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THE
-AMERICAN PIANOS IN MEXICO.
Showy German Styles Most Popular—Quality
of American Pianos Recognized—Some of the
Changes in Styles That Are Necessary in
Order to Influence Trade in That Country.
(Dr. J. H. T. Stempel in The American Exporter.)
IN/IU3IO TRADE
REVIEW
2. Pretty sconces or candelabra, visible in the
Paso down to Merida there are now piano dealers
who are looking for American pianos of all same cut, should be applied.
3. A top ornament (shown in cuts B and C)
grades and would give them the preference when
placing orders if the American manufacturer will should accompany every instrument and match
listen to their suggestions and make certain its style.
Complying with these requirements they will
changes which Mexican customers expect and
which please them in the makes of German not only conquer the Mexican markets but also
those of the Central and South American re-
competitors of the Americans.
I often used to try to explain to prospective publics where now German pianos are almost
purchasers in Mexico that when buying a piano exclusively demanded.
they should not look so much at its "body" (that
is, the case which they can see) but rather at
GILMORE'S WIRELESS PIANO.
the "soul" (the action and interior workman- Sound Emitting Forks or Tuned Tongues Are
"I would rather have the worst German piano
than the most renowned American instrument,"
said a prominent Mexican lawyer the other day
wh$n he was selecting a piano in a music store
in Mexico City. "The American piano has noth-
ing Whatever attractive about it; its exterior is
as repulsive as a coffin, whereas the German in-
struments show style and taste."
Similar opinions I have heard over and over
again when I have traveled in the Mexican Re-
public in the effort to introduce American pianos
in this very important market situated right at
the threshold of the United States. Why our
piano manufacturers, with only a few exceptions,
have never tried to get a bigger share of the
Mexican trade is easily explained.
Nearly fifty years ago a German firm of piano
dealers in the City of Mexico introduced the first
instruments from their native country and, not
meeting with any competition whatever, they
have virtually monopolized the trade of the whole
fepublic and placed its population at fifteen mil-
lion under the impression that Germany is the
GEKMAS MODEL (STYLE " B " )
only country where pianos of superior value are
made. The Steinway was the only American- ship wfiich they cannot see). "Yes," they in-
made piano that was recognized, but it has never variably answered, "that is all right; but why
been pushed because of its merits, but simply cannot a noble soul be placed in a handsome
for the reason that Mexicans who have traveled body, especially as this could readily be done
abroad demanded them and compelled the German by American manufacturers? We prefer what
firm in question to carry them in stock.
you call 'gingerbread work' because it better
It is only since the rapid industrial develop-
ment in Mexico which began about fifteen years
ago that American capital has gone abundantly
to that country and has now reached the quite
respectable figures of $800,000,000 invested in
railroads, mines and sundry enterprises. As a
natural con 1 - quence of such heavy American in-
vestments of capital there followed the emigra-
tion of American industrial establishments, engi-
neers, employes and workmen, the majority of
whom were married men in receipt of good
salaries and accustomed to pleasant home life in
their former residences. Many took with them
their American pianos and these, scattered all
over the republic, gave their Mexican friends
the first opportunity to see and appreciate the
superiority of the American piano over the Ger-
man.
GEUMAN MODEL (STYLE " C v ) .
The Mexican, with hu natural musical gifts,
quickly observed that the American piano is not suits the taste of the Latin races than your
only sweet and full in tone but that its solid con- clumsy Puritan styles."
If our piano manufacturers want to get the
struction made it more desirable for the tierra
caliente, the hot section of the country, and Mexican trade they ought to make the following
that an American instrument after having been changes:
1. The swing desk in the upper part of the
in use there for several years was still as good
as new, while German makes would not last case should be adorned with some engraving,
longer than one or two years.
It is not my intention to depreciate the merits
of the German piano, but it is an undeniable
fact that there is a Monroe Doctrine for Ameri-
can pianos which is, "American lumber for Amer-
ican pianos." The Steinway factory itself in one
of its pamphlets years ago made the statement
that in order to build just as reliable instru-
ments of this famous make in its German fac-
tory as in America, it was compelled to im-
port the "incomparable" American lumber. This
notable statement of the foremost piano builder
in the world speaks for itself.
Confirming such facts from their own judg-
ment the Mexicans are commencing to pay more
-. GKKMAN MODKL (STYI.K " A " ) .
attention to pianos manufactured by their
Yankee neighbors, and a growing demand for gold or mat, or with a carved medallion or gar-
them has been noticeable within the last few land or something of that sort," as shown in the
years. In all the more important cities from El accompanying cut A.
The MatchlpSS
M. 11V/
ITlCllV/lll^kJO
Players
to the front through
a solid wall of in-
telligent conserva-
tism."
Uprights
so Arranged as to Produce Pleasing Effects.
(Special to The Review.»
Washington, D. C, Nov. 23, 1908.
I. P. Gilmore, of Bloomington, 111., is the in-
ventor of a new type of wireless piano wherein
tuned reeds, sound-emitting forks or tongues in-
stead of strings or wires are employed, and pat-
ent No. 903,968 was issued to him in this con-
nection on November 17, 1908.
The various tongues are vibrated by any suit-
able means, as for instance, hammers pivoted
within the case, and operated from keys. Dampers
also actuated by the keys and by a pedal cor
operates with the hammers and with the tongues.
Moreover, other means for vibrating the tongues
may be employed if desired.
Mr. Gilmore in his claims says: "Experience
has demonstrated that with this structure, a
piano can be made very much lighter in weight,
and the structure prevents the jar of sound,
which is bound to occur in the more complicated
mechanisms. The adjustment of the bridge is
important, inasmuch as thereby the tongues can
be properly positioned to receive the contact of
the hammers at the proper points, making it
possible to obtain a pure harp tone.
"The construction of the bridge and the simple
manner in which the tongues are secured thereto
not only rerluces complications but adds to the
quality of the music produced, and moreover it
has been found highly advantageous to support
the bridge separately from the sounding-board,
and yet secure the proper co-operation of the
latter by means of the transmitters in the form
of arms and posts, the latter touching the sound-
ing-board at the points where the best results
are obtained. In this construction, moreover,
the necessity for the sound-box heretofore em-
ployed is eliminated, which also eliminates un-
necessary weight, and adds to the flrmnes3 and
volume of sound, as well as the carrying quality
of the tones. Finally, it is possible to manufac-
ture different grades of instruments. For in-
stance, simple single tongues may be employed
for each key, or a plurality may be operated on
by each key, as will be evident, and these tongues
may be constructed of different metals or a
combination of different metals to produce the
best possible tones."
CALENDAR SEASON OPENS UP.
The 1909 calendar season is at hand, and from
general observations the offerings will be as
elaborate as a year ago, although many piano
manufacturers have decided not to issue any.
Quite a number believe calendars are passe and
will spend their appropriation in other channels.
The first firm in the Bronx to issue 1909 cal-
endars is Decker & Son, 697-703 East 135th street,
and it's a little gem. To the left of the panel
is pictured the "Tower Rocks" in Yellowstone
Park from the original painting by Moran.
Among the retail firms who have sent out cal-
endars to local manufacturers is the Trafford
Co., of Mason City, la. The calendar printed
in color is a work of art, and, aside from the
firm's card, Mehlin and Everett pianos are fea-
tured and carefully exploited.
The Cunningham Piano Co.
of our "pushful"
army of dealers,
write for prices, ter-
ritory and proposi-
tions.
OFFICE AND WAREROOMS, Chestnut and Eleventh Streets
FACTORIES. Fiftieth Street, Parkside Avenue and Viola Street
Philadelphia, Pa.