Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
M
KNABE!
The distinguished firm of Wm. Knabe &
Co. will play an important part in the trade
and musical fields this year.
They have behind them a business or-
ganization well equipped and manned
in every branch, and what is better still,
they have in their creations of 1900 a line
of artistic pianos, both grand and upright,
that transcend all previous productions.
When we consider the glorious record of
the Knabe piano in the domain of music
in the past, this fact is of especial signi-
ficance.
It means that the Knabe creations this
fall will demonstrate that this distin-
guished institution, which has so long
played an important part in the develop-
ment and perfection of the American pi-
ano, is not only in touch with modern con-
ditions and modern requirements, but is
anticipating them.
And all the Knabe representatives
throughout the country are in hearty
sympathy with this policy of the Knabe
house, and it is this warm support that is
encouraging them to even greater accom-
plishments than have heretofore been
achieved.
Ample proof of the appreciation in which
the Knabe pianos of to-day are held can be
found at the factory in Baltimore, where
an unprecedented degree of activity has
prevailed right through the summer, con-
tinuing without cessation right into the
fall season.
Mr. Gildemeester, the genial road ambas-
sador, reports magnificent Knabe prospects
wherever visited, while at the direct retail
centres at Washington, Baltimore and New
York the respective managers are enthusi-
astic over trade, present and prospective.
There is no mistaking that the Knabe
banner will wave pretty high at the trade
mast-head this season.
And long may it wave!
The Weaver Organ & Piano Co. of York,
Pa., have designed and manufactured in
their own factory a handsome booth for
their exhibit at the York Fair, which is
one of the largest County Fairs in the
country. The booth is 50 ft. long and
about 11 ft. wide with a ceiling 10 ft. high.
It is of massive Colonial design and is
painted pure white, and will be one of the
most attractive features in the main ex-
hibit building at this fair.
They will exhibit a representative line
of organs of their own manufacture, also a
piano made in their own factory, as well as
one of each of the different makes of pi-
anos for which this company are sole re-
presentatives in a large scope of territory.
Frank J. Sohmer, traveling representa-
tive of Sohmer & Co., returned on Wed-
nesday from a three-weeks tour in the
middle West. He secured satisfactory re-
sults and found the indications for a good
fall trade very favorable.
P. J. Gildemeester, who has been mak-
ing a short but unusually successful trip
in the Knabe interests, is due in town to-
day.
A Handsome Stieff Piano.
Christman Expands.
Baltimore, Md., Sept. 26, 1900.
In the piano establishment of Charles M.
Stieff, 9 North Liberty street, is a hand-
some specimen of the pianomaking art.
The firm has on exhibition a piano which
they have just completed for Mr. Sherlock
Swann. It is for his library, and is of a
soft, light-green colored mahogany, to
match the fittings of the room. It is of
the size smaller than the yacht construc-
tion, being triple-stringed, and has six and
a third octaves. It has a remarkable tone
and volume for its size. A stop when
pulled gives a guitar effect when desired.
Christman & Son, whose warerooms are
at 21 East Fourteenth street, have secured
the floor above their present quarters for
the purpose of displaying a full line of in-
struments for the benefit of visiting deal-
ers who may not find it convenient to visit
their factory at 665-667 Hudson street.
The development of Christman retail
trade has been such during the past year
that additional room became necessary,
and now that they have branched out into
the wholesale field, the new quarters can
be used effectively for both wholesale and
retail purposes.
Christman & Son this week placed the
agency for their pianos in Springfield,
Mass., with Engel & Goodwin, who are
just about to open up an establishment in
that city.
Christman & Son inform The Review that
they will shortly send out literature con-
taining illustrations of the four new styles
which they have ready for the trade this
fall. They are handsome instruments,
honestly built and should meet with con-
siderable favor from dealers desiring a
piano they can sell with the fullest se-
curity that it will make a friend for
them.
Cheering Pease Report.
This week's report at the headquarters
of the "Popular Pease Piano" adds an-
other to the lengthy list of good prospects
for the fall. John D. Pease, the head
of the firm, in answering an inquiry
from The Review at the warerooms,
said: "At the factory we are quite
busy. Our out-of-town representatives
are sending in satisfactory reports and
many orders. Our traveler, Mr. Hall,
now on the road, is doing well. Here at
the warerooms, retail trade is active and
growing." Mr. Pease said he does not an-
ticipate any falling-off in the demand on
account of the presidential canvass.
Strange Poison Case.
[Special to The Review.l
Williamsport, Pa., Sept. 26, 1900.
Alexander Le Forester, aged 65 years, a
French metal worker employed at the Dis-
tin Musical Instrument Works, died last
night at the Williamsport Hospital. His
case was the most peculiar that ever came
to the notice of the local medical fraternity.
With his family, Le Forester came here
six weeks ago from Philadelphia and two
weeks later was taken ill. At last the dis-
ease was diagnosed as brass poisoning.
Before Le Forester died his system became
so impregnated with the poison that his
teeth became oxidized and green perspira-
tion oozed from his skin.
L. W. P. Norris, of the Lindeman &
Sons Piano Co., 548-550 West Thirty-third
street, asked on Tuesday for his report on
trade conditions, said: " We have no fault
to find. We are now busy on a number of
orders and others are coming in right
along. Mr. Beverly started on Monday
for a six weeks' tour of the West. We are
receiving good reports as to the outlook."
During the visit, The Review noted an
example of the Lindeman & Sons new
style 16. It was the first finished example,
embraces all Lindeman & Sons special fea-
tures, and ought to be a good seller. Deal-
ers should inquire about it. The new
style is being made in walnut and mahog-
any. A new catalogue is in preparation.
Earl E. Guilford, who is employed as a
piano tuner by Cluett & Sons at their
branch office in North Adams, Mass., has
brought suit against the tax collector of
Pittsfield, Mass., James W. Synan, for
$1,000 for false arrest.
A Life Wasted.
The death of Howard Graham, the com-
poser of many popular ballads, which oc-
curred this week in the Hudson street
Hospital, brings to public notice another
bright life wasted by excesses and reck-
lessness. Here was a man who unques-
tionably possessed ability. Years ago
Howard Graham was a tenor of promise.
He was a member of the Clipper Quartet
and collaborated with his brother Charles
by writing verses to fit the latter's catchy
music. They earned fame and money to-
gether and their songs aroused human in-
terest and touched chords both pathetic
and sentimental for years.
When Charles died a year ago he left his
widow penniless with five little children.
Howard went to live with them in a
wretched tenenent at 15 Washington
street. Although he never could over-
come his weakness, he had a loyal heart,
and in the midst of poverty he always
wrote of love, of home and children, in
which the words "poverty," "suffering,"
"hunger " and " want " were unknown.
Consumption, neglect and excesses
brought Howard low at thirty-six years.
Only an hour before he died he hummed
the melody of his latest song, dedicated to
his little niece Jessie, entitled " The Hard-
est Days Are Over, Jessie Dear." The
kind offers of the Actors' Fund saved the
body from Potter's Field.
The Royal Music Co., 10 Union Square,
publishers of one of the late Graham
publications, "Too Late To Say Good
Bye," have voluntarily offered to give the
profits that accrue from the sales of the
song between now and Jan. 1 to the widow
of Chas. Graham. We trust the trade and
profession will appreciate this offer and.
that a goodly sum will be turned over.