Music Trade Review

Issue: 1897 Vol. 25 N. 11

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
VOL. X X V .
N o . ir.
Published Every Saturday at 3 East Fourteenth Street. New York, September 11,1897.
Sohmer & Co.
F. G. Smith Agitating.
A GREAT HOUSE WHOSE TRADE AND INFLUENCE
IS CONSTANTLY EXPANDING.
Freeborn G. Smith, the well-known piano
manufacturer, is agitating the question of
utilizing the public property under the
bridge car storage yards, between Liberty
and Washington streets, for a public market,
says the Brooklyn Eagle. The land cost
the cities over $500,000 and is practically
unused at present. Mr. Smith is having
elaborate plans prepared, showing just
what could be accomplished in this direc-
tion, and he has secured the indorsement of
Mayor Wurster and Senator Brush. As
soon as the plans are ready they will be
submitted to Bridge President Berri and
the board of bridge trustees, which has
already placed itself on record as favoring
the establishment of a public market at
this point. All that is needed to secure
the accomplishment of the project is the
organization of a company for the purpose,
or a guaranty that a sufficient number of
tenants could be secured to make it a suc-
cess. The agitation by Mr. Smith will
help this along and it is his desire that the
trustees should approve of the scheme and
advertise for bids from prospective tenants.
One peculiarity of the piano making in-
dustry as The Review sees it in warerooms
and factories is that the largest amount of
solid, money-making business is usually
being done where it is least suspected to
exist. One of the numerous instances of
this kind is at the Sohmer warerooms.
There is, naturally, an air of business-like
prosperity, but an outsider would never
dream, except perhaps from the size of the
building, that these warerooms are the
center around which an immense wholesale
and retail trade revolves.
Yet such is the case. With regularity
and clean-cut precision every detail is
handled withotit the least sign of worry,
agitation or anxiety. There is no shouting,
"hustling," hurried moving hither and
thither. Everything is as calm and un-
ruffled as a summer sea. This policy of
quiet, effective work is proving itself to be
by far the best. Sohmer & Co. stood for
much during the first years of its existence
as a firm. To-day it stands for far more
in the matter of patronage and influence,
44
Starr" Lights to Success.
and steadily it moves "onward and up-
ward." A power in the trade in 1897, at
The Starr Piano Co. of Richmond, Ind.,
the present rate of progress the firm's are receiving compliments all along the
future can readily be foreseen—an impreg- line in connection with their latest styles,
nable position of power, dignity and afflu- which are illustrated in their new catalogue
ence, honestly won and well deserved.
recently noticed in The Review. These
'Starrs" may be termed guiding lights to
Encouraging Steck Report.
prosperity and reputation. Dealers are
enthusiastic about them, and their enthusi-
In talking with The Review yesterday asm is pardonable, for the new Starr pianos
Geo. Nembach, of Geo. Steck & Co., stated
that their house was receiving the most are beauties.
substantial proofs of business betterment
Weber-Wheelock Co.
in the form of increased wholesale orders
and letters of inquiry from all sections of
The Weber-Wheelock warerooms are
the country. In addition, their retail trade
now
unusually well stocked with a choice
has picked up wonderfully. Under the
variety
of new styles in grands and up-
circumstances he could not but be optimis-
rights.
Every new style Wheelock men-
tic as to business prospects.
tioned in the new catalogue is on exhibition
Imperial Grand "Symphony." on the main floor. Weber grands to suit
the most fastidious are arrayed in imposing
A new and imposing instrument having numbers throughout the length and breadth
almost infinite organ possibilities, the of the Recital Hall, and select examples of
" Imperial Grand," has just arrived at the uprights in many styles abound on the
Symphony warerooms on Fifth avenue. office floor. Business is rapidly assuming
J. H. White, president of the newly organ- its old-time proportions. Innumerable evi-
ized Wilcox & White Co., gave a brief dences of the fact are to be seen at every
recital during The Review's visit yesterday turn.
I3.00PER YEAR.
SINGLE COPIES, 10 CENTS.
Progressive Hason & Hamlin.
WILL SHORTLY
STYLE PIANOS
ISSUE CATALOGUE OF NEW
MAY SURPRISE THE TRADE.
It is questionable if any previous fall
season has furnished so many excellent op-
portunities for choice of good pianos as
that of 1897-8. Every firm of any standing
has taken a long stride forward, so to speak,
within the past few months, and now stands
ready to compete in a friendly conflict for
supremacy under the most exacting condi-
