Music Trade Review

Issue: 1914 Vol. 59 N. 8

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
merchandise when the usual supply existed.
"Another phase of the situation that must be
considered is the fact that should the war continue
Discussed by Well-Known Jobber—Says Deal-
for any length of time thousands of unfortunate
ers Do Not Realize Seriousness of Situation
men will lose their lives who would ordinarily be
— W h y Prices Must Advance on Imported
engaged in various mercantile pursuits, including
Merchandise—Case of Supply and Demand
the manufacture of musical merchandise. This
—Resume of Status of Affairs.
terrible condition will bring about a scarcity of
labor in the manufacturing centers of Germany
Discussing general conditions abroad and the
that cannot fail to be reflected in the prices de-
outlook for the resumption of normal musical mer-
chandise shipments, a prominent jobber and im- manded for the merchandise. It is unfortunate
porter remarked to a representative of The Re- that a small section of Germany should be re-
sponsible for the supplying of musical merchan-
view as follows:
dise to practically the entire world, but such is
"Judging from my observations the past week,
the case, and this center of manufacturing cannot
I believe that the great majority of musical mer-
chandise dealers throughout the country do not look for any immediate relief even if the wars
should cease shortly.
fully realize or understand the actual situation in
Europe in connection with the manufacture and
"It is a business axiom that demand and sup-
shipment of musical merchandise. When the dealer
ply regulate the prices of merchandise, and at the
considers the situation he must bear in mind that
present time the demand for musical merchandise
a very small section of Germany supplies prac-
is tremendous, while the supply is absolutely cut
tically the entire world with violins, bows, trim-
off. The occurrence of war at any time is a calam-
mings, accordeons, etc. With Germany engaged in
ity, but the war in Europe occurred at a most in-
war it has, of course, been necessary for the large
opportune time for the musical merchandise indus-
percentage of the workmen to either go to the
try, as the large shipments from abroad usually
front or leave the industry for other purposes.
reach the importers and jobbers during August,
September and October for the fall and winter
"As a direct consequence the musical merchan-
trade. With the present status of affairs in Eu-
dise factories in this small but all-important sec-
rope the outlook is decidedly discouraging, for our
tion of Germany have ceased to perform their
stocks are limited to a degree, and, as a matter of
normal functions, but at the same time the entire
fact, many importers and jobbers could turn over
world keeps on selling and demanding musical in-
their stocks to any importer here or in South
struments. With this unnatural condition prevail-
America at a greatly advanced price.
ing it is merely logical to assume that even if the
terrible European war should come to a close in
"In advancing its prices only 25 per cent, the
a short time the demands for musical merchan-
musical merchandise trade, I believe, has been con-
dise would be so great that importers in all parts
siderably more conservative and modest than any
of the world would gladly pay practically any
other imported lines, as I understand that such
prices to secure the goods they need for their cus-
goods as laces and kindred merchandise have been
tomers. The" result would be that the very small
advanced 50 and 75 per cent, over the prices asked
amount of goods that would be manufactured im-
before the war started."
mediately would command prices averaging from
50 to 100 per cent, above the normal prices of the
THE IMPORT SITUATION
mind where it is becoming comparatively indif-
ferent to the changes in the situation abroad and
paying more attention to business affairs near
home.
"During the past few weeks the call for mando-
lins and guitars has been very heavy, indicating
that normal summer business is showing no falling
off from the wars abroad. Mandolins and guitars
always attract a large clientele during the sum-
mer, as these instruments are particularly adapt-
able for outdoor use in vacation camps and coun-
try resorts.
"We are making extensive plans for the develop-
ment of our harp business the coming fall, and
all indications point to there being an excellent
trade with this high-grade instrument this fall and
winter. Harp strings are selling well and we
have rented many harps to our patrons for the
summer season."
STELLA P1ANOJVUNDOLETTE
Is Being Introduced to the Trade by the Piano-
ette Advertising Co., as a Member of Inter-
esting and Original Features.
(Special to The Review.)
CHICAGO, I I I . , August 17.—The newest edition
to the products of the local trade is the Stella
Piano Mandolette, a new instrument that has been
put on the market by the Pianoette Advertising
Co., under the management of S. C. Ogden. This
instrument represents a combination of piano,
g u i t a r , mandolin
and harp.
