Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1897 Vol. 24 N. 26

Page 4 Text:

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
encouraging and hopeful. In fact a revival
of prosperity is already here. We are not ex-
periencing it in the music trade perhaps but
in a number of other industries it is mark-
edly apparent. The leading authorities in
the commercial world who have made a
LYMAN
Editor and Proprietor.
special study of the situation are unanimous
in the opinion that the danger line has
PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY
been passed, and that after the passage of
3 East 14th St.. New York
the tariff bill, which is now certain to occur
SUBSCRIPTION (Including postage) United States and
within the next few weeks, an augmenta-
Canada, $3.00 per year; Foreign Countries, $4.00.
tion of confidence will result leading up
ADVERTISEMENTS, $2.00 per inch, 6ingle column, per
Insertion. On quarterly or yearly contracts a special dia-
connt it allowed.
to a full measure of prosperity.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency form, should
fc* made payable to Edward Lyman BilL
The music trades cannot fail to share in
the
business betterment the coming fall.
B*t«r*d mi th* Ntw Ywk Post Offict as Second-Class Mmttmr.
Stocks are low; dealers have been buying
NEW YORK, JUNE 26, 1897.
cautiously, and manufacturers can feel safe
TELEPHONE NUMBER 1745. — BIQHTEENTH STREET.
in preparing for a very fair output—
nothing phenomenal, but a healthy and
THE KEYNOTE.
accentuating demand for their products.
The first week of each month, The Review
wHI contain a supplement embodying the liter-
ary and musical features which have heretofore
appeared in The Keynote. This amalgamation
will be effected without in any way trespassing
on our regular news service. The Review will
continue to remain, as before, essentially a trade
paper.
THE TRADE DIRECTORY.
The Trade Directory, which is a feature of
The Review each month, is complete. In it ap-
pear the names and addresses of all firms en-
gaged in the manufacture of musical instruments
and the allied trades. The Review is sent to
the United States Consulates throughout the
world, and is on file in the reading rooms of the
principal hotels in America.
THE TRADE OUTLOOK.
HIS week we enter upon the close of the
first six months of 1897. An inventory
ot business for that period is not necessary
to reveal that the season's trade has been
somewhat of a disappointment. The ex-
pectations of manufacturers that there
would be a marked stimulus in business
after the present administration took
charge has not been realized.
This has been due to several causes.
A feeling of over-confidence prevailed.
People overlooked that "we had suffered
three years of unparalleled depression
and were unreasonable enough to expect
trade to rush in at once.
Again, the indifference of our legislators
to the business interests of the country
through their dilatory action in the matter
of tariff legislation has helped to prevent
the growth of that confidence which is es-
sential to commercial health and prosperity.
Although business on the whole for the
past six months has been better than for
the same period a year ago, yet a
greater feeling of dissatisfaction exists
because much more was expected.
Now that we are on the eve of a new
fiscal year, what of the future?
It is our opinion that the outlook is most
T
The Music Trades Association of Great
Britain will hold an exhibition of their
products in London at the Holborn Town
Hall, London, opening on the 28th inst.
and closing on July 26. This is to be es-
sentially a " trade" or business exhibition,
and designed not for the general public,
but for the dealers. It has no connection
with a somewhat similar enterprise which
will be engineered by Messrs. Benjamin
next month. We learn that from seventy-
five to 100 pianos will be on exhibition
and a large number of organs.
The exhibition as outlined above would
hardly be practical in this country, where
the principal manufacturers keep a good
display of their products on exhibition in
their own warerooms. For small manu-
facturers, however, whose wares are not so
well known, an exhibition of their pro-
ducts for the purpose of being brought to
the attention of dealers would be prolific of
good results. The London exhibition just
mentioned is purely an experiment.
4- +
Since the last publication day of The Re-
view, incorporation papers have been
granted to "Haines & Co., Rochester,
N. Y."
Upon the point of closing our last forms
we are in receipt of a circular letter issued
by Haines Bros. Incor., to the piano man-
ufacturers and dealers of America, which
conveys in forceful language just what they
think of the whole scheme.
The letter states that a certificate of in-
corporation of Haines & Co., Rochester,
N. Y., has been filed in the office of the
Secretary of State at Albany; that two sub-
ordinate employees of Foster & Co., Ro-
chester, Leonard H. Bennett and )ohn
D. Moran, have signed the certificate as
incorporators, and, in order to gain the use
of the Haines name, have induced John
Haines, Jr., to join them. Then the
letter proceeds to deal with the char-
acter and career of John Haines, Jr. They
state that the entire capital with which the
manufacturing business is to be carried on,
as stated in the certificate of incorporation,
is $3,000. This they say is sufficient to
reveal the true purpose of the incorporation
of Haines & Co.
They state further that the well earned
name and trade mark of Haines, through
the mediumship of the Haines Bros, piano,
has been before the trade and public for al-
most fifty years and has become well and
favorably known in all parts of America.
They declare, "What confronts us to-day
may concern you to-morrow when your good
name may stand in jeopardy through its
base simulation by any bold adventurer."
They state further if such methods are
permitted to go unchallenged by the trade
who of us are longer safe?
We shall deal with this subject at length
next week.
One fact stands out with the strength of
of the X-ray in the trade to-day, and that
is: that the firms who have kept before the
public by broad-minded enterprise and
skillful management during the past year
are those who firmly hold an undisputed
and certain place to-day and who more-
over, will reap the harvest when trade
comes along wafted by autumn winds.
Manufacturers who flatter themselves
with the idea that the spirit of enter-
prise is not essential to success—that past
reputation suffices to "oil the wheels of
progress," will one fine day realize that their
policy is a misguided one.
The world is moving—so is the conduct
of commercial affairs changing. Old me-
thods—old ideas must be relegated to the
past if success be sought, or ensured.
Conservatism—wise, intelligent conser-
vation—has a place in this as in every
other industry but old fogyism should not
bs countenanced.
The Music Trades Exposition in connec-
tion with the annual Convention of the
Music Teachers' National Association
which opened in this city last Wednesday,
has not apparently been taken up with any
degree of enthusiasm by manufacturers, not
more than seven being represented. While
the times may not be propitious for a sur-
plus cash expenditure in the matter of ex-
hibitions, yet we are certain that the enter-
prise would be more warmly supported had
not the idea prevailed that the Music Trades
Exposition was to be merely "a side show""
to help defray the large expense incurred,

