Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1906 Vol. 42 N. 7

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
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THE
flUJIC TFADE
VOL. XLII. No. 7.
Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill at I Madison Ave., New York, Feb. 17, 1906.
OUR FOREIGN CUSTOMERS.
Pianos and Other Musical Instruments Shipped
Abroad from the Port of New York for the
Week Just Ended.
(Special to The Review.)
Washington, D. C, Feb. 12.
The following were the exports of musical in-
struments and kindred lines from the Port of
New York for the week just ended:
Acajutla—2 cases pianos, $350; 4 cases piano
players and material, $600; 4 cases pianos,
$629.
Amsterdam—16 pkgs. music rolls, $480; 6 pkgs.
talking machines and material, $180; 21 cases
organs and material, $1,150.
Bahia—2 pkgs. musical instruments, $380; 19
pkgs. talking machines and material, $1,005; 2
cases pianos, $500; 3 cases organs, $128; 2 cases
piano players and material.
Berlin—188 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
terial, $3,734.
Bombay—156 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
terial, $3,185.
Brussels—104 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
terial, $690; 1 pkg. musical instruments, $147.
Buenos Ayres—2 cases pianos and material,
$803; 26 pkgs. talking machines and material,
$485.
Cape Town—5 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
terial, $113; 7 cases organs and material, $780.
Callao—6 pkgs. talking machines and material,
$136.
Christiania—26 cases organs, $3,120.
Copenhagen—20 pkgs. talking machines and
material, $323; 11 cases organs and material,
$324.
Glasgow—1 case pianos and material, $250; 21
pkgs. talking machines and material. $874.
Hamburg—24 cases organs and material,
$1,474; 15 cases pianos and material. $624; 3 cases
piano players and material, $260; 24 cases pianos,
$1,105; 1 pkg. musical instruments, $300.
Havana—4 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
terial, $186; 2 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
terial, $189; 3 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
terial, $111; 6 cases pianos and material, $1,000.
Havre—14 pkgs. talking machines and material,
$834; 4 cases pianos and material, $900; 3 cases
piano players and material, $505.
Kingston—3 cases organs and material, $132.
Leipzig—16 cases organs, $1,041.
Limon—6 pkgs. talking machines and material,
$118.
Liverpool—10 cases organs, $1,210; 11 cases
pianos, $627.
London—76 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
terial, $9,520; 1 case piano players and material,
$175; 4 cases pianos and material, $800; 134
piano players and material, $43,125; 1,002 pkgs.
talking machines and material, $10,685; 7 cases
organs and material, $297; 1 pkg. music, $123.
Manchester—11 pkgs. music paper, $440.
Maracaibo—5 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
terial, $154.
Mollendo—8 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
terial, $246.
Naples—3 cases pianos and material, $345.
Nassau—2 cases organ material, $160.
10 CENTS.
R.
Nuevitas—5 cases piano material, $119; 14
PIANO TAX
pkgs. talking machines and material, $177.
Santiago—11 pkgs. talking machines and ma- Says Kentucky Dealer,
terial, $309.
tion as to the Rights o
Tampico—1 case pianos and material, $130; 1
Under the Law.
case organs and material, $133.
Vienna—27 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
Glasgow, Ky.,
:, 1906.
terial, $1,301; 19 pkgs. talking machines and ma- Mr. Edward Lyman Bill, New York:"
terial, $570.
My Dear Sir—Taxing piano and organ agencies
in Kentucky will, beyond the shadow of a doubt,
cause quite a number of the middlemen to give up
STEINWAY PIANO TO BE USED
their agencies. To make it anything like a success
At the Wedding of Miss Alice Roosevelt, Which
an agent is compelled to go in and canvass several
Takes Place To-day.
different counties, and owing to this tax of $20 for
each county would be too great, taking other ex-
The wedding of Miss Alice Roosevelt, daughter penses into consideration, consequently it is sure
of the President, which takes place this (Satur- to cut out about all the middlemen or the small
day) afternoon, occurs in the great East room, dealers. The State of Kentucky can't expect
the show place of the beautifully simple White much tax on piano and organ agencies unless they
House. It is large and airy, and not encumbered can get it out of the wholesale and retail dealers
with heavy hangings. It is finished in delicate in the large cities of the State. I don't know
white and gold, the appropriate setting for a whether this will apply to the wholesale and re-
beautiful wedding. The beauty of the room has tail dealers in the large cities or not. It was
been further enhanced by the floral decorations very wrong to impose this tax on piano and or-
whicn have been contributed by the White House gan agencies simply because it is dead sure to
conservatories. At the end of this room stands affect trade, and I am bitterly against any tax
the beautiful grand piano donated by Steinway & that interferes with trade in any way. Now, I de-
Sons to the nation, which is covered entirely with sire some one who knows to answer the follow-
gold leaf and hand painted in exquisite panels. ing question:
On the sides of the instrument are the coats-of-
Would the catalogue houses have a right to
arms of the thirteen original States, and inside ship pianos and organs into this State without
the lid is a beautiful allegorical painting. This paying this tax just the same as the traveling
instrument used as an accompaniment to the agent? I hope some expert who understands the
choral music at the wedding contributed to one above question will answer same through The
of the most notable functions which has ever oc- Music Trade Review.
curred in the White House.
