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MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
W. S. GANNON HOLDS OPTIMISTIC VIEWS ON TRADE.
H. F. MILLER CO. AGENCY IN BUFFALO
Western Representative for Kohler & Campbell Industries Believes That Trade Has Reached
the Bottom and That the Future Is Bright—Growing Popularity of the Small Grand.
Laurence C Montague Opens Store with Bos-
ton Line as His Leader.
SAN
(Special to The Review.)
FRANCISCO, CAL., December
2G.—W. S.
Gannon, Western representative of the Kohler &
Campbell factories, believes that the trade in his
territory is in a much stronger position than it has
occupied for a long time. He says: "Nineteen-four-
teen has not been a good year in the piano trade;
and yet I am not-sure that it has not been good in
some ways. Dealers generally have taken the
opportunity during the dull period to get their
affairs into better shape, and they have succeeded
in doing so. Stocks are much smaller, I should
say not over 60 per cent, of what they were a year
ago, aside from the great number of outstanding
accounts that have been cleaned up. Dealers are
not anticipating future needs, but are gaining con-
fidence, and will be in shape to take advantage of
the revival when it comes. They are getting away
from the idea that volume of business is the meas-
ure of success and iaying more emphasis on safety
in business methods.
"I have no doubt that the trade reached the very
bottom in 1914. It is hard to conceive that there
can be any change except in the direction of im-
provement. I have not seen much evidence of
actual betterment as yet, but look for an average
year in 1915. It would not surprise me, however,
if it were better than that, and if so, the Panama
Canal will be largely responsible. In the piano
trade alone the saving in cash to the dealers on
account of the canal is something like $150,000. I
have noticed the development of one feature of
late—a marked demand for a small grand piano,
the smallest that can be had. Everybody has al-
ways appreciated the beauty and usefulness of the
grand piano, the greatest objections to it being
the size and the price. Consequently the small
grand has come into strong demand everywhere."
CSpccial to The Review.)
BUFFALO, N. Y., December 28.—Laurence C.
Montague, formerly connected with Denton, Cottier
& Daniels, has opened an agency here for the
Henry F. Miller pianos. Mr. Montague caters to
a very high-class trade, his establishment being lo-
cated in the exclusive Elmwood avenue residential
district. He reports the sale of several high-priced
instruments during the Yuletide season.
PROTECT CINCINNATI MERCHANTS.
Chamber of Commerce Proceeds Successfully
Against a Milliner Under the New Itinerant
Merchants' Ordinance—Forced to Pay Heavy
License Fee to Test the Ordinance.
(Special t(. The Ivt-view.)
CINCINNATI, O., December 28.—Local piano men
are greatly interested in the proof furnished last
week that the announced intention of the city
also taken by quite a number of the other houses. authorities in the enforcement of the itinerant
GRAND FINALEJN CINCINNATI.
D. F. Summey, of the Cable Piano Co., said the merchants ordinance is not mere bluff. Mrs. M.
Holiday Business Closes Up with a Rush, to
volume was almost on a par with last December, C. O'Brien, representing a Fifth avenue millinery
the Satisfaction of a Number of Piano
while Manager Pauling, of the Starr Piano Co.. store, was arrested in Cincinnati last week at the
Houses—Higher-Priced Trade Prevails—
agreed with Mr. Beinkamp. At the Otto Grau instance of the Chamber of Commerce for selling
F. B. Beinkamp Nominated to Directorate
Piano Co., with a reduced sales force, a very pleas- goods without a retail license. The ordinance
of Chamber of Commerce—Other News.
ing showing was made. The Aeolian Co. announces provides that itinerant merchants must pay a tax
that "business was better than expected," while of $75 a day while doing business in Cincinnati.
(Special to The Review.)
CINCINNATI, O., December 29.—Reports from all Divisional Manager Wells, of Steinway & Sons, Mrs. O'Brien, who was as pretty as her vocation
sources, with a few exceptions, indicate that the reports the December showing to have been a good calls for, announced her coming through an av-
alanche of business cards. Headquarters were
Cincinnati merchants suffered a loss of 30 per cent, one considering conditions.
The case of W. H. Stever is still pending in the established at the Hotel Gibson. In two days she
in business when compared with the same holiday
business of last year. And in the same connection Municipal Court, the case having been postponed is credited with having done $1,200 in business.
As the case was a test one, the prosecuting per-
it must be borne in mind that some of the houses Thursday for the third time.
The Baldwin Co. is remembering its friends with sons were satisfied to have the visitor pay the
which speak of losses this year, last year re-
tax for two days, said amount being $150, and then
a handsome colored calendar, entitled, "Us Kids."
ported the greatest business in their career.
The local store of Steinway & Sons has a hand- permitted the case to become a closed incident.
