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THE
PLAYED FOR ENGLAND'S KING.
Vess L. Ossman Played the "Whyte Ladye" Banjo
Before Royalty and Nobles—A Great Testimon-
ial.
[Special to The Review.]
Boston, Mass., Sept. 15, 1903.
The Review found D. L. Day, general
superintendent of the A. C. Fairbanks Co.,
No. 786 Washington St., busily engaged
last Saturday in preparing for the mail
handsome half tone portraits of the world's
leading artists in the banjo, mandolin and
guitar world who use the instruments man-
ufactured by his concern. The portraits in-
cluded in the folder which kept each set
together were those of Vess L. Ossman, the
celebrated New York banjoist; James H .
Jennings, solo banjoist, Providence, R. I.;
Geo. L. Lansing, solo banjoist, Boston;
Fred. J. Bacon, phenomenal banjoist, Hart-
ford, Conn.; Fred. S. Stuber, vaudeville
banjoist; the Bacon Banjo Quintette, Hart-
ford, Conn., and McGrath Bros., Boston,
all of whom use and endorse the celebrated
Fairbanks "Whyte Ladye" banjo.
On the back of Vess L. Ossman's por-
trait is a testimonial from his pen, in con-
densed form, to the merits of the "Whyte
Ladye" instruments. Here is the testi-
monial in full:
Cowes, Isle of Wight, England.
August 5, 1903.
Friend Day:—This is the place where
they hold the great regatta. The King is
here all week, and last night I played for
him at the "Royal Squadron"—the most
exclusive club in the world. The Prince of
Wales was also there, besides all the roy-
alty you ever read about, and you can safe-
ly say that never was a banjo played for
so many of the nobility at one time. I am
not the only American, but I am the only
banjoist who ever played at the "Royal
Squadron."
I used your "Whyte Ladye" banjo. There
is a yacht lying outside in the bay called
"Whyte Ladye." People looked at the ban-
jo and expressed their delight at its beauty,
and when they saw the name they wanted
to know if there was any connection be-
tween the two.*
Have had a wonderful trip, and have done
my best to make the banjo popular. Am
coming home next week to get ready for
the season, etc. Getting before the King
is worth more to the young American ban-
joist than all the classical music could ever
do. I have made a reputation I am proud
of—one which will always live among ban-
joists—and I made it on popular music.
Wishing you success, I am,
Sincerely,
VESS L. OSSMAN.
MT. Day, who is justly proud of this tes-
timonial, coming as it does, from one of
the world's greatest banjoists, said, when
asked about the present condition of things
at the Fairbanks factory: "We are receiv-
ing good stock orders for the fall trade from
some of our leading customers."
*There i s ; the banjo was named from
the yacht.—Ed. Musical Trade Review.
TO CONTINUE BETTINI BUSINESS.
Among the incorporations filed with the
Secretary of State of New York this week
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
was that of the Bettini Phonograph Co., Man-
hattan, (to continue business of G. Bettini;)
capital, $20,000. Directors: Gianni Bettini,
Paris, France; William A. Abbott, Stamford,
Conn.; Daniel P. Mitchell, New York.
THOMPSON & ODELL'S SPECIALTIES.
[Special to The Review.]
Boston, Sept. 14, 1903.
Both orchestral and street drums of su-
perior quality are being manufactured by
the Thompson & Odell Music Co. whose
factory and warerooms are at No. 749
Washington St. Here the treasurer of the
concern, Edward F. Flynn, looks after the
finances, while William O. Peterson keeps
a general supervision of the sales both at
home and abroad. The superintendent of
the factory is Charles Stromberg, inventor
of the patent "Invincible" orchestra snare
drum, manufactured by the Thompson &
Odell concern.
The "Invincible" has the advantage over
other drums, it is claimed, in an improved
method of tightening the heads. Each head
is tightened independently of the other by
means of steel rods which are fastened to a
central double bracket with threaded sepa-
rate perforation for each rod, thereby as-
suring an even strain over all. The burst-
ing of a head will not put a drum out of
use as the remaining head will still be in
condition for work.
It is claimed for the "Invincible" drums
that they are made of the best materials
and are first-class in every respect. Their
inventor, Mr. Stromberg, also invented the
patent snare-strainer with which these
drums are fitted. The advantage of the
strainer is that it prevents any drum to
which it is attached from becoming "snare-
bound" as it allows the heads to be tighten-
ed without interfering with the snares.
