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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE "SMALL GOODS" TRADE
Regina ilusic Box Co.'s Plans.
Avon F. Adams.
Symphonion flfg. Co.
OPEN NEW YORK HEADQUARTERS SOON ON
BROADWAY—FACTORY TO BE ENLARGED
A NEW INSTRUMENT THAT WILL
CREATE SURPRISE.
Many readers of The Review have met
Avon F. Adams, whose portrait appears in
this column. He is the New York represen-
tative of the music and musical merchandise
departments of the John Church Co. and is
one of the successful men in his branch of
the music trades.
The Review frequently quotes his state-
ments on trade conditions, therefore a brief
account of his personality may be of interest.
The most striking characteristic of Mr.
Adams in the eyes of those who have to do
business with him is his unfailing courtesy.
A FINE LINE OF GRATZ SPECIALTIES ON
VIEW AT THE WAREROOMS, AS WELL AS
THE NEW AMERICAN-MADE SYMPHONIONS.
During a call on Tuesday at the New York
warerooms of the Regina Co. The Review
secured several items of interest. In answer
to queries as to the latest business develop-
ments, Mr. R. B. Whitman, answering for
the manager, said that the purchase of the
Regina business from the estate of A. Wolff
was now completed, with effect from the 1st
inst.
The Regina Co. will now conduct the busi-
ness, and a vigorous policy will be pursued.
In the course of a few weeks, the New York
warerooms will be moved to Broadway. The
exact location and date of moving will be
made known later.
In due course, the factory will be enlarged
to meet actual requirements. The present
demand for Regina instruments is very large
and extensions will soon, it is asserted, be ab-
solutely necessary.
The Regina program for 1898 includes a
big surprise for the trade and all music lov-
ers. It is a large upright Regina, similar in
form to the Orchestral Regina. It will be
automatic, and have self-supplying discs.
The present method is to change the discs
by hand.
This method has been -superseded in the
new instrument. As a certain air is finished
the disc, until then in action, stops. A but-
ton is pressed and, lo! down drops the now
stationary disc and up rises another disc which
in due course revolves without interference
and plays another air.
The Orchestral Regina, in upright form, is
also to be made in a somewhat smaller size,
to be called the " Regina Sublima," to meet
a call for medium-sized Reginas in upright
form.
Other Regina changes and improvements
are pending. They will be announced as
arrangements develop for their, presentation
to the public.
Mr. L. Tietz, secretary and treasurer of
the Regina Co., will have charge of the
New York branch.
FIRST PRACTICAL
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MUSIC CABINET
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BARROWS MUSIC CO
SAG IN AW MICH
A. F ADAMS.
He can be brief and to the point, but he
never forgets himself sufficiently to treat
visitors with any less degree of civility than
that to which they are entitled.
Mr. Adams is a Bostonian, in his thirty-
fourth year. His home at present is at New
Rochelle, where, during his leisure hours,
he rides, drives, sails, plays tennis and
otherwise indulges in out-door recreation,
including the management of a bicycle and
other nineteenth century inventions for keep-
ing joints . and sinews in proper working
order.
The business record of Mr. Adams is a
highly creditable one. His career began
under the banner of the Oliver Ditson Co.
He remained with that firm during nine
years, serving in various responsible capa-
cities. His connection with the John Church
Co. extends over ten years.
He has had charge of the New York branch
since 1888. When he began in this city at
13 East Sixteenth street, the branch consisted
of only three persons. To-day the permanent
force numbers fourteen. This last sentence
tells its own story. He has succeeded and he
deserves to succeed.
The places of the score of strikers who
went out of F. G. Otto's Sons' music box
factory in Jersey City some three weeks ago
have been filled and Messrs. Otto are deter-
mined not to re-engage any of them.
By degrees, the new Gratz warerooms and
symphonion factory are getting into shape
for inspection. On Tuesday, when The Re-
view called at the warerooms, 110-114 West
Thirty-second street, they presented a sin-
gularly attractive appearance.
On entering, a large rack, containing
seventy choice violins, is noted to the left
within a railed inclosure. Exactly opposite
to these instruments, at some distance, ar-
ranged on a suitable exhibit table, are an
equal number of violin bows, plain and of
elegant finish.
At right angles with the violin rack are
seen a number of upright symphonions, hand-
somely carved, in all sizes. Near them, rest-
ing on the tables specially built for their re-
ception, are numerous box symphonions of
every shape and capacity.
Near another corner of the enclosure is a
large table exhibit of brass and reed instru-
ments, including flutes, clarinets, and cornets.
Ranged on shelves along the passageway
leading to the offices are many accordeons of
tasteful design, varying in size from the
smallest to the most gigantic.
Next to these are rows of concertinas,
plain and elaborate, and harmonicas—one of
the Gratz specialties
The harmonica in-
dustry is remarkably well represented.
There are harmonicas with bell attachments,
key attachments and a variety of tones suf-
ficient to please the most critical. The ease
with which many of these can be manipu-
lated is simply marvelous.
Gratz business is reported as active all
along the line. Out-of-town orders are plen-
tiful and callers frequent.
A digitorium is a soundless piano upon
which learners may become proficient with a
knowledge of the keys of the instrument;
also in the art of fingering.
BAYSTATE
27 Awards,
Including; 2 Gold Hedala
Granted to Bay State
GUITARS, MANDOLINS, BANJOS,
ZITHERS, FLUTES,
Are Eloquent Testimonials to the
Superlative Herit of these Instruments.
Correspondence Solicited.
JOHN G. HAYNES & GO.
New York
BOSTON
Philadelphia