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THE
MUSiC TRADE
37
REVIEW
S. BUEGELEISEN RETURNS
the effects of the quake had been exaggerated, we
proceeded about our business. I wished to ex-
From a Profitable and Enjoyable European
press my personal feelings over their misfor-
Trip—Interesting Chat About Conditions in
tunes to our Pacific Coast trade, but later found
Europe—Purchased Immense Stock While
that I. E. Harris, our capable office manager, and
Abroad—Secure New Agencies.
Lou Buegeleisen, my brother, had grasped the
situation and done the matter full justice, and
Returning from Europe Tuesday of last week, (hat pleased me greatly, I can assure you. The
after a two months' hurried run around the small Review has kindly referred to the many appre-
goods centers of the continent, and on the way ciative letters we received from San Francisco
back stopping in London, S. Buegeleisen, of Bue- and other stricken cities in response, a circum-
geleisen & JacoLson. 113-115 University Place, stance for which I am profoundly grateful.
New York, was disposed to chat freely of his trip
"Now, to business. Everywhere I found a ten-
to The Review on Tuesday, as follows: "I am dency to advance prices, even on beer. Let me
tell you that if beer should go up in Germany,
the price of 'fids' would certainly be increased
60 per cent. The working classes are becoming
more strongly organized every year, and conse-
quently are demanding higher wages. Material
of all kinds has gone up, and this is having its
influence in the cost of finished goods. The ac-
cordeon manufacturers have, in a measure, antici-
pated this condition and are providing against the
contingency in this manner, and by placing large
orders, our trade will be taken care of at the
present figures for some time; how long, however,
I cannot say. Violin makers, especially of the
cheaper grades, are men with such small capital
that they must necessarily buy their material
from hand to mouth, as it were, and therefore
the buyer negotiating on a large scale, such as I
did, gets the advantage. For this reason there
will be no advance with us on this line of goods.
"We have secured the agency for the United
States and Canada of the fine brass instruments
—cornets and trombones—made by Gonet &
Co., of Paris. Also Le Blanc & Co.'s line of
superb clarionets and parts. Right here I might
say that brass in Europe has been chalked up
so rapidly that instruments of this metal will be
even higher than last fall. Our line of Durro
violins and trimmings has been greatly strength-
ened, from the fact that Sig. Durro has been im-
proving his goods regardless of cost. We have
added a new line of Durro, violin, 'cello and bass
bows. Also a special Durro string, single length,
specially stretched and tested and absolutely per-
fect.
"On the way back I stopped in London and
was surprised to find the market exceedingly
quiet. The after-effect of the Boer war is now at
an acute stage. The dealers there are wide-awake
feeling fine as a fiddle after seeing what is going and up-to-date, but apparently they cannot force
on abroad in the trade. It may be a little late to the issue. If the London market were in its
mention it, but nevertheless it represented the normal condition we would be paying much
feelings of the Americans aboard the 'Kaiser higher prices for our goods."
Wilhelm' regarding the San Francisco horror. We
heard of it via Marconi wireless when within 600
BUYS SMALL GOODS DEPARTMENT.
miles of Plymouth. The report was that 30,000
people had been killed. It cast a profound gloom
over the ship," for every person, native or foreign,
The small goods department of Taylor's Music
seemed to be personally interested. You know House, Springfield, Mass,, has been purchased by
Europeans are enamored of our Western people, J. Edwin Gibbs, who will carry on the business
considering them the typical Americans—they in the present quarters. The Taylor people will
like the breed immensely, and the expressions of devote themselves to pianos and players exclu-
sorrow were sincere and profound. Every man sively. Miss Elizabeth L. Godfrey will conduct
from here at once resolved to turn back home, the sheet music end as an independent branch of
but after learning, immediately on landing, that the business.
BUYING IS FAIRLY STEADY
In the Small Goods Field—Preparing a Large
Quantity of Goods—Conditions Were Never
Better—Placing Large Contracts Abroad.
For this season of the year the majority of
active small goods importers and distributors re-
port a very satisfactory business. To be sure,
there is no rush in evidence, but the buying is
fairly steady and in good volume. As early as it
is, the indications are that fall trade will score
new high levels in the matter of sales, and houses
regarded as headquarters, East and West, are
making preparations to move a greater quantity
of goods than ever before. It is argued in the
primary markets that the conditions of the coun-
try are such that no setback or curtailment in
general business is likely to occur, so these
views are being acted upon in a practical way.
The first buyers to return from abroad declare
the outlook is for firm prices, as labor in the
various European small goods centers is better
organized and therefore more aggressive. Wages
have been advancing, and it now appears as if
still further demands may be insisted upon.
Should these predictions prove true, the market
will become decidedly stiff, and therefore Amer-
ican firms are making such arrangements as may
preclude the misfortune of too sharp an increase
in prices for all lines of musical merchandise.
Under these circumstances it is considered advisa-
ble to bear these facts in mind, and in making up
orders for holiday stock, early shipments should
be specified. On domestic goods it is safe to say
about the same conditions are likely to prevail.
The situation was outlined to The Review by a
leading small goods principal as follows:
"It is really surprising how business is holding
out for so late in the season. The demand is
quite brisk, all things considered, and we look
for an early opening of the fall trade. Abroad,
the buyers from the prominent distributors are
making the largest contracts they have ever en-
tered upon. The drift of events, as studied on
the spot, cannot be concealed, and to cover every
possible contingency as to price and sufficient
working margin on stock they are placing lib-
Prof. Hugo Heermann
The Eminent Violinist and
BLACK DIAMOND Strings
GENTLEMEN :—
I am sailing to Australia next week, and
shall pass through New York between the 5th
and 8th of May ("Blucher," Hamburg-Amerlka
Line).
Will you send enclosed order for Violin G
strings BLACK DIAMOND to address given be-
low, or do you have a Dealer's shop in New
York where I might find your strings? If so
please let me know at the same address.
The strings are most excellent.
Yours sincerely,
H. HEERMANN.
Frankfort o/M., April, 1905.
NATIONAL MUSICAL STRING COMPANY
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Eagle Brand Drum and Banjo Heads; 20th Century Drums,
Rex Banjos, Mandolins and Guitars.
FACTORS
THE TRADE.
C. C. CONN CO.'S
New York Branch Office,
No. 46 West 28th Street.
PIANO
H:
STOOLS
BENCHES
CHAIRS
SCARFS
COVERS
Weaver's New Method of
Instruction for the Reed
Organ. 38,000 copies sold
in 10 months.
A display of the famous "Perfected
Conn-queror" Cornets and the
"Wonder" and American Model
O. D. WEAVER & CO.
Band and Orchestra Instruments.
195-197 Wabash Avenue, Chicago
JAS. F. BOYER, Mgr.