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THE
BUYING ON A GRATIFYING BASIS.
A Feeling of Optimism Prevails in the Musical
Merchandise Field—Uncertainty Regarding
Prices the Only Matter Worth Recording—
Trade Up to Expectations and Outlook Good.
The small goods market lacks neither snap nor
vigor this week, and. the buying is on a very
gratifying basis, judging from the orders received
by mail and via the road men. A spirit of opti-
mism very much in contrast with other lines is
prevalent, that neither professional croaking nor
unseasonable weather temperatures seem able
to dull or wither. It is possible the uncertainty
regarding prices may account for the brisk trade
current. At any rate, whatever the cause, the
sale of-musical merchandise in the primary mar-
kets has suffered little if any curtailment. Stock
houses have not oversold, and direct importers
are not shading their orders to any perceptible
degree.
Considering the changes imminent in the price
lists of the manufacturer, both foreign and do-
mestic, the wise dealer deems it his duty appar-
ently to work while the sun shines, and is stock-
ing up accordingly. That there is a slump in
what are known as the staple lines of business
cannot be concealed or denied; but its influence
as yet is nil with the wholesalers of small goods.
In quarters where progressiveness is the govern-
ing principle, not a murmur is heard other than
in the most optimistic tone. The unsettled state
of prices is berated, but not a reef is being taken
in the sails of houses having the "right kind of
stuff," as they term it. Extra efforts are made
to rivet the attention of prospective buyers, and.
not a few attractive offers are being exploited
aggressively and persistently. Notwithstanding
the approach of the heated term, no cessation of
excellent work along these lines is noticeable.
The pressure in selling is kept at a high notch,
and the advice of the trade is to buy while the
market is favorable rather than defer placing
orders until fall, when a further advance of pos-
sibly 30 per cent, on some lines is freely predicted.
MUSIC TRADE
41
REVIEW
Woods and metals entering into the construc-
tion of many musical instruments remain at fig-
ures uncomfortably stiff and hard. What the
future will bring forth respecting these ma-
terials no one can tell, if the comments of those
seemingly speaking by authority may be relied
upon. The following statement, emanating from
a conservative source, describes the situation:
"Trade is up to expectations, and the outlook is
promising. Our mail orders are more than dou-
ble what they were last year a t this time, and
business in the aggregate is in fine shape. What
is heard about a heavy demand does not affect the
sale of musical merchandise, so far as our ex-
perience goes. In fact, these reports are mis-
leading, and are being spread by professional
stock jobbers. Legitimate business, aside from
lines wholly dependent upon the regularity of
seasonable conditions, is in a sound and healthy
state. The best evidence of this, to our minds,
is with collections of which we have only good
words to say. Dealers should be mindful of
changing prices and act promptly."
QUEER MUSICjOF DEAD RACE.
Curious Instruments Found on American Con-
tinent—Prehistoric Relics, Some of Which
Bear Resemblance to Devices Used by Old
Greeks—Pan's
Reed
Duplicated—South
American Botuto.
(Special to The Review.)
Washington, D. C, June 1, 1907.
One of the cases in the anthropological mu-
seum of the Smithsonian Institute contains a col-
lection of musical instruments of the ancient peo-
ples of Mexico and Central and South America.
Nearly all are wind instruments,' similar in prin-
ciple and often in appearance to the modern
flute, ocarina, fife, etc.
Mr. E. P. Upham, a gentleman who occupies
an official position at the institution, and an ex-
pert in musical lore, in discussing recently with
a local newspaper man the wonders of the col-
lection, opened the case and took therefrom a
small ocarina fashioned in the shape of a bird,
and furnished with a tapering mouthpiece.
"This possesses, as you see," he said, "four
OLDAM'S BEQUEST OF VIOLINS.
round holes and yields five notes, the low tone
The late Charles James Oldham, of London, being produced with all the holes closed." He
was a well-known collector of violins. He owned then proceeded to play "There's Nae Good Luck
among other instruments four excellent ones by Aboot the House" with excellent effect.
It was remarkable that when blown without
Stradivarius, undoubtedly genuine. In his will
he left one of these to the State, unless a pur- the fingers covering any of the holes the sound
chaser can be found willing to pay $15,000 for it. produced closely resembled the warbling of a
The date of this instrument is 1690, and it was bird, probably the same which the artistic maker
sold in 1888 for $5,000. Another of the Oldham had endeavored to depict.
A very rich and melodious tone was produced
violins, valued a t $5,000, he bequeathed to the
British Museum. Not a few foreign journals from an earthenware alligator, while a most
have taken this occasion to inveigh once more piercing note came upon blowing a tiny whistle
against the "stupid egotism" and "criminal which could easily be held in the palm of the
mania" of rich violin collectors, who prevent the hand and enclosed in the grasp.
It was strange to listen to the notes produced
musical public from enjoying the finest instru-
from these grotesque looking instruments, some
ments in existence.
of them perhaps a thousand years old or more,
P. F. Sarver, a piano dealer of St. Mary's, O., relics of an extinct semi-civilization about which
has announced that he will close out his stock so little is known, but which appeals so strongly
and go out of business. Inability to get a com- to the imagination.
These sounds may have accompanied priestly
petent manager is given as the cause.
THIS SHOW CASE A N D 50 PER CENT. IN CASH PROFITS ARE YOURS
Hohner Harmonica Display
SHOW CASE AND HARMONICA ASSORTMENT
HIS offer consists of an excellent assortment of the best selling HOHNER Harmonicas, to retail at prices ranging from
T
25c. to $1.00, and a first class show case, made of the best material and perfect in every respect. The assortment is made
up of seventeen different styles, with not u dead seller among them. Each style comes in a separate package which is labeled to
show at what price its contents can be retailed for and contains an assortment of keys. The case is made of solid quarter-sawed
oak, plate glass, and is specially designed for displaying Harmonicas. The instruments appear on an elevated platform, under
which there is room to store a small stock. With every case a number
of price-tickets are given which can be placed on each instrument to
display its retail value.
T H I S IS W H A T YOU RECEIVE:
4 dozen Assorted Harmonicas to retail at 25c. each. . . .$12.00
10.50
iy» "
"
"
"
"
" 35c
35c.
"
12.00
2
"
50c.
4.50
75c.
y 2
6.00
$1.00
Total retail value of Harmonicas
Value of Show Case, at least
Total ^alue
$45.00
12.00
$57.00
Your Gain
A Show Case which will last indefinitely.
50 per cent. Cash Profit on your investment.
SIZE OF CASE: 20&' inches wide, 24'4' inches long, 14 inches high
ASK YOUR JOBBER
M. HOHNER, 475 Broadway, New York
CANADIAN OFFICE: 76 York St., Toronto