Music Trade Review

Issue: 1911 Vol. 53 N. 20

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE
MAY HOTEL_SEIZE PIANO?
Supreme Court Called Upon to Decide Whether
Chattel Mortgage or Hotel Lien Shall Have
Precedence in Awarding Possession of In-
strument—Interesting to Piano Men.
Justices Giegerich, Lehman and Pendleton, sit-
ting in the Appellate Term of the Supreme Court,
were called on to decide the puzzling question
whether a piano brought by a guest into a hotel,
for which a chattel mortgage has been given to the
maker, can be held by the hotel-keeper for a debt
due by his guest. The Justices reserved decision.
Mrs. Helene S. Cornell, possessor of the piano
in dispute, moved into the King Edward Hotel on
March 22, 1910, bringing the instrument with her
as part of her belongings. She owed Franklin
Matthews $113 of the purchase price, for which
she executed a chattel mortgage to him about that
date.
The Victor Hotel Co., by purchase, became owner
of the hotel on July 27, 1910. Between that date
and September 8, 1910, Mrs. Cornell incurred an
indebtedness to the hostelry of $77.85, for which
the Victor Hotel Co. held the piano.
Matthews brought a suit in the Municipal Court
tr. recover the piano or its value from the hotel
company, claiming that his chattel mortgage was
a prior lien to that of the innkeeper. A verdict
was rendered in favor of the Victor Co., and from
this Matthews appealed.
It was contended on behalf of Matthews that
even admitting that the hotel-keeper's lien took
precedence of any others, that as the Victor Hotel
Co. did not come into possession of the hotel until
some months after the execution of the chattel
mortgage it could have no right to seize the instru-
ment for any indebtedness which subsequently be-
came due by Mrs. Cornell.
For the hotel company it was argued that it
had, under the statute, a lien on any property
brought to the hotel by a guest, which took prece-
dence of all other liens, unless the hotelkeeper
knew when the guest brought the property to the
hotel that it was not legally the property of such
guest, boarder or lodger, or had notice of the fact,
and that the hotel company was unaware of the
existence of the Matthews chattel mortgage when
it came into possession of the King Edward, and
had received no subsequent notice of the lien. On
these grounds it was asked that the judgment ef
the Municipal Court be affirmed.
REVIEW
hogany case in their show window, and bids for
the instrument will be received until November 28,
on which day they will be opened and the piano
delivered to the highest bidder.
SALE OF STEVENS' BUSINESS.
Retail Store at Marietta Sold to Wainwright
Music Co.
(Special to The Review.)
Marietta, O., Nov. 13, 1911.
On Thursday of last week a deal was concluded
whereby the retail store and stock of the Stevens
Organ Co. was sold to the Wainwright Music Co.,
of this city, for a consideration of about $25,000.
Both of the interested firms are well and favorably
known to Marietta and the surrounding country.
The Stevens Organ & Piano Co. have for many
years past conducted the largest music house in
southeastern Ohio, and thoroughly worked the
trade from Wheeling to Portsmouth, and from
Zanesville to Clarksburg, W. Va.
That Mr. Stevens has been eminently successful
in his business, and that his firm has always en-
joyed the reputation of being one of Marietta's
most reliable and up-to-date business houses is a
fact too well known to need repeating. Mr.
Stevens retires from the retail branch of his busi-
ness on account of his declining health and in
order that he may devote his entire time and at-
tention to his organ factory on the west side of
the river and to the building of pipe organs, in
which line his firm are now having a very heavy
trade.
The purchasers, the Wainwright Music Co., are a
corporation, recently organized, and which took
over the rapidly growing business heretofore con-
ducted by W. E. Wainwright. This concern also
has on hand a large stock of musical instruments
and musical merchandise of all kinds.
NEW AND REDUCER CLASS RATES.
Just Published by the Trans-Missouri Freight
Bureau to Become Effective November 15th
—Substantial Reductions in Rates on Pianos
in Both Carload and Less Than Carload
Lots Reported by Freight Traffic Mgr. Moore.
Thomas C. Moore, freight traffic manager of the
National Piano Manufacturers' Association of
America, informs The Review that he is just in
receipt of copy of I. C. C. 273, published by the
Trans-Missouri Freight Bureau, announcing new
FOUND PIANO DEALERS BUSY
and reduced class rates, effective November 15,
Despite General Shyness of Capital, Says J. C. from and to Chicago, Duluth, Memphis, Peoria,
Mississippi river, St. Paul and Missouri river, and
Amie, the Sohmer Traveler—Call for High
points taking the same rates, or basing thereon,
Grade Pianos Prevails Everywhere.
from and to Ogden, Salt Lake City, and a large
number of other points taking the same rates.
J. C. Amie, the popular general traveling repre-
FROM CHICAGO.
sentative for Sohmer &, Co., returned recently
Classes.
1
2
3
4
from a most successful trip through the West and
$2.85 $2.40 $1.98 $1.00
as far as the Pacific Coast, and reported that, while Present rates
2.45 2.07 1.72 1.39
the actions of the Government against the trusts Effective Nov. 15
had had the effect of making capital timid and
Reduction.
$.40 $.33 $.26 $.21
thereby causing a slight money shortage, the ma-
The usual differentials apply from the Missis-
jority of the piano dealers called on were doing a
good business and in a position to order new stock. sippi river.
This effects a substantial reduction in the rates
Mr. Amie also stated that the trend throughout the
on
pianos in both carload and less than carload
country seemed to be toward the purchase of high-
grade pianos, those with a name of known value quantities, not only from and to the points named,
behind them, and the volume of orders he re- but from and to all points taking the same rates,
ceived indicated that the Sohmer piano was to he and from and to all points east of Chicago and the
included in that category. One of the most im- Mississippi river, where the through rates are made
portant deals made on Mr. Amie's trip was the by adding to the rate from or to Chicago or the
placii'g of the Sohmer agency with the Bollman Mississippi river the rates from or to eastern
Bros. Co., St. Louis, who have planned to feature points of origin or destination.
The new rates will apply upon all shipments
that instrument strongly.
made on and after November 15, 1911.
HOLD AUCTION BY MAIL.
Instrument Displayed in Window to Be De-
livered to Highest Bidder.
The Bowers Piano Co.. who handle the Sohmer.
Weser and other makes of pianos in Providence,
R. I., have rtsorted to an auction by mail to attract
the attention of the public to the store. The
Bower Co. have placed an attractive piano in ma-
The leader among
musical instruments
When the Victor-
Victrola was first an-
nounced five years ago
the words "most won-
derful musical instru-
m e n t " were used to
describe it. Today it is
the leading musical
instrument.
It has
created new standards
in music all over the
world.
Each year since, the
immense factory of the
Victor Company has
been increased to meet
the unprecedented de-
mand for the Victor-
Victrola. Each year
has been a greater suc-
cess than its predecessor.
Every success has been
a dealer's success.
And this year is go-
ing to break all records.
Greater opportunities are
constantly o p e n i n g up to
dealers everywhere in the sale
of this instrument; and those
who are alive to the oppor-
tunities are enjoying such an
era of prosperity that is abso-
lutely without an equal in
the annals of the entire
musical instrument industry.
HAVE STRONG LINE OF PIANOS.
The Emmett & Bibb Piano Co. are a new con
cern in Hannibal, Mo., where they recently pur-
chased the local branch of the Dawson Piano Co.,
Quincy, 111. They have the agency for the d i c k -
ering, Kimball, Hallet & Davis and Packard pianos.
The Jenkins Music Co., Bartlesville, Okla., has
moved to a new location.
Victor Talking Machine Co.
Camden, N. J., U. S. A.
Berliner Gramophone Co., Montreal,
Canadian Distributors.
Always use Victor Records played with Vlctot
Needles—there is no other way to get the un-
eqnaJed Victor tone.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
10
THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
Business in Quaker City Uneven—Wholesale Trade Excellent Showing That Out-of-Town Deal-
ers Are Doing Well—Some Inquiries About the Philadelphia Piano Trade Association—
1
Piano Advertising in Daily Papers Without Blemish—What Leading Houses Report.
(Special to The Review.)
Philadelphia, Pa., Nov. 14, 1911.
There are varied opinions as to the condition of
the piano business in Philadelphia at present. Some
of the firms unhesitatingly say that their business
is very good, while others speak with more re-
serve. One big piano man this week told me that
his business thus far this year was not within
20 per cent, of what it was last year, and probably
this is a very fair statement. He added: "Unless
business picks up very considerably here within
the next two months it is a pretty safe assertion
to make that business for the year is not going
to be as good as it was in 1910."
As a matter of fact retail business generally in
Philadelphia is not up to the standard. It is not
much better now than it was during the summer,
and everyone seems to be playing the waiting game,
wondering what is going to develop.
This may or may not be the condition elsewhere,
and it would seem that it is not, judging from the
reports made by local manufacturers, who are very
free to affirm, and are able to show you evidences
of it, that they are working their factories to the
limit, and have little or no stock on hand.
Doing Well with the Everett.
James Bellak's Sons are one of the local firms
who are reporting an excellent business at present.
They are very nearly cleaned up on pianos, and
they are expecting this week to receive about forty
new instruments. They have been doing very well
with the Everett, and they have recently been sell-
ing quite a number of Melville Clark Apollo player-
pianos.
Christmas Club Popular.
Florence Heppe says that the general business at
his house this year has not been as good as last
and that it will take some tall hustling to bring it
up to last year's figures. They have been doing
a little better with their Christmas Club than last
I
"THE HIGHEST
SCIENTIFIC
DEVELOPMENT"
That is the term which a celebrated piano
manufacturer used recently when referring
to a product which has won a high position
in the piano world.
We refer to the brands of piano wire
known as the
"PERFECTED"
AND
" CROWN "
Steadily these products have advanced in
the estimation of the most critical.
They are used by some of the most cele-
brated piano makers in the world.
Now, what is good enough for the lead-
ers of an industry should interest the rank
and file!
American Steel & Wire Co.
Chicago
New York
Worcester
Denver
San Francisco
United States Steel Products Go.
