Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1913 Vol. 57 N. 4

Page 59 Text:

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
59
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
FEATURES OF SUMMER TRADE
Noteworthy Increase in the Demand for Mando-
lins, Guitars and Banjos Reported.
The development of the summer season has occa-
sioned a noteworthy increase in the demand for
mandolins, guitars and banjos, particularly the
first-named. A number of prominent dealers in
musical merchandise have reported the closing of
many substantial sales of these instruments to va-
cationists, and in several instances club orders for
mandolins and guitars have been filled by dealers
during the past few weeks.
Those dealers who appreciated the possibilities
of developing a profitable business with these in-
struments at the opening of the summer season
have found no reason to complain of the results
they have received from their efforts, and it seems
to be the consensus of opinion among musical mer-
chandise dealers that this summer trade is well
worth cultivating. By the insertion of forceful and
interesting advertising copy in his local newspapers
the dealer who exploits his mandolins, guitars and
similar summer musical instruments will undoubt-
edly secure a substantial amount of business, in
addition to securing the names of many live pros-
pects for the fall.
The mandolin has for many years been recog-
nized as the ideal instrument for summer use, and
the pictures of summer vacationing featured by the
railroads and summer resorts, where canoeing is
one of the sports, almost invariably show a night
scene with a mandolin as one of the factors of
amusement. The guitar is another popular instru-
ment for summer use, and with campers these two
instruments are prime favorites.
The musical merchandise dealer who makes en-
ergetic and consistent efforts to interest his possi-
ble patrons in the completeness and extent of his
mandolin and guitar stock will soon find that the
summer months afford an opportunity for the clos-
ing of an excellent business that will net him a tidy
sum before the season is over.
FAVORS AMATEUR BANDS.
Mayor Gaynor Speaks a Good Word for the Or-
ganization of Amateur Bands—Incidentally
This Should Be a Tremendous Aid in the
Sales of Band Instruments.
Mrs. Isaac L. Rice, who started the crusade
against noise in this city several years ago, wrote
to Mayor Gaynor a few days ago congratulating
him on the successful celebration of trie safe and
sane Fourth. The Mayor in a reply said in part:
"On last Friday (Independence Day) I went from
my house through the Borough of Brooklyn and
through the Borough of Queens to the city line.
What I saw gave me the greatest pleasure. I did.
not hear the sound of an explosive anywhere. But
every few blocks my imotor car was stopped at the
crossing and I got out and saw a local procession
go by. These processions were made up mostly of
school children, but there were in them also a good
many grown-up people. What delighted me was
that they had their own local bands of music.
"The number of these bands seems to be growing
all over the city. Boys come together, each one
furnishing a musical instrument, and practise music
and make up regular musical bands. This always
has been so all through the country districts, and
even up into the edge of the Adirondacks.
"It has always seemed to me that we should en-
courage the forming of such bands here. Some
people want the city to hire bands and put them
everywhere to play music. I think it is much bet-
ter to encourage the forming of these volunteer
bands. They are an education to those who belong
to them and a delight to the whole neighborhood.
It is not everyone who can understand classical
music. Very few understand it. But, of course,
the city should furnish public music also in the
parks and at the principal centers.
"Yes, it makes everyone rejoice that the crippling,
blinding and killing of children and grown people
by explosives on Independence Day is a thing of
the past."
MAKING BAND INSTRUMENT BELLS.
Some Interesting Facts in This Connection Set
Forth in J. W. York & Sons' Catalog.
In the new catalog recently issued by the band
instrument manufacturing house of J. W. York &
Sons, Grand Rapids, Mich., the section devoted to
the presentation of a number of unusual factory
views is attracting much attention. Many dealers
have accepted the invitation of the company to
visit the plant and see at first hand the detailed
The Bell of York Bass Being Spun to Exact
Size on a York Spinning Lathe.
processes incident to the manufacturing of York
products.
