Music Trade Review

Issue: 1903 Vol. 36 N. 8

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Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
V O L . X X X V I . No. 8
Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill at l Madison Avenue, New York, Feb. 21,1003.
SINGLE COPIES 10 CENTS.
$2.00 PER YEAR.
'WORTHINGTON" PIANO SOON READY.
PRAISE FOR BUFFALO DEALERS.
CONTINUOUS STARR GROWTH.
Christman & Son Announce the Manufacture of a
First Class Popular Priced Piano—Two Styles
Will be Ready Within Three Weeks—Attrac-
tive and Meritorious Pianos —A New Scale
Christman Also Under Way.
In Connection With the Splendid Work They Are
Doing Toward Making the Convention a Suc-
cess—What a Prominent Manufacturer Says.
How This Great Enterprise Has Gone Steadily Ahead
Much favorable comment has been made
this week on the handsome result secured by
the piano dealers of Buffalo in the shape of
a subscription fund of $2,000 toward the en-
tertainment, in May next, of delegates from
the National Piano Manufacturers' Associ-
ation and the National Association of Piano
Dealers, as well as the enthusiasm they are
displaying toward making the convention a
success in every way.
A prominent manufacturer, in referring
to this matter said to The Review on Tues-
day : ''It is not so very long ago since the
piano dealers of Buffalo were presenting to
the dealers of other cities a most unenviable
spectacle. There have been, I suppose, more
piano wars in Buffalo, all things considered,
than in any other spot in creation. To-day,
thanks to the development of the local asso-
ciation idea among piano dealers, the dealers
of that city are now a unit on all matters of
importance concerning the conduct of their
business. One of the results has been the
getting together of $2,000 as an entertain-
ment fund. It speaks volumes for their wis-
dom—a wisdom born of experience. Similar
results are developing all over the United
States. The outcome of it will be highly ad-
vantageous to the whole trade."
Richmond, Ind., Feb. 17, 1903.
Henry Gennett, whom I found in his
snug office at the Starr piano factory, had
just returned from St. Louis, where he was
in consultation with O. A. Field regarding
their retail establishments, which cover the en-
tire South. The officers of the Starr Piano
Co. never halt in their onward march. Every
year it is a series of new factories, or the
introduction of a vast amount of new ma-
chinery, or some other business adjunct
which emphasizes industrial growth. They
have now commenced the erection of an enor-
mous chimney which will be 150 feet in
height—the highest, I believe, in the State of
Indiana.
The Starr enterprise has steadily expanded
until to-day it ranks as one of the most prom-
inent manufacturing institutions in the coun-
try. Senator Starr is only at the factory oc-
casionally, as his senatorial duties require his
attendance nearly all the time at the State
Capitol.
Clarence Gennett returned a few days ago
from an outing to Arizona. He brought back
with him a number of choice specimens of
Indian work.
Since Christman & Son built and moved
to their new and splendidly equipped factory
at 869 East 137th street, this city, they have
been making preparations for the manufac-
ture of a first-class commercial piano to be
sold at a poptilar price.
This week, in a chat with The Review,
Mr. Christman stated that he expected to
have these instruments ready for the market
within three weeks. They will be known as
the "Worthington," a name which has been
duly trade-marked in Washington by Christ-
man & Son. Two styles will be manufac-
tured.
The Worthington pianos are exceptionally,
attractive, well built, and carefully finished,
and contain a scale that is highly musical.
They reflect that same conscientious work-
manship which has made the Christman pia-
nos so well and favorably known.
The Worthington designs are original, in-
asmuch as Christman & Son manufacture
their own cases, and every effort has been
made to give the dealer the best possible
value in the line of dependable pianos at a
fair price.
Several dealers who have had the priv-
ilege of examining the Worthington piano
have congratulated Christman & Son most
heartily on their accomplishment.
