Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1905 Vol. 41 N. 10

Page 5 Text:

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
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VOL. XLI. No. 10.
Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill at I Madison Ave., New York, Sept. 9, 1905.
SINGLE COPIES. 10 CENTS.
$2.00 PER YEAR.
WHAT IS THE PIANO?
HAVE YOU JOINED ?
SHIPPING PIANOS UNBOXED.
Some Reflections Which Show How Its An-
cestry Is Overlooked and How Some Com-
posers Consider It an Orchestra and Not a
Solo or Chamber Instrument.
Every Traveling Man Shuold Become a Mem-
ber of the National Piano Travelers' Asso-
ciation.
According to a Ruling of the Western Classi-
fication Committee Pianos May Be Shipped
Without Being Encased in Frames or Boxes
After Oct. 1—Conditions Necessary.
The fact that the piano is descended from the
spinet and the harpsichord is still a stum-
bling block to amateurs of music; the
fact that in tone and resonance it has
lately been enormously developed is a stum-
bling block to those who write for it.
The first class have entirely neglected the harpsi-
chord—a perfect and fully evolved instrument,
the spirit of which is altogether different from
that of the piano; the second class have been
tempted by the dynamics of the piano to treat it
too much like an orchestra, and to forget that
it is not only a solo instrument, but really a
chamber instrument.
Its utterance, which Chopin understood so
well, is really chamber music; and there is al-
ways something lamentable in the contemplation
of a great artist distressing himself and his in-
strument in the attempt to fill a large concert
room with exaggerated expressions of a delicate
and intimate temperament. The effect is never
entirely satisfactory, however great the artist
may be, for that note of intimacy which is sure-
ly the very essence and spirit of the piano, can-
not possibly be maintained in the presence of a
large and miscellaneous audience.
When we consider among all our impressions
of pianoforte music the moments that have given
us memorable pleasure, we find, says the Na-
tional Review, that they took place in intimate
assemblies where some one played and some one
sang, and where the atmosphere thrilled with
just that amount of electric disturbance which we
call sympathy, which is born with the meeting of
friends and dies when they disperse.
TO FIGHT UNJUST DIFFERENTIALS.
The Merchants' Association and the New York
Produce Exchange, according to latest advices,
are to co-operate with the Chamber of Commerce
of the city of Boston, to secure a fair deal as to
railroad rates, which to-day favor Baltimore and
Philadelphia at the expense of Boston and New
York.
The two bodies will show the absurdity of the
rulings of the Interstate Commerce Commission
in the matter of differentials in railroad rates
favoring the cities mentioned. It is pointed out
that this momentous question, which so seri-
ously affects the commerce of the port of New
York, should be fought with vigor, and until the
attainment of successful results.
It is high time New York merchants should
awake from their "Rip Van Winkle" lethargy,
and secure lower freight rates. Philadelphia
manufacturers' are also losing no time in adver-
tising the advantages of their open market, and
even contribute to a fund to entertain buyers
while in the city. Special excursions are now
being run from Pniladelphia to points south and
southwest, and will be continued several months
to come.
The National Piano Travelers' Association, of
which J. C. Amie is president, is steadily grow-
ing in membership. Its objects are so helpful
to the traveling fraternity, that it is difficult to
see why any member of the craft should be out-
side the ranks. The officers are men of decided
ability, who are aided by committees composed
of experienced traveling men, and this combined
with the possibilities of usefulness which this
association represents should make every travel-
ing man proud of being numbered as a member
of this splendid organization. There is one
other point, and it is this—becoming a mem-
ber of the Association is not enough, a healthy
vigorous interest should be manifested to the
end that the Association may become a great
power for goou in the industry.
THEY ADMIRE THE BEHR PIANOS.
The Hobbie Company, of Roanoke, Va., are
great admirers of the Behr pianos, and in an
announcement published in the Roanoke Times
of August 2, 1905, they say:
"A CLEAN-CUT
STATEMENT.
"During the past twenty years we have
handled most of the leading makes of standard
pianos, but have never had a piano in our ware-
rooms superior to, if as fine, in all its appoint-
ments as the new style Behr 'Louis XV Special,'
which we have just received from the factory.
Nothing can be made of better material or finer
finished. It is superlatively perfect in tone and
touch also. We realize the broadness of this
statement, which we make unhesitatingly, as
piano experts. We ask a thorough examination
of this beautiful piano by every musician in
Roanoke. The more cultured the musician, the
quicker the appreciation of the Behr superiority.
"THE
HOBBIE COMPANY,
"Factory Distributors, Roanoke, Va."
This eloquent tribute is in line with other flat-
tering compliments paid the beautiful instru-
ments of this house. The Hobbie Co. are to be
complimented on their good judgment.
THE "PISTON-ROD" OF THE CONCERN.
