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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
TRADE ASSUMES BRIGHTER ASPECT.
Leading Distributers and Exporters Report an
Entirely New Feeling in the Trade—Demand
for Goods Is Growing Stronger and the Gen-
eral Outlook Is Greatly Improved.
Instead of a sagging market, as has been in
evidence for several weeks past with the small
goods branch of the trade, business is assuming
a much brighter aspect. With hardly an excep-
tion the leading distributers and importers cheer-
fully acquiesce in the report that orders since
July 4 represent an entirely new feeling among
buyers of musical merchandise, with band instru-
ments in the ascendant. The demand for this
line of goods is growing stronger, instead of
diminishing. Domestic manufacturers have about
all they can swing, with their factories running
capacity and frequently overtime.
Foreign
plants are also busy, with the importers embar-
rassed to some extent by the labor strike at
Graslitz, Austria, that is still unsettled. This dis-
turbance has a tendency to stiffen prices, and
they are accepted under protest so long as the
goods are forthcoming.
Natural conditions are such that the small
goods wholesaler who keeps in touch and can
read the signs of the times aright is satisfied that
the improvement in trade has come to stay. To
be sure, not too much can be expected to mate-
rialize during the summer, but from the presence
of buyers in the eastern and western distributing
centers, and their bullish attitude, it is judged
the nightmare of uncertainty has finally disap-
peared. Mails are better, and not a few orders
were booked via this route this week. The re-
ports of the road men are likewise of a healthier
tone. A general resumption of business in many
lines recently has been vastly helpful, indications
that appeal strongly and are helpful to the small
goods trade. Collections, however, are still back-
ward.
That a better spirit prevails is the firm belief
of one of the best-informed sellers of musical
merchandise in the country, who in the course of
an interesting talk on the subject spoke as fol-
lows to The Review: "Whatever has occurred,
it is certain business is far more active than
for at least two weeks past. Since Monday our
mails have greatly improved. Band instruments
have the call, and if the dealer will not get on
the 'band wagon,' so to speak, at this particular
time, he is lacking in good judgment. Our brass
and wood-wind lines are moving rapidly, and we
have our hands full keeping the stock up. The
domestic manufacturers are up and doing, and
the foreign factor is being pushed to the verge
of distraction for hurried shipments. We ascribe
this to the practical settlement of the presidential
election and the return of confidence."
DITSON'S EFFECTIVE PUBLICITY.
Carrying on a Great Campaign in Behalf of the
Band Instruments Which They Handle.
There is perhaps no house in the small goods
trade which pays more attention to proper cuts
in advertising than the Ditson house. They go a
great deal on the picture, and the picture must
represent in some way just what the advertise-
MIRAPHONE
JACOT MUSIC BOX CO.,
ment means. Frequently there is a tinge of
humor in the picture which is sure to arrest
attention. Here is a cut which was gotten up
specially for an amateur band performance. The
Ditson house distributes large quantities of band
instruments every year, both direct to bands and
through dealers. The retail business is done
principally in the cities of Boston, New York
and Philadelphia. Out-of-town business is usually
done through some wide-awake dealer. In quot-
ing prices this firm always make estimates that
will enable the local dealer to get in on the
deal, as they have no desire whatever to under-
sell him or to become his competitor.
Owing to the large amount of capital necessary
it does not pay the small dealer to carry a stock
HANS HOHNER HOMEWARD BOUND.
of band instruments; therefore, he finds it to his
interest to refer the band direct to a reliable
house, who will take care of him. The band in-
strument business this year, everything consid-
ered, has been exceptionally good with this house
and they look for much more of it. Their lines
are known as the New Century, Hiieron, Bay
State, Lyon & Healy "Own Make," of all of which
they have a large stock. All band instruments
sent out by this house are adjusted and regu-
lated by expert workmen. The Ditson companies
have also been having a large call for the better
class of cornets and trumpets, and enjoy a very
large sale of the Bopp French horns, of wlrch
they are the American agents.
Hans Hohner, managing partner of the Ameri-
can branch of M. Hohner, manufacturer of har-
monicas and accordeons, Trossingen, Germany,
is expected back from Europe either this or early
next week. It is a hurried trip, Mr. Hohner
having gone abroad in 1he latter part of May.
The business of the house here has brightened up
materially during the past three weeks, requisi-
tions for shipments engaged in the spring now
coming in for immediate attention.
VIOLIN MADE OF 646 PIECES.
J. W. Barnes, of Bath, Me., recently complete!
a violin which is an oddity. It is made of
UDELL-PREDOCK MFG. CO., gl-
Makers of
PIANO BENCHES
Commission Road Sales-
men Waited
LITIGATION OVER TRADE=MARK.
Exclusive Right to Use the Words "Black Ends
Beauty" as a Trade-Mark Awarded to Bauer
& Durrschmidt for Whom the Wm. R. Gratz
Co. Are Agents.
The trade have been formally notified that on
June 6, 1908, the United States Patent Office, un-
der interference proceedings with S. R. Huyett,
who figures as a manufacturers' agent for mus-
ical strings, violins, etc., at Abilene, Kan., and
St. Louis, Mo., has awarded the exclusive right
to use the words "Black Ends Beauty," as a
trade-mark applied to gut strings, to Bauer &
Durrschmidt, Markneukirchen, Germany, and for
whom the Wm. R. Gratz Import Co., 35-37 West
31st street. New York, are the sole agents for
the United States and Canada.
About a year ago Huyett was notified by the
Gratz Co. to cease advertising and selling violin
strings that he termed "Black End Beauties,"
claiming he was infringing their trade-mark.
This notification was ignored. An interference
suit against Huyett was thereupon instituted by
Bauer & Durrschmidt, and argument was heard
VIOLINS
BOWS, STRINGS
AND
HIGH-CLASS TRIMMINGS
BDE6ELEISEN & JACOBSON
113-115 UNIVEPSITY PLACE
One block west of Broadway
N E W YORK
Prof. Hugo Heermann
The Eminent Violinist and
BLACK DIAMOND Strings
GENTLEMEN :—
COMBINATION MUSIC BOX and TALKING MACHINE
In every respect a superior instrument Musically and Me-
chanically, giving you and your customers splendid value.
Write for Catalogue, Terms and Prices.
INo. 39 Union Square, NEW YORK
F. B. BURNS &
CO.
THE NEW NOVELTY LINE OF PIANO SCARFS
It will pay yon to write tor a Une of samples to be sent on approval.
May S, 1908, the issue being the employment of
the words "Black End Beauties" or "Black Ends
Beauty" for musical strings. The attorney for
the complainant contended that Huyett had filed
no testimony; that his application for registra-
tion was not evidence of ownership by him.
Therefore, to prevail in the proceeding it was
incumbent upon the plaintiff merely to establish
a date of adoption followed by a continuous use
of the mark in question.
The testimony to this effect was submitted
from Harry Newcorn and Louis Berge, Berge
Music Co., dealers; Joseph Mock, secretary of
the Wm. R. Gratz Import Co, New York, and
Paul A. Durrschmidt, of Bauer & Durrschmidt.
Fairfax Bayard, examiner of interferences, on
June C> decided the case in favor of the com-
plainants, holding lhat Bauer & Durrschmidt had
established by the testimony introduced priority
of adoption of the words in issue since Decem-
ber, 1900, and therefore they were p-ntitlpd to
their exclusive use as a Irnde-mark.
01 N. J. R. R. AVE.,
N E WA.RK, N. J.
I am sailing to Australia next week, and shall
pass through New York between the 5th and
8th of May ("Blucher," Hamburg Amerlka Line).
Will you send enclosed order for Violin (J
strings BLACK 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 are most excellent.
Yours sincerely,
II. IIEERMANN.
Frankfort o/M., April, 1905.
NATIONAL MUSICAL STRING COMPANY
N e w Brunswick, N e w Jersey