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THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
LATEST TRADE NEWS FROM GERMANY
Interesting News Regarding Exhibitions in Turin and London—Church Organ Builders and
Prices—News from Markneukirchen—Sale of Sounding-Board Timber
in Roumania—
Player Manufacturers in Weimer and Berlin Consolidate—Working the Black List.
(Special to the Review.)
Berlin, Germany, June 26, 1911.
This year the period of rest for our manufac-
turers, which prevails as a rule during the mid-
summer months, will be almost entirely interrupted
by the numerous exhibitions. x\t the Turin Ex-
hibition far more piano manufacturers are rep-
resented than was at first expected. Many of
them only decided to exhibit at the eleventh hour,
with the result that they were not ready at the
proper time. Indeed, the Turin Exhibition as a
whole is distinguished by an unreadiness the like
of which has scarcely ever been witnessed. On
the opening day only very few halls were ready.
The German section was closed again two days
later and reopened at the end of three weeks,
even then only half ready. When 1 was in Turin
nt the end of May, that is some three weeks after
the official opening, the American section was still
closed and no date had even been fixed for the
opening. Practically no progress has been made
since that time.
Unpreparedness at Turin
Exhibition.
September is almost out of the question, as the
temperature in Turin during July and August
scarcely makes it advisable to go there during
those two months. This is another very important
reason why this exhibition should have been opened
on time.
Importance of London Music Trade Show.
Another exposition at which a large number of
German firms will exhibit is the Fifth Interna-
tional Pianoforte and Music Trades Exhibition,
which is to be held from August 14 to 19 in
London, and which is intended solely for members
of the trade. The exhibition will be held in the
Royal Agricultural Hall and will probably be vis-
ited by all the more important piano and music
instrument dealers in Great Britain and the colo-
nies. The number of applications for space is so
large that only a few less favorably situated local-
ities are still to be had. In addition to these two
large exhibitions numerous provincial exhibitions
will be held in which the local firms will partici-
pate. Indeed, one can this year almost speak of
an exhibition epidemic.
i
already sold 200 acres of pine woods. This
Roumanian wood is used in the piano trade for
sounding boards. Manufacturers are looking for-
ward with feelings of uneasiness to the time when
the supplies of such wood are exhausted, as other
woocls, such, for instance, as "red wood," are not
efficient substitutes.
Player Manufacturers Consolidate.
A contract has lately been closed between the
Romhildt Piano Co., in Weimar, and the piano-
player factory of K. Heilbrunn Sohne, Berlin, ac-
cording to which the two firms amalgamate under
the title "Romhildt-Heilbrunn Sohne Co." The
managers of the firm K. Heilbrunn Sohne, men
of ripe experience, will continue with the new
combination, and have contracted for a number
of years. In addition to the Berlin factory of
K. Heilbrunn Sohne, their well-developed branches
in Hamburg, Brussels, Paris and in the near future
in St. Petersburg have also amalgamated with the
Romhildt Piano Co., and extend the field for the
sale of the Romhildt instruments. The Romhildt
Piano Co. has called an extraordinary general
meeting for June 22 for the purpose of passing
the necessary resolutions. This meeting is also
to decide the question of an increase in capital.
It is intended to considerably extend the manu-
facturing end of the business. The necessary
working capital is to be procured by the issue of
4Vi> per cent, debentures.
Extending Union Black List.
The Union of Berlin Piano Manufacturers and
The German firms exhibiting mechanical in-
Price-Cutting on Organs.
Dealers has for several years past kept a black
struments had made great efforts to have their
The Union of German Church Organ Builders
list of all home and foreign dealers through whom
exhibits ready on time, but in vain—even at the held its annual meeting a few days ago. In his members of the Union have suffered loss in any
present time no electric current is forthcoming
report on the past year the chairman stated that
way, or who have been found guilty of unfair,
to drive the instruments, so that exhibitors are
since eighteen firms resigned membership in 1910,
business methods. It can be proved that this list
forced to produce their own current by means of
the minimum prices which had previously been
has saved a large number of members from con-
benzine motors. Just imagine the danger of fire
iixed could. unfortunately only be obtained in a siderable losses. In order to still further extend
arising from such a procedure? All the more
few cases, in spite of the fact that experts and
this idea and thereby gradually set the German
so as the German section contains exhibits of
official bodies have almost universally recognized
business, on a really sound basis, an appeal was
incalculable value which could never be replaced;
that good organs could not be furnished under
recently made to all German manufacturers to
for instance, twenty large solid silver models of
these prices. The Union had been well on the join the movement, so that ample material might
ships, the property of the German emperor, who way towards introducing fair and reasonable be obtained. This entails no expense worth men-
has loaned them to the exhibition. At this rate
prices, and even now, in spite of the split, hopes
tioning, the charge for each list being only five
the exhibition will probably be more or less ready
of a new understanding should not be abandoned.