It is
b u i l t with fifteen
piano keys, giving
two full o c t a v e s
with two bass
chords, C, G and F. When the keys are struck
quickly a piano effect is obtained, but by striking
them slowly a mandolin tremolo effect is produced.
The instrument is designed to be sold with a chart
By the War in Europe as Far as Chas. H. Dit- system which makes it remarkably simple to play.
son & Go. Are Concerned—Manager H. L. One has only to read the number on the chart in
the natural way and play the key directly under
Hunt Tells of Business Activity That Is
the number. There i» a guide for time also and
Above the Summer Average.
an indication of the proper way to play bass
chords.
"Up to the present time our retail business has
in no way been affected by the war in Europe,"
said H. L. Hunt, manager of the musical mer-
chandise department of Charles H. Ditson & Co.,
8 East Thirty-fourth street, New York. "Our
sales during the first few weeks of August were
fully up to* expectation, and equaled last year's
trade. • July totals were also satisfactory, and as a
whole summer trade has been very pleasing, con-
sidering the general status of industrial affairs
throughout the country.
"Our patrons who visit our warerooms very
rarely refer to the war abroad, and in my opinion
the public is rapidly approaching that state of
BUSINESS NOT AFFECTED
Black Diamond
Strings
THE WORLD'S BEST
National Musical String Co.
New Brunswick, N. J .
MUSICAL
Merchandise
Chicago
Cincinnati
EXCELSIOR DRUMS ™ STANDARD
Some dealers may say that they cost more than
others.
ExcelBior drums cost more because they are
worth more. Cost more to make.
We could make them cost less by using 1 cheaper
material, use less care in making- them, and dis-
pense with the new patented improvements.
If we did, however, Excelsior Drums would not
be the Standard as they are to-day. Write for
catalogue.
EXCELSIOR
DRUM
WORKS
A. Q. SOISTMAN, Vice-Pres. and Gen. Manager,
Tenth and Market Streets,
CAMDEN, W. J.
The oldest and
largest musical
merchandise house
in America - - -
SEND FOR
CATALOG
M a n u facturers, Importers.
Publishers. Largest and
most complete stock of
Musical Merchan-
dise i n t h e
trade.
ATTRACTIVE
SPECIALTIES
C.Bruno & 5on,k
351-53 4? Ave. Newark
WEYMANN&SON
Modern
Serrice
Incorporated
AUGUST MULLER
and J. HEBERLEIN, VIO-
LINS, VIOLAS AND CELLOS
MITTENWALD VIOLIN STRINGS
SEND FOR COMPLETE
Manufacturers of
The Famous
Weymann Mandolutes and
"Keystone State" Instruments
CATALOG
EGELEISEN
& JACOBSON
113-115 University Place
NEW YORK
1010 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa.
Largest Jobbers in America <
ODERN
USICAL
ERCHANDISE
M
WRITE FOR NEW CATALOG^
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50
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
DEATH OF HORACE PETT1T.
Noted Attorney on Patent Law and Counsel for
the Victor Co. Passes Away in His Fifty-
fourth Year—Participated in Many Notable
Cases in the Federal Courts.
MOVIES FOR VICTOR EMPLOYES.
Six Thousand Employes of Victor Talking Ma-
chine Co. and Their Families See Films
Showing Work in Every Department of
Mammoth Plant at Private Exhibition.
COLUMBIA CO/S BR1EFLETS.
Vice-President Burns Safe In London—G. C.
Jell Arrives Home—Anton Heindl May Be
in Army—More Praise for the Excellence of
the Columbia Modern Dance Records.
