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THE: MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
39
rcKandise
THE "SMALL GOODS" OUTLOOK.
Weather Has Interfered With Shipments—Brisk
Trade With Mandolins and Guitars—Low
Grade Gut Strings Up.
For the past ten days business has been
quiet with wholesalers, due almost wholly to
the protracted cold weather. East and West
unusual snows have not only interfered with
shipments, scarcely a railroad escaping the
embargo on freights, but the condition of
streets and roads everywhere has curtailed
retail trade materially. Consequently stocks
have not moved according to schedule, and
therefore buying has been checked. Travel-
ers on short circuits are not making the rosi-
est reports, as dealers are not inclined to load
up until there is a rift in the clouds. The
setback is temporary only, however, and with
the opening of the spring months the situa-
tion is bound to improve.
Advices from abroad indicate an advance
for low grade gut strings on future orders.
Prices may also be increased on cheap vio-
lins. An extraordinary demand for these
goods, growing out of the so-called instal-
ment business, which is rapidly assuming
large proportions, much to the disgust of the
regular dealer, is absorbing the stocks on
hand. German manufacturers, who have a
practical monopoly in this line, are indifferent
to the reported shortage in the United States,
and are therefore not at all solicitous for
orders unless at a better figure, hence higher
quotations may follow.
A brisk trade in mandolins and guitars is
a feature with many houses. The major part
of the former are made East, and with the
fierce competition prices have been ham-
mered down nearly to bed rock, with the
manufacturers' profit almost a vanishing
quantity. It is possible that under the cir-
cumstances quality is called on to bear part
of the harrowing burden. The market on
guitars is not much better. These instruments
are mostly machine-made, at least those of
Western origin and of no established brand;
and here again the price reduction is not help-
ing the quality.
gathers the driftwood of remarkable doings
and sayings, or, as Edmond Abot says, "the
greatest things are those that never hap-
pened." At any rate, when the attention of
violin importers was called to the statement,
each and every one declared the maker of
whom they were the direct representative
respectively had "discovered" this much-
sought-after varnish years ago; and that
therefore the New York man aforesaid was
a trifle late.
"MARINE BAND" TREMOLO.
A Hohner Specialty in Great Demand From Lover3
of Harmonicas.
Mrs. J. J. Astor, Thomas F. Ryan, the mil-
lionaire railroad man; Mrs. D. H. McAlpin,
whose husband is one of the tobacco kings,
and William S. Devery, late candidate for
mayor and formerly at the head of New
York's police department. The sales rooms
of the Columbia Phonograph Co., both in
this country and abroad, have so many dis-
tinguished visitors that an observer is some-
times reminded of the saying that if a person
stands on the steps of the United States
Hotel, at Saratoga, for an hour or two, in the
season, he will see pass in or out or walking
or driving past, all the distinguished people
he has ever heard of.
Among the most artistic, elaborate in de-
SHIPMENTS OF OLD VIOLINS
sign and effective in execution of the
Hohner harmonica specialties is the Received by Buegeleisen & Jacobson—Many Old
Masters Represented.
"Marine Band" tremolo, with two extra
clear tone bells. For concert and general
An invoice of old violins has been received
entertainment purposes it is a standard fa- from Europe this week by Buegeleisen &
vorite in this country as well as in Europe. Jacobson, 113-115 University place, New
Regarding its construction, the style, York. Several of the old masters are repre-
known as Style 125, had 20 double holes, sented in the lot by some of their finest
40 reeds, brass plates, nickel covers, ex- models, and all are in an excellent state of
tension ends, fancy gilt stamped tremolo preservation. Shipments of the kind are con-
tuned. It is supplied in a hinged leather- tinually coming in for the firm, who find a
ette case.
Of smaller size and plainer ready market for these rare goods at right
make is the "Marine Band" with bell at- prices.
tachments. T h e Ho'hner Full Concert
Their new 150-page catalogue went to
Harp, double sided, is another favorite with press this week, and will be ready for distri-
professional and amateur musicians.
bution early next month. It is their most am-
bitious effort, in size trebling any previous
W. R. GRATZ IN CHICAGO.
issue, and contains a very complete, interest-
ing
and comprehensive presentation of their
William R. Gratz, of the William R.
large, varied and carefully selected stock,
Gratz Co., 11 East 22d street, is doing well
illustrative and descriptive. A handsome
at Chicago, where he has his Western head- cover, special paper and up-to-date typo-
quarters. There are many visitors to the graphic work adds to its attractiveness.
Gratz exhibit and as a result, many orders
After a month's absence, S. Buegeleisen
ensue for the Gratz specialties, which in- returned from a selling trip Wednesday, and
clude the genuine "Courtois" band instru- next week Mr. Jacobson, the junior partner,
ments and Saxophones, the Bohland & will "hike" for the West on a similar journey.
Their business is keeping right up to the
Fuchs line of instruments, and many other mark, due in great measure to their progres-
first-rate specialties in the same and other sive methods and having the goods that sell
departments, including accordeons in sev- —not a "dead one" in the house.
eral recent styles.
OSCAR SCHMIDT'S NEW LINE.
Joseph Mock, secretary of the company,
His
new
line of guitars is now being offered
is making a brief business trip. Herman
the
trade
by
Oscar Schmidt, who has one of
Baehr, Gratz traveler, who has been recu-
the best equipped small instrument plants in
perating in the South from a severe indis- the country at Hoboken, N. J. Further trade
OLD VIOLIN VARNISH
position has returned to New York.
notice says the gentleman is considering
Again Comes Up for Discussion in Trade Circles.
the manufacture of a line of low grade vio-
PURCHASED GRAPHOPHONES.
lins. It is certain if such a step is finally
Once again the announcement is made that
decided upon the goods will be right and the
Within an hour's time the other day the deliveries as per contract. Mr. Schmidt is
the varnish of the old master violin m a k e r s -
classified as one of the "lost arts"—has been names of four people of prominence were reg- one of those fortunate men whose every
rediscovered by a New York small goods mer- istered as purchasers of graphophones and undertaking is crowned with success.
chant. He announces the fact in a special supplies at the retail store of the Columbia
MR. GOODWIN LEAVES FOR HOME.
story in a Sunday paper, an institution which Phonograph Co., No. 872 Broadway, viz.:
T. C. Goodwin, manager of Lyon & Healy's
small goods department, who was in New
PLACE TO BUY
York on a buying trip, left for Chicago Tues-
day.
THE
VICTOR
TALKING MACHINES, RECORDS
AND ACCESSORIES
G O O D S Shipped within 24 hours
The largest and most complete stock in the United States.
THE VICTOR DISTRIBUTING AND EXPORT CO.,
77 Chambers Street, New York.
The Harlem-Meyers Music Co., of Den-
ver, whose incorporation was recorded last
week have purchased the entire stock of
sheet music and small goods carried by the
Knight-Locke Piano Co. The Knight-Locke
Co. will in future devote themselves solely
to the sale of pianos and piano players.