Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1897 Vol. 25 N. 17

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
• THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
From the Editor's Note Book
of a half dozen institutions, they do not
reckon upon the effect which half a dozen
M E R C I A L INSTITUTIONS DO NOT GO ON FOREVER
AN ILLUSTRATION—TRADE IN BUF-
deaths would make with plans at present
FALO— THE COLBY PIANO CO. WILL CONTINUE—NEW
OFFICERS—PROSPECTS
well defined. We must all reckon with
BRIGHT FOR THE BUSINESS—AFFAIRS OF THE SHAW PIANO CO.
FRANK
the grim Reaper and we are in entire ig-
MF.CKEL WILL DIRECT
THE RETAIL TRADE IN CLEVELAND
HUSTLING
norance
of just when the sickle will cut us
HENRY DREHER—THE CITY BY THE STRAITS—THE AFTERMATH OF
THE BIG FIRE
ACTIVITY AT ANN ARBOR
SAGINAW AS A
off. Life is a mighty uncertain quantity,
GROWING MUSICO-INDUSTRIAL POINT
THE ERD PIANO CO.
and oftentimes the curtain is rung down
v
—-GERMAINS MOVE CHASE BROS. BUSY NEW STYLES
without the slightest warning.
A. B. CHASE CO. AND NEW YORK
PRESTO'S
An illustration. Last week I was in
WEAK DEFENSE
INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM.
Detroit. I was standing on the platform
of an electric car speeding down one of the
HE further I proceed westward is true the manner of marketing the pro- wide avenues of that city. Ahead I no-
the more strongly the fact be- duct has changed and is constantly under- ticed a vehicle in which were seated two
comes emphasized that coma- going a transition of methods; but the fact men. As we came opposite them I noticed
tose conditions are every- is the number of piano manufacturers is they were engaged in a jocular conversa-
where being overwhelmed by steadily increasing, that too notwithstand- tion. There was a look of content upon
the steady on-rushing tide of ing the unprecedented dullness of the their features, and no thought of impend-
business activity. All the barriers of in- past three years. Manufacturers have ing danger lurked there. Suddenly the
difference are being swept away, and there sprung up East and West, and what is horse took fright and swept on by us for a
is plenty of energy which is sweeping the more, in most cases they have acquired a block or so at a terrific pace. Our car
rushing tide along. McKinley is getting certain trade and there is every reason to passed them and then the horse with a wild
nearer to his show these mid-October days. believe that theavenuesof distribution will dash just missed the platform on which I
was standing, and with a frightful crash
A condition worthy of special mention be constantly widening for them.
What is more, no matter how perfect hurled the light vehicle upon a truck load-
in the piano trade is the unusual activity
noticeable among manufacturers of higher may be the system of the six great houses ed with hardware. Just before the whole
grade instruments. We have all heard the to-day no one can tell how radical the came down in chaotic mass I caught a
statement openly made that the higher changes may be during the next few years, glimpse of the white, despairing faces of
priced instruments, save a few of the more changes wherein the entire policy of the those men. Before we could reach the
notable makes, were doomed; that the concerns may be overthrown. You may wreck one had crawled out but the other
cheap piano had obtained such ahold that talk about your six great houses but did lay white and still, while from a deep cut
it would almost entirely supplant its you ever stop to think what disaster to in his head flowed a tide which crimsoned
higher priced relative. Recent develop- their plans may be wrought by six the earth about. Tenderly we lifted him
ments explode that fallacious assertion, deaths? This talk that great concerns go and carried him to the sidewalk. When
as the manufacturers of high grade in- on forever may catch the galleries but it the ambulance surgeon arrived he took one
struments are busy while some of the does not appeal to the sober sense of man, look, felt his pulse, then examined his
manufacturers of the very cheap pianos neither is the statement borne out by his- heart. " Poor fellow," he said as he shook
his head sorrowfully, " I can render him
are in a peculiar position, brought about tory, particularly piano history.
no
assistance; he is dead. "
as a direct result of the close com-
In all of the varied walks of life, there
petition of the past few years. It is are men who loom up giants as compared
And yet ten minutes before, full of
well known that they have sold on close with the great mass. There are men who strength and hope, that man had apparent-
margins, very thinly pared at that, and have carved their way to the very front in ly a long lease of life. He did not reckon
with the increased cost of the different civil, in military, in political, and in in- upon death. And it comes to us all.
materials which enter into the construction dustrial life. They won plaudits from the
This morning George M. Pullman, the
of the instruments they find it imperative multitude, but have they left successors? great car builder and financier, passed sud-
that they should raise the selling price of
Things are so ordained in this world that denly away. He was apparently in excel-
their instruments. To this advance the there is a limit placed upon the expansive lent health when he retired the night
dealer naturally demurs, claimfng that for powers of man. In the busy whirl of life before. As soon as was known that the head
the slight difference which exists between there are wrought many wondrous results, of the Pullman interests was dead there was
the cost of a cheap and a medium grade in- but it is seldom indeed that our great cap- an immediate slump in Pullman stocks.
strument he would unquestionably prefer tains of industry leave behind successors He was the creator, the brains, the Czar of
the medium-grade piano, more especially who carry on their own plans to further the great corporation, and his death will
so when the name has a commercial as well conquest. Aside from the possession of have an effect upon the future of the com-
as a selling value in his territory, and has intellectual and physical gifts there may pany. W. W. Kimball was an intimate
stood the test of years.
