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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
9
CONTINUED GROWTH IN DEMAND FOR GRAND PIANOS.
MEN ANXIOUS TO GET BACK.
Increasing Call for These Instruments Astonish Even the Oldest Dealers—Paul Zeidler of Strich
& Zeidler Sees a Great Future for the Grand, Which, He Says Will, in a Measure, Sup-
plant the Upright Where Householders Have Ample Room—John D. Pease, of the Pease
Piano Co. Ascribes the Demand for the Grand to the Remarkable Development of Musical
Culture, But Says the Upright Will Always Remain the Instrument of the People.
Canadian Manufacturers Will Insist on Open
Shop and Will Not Parley With Former Em-
ployes—Mayor Trying to Get Men Together.
The growth in the demand for grand pianos
during the past two years has astonished even
the oldest dealers in the trade, and has been the
means of inducing a number of manufacturers,
who heretofore confined themselves entirely to
the manufacture of uprights, to enter the field.
At first, some thought that the increased supply
of these instruments would tend to glut the mar-
ket, but a careful canvass of the factories turning
out this style of instrument shows a marked
shortage in the supply. The possibility of mak-
ing a grand which takes up the minimum amount
of space and at the same time has a tone superior
to an upright, has had much to do with this state
of affairs, particularly as there is by no means
the marked difference in price which formerly
characterized these instruments. In commenting
on the situation, Paul Zeidler, of the firm of
Strich & Zeidler, whose grands have established
a high reputation for themselves, said to The
Review :
"I am a firm believer that the future has great
possibilities for the grand piano, and I believe
that even now they are, to a certain extent, sup-
planting the upright. This is due to several
causes. The finished musician finds a grand
more responsive to the touch and possessing a
rounder and fuller tone than the upright. To
those whose knowledge of both music and piano
construction is limited, but who have the means
and room at their disposal, the fact that there
are practically no 'cheap' grands on the mar-
ket, that nearly all are built to last, and last, but
not least, they present a more artistic finish in
a music room and give the owner a certain pres-
tige, are all factors in the demand. As the sub>
urban population increases and apartment life
decreases, the houseowner will gradually sup-
plant the upright by equipping his new home
with a grand. I find the demand for these in-
struments growing in both the Middle and Far
West, and believe it a wise policy to cater to this
class of trade. I am not an advocate of any in-
strument smaller than five and one-half feet, as
the additional inches gained by the very small
sizes does not mean anything to those who have
space enough for a grand of any size, but means
much when it comes to a matter of tone. I do
not think that 'cheap' grands will ever become a
factor in the trade, as the cost of manufacture
is too great."
John D. Pease's Views.
"The growth in popularity of the grand may
be attributed to several causes, but the fact that
it can be produced and sold at a moderate price
as compared with former years is one of the
main factors in the increased demand," said
John D. Pease, of the Pease Piano Co. "The re-
duction in size from the ungainly concert size
in vogue a generation ago is also another reason
•why the lovers of fine tone quality prefer it
whenever it is available, and with the advent
of the smaller sizes, many of which possess re-
markable tonal qualities, the demand has been
still further accelerated. I cannot say that the
grand is supplanting the upright, except in so
far that many who years ago were compelled
both from lack of space and the vast differeiv
in price to purchase an upright, have not, under
changed circumstances, indulged themselves in
a grand.
"When a finished musician is in the market
for a piano the choice is naturally a grand, and
with the remarkable development of musical tal-
ent, it is no wonder that this style of instrument
is making such a good showing. When one con-
siders the many magnificent homes being erected
in all parts of this country, it is scarcely to
be wondered that, as a decorative piece of fur-
niture, the grand is the natural selection. Of
course, the upright is and always will remain
the instrument of the people, both on account
of its price and its availability in a limited space.
In the large cities, where the majority of the
inhabitants are apartment dwellers, and in the
rural communities, where price is an object, the
upright will always meet with a ready sale, and
the demand will increase in a proportionate ra-
tio to past years. But I believe the sale of
grands will increase in a much greater propor-
tion, and will become a marked feature in the
entire trade. I find this tendency in our busi-
ness, and we will pay particular attention to
that branch and its development."
PIANOS OF SPECIAL DESIGN
Illustrated and Described in a Handsome
Volume Just Issued by the Henry F. Miller
& Sons Piano Co., Boston.