The Columbia Graphophone Co.'s export depart-
ment was advised by cable this week that Edward
PHILADELPHIA, PA., August 17.—The death of
N. Burns, vice-president of the company and man-
ployes of the Victor Talking Machine Co. filled the ager of the export department, had arrived safely
Horace Pettit, the widely known corporation
Plaza Theater here at two performances last week
lawyer of this city, which occurred last Thursday
in London, accompanied by Mrs. Burns, and would
at his summer home in Ventnor, near Atlantic and immensely enjoyed a complete review of the sail for New York as soon as ocean travel facili-
City, N. J., has caused sincere regret among those process of making Victor talking machines and
ties permitted. G. C. Jell, chairman of the Colum-
who were privileged to know this very distin- records. The company has 6,000 employes, and in bia Co.'s record committee, who sailed for Europe
order to enable each of them and an additional
guished authority on patent law.
some time ago, arrived in New York Wednesday
Mr. Pettit had been for many years counsel for member of their family to see the Victor pictures on the steamer "Stampalia," after a number of ex-
it rented for this entire week the Plaza Theater, citing adventures abroad before reaching London
the Victor Talking Machine Co. and was engaged
in many notable cases based upon patent rights and by giving two shows nightly, one at 7 and the in safety. It is feared that Anton Heindl, manager
other at 9, it was possible for each of the many
and price maintenance,, and always made a great
of the Columbia foreign record department, has
impression on the Federal judges by his complete Victor employes to have two tickets. This meant
gone to the front with the Austrian army, as no
that l"2,000 in all saw the pictures in the twelve word has been received from him since he arrived
understanding of the law and the thoroughness
performances that followed along nightly during in Vienna, and it is understood that he is still an
with which he had prepared his cases. He also
appeared at various times in Washington in op- the week.
Austrian citizen.
The moving pictures, which were first shown at
position to bills presented in Congress inimical to
Further additions to the Columbia Co.'s collec-
the interests of the talking machine trade, and he the convention of the National Association of Talk- tion of letters of praise regarding its dance product
was always listened to with the respect due an ing Machine Jobbers at Atlantic City last month, include the following from Frances Ware, a well-
authority. In fact, there were few men who had showed every department of the Victor plant in known dancing professor with handsome studios at
such a thorough grasp on the basic patents under- action, even to the interesting detail of taking im- 14 East Fortieth street, New York:
lying the talking machine industry as the deceased. pressions of the music and the singers' voices. The
"Permit me to congratulate you on your modern
Mr. Pettit, who was fifty-four years old, had making of the records, the cabinets and every detail
dance records. The Grafonolas in constant use in
been ill for some time, but few considered his in- that enters into the completed Victrola were most
my studio (14 East Fortieth street) are giving
disposition would result fatally. He was a mem- interestingly illustrated in the moving pictures. perfect satisfaction. The combination of Columbia
ber of the Union League, Racquet, University, Art, There were seven reels of pictures, or about 6,500 records and Columbia Grafonolas has been a source
Huntington Valley, Country and Bachelors' Boat feet of film, and the show was interesting through- of unqualified gratification to my pupils, instructors
out the nearly two hours of continuous movement
clubs. He is survived by a widow and one son.
and myself. We are all enthusiastic and I prefer
of the film. The last reel showed the 6,000 Victor this music to any other for dance instruction.
employes assembled outside the mammoth plant,
"Yours most sincerely,
J. C. ROUSH VISITS NEW YORK.
and the members of the audiences were much
"FRANCES WARE."
amused to see themselves inarching on the screen.
Pittsburgh Talking Machine Man an Ardent
William S. Scherman, of the Columbia adver-
Tennis Fan and Attends Cup Tournament.
tising department, is back at his desk sun-burned
NEW COLUMBIA DEPARTMENT
and happy after a fortnight's vacation with his
Joseph C. Roush, of the Standard Talking Ma-
family at a country resort near Kingston, N. Y.
chine Co,., Pittsburgh, Pa., and ex-president of the Opened in the Warerooms of the Tel-Electric William S., Sr., assures us that William S., Jr.,
Co., 299 Fifth Avenue, This Week.
National Association of Talking Machine Jobbers,
increased his weight by five pounds during the past
was in New York several days last week attending
two weeks, giving him a net weight of thirty-five
The new Columbia department in the Tel-Elec- pounds. Some baby.
the International Tennis Tournament for the Davis
Cup, held on Long Island. Mr. Roush is a tennis tric Co.'s warerooms at 299 Fifth avenue, New
enthusiast and thoroughly enjoys the exciting game. York, opened this week, and judging from the in-
REMODELING WORK COMPLETED.
