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THE
MUSIC TRADE! REVIEW
THE MEN BEHIND THE GEORGE P. BENT CO.
A Strong Organization Which Has Developed and Is Steadily Developing t h e Great Business
Founded in 1879 by Geo. P. Bent—The "Crown" Piano Styles for 1908 Excel All Previous
Products of This House—Crown Combinola (Player Piano) Winning a Great Vogue.
A business which always has been conducted on
a high commercial plane is that founded by Geo.
P. Bent. Pew in the trade, either in this coun-
try or abroad, who are not acquainted with this
gentleman's forceful personality. He has ever
labored upward and onward for the best interests
of the trade, and has kept the standing of the
"Crown" pianos, which he manufactures, on a
high pedestal.
The recent incorporation of the Geo. P. Bent
Co. has, in a measure, brought to light the
splendid organization back of Mr. Bent, and
which has aided him so admirably in the upbuild-
\
PIANOS FORJEXPORT TRADE.
Some of the Difficulties to be Mastered and the
Requirements Set Forth.
CIIAS. A. KENT, VICE-1'KESIDENT AND TnEASUltEIt.
ing of the institution of which he is now presi-
dent.
It is conceded by those who have made a study
of music trade conditions that there are few
businesses better organized in both manufactur-
ing and selling departments than that now known
as the Geo. P. Bent Co., and naturally informa-
tion regarding the men at the helm of the vari-
ous departments must prove interesting.
It is worthy of note that the men who com-
prise the "Crown" organization have been asso-
ciated with Geo. P. Bent almost during their en-
tire business lives. Chas. A. Bent, first vice-
president and treasurer of the Geo. P. Bent Co.,
has been promoting the interests of the "Crown"
pianos for nearly thirty years. Wm. H. Matchett,
second vice-president, who is also the head of the
factory, has been with Mr. Bent for a like period,
and his skill and ability are best demonstrated
in the splendid qualities of the "Crown" pianos
turned out by this house. Ernest G. Meikle, sec-
retary of the company, and son-in-law of Geo. P.
Bent, has been with the house for almost twenty
years, while Geo. P. Bent, who is the manager of
the retail department, and son of the head of the
house, has been with the business for about ten
years. Truly a record, in many respects un-
precedented, covering as it does almost a century
of combined service on the part of Mr. Bent's
four associates.
It was in 1879 that Geo. P. Bent established his
business in Chicago, and, as might be expected
from a man of his disposition, he started out with
a strong individual policy. Possessed of a keen,
bright, active business mind he gauged conditions
correctly, and his great knowledge of men and
things enabled him to gather around him a quar-
tet of brainy men and to build up a chain of
agencies from coast to coast, which has resulted
in the success of the "Crown" business as we
know it to-day. His character for upright-
ness, integrity and good judgment seemed to
radiate throughout the entire business, and all
associated with it have commended the respect
of the trade at all times.
From the very start Mr. Bent made it a point
to embody in the "Crown" pianos an assured
value, both structurally, musically and architect-
urally, and from time to time has enhanced their
prestige by bringing out styles containing new
WM. II. MATCHETT/ VICE-rKESIDKNT.
EUNEST G. MEIKLE, SECRETAUY.
GEO.
P. KENT, PRESIDENT.
scales which mark a decided advance in tone vol-
ume and quality. In fact, there is not a season
that the "Crown" styles have not been improved,
because to the gentlemen composing the Geo. P.
Bent Co. there is no such thing as standing still.
The latest product of this company is the
Crown Combinola—the "Crown" piano with
player mechanism. It is of the same high stand-
ard as the "Crown" pianos, made to give the ut-
most satisfaction and with the object in view of
satisfying the most artistic desires of the users.
What difficulties American exporters of pianos
have to contend with is aptly described in the
last issue of the "American Exporter" as follows:
"The export of American pianos to foreign
countries presents many difficulties unknown to
other branches of the export commerce. There
is not only the strenuous competition of manu-
facturers from all parts of the world to be met,
climatic conditions to be overcome, but all the
characteristics of the different nations to be con-
sidered, as each of them has its own conception,
its own taste regarding the piano, so far as con-
struction and exterior appearance go.
"But there are two features in the considera-
tion of the instrument which are thoroughly cos-
mopolitan. First, tone quality is not only de-
sired, but appreciated and understood by every
civilized nation. Second, durability and relia-
bility must be shown to the purchaser in China
as well as to the native of Missouri, and the
buyer in South Africa appreciates the value of
his dollar as well as the buyer in the United
States.
"To be successful in the export market a manu-
facturer must prove his ability and his resources
in every possible way, and the American manu-
facturer more so than any other."
TAKE H. P. NELSON AGENCY.
Hayden Bios., Omaha, Neb., have taken the
agency for the H. P. Nelson pianos in that city
and vicinity.
THE STEINWAY IN PASSAIC, N. J.
Paradiso & Gazella, the progressive piano
dealers of Passaic, N. J., have secured the agency
for the Steinway piano in that territory, and are
in a position to give it excellent representation.
F. ENGELHARDT & SONS BUSY.
Walter Engelhardt, of F. Engelhardt & Sons,
manufacturers of the Peerless piano player,
piano actions, etc., 2 East 47th street, who spent
the fore part of the week at the salesrooms,
stated to a Review representative that trade was
quite satisfactory and that the factory at St.
Johnsville, N. Y., was running with almost the
full quota of help in all departments.
Emory C. Julius has been appointed manager
of the piano store of his uncle, J. P. Julius, in
York, Pa.
GEO.
I I . BTCNT, BETAH. MANAGER.