Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1906 Vol. 42 N. 26

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
6
THE
MUSIC TRADE
MEW
EDWARD LYMAN BILL, - Editor and Proprietor
J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor
Executive and Reportorlal Stall:
GBO. B. KBLLEK.
W. N. TYLER.
F. H. THOMPSON.
EMILIB FHANCES BADKH.
L. B. BOWERS. B. BRITTAIN WILSON, Wir. B. WHITE. L. J. CHAMBERLIN. A. J. NICKLIN.
BOSTON OFFICE:
CHICAGO OFFICE:
E. P. VAN HARLINQEN, 195-197 Wabash Ave.
TELEPHONES : Central 414 ; Automatic 8G43,
PHILADELPHIA OFFICE: MINNEAPOLIS and ST. PAUL: ST. LOUIS OFFICE
BBNEST L. WAITT, 278A Tremont St.
R. W. KAUFFMAN.
A. W. SHAW.
NINA PUOH-SMITH.
Published Every Saturday at 1 Madison Avenue, New York.
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Class Matter.
SUBSCRIPTION, (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 Bill.
Directory ol Piano
~
: ~
Manufacturers
The directory of piano manufacturing firms and corporations
found on another page will be of great value, as a reference
f o r (j e a i e r B a n a others.
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
Grand Prix
Paris Exposition, 1900 Hilv< r lfcd«f.Chfirlostcm Exposition, I'.loJ
Diploma. Pan-American Exposition, 1901 Gold Medal. . St. Louis Exposition, 1904
Gold Medal.Lewis Clark Exposition, 1905
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE-NUMBER 1745 GRAMERCY
NEW
YORK,
JUNE 30,
1906
EDITORIAL
F
REQUENTLY the statement is made that while a certain piano
man may be making a good many sales, he is doing business
without profit. Now of what avail is trade if goods are persistently
sold at a loss to either the producer or retailer? Trade must be
conducted along profitable lines else the business may as well be
abandoned, and there is nowadays a tendency on the part of modern
business men to go more exhaustively into the actual cost of selling
a product than ever before. We know of the head of one piano
concern who some years ago found his trade steadily declining.
His yearly output had shrunk materially from the high water mark
and the members of the firm stated they could not afford to sell
pianos below a certain figure, because their instruments cost them
so much to produce. There came a change in the management,
and it was decided to introduce new methods in the manufacturing
department, and first of all it became expedient to increase the
factory output, fixing a certain number of instruments annually,
which must be manufactured and sold.
T
HE modern forces determined that the selling cost of each in-
strument would decrease materially according to the output,
and the first year the business came nearly up to the sales schedule
arranged and planned by the reorganizer. The next year the num-
ber of pianos was reached and passed. To do this required simply
the application of sound business system. And there are a good many
people to-day whose selling expenses are enormous for a limited
business, and many who do not know actually what it costs them
to sell pianos, but the history of the industry shows that successful
concerns are all familiar with the producing and selling costs.
They can tell within a five-cent piece what a piano costs when it is
placed in the car for shipment. And the big retail houses know
what it costs to sell a piano with every expense figured in. A man
who fools himself in these times through ignorance of the situation
is liable to lose ground rather than to forge ahead.
HE astonishing growth exhibited by the figures published by
the U. S. Census Department first appearing in The Review
two weeks ago, furnish an interesting summary as to the growth
and development of this industry. According to this report the
T
total capital invested in 1904 was $72,205,829, divided as follows:
In the manufacture of pianos, organs and attachments, $56,853,013;
in the manufacture of piano and organ materials, $11,618,997; in
the manufacture of miscellaneous musical instruments and mate-
rials, $3,733,819. The total capital invested in 1900 was $47,751,-
582; increase in 1904 over 1900, 51.2 per cent.
A NOTHER interesting fact revealed by the figures lies in the
A
following, which we extracted from The Review statement:
The total value of the product in 1904, including the five establish-
ments heretofore referred to, was $69,746,209, of which $52,964,-
315 was in pianos, organs and attachments, $13,128,315 in piano
and organ materials, and $3,478,8(10 in miscellaneous musical in-
struments and materials. The value of the product in 1900 was
$44,514,463. making an increase of 56.3 in 1904 over
CHAS. N. VAN BUREN.
SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE: ALFRED METZGER, 425-427 Front S t
CINCINNATI, O.:
REVIEW
S
URELY the report shows a phenomenal growth in the music
trade affairs of this country, and the end is not reached by a
good deal. We have men, of course, who now cry over-production.
We had the same kind of men twenty years ago who said that by
1900 the entire piano business would collapse. We can name a
number who stated that the entire demand for pianos would be
supplied, and that the sale for pianos for 1900 would diminish so
that many factories would have to be closed or go into other lines
of manufacture. On the contrary, there has been a marvelous in-
crease, and while we do not believe in the minute exactness of the
Government reports on special industries, yet they furnish interest-
