Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
Merchandise
SMALL GOODS OUTLOOK BRIGHTER.
THE COLUMBIA CO. AT ST. LOUIS.
Reports This Week Are Reassuring from All Parts Erect a Magnificent Booth for the Display of Their
Talking Machines at St. Louis—The Designer
of the Country—Goods Are Moving in Rather
and Builder Hails from Atlanta.
Lively Fashion—With Improved Weather Con-
ditions and the Passability of the Roads Help
The exhibit building of the Columbia Phono-
in This Connection — Collections Are Also graph Co., of New York, at the St. Louis World's
Somewhat Improved, and All in All the Out- Fair was designed by W. F. Denny, an Atlanta
look Is Most Encouraging.
architect, and the structure is being erected by
an Atlanta firm, the Colcord-Williams Lumber
Reports from every direction are of the most
Co. It will be one of the handsomest buildings
reassuring nature to small goods importers and
at the Fair, and neither pains nor expense are
wholesalers. Dealers have been strengthening
being spared to make it one of the most attrac-
their stocks, and such orders as have been held
tive exhibit resorts on the grounds. The struc-
in abeyance for certain contingencies have beer
released, and shipments are now going forward ture will cost something over $5,000.
The building is being erected of mahogany, in-
in accordance with the original arrangements.
Buyers are not only swelling orders in the hands terior and exterior. It will be 18x22 feet, and
of stock houses, but framed up along extremely the dome will be gilded, mounted with a bronze
conservative estimates and placed when condi- statue of Columbia. On either corner will be a
tions seemed unfavorable; but firms confined to bronze likeness of the American eagle.
direct importations are also receiving inquiries
A NOVEL POINT INVOLVED
for larger shipments and quicker deliveries.
In the country districts, tributary to the small- In the Fire Adjustment Claims of the Talking
er dealers, the roads are drying out and becoming
Machine Co. of Chicago—Will Full Price for
passable, which means an active movement ol
Records Be Paid?
goods from their shelves, with early reorders for
A rather unique point has developed in con-
the jobbing and wholesale houses. Territory
wholly dependent on agricultural interests is be- nection with the adjustment of the loss sustained
by the Talking Machine Co. of Chicago during
ing heard from, and the advices are satisfactory;
collections
have
improved,
the slowness the recent fire at the Madison street warerooms.
In addition to their own wares the company
noticed in the past being due entirely to the
checking of spring trade for which circumstances handle the records of the Victor Talking Ma-
wholly under the control of the weather man chine Co., which, as selling agents, they are
have been responsible. Happily the sun is shin- bound by agreement not to sell for less than the
ing with regularity and to some purpose, and full schedule price under penalty of being sued
men and things are being warmed up, and the for infringement of patent as well as forfeiture
of contract. Claims of a total loss have been
discordant notes are few and far between.
filed by the Talking Machine Co.; meanwhile
Said a close observer and very successful mer- the adjusters claim that many of the records
chant in the line to The Review on Tuesday:
are in good shape, and that the few that were
"After a trip by a member of the firm covering injured can be disposed of at a fair price.
nearly two months, and in sections where the
The Talking Machine Co. refuse to take this
very best trade for musical merchandise lies,
view of the situation, and will not turn over
we can truly say conditions present and prospec-
the records for less than the full price, claiming
tive are decidedly better. To be sure, spring
that if they do so their contract will be for-
trade has been backward, and the season will be
feited and probably damage to their interests
consequently curtailed, but dealers are not com-
inflicted.
plaining, excepting the chronic kickers, who
The insurance companies are a t present in-
would knock something or somebody if the mil-
clined
to make an issue on this point, claiming
lennium were here. The clear-headed, wide-
awake, progressive section of the trade are al- there is actually no total loss. The whole mat-
ways up and doing, and now they are coming to ter is being considered very seriously by eminent
the front with force and effect. Business south lights in the insurance world. The point in-
is all right, because cotton is up and the new volved is a novel and interesting one, and its
crop most promising. When crops look well, solution will be awaited with interest.
buying is brisk, and a lot of small goods find a
profitable market there. West the feeling is
buoyant, and east the outlook is encouraging.
Fall trade promises to be heavy in all sections,
and dealers are now looking about and shaping
their course accordingly."
HOHNER POPULARITY.
The Products Bearing This Name Are Famous the
World Over.
The latest Hohner catalogue, containing many
illustrations of the new Hohner accordeons,
has done excellent service and brought very sat-
isfactory results. The exhibit of the several
Hohner accordeon styles in actual colors has
proved effective, giving to readers of the cat-
alogue a good idea of the actual appearance of
the instruments. Reports from various parts
of the United States and from Europe show a
large and rapidly growing demand for all Hoh-
ner products. This may be accounted for in
several ways. One of the principal reasons, evi-
dently, is the durability and musical excellence
of the Hohner specialties. They are well made
in every detail and are not allowed out of the
factory until a thorough test has been made of
each article by several experts.
Their general appearance and quality of finish
add largely to their popularity. The artistic ap-
pearance of the new Hohner accordeons is one
of their most striking characteristics. In finish
they are, without exception, highly creditable to
the maker. Convenience of shape and size also
aid in making the Hohner product popular. Har-
monica players declare that the Hohner instru-
ments fit better to the mouth and lips than is
usual. Musical results can be secured with the
minimum of effort. In size the harmonicas fit
comfortably in a pocket. The accordeons, in ad-
dition to their lightness, are so convenient in
their dimensions that they can be carried easily
from place to place, even on long journeys.
OLD VIOLINS FROM NEW ZEALAND.
Donald Grant, a prominent capitalist of New
Zealand, has arrived in St. Louis, Mo. He has
brought from his home two rare violins—a gen-
nine Guarnerius made in 1690, and another made
in 1680. He values each instrument at $3,000.
It is Mr. Grant's intention to place these old
violins on exhibition at the World's Fair, accom-
panied by their complete history. In this way
he expects that the value of the violins will be
properly appreciated.
WILL NOT REMOVE TO MILWAUKEE.
Contrary to expectations the Schimmeyer Harp
Co., of Chicago, will not locate in Milwaukee,
having erected a factory at Mayfair, 111., to which
place the company will remove shortly. Dwight
Bros., of Milwaukee and Chicago, are interested
in the company.
The fire at the Victor Talking Machine factory
will not interfere in the least with the business
of the Victor Distributing and Export Co., 77
Chambers street. This firm carry a very large
The Will A. Watkin Music Co. moved to their
stock of the Victor machines and supplies, and
new store, corner of Elm and Murphy streets,
are able to fill all orders.
Dallas, Tex., on Tuesday last.
ZON-O-PHONES
WRITE FOR NEW RECORD CATALOGUE READY MAY 5th
THE UNIVERSAL TALKING MACHINE
MFG. CO.
28 WARREN STREET, NEW YORK.