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THE: MUSIC TRADE
REIVIEIW
was presented during the dinner, which In many
respects was the most notable and important
ever held by this organization which now
branches forth under a new cognomen.
A great opportunity for English manufacturers
Trade Not Over Favorable—Printing Music Prices—Annual Dinner of Piano Manufacturers'
to develop a Brazilian trade is the exposition to
Association—Major Rose's Interesting Address—Piano Exhibitors at Brazil Exhibition—
be held in Rio de Janeiro from June 15 to Sep-
Player Pianos Steadily Growing in Favor—American Manufactures in Evidence.
tember 7. A great number of the principal
(Special to The Review.)
the amended rules is to provide that the presi- manufacturers of Berlin will be in evidence, and
dent of the Council shall be a pianoforte or English manufacturers must wake up If they
London, England, April 9, 1908.
The unsettlement of the money market in the organ manufacturer who carries on business in want to get in line.
United States has unquestionably affected condi- the United Kingdom.
There can be no question that the player-
tions in this country, at least in London, to a
The next important move was the change of piano has come to stay, and it is fast becoming
very great extent. It would be boasting to say the name of the association, which hereafter will as popular here as in the United States. The
that business in the music trade field is satisfac- be known under the title of "The Pianoforte Simplex mechanism is now used in the Scheid-
tory, for it is not. Competition was never so Manufacturers' Association," which clearly sets mayer, Knauss, Irmler and Eberhardt pianos,
keen and prices never so low as now, with the forth the object of the organization. As Major and the Simplex Piano-Player Co., of 244 Totten-
result that the margin of profit is not great Rose so aptly said: "When the Piano Manufac- ham Court Road, London, W., are displaying, in
enough to afford satisfaction to either manu- turers' Association is alluded to there will be addition to their very fine line of piano players,
facturer or retailer. Then the fact that labor is no doubt as to whether we are a debt-collecting the Sympletta piano.
not well employed has reduced purchases to a agency, a fiscal reform committee or just British
Kastner & Co., Ltd., 34-36 Margaret street, are
very limited extent. This, however, applies very manufacturers."
making splendid use of the testimonial given the
largely to local dealers in medium-priced in-
In referring to the new act, which provides autopiauo by Mme. Tetrazzini, which they are
struments, but a call on the leading manufac- for the manufacture in this country of all ar- now exploiting successfully in the magazines.
turers of high-class pianos in this city, reveals ticles protected by British patents, Major Rose With the opening of the opera season, which
a much better situation. At Steinway Hall, said:
occurs in a couple of weeks, the value of this
Aeolian Hall, Broadwood's, Brinsmead's, Collard
"The pianoforte trade here has not had very testimonial will become more pronounced. Busi-
& Collard and other leading houses improved much to do with patents; but I venture to think ness with Kastner & Co. is excellent.
conditions are reported and are very hopeful re- that in the near future it will be otherwise. The
One of the most artistic music trade empo-
garding the future.
advent of that wonderful invention, the com- riums in this city is that of the Orchestrelle Co.,
In the provinces Northern England is unques- bined piano and pnetimatic player, has given an at 135-7 New Bond street. They are carrying on
tionably the best field 'to-day. Industrial affairs impetus which is not yet realized. Regarded at a great campaign of publicity in the daily papers,
there are in a more settled condition, owing to first with incredulity by the musical public, the bearing on the Themodist, the new accenting de-
the settlement of labor troubles, and dealers are invention is daily making its way in favor as its vice in the pianola piano. The demand for this
quite confident ami hopeful regarding the future. rapid development is realized and as its capabili- instrument has been steadily growing. Their list
One of the topics discussed most generally here ties are understood. Capable of being designed cf patrons now include, in addition to royalty,
is the new trade terms for sheet music in- in many different ways, the piano player gives the names of people eminent in almost every
augurated by Chappell & Co., whereby an extraordinary scope to the inventive mind. Its walk of life. They are, of course, taking ad-
actual selling price of the music is to be printed construction is a fascinating study, and its vantage of this musical season to exploit their
on each sheet. In the past it has been custom- manufacture, as the few of us who have em- various specialties in their usually enterprising
ary to sell music marked 4 shillings at 1 shilling barked upon its manufacture know, demands a style. Many concerts will be given.
and 6 pence, or indeed very much lower, as occa- very high class of skill in the mechanic and the
Another American house which is keeping well
sion may demand. While it may be difficult to very highest grade of materials of many kinds. in the front here is the Farrand Co., 44 Great
get all of the houses in line, yet the new idea It is not surprising that the pneumatic player is Marlborough street. They are making good use
is spreading, and dealers are co-operating to made under numerous patents. It is but reason- of the popularity of the Cecilian player to adver-
abolish the antiquated system of fictitious prices. able that these patents should be worked in this tise the Cecilian player-piano, and are finding
A music publishing item worth recording is that country. We are grateful that the Government many customers for this handsome instrument.