In the section featuring the construction end of
the company's business is an excellent article on
the manufacturing of bells. This is a very im-
portant phase in the making of band instruments,
and the York story of their methods of making
bells is of real interest. It reads in part as follows:
"The punching and hammering processes for
making bells may appeal to some manufacturers,
as these methods require less skilled labor and less
time for making, but the result of either of these
ways is usually an imperfect bell. When made by
the punching process, the grain of the metal is
broken or torn apart, leaving the metal dead and
non-responsive in vibratory qualities, which means
that all resistance is lost. And if the bell is ham-
mered, both the inside and outside are rough, and in
smoothing up the outside the high spots are filed
off, leaving the metal of varying thickness and
naturally susceptible of cracking easily. Neither
o f these methods is at all dependable, so—even
though the process is more expensive and requires
the very best of skilled labor—we spin our bells.
Spun metal is more responsive and of uniform
temperament, giving more power and greater re-
sistance, and resistance is the life of vibration. By
spinning, the metal is worked in the most natural
way, not hammered, distorted, punched or strained,
but gradually shaped to steel mandrels of exact
size, insuring «accuracy and perfect quality."
HOHNER PROSPERITY.
First Six Months of 1913 Ahead of Last Year
While the Outlook Is Most Pleasing.
"We have every reason to feel gratified at the
substantial increase in our first six months' business
over last year," remarked William J. Haussler, ad-
vertising manager of M. Hohner, 114 East Six-
teenth street, New York, in a recent chat with
The Review. "This is especially pleasing in view
of the fact that 1912 was a splendid year, and the
first half of that year was far ahead of the corre-
sponding period of 1911. The outlook for our fall
trade at the present time is very encouraging, as
our summer business continues to run far in ad-
vance of 1912.
"Up to the 19th of this month our July business
equaled the entire month of last July, leaving the
last part of the- month to show a clear gain over
last year. This is certainly a pleasing report for
a summer month when business is popularly sup-
posed to be at a standstill; and, moreover, our
traveling men are all optimistic in their predictions
for the rest of the year."
VIOLIN LABELS NOT DEPENDABLE.
Commenting on a letter sent by E. H. James,
of Pans, France, to the New York Times in refer-
ence to the labels on violins—Stradivarius, Guar-
nerius, Amati, or whatever they may be—Victor
S. Flechter, of New York, says:
"It would be a sorry state of affairs if the owner
of any violin depended upon labels, and anybody
familiar with Cremona violins knows that many
of these labels are not authentic. In fact, many
violins of these great makers did not contain any
labels. A Stradivarius violin should be known
immediately by the model, tone, varnish, etc., and
anybody who is considered an expert should have
no trouble in recognizing the authenticity of any
of these instruments, especially a Stradivarius.
Yes, I agree with him that there is a great diffi-
culty which besets the authenticity of these vio-
lins, and such a question should always be left
to experts who are known to know these instru-
ments on sight."
A new music store will be opened in Lomax, 111.,
by Mrs. Alva Bergman.
H. SCHINDLER & CO.
Silver Plated Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass Strings
Pure S i l v e r Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass Strings
14 Karat Gold Violin G Strings
Aluminum Violin D Strings
All made either Old or New Process
Gut Cello and Bass Strings
E
Micrometric
A D Q
VIOLIN
<
String Gauges
STRING MAKERS SUPPLIES
121 LAMARTINE STREET
JAMAICA PLAIN
Boston, Mass., U. S. A.

Page 60 Text:

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60
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
NEW IDEAS IN DEVELOPING TRADE
Gotten Out by E. W . Coburn & Son, of Water-
loo, Which Are Worth Consideration.
E. W. Coburn & Son, enterprising Edison deal-
ers of the hustling city of Waterloo, la., are always
endeavoring to try out some new ideas in order to
properly cultivate their clientele. These ideas
usually are possessed with originality and embody
something different in their methods, and it is
indeed gratifying to note that the firm's efforts to
date have been fraught with success.
One of the latest plans evolved by this ag-
gressive house was along the lines of an R. S. V. P.
affair and was worked in the following way: The
company selected twenty names from their mailing
list of people who had been good record buyers
but had dropped off lately. To each of these twenty
addresses was mailed a Blue Amberol record that
the company thought would particularly appeal to
each individual. Each was written a short letter
about one of the lastest Edison lists, which was
enclosed, and the company asked them to drop in
and pay for the record when they were downtown
or else return it.