The Henry F. Miller & Sons Piano Co., of Bos-
ton, Mass., have just sent out a catalogue of great
beauty devoted entirely to illustrations and de-
scriptions of piano designs of the different pe-
riods. These include handsome models of the
Colonial, Eighteenth Century, Italian Renais-
sance, Louis XV. and XVI., Mission, as well as
of the modern schools. In addition, several
benches are shown in styles to match the dif-
ferent pianos, the Sheraton models being of es-
pecial attractiveness. In the introductory to this
volume the Henry F. Miller Co. make the follow-
ing statement:
"The growing interest in pianos of special de-
sign, correctly representing the various periods
of architecture, and harmonizing with the decora-
tions and furnishings of modern homes, has ne-
cessitated our presenting this new catalogue.
"Beautiful lines, fine proportions and purity of
design of these styles representing the various
periods, are special features in the manufacture
of our pianos and give a permanent value to the
instruments.
"We are at all times ready to furnish to our
clientele pianos of any desired period of archi-
tecture.
"All of the pianos shown in this catalogue have
been manufactured by us, and from our own spe-
cial designs.
"In our art pianos we aim to preserve a sim-
plicity of style peculiarly suited to the artistic
home."
ANN ARBOR CO. EXPANSION.
The Ann Arbor Organ Co., Ann Arbor, Mich.,
expect soon to move into the new brick build'
ing which is rapidly being pushed to completion.
The company's piano business, which is fast in-
creasing, has necessitated the employing of an
army of new men who are experienced in that
line of the work.
THE
ERNEST A.
TONK
PIANO
(Special to The Review.)
Toronto, Ont., Oct. 27, 1906.
The piano and organ workers, who some weeks
ago went on strike in this city, are now most
anxious to hold a conference with their former
employers, but to all requests so far a stern re-
fusal has been vouchsafed.
When the strike began 700 men were in the
ranks of the strikers. Since then some have left
Toronto, some have positions in other lines, but
all are firm in the belief that they are entitled
to sufficient consideration on the part of their
former bosses to open the way to a conference.
James Merrick, secretary of the Employers'
Association, when seen by The Review, said:
"We have no statement to make as far as the
Employers' Association is concerned. I may say
that we are quite satisfied with the present situa-
tion."
From another source it was learned that the
employers have now 700 men working for them,
and that they are firm in the stand that the
piano and organ factories of Toronto shall be
open shops.
John Armstrong, of the provincial labor bu-
reau, has tried hard to get the two parties to-
gether, but without result. He also interested
Mayor Coatsworth and Controller Shaw, but to
no purpose.
ASDEL BUYS SALTER'S INTEREST.
H. E. Asdel has purchased the interest of Will-
iam E. Salter in the firm of Olson & Salter, Cha-
nute, Kansas, and the firm is now Olson & Asdel.
Mr. Asdel has had experience in the selling of
musical goods, having been engaged in it at Deni-
son. Texas.
WELLINGTON SELLS TO DAVIS BROS.
Horace Wellington, piano dealer of 411 West
State street, Rockford, 111., has disposed of his
stock to Davis Bros., of 106 West State street,
that city, and will retire from the business to
take a position of traveling salesman. The Wel-
lington stock consists of Miller, Melville Clark,
Wissner and other pianos, and will be closed out.
J. F. KINSEY & CO. IN NEW QUARTERS.
J. F. Kinsey & Co., piano dealers, formerly lo-
cated a t Calhoun and Superior streets, Fort
Wayne, Ind., removed on November 1st to 929
Calhoun street, where they will have larger
quarters and will carry a greatly increased stock
of all kinds of musical goods from pianos to
talking machines. In the latter they handle the
Edison and Victor lines.
DEATH OF OLD CHASE-HACKLEY EMPLOYE
Harry Coombs, one of the oldest employes of
the Chase-Hackley Piano Co., of Muskegon,
Mich., died in that city recently at the age of 65.
He was an expert piano maker, and had been
employed by the company for twenty-five years.
The factory was closed during the funeral.
A new store for the sale of the Rudolph Wur«
litzer Co.'s instruments, has been opened at 50
West 20th street, New York.
Correspondence with active
dealers solicited*
E XTRAORDINARY
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A R T I S T I D C E S I G N
William Tonk&Bro.
n^OUCH LIGHT AND
A
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452-456 Ttnth Avt., Ntw York
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