ing data which may be assumed to be fairly correct.
T
HERE is no reason to believe that we are approaching the
over-production point in musical instruments for America,
for when the home market is fully supplied, there is an opportunity
to cater to a world-wide trade in a systematic manner, which will
be bound to bring about desired results.
T
HE national unification of prices will be of the greatest benefit
to the trade, and manufacturers and dealers are rapidly being
brought around to the belief that one price is the proper way in
which to conduct the piano business, and they are also further im-
pressed with the idea that that price should be the correct one, and
that it must be named by the manufacturer. The any old price
of years gone by has been succeeded by a willingness on the part
of leading members of the trade to stick to the one price principle.
It removes the barter element, and all that goes with it, from the
piano industry and places it on a plane where it must be respected
by business men in every other line.
The belief is steadily growing that the manufacturers must
fix the prices at which their instruments shall be offered to the
purchasing public, and in that way only can piano stability be main-
tained and improved with the passing of the years.
A SUBSCRIBER to The Review asks: "What do you suggest
1~\
as a means to encourage trade during the summer?" The
question is answered briefly: Work is the best means to know to
assist trade during the dull summer months, but that work must be
well directed. It is a hard tussle in this busy workaday world of ours
to win success in any line, but as a noted writer says: There is
no success in life without industry. To have the character for
it is the passport to favor, and to practice it gives daily additional
power and worth. In the struggle for life on every side, laziness
is left behind at the starting. Competition demands application
and diligence if we would not be beaten. Men stand too thick on
the ground, and the strong outgrow the weak. Dutch shopkeeping
will not do now even in Holland ; the feather bed and long pipe in the
parlor and lazy parley before getting up are a tradition; there are
no sleepy hollows in modern commerce, hardly any in modern life.
A little honey has to be gathered from many flowers. Industry
saves the moments, acts with full knowledge, gives its heart to its
work, keeps its eyes and ears open, is always rather too soon than
too late. It meets opportunity as it comes; idleness follows it. It
is thoughtful of all that goes to its aim and never misses through
thinking on other things. Tt turns worthlessness into new wealth,
and is quick at seeing improvements on existing uses. All that we
see bears its mark; for civilization, in every detail, is its creation.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
MUSIC
TRADE
REVIEW
M. B. GIBSON RECOVERING
ONE PRICE PRIZE ANNOUNCEMENT.
From a Very Serious Attack of Typhoid Fever
—Associates Delighted at the Good Reports
This Week from the Sick Room.
M. B. Gibson, president of the Weaver Organ
& Piano Co., York, Pa., has been suffering for
several weeks from an acute attack of typhoid
fever, his fever ranging from 101 to 104. He
appears to have passed the crisis in his case, and
has been improving steadily during the past
week, his condition now being very favorable
for a complete recovery. His case commenced
to develop only a few days after the convention
at Washington. It is more than likely that the
typhoid germ was picked up at Washington, in
asmuch as Mr. Gibson spent about a solid week
there during the convention, and in view of the
fact that there is very little if any typhoid
fever in the city of York.
His associates are anxious for his speedy re-
covery, and in the meantime are busy trying to
fill up the gap caused by the absence of Mr. Gib-
son from the desk. The factory is running to
its fullest capacity, and the company in all de-
partments is doing most excellent business, the
organization being such that the temporary ab-
sence of Mr. Gibson does not interfere with the
progress of the institution. His associates have
been quite anxious about his condition and feel
considerable relief now that there is good ground
for hope of his complete recovery.
STEVENS ORGAN AND PIANO CO.
The Subject of Some Complimentary Remarks
—A Rare Old Piano Made by the Famous
Stein Family of Germany.
The Marietta, O., Register, of recent date con-
tained an extended story bearing on the achieve-
ments of the Stevens Organ & Piano Co., who
are characterized as among the most important
of the city's manufacturing institutions. The
various features which have helped to individual-
ize the Stevens products are referred to at length
as well as their methods of manufacturing.
A curiosity that may be seen at the storerooms
of the factory is an old-fashioned square piano,
which is certainly over 100 years old, and was
taken in exchange for a new instrument. The
inscription on this old relic reads:
"ANDRE STEIN
d'Augsbourg
a
VIENNE."
It is thought to have been taken in exchange
at Pittsburg, Pa. It was, in its day, a fine instru-
ment, and even now retains much of its beauty
of design.
E. G. TONK WINSJVUNY RACES.
Clever Son of a Clever Father Displays Great
Skill as an Oarsman—A Credit to the Piano
Trade Is This Young Man.
C?OME years ago the Review started the one price agitation by
^ offering a prize for the best article on the one price system.
For months past we have advocated the establishment of the
