Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
26
During its daily travels, The " Review
comes across two conspicuous kinds of
business people—the progressive and the
unprogressive. It is not necessary for in-
formation's sake that the factories and
stores under either of these classifications
be labelled or placarded with the legend:
"We mean to make headway," or "We are
content to stand still or even to recede."
The general aspect of affairs tells that
part of the story without the aid of sign-
boards. If those who, judging from signs
and symptoms, aie "content to stand
still" could only realize how very plain-
ly the evidences of mold-accumulation
show themselves externally as well as in-
ternally, they might be persuaded to wake
up from their lethargic conditions and
"get a move on themselves."
*
*
*
The Mehlin report for the present week
is particularly gratifying. The Review
has often said that the patience of the
Mehlins and their steadfastness to the prin-
ciple of maintaining a high standard of
production in the face of adverse condi-
tions would ere long find its full reward.
To-day the Mehlin representatives, from
Maine to California, from the Atlantic to
the Pacific, show by their orders and re-
ports that they can sell, without difficulty,
as many instruments as can be shipped to
them. Further than that, their order-lists
give prominence to the fact that the most
costly styles in Mehlin grands and uprights
lead in demand.
*
*
*
Lindeman & Sons uprights, as shown in
a recent issue of The Review and fully de-
scribed in the. latest Lindeman & Sons
booklet and catalogue, are meeting with
good success. The 1899-1900 Lindeman
& Sons styles 4, 14, 22, and 27 are each
selling well.
Mr. Beverly, the secretary of Lindeman
& Sons, now traveling in the firm in-
terests, in sending in excellent reports.
According to the outlook, there is a bright
future awaiting Lindeman & Sons. The
coming year promises to be one of the best
in the firm's history.
*
*
*
Kohler & Campbell are among the piano-
makers of this city who are enjoying the
fruits of general prosperity. The firm-
members are aggressive and business-like
in their methods.
These desirable qualities, added to a
practical knowledge of the business and a
thorough understanding of trade require-
ments, have helped greatly to bring and
retain much desirable patronage.
*
*
*
Newby & Evans new Colonial, style 26,
shown in the last issue of The Review, is
bringing forth much well-deserved praise
from dealers. They find that such of their
patrons as are in quest of a good-looking-
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
instrument, embracing all of the attributes
of a serviceable piano, and obtainable at a
price within easy reach, evidently favor
the latest Newby & Evans Colonial. Each
of the other current Newby & Evans styles
is reported as being in steady demand.
*
*
*
Among the great organ successes of the
year have been the new Needham styles,
the "Lyric," Style 56, and the largest,
" Style 200," both of which have appeared
in The Review, with descriptions. Ex-
amples of each are now on exhibition at
the Needham warerooms.
The progressive policy of the Needham
firm has resulted in keeping before the
vast organ-purchasing constituency of the
United States and Great Britain the merits
of the Needham products in this branch.
The result of this, again, is seen in a con-
stantly-increasing demand for the Need-
ham organs.
*
*
#
The progress through the States of
Emil Ernst Gabler, of Ernst Gabler &
Bro., and Joseph Bareuther, the firm's
traveling representative, partook large-
ly of the character of a continuous recep-
tion. At every point on their route they
were royally received as Gabler amabssa-
dors. They returned Saturday.
*
*
*
Anders Holmstrom, of James & Holm-
strom, asked by The Review recently as to
trade conditions, from the standpoint of
his firm, said: "We are prospering, and
indications point toward a contimiance of
this satisfactory condition of affairs.
"The James & Holmstrom Baby Grand
—the 'little piano with the big tone,' as our
dealers call it—is leading. Just as soon as
a Baby Grand is completed we have to
ship it to fill a waiting order. Our up-
rights, too, are selling steadily. Our men
are kept hard at work. Taken all in all,
we are happy."
*
*
*
No matter on what day of the week—or
at what hour of the day, as a rule—The
Review calls at the Wilcox & White ware-
rooms, there are present several visitors
intent on purchase or inspection of the
Symphony or Angelus Orchestral. The
unfailing courtesy of Mr. Keely and his
associates has brought about most gratify-
ing results in the matter of patronage and
careful consideration of the Wilcox &
White products.
*
*
*
The Wissner piano warerooms, at the
comparatively new quarters on Fulton
street, near Flatbush avenue, are among
the largest in the country, says the Brook-
lyn Citizen. Their proprietor, Mr. Wiss-
ner, was a pioneer in modern business
methods applied to the manufacture and
sale of pianofortes, hence it came about
that he who introduced the later ideas here
about fifteen or twenty years ago, has met
with great success. All the up-to-date
styles of pianos are made by the Wissner
people, and their latest improvements are
shown in a baby grand. The outward fin-
ish and beauty of the Wissner pianos are
features well worth taking into considera-
tion, while the great number always in
stock, gives the purchaser ample opportu-
nity to choose the musical qualities which
he likes best.
Mme. Julia Rive-King uses the Wissner
piano exclusively. She is now on a con-
cert tour in this country and everywhere
she travels she is accompanied by her Wiss-
ner. Emil Paur is also a devotee to this
instrument when he appears before the
public in the role of pianist.
In connection with the salesrooms and
warerooms, Wissner Hall, which occupies
the entire second floor of the building, has
been the means of making the place a
gathering place for musicians and mu-
sical news. Mr. E. H. Colell is manager
of the hall, and events which take place
there from night to night.
*
*
*
At the C. E. Byrne factory all is bustle
and activity. Notwithstanding the in-
creased working space and storage facili-
ties, added from year to year, there is still
a call for " more room—more room." The
firm's business is developing at a phenom-
enally rapid rate.
When asked by The Review to reveal
the secret of his success, Mr. Byrne said:
"There is no secret about it. It is the
story of every successful business. People
will always buy in the best markets, and
the best markets are those where the best
values are given. We claim to give the
best values, and our claim is being allowed
—that's all there is to it."
Commercial Travelers in Brazil.
A British Foreign Office report has the
following information in regard to taxes
on commercial travelers in Brazil. The
taxes, it appears, vary in different States.
In Rio de Janeiro, there are none; in Per-
nambuco, there is a State tax of 200 mil-
reis (about $32) leviable on each traveler;
and in Ceara, 270 milreis ($43) as State and
municipal tax. In Bahia, a State tax of
about 1,000 milreis ($160) is imposed and
collected yearly, no matter how many times
the traveler may come there from other
Brazilian ports, but is enforced every time
he comes from a foreign country. In Para,
the annual fee is 1,000 milreis ($160). In
Amazonas, the annual tax is 300 milreis
($48). In Maranhao, the annual fee levied
is 200 milreis ($32). In Sao Paulo there
is no tax. In Rio Grande, a municipal
tax of 500 milreis ($80) is imposed on
commercial travelers, but not seriously
enforced. In Petotas, a similar tax of 500
milreis is rigorously levied. In Porto
Alegre, the tax amounts to $160.
Com stock, Cheney & Co.
The great piano action supply house of
Comstock, Cheney & Co. are closing a
business year of unexampled prosperity.
Their trade in all branches has developed
to immense proportions and the accession
of many leading houses to their roster of
customers will insure a continuance of the
present year's activity right along during
1900. The gentlemen at the head of this
progressive institution have good reason
to feel joyful over the outlook.
The Bell Organ & Piano Co., Ltd., of
Guelph, have opened warerooms at 2665
St. Catharine street, Toronto, Ont.