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REWI
VOL. XXVII. No. 16.
Published Every Saturday at 3 East Fourteenth Street. New York,
F. Q. Otto & Sons.
A VISIT TO THE GREAT FACTORY WHERE THE
FAMOUS " OLYMPIA " MUSIC BOXES ARE
MADE'
ADVERTISING THAT WILL
HELP OLYMPIA AGENTS.
The Review visited the factory and ware-
rooms of F. G. Otto & Sons on Monday
and noted the marvelous, modern facilities
now in use for the manufacture of Olym-
pia music boxes. The plant, extending
over several floors in both of the big Otto
buildings, is, without doubt, one of the
most complete and valuable of its class in
the world.
How extensive it is may be judged from
the fact that no less than 210 men are now
on the pay rolls. They were all seen at
work by The Review. The present de-
mand is large, and Mr. Otto says that
every indication points to a lengthy con-
tinuance of full-time work for the whole
force now employed.
Opportunity was taken to observe the
musical capabilities of the Olympia prod-
ucts, also the character of the work done
in their construction. It is not too much
to say that in tone and perfection of me-
chanical construction they are of the high-
est possible standard, with a just claim for
liberal public patronage.
Wisely the firm have adopted a liberal,
progressive policy in connection with this
branch of their business. They do all in
their power to help their own cause by
strengthening the hands of the dealers
who have accepted and are accepting
agencies for the Olympia.
The latest illustration of the firm's
attitude in this connection is their arrange-
ments, just completed, for bringing the
merits of the " Olympia " music boxes to
public notice through the medium of cur-
rent periodicals. Full-page "Olympia"
advertisements carefully prepared and
illustrated in the highest form of art will
appear in the next issues of the Century,
Scribner's, McClure's, Harper's, Cosmo-
politan, Munsey's, Strand, Metropolitan,
Outlook, Black Cat, and Harper's Bazar.
A half page is to appear in the Ladies'
Home Journal Thanksgiving number.
It will be seen at a glance that dealers
handling the " Olympia " will have more
than half their battle for patronage fought
by the "giants among the monthlies."
Mr. Otto explained in answer to questions,
that there is a regular weekly edition of
new Olympia tune sheets for every size of
instrument made by the firm. In a future
issue The Review will note some of the
Olympia's leading features of tone and
construction.
Prefers the Conn Trumpets.
C. G. Conn, the celebrated band instru-
ment manufacturer of Elkhart, Ind.,
writes us as follows under date of Oct.
10th:
"A mention has been going the rounds
of the press that the Spanish Government
has purchased a large number of trumpets
from the Thibouville-Lamy Co. because
they were superior to any other. Enclosed
find some correspondence with reference
to these same trumpets, which may be in-
teresting. I have furnished a large num-
ber of trumpets to trumpeters in the army,
which they have purchased at their own
expense, preferring my instruments to
those supplied by the Government. This
should be a complete refutal of the report
that the Spanish Government is buying
American trumpets made in France."
Here is the letter referred to:
Lexington, Ky., Oct. 5th, 1898.
C. G. Conn, Elkhart, Ind.
Sir:—Many of the trumpeters here are
dissatisfied with the instruments furnished
them by the Government; they are willing
and anxious to provide themselves with a
better instrument at their own expense.
Please state the terms upon which you can
let me have an instrument for examination
and trial, also the price at which you can
supply the demand. There are 24 trum-
peters in this regiment alone, besides the
other regiments that are encamped here.
The instrument used is a " G " Trumpet
with an " F " slide.
Hoping to hear from you at your earliest
convenience, I am,
Very respectfully,
Frank R. Willey.
Acting Chief Trumpeter,
3d U. S. V. Engineers.
Mr. Conn replied to the foregoing letter
under date of October 7th, quoting prices,
etc., and we understand he is now fill-
ing Chief Trumpeter Willey's order. This
correspondence speaks for itself.
Thirty Days' Notice Required.
According to a new law now in force in
Massachusetts, holders of property under
a lease must have thirty days notice before
the lessor can secure the same. This law
bears directly on pianos, and it is therefore
important that mamifacturers should take
cognizance thereof.
Packard " Pianos in
School.
ANOTHER METROPOLITAN
INSTITUTION SE-
CURES THESE EXCELLENT INSTRUMENTS
. A GREAT COMPLIMENT.
The Ft. Wayne Organ Co. have made
another "ten strike." Last week we re-
ported the closing of an important deal
with the Grand Conservatory of Music in
this city, of which Dr. Eberhard is director,
whereby grand and upright Packard pianos
will be used in future in that institution,
and it is now our pleasure to announce
that the famous Virgil Piano School, 229
West Fifteenth Street, this city, has just
purchased five upright Packard pianos of
the most expensive styles for use in that
institution. These instruments were se-
lected after a very careful examination of
their merits, and so pleased was Mrs.
A. K. Virgil, the director, that she wrote
the company a very enthusiastic letter of
commendation and praise.
In talking with Mr. Will B. Lane, the
general Eastern representative of the Ft.
Wayne Organ Co., in The Review sanctum
this week, he said:
"Of course the Ft. Wayne Organ Co.
feel honored and I feel pleased at the ap-
preciation bestowed on the Packard pianos
by some of the leading institutions of the
Metropolis. It is an exceptional compli-
ment, because I can safely say after
investigation that the Packard piano is the
first Western piano to be so signally honor-
ed. In view of a certain prejudice which
has existed in New York against pianos of
Western manufacture, it speaks volumes
for the sterling merits of the Packard
pianos when they come into the ' enemy's
country,' so to speak, and win appreciation.
Meanwhile it conveys an idea of the
fairmindedness and intelligence of New
Yorkers—they are willing to pay tribute
where tribute is due."
" You are prosecuting quite an active
Eastern campaign, Mr. Lane ? "
"Well, rather, but it has only just com-
menced. We may have some surprises
later. The Packard is too good a piano
' to hide its light under a bushel.' It is
bound inevitably to become better known,
owing to its intrinsic worth, in all parts of
the nation."
M. A. Jackson, of Chelsea, Mass., has
taken the agency for the popular Pease
pianos.