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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE "SMALL GOODS" TRADE
Hohner Combination Dissolved.
WHAT
FRANK
SCRIBNER
SAYS
"BRASS
HAND" HARMONICA STANDARD WILL
HE MAINTAINED
WM. R. GRATZ
ON THE SUBJECT.
News has arrived from Trussingen, Ger-
many, to the effect that Mr. Hohner, head
of what is known in this country as the
"Hohner Harmonica Combination," has
released those who are handling the
Hohner products from the standard sell-
ing prices hitherto prevailing as the result
of a mutual agreement.
In future, it is understood, selling prices
will be discretional.
This action has
caused widespread comment throughout
the trade. Opinions as to the probable re-
sult on the Hohner and other makes do
not agree. Frank Scribner, in a talk with
The Review on Tuesday, declared that it
would not cause any alteration in his
policy.
" In this connection," said he, " I wish
to call the special attention of the trade to
the fact that there is no change whatever
in the prices at which ' Brass Band ' Har-
monicas will be sold. The high standard
of these goods has been, and will continue
to be maintained, and there is consequent-
ly no reason for a decline or a slaughter of
prices in order to bolster up trade.
" I shall take stringent measures to pro-
tect the jobber so that he may make a fair
profit and find it advantageous to push the
'Brass Band,' which has been, since its in-
troduction, the leader and standard with
jobbers, retailers and players."
Mr. Scribner and several others are of
the opinion that the action of Hohner will
seriously hurt the Hohner trade- Mr.
Wm. R. Gratz, on the other hand, when
spoken with on the subject, said:
" I do not handle the Hohner harmon-
icas, and I believe that combinations of
any kind made for the purpose of holding
up prices are highly detrimental to busi-
ness. From a disinterested standpoint, I
think Hohner has acted wisely. He ought
to have taken this step years ago. It will
hurt him with the large jobbers who were
in the ' ring,' but, as the Hohner products
are well established and of a good stan-
dard, I think it will really benefit him
elsewhere."
Latest Conn Hove.
REPAIR DEPARTMENT ADDED TO LOCAL WARE-
ROOMS
BUSINESS BRISK
A QUAR-
TET OF GAGLIANO VIOLINS.
Arrangements have just been perfected
whereby the upper floor of the building
occupied by C. G. Conn at 23 E. 14th
street this city, has been fully equipped
for the repairing of all musical instru-
ments sent to the warerooms; hence in
future all repairs will be attended to with-
out shipment to the factory at Elkhart.
This is an important move and will save
considerable time with as satisfactory re-
sults assured.
The demand for "Wonder" band in-
struments continues to be exceedingly
brisk while during the last few weeks
there has been an active call for string in-
struments.
During The Review's cali at the ware-
rooms a fews days ago Mr. Palmer, the
always courteous and energetic manager,
pointed out some recent additions to the.
collection of rare old violins on exhibition,
among them being a quartet of instru-
ments by the Gagliano family, consisting
of two violins, a viola and a violoncello.
They are in splendid condition and are
fine examples of the Neapolitan School.
These instruments were made between
1695 and 1740, and are especially cele-
brated for their tone which is rich and tell-
ing and of excellent quality. They are
very valuable.
The Columbia Zither Boom.
These orders were shown by Mr. Pierce.
They include requests from many of the
largest and best-known houses in the trade.
"We are doing a big business," said Mr.
Pierce, " b u t we are ready to do more.
Proper facilities are available at our fac-
tories, and this is the time to use them to
the utmost limit. I would suggest, if you
have anything to say in The Review con-
cerning our products, that the attention of
dealers be drawn to the fact that the best
jobbers are handling the Columbia Zithers.
"This they can find out for themselves
very easily, and it means that our instru-
ments have, at least, considerable merit.
Big jobbers cannot be induced, as a rule,
to bother with experiments and doubtful
cases, so it will pay energetic dealers to
get into line.
" I know what I am talking about when I
say that the Columbia Zither is a quick
money maker for live dealers. There's
nothing in it for those people who sit
down and wait for customers to come
along and ask. But for the dealer who
is up-to-date it brings good returns."
Mr. Pierce has just returned from a
three weeks' trip. He visited 27 cities in
22 days and made a splendid business rec-
ord. The new No. 4 Columbia Zither,
shown on this page, is a big success, and
its sale is active wherever properly handled.
JOBBERS SENDING IN BIG ORDERS TO COPE WITH
THE HOLIDAY DEMAND
DEALERS
FIND IT A MONEY MAKER
MR. PIERCE'S RECORD-
BREAKING TRIP.
Bodies of beautifully y engraved
aluminum.
g
Sound-boards
electd spruce. T
of selected
Tone, B
B e a u t y , D D u r b a i b l i l i i t y .
.... W
FREE.
onderful in CATALOGUE
\
z_
ALUMINUM MUSICAL INST. CO,
z_
127 Fi h A
^ w York city.
The Columbia Zither, as usual, is making
rapid headway in popular esteem. The
Review, in a talk with Mr. Pierce on Mon-
day, learned that the outlook for Christ-
mas trade is excellent. Jobbers all over
the country are sending in big orders.
The Famous
Sweet-Sounding
$. S. S t e w a r t
AND MARVELOUS Geo.
.
Bauer
Stewart Books, Music and JOURNAL.
S T E W A R T & B A U E R , 1016 Chestnut St., (2dfloor), Philadelphia, Pa.
^1
tt
BAY STATE GUITAR.
Made of Rosewood.
Top edge is bound with celluloid anrfinfafd
with colored woods. Sound hole is ornamented with circles of
inlaid colored woods, and ihe back ha< a snipe of fancy inlay.
The neck is of mahocany with veneered rosewood he^d, convex
ebony fingerboard with inlaid pearl positions. The bridge is
of ebony. American patent head. French polished. Price,
jto-SS- Other Bay State Guitars from $3 to $75.
J O H N C. H A Y N E S & C O . ,
Bakers of Bay Slate Instruments.
Boston, Mass.
Banjo
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