pfennig. Lists are furnished as required, so that
about the beginning of July, but a visit before
Complaints were also made that organists only
the annual lees should not amount to more than
spoke in favor of a new organ if they received
1 mark or 1.50 mark.
a gratuity of some kind from the manufacturer.
In Hungary piano manufacturers and dealers
Factory-Made Violins and Parts.
have founded a new union to oppose the injurious
In Markneukirchen, the center of the German
tendencies in the piano trade. Councillor Josef
violin industry, a company was formed some
Schunda has been elected honorary president. The
years ago, with a capital of $125,000, for the pur-
following officers were also elected: President,
pose of substituting regular factory manufacture
Robert Heckenast; vice-presidents, Albert Kohn
for home work in the parts of violins, such as and Adolf Szabady.
tops, backs, ribs, necks, bass bars, sound posts,
Prosperous Talking Machine Concern.
finger boards. The result has been far less fa-
The largest German talking-machine factory.
vorable than anticipated.
For the past year the
Carl Linnstrom, A.G., Berlin, raised its capital last
company showed a loss of $7,000 as against $6,000 year from 1,250,000 marks to 2,000,000 marks. The
for the preceding year. This makes a total loss
balance sheet for the year has now been published.
since its foundation of $35,000. The management
The results are, turnover in round figures, 1908,
in its report comments on the position to the fol- 2,(100,000 marks, with a capital of 750,000 marks;
lowing effect: "The sales of our product again 1!)<>9, .Ui:V>.000 marks, with a capital of 1,250,000
showed an increase in the year dealt with in the marks, and 1010, 6 520,000 marks, with a capital of
report. The average price also shows a slight im- 2,000,000 marks. The dividends paid amounted to
provement, but this improvement was by no means
1908, 12 per cent.; 1909, 15 per cent.; 1910, 20 per
in proportion to the cost of production and at all cent. The prospects for the current year are said
events too small to yield a profit. The low aver- to be good.
Every Packard owner is a Packard
age value is accounted for by the fact that the
booster. He is more than satis-
majority of customers here purchase the cheaper
fied—for he has received more
qualities, whereas, generally speaking, we have
than "full value" for his money
-eceived but little support in the better qualities,
which yield a far larger margin of profit. At
That's the reason.Packard pianos
the same time it must be stated that our products
in the better qualities are recognized to be at least
are easy to sell—and that's the
equal to other makes. As our experience has
reason you will find profit and
shown that any considerable favorable change in
pleasure in selling them. Also it's
the nature of our turnover is scarcely to be ex-
are conscientiously made, good
the reason why we are finding it
pected,
we
have
been
induced
to
extend
our
opera-
easy to get the better dealers
instruments; in other words,
tions to manufacturing not only parts, but also
everywhere to handle them. Write
the finished article. The instalment of suitable
the sweetest things out.
The Packard Company, Fort
machinery and the possibility arising therefrom of
Wayne, Indiana—to-day. If we
our being able to dispose of our stock to greater
are not already represented in
advantage give us confidence in a favorable devel-
your territory, we may be glad
opment of our business."
to make agency arrangements
Sale of Sounding Board Timber.
with you—and it may mean for
Negotiations are pending between the Rou-
you the one big opportunity.
RUDOLF PIANO CO.
manian government and a firm in Austria for the
sale of the extensive pine woods in the neighbor-
S47-M9 Rider Ave.
NEW YORK
hood of Tazlau. The Roumanian government has
A satisfied customer
is a real profit maker
—the best salesman a
piano dealer can possibly
have
RUDOLF
PIANOS