At the
be internal complications, clashing of friend of George M. Pullman.
time
of
my
call
to-day
he
had
gone
down
Another statement which has gained money interests, differences of opinion
to
call
at
his
late
residence.
more or less prominence, and has also many which cause a separation of forces rather
No matter how fondly cherished plans a
advocates—that within a surprisingly short than an amalgamation. While there may
period of time the piano manufacturing in- be much oil of industry in the personnel of man may have for the perpetuation of his
dustry will have resolved itself into the such concerns, there may also be the water life's work, death changes it all, and a new
regime is ushered in at his demise.
hands of half a dozen manufacturers who of indifference, and they mixeth not.
Charles A. Dana, the last of America's
No, when the alarmists talk about the
will virtually control the entire output.
I am not a believer in that doctrine. It concentration of our industry in the hands great journalists, is hardly cold in death
BRIGHTENING TRADE CONDITIONS—THE HIGH GRADE PIANO IS IN EVIDENCE
OF
C E N T R A L I Z A T I O N IN
THE
PIANO
TRADE—WE
MUST RECKON W I T H
DEATH
THE FALLACY
AND
COM-
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
IO
before there is much speculation as to the
future of the Sun, a newspaper which was
really Dana's second self.
And so the endless caravan moves on.
*
*
*
*
I would not be surprised if there were
developments in the affairs of Luxton &
Black which will cause quite a sensation in
the trade later on when brought out by
legal proceedings.
Fred. Knoll, the Sohmer and Hazelton
dealer of Buffalo, said:
" While I do not wish to say that busi-
ness is booming with me, yet I am feeling
that it is beginning to come our way. It is
a big improvement over last year. We can
stand a change, too."
Down at the Kurtzman factory they are
feeling the effects of the rising business
tide. Mr. Devereaux, the company's
traveler, is doing some effective work on
the road. The new style
Kurtzman
pianos are meeting with trade approval.
George F. Hedge, Denton Cottier &
Daniels, Robert L. Loud, C. H. Utley and
the remainder of the Buffalo trade all speak
satisfactorily of present conditions and
think that the future presages well for the
piano man, particularly the Buffalo piano
man.
*
•
*
*
Since the death of W. J.McCarterrumors
have been circulated to the effect that the
Colby Piano Co., Erie, Pa., would shortly
retire from the piano manufacturing field.
Nothing could be further from the truth—
while the members of the concern feel
deeply the loss of their young president,
yet it is their intention to push the business
with unremitting vigor. The newly elect-
ed president, Mr. F. V. Kepler, is promi-
nent in financial circles, being vice presi-
dent of one of the leading banks of Erie.
Mr. C. C. Colby, the vice president, is a
young man of excellent qualifications. He
has been for years holding the position of
factory superintendent, and is thoroughly
well acquainted in all the details of piano
construction. He also adds to this a large
experience gained in selling pianos. Mr.
Colby's experience, embracing as it does
the selling and manufacturing depart-
ments, has especially fitted him to fill with
credit the position which he occupies to-
day.
Mr. George F. Diehl, a forceful and am-
bitious man, the secretary and treasurer of
the company, has for a long period occu-
pied a position of trust and responsibility
close to President McCarter. Mr. Diehl
likes the piano business, and naturally is
confident of the future of the Colby piano.
Well officered by men who will work to-
gether for success, there will be no halting
in "Colby progress.
With Mr. Diehl I toured the factory,
which is located a few minutes' ride on the
car from the warerooms.
There is excellent light on every floor,
and the work is thoroughly department-
ized, a condition of affairs which reflects
credit upon Mr. Colby.
The Colby piano has evoluted, as it were.
It is better to-day than ever. There is a
closer attention paid to the detail work. appointed wareroom at 213-215 Euclid av-
The cases are gotten up in an attractive enue, where a complete line of the Everett
manner, in a variety of styles as well, in and Harvard pianos are carried. Mr. Put-
nam is a worker, and with the Everett
many different woods.
At the Shaw factory I learned that piano he has an instrument which will ap-
neither Mr. Meckel nor Mr. Raymore were peal to a large following.
