Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Demand for Strauch Actions
Krakauers' Careful Methods.
A Golden Wedding.
INDICATES THAT PURCHASERS ARE BUYING
INSTRUMENTS OF HIGH GRADE AND
PRICE.
As The Review entered the Krakauer
factory warerooms on Wednesday, Julius
Krakauer was seen examining the famous
Krakauer, Style 9, of 1898. It was one of
a carload about to be shipped to the Pacific
Coast, and was undergoing a critical in-
spection prior to-being boxed.
Nothing escaped the eye and ear of Mr.
Krakauer as he tested by keen scrutiny
and touch the several parts of the instru-
ment. Every other Krakauer product in
the entire shipment had been treated in
the same way, to insure delivery in perfect
order.
" It has been an undeviating rule with
us, ever since the firm was established, to
scrutinize and test every piano personally
before it leaves the factory. No matter
how busy we are, this must be and always
is done. One or other member of the firm
is held responsible—whoever happens to
be available at the time the inspection is
made.
" We have never been satisfied to take
the ' say-so' of finishers or tuners. We
expect them to do good work, but we are
careful to see that they do it."
David Krakauer, who left in July on a
visit to Germany has sailed from Bremen
on the Lahn for New York.
Maurice Krakauer left on Tuesday for a
short trip.
Reinhard Kochmann returned from a
brief trip on Saturday. General business
is very active.
THE OLDEST EMPLOYEE OF THE KIMHALL CO.
CELEBRATES THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
OF HIS WEDDING NUMEROUS PRESENTS.
The state of the action industry is a
very fair index as to the degree of pros-
perity or depression existing in the piano
trade. This week's report at the Strauch
factory is, as usual, indicative of a healthy
business condition.
The full Strauch
force is kept hard at work on actual orders.
The firm's patrons are, in very many
instances, makers of expensive products,
not in great demand unless the country is
prosperous. They may order a few sets
when there is little or no business doing,
but the quantity of action stock kept in
reserve is usually small.
When these
manufacturers are constantly sending in
new orders for actions, as is now happen-
ing, it may be taken for granted that
pianos are in good demand.
The Strauch products are now stronger
throughout the trade than at any time in
the history of the firm. Strauch patrons
are unwavering in their allegiance. One
.of them said the other day: "I deal with
Strauch Bros, and have done so for years.
Sometimes I am asked to change. Why
should I? Their actions can be relied on.
The material is of the best, the workman-
ship simply perfect. In every other re-
spect, I am well pleased. Why should I
change?"
Henry Behr's 50th Birthday.
McPhail Piano Appreciated.
Henry Behr, head of the firm of Behr
Bros. & Co., celebrated his fiftieth birth-
day on Thursday at his residence, Mont-
clair, N. J. Although the main details of
Mr. Behr's career are well-known to the
trade, some of them may now be recalled
with interest.
Henry Behr was born in Hamburg and
came to New York when but a youth. The
Civil War broke out when he was scarce
thirteen years of age. During the cam-
paign, he became a volunteer in the 169th,
N. Y. Volunteers and served with credit
in the army of the Potomac under Gen.
Terry.
His training as a practical piano maker
began in 1875 with the designing and con-
struction of cases. When in his 33d year,
Henry Behr began business as a piano
manufacturer, his brother Edward being
his partner. The house founded by him
has therefore been in existence seventeen
years.
F. H. Owen, treasurer of the McPhail
Piano Co., Boston, was a visitor to the
Metropolis during the week. In the course
of a chat in The Review sanctum yester-
day, Mr. Owen said, " Business conditions
are brighter now than they have been at
any time for the past four years. It is
noteworthy that the orders which are
reaching us are not confined to any one
section, but are distributed over a wide
area, taking in all parts of the country. In
my extended travels I have noticed that
dealers everywhere are carrying unusually
small stocks, and with the improved con-
ditions now becoming marked, it is only
logical to expect a great augmentation in
the demand for the instruments. I am
pleased to say that we are feeling the ris-
ing tide of trade improvement. The Mc-
Phail piano is among the ' appreciated '
this fall." Mr. Owen left for home last
evening.
Two Carloads of Camerons.
The "Criterion" in Hawaii.
A. B. Cameron, of the A. B. Cameron
Co., is still traveling and meeting with
good fortune in the shape of big orders for
the new 1898 Cameron products. Every
Cameron style is equally in favor.
The Review called at the Cameron fac-
tory on Tuesday. Mr. Rothenstein was
busily engaged in the supervision of ship-
ments. On Monday he received orders
amounting to two carloads for the Pacific
Coast. Other orders are coming in.
The Paillard "Criterion" interests are
rapidly extending. The Review learned,
on Thursday, at the warerooms, that ne-
gotiations are being closed for representa-
tion at Honolulu. The Paillard traveling
representative in the West is sending in
good orders. He reports trade conditions
in the West as excellent.
One of the largest Wilcox & White Im-
perial grands was shipped this week to fill
a special order from Madrid.
On Tuesday, Sept. 20th, the home of
Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Woodruff, 6645 Yale
avenue, Chicago, was thronged with a
large number of life-long friends, who
were present, to take part in the rounding
out of the fiftieth mile stone of wedded
life of Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff.
A golden wedding is an auspicious event
in the career of two people, the current of
whose lives has been happily blended for a
half century. The Woodruff event is of
particular interest to the music trade in
that Mr. Woodruff is the oldest living em-
ployee of the W. W. Kimball Co. It was
in 1862, before Chicago even dreamt of
her present greatness, when Mr. Wood-
ruff became associated with W. W. Kim-
ball, that great pioneer of the music trade
industry in the West. During all the in-
tervening years the best efforts of his life
have been given to forward the Kimball
interests, and he has seen those interests
expand from a local Chicago retail trade to
a business to-day which is spread over all
lands, and constitutes the largest produc-
ing piano and organ plants on earth.
The Kimball concern believe in honor-
ing their loyal associates.
Among the
numerous presents made were, to Mr.
Woodruff personally, from the members of
the Kimball Co., a magnificent gold-
headed cane with appropriate inscription,
and to Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff, a gold-
lined salad bowl.
Many presents were
also received from various associates in
the Kimball concern.
Sale of Baumeister Pianos.
Chas. F. Walters, auctioneer, conducted
a peremptory sale of twenty-five new up-
right Baumeister pianos at 25 Union
Square, West, last Thursday afternoon.
They were in various styles and woods.
The prices secured ranged from $80 to
$110. Although there were a number of
dealers present, they did not make much
of an effort to raise prices. The instru-
ments were purchased solely by parties
desirous of securing pianos at a bargain.
They got them, and twenty-five customers
are lost to some of our local dealers.
The "Steck" will be There.
Arrangements have been consummated
whereby a superb display of Steck pianos
will be made at the Mechanics' Fair which
will be held in Boston, Mass., from Oct.
10th to Dec. 3rd. A suitable space has
been secured in one of the best positions in
the building.
Chance for Piano Man.
W A N T E D . - A good man to work at
retail piano and organ trade. One who
has had experience and is willing to drive
preferred.
Address X. Y., REVIEW
Office, 3 East 14th Street, New York City.