The situation as a whole is rather pleasing, for
many of the merchants appear as though the volume some display of Lyon & Healy harps, one of the It also resulted in the lady leaving Cincinnati with
great haste. The Chamber of Commerce is deter-
of business was greater than had been anticipated. number being worth $1,000.
F. B. Beinkamp Thursday was nominated a direc- mined that the men who pay rent in Cincinnati
Such being the case, the houses are better off to-
day than they had the fondest hopes of being just tor -on the regular ticket of the Chamber of Com- shall be given the preference and that home-made
a week ago. There was the usual crush and rush merce. The annual election takes place January money shall not go to foreign concerns without
at the eleventh hour and most of the sales concerned 13. It is said that a position on this ticket is the city treasu"y being benefited accordingly.
almost equivalent to an election. Friends of Mr.
high-priced goods.
BECOMES THE OFFICIAL PIANO.
E. E. Roberts, of the Baldwin Co., this morning Beinkamp are looking into past records of the
said: "The business was not as big as it was last regular ticket in order to confirm that impression. The Mason & Hamlin Selected by the Mu-
year. The aggregate was very much. Christmas of It is also believed to be the first time a piano mer-
sicians' Mutual Relief Society of Boston for
1913 saw the greatest holiday business in the his- chant has been honored with such a nomination.
Its Handsome New Home in That City.
tory of the Baldwin Co., so you see an increase
In another part of this issue of The Review ap-
could hardly be expected in the face of existing
conditions." H. C. Dickinson, of the Chicago office, Wins in Litigation to Have Committee in pears a letter received by the Mason & Hamlin Co.,
lioston, from the Musicians' Mutual Relief Society
was here during the week and he spoke of twenty-
Charge of His Affairs Discharged and Will
of that city, which tells eloquently of the impression
four Manuola player-pianos being sold at the Windy
Engage in Piano Business in Buffalo.
which the Mason & Hamlin piano has made on this
City branch on Saturday, December 19.
(Special to The Review.)
notable organization of musicians, boasting a mem-
F. B. Beinkamp, of the Church-Beinkamp Co.,
BUFFALO, N. Y., December 28.—Clarence W.
bership of some L',000. They have just built them-
said the business was between 35 and 40 per cent,
Cluett, formerly of the well-known Troy piano selves a new home at a cost of $275,000, and the
less than the same time last year. This view was
house of Cluett & Sons, has been released from
Mason & Hamlin piano, which they have purchased,
Providence Retreat in this city, where he has been
thus becomes the official piano of the organization.
held for some time as an incompetent. For more
The selection was made after extreme care on the
than three years Mr. Cluett, who is widely ac- part of the committee, and the Mason & Hamlin
quainted in musicle circles, has sought to have the
Co. feel that this recognition of the widely ac-
committee in charge of his affairs discharged. He knowledged constructional and musical merits of
has been a familiar figure in the streets of Buffalo
the Mason & Hamlin piano by men so discrimina-
for months, and has many friends here.
ting is a compliment of deep significance.
Final litigation to get control of his affairs is
now in progress. He states that just as soon as
The piano and music store of D. B. Troxel, De-
the questions at issue are determined he will Land, 111., was badly damaged by fire recently.
open a business establishment here. It is under-
stood that Mr. Cluett will deal in pianos. He stated
And now a Foreword to our Good Dealers: Start
yesterday that Buffalo will be his permanent home.
the NEW YEAR with the "bright rainbow of
promise," by resolving to put even a little more
He is now living at the Roanoke apartments.
C. W. CLUETT SECURES RELEASE.
feaseJBench
Player!
Pianos
"vim and vinegar" into printer's ink than we did
last year. If we are to "ring out the old" well
done, and "ring in the new" better record and
profits, we must not only ADVERTISE, but do
that advertising in the best possible manner. To
get the most out of the money invested, adver-
tising this year must be catchy, impressive, force-
ful—that which will make busy men stop! think!!
and then act!!! In short, impression must lead
them on to expression; our words must impel them
to works.
Send for Cut X101, double column X201, and
start the new ad-resolution ball rolling,
DENVER CONCERNj:HANGES NAME.
Upon moving into its new quarters in the Ma-
jestic Building, Denver, Col., on January 1, the
Columbine Music Co. will change its name to the
Cassell Bros. Music Co.
The Smallest Heal Grand Piano
in the World
Jesse French & Sons Piano Co.
Brambdch Bdbq Grand
New Caatle, Ind.
BRAMBACM PIANO COMPANY
nAPMfCAnPBfU f**i
iTfPiwieMrwai-Haem-
635-643 WesT4VST. NEW YORK CITY
Only one
piano is
n\ade in
this large
that is the
gcmiiae
LINDEMAN
originated
in 1821 by
YT^Lmdera&n
LindQman (s Sons Piano Gb.
4 9 ? St. 6 11V H Ave.
N e w York.