Christman & Son will also soon have ready
for the market a new scale Christman upright
which will be up to that very high standard
which distinguishes the Christman styles of
to-day. The new scale will, meanwhile, mark
distinct progress in a musical way and will
be encased in a design of unusual architect-
ural attractiveness. It will, in brief, empha-
size the untiring efforts which characterize
this institution to place on the market instru-
ments that are absolutely satisfactory—that
will represent the thoroughness of their mak-
ers.
Christman & Son are now at work on a
new catalogue which will contain illustra-
tions and descriptions of their latest Christ-
man styles as well as the Worthington pianos.
S. A. Schloss has purchased the business
formerly conducted by Ludden & Bates in
Wilmington, N. C. He is handling the
Sohmer, Milton and Schumann pianos.
AFTER GOVERNMENT PAWNSHOPS.
The German dealers have found another
grievance. In Vienna, as in several Euro-
pean cities, there exists a Government pawn-
shop, the Mont de Piete, founded by the Em-
peror II. for the benefit of the poor. Grad-
ually it has been developed into a grand de-
partment store. Like other Government
pawnshops, it holds periodical sales by auc-
tion. Of these advantage is taken by nu-
scrupulous dealers who send to them lots of
instruments of doubtful origin. Our London
contemporary, Music, says the Society of
Piano and Organ Makers in Vienna are ap-
pealing to the trade for further information
to enable it to take steps for abating the sys-
tem.
Lincoln & Vander Pyl, the enterprising
piano dealers of Boston, Mass., have recently
added the Packard and Behning pianos to
their line which now includes in addition
the Krakauer, Newby & Evans, Cable, A. B.
Cameron and Opera pianos.
Each Year—New Business News.
[Special to The Review.]
CROWDS VISIT STERLING WAREROOMS.
There were many visitors to the beauti-
ful warerooms of the Sterling Piano Co. in
Brooklyn during the week—the especial at-
traction, aside from the handsome line of
Sterling pianos shown, being a wonderful
free exhibit on the fourth floor of fac-similes
of all the crowns worn by the leading rulers
of the world. The exhibition opened on
Monday and continued for a limited number
of days.
The exhibit was quite a historical event,
as each crown was full size and an exact
counterpart of the original as to color of
metal, cutting, color, brilliancy and setting
of these priceless jewels. Practically every
country was represented in the exhibition.
Of the thousands who went to visit the
art exhibit mostly all became interested in
the Sterling pianos, which are jewels in
themselves.
The Muncie Music Co., of Muncie, Ind.,
will open a new branch store in Terre Haute
this week, with Mr. Jenkins, of Hartford
City, in charge. The store will occupy the
corner room of the old Y. M. C. A. building.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MY/SIC TftKDB
REVIEW
EDWARD
LYMAN
BILL,
J. B. S P I L L A N E , MANAGING EDITOR
THOS. CAMPBELL-COPELAND
WALDO E. LADD
GEO. B. KELLER
every section of America—to cause the slightest uneasiness as to
the quality as well as quantity of business for the year.
EMILIE FRANCES BAUER
GEO. W. QUER1PEL
A. J. NICKLIN
sion as a natural sequence to the exuberant conditions of the past
two years, can, after all, derive but little comfort from referring
to the slow business conditions which have generally prevailed thus
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Class Matter.
NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 21, 1903.
TELEPHONE NUJ1BER, 1745-EIOHTEENTH STREET.
THE
ARTISTS'
On the first Saturday of each month The Review contains In its
"Artists' Department" all the current musical news. This Is
effected without in any way trespassing on the size or service
DEPARTMENT of the trade section of the paper. Jt has a special circulation, and
therefore augments materially the value of The Review to advertisers.
DIRECTORY
The directory of piano manufacturing firms and corpora-
t e miNo
tions found on page 27 will be of great value as a reference for
OF PIANO
dealers and others.
MANUFACTURERS
There is no congestion of stock of any
nature in any section of the country.
' I "\HTS applies to the piano and to all other industries. And as long
*•
^ Published Every Saturday at I Madison Avenue, New Y o r k . *
SUBSCRIPTION (Including postage), United States, Mexico and Canada, $2.00 per
year; all other countries, $4.00.
