Music Trade Review

Issue: 1897 Vol. 25 N. 5

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
tHE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
factory. He is a firm believer in the
merits of the Wissner products, and what
is quite as much to the point, he is enthu-
siastic and judicious in his methods of
securing desirable patronage.
As a trade maker for the^coming fall, deal-
ers will find theJMcPhail piano, made by the
McPhail Piano Co. of Boston, a positive
Geo. Grass of Geo. Steck & Co., who is winner. It combines every essential to
touring the West, is sending in cheering that end and it should be looked up with-
reports, and what is better still substantial out delay.
orders. He is probably in Cleveland, O.,
to-day.
Mehlin Agents Prospering.
Wm. F. Hasse, the piano stool and scarf
H. Paul Mehlin, responding to a call for
man, returned from Europe on Thursday,
news
items yesterday, said that Bruce Ma-
by the steamer ' 'Havel."
bon & Co., the Mehlin representatives in
John Feld, the Sohmer representative Springfield, Mass., have been so successful
at St. Louis, was in town this week and in their business that they have taken
left a good order for Sohmer new styles in larger quarters. Indications, he says, point
grands and uprights.
to a very promising future for this firm.
Retail business this week at the Fischer They have just reported the sale of another
warerooms is reported as active. Callers Mehlin grand, this last sale being evident-
have been numerous and purchases satis- ly brought about through the indorsement
factory.
of a previous purchaser.
Charlie Sisson, fresh from a long jaunt
S. R. Leland & Son, the Mehlin repre-
West, reached town yesterday. He re- sentatives at Worcester, Mass., report
ports the outlook for trade most encourag- good progress with the Mehlin products.
ing. Charlie 'is a veteran and knows the Their customers are highly pleased with
trade barometer well.
the instruments.
Mr. Bassett the Duluth, Minn., agent
H. A. Petrie's Affairs.
for Decker & Son, is in town.
Jack Haynes is visiting London on a
The rumor published in a local daily
private enterprise.
this week to the effect that H. A. Petrie,
Frank King, wholesale manager for the of the Petrie Music Co., who has been com-
Wissner products, left tcwn on Tuesday pelled to relinquish business as a music
for a short business trip.
publisher owing'to financial inability to con-
L. S. Sherman, of Sherman, Clay & Co., tinue, is indebted to the Wenzlik Music
San Francisco, during his stay in New Publishing Co. for a large amount, has
York last week, placed an order with Lud- been denied ;by Mr. Wenzlik. He says
the amount due is trifling and expresses
wig & Co. for twenty pianos.
Will N. Grunewald, manager of the L. the belief that the debts will be cancelled
Grunewald Co., New Orleans, La., is ex- in due course. Mr. Wenzlik, and Mr.
Paull, of E. T. Paull & Co., who was also
pected in town.
seen, said that Mr. Petrie had always
Mrs. Lila Marshall, widow of Mr. Mar-
treated them right.
shall, formerly of Marshall & Wendell, Al-
bany, was married last Sunday in Wash-
America's Successful Men.
ington to W. B. Dickey, consul to Callao,
Peru.
The New York Tribune Co. has just
issued
a magnificent work in two volumes
New establishments have been opened in
Des Moines, la., by Wm. Lehman, who entitled^ , "America's Successful Men."
will handle the Baldwin line of goods; in The subscription price of the work is $25.
Bellevue, O., by Asa R. Williams; in We note the music trade industry is
Gallipolis, O., by Ernest Cating;in Tampa, represented by handsome page portraits
Fla., by Turner & Hollowell; and in Bucy- and extended biographical sketches of
Wm. Steinway, Jacob Estey, W. W. Kim-
rus, O., by E. H. Guckert.
McArthur & Sons, of Knoxville, Tenn., ball and Oliver Ditson.
have added another new feature to their
The String Jar Cabinet.
already extensive business. They have
arranged a storage department, and will
One of the most desirable articles ever
hereafter make a specialty of storing pianos gotten up is the String Jar Cabinet, sold
and organs. Household goods and furniture by Lyon & Healy, Chicago. It is simpli-
will also be stored by them.
city itself, yet it will keep a good supply
Edward Patcikee met with an accident of strings for musical instruments in fine
last week while operating the elevator in condition for an indefinite length of time.
the organ factory at Chicago avenue and In fact when you purchase a Lyon & Healy
Dix street, Chicago. He was caught be- String Jar Cabinet for the $4.00 it costs,
tween the elevator car and the first floor, you secure a means of attractively display-
and crushed the entire length of his body. ing your strings/of keeping them fresh
Dawson City, the embryonic metropolis The doctors hold out little hope of recovery. until sold, and of keeping the stock in good
Mr. Thompson, now in charge of the order. Write to Lyon & Healy to-day for
of the Klondike regions, already boasts of
having several pianos " in its midst," and Wissner warerooms, New York city, re- their humorous little brochure, "How to
ports callers frequent and business satis- Lose Money on Strings."
an overplus of performers.