Respectfully,
JOHN T. DENNISON.
LAUTER CO.'S NEW ENGLAND TRADE.
(Special to The Review.)
Newark, N. J., Feb. 13, 1906.
Charles A. Borst, the Lauter Co.'s Eastern rep-
resentative, returned this week from a very suc-
cessful trip of the New England States. In the
course of conversation, Mr. Borst said': "Wher-
ever I went in New England I found the warmest
enthusiasm over Lauter quality, and wherever the
piano is handled I heard nothing but praise of
the fine goods we are producing, and this not
only from our own agents, but from competitive
dealers who have seen the piano." Such is the
enthusiasm that Mr. Borst exhibits over the prod-
ucts of his house.
The numerous inquiries from dealers in points
in Pennsylvania and elsewhere compel Mr. Borst
to start out on an extended trip immediately.
Business, both wholesale and retail, was never
better with the Lauter Co. Despite its utmost
endeavors, the factory is unable to ship pianos
as quickly as could be wished. The Lauter player-
piano is especially in great demand.
President Cameron is at Pinehurst, and writes
that he is having an ideal time on the golf
course.
PADEREWSKI'S PLANS.
Will Not Retire from Public Life—Still Prac-
ticing Ten Hours a Day.
A representative of the Echo de Paris has been
investigating the report that Paderewski has de-
cided to retire altogether from public life. He
called at the great pianist's chateau near Lau-
sanne, in Switzerland, where he was confronted
by a stern, solemn and imposing valet, and the
information that no journalist was ever allowed
to cross the threshold. However, from two inti-
mate neighbors of the Polish virtuoso, he learned
that Paderewski is in excellent health, and may
be expected to make his public reappearance
shortly. In Switzerland, Paderewski leads a her-
mit's life, with the important distinction that he
practices the piano ten or twelve hours a day.
He has almost finished the score of an opera, and
has composed several pianoforte pieces. In his
Ftudy he has a picture gallery of royal photo-
graphs, every one signed; in his gardens he
grows wonderful grapes, which find ready sale on
the Paris boulevards; and in his park he has
several prize sheep of the Sandringham breed,
presented to him by King Edward.
McPHAIL THEIR LEADER.
J. G. Brown, state agent for the Adam Schaaf
One of the handsome establishments of San Piano Co., of Chicago, has opened a branch store
Jose, Cal., is Allen's Emporium, which handles in Alliance, O., which will be under the manage-
the McPhail as their leader.
ment of Prof. R. N. Nash.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
MUSIC TRADE
RE™
EDWARD LYMAN BILL, - Editor and Proprietor
J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor
Executive and Reportorial Staff:
GEO. B. KELLER.
L. E. BOWERS.
W. N. TILER.
WM. B. WHITE.
BOSTON OFFICE:
F. H. THOMPSON.
EMILIE FRANCES BAUER.
L. J. CHAMBEHLIN.
A. J. NICKLIN.
CHICAGO OFFICE:
E. 1'. VAN HARLINGEN, 195-197 Wabash Ave.
TELEPHONES : Central 414 ; Automatic 8643.
PHILADELPHIA OFFICE: MINNEAPOLIS and ST. PAUL: ST. LOUIS OFFICE
ERNEST II. WAITT, 173 Tremont St.
Ii. W. KAIIFKMAN.
E. C. TOKKKY.
CHAS. N. VAN BUREN.
SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE: ALFRED METZGER, 425-427 Front St.
CINCINNATI, O.:
NINA PUGH-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
rending matter, $75.00.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency form, should be made payable to Edward
i-ymun Bill.
Directory ol Piano The directory of piano manufacturing firms and corporations
found on another page will be of great value, as a reference
Manulacturers for dealers and others.
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE-NUMBER 1745 GRAMERCY
NEW
YORK,
F E B R U A R Y
17, 1906
EDITORIAL
S
OME of the most important dealers in America have recently
expressed their views to us regarding the present custom of
granting allowances on used pianos to induce the sale of new
instruments.