ADVERTISEMENTS, $2.00 per Inch, single column, per insertion. On quarterly or
yearly contracts n special discount is allowed. Advertising Pages $50.00 ; opposite
reading matter, $75.00.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency form, should be made payable to Edward
Lyman Bill.
Those
who are apprehensively looking forward to a protracted depres-
far during the new year.
EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
EXECUTIVE STAFF :
in the situation as we view it—and we are in pretty close touch with
as manufactures of all kinds are being speedily absorbed and
accounted for, as long as the agricultural conditions of the coun-
try are in superb shape, there is every incentive to press on and
secure the largest business harvest possible in these times, exer-
cising, of course, a reasonable degree of caution at all times.
According to the views of some of the best posted men in the
industrial world, there will be a still further advance in prices in
the great staples—iron, steel, woods and wools.
inevitable.
They say this is
Yet when we look back a few months and note the
extraordinary advance in woods and metals alone, it would seem
as if the high water mark of prices had been reached.
P>ut those
best informed say no. In fact, one man has figured out an elab-
orate forecast showing that there will be an era of increasing prices
until 1908, after which a decline is prognosticated.
EDITORIAL
"\ A 7"E do not take much stock in these elaborate tables, or in the
A CRITICAL survey of the retail piano field furnishes the in-
•**
formation that trade for January and the first half of Feb-
ruary has been disappointing.
" *
utterances of these prophets.
We believe rather in using
our own powers of observation to determine as to possible clanger
in present conditions rather than reiving upon any figures showing
certain cycles of depression and exuberatioi; which are claimed by
Piano dealers have no hesitancy in admitting- that conditions
statisticians to exist in the business world.
have not been wholly to their liking.
There are numerous reasons for the existence of this state of
r
I MrlERE is, however, one disturbing spot upon the business hori-
•*
affairs.
Many people have held back from purchasing other than the
necessaries of life on account of the extraordinary high prices which
zon for the piano men, and should the cloud develop the
business atmosphere will be dimmed for a while before the clar-
ifying process begins.
We refer to the possibility of labor troubles.
have until recently prevailed for coal almost everywhere. People
It is well known
have not been inclined to purchase pianos when they were unable to
that there is a spirit of discontent prevailing in many factories and
procure a sufficient amount of fuel to heat their parlors, and in-
there are ominous signs which portend future trouble.
The position of piano manufacturers differs materially from
stances of this kind have been numerous all over America.
Again the condition of the roads, which have been impassable
in some parts of the country, has also acted as a setback to business.
In certain sections of the country epidemics have prevailed
which have depressed trade conditions, like in Indiana where the
existence of smallpox has caused a quarantine to be established at
a number of points in that State.
S
those of any other capitalists engaged in manufacturing enter-
prises.
HPHE conditions are different.
*
Piano manufacturers have to pay
an increased cost for everything which enters into their in-
struments. They have no option in this matter, and save in rare in-
stances they have not been able to secure the sufficient advance from
T. LOUIS has been the storm center recently of the wildest
the dealers to cover the increased cost of materials.
Now the matter of factory organization, and reduced cost by
kind of speculation which has swallowed up the savings of
Only last week while in that city a well-
the introduction of labor-saving machinery, does not begin to equal-
known piano man stated to us that the effect of the explosion of
ize the enormous leaps and bounds made in the prices of woods,
the speculative craze had a very serious effect upon the piano busi-
metals, and all staples which are used in the construction of pianos.
ness not only in St. Louis but in many other adjoining towns where
Therefore, if called upon to p a y still more for labor some
people lived who had deposited their earnings with the scheming
manufacturers tell us they had rather close their factories for an
brokers of St. Louis who promised them an easy road to riches.
indefinite period than to accede to any further demands in this direc-
thousands of people.
However, all this is purely on the surface and does not dis-
turb in the slightest the underlying conditions.
There is nothing
tion.
The labor leaders should look well before they make an-
other leap in the direction of exorbitant demands.

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