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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
The " S t e c k " a Winner.
RIGHT IN LINE WITH SEVERAL NEW STYLES
AN ORDER THIS WEEK FOR 15 PIANOS FOR
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS—THE STECK
PIANO IN KOREA'SCAPITAL,
The "old reliable Steck" continues to
win victories all along the line. At home
and abroad the leading part played by the
firm of Geo. Steck & Co. in the develop-
ment of the American piano is widely ac-
knowledged. That the notable achieve-
ments of the past have acted only as a
greater stimulus to further conquests in the
tone world is apparent from the new styles
which this noted house are now introduc-
ing to the trade. There are two designs
of uprights and a small grand, each of
which is notable for those special features
and unique musical attributes which make
the Steck distinctly a leader. Of these in-
struments we shall have more to say in a
future issue.
A signal measure of appreciation of the
Steck products, as far as their use in edu-
cational institutions is concerned, was ad-
duced this week when they secured a fur-
ther order for fifteen pianos for the public
schools in this city. This makes a total of
seventy-five pianos which they will have
placed in the public schools of the great
metropolis within a period of one year.
Meanwhile the Steck is not a new comer in
the schools of New York. It was thirty-
five years ago that the first Steck piano
was selected by the Board of Education;
hence for this long period it has been a po-
tent factor in inculcating a greater love for
music among the rising generation.
And it is not only in New York and the
other great cities of this nation that the
Steck acts as a missionary for the develop-
ment of an appreciation for the best that a
piano can offer, but in the capital of far-off
Korea it is helping to emphasize and spread
broadcast the high standard of American
manufacture. The following letter in this
connection is of the greatest interest and
of unusual value. It is from Mrs. Muriel
Armstrong-Jaisohn, wife of Dr. Philip
Jaisohn, physician to his Imperial Majesty
the Emperor of Korea and adviser of the
Privy Council, and reads as follows:
SEOUL, KOREA, March 9th, 1899.
Messrs. Geo. Steck & Co.,
New York City.
Gentlemen:—It is with great pleasure
that I acknowledge the receipt of the
beautiful Cabinet Grand Steck Piano that
my husband purchased from you last
August.
After a journey of over ten thousand
miles, by way of the Suez Canal and Red
Sea and which consumed nearly five
months of time, the Steck Piano reached
me in perfect condition. It was absolutely
in tune and the resonant bell like and pow-
erful tone has charmed every member of
the foreign community in the capital of
Korea.
Instead of being carried from Chemulpo
(the seaport) to Seoul by river-steamer as
I requested, twenty-one coolies brought the
Piano to my house by oxcart, ropes and
poles, making short cuts over frozen rice
fields to save time and expenditure of
energy.
That it remained in perfect tune after
such rough treatment, is, I think the best
possible proof of its magnificent construc-
Sanders & Stayman Re-or-
tion.
ganize. • • * •
Since the arrival of my Steck Piano the
musical people here admit without excep-
There has been a re-organization of the.
tion that it is by far the finest instrument business of Sanders & Stayman, whose
in the Korean Empire and it has figured establishments are located at Baltimore and'
prominently in all the musical entertain-
The widow of Harvey
ments that have taken place since its arri- Washington.
val. It would delight you if you could Sanders has disposed of her interest" to
hear the unstinted praise that has been James N. Muller and he together with G.
bestowed upon its superb musical qualities. Wright Nichols are now the owners of the
You will be glad to know, undoubtedly, business which will be carried on under
that the piano reached me in such admira-
ble condition after its long and perilous the same firm name. The present owners
journey passing through many climes and of the business have been connected with I
being transferred from one ship to another the house from fourteen to twenty years
many times.
Yours truly,
and are thoroughly competent to advance
Muriel Armstrong Jaisohn.
its interests along progressive lines. An
Truly as we stated at the opening of enlargement of warerooms is now under
these remarks the " old reliable Steck" is way through the securing of the building
winning victories all along the line.
adjoining their present quarters which will
And they are well deserved too.
be remodelled throughout.
Keller & Van Dyke.
Joseph Keller's piano plant, recently
transferred from Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to 1043 Capouse avenue, this city, is now
under the firm name of Keller & Van
Dyke, and has resumed the work of manu-
facture in its new quarters. The factory
starts out under encouraging circum-
stances, with orders on its books from all
parts of the United States. Orders for
thirty-one pianos came in by to-day's mail.
From thirty-five to fifty skilled workmen
are employed and will have steady work.
The Keller piano has been on the market
for twenty-seven years, and there are over
22,000 of them in this country and Canada.
The building on Capouse avenue has been
equipped with the latest devices known to
the trade, especially in case work, and it is
intended to make a piano that will com-
pete with the product of the largest manu-
factories and eventually give employment
to many men.—Scranton (Pa.) Truth.
Scanlan Transfers.
One of the most important transfers of
business property that has been effected in
the Roxbury district of Boston for a long
time took place last week, wherein Thomas
F. Scanlan, the head of the New England
Piano Co., conveys to that company by
deed, all of the holdings owned by Mr.
Scanlan on George, Gerard, Howard and
Magazine streets, which also include the
large factory property of the New England
Piano Co. The assessed valuation of the
property is $200,000.
Henry Detmer.
The alterations which have been under
way for sometime in Henry Detmer's store
at 261 Wabash Avc., Chicago, are now
complete and present an appearance that
is both artistic and creditable. Mr. Det-
mer is making an unusually fine display of
the wares which he represents and exports,
and there is much that should interest the
trade in his various lines.
From Christman & Son we are in receipt
of a well printed and very complete cata-
logue containing illustrations and descrip-
tions of five new styles of Christman
pianos. This production should be pro-
lific of good results in augmenting trade.
Status
of Express Charge Ne=
gotiations.
The Merchants' Association of New
York, after much correspondence extend-
ing over a period of six months, have
reached a starting point for a conference
with the presidents of the various national
express companies, and there is some rea-
son to anticipate a mutually satisfactory
agreement.
The principal questions for discussion,
and which have been accepted by the rep-
resentatives of the express companies, are
the revenue stamp tax and a proper sched-
ule, of express rates.
As the matter now stands the express
officials are in the position of either justi-
fying their present charges or by declining,
to do so defying public sentiment.
The conference has been postponed
longer than was expected, partly owing to
the decease of one important official and
the absence of others, but it is anticipated
the matter will now be taken up without
further delay.
The Popular Pease.
An excellent report was received on
Tuesday at the Pease warerooms concern-
ing the progress of the '' Popular Pease
Piano." Wholesale business so active that
all factory facilities are being brought into
full play, and retail trade is increasing from
week to week.
A Hopeful Note is Heard.
In an editorial summarizing the course of
events in Dolgeville for the past twelve
months, the Dolgeville Herald closes its
remarks thus:
"Destruction, demoralization, degrada-
tion and retrogression seem to be the watch-
words and yet—
"Even out of all this wreck a hopeful
note is heard. Perhaps to some far-seeing
capitalist the immense possibilities of
Dolgeville are patent. Perhaps someone
will realize the value of the water-power of
the Auskerada River, the beauty of the
Auskerada Lakes, the charm of the vicinity
of Dolgeville.
" The year past is like a hideous dream.
Let us forget it and start anew."