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THE MUSIC -TRADE REVIEW
A Talk with Paillard;
WHAT THE NEW YORK MANUFACTURER HAS TO SAY ANENT THE MUSIC BOX INDUSTRY AND
ITS MARVELOUS GROWTH A TRIP TO THE PACIFIC COAST ADVANTAGES OF
THE " CRITERION" A LIST OF SOME OF THE NOTED FIRMS
WHO HANDLE THE PAILLARD WARES.
Reference has been made in previous
issues of The Review to the popularity of
the "Criterion" music box and of the
Paillard wares, particularly since the
return of Mr. Alfred E. Paillard and his
able representative, Mr. Varrelman, from
their recent tour of the principal States.
Not until Monday did The Review have
a good opportunity of talking with the
head of the Paillard firm concerning his
trip and kindred topics connected with
existing business conditions. Alfred E.
Paillard, manufacturer and merchant is a
busy man, moreover of retiring disposition
as well and it is difficult to secure an audi-
ence with him during business hours except
for a passing word or sentence in response
to queries tersely put on current topics.
But an opportunity came, and The
Review took advantage of it for the benefit
of its readers, many of whom are inter-
ested in the music-box branch of the
music trade.
"Mr. Paillard," said The Review, " i t
will interest many of our readers to know
something of your work in behalf of the
firm's interests during your recent travels.
The music-box industry is a very impor-
tant one, and constantly growing. Its pro-
gress is being closely watched with friendly
interest by all broad-minded manufact-
urers in this and kindred industries."
"Your views on this subject agree with
my own," replied Mr. Paillard, "concern-
ing the development of the industry. It
has, indeed, reached almost gigantic
proportions.
'' Nor is there any sign of any halt in
the onward march. Think of the progress
made in music-box manufacture since our
firm began business! Is it not marvelous?"
" It is," responded The Review. "Prob-
ably when the Swiss musical boxes were
first introduced, it was difficult to imagine
any marked and at the same time successful
change in the methods of producing such
a variety of harmonic sounds within so
small a compass. What were your views
in those days, Mr. Paillard? "
, " As you say, it was hard to realize then
that very much could be done successful-
ly to improve the cylinder system then in
vogue. But what a revolution has taken
place—quite as surprising in its own field
as the successful substitution of electricity
for gas and coal for the purposes of light-
ing, heating and propulsion! "
" Your specialty to-day, Mr. Paillard, is
the ' Criterion.' Do you think perfection
has at last been reached in the mechanical
and other departments connected with its
production? In other words, do you
think there is still room for further suc-
cessful practical development in the in-
vention and manufacture of music boxes?"
"Certainly I do, but it will take time.
Our firm now have under consideration a
number of very valuable improvements or
rather, developments, some of which,
when introduced, will fill music-lovers
with amazement and inventors with admi-
ration.
"But the 'Criterion,' as it is, needs no
development to place it, in my opinion,
above any other product of its class now
on the market. It is part of my business
to ascertain the facts, and I know whereof
I speak."
"Considering the number of your com-
petitors, Mr. Paillard, and the undoubted
great merits of their products, will not
many people consider your opinion some-
what broadly expressed as to the relative
merits of the ' Criterion ' and other music
boxes? "
"Well," was Mr. Paillard's answer, after
a brief pause, "perhaps they may, but I
cannot be responsible for their views. I
have given you my own, based on close
ALFRED E. PAILLARD.
observation, practical knowledge of the
industry, and an intimate knowledge of
the possibilities of construction so far as
at present developed.
" In support of my view, I will mention
briefly some strong points in the • Crite-
rion ' — strong enough and acceptable
enough to bring success together with
hundreds of voluntary enthusiastic en-
dorsements. Points, considered strong in
the ' Criterion' are frequently weak or
altogether wanting in competing instru-
ments. Hence it happens that when, in
the course
business, comparisons are
made in detail, we are bound to score a
victory, which we invariably do.
'' The ' Criterion' is an automatic, or
self-operating and self-playing instrument,
with a highly tempered steel comb, the
teeth of which never get out of tune and
are sounded by revolving spurwheels,
which in their turn are driven by projec-
tions stamped on revolving circular sheets.
The mechanism is driven by a spring
motor which is simplicity itself, and con-
sequently not apt to be troublesome.
Mainsprings are wound with detachable
outside cranks, and are supplied with
noiseless clicks.
" I t is, of course, interchangeable in all
its working parts, as well as in the music.
We use a note projection which is practi-
cally indestructible.
Tune sheets are
very strong. They can be readily changed
by anyone, no skill or experience being re-
quired for the purpose.
"Any skilled mechanic can attend to any
repair that may become necessary. We
use a self-regulating fly-wheel—insuring
uniform speed. Our damper system is the
most perfect known, and very durable.
Our cases are made in the most careful
and substantial manner, attractive in de-
sign and handsome in finish. We do not
use imitation, but the genuine woods in
oak, mahogany, etc.
" Our arrangement of music is as near
perfection as possible in any mechanical
instrument, and the work is done by ar-
tists of the greatest skill and experience.
It may be opportune to mention here that
the ' Criterion ' is absolutely beyond the
possibility of attack by patent suit. The in-
strument is made under our own patents, or
under license, as regards parts that could
possibly come in dispute."
"You have certainly made out a strong
case in advocacy of the 'Criterion,' Mr.
Paillard. During your recent tour, you
had an excellent opportunity to discover
the attitude of influential dealers through-
out the country. How did they, as a rule,
receive you or your representative in be-
half of the ' Criterion?' "
" Even better than I expected. I have
had the pleasure of meeting many of them
before, either in New York or in their
own cities, but even among strangers we
found that the merits of the ' Criterion,'
were ofttimes already known. That my
statements a moment ago of its sterling
qualities are not exaggerated, is well evi-
denced by the arrangements now com-
pleted with many first-class houses for
special representation."
" Do these include dealers in every sec-
tion of the country, Mr. Paillard?"
" Yes. We are now well represented in
many great cities, but there are other im-
portant centers of population not yet in-
cluded in our list."
Taking from his desk a list of new con-
nections, the result of recent personal
visits, Mr. Paillard said: "Here are a
few of our recent converts."
A glance over the list showed a number
of important firms, controlled by men
who could never be induced to take an
agency, under any conditions, for other
than really first-rate products, capable of
holding their own against all comers.
"May I use this list, Mr. Paillard,"
queried The Review, " i n connection with
the statements you have just made in an-
swer to my interrogations? "
"If you wish," was the reply. " W e
have nothing to keep back—nothing to
conceal. The list, like the ' Criterion,'
speaks for itself."