Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
the merchants who are naturally pugna-
cious see the advisability of concentrated
strength. It is what the association mem-
ber agrees not to do as well as what he
pledges himself to do that counts in the
end. Much of the unwise and unprofitable
competition that now obtains could not ex-
ist if we understood each other better and
trusted each other more fully. And it is
only through association work that we can
reach the point where such understanding
and trust can be made possible.
#
#
It takes many long years of arduous
labor and the expenditure of considerable
money to build up the business of a firm
to where its name and its product attain a
distinct value in the trade and musical
world.
That the position thus won can be
assailed and damaged by designing per-
sons desirous of trading on this reputation
and virtually stealing what is most dear to
every house, its patronymic, is apparent
from recent developments.
In various cities this nefarious business
is carried on and pianos are palmed off as
the products of noted makers to a credu-
lous and ignorant public. This should not
be allowed. It is a matter that calls for
some action on the part of the National
Manufacturers' Association, and every
manufacturer who values his name and
reputation.
Unfortunately the legal statutes are not
always effective in covering a matter of
this kind. There is a remedy, however,
we have referred to it in previous issues,
and it can be enforced by the manufactur-
ers themselves.
Bothner Moves.
JOINS THE BIG ROSTER OF HARLEM FACTORIES.
Geo. Bothner is moving his action fac-
tory from 135 and 137 Chrystie street,
where it has been located since 1883,to the
old Roosevelt building, 131st street and
Park avenue. The move is now in pro-
gress and everything will be in position
at the new quarters on or before Oct 15.
Work has not been stopped, nor will it be
suspended except for a few hours at the
most. The Chrystie street building, which
belonged to the Bothners, has been dis-
posed of. The new quarters have been
leased. Mr. Bothner is evidently deter-
mined to carry out a progressive policy
and is certain to have the hearty support
of the trade in his enterprise. He told The
Review on Thursday that he will be quite
ready to see his friends at the Park avenue
factory on and after the 15th inst.
Big Fire in Detroit.
VAUGHN & TANNER'S ESTABLISHMENT
THE OPERA HOUSE DESTROYED.
The '97 Fischer Catalogue.
AND
[Special to The Review.]
Detroit, Mich., Oct. 7, 1897.
Vaughn & Tanner's music store, the
Opera House of which C. J. Whitney is
lessee and manager, and a number of other
buildings with their contents, situated in
that central and busy quarter of the city
bounded by Campus, Martius, Woodward,
Gratiot, and Monroe avenues, were de-
stroyed by fire this morning. The total
loss is estimated at close on $700,000.
The fire started in the Opera House at
one o'clock and it was 5:30 before it was
fully under control. The orgin is un-
known.
Vaughn & Tanner's stock is irreparably
damaged, if not totally destroyed. The
loss will approximate $45,000. Partly in-
sured. The early hour and the rapid sweep
of the fire prevented the saving of any of
the stock. C. J. Whitney loses about
$20,000. He carried a small insurance. *
I understand that Vaughn & Tanner
11 secure new quarters im mediately.
Stultz & Bauer News.
At the Stultz & Bauer warerooms, yester-
day, The Review met Mr. Bauer, who re-
ported business good, and Mr. Golden, who
returned on Wednesday after an absence
on tour extending over nearly three
months. The latter reported that he has
succeeded in establishing several desirable
new agencies, and orders, he found, with
his fall program, to be readily secured.
On invitation, The Review inspected a
Stultz & Bauer new style 7, and the firm's
new style 5^2. The style 7, in Circassian
walnut and mahogany—a cut of the instru-
ment will appear in The Review at an
early date—is a product of which any piano
manufacturer might well be proud. A
splendid record is being made with it, also
with style 5 ^ . The outlook is reported to
be excellent.
Best Traditions of the Steinway
House.
F.
C. SMITH
SAYS CHAS. STEINWAY AND
NAHUM STETSON WILL UPHOLD THEM.
During a business talk on Wednesday
afternoon with a prominent piano manu-
facturer, not more than a thousand miles
from the Harlem river, The Review was
pleased to note the entrance of Freeborn
G. Smith, who extended one of his charac-
teristically cordial greetings to all pres-
ent. A delightful half-hour was spent in
listening to the veteran's reminiscences of
the days when he worked at the bench as
an apprentice with the Steinways,the head
of the house of Decker, and other men of
mark. He paid a warm tribute to the
sterling merits of William Steinway and
expressed his opinion that Charles Stein-
way and Nahum Stetson, working together,
would
uphold the best traditions of the
The Mark Ament Music Co. was incor-
Steinway
house and increase its already
porated at Peoria last Saturday with a
great
reputation.
capital stock of $50,000.
A KEAOTIFUL PRODUCTION, UNIQUE IN C O N -
CEPTION AND EFFECTIVE IN RESULTS.
On Thursday, a new J. & C. Fischer
catalogue was issued. No pains or expense
have been spared in order to secure effec-
tive results. As a work of art, it is without
fault. The arrangement of text and illus-
trations is admirable. Under the heading,
"Music's Golden Tongue," a few appropri-
ate words are said about the origin and
history of the piano.
This is followed by the history of the
firm, with illustrations showing a section
of Broadway, New York, in 1830, includ-
ing a view of the R. & W. Nunns ware-
room at No. 137, with Grace Church,
Trinity Church and the City Hotel in the
distance. There were trees on Broadway
in those days. Then appears a representa-
tion of a Nunns & Fischer piano made more
than fifty years ago and still in use. On
the succeeding page is given a large pic-
ture of "Parlor Grand Fischer Piano
Number One Hundred Thousand."
On pages 8 to 10 are statements concern-
ing the Columbian Exposition Medal and
Highest Award, with copy of the medal.
A page is devoted to a description of the
Fischer warerooms and the Fischer trade-
mark. Next in their order appear descrip-
tions and pictures, perfectly executed, of
the Fischer orchestral grand, the concert
grand, the small or parlor grand, and the
Fischer upright.
On a double page in the center of the
book is an accurate picture of the Fischer
factory. This, enlarged and liberally dis-
tributed throughout the country, would
give the general piano-buying public a
good idea of the magnitude of the Fischer
business, at the same time illustrating the
enterprise of the Empire City in one branch
of its industries.
Conspicuous on page 18 of the new
catalogue are notes on the leading traits of
the Fischer products:
"INDIVIDUALITY—The crystalization of
endeavor."
"INTEGRITY—For over half a century."
"REPUTATION—A source of satisfaction."
"VALUE—Enormous factories and won-
derful facilities."
There are numerous other interesting
short statements in the book, which is
quite unlike the ordinary dry-as-dust cata-
logue publications. Near the end is an
imposing list of fifty-six celebrated artists,
composers and singers who have used and
indorsed the Fischer piano.
Another Honor for Mr. Conway.
E. S. Conway, of the W. W. KimballCo.,
has been elected vice-president of the
Trans - Mississippi Commission for the
great Omaha Exposition which will be held
next year. The honor is certainly one to
be proud of. It testifies to the prominence
of Mr. Conway in commercial affairs in the
West, to the value of his counsels and the
esteem in which he is held personally.