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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
What they Think of the Sohmer.
D. S. ANDRUS & CO., THE SOHMER AGENTS
IN WILLIAMSPORT, MAKE A GREAT SHOW-
ING OF NAMES AND TESTIMONY.
One of the secrets of Sohmer strength is
the strong faith of Sohmer representatives
in the absolute reliability of the firm in the
matter of tone and construction. This
confidence has been gained by personal
contact with patrons who have purchased
Sohmer pianos and found even their most
sanguine expectations amply fulfilled.
Among loyal Sohmer representatives in
large cities, D. S. Andrus & Co., Williams-
port, Pa., hold a conspicuous place. The
policy of this firm is progressive. Demon-
stration of the fact is found in their busi-
ness methods, as illustrated, for example,
in a clever little booklet entitled, "What
Your Friends Think of the Sohmer Piano."
Through their instrumentality the Soh-
mer has found a home in more than four
hundred of the best houses and largest in-
stitutions of Williamsport. No less than
seventeen music teachers in that busy cen-
tre of population give their hearty endorse-
ments. Professor Voelkler, well known
throughout Pennsylvania as an accom-
plished musician and for a score of years
in charge of a leading conservatory of mu-
sic, is one among a host of Sohmer enthusi-
asts.
He says: "It is my honest, candid opin-
ion that for purity of tone, delicacy of ac-
tion, touch, and wonderful durability,
there is nothing to equal the Sohmer piano."
Paris R. Myers, a popular church or-
ganist of the Keystone State, thus testifies:
" Gentlemen:—Having rented from you
and used in my studio a Sohmer grand
piano for the past two years, I deem it my
duty and as well a great pleasure to ex-
press to you my hearty approval of the in-
strument. For sweetness of tone, touch
and pure singing quality, it far excels any
piano I have ever used. During my musi-
cal course in the New England Conserva-
tory of Music, Boston, Mass., I used many
of the leading makes of instruments, and
am free to say that none excel the Sohmer.
In this connection permit me also to speak
of the beautiful concert grand Sohmer in
the Y. M. C. A. auditorium. I have used
it on several occasions and find that the ef-
fects that can be produced upon it are sim-
ply great and marvelous."
Hon. W. G. Eliot, ex-mayor of Williams-
port and one of its most highly respected
citizens, has this to say concerning the
merits of the Sohmer products: " I t
gives me great pleasure to assure you that
the Sohmer piano which you placed in the
Academy of Music on Nov. 25, 1885, and
which has had very hard usage ever since,
has given the best of satisfaction. It has
not only been pronounced the finest by our
home talent, but also by some of the most
renowned orchestras and pianists on the
road."
Splendid indeed is the indorsement of
W. S. Chappell, manager of the Chappell
Orchestra:
Gentlemen:—During the past seventeen
years I have been called upon to use almost
every make of piano in existence, and can
truthfully and conscientiously say that
there is no make that can even be compared
with the Sohmer for all purposes. Its
pure, sympathetic tone, fine singing quality
and superb action cannot be equalled. I
can also say that I believe it to be the most
Durable Instrument manufactured."
In the face of such testimony as the
above, is it any wonder that the Sohmer
products continually grow in public favor
and estimation?
A Plethora of Wedding Gifts.
One of the many interesting and even
startling features of the wedding of the
stepdaughter of the Mayor of Philadelphia,
reported in the daily papers of Thursday
with a fulness proportioned to its impor-
tance, the most interesting and the most
startling is the wedding presents. Among
the thousands of gifts bestowed we find in-
cluded four grand and three upright pianos
and nine music boxes. The latter, no
doubt, will come in handy if ever their
givers come in a bunch to spend the even-
ing. She can set them, like the guests at
Mr. Bob Sawyer's bachelor party, each to
playing the tune it knows best, with excel-
lent and revengeful effect.