Before leaving for home he stated that conditions terest already being manifested in the Columbia
In the Warerooms of the New York Talking
in the Pittsburgh district were encouraging and products by the store's patrons, this department
Machine Co. Following Recent Damage by
that the talking machine trade particularly was in will be a marked success under the able manage-
Fire—New Demonstrating Booths.
ment of Charles F. Thayer. Five soundproof
excellent shape.
demonstration rooms are perfectly appointed for
The various improvements incidental to the ren-
the convenience of customers, and the entire de- ovating of the warerooms of the New Yo.rk Talk-
REPORT GOOD MONTH'S BUSINESS. partment is furnished in accord with the standards
ing Machine Co., 81 Chambers street, New York,
Badger Talking Machine Co. Has Excellent
befitting the location of the Tel-Electric Co. in the Victor distributer, have been entirely completed,
Trade During First Month.
heart of the city's high-grade shopping district.
and the store now presents a decidedly more at-
tractive appearance than it did before the ware-
(Special to The Review.)
rooms were practically destroyed by fire on June
PROVES VALUE OF RECITALS.
MILWAUKEE, WIS., August 11.—An excellent
21. One of the improvements consists of the con-
business is reported by the Badger Talking Ma-
Haddorff Music House of Des Moines Adopts
struction of two all-glass demonstration rooms for
chine Co. for the first month of its business by
Plan Long Advocated.
the display o.f machines, and the company's dealers
S. W. Goldsmith, vice-president. The Badger Talk-
are now enabled to have demonstrated all the ma-
(Special to The Review.)
ing Machine Co. was incorporated some time ago
chines on display with maximum convenience and
DES MOINES, LV, August 17.—The Haddorff
to take over the business of the Wisconsin Talk-
Music House, of this city, is instituting a novel satisfaction.
ing Machine Co., who had been Victor jobbers
exclusively for a number of years. The officers idea to instroduce new Victor records which is
meeting with marked success. On the 28th of
EDISON DISC LINEJN BIRMINGHAM.
of the company are: George F. Ruez, president
and treasurer; Samuel W. Goldsmith, vice-presi- each month, when the new records for the follow-
(Special to The Review.}
dent, and Harry A. Goldsmith, secretary. The ing month are ready for announcement, the com-
BIRMINGHAM, ALA., August 1G.—One of the most
pany sends out a postal to all its clients and pro- recent of the prominent houses in this vicinity to
general management of the firm's affairs are under
the direction of Samuel Goldsmith, who, it is to spective patrons inviting them to be present at a take on the Edison disc line is the large depart-
be remembered, traveled for the past eight years recital of advanced Victor records. The postal ment store in this city of Foreman, Joseph & Loeb,
in Ohio, Wisconsin and Illinois as representative states that the recital will be held at Haddorff
which sent its initial order this week. This store,
Hall, Ninth and Walnut streets, and the recipients which is one of the finest in the South, has an at-
of the Victor Talking Machine Co.
are invited to bring along their friends. It is sug- tractive department for the display of Edison disc
that there are plenty of fans in the recital products and has already closed quite a number of
HAS CAPITAL STOCK OF $1,000,000. gested
hall with which to keep caol, and refreshments are important machine and record sales. Their account
The Pure-O-Phone Co. has been incorporated served. To date the plan has resulted in the clos- is being taken care of by the Silverstone Music
under the laws of Delaware with a capital of
ing of many record sales vhich might otherwise Co., St. Louis, Mo., well-known Edison distributor.
$1,000,000 for the purpose of manufacturing and have been lost to the house.
The American Graphophone Co. this week de-
dealing in talking machines and records. The in-
W. G. Stouffer has joined the H. B. Hash Piano clared its regular quarterly dividend of 1% per
corporators are: W. G. Taylor, Clarence J. Jacobs
Co. at Roanoke, Va., as vice-president.
cent, on its preferred capital stock.
and Chas. B. Bishop.
(.Special to The Review.)
(Special to The Review.)
CAMDEN, N. J., August 17.—Thousands of em-

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