A piano man who had been up among the fac-
tories of New England was speaking of a cer-
tain general manager who has a reputation for
work.
"There is no doubt," said he, "about that man.
He's the piston-rod of the concern."
A book of business sermons could not have
said more. The piston-rod! That piece of tem-
pered steel that converts power into motion; that
moves and sets the whole machine going, with-
out which it would be an inert mass; that strong,
resistless rod that overcomes inertia and makes
the locomotive walk away with a great load in
its wake.
It's a bad day for a concern when it attempts
to run without a piston-rod.
l to The Review.)
Chicago, Aug. 28, 1905.
Thos. C. Moore, Traffic Manager of the Na-
tional Piano Manufacturers' Association of
America, has sent out the following announce-
ment to the members of the Association:
The Western Classification Committee has
made the following ruling, effective October 1,
1905, in regard to the loading of shipments of
unboxed, upright pianos and cabinet organs, in
carload lots, destined to points within the terri-
tory of the Western Classification Committee,
i. e., west of Chicago and the Mississippi River
to the Pacific Coast.
Unboxed upright pianos shipped in carloads
must meet the following requirements in regard
to loading:
1st. Each piano to be completely covered
(except bottom) with paper hood and tarpaulin
or rubber cover.
2d. Each piano placed on wooden shoes, not
less than two inches thick, freeing casters from
car floor.
3d. To the back of each piano there must be
attached two cleats not less than one inch thick
and six inches wide, extending not less than
four inches beyond either end of piano—one at
top and one at bottom—each fastened with not
less than 2 1 /.-inch screws, ends of cleats to be
firmly secured to horizontal braces screwed to
sides and ends of car, the whole forming a
frame work running full length and width of
car, and so secured as to absolutely prevent any
end or side motion of pianos.
4th. A sufficient space must be left between
pianos to prevent rubbing or chafing.
5th. All cleats and bracing to be of hardwood
lumber not less than one inch thick nor less
than six inches wide.
Unboxed organs to be securely braced in car
in similar manner except that it will not be
required that cleats be fastened to instruments,
and if casters are removed, it will not be re-
quired that the organs be set on shoes.
One empty box for return of wrappings and
harness may be included with C. L. shipments
of upright pianos and organs.
Please have your shipping department read
these instructions carefully and be governed
accordingly.
LEARNING PIANO TUNING AT HARDMAN'S.
H. I. Paul, son of L. M. Paul, piano dealer,
Pottsville, Pa., has entered the Hardman piano
factory in this city for the purpose of taking a
thorough course in piano tuning and piano mak-
ing in all its branches. Mr. Paul is a very popu-
lar young man, and a musician and vocalist of
note.
The State Department at Harrisburg, Pa., on
Saturday issued a charter to the A. B. Felge-
maker Erie Organ Co., of Erie, with a capital of
$100,000.

Page 6 Text:

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
apart from other influences which might be enumerated, justify great
faith in the future. The power of piano absorption of this country
is tremendous, and has shattered all predictions made by the pessi-
mists of years ago, who believed that piano making would be in
its decadence by 1900.
D
EDWABD LYMAN DILL.
Editor and Proprietor
J. B. SP1LLANE, Managing Editor.
EXECVTIVE AND REPORTORIAL STAFF:
GEO. B. KELLER,
WM. B. WHITB,
W. N. TYLER,
EMILIB FRANCIS BAUER,
W. L. WILLIAMS,
A. J. NICKLIN,
GEO. W. QUERIPKL.
BOSTON OFFICE:
ERNEST L. WAITT, 255 Washington St.
PHILADELPHIA OFFICE:
R. W. KAUFFMAN.
CH1CAOO OFFICE
E. P. VAN HARLINGEN, 1362 Monadnock Block.
MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL:
E. C. TORREY.
ST. LOUIS OFFICE.
CHAS. N. VAN BUREN.
SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE: ALFRED METZGER. 425-427 Front. St.
Published Every Saturday at 1 Nadison Avenue, New York.
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Class Matter.
SVBSCRIPTION (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 a 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 B11L
On the first Saturday of each month The Review contains In Its
THE ARTISTS' "Artists' Department" all the current musical news. This Is effected
without In any way trespassing on the size or service of the trade
DEPARTMENT section of the paper. It has a special circulation, and therefore
augments materially the value of The Review to advertisers.
PIANA T h e directory o f Ptano manufacturing firms and corporations
M«iT
V.
riANU f o u n ( j o n a n o t h e r page will be of great value, as a reference
MANVTACTUR.ER.S
f or dealers and others.
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE-NVMBER 1745 GRAMERCY.
NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 9, 19O3.