As a member of the trade said to The
Review when talking about this affair:
"A marriage of this kind is an incentive to
trade. It would come in right handy were
our politicians to have public functions of
this character when marrying off their
relatives. Aside from any question of
propriety, it would place many thousands
of dollars to the credit of the piano dealers
in whatever locality the affair may occur.
And you know we are not often favored
with any of the public 'boodle.' "
The Floods in Connecticut.
THE STERLING CO. SUFFERED A SLIGHT INCON-
VENIENCE, BUT NO LOSS—FACTORY
RUNNING AS USUAL THIS WEEK.
The terrific downpour of rain the closing
days of last week caused the Naugatuck
and. Hoosatonic Rivers to overflow their
banks for the third time this winter, with
the result that there was a rise of fifteen
and a half feet, nine inches greater than
any previous record. All the factories in
Derby, Conn., were compelled to suspend
operations, as the water rose to the first
floors in many houses. The railroads were
completely under water and trains and
electric cars were unable to move.
In regard to the flood the Sterling Co.
write us: " We suffered no loss except in
delays. There was very high water all
up the valley but it did not damage any
of our work. We were obliged to shut
down for two days but are running again
as usual."
Henry Spies, of the Spies Piano Co.,
when seen by The Review on Wednesday
reported "Majestic" sales as active and
orders satisfactory. This has been a good
season for the "Majestic." It has been
found almost impossible to keep any com-
pleted instruments at the warerooms for
exhibition, so keen has been the demand.
The Calenberg Piano Co. of New Ro-
chelle, N. Y., have established an agency
in Albany. The company will make the
first shipment of pianos on Tuesday.
it
the Paris Exposition.
Several New York papers the early days
of the week contained cablegrams from
Paris to the effect that it is improbable the
Exposition will be ready on the date fixed
for opening, April 15. The grounds are
in a chaos, while the United States official
building is without stairs, is unpainted,
doorless, windowless and still in possession
of the plasterers.
In later despatches, Director-General
Picard, maintains that the opening cere-
mony will take place on the date set.
Commissioner Peck who was interviewed
in Paris regarding the matter claims that
all the American buildings are well ad-
vanced as compared with the others and
disclaims responsibility for the delay im-
posed upon private firms saying that the
installation of exhibits could not begin
until the French buildings were nearer
completion.
He added that during the few remaining
weeks much might be accomplished, and
he does not feel discouraged, despite pres-
ent appearances.
Speaking about the United States show-
ing, Mr. Peck said :
'' While we shall have no startling display
in any department I hope the exhibit as a
whole will fully demonstrate that our re-
public is not only entitled to a high place
among the family cf nations, but is fore-
most among them in advanced civilization."
The cruiser Prairie this week unloaded at
Rouen the last instalment of exhibits sent
by the departments at Washington.
More than 4,000 American firms will be
represented at the Exposition, averaging
four employees each. Therefore, more
than 16,000 Americans will be permanent-
ly employed on the grounds.
Carpenter Business.
The E. P. Carpenter Co., Brattleboro,
Vt., manufacturers of the reliable Carpen-
ter organs, report business as having
opened up very promising for the first two
months of 1900. The volume of their
trade has exceeded the same term of 1899
and that was the best year the company
have had since '94. They expect, with
good reason, that the record will continue.
Gaskins Opens Up.
Among the dealers in town this week
was R. L. Gaskins, of Suffolk, Va., who
has just opened up in business for himself
at 33 Washington Square, that city. He
was formerly connected with the Hume-
Minor Co., of Norfolk, and is a man of
wide experience in the music trade field.
He was among the callers at the Spielmann
factory this week and left a good order.
Mr. Gaskins will handle a full line of small
goods, sheet music as well as pianos.
Sending Good Orders.
Activity continues unabated at the Behr
Bros, factory. Mr. Brown, the firm's
traveling representative, is sending in
good orders. The new Behr Colonial is
meeting with great favor.