price at retail by the manufacturer at which his product shall
be sold. Resolutions were passed at Washington favoring this
plan, and we believe that the more the question is agitated
the more adherents it will win, therefore we will offer a cash
prize of $25.00 for the best article upon the subject: "Benefits
Which Will Accrue to the Trade by the Manufacturer
Establishing Retail Prices at Which His Pianos Shall be
Sold." All contributions should be typewritten, and addressed
to the Prize Editor, The Music Trade Review, 1 Madison
Avenue, New York.
ations much valuable information as to the care
of organs, means for cleaning the reeds, etc., that
will prove valuable to both dealer and customer.
The factory is located at Lebanon, Pa., where
further information regarding the merits of these
instruments may be obtained.
ROBT. C. ODGEN'S 70TH BIRTHDAY.
Resident Partner of Wanamaker's New York
Store Presented With an Address of Con-
gratulation.
On the occasion of the seventieth birthday of
CHRISTMAN SONS SECURE
A
Quaint
Piano
Originally
Owned by
One of the Teachers of Adelina Patti.
Christman Sons, of 35 West 14th street, have
a penchant for securing pianos with a history
in exchange for sales of their own instruments.
A short time ago they came into possession of
the piano used by President Roosevelt when a
boy, and during the past week they received one
that many years ago was the property of Profes-
sor Sanders, the well-known authority on spell-
ing and the compiler of Sanders' Spelling Book.
Professor Sanders was also a music teacher of
considerable note, and is said to have been the
first instructor of Adelina Patti, and so, judging
by the age of this instrument, it is more than
probable that great singer frequently used it in
the course of her lessons. The piano is of Eng-
lish make, has birdcage action, and a flat scale.
The name of its makers has disappeared, but
competent judges say it is over seventy or more
years old.
RENNER & DOERZBACH DISSOLVE.
(Special to The Keview.)
Sandusky, O., June 25, 1906.
The firm of Renner & Doerzbach, piano dealers,
dissolved partnership Saturday. In the future
John Renner will look after the piano business
while George Doerzbach will give his entire at-
tention to the phonograph business which has
grown considerably during the past few years.
The firm of Renner & Doerzbach was formed six
years ago, and during its existence it has been
very successful.
One of the younger members of the New York
City piano trade has won high honors as an
athlete during the past week as an oarsman at
the Nassau Boat Club races on the Harlem River.
KORBY PIANO CO. INCORPORATED.
The fortunate young man was E. G. Tonk, the
second son of William Tonk, of William Tonk &
The Korby Piano Co., Duluth, Minn., have been
Bro., of 452-456 Tenth avenue. E. G. Tonk was
the favorite for the novice single race, and he incorporated with a capital of $20,000, to engage
in the buying and selling of musical instruments
came up to expectations, as he took the lead at
of all kinds. Incorporators, John Korby, J. B.
the start and was never headed. He was winner
in the following events: Novice single gig, sec- Cooley and P. J. Virgeant, all of Duluth.
ond and final heat in the junior double gig and
third in the junior single gig.
The Packard Piano Co., of Ft. Wayne, Ind.,
with a claim of $1,851.05, principally promissory
notes, the Spies Piano Manufacturing Co., of
MILLER ORGAN CATALOGUE.
New York City, with a claim of $2,555, and Kaf-
The Miller Organ & Piano Co. have issued a fenberger & Cantor, also of New York, filed suit
new and handsome catalogue, giving illustrations in involuntary bankruptcy in the United States
of twelve of their most popular styles from small Court last week against Elton L. Mathie, of Mari-
organs, readily moved, and those with piano cases, ette, Ohio, whose assignment was announced in a
to elaborate creations highly ornamented and
recent issue of The Review. The petition calls
massive. There is also given in connection with for the winding up of the business in a manner
the descriptive matter treating of these new ere- that will be equitable to the petitioners.
BOBEBT C. OGDKN.
Robert C. Ogden, resident partner of John Wana-
maker's establishment in New York, which oc-
curred last week, he was presented with an ad-
dress of congratulation signed by the members
of the special parties who have been his guests
at the six educational conferences which have
been held in the South under his leadership.
The address was forwarded to Kennebunkport,
Me., where Mr. Ogden was staying, and an a.c-
companying letter asked Mr. Ogden to name a
day later in the year when he can accept the
hospitality of the signers at dinner in New York.
Mr. Ogden, by the way, has long been a close stu-
dent of the piano trade and the piano department
at Wanamaker's has received much considera-
tion at his hands.
DOING WELL WITH THE BEHNING.
The Mapel Music Co., Denver, Col., are doing
an excellent business with both Behning pianos
and player-pianos and upon a recent trip East
left a large order for several styles of these in-
struments.
Otto Baab, of Springfield, Mass., was a caller
on the piano trade on Thursday.

Download Page 6: PDF File | Image

Download Page 7 PDF File | Image

Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).

Pro Tip: You can flip pages on the issue easily by using the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard.