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MUSIC TRADE
TH
42
PESSIMISTS TAKING A BACK SEAT
When It Comes to Discussing Conditions in the
Musical Merchandise Trade—Buyers Are
Cautious and Selecting Stock With Care—
Credits More Closely Scrutinized and the
General Tone of the Market Is Healthy—
Some Talk of a Drop in the Price of Foreign
Musical Merchandise.
Frankly, it must be admitted there is a disposi-
tion to "knock" the market in certain quarters,
which, however, is strongly opposed elsewhere,
in other words, business is not so bad as the
pessimists would lead the superficial observer to
Lelieve. No one pretends to hold out glittering
promises or is chasing rainbows, but there is a
great deal of very encouraging talk along the
entire line, especially by those who have been out
in the trade recently. Briefly, there is an air cf
expectancy in the establishment of every impor-
tant distributer of small goods, and the effort to
dissemble or exaggerate conditions to mislead
is almost wholly absent.
Buying is cautious on the part of firms of un-
impeachable standing. There is a marked ten-
dency, however, to strain credit for obvious rea-
sons. The "shopping around," so marked a fea-
ture of the current situation, is not for the pur-
pose of gaining an advantage in price, so figured
by the wholesalers, as it is to accumulate a
stock of goods on easy terms for themselves, but
probably risky for the seller. This effort of the
"slick articles" in the trade has not escaped the
eagle eye of houses shipping out of spot stock.
The result has been credits are more closely
scrutinized than ever. Dealers who are attempt-
ing to overbuy have their orders cut in half, and
some are "turned down" promptly.
Talk of a drop in the price of foreign musical
merchandise is not entirely wanting, but it is
also candidly admitted that this may never ma-
terialize. Labor conditions in the small goods
producing and exporting centers of Germany are
assuming such a formidable opposition to old-
time methods that "cheap" lines of string, brass
and wood-wind instruments are things of the
past. The "violin family" is in the same cate-
gory. With these facts before the trade, a re-
turn to the more favorable prices that prevailed
in former years can scarcely be expected, as much
a.s they be desired by the importer, wholesaler
and dealer.
ERNEST KOCH TO EUROPE.
Tuesday week, Ernst Koch, managing partner"
of the American branch of Ands. Koch, manufac-
turer of the Koch harmonicas and accordions,
sailed for Europe on the "Kronprinz Wilhelm."
He went direct to Trossingen, Germany, via
Cherbourg, France.
F\
REVIEW
UNITED HOHNER HARMONICA BANDS.
build up character and moral cleanliness in man.
The bureau is supported entirely by the firm of
A Great Movement to Popularize the Harmonica M. Hohner, aud local clubs are charged nothing
Inaugurated
by M. Hohner—Encourage for all its privileges, some of which have beeu
Formation of Bands—Book on How to Or- mentioned. Our bureau is ever on the alert for
ganize Them Just Issued.
ideas and suggestions that will help the local
bands, and the same will always be freely given
"How to Organize a Local Branch of the out. Inquiries should at all times be addressed
United Hohner Harmonica Bands of America" is to the Hohner Harmonica Band Information Bu-
the title of a sixteen- reau, 475 Broadway, New York City."
page and cover hook-
The emblem of the "United Hohner Harmon-
let issued hy M. Hoh- ica Bands of America," shown herewith is at-
ner, 475 Broadway, tractively gotten up, with solid metal in the
New York, and pre- shape of a badge. One of these will be fur-
pared by Edward E. nished free of charge to all the members.
Braendle,
organizer
and director of the MANAGER MOCK DISCUSSES BUSINESS.
first organization of
Speaking of sales, J. Mock, secretary and man
this kind. The neat ager of the Wm. R. Gratz Import Co., 35-37 West
publication gives full .".1st street, New York, said: "Orders for direct
instruction regarding import continue to come in fairly good volume.
the formation and conducting of a Hohner band. No one is expecting or is looking for a rush, but
Chapter I deals with "The origin of both the we have no reason to complain, particularly of
first Hohner Harmonica Band and the Informa- the business we are doing, when everything is
tion Bureau"; Chapter II, "A Few Encouraging considered. The string situation is becoming
Remarks for Organizers"; Chapter III, "How to very interesting. Gut strings have been ad-
Organize the Band," which includes the By-Laws;
vanced to correspond with the increased cost of
Chapter IV, "Instructions for the Playing of the raw material. In this connection, we can refer
Band."
with confidence to our 'Genuine Susse' violin
Relative to the scope and purpose of those strings, that are noted for purity of tone and
unique organizations, Mr. Braendle says:
strength. Each string is wrapped in a doub'e
"All the Hohner harmonica bands will be fed- waxed envelope, a sure protection against cli-
erated into a league which will be called the matic influences. Every string is tested and fully
'United Hohner Harmonica Bands of America,' warranted for tone and extraordinary durability.
and a handsome charter will Le sent to each new They are extra white in color."
society. The advantages which each band gains
from this union are obvious. Besides being
WALTER GRETSCH RETURNS.
lepresented by the most progressive and larg-
Walter
Gretsch, of the Fred Gretsch Mfg. Co.,
e-t harmonica manufacturers in the world, all
the societies have the benefits that may be de- 104 South Fourth street, Brooklyn, N. Y., who
recently returned from a trip through the Middle
rived from the harmonica band bureau, which
is conducted by experienced men in organizing West, furnished fresh evidence, via his order
harmonica bands, who are constantly engaged book, that the Eagle brand drum and banjo
in looking after the interests of the clubs. This heads, 20th Century drums, Rex banjos, mandolins
bureau prepares booklets and other helps for and guitars, are factors in the trade. Walter's
the harmonica band workers and supplies infor- pleasing personality and energetic methods are
mation on various subjects. The bureau will, also telling factors when it comes to landing
from time to time, distribute new ideas that business.
may develop and will, at all times, be prepared
to suggest programs for entertainments and
give information as to the ways and means of
generating enthusiasm in the local clubs. The
Hohner Harmonica Band Information Bureau,
howeyer, does not exercise authority over the
local clubs, each society being self governed.
AND
Naturally the question will arise in regard to
HIGH-CLASS
TRIMMINGS
the compensation the bureau will receive for
its service to bands. In answering, we can as-
sure everyone that we are not working for
money but for the advancement of the harmon-
113-115 UNIVEPSITY PLACE
ica, as well as to create in the community a love
One block west of Broadway
N E W YORK
for music which, without doubt, will help to
VIOLINS
BOWS, STRINGS
BUEGELEISEN & JACOBSON
B . IBLJRNTST&L
CO
THE NEW NOVELTY LINE OF PIANO SCARFS
It will pay yon to write for a line of samples to be sent on approval.
8 1 N . J . R . R . A V E . , N E W A R K , N . %3.
The MORRIS DUET PIANO BENCH
Superior in Style, Strength and Finiah
CHICAGO
Eagle Brand Drum and Banjo Heads; 20th Century Drums,
Rex Banjos, Mandolins and Guitars.
FACTORS
The Eminent Violinist and
BLACK DIAMOND Strings
GENTLEMEN : —
L. D. MORRIS <& CO.
Room G1S, INo. 17 Van B u r e n Street
Prof. Hugo Heermann
THE TRADE.
I am sailing to Australia next week, and shall
pass through N.ew York between the 5th and
8th of May ("Blucher," Hamburg-Amerlka Line).
Will you send enclosed order for Violin G
strings KLACK DIAMOND to address given be-
low, or do you have a Dealer's shop In New
York where I might find your strings? If so,
please let me know at the same address.
The strings arc most excellent.
Yours sincerely,
II. HEERMANN.
Frankfort o/M., April, 1905.
NATIONAL MUSICAL STRING COMPANY
New Brunswick, New Jersey