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THE
MUSIC TRADE
TRADE HAPPENINGS JN_THE_ NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Trade Somewhat Irregular, but Ahead of Last Year—Many Knabe Pianos for Educational In-
stitutions—How the Knabe Is a Necessity—Pianola Sales Phenomenal Says Percy S.
Foster—Estey Organs for Government—Honor for Mr. Foster—Pfeiffer Makes Encouraging
Report—T. P. Culley III—Droop Reports Big Call for Steinways—A Budget of News from
Here and There That Makes Good Reading For All Who Feruse This Page.
(Special to The Review.)
Washington, D. C, Nov. 7, 1907.
The financial condition of the music trade in
the National Capital is rather irregular when
viewing it from the various establishments, but
then this city is known to be whimsical and it
is impossible to calculate which way the wind
will blow. One of the establishments has doubled
the receipts of October a year ago, others have
far exceeded last year's record, while still others
find their accounts about even. Sales, big adver-
tisements, and puzzles have invited trade com-
petition and offered special opportunities to the
public. These have brought their returns to the
various establishments, and trade conditions gen-
erally speaking are prosperous.
Win. Knabe & Co. have been conducting a big
sale in order to dispose of some of their surplus
stock, chiefly in instruments of other makes. The
remarkably low prices of some of these have
caught the public eye and the firm have been
kept busy delivering pianos. "It has not only
been through our advertised sale that we have
kept such a high-water mark during the past
month," said Manager Paynter, "but the Knabe
Angelus and Knabe grands have had an unusual
run. For two weeks we held an average of a
grand a day, and the rest of the month was close
upon this. We have been happy in our pros-
perity, though our low ebb may come later. Our
receipts for October have been way in advance
of those for the same month a year ago, and
November has begun with equally as fine trade. We
have really been surprised at ourselves. Among
the sales of grands to people of prominence may
be mentioned Admiral Perry Garst, U.S.N.; Ad-
miral Wells Field, U.S.N.; Colonel Coffin, com-
mandant of Fort Washington; George H. Chan-
dlee, patent attorney; the Dunbarton Club of
Georgetown, and Prince William Hotel, of Man-
assas, Va. The Friday Morning Club, a musical
organization of society, has adopted the Knabe
as its official piano.
"Among the educational institutions that are
using the Knabe instruments," continued Man-
ager Paynter, "are Madison Hall, Florence School,
Gunston Institute, Martha Washington Seminary,
Georgetown University, National Park Seminary,
Bristol School, Washington College of Music,
MacReynolds School of Music, the Associate
Studios, ana Felix Garziglia, the French pianist."
Speaking in a lighter vein, Mr. Paynter told
a story of the absolute necessity of a Knabe
piano in a household. The recent fire at Blue-
mont, Va.', which burned the Weather Bureau sta-
tion, destroyed at the same time the private
apartments of Prof. Cleveland Abbe, who is in
charge of this station. The scientist was in
Washington at the time, receiving reports of the
progress of the fire. When he heard that his
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Knabe piano was burned he telephoned at once
to this establishment that he must have another
instrument without delay, and this message was
closely followed by the appearance of Prof. Abbe
himself. The warerooms were turned over to
him and he lost little time in selecting a grand
for his home. "I cannot do without my Knabe,"
he said by way of apology for his haste. "Can
tnis be delivered at once?" Of course it was,
allowing only a few hours to elapse before an-
other instrument was installed. "This was an
ea?y sale," remarked Mr. Paynter, "and a big
one, too; and it made us feel the importance
of our instruments."
Sanders & Stayman have kept up a high stand-
ard during all the fall months and winter opens
with the same good prospects. "We have doubled
our receipts of last October," said Percy S. Fos-
ter, the local manager. "True, October of 1906
was not such an excellent month, but still this
shows a great increase in business. Every de-
partment has contributed to this condition of
affairs. The recent sales of the pianolas have
been phenomenal, and we have found it necessary
to enlarge our department for this class of goods.
We have supplied such a number of schools and
studios with our instruments that our renting
department has consumed much of our time. In
fact at present our warerooms are at such a low
ebb that I have written to the factories to hasten
the delivery of our consignments. Some estab-
lishments only rent second-rate instruments, but
we will rent any piano we have in our store, pro-
viding the customer will pay the price. The
Estey organs have had a remarkable sale re-
cently, and we have supplied Government forts
in California and Washington States, as well as
naval ships. One of the regiments which left
not long ago for the Philippines carried with it
an Estey organ and a consignment of hymn
books."
