Music Trade Review

Issue: 1898 Vol. 26 N. 8

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
the laurels that they have achieved in the
past. The thoroughness of their work is well
.known, and it is a pleasure to view pianos
to which such careful attention is given in
case adornment and alignment.
EDWARD. P MASON.
The Henry F. Miller corporation is com-
posed of workers, whose entire energies are
concentrated in up-building and up-holding
the piano business on artistic lines.
Henry F. Miller, with whom I enjoyed my
customary chat, has some original ideas upon
the National Piano Manufacturers' Associa-
tion, of which he is the president. A talk
with Mr. Miller along these lines is to develop
the idea that he is giving much time and
thought to the serious consideration of the
amalgamation of the music trade forces of
this Continent.
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To talk with Thomas F. Scanlan is to talk
with a logical thinker and a man thoroughly
posted upon the business situation of to-day.
Mr. Scanlan is a man well equipped mentally
and physically to supervise the extensive
ramifications of the great commercial institu-
tion which he has built up.
One of the most novel and at the same time
most convincing works of piano literature is
one recently issued by the New England
Piano Co. under the title of "Kind Words
for the New England Pianos." The book is
of convenient size and contains 128 pages.
It contains a list of some of those who have
used the New England pianos. The names
are carefully indexed and arranged, and
under the caption of "Professional Artists
who Use and Endorse the New England
Piano," are arranged a collection of famous
names. They are all classified under separate
headings—prima donnas, sopranos, tenors,
baritones, basses, contraltos, comedians,
musical directors, organists, pianists, musical
artists, authors and composers, managers,
etc.
It will be understood that the volume is
comprehensive, and such a work is really the
best kind of literature to have in the hands
of a good retail salesman. It tells where and
to whom New England pianos have been sold.
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The warerooms of John C. Haynes & Co.
presented an animated appearance at the
time of my call. Throughout the depart-
ment many callers were in evidence, and the
various members of the staff were busily en-
gaged either waiting on trade or filling some
new orders for goods. The trade for the
Bay State wares, and in fact the entire
Haynes & Co. line, continues in good demand.
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It was some time since I had seen Edward
P. Mason, and I was surprised and rejoiced
as well to note the vast improvement in his
physical make-up since last meeting him.
Mr. Mason, whose health was somewhat im-
paired by his assiduous devotion to his busi-
ness, through the advice of his physician,
left for a sojourn in the South, where he has
been fishing and hunting. He now has the
appearance of a man enjoying perfect health.
His cheeks are bronzed and his eyes have that
n
lin pianos rightly belong to the highest rank.
Their new scale pianos are indeed musical
instruments of great worth."
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W. Harry Poole is known as one of the
energetic and enthusiastic manufacturers of
the younger generation. Mr. Poole, from
his establishment, No. 5-7 Appleton street,
Boston, conducts a steadily growing trade.
His experience as a traveler of many years
brought him in close touch with the dealers,
and enabled him to a certain extent to antici-
pate their wants. The experience has proven
invaluable to him as his success as a manu-
facturer demonstrates. Harry Poole is one
of the rising young men of the trade.
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Alexander Steinert reports an excellent
trade, particularly in Steinway pianos and
^olians. The Steinert concern are the
largest handlers of ^Kolians in the country.
Mr. Steinert said in referring to his ^Eolian
trade: " W e have just placed a large order
for ^olians. It is surprising to see how our
trade in this line of instruments has con-
stantly increased. Dealers who take hold of
the ./Eolian and handle it as systematically
and intelligently must meet with the same
results as we have. We believe in giving
special space to the instrument?, and, of
course, advertise them in a way which at-
tracts the attention of the cultivated people.
It would surprise some to know what amount
of business we transact in ^Eolians. You
know we have splendid means of distribution
through our various stores. We have some
fifteen branches in the important cities of
New England."
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Messrs. Blake and Owen, who control the
destinies of the McPhail piano, are splendid
types of the up-to-date business men. Cour-
teous, affable, they have won the confidence
ALEXANDER STE1NEKT.
clearness which betoken a good physical
condition.
Mr. Mason enjoys the run in on horseback
to- his factory every morning, and he goes
over the business affairs at his office at an
early hour invigorated somewhat by his ride.
•He is enthusiastic over the future of the
Mason & Hamlin piano and proposes, now
that his health is restored, to devote more
time than ever to the Mason & Hamlin in-
terests. Harry Lowell Mason is now in the
Northwest visiting the trade.
I have noted that the new scale Mason &
Hamlin pianos have been widely and favor-
ably commented upon. As one well-known
dealer remarked to me the other day, "While
the name of Mason & Hamlin is one of the
best known in the music trade history of the
country, yet the firm are turning out pianos
to-day which will augment it in every possi-
ble way. I must say that the Mason & Ham-
W. H, POOLE.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
12
and regard of that portion of the trade with
which they come in contact. They have de-
monstrated that they have business ability of
no small order. Their management of the
McPhail business has been successful as is
evidenced in the steadily increasing output
of the factory.
Mr. Blake and Mr. Owen have certainly a
brilliant future in this trade. They are
watchful of their affairs, and endeavor to
make their interests and their customers
synonymous.
That the McPhail piano of to-day is an in-
strument that is satisfying to the dealer at
large is evidenced in the fact that some of the
best—admittedly the best buyers—in the
country are handling the McPhail piano in
large quantities. It is that careful oversight
and painstaking efforts in every department
that is assisting to build up the trade of this