Here is the result: Twelve kept the record which
was mailed them, and when they paid for it bought
twenty-six additional records—an average of over
two apiece. Five exchanged the record mailed
them and bought thirteen additional records—an
average of nearly three apiece. Two returned the
record and did not then buy any, but the company
expects they will do so later on. One has as yet
to be heard from. It cost just $2 to sell fifty-six
records and to interest nineteen Edison owners in
Blue Amberols!
NEW MODEIL^ICTROLA X.
Under date of July 12, the Victor Talking Ma-
chine Co. announced the new model Victrola X,
ac $75, as now ready for distribution to the trade
The preliminary announcement of this machine had
been made early in the spring, and the trade there-
'fore had had ample time to dispose of their stocks
of the old model of Victrola X. A circular en-
closed with the announcement gives in detail the
merits and selling arguments of the new model,
and judging from the cut and accompanying de-
scription the new X at $75 will prove to be one of
the best sellers in the extensive Victrola line.
The new machine, which is of the popular en-
closed cabinet type, comes in mahogany or oak,
with record racks. It has a nickel-plated exhibition
sound-box, Victor tapering tone arm and "goose-
neck" sound-box tube, brake, speed regulator and
indicator, extra heavy double spring spiral drive
motor that can be wound while playing, and all
parts are nickel plated. Victor dealers are also
authorized to fix a price of $60 on the former X
model.
BURGLARIZE TALKING MACHINE SHOP
Sunday burglary at the warerooms of I. Davega,
Jr., 125 West 125th street, New York, is becoming
a habit. Sunday last marked the fourth one within
a year. This time the thieves took some low-priced
cameras, fountain pens and sporting articles. They
overlooked the best cameras, so it is evident that
the work was done by correspondence school pu-
pils. Money wasn't thought of, perhaps because it
i.j a talking machine store; but a press of a key on
the cash register would disclose a drawer with
fifty iron men serenely exhibited. These burglars
fortunately spurned "de cush."
INCORPORATED.
The Wilson Avenue Talking Machine Parlors
have been incorporated at Chicago; capital, $2,500.
Incorporators: V. L. Cunnyngham, Andrew J.
Ryan, C. H. Cunnyngham.
CONGRESSMEN ENTERTAINED
COLUMBIA NEWS GLEANINGS.
During Their Labors This Hot Weather in
Washington by a Talking Machine Thought-
fully Provided by Representative Bartlett, of
Georgia—A Pleasing Innovation.
(Special to The Review.)
WASHINGTON, D. C, July 21.—Tunes of
Frank G. Robins, of
cently Opened New
Featuring Columbia
sentatives—Visitors
Well Under Way.
Havana, a Visitor—Re-
Building in That C i t y —
Line—Some New Repre-
This Week—Vacations
Frank G. Robins, president of Frank G. Robins
&
Co., Havana, Cuba, Columbia representatives,
latest tangoes, mixed with grand. opera, was the
and one of the most prominent commercial institu-
musical aid given to-day to summer marooned
tions in that city, was a visitor last week to the ex-
Congressmen. Representative Bartlett of Georgia
provided the new musical accompaniment to legis- ecutive offices of the Columbia Graphophone Co.
lative labors by installing a concert talking ma- Mr. Robins sailed for Cuba last Saturday, but in
chine in his office, its soothing sounds permeating the few days he was here spent considerable time
with Vice-President Burns, of the Columbia Co.,
the vast House office building.
discussing plans for the coming fall season and
giving a general resume of industrial conditions in
VICTOR PUBLICITY FOR AUGUST.
Cuba.
Advance proofs of the newspaper advertisements
Frank G. Robins & Co. only recently opened a
of the Victor Talking Machine Co. for the month
new building devoted exclusively to the products
of August show four unusually strong advertise- of the Columbia Graphophone Co., and its success
ments designed to attract summer trade for the to date has been pronounced and emphatic. Mr.
Victor dealer. These advertisements are entitled: Robins is enthusiastic over the rapidly growing
"Boating Has an Added Charm When There's a popularity of the Columbia products in Cuba, and
Victor on Board," "A Victrola Helps to Make a
stated that his company's first six months' business
Happy Home," "Listen to the Band on Your
this year was far in advance of the corresponding
Porch or Lawn—Anywhere, at Any Time, with a period of last year.
