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THE
MUSIC TRADE
39
REVIEW
In the Musical Merchandise Domain
CONDITIONS VERY SATISFACTORY
In the Small Goods Trade—Business Improv-
ing Week By Week—Prices Well
Main-
tained All Along the Line—Some Concerns
Report the Largest
Business for Many
Years—The Outlook Generally Encouraging.
HOHNER ITALIAN MODELS
In
Accordeons Are Bound to Win a Large
Measure of Favor—A Description of These
Instruments.
In accordance with everything that is the
As previously stated, the conditions in the product of the factory of M. Hohner, Trossingen,
Germany, their accordeons are accorded first
small goods line are in keeping with previous
rank. Therefore they say, and with truth, "What
predictions. Orders are very satisfactory, both
may be considered an important occurrence in
as to size and shipment instructions, and very
little is heard of in complaint, excepting as to the accordeon trade was the producing of a line
collections, and even this is considered mild. of Hohner Italian model, or otherwise known as
Vienna style accordeons, whose quality is above
Prices are being maintained, as the arrangements
with the German manufacturers are still intact,
reports to the contrary notwithstanding. There
is a disposition, of course, to shade quotations at
first hands, but the trade is not likely to receive
any benefits.
With general conditions the sellers are very
much satisfied, as bills are of good size, and as
for the effect on trading, not anything could
more express the feeling as voiced by a whole-
saler of unquestionable standing, as follows:
"We are having the best business ever had in
our career; in fact, we believe the entire line is
No. 400.
reporting the same conditions. From quarters
heretofore considered conservative buyers, we any heretofore placed on the market, at a price
have received orders very much larger than a that is below competition, the numbers of which
are 490, 491, 493, 495 and 496. No. 490 has top
year ago. The inquiry for novelties has been
9%x5'
/£> inches, ebonized frame and keyboard,
surprising, and the demand for goods put up in
more attractive packages, so far as relates to the imitation oak panels with fine fancy open fret
work, extra fine leatherette bellows with 10 folds
smaller instruments, is not only insistent, but
practically mandatory. In the American trade, and brass protectors, fancy trimmings and leather
you know, style and finish are the controlling clasps. It has 10 pearl button keys and four pearl
factors; and the producer who does not recog- button bass keys. No. 491 is the same as No.
nize this fact is apt to be numbered among the
losing ones. Our trade has been increased, and
there is every evidence that other houses have
done equally well, if not better."
SCRIBNER SECURING BIG ORDERS.
On the strength of his new designs Frank
Scribner has already received from one house an
order for $4,000. The "Brass Band Solo" is a
phenomenal success, and will be illustrated and
described in the catalogues of all the leading job-
bing houses. The patterns and packages in which
the fall line of Ch. AVeiss' goods are shown are
the suggestion of Mr. Scribner, and in point of
ornamentation and finish are something new to
the trade.
ELDRIGE R. JOHNSON ELECTED PRESI-
DENT.
(Special to The Review.)
Philadelphia, Pa., September 6, 1904.
Eldrige R. Johnson, president of the Victor
Talking Machine Co., on Saturday afternoon was
elected a director of the First National Bank,
to succeed the late John F. Starr, Sr. Mr. John-
son is a man of keen business ability, and has
built up one of the largest industries in the city
in a few years' time. The products of the Victor
Talking Machine Co. are shipped to all parts of
the world.
No. 403.
490, but has steel reeds, walnut finished frames
and panels.
"The top of No. 493 is 5yoxll inches in size, the
woodwork is highly polished with fine mahogany
finish. Its panels are grandly designed with open
fret work, the bellows are very air-tight and
made of leatherette with 14 folds and brass pro-
tectors. It has fancy trimmings, leather clasp,
19 pearl button keys, eight pearl button bass
keys.
"No. 495 has top 5 1 ,£xll inches, ebonized
frames, keyboards and panels with fancy open
HENRY B. BABSON BOUND WEST.
Henry B. Babson, president of the Universal
Talking Machine Mfg. Co., is varying his summer
vacation with a trip West, going last Friday. He
will stop at Chicago and St. Louis en route, but
his ultimate destination is Colorado, where he
will go on a hunting trip after big game in the
mountains. In the meantime his yacht is out ot
No.495.
commission, as he will not be back for three
fret
work,
very
best
leatherette
bellows with 14
weeks.
folds and brass protectors, trimmings and leather
Julius Hoerner was arrested last week at clasps. It has 21 pearl button keys, 12 pearl
Blairsville, Pa., on a charge of embezzlement and button bass keys. No. 496 is similar to No. 495,
forgery preferred by the Columbia Phonograph
with the exception of having walnut finished
Co. Hoerner was held in $1,000 bail,
woodwork and steel rods."
A CAMPAIGN NOVELTY.
The Zobo-Phone Is Going to Be the Feature
of the Presidential Campaign.
Naturally a Presidential campaign brings out
novelties in the musical line, but one of the best,
and worthy the attention of dealers, is the "Zobo-
Phone," manufactured by the Strauss Mfg. Co.,
New York. It is a wonderful improvement on the
old-time tin horns, and it is everything a
horn is and more besides. As the manufacturer
says: "You can play over 1,000 different melo-
dies on the 'Zobo-Phone.' It's a little marvel that
creates a great big field for great big selling.
Sing into the mouthpiece and the 'Zobo-Phone'
sings with you. It's as boisterous as any tin
horn or as calm as a light melody—just as you
wish. The 'Zobo-Phone' is a new wonder. It
fills the bill for any occasion, from a serene
church concert to a wild election campaign or
college celebration."
RARE AND VALUABLE IRISH VIOLIN.
(Special to The Review.)
Elgin, 111., September 6, 1904.
Mrs. George Fields, of East Jefferson street, has
come into possession of an old violin which was
made by her mother's great, great, great grand-
father, being more than 300 years old. Her an-
cestor made it in Dublin, Ireland. An ivory piece
which formerly ornamented the violin has been
lost and the violin needs slight repairs which the
owner will have completed in the near future.
There is a faint trace of a 5 and 0 on a small bit
of brass plate on the instrument which Mrs.
Fields believes means the date 1550. It has been
handed down until it now falls into the hands of
the present owner who prizes it highly.
VICTOR RECORDS IN DEMAND.
The demand for recent Victor talking machine
records exceeds even the most sanguine expecta-
tions. This is particularly truo regarding the
new dance records, made especially for use in
country houses, to take the place of the rural or-
chestra, frequently crude in interpretation, not
particularly vivacious or willing, often high-priced
and nearly always thirsty. The Victor gives per-
fect interpretations, is always ready to respond,
costs but a trifle at the beginning, with no further
expense except for records, and never appeals to
the host for rest or refreshments between the
dances.