Music Trade Review

Issue: 1897 Vol. 25 N. 18

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
" Haines & Co., New York." Is this not
with the.obvious intention of selling their
instruments as the " New York Haines"?
We hear a great deal about the unfair
methods which obtain in the piano trade.
Let me ask if the men who are placing
false and misleading stencils upon their
instruments are not assisting materially to
keep the unfair methods operative?
How can the stream be pure while there
is a spring of pollution at its source?
How can the trade be purified while
manufacturers themselves persist in dis-
seminating false ideas as to the place of
origin of their instruments?
Let me see. Was it not this self-same
editor of the " Little Pinklet," who now is
assailing the memory of the late I. N.
Camp, who hardly waited until the late
Oliver Ditson was cold in death before,
with ghoulish glee, he ransacked his entire
repertoire of words to select some of the
most villainous sentences to be compiled
in the English language, with which he
sought to blacken the memory of the dead
music publisher?
And this is journalism—trade journalism
:—as interpreted by the man who has
swung the whip hand over this trade for
years.
Many a man has trembled when he heard
the crack of the whip and dove down into
his treasure chest and thrust out the gold
in sufficient quantities to satisfy the rapa-
cious appetite of the "Little Pinklet"
editor.
Surprising it is how some commercial
giants have lowered their head to the yoke.
Does this last outburst of venom mean
the beginning of a subtle attack? It may
be that the strongly condemnatory words
spoken by Robert Proddow at the Manhat-
tan Beach convention burned a little even
on the pachydermic hide of the "Pinklet"
editor. It may be that the stinging sensa-
tion still exists. One thing is certain, the
"Pinklet" editor will have a lasting fight
on his hands should the attack be made
upon the Estey interests.
In the first place the "Pinklet" editor
has lost that which has carried him through
many a dishonorably waged war. He has
lost the strength which was formerly at-
tributed to his publication. He has lost
the business patronage of scores whom he
bled for years. He must do something to
recoup his lost position, but in my opinion
he is already too weak. It is the last ditch
with him.
will then have a still better opportunity
of judging of its merits.
The Review will have something to say
still further of this excellent attachment
in a future issue.
The "Autono."
THE
LATEST SELF-PLAYING
ATTACHMENT
PLACED ON THE MARKET BY WEBER,
GOOLMAN & CO.
The "Autono," the new self-playing pi-
ano attachment made by Weber, Goolman
& Co. of Brooklyn, was placed on exhibi-
tion at their New York headquarters, 7
West Fourteenth street, this week.
It may be said briefly that in many re-
spects the "Autono" marks a distinct ad-
vance in the matter of self-playing attach-
ments. The principle on which the "Au-
tono" is operated is pneumatic. The me-
chanism is most serviceable, reliable and
effective in producing desired results. It
is so ingeniously constructed that it does
not disfigure the piano in the slightest; the
entire mechanism, as well as motor, being
placed wholly within the instrument. The
only feature which distinguishes the piano
in which it is used from the ordinary in-
strument without an attachment is a small
drawer on the right hand side which con-
tains the music and from which the tempo
is regulated. There are no unsightly
pedals or projections which render it im-
possible to place the piano in a natural or
ordinary position. It is absolutely self-
controlling, and the pedals are operated
just as effectively as by an experienced
player. The tempo is fixed and well-gov-
erned, as also is the tonal volume, by clever
mechanism, and after the music has been
played it automatically rerolls and then all
power is shut off, leaving it as though the
player had gotten up from the seat.
Another device used in this attachment
and patented by the company is a little
rubber stop or plug, by which any dust
that may accumulate can be removed so
that there is no chance of stopping the air
passages.
The Review heard the attachment the
early days of the week under conditions
that were not very favorable. The piano
used was not an especially good one,
nevertheless the "Autono" made a very
excellent showing and clearly proved itself
to be worthy and capable of entering into
the race for patronage in the self-playing
piano field.
Mr. Weber informed The Review that
he expected to have the "Autono" placed
in a higher grade of piano which will
be on exhibition later; manufacturers
Hasse's Plans for Fall.
CARRYING A MAGNIFICENT LINE OF WARES
WHICH DEALERS SHOULD INVESTIGATE.