Page 5 Text:

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
by the gentlemen having in charge the
holding of the Convention. With the truth
or falsity of this matter we are not con-
cerned. Anyway the results of the first
Music Trades Exposition are not encourag-
ing either to the exhibitors or the manage-
ment.
Charged with Embezzling $4,200.
[Special to The Review.]
Harrodsburg, Ky., June 24.
A warrant has been sworn out for the
arrest of B. H. Britton, of this place. He
is charged with embezzling $4,200 from
Milward & Co., of Lexington. Britton
was their agent here, and it is charged that
he would sell a piano and organ for cash
.and then forge a note, as if sold on time,
and gave it to the company. When the
paper began to mature, it is claimed, it
exposed his plan. Britton has disappeared.
Wissner's New Manager.
George W. Thompson, who has credit-
ably held responsible positions as sales
manager with the Montelius Piano Co. of
Denver, Colo., manager of the Century
Piano Co. of Minneapolis, and Brooklyn
representative of the Sterling Piano Co.,
has been placed in charge of the Wissner
warerooms in New York City. Mr. Oes-
stander, recently in charge, has returned
to the Brooklyn warerooms.
Sylvester Tower Optimistic.
Sylvester Tower, the veteran action and
key manufacturer of Cambridgeport,
Mass., is quite optimistic about trade pros-
pects. His faith in the country and busi-
ness betterment is firm. This no doubt is
induced by the condition of business with
his house. Orders from manufacturers,
both in the East and West, have recently
been plenty, many new customers having
been added to his books.
T. J. Price, music dealer Bellville, 111.,
will remove his place of business, July 1,
to the Schmitt building, on West Main
street.
The London and Provincial Music Trades
Review of June 15 contains a critical and
highly complimentary notice of the Lyon
& Healy harp which is being exhibited
at 70 Berners street, Oxford street, West,
by J. C. Freeman, direct representative of
the manufacturers.
The Knabe grand piano will be played
at the N. Y. State Music Teachers'Conven-
tion, to be held at Binghamton from July
6th to 8th, by William H. Sherwood, Jaros-
low de Zielinski and Miss Wagnalls.
Miss Myrtle Randolph has opened a
music store corner of Kansas and Santa Fe
avenues, Marceline, Mo., and is handling
the Knabe, Everett, Vose and Emerson
pianos.
A. M. Wright, manager of the local
Everett warerooms, left for Boston on Wed-
nesday. He returned to town yesterday.
M. T. N. A. Convention.
LIST OF EXHIBITORS AT THK MUSIC-
TRADE EXPOSITION THE PIANOS USED
BY THE DIFFERENT ARTISTS.
The nineteenth annual convention of the
Music Teachers' National Association, now
in progress at the Grand Central Palace,
promises to occupy a conspicuous place in
the history of the organization, now num-
bering many thousands of active members.
The choice of location has been fortunate,
permitting, as it does, the addition of a
large trade exhibit of musical instruments
and publications, distinct from, yet in close
proximity to, the convention hall proper.
The introduction of a trade exhibit is be-
ing tried for the first time. If successful
in every way, this special feature will
become one of the most important attrac-
tions of successive convention gatherings.
The following is the list of exhibitors:
J. & C. Fischer: Fischer piano of 1842,
No. 100,000, and select styles. Weber-
Wheelock Piano Co.: Weber Grand, seven
Weber and Wheelock uprights. Estey
Organ Co.: Phonoriums and organs. Estey
Piano Co.: Three Grands. Schleicher &
Sons: pianos, latest styles. C. H. Dit-
son & Co., music dealers and publish-
ers: Full exhibit. Novello, Ewer & Co.,
publishers and agents for editions of for-
eign works: Full exhibit. Breitkbpf &
Hartel: Music and musical instruments.
Virgil Practice Clavier Co.: Several
claviers. Schuberth & Co., music pub-
lishers and importers: Full exhibit. G.
Schirmer, music publisher and importer:
Full exhibit. The John Church Co., music
publishers, musical instruments: Full
exhibit, including metronomes. Theodore