old established concern, whose destinies are
controlled wholly by clean-cut, forceful busi-
ness men.
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It was my misfortune to miss my usual en-
joyable visit with that distinguished member
of the Boston trade, Mr. P. H. Powers. Also
Mr. Fred Powers was absent at the time of
my call, visiting the New York branch.
It is understood that the general offices of
the Emerson Piano Co. will be removed to
the factory after March ist. Whether the
agency of the Emerson piano will remain with
C. C. Harvey & Co. is not announced.
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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
business throughout New England, yet on
the whole we have much cause for self-con-
gratulation in the way business has kept up
with us since the beginning of the year. It
requires pretty hard work, but our salesmen
are accomplishing good results, and we feel
that the future is bright and full of hope."
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Applies for a Receiver.
A. E. WHITTAKER'S SILENT PARTNER DEMANDS
AN ACCOUNTING.
[Special to The Review.]
St. Louis, Mo., Feb. 14, 1898.
A receiver for the business of A. E. Whit-
taker, piano dealer at 1518 Olive street, was
applied for Saturday.
The suit was filed in the Circuit Court by
C. C. Harvey will remain in his present
David G. Dunker. The allegation is made
quarters probably until about the first of May, that Oct. 10, 1893, Dunker became a silent
as it will require the intervening time to com- partner in the business for a consideration of
plete his new warerooms, which when arranged $5,000, and was to receive ten per cent, on
will probably be unsurpassed by any in Boston, all sales and a percentage of the profits. He
alleges that the assets of the business are now
if not in the East. Mr. Harvey proposes to
$40,000, and that his share is $11,000.
have several innovations in wareroom feat-
The petition states that on Feb. 8, Mr.
ures, which will add materially to their at- Whittaker, unknown to the plaintiff, entered
tractiveness.
into a secret agreement whereby he was to
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assign and transfer all the assets on Feb. 15
Quite a number of outside men, all looking to F. G. Smith of New York. On that day
for Boston trade, were in town. During my the lease of the storeroom is said to expire,
tarry I met Geo. P. Bent, William F. Boothe, and Dunker alleges it was Mr. Whittaker's
intention to close up the store, remove to an-
James F. Broderick, of the Straube Piano other location and reopen under the name of
Co., Chicago, Daniel F. Treacy, of the F. G. Smith, thereby depriving him of his in-
Davenport & Treacy Co., Geo. C. Crane, of terest.
The application is for a dissolution of part-
the Krell Piano Co., and John Haines, Jr.
nership,
an injunction and a receiver.
Geo. P. Bent gave an exhibition of the pos-
sibilities of the orchestral attachment in the
Harvey warerooms. He is doing business
Herbert Wins the " Crown.'
down East and will do more.
Geo. W. Herbert, the well-known New
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York dealer, has taken the agency for the
Over among the action manufacturers in
" C r o w n " pianos. Geo. P. Bent was here
Cambridgeport, Mass., I found trade to be last week and arranged personally with Mr.
very good indeed. Geo. W. Seaverns is con- Herbert for the agency. It is the intention
stantly extending his trade. The Seaverns to make Mr. Herbert's warerooms a sort of
action has always borne an excellent reputa- depot for the Eastern trade, as at all times a
Regarding the removal of the piano de- tion, and appearances warrant the belief that large line of " Crown " goods will be carried
partment of the Oliver Ditson Co., Mr. E. W. 1898 will add considerably to the business in stock.
Dealers will find it to their advantage to
Tyler said that it was probable that they controlled by this institution. .
run in and look over the " Crown " goods in
would occupy quarters in the new White
Herbert Tower said that trade for the Mr. Herbert's warerooms while in the city.
building, 142 Boylston street, although the Tower action continued excellent, and that They are particularly easy of access, being
lease had not been signed at the time of my since the first of the year he had no reason at No. 10 East Seventeenth street, con-
veniently located between Fifth avenue and
call. There seems, however, to be no doubt for complaint.
Union Square.
but that the arrangement will go through as
The business of the Standard Action Co.,
now reported. Mr. Tyler believes that the which is composed of Messrs. Mabry, Barber,
flehlin Activity.
piano business should be located on the Bates and Skelton, is steadily increasing. The
ground floor, and in a locality where people gentlemen whose names I have mentioned are
This week's report at the Mehlin warerooms
usually look for pianos. In other words, all workers and take a pride and satisfaction is very encouraging. H. Paul Mehlin, in the
course of an informal chat, said that the force
" Piano row " is the place to do business.
in building the goods which are known to the
has been increased and sales of grands and
It is said that a firm of cloak manufacturers trade under the title of " Standard."
uprights during the last few days have been
will occupy part of the first and second floors
unusually active. The exhibit of instruments
Knabe Squares for Schools.
of the present Ditson building after the
at the warerooms is being constantly replen-
middle of March.
At the Knabe warerooms there is now on ished.
Mehlin representatives out-of-town
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exhibition a number of handsome, solid, sub- are sending in orders and very satisfactory
There were plenty evidences of activity at stantial looking square pianos. These are reports.
being finally attended to previous to removal
the Hallet & Davis warerooms when I stepped
in a few days from the warerooms. They are
Strich & Zeidler business this week is re-
in to exchange greetings with Mr. Kimball. to be delivered to public schools in Brooklyn, ported as good. Robt. A. Widenmann, who
Mr. E. N. Kimball, Jr., said: "Of course and have been specially constructed for pub- has been away on an Eastern tour, is expected
the snow has materially interfered with our lic school purposes.
to return to-day.
New England Piano Co.
.WAREROOMS.
No. 601 Washington Street
BOSTON
No. 93 Fifth Avenue,
-3*MAIN OFFICE. 601 WASHINGTON ST., BOSTON,
NEW YORK
No. 262-64 Wabash Avenue
CHICACQ

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