The Review had an interesting talk with
William F. Hasse on Tuesday, concerning
his fall specialties. To many members of the
trade Mr. Hasse's name is usually associ-
ated with music boxes such as the sympho-
nion and polyphone. He carries a large line
of these goods of the choicest make but it
is a mistake to suppose that they consti-
tute his entire stock in trade, or anything
like it.
When asked to mention some of his
leaders for this season, Mr. Hasse said:
"This year I am in a better position than
ever to supply piano scarfs to meet all
tastes, including the simplest and the most
fastidious. The latest styles and designs
of plush, velour, brocatel and Japanese and
other silk scarfs are always in stock. With-
out boasting, I must say that I think deal-
ers ought in their own interests to see my
special designs and learn my prices before
giving their orders.
"They cannot always reach New York
to do this, so I have a plan that meets them
more than half way. To responsible per-
sons and firms I cheerfully send an assort-
ment on memorandum for selection, with
a margin of ten days for decision. That
gives ample opportunity.
"You are aware that I take special pains
to secure the very latest styles and designs
in scarfs, covers and stools. As you see,
there is a large and complete stock, suffi-
cient to meet all demands. Complete cat-
alogues, too, are ready. I will gladly send
them and every other information required
to wide-awake purchasers who are on the
lookout for the highest class of goods at
the smallest figures."
Mr. E. N. Martin, one of Mr. Hasse's
road representatives, has just returned
from a very successful Southern trip. He
starts next week for an Eastern tour.
There is no truth in the report published
in a contemporary that C. G. Conn con.
templates the manufacture of pianos.
Iron Frame Veneer Presses,
EXTRA HEAVY, STEEL BRACED, ALL SIZES.
New Scale Norris & Hyde.
Norris & Hyde, of Boston, whose trans-
posing keyboard pianos have attained a
national reputation, are at present at work
on a number of new scale instruments
which they will have ready for the market
in the course of a few weeks. These in-
struments are a distinct advance in the
matter of tone and architecture and they
cannot fail to add to the prestige of this
progressive house.
Glue Spreading flachines,
HAND AND POWER FEED, SIX SIZES,
Steam Glue Heaters
IN TWENTY FIVE DIFFERENT STYLES AND SIZES,
Cut showing: how presses are used in sec-
tions for veneering long stock.
FACTORY A N D LUHBER YARD TRUCKS.
Write for Catalogue of Piano and Organ making Machinery,
JOHN T. TOWSLEY MFG. CO.
SIXTH AND MAIN STS.
CINCINNATI, OHIO.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
I 2
Albert T. Strauch Returns.
A Clever Vose Brochure,
FOUND BUSY FACTORIES EVERYWHERE—HIGH
PRICED SUPPLIES IN DEMAND .
The Vose Piano Co. of Boston have
worthily won no little distinction for their
originality in the matter of advertising
with results that are abundantly satisfac-
tory and profitable.
Their most recent production in this
field, which has just come to hand, is a
beautifully printed and cleverly conceived
brochure which is not only an especially
fine example of the typographers' art, but
from a literary standpoint is an admir-
able example of good English and good
reading. It is an eloquent plea for the
piano—more particularly for the Vose
piano.
The booklet, which comprises in all
sixteen pages, is printed in two colors
on cream tinted calendered paper with
suitable side margins, enclosed in an
uniquely designed cover in a delicate shade
of green.
We have no hesitation in characterizing
this as one of the most effective as well as
neatest brochures pertaining to any branch
of the music trade which has been sent out
for a great many years. It is a credit to
the house of Vose.
Albert T. Strauch, of Strauch Bros.,
returned the early days of the week from
a three weeks' business tour of the West.
In the course of an informal chat with The
Review on Wednesday he reported busy
factories wherever he visited, more par-
ticularly with the makers of high priced
pianos.
This is best demonstrated by the large
volume of orders which Mr. Strauch
secured, sufficient to not only keep their
immense factory working with full force,
full time, but additional help has been
rendered necessary in order to fill orders
with promptitude.
Mr. Strauch expressed himself as ex-
ceedingly well pleased with the business
outlook. "One thing worthy of note, and
it is important and cheering," said Mr.
Strauch, " is that we are not experiencing
a big business boom, but a steady upbuild-
ing and betterment in trade week after
week. This is a healthy condition of things
upon which a great prosperity can well be
based."