Presser, Philadelphia, publisher: Full
exhibit. John Christman: Pianos; latest
styles. Chas. Scribner's Sons, publishers.
Staib Piano Action Co: The "Twentieth
Century" Action, inclosed in piano case
with plate glass front. Mrs. S. Berteling,
flutes and clarinets: Full exhibit.
The musical program of the convention
is most elaborate, embracing all merit-
orious works of every noted composer,
together with numerous compositions by
well-known local artists who are still
climbing the ladder of fame. Many pro-
minent piano manufacturers are represent-
ed, recitals on several occasions being
given on certain instruments exclusively.
On Thursday morning, in the Auditor-
ium, the Weber grand was used by August
Spanuth at the opening exercises and con-
cert which followed. In the afternoon, at
the piano recital of Miss Florence Terrel,
a J. & C. Fischer concert grand held the
place of honor; at a Concert Hall recital on
the same day, Edward Baxter Perry played
several of his own compositions on a
Henry F. Miller grand, and at S. G. Pratt's
concert entertainment that night the
Knabe grand was used by Miss Flora
Spencer and Mr. Pratt.
One of the most interesting numbers on
the general program was a lecture re-
cital on the Janko keyboard by Madame
Pupin, the Sohmer grand being used.
Madam Pupin's program was lengthy and
difficult. The possibilities of the Sohmer
grand were fully brought out.
The Steinway grand was used exclu-
sively at a song recital in the Lyceum on
Friday morning, at a lecture recital im-
mediately following by Albert Ross Par-
sons, at a lecture on the Synthetic method
for the pianoforte by Miss Kate S. Chitten-
den, and on several subsequent occasions
at recitals by Paul Tidden, Leo. Gowdow-
sky, and Wm. H. Barber.
The Mason & Hamlin grand was used
exclusively at song recitals in the concert
hall at 2 P.M. on Friday and in the audi-
torium on Saturday. The Knabe grand
occupied the post of honor at a grand
orchestral concert in the auditorium on
Friday evening and at a piano recital in
the concert hall this morning. Wm. H.
Sherwood presided at the keyboard on
both occasions.
On Monday next, the closing day, the
of concert grand representation will be
divided between the Steinway, Mason &
Hamlin, Weber and the others before men-
tioned.
Yesterday morning Albert T. Strauch de-
livered a lecture entitled "A Perfect Piano
Action, and its Importance to Piano Play-
ing." A conference on "Musical Journal-
ism" will be held this afternoon.
The Fischer Grands.
In conversing with members of the firm
of J. & C. Fischer with reference to their
several products, it is noticeable that they
feel—and with good cause—that the
Fischer small grand pianos occupy an
enviable and conspicuous place among
modern pianos. Their aim in construct-
ing these instruments has been to secure
in effect a combination of sweetness with
superior singing or tone-carrying qualities,
without the sacrifice of power. That
their efforts have been successful is evi-
denced by the large demand and the strong
endorsements of musicians. These pianos
are so perfect in scale, and the refinement
of the over-stringing is so obvious, that
the sweetness, singing power, delicacy and
depth of tone found in the full concert
grand piano are very nearly obtained. In
addition to these special qualities, the
Fischer small grands are strictly up-to-
date in all matters of detail.
It is rumored that C. G. Roder of Leip-
sic, Ger., is making arrangements to es-
tablish a music printing, engraving and
paper making plant outside of Boston.
Among the members of the trade in town
this week were A. Howard Hinkle of the
John Church Co., who passed through on his
way to his summer home; Perry Foster,
manager of Sanders & Stayman, Washing-
ton, D.C. ; W.F. Conkling, Newburg, N. Y. ;
Mr. Stultz of Dolgeville, N. Y., and Mr.
Allen of Dover, Del.
It has been discovered that the tomb of
Muzio Clementi, the "father of the piano-
forte," in Westminster Abbey is in a dilap-
idated condition, and subscriptions are
asked for its renovation.

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