Edwin Ashdown, Ltd., have purchased the entire
They are showing a very fine line of styles.
calalog of Willocks & Co., of Berners street, and has recognized this and has come to the assist-
ance
of
the
inventor.
Whether
the
act
by
some
Steinway & Sons are laying special emphasis
have also become sole agents for Bote & Bock, of
of
its
provisions
will
make
the
lot
of
the
patentee
in
their advertising these days, on the fact that
Berlin.
more difficult than at present by its facilities their prices are net, and that they are absolutely
There was a large attendance at the annual for attacking patents and by the grounds it pro- a cash house. They are especially exploiting
dinner of the Musical Instrument Trades Protec- vides for revocation and for opposition remains their miniature grand and vertegrand in upright
tion Association, which occurred at the Wharn- to be seen; but, as it appears certain that it will form, both of which have a great many admir-
eliffe rooms, over which W. H. Dickinson, M.P., encourage the working in some cases of patents ers in this country. The Prince and Princess of
presided. After the usual toasts to the King in this country, we gladly record our thanks for Wales have been among their most recent pa-
had been suitably honored, Major Geo. Rose, in this assistance and those we employ will join trons—in fact, it would be difficult to find a
response to the toast of "The Musical Instrument with us in gratitude at a time when we can ill royal palace that the Steinway does not now
Trades Protection Association," referred in a afford to lose any means of employing our work-
grace.
most interesting and appreciative way to the
ers.
It
is,
however,
well
that
we
should
point
Max Rink, of 12 Bridgewater street, E. C, is
history of the leading firms engaged in piano
manufacturing in England since 1728, and to the out that the patentee has not been put into any- the English agent for the very fine line of
loss sustained by the death of John Brinsmead thing like so good a position as the American in- strings made by the National Musical String Co.,
since their last gathering. He also referred to ventor, for whom the United States Patent Office of New Brunswick, N. J. These strings are now
the meeting recently held for the purpose of al- has such careful consideration. As regards ex- being used by many eminent violinists not alone
tering the constitution of the association. For amination of patents, cost of taking out patents in this country, but in Germany, and are rapidly
some time the title of the association has in and cost of maintenance, the English inventor is winning a special position in the musical world.
some way befuddled its purpose, and the aim of still far behind; and, as we must hold that the Mr. Rink is also showing some samples of the
encouragement of invention and the value of Bell brand harmonica, a purely American prod-
patents are of great consequence to us as a uct made by the New Jersey institution.
manufacturing nation, we still hope that this
Norman & Beard, whose pipe organs are well
new act will not be the last word upon the sub- and favorably known throughout Great Britain,
ject."
have arranged to open a branch in Sydney, New
The next speaker was Sir J. Herbert Marshall, South Wales. J. B. Holroyd will be in charge of
who, doubtless, is well known in the United the practical side of the business, while N. H.
States as the representative of the firms of Win. Wale, of Sydney, will be business manager. This
Knabe & Co. and Wilcox & White Co. He re- step was no doubt taken owing to the heavy
sponded to the toast of "The Music Trades tariff which is now levied on importers into
are conscientiously made, good
Benevolent Society" and appealed for support of Australia.
instruments; in other words, the
this worthy institution, and incorporated there-
Herbert and Ernest Marshall, sons of Sir Her-
sweetest things out.
with the names of Major Rose and John Collard, bert Marshall, the Knabe, Angelus and Crown
whose untiring support and interest were appre- agent in this city, left last week by the Caronia
ciated. Mr. Collard in responding said that the for a brief business trip to the States. They
income of the society for the year was £760, are bright, progressive youngsters, and will
which was £170 more than the previous year, doubtless be welcomed, for their own as well as
and hoped that next year it would amount to Sir Herbert's sake. They expect to be the guests
£1,000.
of James H. White at Meriden, and of Mr. Knabe
The
visitors,
which
included
Mr.
Bevan,
of
in Baltimore. Of course they will spend a few
RUDOLF PIANO CO.
Calcutta; Mr. Glen, of Bombay; Mr. Bed well, of days in New York and Boston. They are ex-
458 E. 144th Street,
NEW YORK.
Glasgow, and W. T. Peet, of Cambridge, were pected home about May 1, so you see the trip is
also toasted. A very delightful musical program but a "flying" one.
RUDOLF
PIANOS