Victrola," and "On with the Dance! The Vic-
Other trade visitors to the Columbia Co.'s of-
trola Is Always Ready with the Music."
fices the past week included Westervelt Terhune,
In a letter accompanying these advertisements manager of the Atlanta, Ga., store of the company,
the Victor Co. calls the attention of its trade to the and R. R. Souders, manager of the Dallas, Tex.,
manifold opportunities that exist in the summer
store. Both of these gentlemen remained in the
time for closing a profitable business with Victor
East but" a few days, and reported splendid pros-
products.
pects in their respective territories.
George Ingalls, head of the repair department
DANCE RECORDS IN FAVOR.
of the Chicago headquarters of the Columbia Co.,
made his first visit to New York in fifteen years.
The New York Talking Machine Co., 81 Cham-
Mr. Ingalls was greatly impressed with the im-
bers street, New York, Victor distributor, is ex- mense size of the Woolworth Building, the pres-
periencing a marked demand for Victor dance rec- ent home of the company, and also expressed his
ords that shows no signs of abating. The com- pleasure with the attractive arrangement of the
pany's dealers are ordering these records in large executive offices of the Columbia Co.
numbers, and the wide variety of this type of music
Recent additions to the rapidly growing lists of
offered in the Victor catalog has enabled the dealer
Columbia representatives in near-by territory in-
to close a profitable business with his customers clude the Adirondack Art Store, Saranac Lake,
who are either away on vacations or reside in the N. Y., and I. Ignatow, 4403 Fourteenth avenue,
city or suburbs.
Brooklyn, N. Y. The former is one of the leading
A striking four-page folder just issued by the stores in its section of the State and expects to do
Victor Co. has been of material assistance to the an excellent business with Columbia products.
dealer in soliciting business for dance records. Both of these new accounts placed substantial ini-
This folder is entitled "Victor Dance Records," and tial orders for immediate delivery.
has a unique cover in colors portraying a dancing
The "Leader," the latest addition to the extensive
scene on a porch. The inside pages of this inter- line of Columbia machines, is creating a furore
esting folder are illustrated with the accepted posi- with Columbia dealers, and H. A. Yerkes, man-
tions for the popular tango, turkey-trot, one-step ager of the Columbia wholesale department, states
and Boston, accompanied by separate lists of rec- that its success to date has exceeded all expecta-
ords especially adaptable for their respective types tion. Orders are coming in from all parts of the
of dances. These lists have been found of real
country for this new product and the factory is
practical use to the dealer in soliciting summer finding it difficult to turn out this $75 machine fast
dance record business.
enough.
H. L. Willson, assistant general manager of the
THE POWER OF PUBLICITY.
company, returned to his desk Monday after a
week's vacation at Summit, N. Y.
A story is being told of a man who boasted of
P. M. Brown and Lester L. Leveridge, of the
his acquaintances. He had been Vincent Astor's
guest at a box party at the Metropolitan; he had Columbia Co.'s advertising department, returned
•dined with the King of Greece, and been on the Monday, tanned and refreshened after two weeks'
vacation and rest.
Emperor's yacht. Someone asked him if he had
William S. Scherman, of the Columbia advertis-
met Edison. He thought a moment and then said:
"No, I never met Mr. Edison, but once when I was ing department, left Friday for a fortnight's vaca-
yachting in the Mediterranean I think 1 met Mr. tion at some place which he keeps mysterious. Mr.
Scherman intimated that his rod and other fishing
Victor."
paraphernalia would be in constant use during his
"What is that tune your daughter is playing?" two weeks' respite from "cuts and copy."
"Which daughter?" asked Mrs. Cumrox. "If it
MUSIC HELPED DIGESTION.
is the older girl it's Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody,
At the annual dinner of the credit men of
and if it's the youngest one it's exercise 27."—
Kansas City, Mo., held a short while since, three
Washington Star.
numbers in their musical program consisted of
If you are a salesman, tuner or traveler, and selections on the Victrola accompanied by a
desire a position, forward your wants in an ad- player-piano. The dinner was a pronounced suc-
vertisement to The Review in space not to ex- cess, and the J. W. Jenkins' Sons Music Co., which
furnished the musical end of the program, was
ceed four lines and it will be inserted free of
congratulated on the excellent results achieved.
charge and replies sent to you.
the

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