Our old friend A. G. Clemmer, now of
in town.
I sent you word of the collapse of the Clemmer, Smith & Coller, 260 Prospect
Burdett Piano Co. I saw John R. Brown. street, said: " I have been agreeably sur-
A run of ill luck brought the downfall prised in our trade thus far. We have
about. Mr. Brown hopes to resuscitate made progress and we feel encouraged."
Milton Slocum, the manager of the W.
the company, yet he frankly said he did
W. Kimball branch in the Arcade, says his
not see just how he was going to do it.
only complaint is that he can't get pianos
it
*
*
In Cleveland I saw Julius A. Meckel, fast enough. ' ' We are in the swim here,"
treasurer of the Shaw Piano Co. He said he said, "and I feel that my work has been
fairly satisfactory. Cleveland is all right,
among other things:
"We have done nothing further since the Kimball is all right," and Mr. Slocum con-
reorganization; owing to the laws of Penn- tinued to fold Kimball testimonials to be
sylvania, under which the Shaw Piano Co. sent out.
At the F. L. Raymond factory, I found
is incorporated, there can be no increase
of capital stock until certain requirements Mr. Raymond and Mr. Schemerhorn su-
have been fulfilled. The law requires that pervising some office improvements which
sixty days notice must be given by adver- when completed will add materially to the
tising the increase of stock in a local appearance of the business department.
paper. Until the sixty days shall have ex- "Behind in piano orders, and just tell
them we are alive," said Mr. Raymond
pired we cannot issue stock.
"And the reorganization occurred on when I came away.
*
*
*
*
September 8."
"Then it will be November 8 before the
I sent you a special from Detroit, last
increase to $200,000 is made, and how Thursday, saying that Vaughn & Tanner,
about the policy of the company, Mr. whose stock was totally destroyed, will at
Meckel?" I asked. "Will it be changed once resume business at No. 36 Gratiot
materially ?"
street. Their new quarters will include a
"Frank Meckel will direct the policy of lot of studios and they consider the loca-
the Shaw Piano Co. He has definite ideas tion an excellent one. Their stock was
which he proposes to carry out—plans valued at about $15,000, on which there
which, I suppose, will differ somewhat was an insurance of $7,000. Their line
from the old. As you have printed, Mr. comprised Fischer, Starr, Singer and Rich-
Raymore will be interested in the concern mond.
and will hold a strong position."
*
*
*
*
"Trade," said Henry Dreher, "is fine.
C. W. Marvin is a fortunate man. It
Sold three pianos this morning; have a was only a short time ago that he moved
customer coming in a few minutes. She from the large fireproof (?) building to his
will buy, too. Three Steinways last week, present location, only a few doors away.
one grand. Collections are coming in The fireproof*(?) building was completely
splendidly. October is great and we are gutted by the fire which swept Vaughn &
right in it. This is trolley day—a lot of Tanner's, the Detroit Opera House and
people in town. Ah! there comes my cus- other buildings off the earth. Although it
tomer now. Say, will you come around was a close call, not one of Mr. Marvin's
and have lunch with me? Make it one pianos was damaged, so he can't even have
o'clock." And Henry Hustling Dreher a fire sale.
whisked off to sell another piano. Great
C. J. Whitney, former manager of the
are the Dreher boys of Cleveland.
Detroit Opera House, has arranged with
H. M. Brainard likes his new location on the Clark Estate to begin at once the erec-
Euclid avenue much better than his former tion of a new theatre on the site of the old.
quarters. He said: " There is a material re- It will be ready for occupancy at the be-
duction in expenses, and although my room ginning of next season.
It is proposed to enlarge the stage and
here is not as spacious as the old, yet I find
more people come in, and I am much increase the seating capacity. The old
theatre seated about 2,200. The new
pleased with the change."
With young Mr. Wamelink I enjoyed a theatre will be large enough to accommo-
pleasant chat. The Wamelink store has date a grand opera company and to furnish
been recently enlarged by taking the ware- an auditorium for musical festivals.
" I t is understood," said Mr. Whitney,
room adjoining. The front is now much more
imposing, and a handsome show window " that we are to make of the theatre one of
adds to the attractiveness of the establish- the best playhouses in the country. There
ment. Mr. Wamelink is an enthusiast over is no limit to be put upon us as to expense
the artistic qualities of the Henry F. Miller by the estate, and it is impossible to tell at
piano, and he is a capable judge. Through this time what the new theatre will cost.
his persistent advocacy of its merits the
" I n the old theatre we were consider-
Henry F. Miller piano has acquired a high ably hampered for want of room. All the
reputation in the art circles of Cleveland. scenery had to be hoisted into the fly gal-
F. H. Putnam Co. have a large and well lery because we had no room in which to

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