When asked how general business, in his
opinion, compared with '92 Mr. Strauch
said, " I t would be wrong to make com-
parisons with '92 at the present time. The
manufacturing world is just getting on its
feet, so to speak. The high prices which
agriculturalists have received for their
crops and the wages which mechanics are
now earning through steady employment
in factories throughout the country will
hardly flow, that is to a large extent, into
business channels, at least music trade
channels, before next year. The business
impetus now on will continue developing,
however, until it culminates in the days of
'92 being duplicated in the fall of '98."
The opinions of Mr. Strauch regarding
the demand for high grade pianosare in line
with previous utterances of The Review on
this subject also based on experiences
gained from personal observation on the
road. The most convincing evidence bear-
ing on the subject is the big demand for
Strauch actions these days. The people
are demanding better wares, they are pay-
ing for them, and it is to the interest of
the dealers to handle them. With the
demand for high grade pianos comes the
demand for high grade supplies and there
you are. Good times are here with a
great big G and better times are surely
coming with still a larger B. No mistake
about it.
C. G. Conn, the celebrated band-instru-
ment manufacturer, has conceived a novel
little puzzle, which is being given out at
the warerooms, 23 East Fourteenth street.
When you solve the puzzle you see the
point, and understand why all good musi-
cians play the "Wonder" instruments as
well as why Mr. Conn should be patronized
in all that pertains to band and concomitant
supplies.
Smith & Nixon Robbed.
[Special to The Review.]
Louisville, Ky., Oct. 26, J897.
Safe blowers cracked the safe in the pi-
ano store of the Smith & Nixon Co., 622
Fourth street, Saturday morning and stole
$50.15 in money and jewelry worth $700.
The work was done by burglars acquainted
with safe blowing.
The safe was on the ground floor of the
store. Entrance was gained by boring a
panel out of the back door. Then the safe
was tackled. The safe contained three
gold watches, worth $300; a handsome gold
neck chain, worth $100; a diamond pin,
worth $50, and a diamond ring valued at
$150.
A gold medal awarded to Mrs.
Ethel C. Smith by a well-known college of
music was stolen, and also a tin box full of
rare old coins. Checks to the amount of
$114 were scattered about on the floor.
When the burglars left they failed to take
with them the brace and bit with which
they had bored into the house. The detec-
tives were notified of the robbery, and are
at work on the case.
Strich & Zeidler Pianos.
WHAT A DEALER THINKS OF THEM AND HIS
REASONS FOR HANDLING THEM.
Out-of-town piano dealers are at present
fairly plentiful in New York. They are usu-
ally loath to express opinions of the various
products, for publication, whether the
name is withheld or not. Occasionally,
one is found who does not hesitate to talk
freely. The Review, always on the alert,
recently noted thisopinion of the " S. & Z."
pianos: " I have always had the greatest
confidence in the Strich & Zeidler pianos
and have never found it to be misplaced.
'• Shortly after the firm was established, I
undertook to make some investigations,
with a view to doing business. I found
that Mr. Strich and Mr. Zeidler are
both practical pianomakers of many
years experience at the bench in all
branches of the art, and that his experi-
ence had been gained under the most fa-
vorable conditions in the workshops of the
best makers. I ascertained also that they
personally supervise and direct the work,
exercising good judgment in the selection
of their workmen.
"During my inquiries, I learned that
their materials and supplies are the best
that money can buy, and in every other
respect I found their aims and attitude
highly creditable. From all this I rea-
soned that they were desirable people to
represent. As events have turned out my
judgment proved to be entirely correct."
Chickering & Sons are at present at
work on a number of new styles, one in
particular, style C, which will be ready in
a few weeks, is going to be in great de-
mand or we are greatly mistaken. It is a
gem of the piano makers' art in every re-
spect.
ESTEY
The King of Organs."
MUSICALLY AND ARCHITECTURAL!* Y
THE ES2EY ORGANS HAVE
ALWAYS
BEEN KNOWN THE WORLD OVER
AS INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH IS EM-
BODIED
THE
\HIGHEST
DEGREE
OF EXCELLENCE
ATTAINABLE
IN
THE ORGAN BUILDERS' ART. WWW
Factories: BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT.

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