tions. A high^ standard to-day in piano-
making cannot be reached or maintained
without great expenditure of time, money
and brain power.
Foremost among the worthy aspirants
for highest place this year as piano makers
is the Mason & Hamlin Co., a firm name
intimately associated in the past—and also
in the present—with organ building. Their
fame in this branch is world-wide. It
will not be the fault of the present manage-
ment if the credit so universally acceded
for organ-building shall not be as liberally
given for construction of faultless pianos.
It may be well for those who are interested
in the latest and best piano products to
keep a sharp look-out for the new Mason
& Hamlin piano catalogue. Several agree-
able surprises may be looked for by out-of-
town dealers and professional pianists.
The Astor-Broad wood Myth.
Our bright and always interesting con-
temporary Music calls attention in its last
issue to the periodical publication of the
Ast^or and Broadwood partnership myth in
the musical press of this country. The in-
formation vouchsafed by our contemporary
"that John Jacob Astor was never a partner
in the Broadwood house " is so well known
that any editor who pretends to know any-
thing about music trade history should
know enough not to publish any such ab-
surdity in his paper.
Another legend which seems to fre-
quently crop up about John Jacob Astor is
his being the first importer of pianos in the
United States. This is just as far removed
from facts as the statements referred to by
Music. En passant, it is interesting to
note that the ex-American, William W.
Astor of London, has lately purchased an
exceedingly costly concert grand from the
Broadwood house. '
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
reach into every nook and cranny of the
land, transform this doleful people into
the happiest, the healthiest, the most cheer-
ful and most active in all the world."
#
#
" Of all the evils that have arisen from
LYMAN BILL »£§—
time to time as a natural result of competi-
Editor and Proprietor.'
tion none is assuming more annoying
PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY
proportions than that of dating," said a
3 East 14th St., New York
leading piano manufacturer to The Review
this week. " Many otherwise reputable
SUBSCRIPTION (including postage) United States and
Canada, $3-00 per year; Foreign Countries, $4.00.
concerns now countenance deferring the
ADVERTISEMENTS, $2.00 per inch, single column, per
touwrtion. On quarterly or yearly contracts a special dis»
payment
of bills as long as possible with-
•mint w allowed.
REMITTANCES, hi other than currency form, should
out stopping to consider the inconvenience
to siade payabU to Edward Lyman BilL
this
entails.
This matter of abnormal profits in the.
Bnttrtd at tht Nam Y»rk As/ Offic* as Second-Class MmUm.
"The demand for extra dating post-
piano trade is a bug-a-boo, which many
pones
so long the time for payment of bills
N E W YORK, S E P T E M B E R 1 1 , 1897.
dealers have helped to perpetuate by their
that
in
many instances the initial order is
peculiar methods of conducting business.
TELEPHONE NUMBER 1745. — EIGHTEENTH 5TREET.
When a dealer advertises a new $600 piano duplicated once and frequently twice be-
THE KEYNOTE.
fore the time expires in which the first bill
The first week of each month, The Review for example, for $125 or $150, he is not only
will contain a supplement embodying the liter- educating the public falsely but he is de- becomes due. While the credit of the
ary and musical features which have heretofore moralizing the industry of which he is a dealer may be all that could be desired at
appeared in The Keynote. This amalgamation
the time his first order was placed, many
will be effected without in any way trespassing member, and the interest of which he
disastrous
changes may have occurred
on our regular news service. The Review will should aim to advance.
continue to remain, as before, essentially a trade
before the next order is delivered, thus
Any man who in public print or by state-
paper.
creating not only dissatisfaction between
ment indulges in this system of false re-
buyer and seller, if a statement is required,
THE TRADE DIRECTORY.
presentation of piano profits is injuring
but in many cases an actual loss is in-
The Trade Directory, which is a feature of
The Review each month, is complete. In it ap- the trade. On the grounds of ignorance curred."
pear the names and addresses of all firms en- we can excuse a writer for the daily papers
#
#
gaged in the manufacture of musical instruments not acquainted with conditions in the mu-
The fall campaign for business is open-
and the allied trades. The Review is sent to
the United States Consulates throughout the sic trade, but for the dealer or manu- ing up in a pretty lively fashion. Many