It is worthy of note that Percy S. Foster has
been elected musical director of the Washington
Choral Society for the rendition of the "Messiah"
on December 17, on which occasion the Philadel-
phia Orchestra will assist the singers. He has
organized a chorus of several hundred singers
and is now rehearsing them for this perform-
ance. As Mr. Foster is familiar with such work
the task ahead of him does not discourage him,
while the local public feel assured of an excel-
lent rendering of this great oratorio.
The W. F. Frederick Music Co. also report an
excellent month past. This is a comparatively
new establishment in the National Capital,
which, under the management of D. G. Pfeiffer,
has done remarkable business. A feature dur-
ing the past month has been the auction by
mail of a high-grade Fischer upright piano. This
has caused much interest in local circles and
some very encouraging offers have been received.
The warerooms are at present well stocked, but
the constant sales make space for the incoming
goods. "I am very much pleased with October,"
said Manager Pfeiffer. "During all the fall we
have experienced no lull in business for any
length of time. One day or so may be quiet,
but it is balanced by the following two or three
with big trade. We have done considerable busi-
ness in the outlying districts, particularly in the
introducing of the Chickering."
A coincidence in name happened recently when
a certain David Pfeiffer committed suicide and
the local trade reported the death of our friend
of the Frederick Music Co., David G. Pfeiffer.
The news even went so far as expressions ot
sympathy and Mr. Pfeiffer was met by astonished
friends on the streets with the exclamation, "You
are not dead!" and our local dealer was in a
very healthy condition. It became necessary to
make a public statement that the David Pfeiffer
who committed suicide was not the manager of
the Frederick Music Co., who was still in the
business.
Sales have not been up to the usual mark with
A. V. Grimes, but November opens with brighter
prospects. Mr. Grimes has just received a large
consignment of various instruments and his
warerooms are ready for the winter trade. The
small grands of the Kranich & Bach have be-
come quite popular in this city. "I notice a grad-
ual tendency towards higher priced instruments,"
said Mr. Grimes. "I sell more high-grade pianos
to-day than I did a few years ago, which is en-
couraging for the trade."
The local store of Chas. M. Stieff is having a
removal sale, which has proved very successful;
A new store is nearing completion for the local
Stieff firm, which is located on F street, in the
center of the piano trade. They expect to oc-
cupy it about the middle of the present month.
The October receipts for the W. W. Kimball
store are just two sales ahead of those of October
a year ago. This establishment was remodeled
this fall and attractively fitted up in gold, blue
and cream. Some new art cases have been re-
ceived recently which have attracted much at-
tention. It is to be regretted that the local
manager, T. P. Culley, is ill with paralysis, and
will not be able to resume his duties for some
weeks. During his absence the Kimball store
has been admirably looked after by H. B. Arm-
strong.
Young & McHugh are doing good business. "If
every month was like this past October," said Mr.
McHugh, "we would not say one word. We have
had excellent sales, especially in the higher
grades of instruments."
Hugo Worch reports only a fair October, not
as good as last year. The recent puzzle contest
by this firm is causing much interest. A large
cash prize is offered for the correct solution.
The DeMoll Co. have been having good sales,
and the outlook for November is very prosper-
ous. In speaking of the renting of pianos, Mr.
DeMoll said, "I have abolished renting entirely
from my business. I do not find it paying and
I prefer to dispose of my instruments by sale."
John F. Ellis reports that the present month
starts out better than October and the renting
department is being kept particularly busy.
Helbig Bros, are doing particularly well. Since
the recent securing of the Schubert agency they
have had a good demand for these instruments.
Their own piano, the Helbig Bros., has also be-
come very popular.
Henry Eberbach is one of our conservative
dealers who manages to receive a large amount
of trade without making any great fuss. He has
been known to be always busy during his forty
years in the music business.
Another firm which has just closed a big month
is E. F. Droop & Sons Co. This seems but the
proper celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of
E. F. Droop in the music business. The sales of
Steinway and other pianos have been frequent,
and November has already opened with a bright-
er outlook. "We have supplied a number of
pianos to educational institutes," said Carl Droop,
"and have rented many others to individuals.
We are as busy as can be." An interesting win-
dow display is seen here in a comparison of the
old wood model action which is claimed to be
used in all players and the new metal action
as installed in the Cecilian player.
W. P. Van Wickle, local manager of F. G.
Smith Piano Co., looks for a good November busi-
ness. Their exhibit at Jamestown has been con-
ducted from the Washington house and much
energy has been spent in that direction. Among
the schools which the Bradbury people are sup-
plying with instruments may be mentioned the
Stewarts School, the Washington School for
Boys, and the Cathedral School for Girls.
The Chas. J. Turner Co., who handle players
exclusively, have been doing excellent business.
Since their recent removal from F street to large
apartments on G street a great increase in sales
has been noted.
The McCabe & Wiswell Piano Co. have opened
warerooms in the Mugnai Block, Machias, Me.