important orders. A valuable ship-
ment was made recently to Africa, where
we have an authorized agent who is mak-
ing a good record in the colonies."
"Do you contemplate any improvements
in the near future? "
"The best answer I can make to that ques-
tion is applicable to all branches of the
Dolge industries and products. An oppor-
tunity to advance is never lost, whenever
satisfactory evidence is forthcoming that
John L. Hibarger, of Sharpsburg, Md.,
who has followed the trade of cabinet mak-
ing for the past forty-eight years, about
two months ago conceived the idea of con-
structing a violin from wood taken from
the John Brown home, near Harper's
Ferry, at the time of the insurrection and
from Antietam battlefield. He procured
some cedar from the former place and oak
from the latter field and, without any pre-
vious experience at violin construction, set
to work. Mr. Hibarger is a violin player
and a man of decided mechanical skill.
With a violin for a pattern and the accom-
plishments named above he set to work and
in a short time had constructed a violin of
sweet tone and fine pattern. The top and
bottom were made of cedar procured from
the John Brown home and the rim of oak
from Antietam battlefield. He has made
five altogether, and estimates that he can
finish one complete in two days.
In pursuance of a court order all claims
against John F. Stratton, assigned, must
be presented duly verified to B. F. Schmeck-
pepper, assignee, at the office of Burr & De
Lacy, 220 Broadway, before the iothdayof
next August. "
J. H. BUCKBEE
—MANUFACTURER OK—
Drums, Banjos, Tambourines, Etc.
Formerly of 1963 & 1965 Webster Ave.
Has Removed te 115-121 East 13m Street, New York