world, and is on file in the reading rooms of the facturer who spreads broadcast the idea
travelers have started out this week on long
principal hotels in America.
that piano making or selling is, through ab-
tours while a number of others are packing
normal profits, a sure road to wealth, there
PROFITS ON PIANOS-
their grips and will take leave before an-
can be no excuse. Such methods should
E have frequently commented on the
other week has passed. Activity and "hus-
be condemned by every man who has the
lack of knowledge displayed by
tle" are in the air. Up-to-date manufac-
general interests of the industry at heart.
writers for the daily papers concerning
turers who are in touch with the times
#
#
music trade affairs. The following excerpt,
and the temperament of the people under-
The renaissance of business continues
which closed an editorial in the Brooklyn
stand that those who are working diligent-
to be the general topic for remark and re-
Eagle of last Saturday, is a recent case in
ly for trade are the ones who will receive
joicing in every publication we pe-
point:
the reward for their endeavors.
ruse. The following enthusiastic summary
" Apropos of pianos, it is in order to ask
The policy of curtailing] expenses in
why the prices of certain of them should of the outlook from Art in Advertising the matter of traveling and advertising
be kept so high as to make them prohibi- possesses that tinge of optimism which which many adopted during the era of de-
tive luxuries with many of the public.
The prices of sewing machines, bicycles, helps to dissipate the uncertainty and want pression has been shelved by enterprising
and other inventions have been nearly cut of confidence that, for the past few years, manufacturers.
They fully understand
in two in the past few years, and only the helped as much as anything else to per- that he who pulls the strongest oar must
piano and the typewriter are kept at what
appears to be a figure high above their petuate the unfavorable conditions com- forge ahead in the business world. This
cost."
plained of: "We stand to-day on the thresh- is just as certain as the mathematical fact
The conclusion deducible from the fore- old of an epoch of business prosperity that two and two make four. Legiti-
going, that piano men in general are mak- which promises to surpass any other in our mate business energies never yet failed to
receive commensurate reward even in dull
ing abnormal profits in disposing of their history. The extension of trade, the
times; with favorable business conditions
wares, is a fallacy which is believed in not growth of industries, the expansion of the reward should be threefold greater.
only by the writer of the above but by commerce, the accumulation of wealth, and
Conn Makes a Purchase.
people in general who have not made a the magnitude and magnificence of inven-
close study of the matter of piano making tion, discovery and achievement to which A PLANT TO MANUFACTURE STRINGED IN-
and selling; and it is due to just this sort it will attain will equal the most dazzling
STRUMENTS PEZZONI IN CHARGE.
of teaching on a large scale.
flights of the imagination or the most dar-
[Special to The Review.]
Elkhart, Ind., Sept. 9, 1897.
Pianos can no longer be considered pro- ing predictions of prophecy. This new
C. G. Conn has purchased for $6,000 the
hibitive luxuries. The prices, all things thing which we observe is no sporadic
buildings, water power and grounds used
considered, are such as permit of only a movement doomed to pass into desuetude by the Elkhart Knitting Co. of S. Maxon.
fair margin of profit to manufacturer and and death. It is the nascent life of a virile The plant will be used for the manufacture
of stringed instruments, eventually em-
dealer. Indeed in these days of competi- and forceful power which will soon infuse ploying 200 persons. Signor Pezzoni, of
tion it is a mighty small one.
itself into every branch of business and New York, will have charge.
Now as far as the retailer, with whom
the public deals directly, is concerned, it
is true the difference between the first
cost and the retail price is large, but
those dealers who have figured out the
actual expenses of running their estab-
lishments—including rents, salaries, ad-
vertising expenses, capital invested, and
their own labor—find that they fare no
better than their fellow dealers engaged
in other mercantile pursuits. It is absurd
to claim in face of the facts that pianos
are sold at "a figure high above their
cost."
«


w
W
^


m
-

^
^

i


1
• • • •
1
— — — — — — — ^ • w ,
«

Download Page 3: PDF File | Image

Download Page 4 PDF File | Image

Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).

Pro Tip: You can flip pages on the issue easily by using the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard.