Music Trade Review

Issue: 1912 Vol. 54 N. 24

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
8
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
changes contemplated and there seems to be a gen-
tail store in that city. His object is to get as
eral satisfaction among all the salesmen. In ract, a view as possible of the piano business, for there
in this the piano trade is unusual. There is no are a number of innovations that he intends to
Some Dealers State T.hat Business Is Better
business in the city in which so few salesmen introduce. He also visited the Columbia factory
Than Last Year at This Season—Hints at
change places. Most of the veteran salesmen at and made a selection of records to be shipped to
Many Changes Among the Salesmen—Ed-
the various houses can date their employment many Philadelphia for the opening day at the Estey's
mund Wolsieffer Recovered — New Estey
of them to a score or more of years. The question Columbia department, June 15. Walter Linton will
Manager Studying the Business—New Estey
arises as to who will be entrusted the selling of
Organs for Churches—Other News Items.
be in charge. A large hearing room will be built
pianos when the present salesmen will be com- at the rear of the general offices of the firm, and
pelled to retire on account of age. There seems two smaller rooms, and they will have the machines
(Special to The Review.)
to be little new blood entering the field, and the distributed throughout the building.
Philadelphia, Pa., June 12, 1912.
Estey's pipe organ department has just dedicated
Thfere has been some little improvement the past Osier theory is surely not adopted by the dealers
a fine pipe organ in the Catasauqua St. Stephen's
week in the piano business in Philadelphia. There in pianos.
Edmund Wolsieffer, who has been ill for the P. E. Church, and is at present engaged in the
has been nothing startling, but a good, even busi-
ness is being done to the extent of what is to be ex- past two months, is again back at his post at the setting up of an organ in the St. James' Methodist
pected at this period ©i^-the year. In fact the Heppe houst^/^e is fe.elj*% in the best of health Church at Olney, Philadelphia, and the coming
dealers tell me tfrtt^rhey^rre doing a little better again. The, He^P^-have just received'a^Ye^ fine week the Estey Co. will place an organ in the Sel-
than they did last June, and attribute the difference line oi Francesca pianos in their new style, which byville Methodist Church, and it has also taken con-
to the cool weather that has prevailed, which is are semi-Colonial in design. They are very tracts for the building of organs in the First Baptist
handsome^, instruments 'and are being much ad- Church, of Pittston, Pa., and in St. Hedwig's
keeping people home.
Roman Catholic Church of Wilmington, Del.
By way of an illustration of how this weather af- mired.
B. F. Jefferson, of Lyon & Healy, the prominent
N. Stetson & Co. report that their business has
fects business, there came under, my personal at-
Chicago house, was a visitor at the Miller ware-
tention the past week an instance where a family been normal for this period of the* year. They
invariably goes to the shore every summer the have recently received a number of new Sterling rooms the past week.
Last week was the big commencement week in
latter part of May and remains until the first of Pianos, Style 87, in the dull finish, Colonial in
Philadelphia, and the stores were taxed for pianos
September. The weather has been so delightful pattern. They have proved to be good sellers.
Thomas K. Henderson, the new manager at the to be used on these occasions. The Henry F. Mil-
at home that they have decided to curtail their
summer outing to a very brief period during the Esley house, was in New York almost all of last ler was used at no less than sixteen occasions of
husband's vacation, and use the seashore cottage week visiting the Estey factory, as well as the re- this character.
money in the buying of a piano. There are prob-
ably many who have done this. Besides, the dealers
street, has been unusually successful in securing
AN ATTRACTIVE PUBLICATION
in music rolls tell me that their business thus tar
an efficient sales force, made up of J. F. Hecker,
has been very much better than last season, for the Is the New Catalog Just Issued by Boardman recently manager of Gimbel Brothers' local piano
reason that it has been quite too cool to sit on the
& Gray—The Various Features of the Pro- department; Charles Rohlfing, formerly a member
porches and the families have been entertaining
of the Rohlring Sons Music Co., and A. J. Bruett,
ducts of This Company Interestingly Fea-
themselves indoors with music.
formerly with the piano sales force at Gimbel
tured in a Well Printed Publication.
