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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE SUCCESS OF AMERICAN MUSICAL MERCHANDISE.
Indicated by the Great and Rapid Progress Made by the Fred Gretsch Manufacturing Co.—Some
Live Specialties—Third Big Factory Necessary to Meet Demands.
In view of what is happening abroad, what is
the future prospect for American manufacturers
of musical merchandise? Here is a trade that
aggregates a considerable volume of business, yet
witli several exceptions- it is made up of relatively
veterans in point of experience. The concern
started in a small way, gradually erecting plants,
and at the present time is building factory No. 3
that is seven stories high and basement, which
will add materially to its floor space. Illustrations
with this article show plant
No. 1, while factory 'No. 3
has just recently been com-
pleted. These buildings are
of concrete and steel, and
are modern in every phase
of construction.
Herewith also are shown
four views in the Gretsch
plant, and also a view in
the Eagle tannery, a sub-
sidiary organization that is
owned and operated by the
Gretsch Co. Here are shown
four important steps in the
production of Gretsch in-
struments, one being the
metal working department;
the second, the woodwork-
ing branch, the third, a
glance at the stock depart-
ment, and the fourth a
view of the Eagle Tan-
nery. It is perhaps need-
less to add that the class of
workmen employed in this
plant, together with t h e
materials entering into the
manufacture of Gretsch
goods, are both of quality,
for by no other way could
the house build its immense
business and reputation.
One of the Gretsch spe-
cialties is the "Twentieth
Century" Tympanies, which
retail for $200, these being
Factory No. 1 of the Fred Gretsch Manufacturing Co.
made of Lake Superior
small manufaciurers. In this connection it is in- copper, hand hammered, and covered with selected
teresting to watch the growth of the Fred. calfskin heads. Other products under the "Twen-
Gretsch Manufacturing Co., 104-114 South Fourth
tieth Centry" trade-mark are drums, traps, bells,
street, Brooklyn, N. Y., which is considered to-day violin cases, clarinets, music stands, while under the
Portion of Gretsch Metal-Working Department.
It is safe to assume from the foregoing that the
House of Gretsch is an optimistic one; that as
such, it means an activity in selling that niusl be
A Trade-Mark on Cymbals That Is Popular.
reflected by an increase of manufacturing. Addi-
tional, too, is the fact that this concern handles a
Portion of
Eagle Tannery.
great deal of merchandise from the jobbing stand-
point, thus being in a position to know what is
going on in the trade from both viewpoints.
WHY C A B I N E T S J J R O W IN FAVOR.
Musicians, Both Professional and Amateur, Giv-
ing More Attention to the Systematic Ar-
rangement of Their Music and a Cabinet as
an Essential Equipment.
"There is a tendency among musicians and
music-lovers to pay more attention to the sys-
tematic arrangement of their music than in the
past," said H. L. Hunt, manager of the musical
merchandise department of Charles H. Ditson &
Co., 8 East Thirty-fourth street, New York.
"This desire to increase the value of their music
files is evident in the demand for music cabinets
of various kinds which differ radically from the
stereotyped cabinets of former years.
"In the past the owner of a fair-sized collection
of music was well satisfied if his music was filed
Selecting Room in the Gretsch Plant.
Section of Gretsch Woodworking Department.
away in the drawers of any kind of a cabinet,
as long as it was out of the way. This feeling
to be the largest plant in this country devoted to "Rex"' trade-mark are distributed such instruments
of indifference is now being replaced by a desire
the production of musical instruments. This as banjos, mandolins, guitars, violins, strings, etc.
house is composed of Fred. Gretsch and Walter Other famous names of this house are the "Eagle," on the part of sheet music owners to file their
'La Tosca," "Lazelle & Cie," "Lacroix" and music away systematically where it is easily ac-
Gretsch, two comparatively young men, withal
cessible at all times, and where a certain piece
the "Ajaha." The "Gretsch-made" cornets,
may be located without the slightest inconvenience
trombones, altos, basses and other brass in-
or difficulty.
struments are fine examples of the efficiency
Sheet music cabinets embodying various distinct-
of the Gretsch organization, the finish, gen-
ive features have been produced to aid in the sys-
eral appearance and musical qualities being
tematic handling of sheet music, and the popu-
in harmony with the demands of the musi-
larity of these new style cabinets is well evidenced
cian.
in the increased sales that we have experienced in
In view of the demand for American-
this department of our business the past few
made musical instruments, the company
has plans under way which will even in- months. It may be added that these cabinets, in
crease the scope of operations addition to their value as filing mediums, doubt-
and prestige of the n a m e less encourage their owners to purchase more music
"Gretsch," for it is evident that than they would have under the old methods, when
this is the time for making the music was promiscuously thrown around in cabinet
FOLDED
most of the present opportuni- drawers without any semblance of system what-
soever."
ties.
"Twentieth Century" Tympanies.