There can be no doubt but that this subject is one of the most
vital to the retail department of the trade, and it must be con-
ceded at the outset that in no other line of business are there such
price allowances made on used or battered stock as are in most
cases willingly granted by piano dealers.
The question that naturally arises at the present time when
business expenses are increasing, and retail prices diminishing,
should there not be a revision of the general plan adopted in allow-
ances made, for old instruments ?
I
N many parts of the Union old square pianos have reached a
point where their actual worth is very small, and yet liberal
estimates of their value are made by many dealers for these ancient
piano landmarks when taken in exchange.
Does it pay? That is the question.
One prominent dealer in the West while discussing this sub-
ject with The Review remarked: "I had a lady call upon us re-
cently and state that another firm had agreed to allow her twenty
dollars more for her square piano than we had charged her for it
four years ago.
''You can imagine the opinion she had of the piano business
after such an experience. I claim it was not good business, and
the whole system of liberal allowance on old pianos is wrong.
Let us be square with ourselves and adopt new and rigid plans
concerning exchange values."
A NOTHER dealer states: "In my city I know of dealers who
l \ have been allowing from $200 to $250 and even higher for
. old style two pedal upright pianos, which they would gladly have
sold for from $100 to $125." With the adoption of one price such
concessions are beyond all business reason. If the asking price on
the new instrument was made to fit the case the dealer could save
his profit, but if his price was non-elastic he would lose through the
deaL
. .
Such instances are not rare nowadays since the player piano
has become such a factor. Now is it good business to continue
such a course? When we consider that it requires liberal expendi-
REVIEW
tures to repair these old pianos and get them in shape, does such
trading pay? Is it really exchanging one dollar for another?
There are indeed many piano merchants who are heartily sick
of the present liberal trade allowances which are made for old
pianos, and they would like to adopt some general plan to place
the exchange of values on a different basis.
O
NE man says the selling expense of one of these old pianos
is just as great as a new piano, and of course, the profit is
much diminished, if not cut out entirely. Trade is necessary, but
it is obvious that there should be some sort of a reform in the
exchange department. In hundreds of cases, dealers are taking in
the old, used pianos at such prices that when they are resold there
is usually little or no profit when the selling expense is added to the
allowance price.
Obviously there are peculiar conditions which have crept into
the piano trade, and which have been respected as tradition, and if
the officers of the 1'iano Dealers' National Association should deem
it advisable to take up this subject and deal with it in an intelligent
manner, there is no doubt but that they would materially benefit
the entire trade.
It is full of live interest.
CERTAINLY like conditions do not exist in any other industry.
Furniture dealers most assuredly will not take old furniture
and carpets in exchange. They will not concede the slightest allow-
ance on used home furnishings, and no one ever thinks of entering
a furniture establishment and asking what allowance would be made
for some old worn-out furniture in the place of new. It would sim-
ply be absurd to ask for a reduction on account of worn-out stuff.
The owners know full well that in order to dispose of used furni-
ture they must resort to the auction room and would it be a wrong
move to establish piano auction houses in the various cities which
should be general depots for dilapidated and antiquated instru-
ments ?
H
ERE is a problem, a profitable solution of which would mean
a large saving in expense, and would stimulate the sale
of thousands of new pianos.
Every department of the music trade industry has evoluted
during the past few years, and there is no reason to doubt but that
there are many things which have been accepted just because they
have become traditions that are radically wrong and common sense
and good business prudence will establish some kind of a reform
in the exchange department.
A
N illustration showing what may be accomplished through busi-
ness persistence is instanced in the fact that representatives
of the leading talking machine companies have succeeded in bring-
ing about a revision of freight rates on talking machines which
will mean a saving of many thousands of dollars to the dealers in
all sections of the Union.
Through the efforts of the trade representatives, talking
machines and records are reduced from one and one-half first class
to first class in less than carload lots, and to third class in carload
lots. This substantial reduction is the result of effective work on
the part of the men who have the matter directly in charge, and
every talking machine man in this country will benefit through the
operation of this tariff, which goes into effect on April 1st.
A
LARGE Western manufacturer in a recent communication to
The Review stated: "I believe we will have a year of unpre-
cedented business activity unless labor troubles occur to prevent."
Of course, no one can tell with any kind of accuracy what effect
a prolonged coal strike would have upon all of our business inter-
ests, but it does not look as if we stood in much danger of serious
labor troubles. Of course we will always have more or less dis-
turbed conditions. It is not to be expected that everything will
move along without a ruffle on the commercial surface, but there
are business plans made for the year which insure tremendous activ-
ity in all lines. There can be no general stagnation unless the whole
conditions are completely upset.
A recent computation shows that two hundred thousand tons
of structural steel alone will be required for buildings to be erected
in this city the coming season.

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