There is generally a feeling of optimism pervad-
Brothers. During the month that the store has
ing the piano trade of Philadelphia and all of the
(Special to The Review.),
been opened to the public.. Manager Greulich has
dealers are looking for an exceptionally good fall
Albany, N. Y., June 10, 1912.
secured a brisk business and has been successful
business. This is based on the general trend of
A new and very handsome catalog has just been in rounding up nearly 10,000 prospects. S. J.
business, which is upward in all lines in Phila- published by Boar'dman & Gray of this city. It "is Turnes, manager of the Cable-Nelson store in
delphia at present. The political situation does not an elaborate volume from a publisher's standpoint
Chicago, was in Milwaukee last week as the guest
seem to be causing any worry here, and the un- yet it is compact,. Not a great deal of spac^e is of Manager Greulich and assisted the latter in
easiness caused by the threatened coal strike having given to thejaoitsfcructional features of Boardman establishing a new dealer at Lodi, Wis. Mr. Greu-
also disappeared, there seems to be nothing at & Gray piancss^the pages being devoted rather to lich has practically new quarters and has filled his
present or to be anticipated to prevent the trade a display -of the line. The cover is of white store with an exceptionally fine line of Cable-Nel-
from having an exceptionally good business stock, kid finish, /with the, printing being executed son instruments.
through the remainder of the year.
with a light V*0ray" * ink. f The pages are of a
One of the dealers along Chestnut street re- super-calendered heavy 'jTtock/' taking the cuts
marked to me this week that there must be a num- beautifully, and the press work is of high
ber of changes contemplated in Philadelphia for the character.
reason that so many salesmen have been calling on
Page one shows the Boardman & Gray factory,
him inquiring for positions. He did not mention together with the trade-mark which has been in
any names, but it is to be presumed that they were use since 1837, when the house was established.
not the seasoned men, for I have heard of no Page two shows the portrait of James A. Gray,
founder of the house, together with the late Mr.
Gray's two sons, William J. Gray and James S.
Gray, the present makers of the Boardmajn .&
Gray pianos? On page three is the title page."
In keeping with the profession, the music talk
on
page four is under the caption "Overture,"
A N N A N D A L E , near Sydney
wherein is given some brief Jacts anent the house
and its products. For instance: ^ "The Boardman
& Gray piano is made to-day under.the personal
supervision of Messrs. Win, J.^and James S. Gray,
PIANO MAKERS, largest piano factories in
sons of James A. Gray, founder of the house, both
the British Empire.
men
of practical mechanical ability, competent to
VENEER MANUFACTURERS from choice
direct, perform and improve, bringing always
Australian and other woods, for export.
to the business the interest of the owner, com-
IMPORTERS of Music and Musical Instru-
bined with the capability of the master-workman."
ments, and Talking Machines.
Following are illustrations and descriptions of
WITH A GROWING
IMPORTERS of Interior Players for Pianos.
Boardman & Gray Colonial Style One; Colonial
MAKERS of fine Cabinet work.
REPUTATION
Style Two, Style Four, Style Three; Style Three
. The only musical-instrument firm having
with
plain
panels;
Style
Five;
Style
Six;
Floren-
its own branches in every State of the
tine Art Style Ten; Style Nine Player-piano;
Commonwealth.
Demand it. The only one that
Colonial Style Eleven Player-piano; Grand Style
Particulars of anything connected with the
,
meets all player requirements.
Seven and Style Eight Concert Grand.
above, lines, and of labor-saving methods and
James* S. Gray remarked that he wanted the
The best hammer for all pianos.
machinery, always welcome. Give fullest de-
catalog to be of the quality order to be consistent
tails in your first letter, so as to save time.
with the f3|oardman & Gray pianos and he has n©
For the guidance of intending suppliers, illus-
doubt accomplished his desire.
trations of our factories, with full description
SUPERIOR
of the work and method, may be inspected at
the office of our Agents upon presentation of
GERMAN FELT
business card.
PHILADELPHIAJTRADE IMPROVES.
BEALE&CO.,Ltd.
AUSTRALIA
i\


HAS A STRONG SALES FORCE.
AGENTS IN U. S. A . :
New Milwaukee Dealer Pays Particular Atten-
tion to That Important Point.
ILSLEY-DOUBLEDAY & CO.
(Special to The Review.)
Front Street
NEW YORK
Milwaukee, Wis., June 13, 1912.
M. H. Greulich, manager of the new Cable-Nel-
son branch store, opened recently at 181 Fourth
Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
Chicago Office: Republic Bldg.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
ENCOURAGING THESMALL DEALER.
OWN THE TWO MATHUSHEK CORPORATIONS.
Charles and C. Albert Jacob Buy Controlling Interest in New Haven Mathushek Corporation—
This with the New York Corporation Gives Them Two Mathushek Pianos—Statement by
Mr. Jacob—Best Features of Both Instruments to Be Adapted in One Product.
The announcement is made this week that Chas.
Jacob and C. Albert Jacob have purchased the
controlling interests in the Mathushek Piano
Manufacturing Co., New Haven, Conn.
The new officers of the corporation will be Chas.
Jacob, president; C. Albert Jacob, treasurer.
Chas. Jacob said, regarding the new move:
"For many years the progress of these two well-
known pianos has been retarded by the similarity
of names causing more or less confusion in the
minds of the public, and while our plans are not
yet fully formulated we contemplate a possible
combination of the best features of both pianos
into one grand artistic product which will tend to
perpetuate the genius and skill of the Mathushek
family, who have contributed much to the art of
piano building."
The New Haven company was founded by
THREE NEW BROOKLYN STORES?
Rumor Has It That Three Piano Firms Will
Open Warerooms in the Flatbush Avenue
District Within a Short Time—Summer
Business Starts Out in Good Shape—George
J. Barton Has Good Player Trade.
Frederick Mathushek, one of the most brilliant
mechanical geniuses in piano history.
After some disagreement with the stockholders,
Mr. Mathushek withdrew and came to New York
where he founded the Mathushek & Son Piano
Co. In this corporation Victor Hugo Mathushek
became associated with him ; and upon the death
of the veteran piano builder the younger Mathu-
shek became president.
The controlling interest of this corporation was
held by Messrs. Jacob Bros., who are conceded to
be among the most active and successful piano men
in the piano world.
Litigation regarding the names followed but
this matter was adjusted, and it has been stated
for some time that the New Haven business was
for sale. The matter is clearly settled now and
there will be but one Mathushek piano made.
The C.
way, held
remodeled
day, June
Some of the Most Successful Businesses in the
Country Have Been Built from Modest Be-
ginnings—A.
L.
Jewett Dilates on the
Quality and Character of a Man Which Are
as Valuable Assets as Real Money—Some
Timely Words of Encouragement to the
Dealer Who Is Working Hard for Success.
One of the silent workers of the industry, in
other words, that type of man whose wise counsel
and developed judgment helps not only to plan, but
to perfect great business campaigns/ is A. L.
Jewett, first vice-president of the Natjqrial Piano
Co., of Boston, Mass., and who was elected secretary
of the National Piano Manufacturers' Asso-
ciation at its recent convention.
Mr. Jewett abhors the lime-light, but it is im-
possible to come in contact with his personality
A. Reade Piano Co., 1096-1098 Broad-
a formal opening of its enlarged and
warerooms Saturday, June 8, and Mon-
10, from two until ten o'clock.
300 VOUGH PIANOS IN THEATERS.
Changeable
Pitch
Action
Embodied
in the
That Brooklyn has become a great piano center
Vough Piano Gives This Instrument a Dis-
is a fact, but that it is still to be a greater piano
tinct Individuality—Beautiful Mission Style
city is the report this week, which says that there
Now Under Way for Prominent Dealer.
are three piano concerns who will add ware-
rooms to the already large list which now make
(Special to The Review.)
up Brooklyn's piano row. It is understood on
Waterloo, N. Y., June 12, 1912.
good authority that the Wanamaker wareroom
What is considered by musical and trade ex-
in Manhattan will have a branch in Brooklyn and perts to be one of the great features of piano con-
that already a location has been looked for but struction is incorporated in the Vough piano. It
no definite place selected. Another firm who will is the invention of President William'-C. Vough
have a store in the city will be Winterroth & Co., and is the changeable pitch action, a patented prod-
who have purchased a building, and it was re- uct, giving both international and concert pitch
ported also that the Kroeger Piano Co. was seek- by a mere shift of a lever. Opex& houses to the
ing a location.
number of 300 have already • purchased Vough
When seen by a representative of The Review, pianos because of th ; s feature in addition to its
M. J. Chapman, manager of the Wanamaker ware- other merits, which i's a splendid boost to its
room, neither affirmed nor denied that any action worth. As a rule, opera houses do not purchase
had been taken toward securing Brooklyn piano pianos because they can generally have the free
quarters.
use of a piano for the advertising.
The piano business in general throughout the
The Vough action likewise permits a ready
city is rather quiet, although the business which transposition of any composition, all the work
has been brought in from the rural districts, es- being required is to shift the lever and perform
pecially from the Long Island territory, has been without the mental work of transposing.
very satisfactory.
Coming through on special order of a prominent
Manager Franke, of the wareroom of Hard- dealer is a Vough Mission style, with special
man, Peck & Co., stated this week that so far the bench, which in its entirety, is a very handsome
business done by them has exceeded by 25 per instrument.
cent, that of any previous year.
President Vough reports a staple condition of
The Sterling Piano Co. has also been having a business with an outlook that is encouraging to
good spring trade and satisfaction was expressed make this year total a pleasing figure in the sales
as to the volume of business which is now being volume.
turned in.
Charles A. Giannelli, the manager of the new
wareroom of Jacob Doll & Sons at 364 Livingston
street, was enthusiastic over the trade which he
has done since the store was opened three weeks
ago.
Mr. Giannelli, who has been out of the
piano trade a number of years, believes that there
is great opportunity in the Brooklyn district and
is proving his "belief by turning pianos into money
as fast as he. gets them. Thomas N. Burke is one
of the salesmen who is having success with the
Doll & Son's pianos and player-pianos at the
Brooklyn brah'ch.
George J. Barton, 27 Lafayette street, has been
hustling things in Brooklyn for the Hallet &
Davis Piano Co. and has made several good sales,
especially of player-pianos. One of the latest he
sold was a Virtuola, which was shipped to the
summer home of a customer at Central Valley,
New York. Mr. Barton now entertains the con-
cert-goers who attend the Academy of Music
across from his wareroom with selections on his
Auxetophone, which he places in the doorway, and
by so doing has brought many customers in his
store.
A. L. Jewett.
without being impressed with his magnetism, his
warm sunny nature and that convincing way which
invariably spells "Success." Mr. Jewett is a great
believer in developing the small fellow, in hold-
ing out help and encouragement, and chatting on
this subject in the last issue of the Arrow, he
said:
"It is a general law that what starts out big
'busts.' Conversely, that which has a very small
beginning likely as not sometimes becomes big.
In this is hope for the small beginner.
"Most of the successful piano businesses of to-
day began in a very small way. Among our
three to four hundred representatives are scores
who began on one piano at a time and made good
with all sorts of discouragements in sight.
"Many were tuners or salesmen, or men with
both of these qualities combined, who started out,
and finally 'arrived.' Most had no capital, but a
strong heart, and a good head, with ability to get
a living outside of piano selling while the busi-
ness was being built, and until the capital was
made.

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