Mr. Peterson is making a road trip in the
interests of the Thompson & Odell con-
cern this week. He reports a large demand
for the "Invincible" instruments from the
leading drummers of the day. The "Artist"
drum, a street instrument, also manufac-
tured by this house, also sells well for mil-
itary and semi-military purposes. This
house also does a good business at whole-
sale with its No. 46 "Artist Standard" vio-
lin strings which are imported by the con-
cern.
The Thompson & Odell Music Co. also
handle their own line of "Luscomb" ban-
jos and "Artist" mandolins and guitars.
THE CRESCENT BAND INSTRUMENTS.
The Wulschner-Stewart Music Co., of In-
dianapolis, Ind., whose Crescent band instru-
ments are steadily winning their way into a
large measure of favor among band masters
and soloists, have just issued their little pub-
lication "The Crescent" for September. In
addition to much interesting matter relative
to the Crescent band instruments it contains
a bargain list of various musical instruments
and merchandise which should at once in-
terest dealers in this line. The Crescent band
J. HOWARD FOOTE, 2»*•
&
York.
instruments, notably the cornets and trom-
bones made by this concern, are much ad-
mired for their musical excellence and superb
finish. The Wulschner-Stewart Co. have
now on file some very strong testimonials
which speak eloquently of the excellence of
the products of this institution.
EDISON NOT INDIFFERENT
To Commercial Affairs—Keeps a Sharp Eye On the
Business as Well as Inventive Ends—What
Some Talking Machine Men Said.
Organization and method are the moving
levers in business as well as in things politi-
cal. The group were discussing the talking
machine situation, and each company came
in for a "weighing up." When the National
Phonograph Co. was "on the fire," the
speaker said: "This talk about Edison be-
ing indifferent to commercial affairs is all rot.
To be sure, when on the witness stand in one
of the numerous cases which have set the
whole business by the ears, the eminent in-
ventor conveyed the impression that he left
the business end of his interests entirely in
the hands of his managers; that he was so
far up in the clouds that such things as
patents, documentary evidence and bank ac-
counts were so remote that he could only
conjecture what was going on in his various
enterprises.
"On the contrary," continued the knowing
one, "Thomas A. Edison is keenly alive to
everything in which he is interested. Reg-
ular reports are made to him of everything,
and when the final say is wanted on a deal of
any size, the 'wizard' touches the button.
No better system prevails than in the Na-
tional Phonograph Co., of which Edison
owns the controlling end. The heads of the
various executive departments hold tri-
weekly conferences—one in New York and
two at the factory in Orange, with President
Gilmore in the chair. There suggestions are
made, opinions on divers matters requested,
and the reasons therefor, whether it belongs
in the department of the party talking or
not. The company's selling policy is always
in order, and when the advertising appropria-
tion is up everybody takes a hand and things
are lively. If the opinions of his confreres
are not up to the mark, the president says
he will take the matter in hand, and that set-
tles it. But these conferences are great, for
they keep the responsible managers in touch
and the business of the company is greatly
benefited."
W. C. Golden is about to open up a
piano store at Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
a u It a r t , Mandolin*,
Banjos, Zither* and
Flutes.
Buy to Sell Profitable to 5ell
Satisfy the moit discriminating
musicians. Send for complete
catalogue.
Every Instrument That's Musical
JOHN C. HAYNB5 & CO.,
Boston, riass.
HARPS, HARPS
Double actions by Erard, Srat, Grosjean and
all Lendon makers. Good as new. Largest -
stock of second-hands in Eurepe.
Prices reasonable. Correspondence solicited.
CHEAPEST MUSICAL INSTRUMENT JOBBING HOUSE IN AflERICA.
The celebrated genuine Courtois Band Instruments,
Casino Accordions with Interchangeable tuned reeds.
Violins, Violas, Cellos of German, French and Italian makes. American Conservatory Mandolins. "Imperial" Russian gut
and silk strings. Cases, Fittings, etc.
GENERAL LINE KEPT IN STOCK.
35
J.
MILLER,
BRISTOL.
HARP MAKER.
BNQLAND