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THE KVIU3IC TRADE
REVIEW
GRINNELL BROS. NEW BUILDING
AMERICAN PIANOS^ IN SCOTLAND.
One of the Most Imposing and Well Equipped
Structures in the Central West Devoted to
Interest of the Music Trade.
Says Climate
Is Against Their Use—That
American Pianos Made in Hamburg Are
Sold There Will Surprise Our Readers.
(Special to The Review.)
(Special to The Review.)
Washington, D. C, May 6, 1907.
Detroit, Mich., May 6, 1907.
Consul John C. Higgins, of Dundee, Scotland,
Grinnell Bros, have approved plans for their
new building on Woodward avenue, near Clif- replying to a communication from a New York
ford street, and the work of removing the old piano manufacturer seeking sale for his instru-
buildings at present on the ground is already ments in Scotland, writes some surprising in-
well under way. The structure will be of the formation about American pianos "made in Ger-
most modern type of fireproof construction, re- many," as follows:
"One of the leading dealers in pianos in this
inforced concrete being largely employed in com-
bination with structural steel, which will be en- city states that there is absolutely no trade in
closed in concrete. The size of the building will American-made pianos in Scotland, the principal
be 60 x 100, and the front on Woodward will reason being one of climate. It has been almost
universally found that in pianos manufactured
in the dry climate of the United States and
brought to this country the wood, in the course
of a few months, is seriously affected by the
dampness, causing joints to open and frequently
"buckling" of the sounding-board. One Ameri-
can firm does a very large business in this coun-
try, but it has all its instruments made in Ham-
burg, where the wood has been seasoned in a
similar climate to that of Scotland. It has be-
come a saying in the trade that the only "Ameri-
can" pianos sold in this country are "made
in Germany." Besides the matter of climate it is
understood that the style of case of the American
piano is not what would suit the market of this
country, and attention would have to be given to
the importance of studying the local taste in this
direction."
PATRONIZING HOME INDUSTRIES.
A New York State Dealer's Opinion of Purchas-
ing School Pianos in Another Town.
(Special to The Review.)
Elmira, N. Y., May 7, 1907.
Believing in the doctrine that home .industries
should be patronized where they are able to fur-
nish the articles desired, F. T. Eastabrook, the
piano dealer of this city, strongly protested
against the action of the school board in purchas-
ing a piano from a Binghamtbn concern. Mr.
Eastabrook's letter requires no explanation:
"Elmira, N. Y., April 29, 1907.
"Board of Education, City Hall:
"I see by the Evening Star that Barrett Broth-
ers,
of Binghamton, have recently sold, through
GRINNELL BUILDING WHEN COMPLETED.
Mr. Freeman, a piano to the Board of Education
be 60 x 100 feet, and the front on Woodward will of this city. Now, gentlemen, it is not my inten-
district, as it will be almost all plate glass.
tion to criticize the action of our esteemed Board
The building will be as high as the ordinary of Education, nor in any way advise; I simply
seven-story building, because of the unusual wish to ask you in the most friendly spirit, as
amount of space allowed between floors.
long as we are all trying to boom Elmira, why
A feature of the building when completed will the home dealers cannot sell pianos to the Elmira
be the music hall on the second floor. Here the public schools, instead of going out of the city?
company will give many of the concerts which I have been in business in Elmira for 25 years,
are now held elsewhere to demonstrate their pipe selling pianos to our best people, am paying
organs and other instruments.
taxes on thousands of dollars worth of property
Although the present plans are for a six-story here, supporting the churches, schools, nearly all
building, it is probable that they will be changed public institutions, the Business Men's Associa-
before the actual work begins, to eight stories, tion, and really it does not seem just, to go out-
as negotiations now are under way whereby two side for goods that can be purchased right here
extra stories may be taken by another concern. in Elmira for the same money or less. It is a
The Woodward avenue front will present a well-known fact that Elmira has several reliable
striking appearance. A white-glazed terra cotta music firms, and I feel that we should sell the
will be used in combination with green metal goods.
Yours truly,
"F. T. EASTABROOK."
window frames and plate glass. The stories will
be of unusual height, to make the building the
SCHUMANN CO. ENLARGEMENT.
more imposing.
A high basement will accommodate additional
The Schumann Piano Co., Rockford, 111., are
showroom space. The interior will be fitted up building a three-story addition to their plant,
in a thoroughly artistic manner. A thorough thereby increasing their capacity by about six
study is being made of the music stores through- hundred pianos per year.
out the country to insure the most up to date and
attractive establishment of the kind in the
APPLY TO ANNUAL CHARTER.
country.
The elevator, cleaning and ventilating system
The Piano Exchange Co., recently formed in
will be of the most modern type. The building Pittsburg, Pa., to deal in second-hand pianos,
is expected to be finished in ten months.
has made application for annulment of charter.
The hearing on the petition is set for May 18.
The Chas. M. Stieff branch in Norfolk, Va.,
has removed to the new warerooms at 114 Johansen & Rude, formerly piano dealers of
Granby street, which are ideal for a piano busi- Enderlin, N. D., have removed to Valley City,
N. D., and will open a music store there in June.
ness.
Reg. U. S. Pat. Off.
How About You
Mr. Piano Dealer ?
Isn't b u s i n e s s s l a c k
during the summer?
Why don't you make
up for the dull season by
selling the
Victor
and Victor Records
?
There's no dull season
with the Victor — it sells
well and pays well the
year round.
You needn't be afraid
of lowering the dignity of
your establishment ; the
Victor is a h i g h - g r a d e
musical instrument. Lots
of people who want to hear
Melba or Sousa's Band
on the Victor wouldn't
listen to ragtime on the
piano.
And Victor profits ?
They're away ahead of
piano - profits — and they're
sure because price cutting
isn't permitted. Victors sell
easily, too, and that means
your money isn't tied up
indefinitely.
The cream of the Victor
business is in Records. On
the average, Victor custom-
ers buy records amounting
to five times the price of
their instrument.
They buy the new records
in summer just the same
as any other time of year—
and you get the money in
summer, when you need it
more than any other time
of year.
Sounds good, doesn't it?
And it is.
Victor Talking Machine
Company,
Camden, N. J.