O
NE does not have to look for evidences of activity in the piano
trade when passing the various local factories. On every
side they force themselves on one's attention. Teams in front,
materials pouring in, loads of pianos boxed, going forth to various
parts of the country, all give unmistakable evidences that fall trade
is fairly under way, and it will be of enormous proportions. All
indications point that way, and as we have stated in earlier issues,
the dealers who have placed their orders early will profit by their
business acumen, for there will be a shortage of pianos in some lo-
calities.
ECADENCE! Rot! We are only in our infancy as far as
piano output is concerned. The time will come, not so many
years in the future, when we can handle a half million pianos annu-
ally in this country. Under the modern selling plan, pianos have
ceased to be a luxury, and in most homes they have become an
actual necessity. New conditions, of course, will arise, but the new
conditions will not create a repression of trade in the piano line.
Companies will be formed which will supply the necessary capital
to carry the instalment paper. Within a very few years there
will be a number of great loan companies in the principal cities
which will purchase instalment paper at prices nearly approximat-
ing its real value, with of course proper deductions for interest
and risks, but still sufficient to enable dealers to press on and put
out the instruments. It will be a question of banking facilities to
carry the paper, but the loan companies will be the banking insti-
tutions.
T
HERE are some concerns to-day which act as loan institutions
for the smaller dealers, and they have, in many cases, financed
the business of numbers of their dealers. In other words, they have
acted in the capacity of loan companies, but each year will see
more of these loan companies in the field, because piano instalment
paper will form an enticing attraction to capital.
In the book business loaning has been found to be extremely
profitable, and vast sums of instalment paper have been purchased
by loan companies which have been formed for the sole purple of
carrying instalment paper. When the pessimists ask where the
money will come from to conduct the piano business the question
is at once answered by stating that it will be supplied by loan com-
panies, organized for the especial purpose of purchasing instalment
paper.
It is known to-day that the officers of one large piano concern
are directly interested, and, in fact, practically control a company
formed for the purpose which we have stated—of simply handling
the dealers' paper. It is true, the names of the officers do not appear,
but they are the power behind the throne, nevertheless.
A
WELL-KNOWN piano merchant, while discussing possibili-
ties with The Review recently, said: "There are no dull sea-
sons in the trade for the man who understands his business."
Now, there is a good deal to think about in this statement, but
is it not absolutely true when any line of merchandise is considered
in its entirety? The selling of goods, whether pianos, furniture
HERE can be no stopping the onward march of industrial
or wearing apparel, requires constant vigilance ; for, after all, the sell-
progress. Bounteous crops in all sections of the country will
ing of goods is only a part of any business undertaking, and is, as
give an impetus to business which will send it forward at a tremend-
a rule, the most visible index of success, but it is in reality nothing
ous rate, and we have advanced mightily since the dark days of a but the outcome of careful planning, calculation and preparation,
few years ago. Rapid recovery from trade depression has been
without which all seasons would be dull seasons for house and sales-
a noteworthy feature of the recent history of this country. Yet man. For this reason, it is exceedingly unwise to get into the habit
the panic of 1893, and the three dismal years that followed it, made
of talking about the seasons as having any bearing whatever upon
such a deep impression upon business men that they since have been
business.
prone to take alarm at every indication of a falling off in demand,
and to imagine that another period of slack demand, profitless prices,
E know plenty of piano merchants who figure might)' hard
and business failures is imminent.
to do business in the summer, and whose plans for sum-
It is hard for those who had a severe experience in those trying
mer campaigns are as carefully mapped out as for fall and winter
times to feel confidence in the business situation, and to believe
campaigns. Of course their output is not as large, but in order to
that such cessations of demand as are felt from time to time are
bring it up to a fair point it requires especial work on the part of
casual, and will soon give way to satisfactory activity. The moment
the management of the business.
there is a slowing up of trade men are prone to cry dull times. The
There are concerns in this trade who often place added energy
slackening of faith in the soundness of the conditions upon which
upon the selling department during the summer months, and they
the business fabric of the country rests seems unreasonable when
sell pianos and musical instruments. The man who harps on dull
the situation is satisfactory.
seasons is usually incapable of taking the broad view required to
attain substantial success, for he speaks from the standpoint of a
ONDITIONS which actively promote general business are, a part instead of the whole, and just to the extent that he indulges
steady increase in population, creative and productive energy,
in such illogical and apologetic explanations does he undermine and
and the accumulation of wealth. These factors in business develop-
weaken his whole working force—and his business.
ment are exceptionally operative in the United States. The popu-
lation of the country is increasing at a much greater rate than that
T is quite impossible that anything requisite in any line can be
which obtains in the rest of the world. The creative and productive
done at once. The fireman must get up steam before the en-
energy of our people is the admiration of other nations. No other
gineer can start his engine, but in the meantime the engineer is
country is accumulating wealth so rapidly. These three conditions,
oiling this part and that, examining and adjusting here and there.
T
W
C
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