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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Wm. Knabe Speaks on Interesting Topics.
ANALYZES TRADE CONDITIONS AND FINDS GOOD REASONS FOR OPTIMISM THE DEVELOPMENT
OF THE SOUTH GROWING APPRECIATION OF ARTISTIC VALUES IN* PIANOS—PIANO
PRICES AND IMPROVEMENTS—KNABE TRADE AT HOME AND ABROAD.
William Knabe, treasurer of the firm of a growing appreciation in this country of
William Knabe & Co., who sailed for artistic values in pianos, as indicated by
Europe early in the week, was seen by The orders for special designs, also by the pur-
Review on Monday and asked for his chase of the most elaborate and costly of
opinion concerning several live trade catalogued instruments had been noted by
topics. Interrogated as to his impressions the firm?
regarding trade prospects during the bal-
"Yes, we have observed, in this direc-
ance of this presidential year, he spoke tion, a marked desire, among cultured peo-
most hopefully of the outlook.
ple who build their own homes, to order
"There is good reason for believing,' 1 pianos specially designed to harmonize
he said, "that the piano trade, on the with their surroundings. We have at all
whole, will not suffer this year as a result times, a number of orders of this kind in
of agitation in National politics. Condi- process of completion, and the number
tions to-day are altogether different from
those existent four years ago. In 1896,
the people, including of course the piano-
purchasing public, were holding back.
The outcome of the election was just suf-
ficiently in doubt to make all kinds and
conditions of men in the United States un-
easy and weary for the time being. To-
day, the lines of political opinion are much
more exactly defined, the actual existence
of prosperity helping more than aught else
to clear the political atmosphere.
"In 1896, owing to the restlessness and
uneasiness everywhere prevalent, as a re-
sult of variations in public opinion con-
cerning the fixity of the gold standard, the
purchase of luxuries was evaded or put
off, and as a consequence, the supply of
pianos largely exceeded the demand thus
causing trade depression. One of the
pleasing results of prosperity has been the
WILLIAM KNABE.
placing of pianos on the list of household
each
year
is
steadily
increasing. The trend
necessities—let us hope, permanently —
of
taste,
outside
of
special work, is also
rather than on the list of luxuries. So now,
in our own case, at any rate—and, so far shown in the increasing sale of our hand-
as I know, in the majority of instances— somest catalogued styles. Another inter-
conditions are reversed and the demand esting indication of growth in artistic cul-
largely exceeds the supply. At our fac- ture is the phenomenal demand for our
tories to-day we are away behind on orders. small or ' Baby ' grands. During the past
This refers both to grands and uprights. twelve months, orders for these grands
There is steady work ahead, all through have been far beyond our expectations
the summer, for our full force, and so it —and, incidentally, beyond our capacity
to produce as promptly, in some cases,
will be until the end of the year."
as desired. We have, however, greatly
"As the Knabe house is avowedly one
enlarged our facilities for the manufacture
of the leading institutions of Maryland,
of grands and trust by next fall to be able
your views, Mr. Knabe, on the growth of
to meet the demand in full."
manufacturing in the South would be of
"Do you expect the present prices of
interest to the trade. In your opinion,
pianos
to remain, Mr. Knabe, or do you
will not the piano and organ industries be
look
for
an appreciable advance or de-
benefited by the increasing prosperity of
cline?"
the South—the natural love of Southern
"They will certainly not decline, in my
people for music and art finding an outlet
opinion,"
was the response, "nor do I think
in this way?"
they
will
advance.
It has been necessary,
"The development of manufacturing in-
within
the
past
year,
owing to the raise in
terests in the South during recent years
prices
of
raw
material,
labor, etc., to make
has been little short of marvelous," was the
corresponding
changes
in prices of com-
reply. "I have visited the Southern
pleted
products,
but
I
think
the limit has
States each winter and have watched with
been
reached
in
the
matter
of
supply and
pleasure and interest their astonishingly
lumber
prices.
Unless
the
unexpected
rapid commercial growth. With this
growth and all that it implies to Southern happens in some other direction, there
people, comes the ability to indulge the seems to be little or no reason for antici-
natural tastes and inclinations to which you pating a change."
"Do you look for any notable improve-
refer. Our books show an increasing de-
ment
or changes in the acoustic or archi-
mand last year from the Southern States.
tectural
departments of piano-making dur-
Doubtless other firms have noted the same
ing
the
next
five years, Mr. Knabe?"
tendency."
"Nothing radical," was the answer.
The Review inquired from Mr. Knabe if
"Improvements in matters of detail' will
doubtless be made continually, as hereto-
fore, by all progressive firms; beyond that
I see no probable developments. To those
who are interested in the Knabe products,
it might be of service to mention that our
baby grand is practically a new instrument
in several important particulars. The
scale is new, the action is new, and a num-
ber of other improvements have been
made. It now forms a very important
feature of our work at the factories, and,
as I mentioned just now, we cannot make;
enough of these instruments to satisfy our
!
representatives and their patrons."
The Review inquired if any steps are
being taken toward the development of
Knabe trade in Europe. Mr. Knabe re-
plied that the pressure of work at home
prevents much activity at present in for-
eign fields, "but," he declared, "the firm's
program includes an extension of trade in
Europe when we get a chance to give the
matter the attention it deserves. The
opening of our establishment in Paris has
been advantageous. We are well pleased
with the results already achieved."
With reference to the firm's musical and
trade plans for the fall, Mr. Knabe said he
thought it would be well to wait until his :
return before making any statement under
those headings, as several important mat-
ters are now under consideration.
Buy Browning's Interests.
[Special to The Rcview.l
Tampa, Fla., May 14, 1900.
Ludden & Bates, the great southern mu-
sic house, has bought out the business of
J. T. Browning in the Campbell block.
The business will be under the general
management of Fred Kahn, who is also
manager of the Jacksonville house, and he
will be assisted by Clarence J. Roberts.
It will be greatly enlarged.
Wisdom of Discrimination.
" I t is the wisdom of discrimination in
selection that gives a thing value," said a
prominent artist recently. " I have just
bought a Japanese rug for $13 that is as
beautiful in color and design as some that
cost thousands. A case was once brought
into court by a man that had bought a
violin and paid a great price for it. He
sued the man that sold it to him because
he found the violin had been one of a
cheap lot that the dealer had bought.
The dealer, in trying the violins, found
this one of most beautiful tone, and he at
once knew it had a value of its own, with-
out regard to maker or price. The man
was perfectly satisfied with his purchase
until he found he had paid more than the
usual profit. In the Walters collection in
Baltimore are some vases that cost but lit-;
tie, but on account of their design, color or
some other attribute they are worthy to be
placed with articles of great value."
;
Enlargement of Capital.
The Schiller Piano Co., of Chicago, have
certified to the enlargement of their capi-
tal stock from $25,000 to $80,000. They
also state that their principal office has been
changed to Oregon.