Bradbury fame, as he greeted The Review
in his customary cheery style on Wednes-
day, "and I propose to have facilities that
will enable me to cope with all the demands
that may be made consequent upon the ar-
rival of better times.
"The piano business is quiet at present,
but that is to be expected. In the bicycle
line I am doing an exceedingly large busi-
ness at my various branch stores, and I
have no reason to complain."
*
*
*
*
Recently while looking up some histori-
cal data, I rummaged through some Ger-
man works bearing upon the noted famil-
ies of Wurtemburg, and I came across the
name Von Steger.
Now that hustler of the Western piano
trade, J. V. Steger, came from Wurtem-
burg, and I wonder if that "V" in his name
does not mean Von and if so, if he is not a
member of the German nobility.
"J. V." is a modest man, and can it be
that all these years he has been concealing
that Von from us?
Is it true, "J. W ?
If so, here's a health to John Von Ste-
ger.
*
*
*
*
The subject of drapery in its relation to
piano decoration is apparently much misun-
derstood. One enters a house arranged with
exquisite care, and both artistic and home-
like in its atmosphere. The one false note
in the whole arrangement is in the draping
of the piano—an upright—which is swathed
in embroideries and covered with porce-
lains until it has positively lost all semb-
lance to its original form and is ridiculous-
ly unfit for use. Many of the so called
music rooms are ruined by a total disre-
gard of acousties, heavy curtains, carpets
and portieres breaking and muffling the
sounds, and there are almost always far too
great a number of ornaments scattered
about. Considering that many who are in
the possession of wealth pique themselves
on their prominence as patrons of music,
or on being considered average performers
from the amateur standpoint, it is extraor-
dinary how very seldom an appropriate
music room is to be found.
*
*
*
*
It is understood that the Votey Organ
Co. will continue manufacturing pipe or-
gans at the Farrand & Votey plant in De-
troit, Mich., until late next fall, when the
manufacturing headquarters will be located
in the East. Meanwhile it is well to em-
phasize that the Votey Organ Co. and the
Farrand & Votey Co. are two distinct
firms.
*
*
*
*
Now then, let the chimneys smoke and
the wheels turn. The tariff bill is a law.
Confidence replaces uncertainty. Congress
no longer sits as a commercial disturber.
Let's put our shoulder to the wheel of
prosperity and "push it along." "Busi-
ness" should be the war cry.
*
15
*
*
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Henry B. Fischer on Association Topics.
TRADE CREDITS A VITAL ISSUE'—HOW THE REMEDY CAN BE EFFECTED A CENTRAL BUREAU-
WHAT HAS BEEN GAINED BY ASSOCIATION PIANO STYLES—FALL PROS-
PECTS TRADE ADVERTISING
THE TRADE JOURNALS.
No list of prominent piano manufactur-
ers in the United States would be com-
plete without the names of Henry B. and
Adolph H. Fischer. The firm of J. & C.
Fischer is well known and highly respected
in every branch of the trade, for several
good reasons. To give each of those
reasons in detail is not necessary. They
have long been public property. One,
however—and an excellent one—is their
evident desire to do all in their power to
assist in maintaining the good name and
prestige of the piano making industry in
this country. This desire they have ex-
pressed in many ways. As an evidence of
good faith they now take and always have
taken an active interest in the work of the
American Piano Manufacturers' Associa-
tion.
In view of the fact that an early date
has been set for the next meeting of the
association—an event likely to be memo-
rable in the history of the trade^—The
Review, in the course of this week's busi-
ness visits, took occasion to talk with Henry
B. Fischer on association topics. Other
subjects were briefly discussed, but the
probable action of the parent organization
at this or subsequent meetings, along
certain lines, was considered first of all.
"In the discussion of current topics of
interest to the trade, at future meetings of
the association, Mr. Fischer," said The
Review, "which, in your opinion, should
receive the earliest consideration?"
Without a moment's hesitation, Mr.
Fischer replied: "The question of trade
credits, undoubtedly. It is a vital issue,
and no time should be lost in dealing with
it."
"The present system, or lack of system
in this connection, is generally acknowl-
edged to be highly detrimental to the best
interests of manufacturers and their cus
tomers, Mr. Fischer. What do you think
would be a suitable and effective remedy ?''
"On the booksof nearly all the manufac-
turers to-day are names of certain undesira-
ble people. They are 'N. G.' in every sense
of the phrase and they ought to be gotten rid
of. As matters stand at present, manufac-
turers are compelled to go through more or
less experience with these people, some-
times paying very dearly for it. No direct
information can be secured in the majority
of instances. As soon as one manufacturer
tires of a man or firm having bad credits
or no credit at all, he 'dumps' him and that
process is continued all along the line.