Export Representative
30 Churcfc St., NEW YORK
year, but generally business has been a little slack
on some of the high-grade goods.
Cne of Miller & Sons' Best Sellers.
G. Dunhar Shewell, of the Henry F. Miller
branch, is having a big call for Lyric grands. They
have been advertising these instruments heavily and
are fighting for trade as hard as possible. They
have received a number of new pianos within the
week, particularly of their No. 77 Colonial, which
is their best seller in upright pianos.
Ludwig Improvements Completed.
Ludwig & Co. are this week displaying in their
window a handsome new Circassian walnut style A
piano, one of the slickest-looking instruments, so
far as case work is concerned, in their line. These
art instruments are beautifully designed. All
the improvements at the Ludwig house have been
completed with the exception of getting rugs for
their floors. These have been ordered and will
conform with the general decorations. The second
floor of the Ludwig house is decorated to corre-
spond with the first floor, and when entirely fin-
ished it will be one of the most, if not the most,
attractive piano stores in this city.
Herzberg Stocking Up.
Gustave Herzberg & Son have been getting in
a number of new instruments within the past ten
days, both from the Kranich & Bach and the
Mehlin factories. They have on hand a large
stock of the Straube and also of the Behning
players, regarding the merits of which Mr. Herz-
berg is very enthusiastic.
Reports Much Better Business.
Mr. Drew, the local representative of the Stieff
piano, with warerooms at Eleventh and Walnut
streets, informs me that he has been having a much
better business this year on the Stieff piano than
he had last. He does not carry a very large stock
of pianos, for he also deals extensively in sheet
music and musical merchandise.
Clean Advertising Methods.
Philadelphia is to be congratulated for the clean
advertising that the piano men have been doing this
fall. There has not been one ad. printed all fall
to which a competitor could take the slightest ex-
ception, and in a measure the general feeling at
present among the "brethren" is most cordial.
What About t h e Association?
What has become of the Philadelphia Piano
Trade Association? It took me some time to
remember that Cassius Ramsdell was elected last
spring the president for the current year. While
I keep in very close touch with the trade, so far
as I can learn Mr. Ramsdell has* only called one
meeting since he was elected to office. Probably
it is better thus, for there does not seem to be a
thing in the piano horizon in Philadelphia to be
adjusted at present—except that it might be the
desire for more customers. This the association
could not remedy, but they have certainly done
wonderful work and ought to get together every
now and then, if nothing more than to congratu-
late themselves that this association has existed
and worked in the past.
STEINWAY PUBLICITY
In the Local Papers Is as Usual Couched Along
Dignified Lines.
Steinway & Sons' advertising in the daily papers
these days is along those dignified lines which have
ever been associated with the Steinway product.
Enclosed within a very artistic border, the corners
of which are illuminated by the Steinway trade-
mark, appears the following text, under the cap-
tion of Steinway:
"The Steinway name has not only become a
household word in every hamlet of the United
States, but its fame has circled the world. From
the royal palaces of the ruling sovereigns of the
Old World to the modest cabins of the farmers and
miners in the New World, wherever the taste and
longing for the purest and finest musical tone
exists, there rings the voice of the Steinway piano.
The investment by the public of over one hundred
and twenty million dollars in a hundred and fifty
thousand Steinway pianos speaks louder than
words of fulsome praise."
NEW BANKRUPTCY RULING.
Must Give Two Days' Notice Before Receiver-
ship Application, Court Says.
Judge Hough, of the United States District
Court, appointed receivers this week on four in-
voluntary bankruptcy cases under a new plan, by
which two days' notice must be given to. the
alleged bankrupts and creditors, by advertisement,
that application will be made for the appointment
of a receiver.
PEASE PLAYERS IN DEMAND.
Many Sales Reported by Manager Scofield—
Pease Factory Running Full Time.
At the warerooms of the Pease Piano Co., 128
West 42d street, Manager G. A. Scofield said sales
had multiplied rapidly during the past two weeks.
He also reported that half of their business was
on player-pianos and many of this style of instru-
ment had been sold to leading artists and New
York families. Mr. Scofield further reported that
the factory was running full time in every depart-
ment and that they expected to close a good fall
season, wholesale and retail.
JACKSON OPENS IN BOSTON.
M. A. Jackson, who has been in the retail piano
business for the past quarter-century, the greater
part of that time being located in Chelsea, Mass.,
recently opened warerooms at 172 Tremont street,
Boston, where he handles the Janssen and Becker
Bros, pianos as well as other makes.
An interesting series of articles zvill be inaugu-
rated in The Reviezv of November 25. We pro-
pose to give five dollars a week for a short, chatty
expression of views upon interesting topics. Con-
sult our special announcement elsewhere.
AUTER
A dealer who has been hand-
ling LAUTER
PIANOS for
about twelve months said this to
us lately :
"Your pianos have killed off the sale of
other high grade pianos I handle. On
merit they truly win, as they deserve to
win. I have no difficulty at all in selling
the Lauter Piano to anyone who appre-
ciates what a piano is. It is the one piano
that my quality-trade demands ".
Fullest details on request.
LAUTER CO.
NEWARK,
NEW
JERSEY

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