"The remedy is simple. The association,
now consisting of a few, comparatively,
should include all. The petty jealousies
which have never ceased to exist between
manufacturers—no one could ever explain
the reason for their existence—should be
thrown to the winds. A broad, liberal,
vigorous policy should be inaugurated and
supported, for policy's sake, if for no better
reason. By working shoulder to shoulder,
the lines could be clos"ely drawn around the
pests who have neither capital nor con-
science. The association would make it so
hot for them that they would be compelled
to quit. And have they any claim to re-
main in the trade? I maintain they have
no claim whatever."
"If the question of credits comes up in
the near future, then, you will be an ear-
nest advocate of reform ? "
"Most decidedly. The question will
come up, and very soon. It is bound to
take a prominent place among subjects for
discussion, because the financial interests
of all are involved."
"Have you in mind any practical plan
for stamping out the evil, Mr. Fischer—
taking it for granted that the manufactur-
ers will realize before long the wisdom of
getting together for mutual protection ? "
"Yes. A central bureau of credits, deal-
ing only with the interests of piano manu-
facturers, could be established say in New
York. Its business would be chiefly to
advise manufacturers as to the commercial
standing within the trade of persons
and firms desiring credit, and to call for
information along that line for the benefit of
such members of the association as might
desire it."
"Do the objects of the association, as
stated in its charter, cover, in your opinion,
every point of business advantage, or do
you think its scope might be extended
with benefit to the members?"
"I do not see that there is much room
for expansion, provided the leading idea
of the association is carried out. That
idea is to secure protection of business
interests in a manner otherwise impossible.
So long as independent action alone is
relied on, many advantages must be lost or
forfeited."
"So far as you have observed during
your years of membership, Mr. Fischer,
what has already been gained to the indus-
try by the joining of forces in the associa-
tion ?"
"The greatest good yet accomplished has
been the gradual elimination of the unex-
plainable petty jealousies I referred to just
now. Only manufacturers who have kept
closely in touch with the association can
realize fully how much real benefit has
been wrought in this way. I do hope that
all manufacturers who have so far held
aloof will, in the near future, see the wis-
dom of practical support. What can be
achieved for mutual advantage in carry-
ing on legitimate trade under such desir-
able conditions is only limited by the re-
sources available."
"Can the work of the association be ac-
complished more satisfactorily, do you
think, as an independent organization, or
would amalgamation of all similar organiza-
tions within the trade be advisable? "
"In my opinion, all persons and firms
having these identical interests—the man-
ufacture of pianos—should be united.
Other branches of the music trades, or as-
sociations including other branches, would
only find themselves 'at sea' if included. If
piano manufacturers are members of sim-
ilar societies in other branches, they would
reap a direct benefit, it seemsto me, by also
belonging to the association."
"To refer briefly to your own business,
Mr. Fischer, The Review will ask a ques-
tion or two under important headings.
First, as to styles. The Fischer styles in
grands and uprights have always received
hearty commendation. Do you make a
specialty of new designs, and if so, do you
employ experts in preparing them?"
' 'The preparation of new styles has always ~
been a subject of special study with us—in
fact, as you indicate in your question, it
has been and now is one of the reasons for
whatever prominence in the trade we may
enjoy. We have constantly in our employ
several experts, part of whose duty it is to
submit, at certain regular periods and to
order, new designs for grands and uprights.
We have at this moment a number already
drawn, ready for use when required."
"Do you anticipate a brisk fall trade—
more than you looked forward to a year
ago. If so, why?"
"We expect a good fall business, but
not brisk. It is a little early for that yet.
There are good reasons for our expectation.
Comparison of sales made in June and
July, 1896, with those recorded for June
and July, 1897, shows an increase this year
of fully twenty per cent. Then the general
indications are full of promise. Outside
of the tariff settlement, it is easy to note
other never-failing signs, such as good
crops, low rates of interest for money,
particularly in the West, and a dozen other
indications, all pointing to prosperity."
"A word or two about advertising. The
Fischer products are largely and systemati-
cally advertised in the music trade journals
and other channels. Have you ever had
reason to regret your expenditures in this
direction? "
"No, we have not."
"Do you think such results as may fairly
be attributed to advertising could have
been attained by any other means? "
"I do not."
"Now to come nearer home, The Review
would be glad to know your opinion as to
the utility of trade journals. It has been
said very recently by a well-known piano
manufacturer that there is room for im-
provement in the conduct of music trade
journals. Do you agree with him, and if
so, along what lines, in your opinion,
should the improvement be made? "
"I do agree with the view that there is
room for improvement. My opinion is
that a trade journal is a business enter-
prise, and should be considered as such.
Its business is, I take it, to give the news
and to deal in facts, with such editorial
comment as may be pertinent to the live
issues of the day, so far as they affect the
piano and kindred trades. It is not part

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