Music Trade Review

Issue: 1915 Vol. 60 N. 6

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
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.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
50
PHONES FROM COAST TO COAST.
Arthur D. Geissler Takes an Order from Wiley
B. Allen Co., San Francisco, and Plays Victor
Record for Mrs. Moore at Ross, Cal.—Up-to-
the-Minute Achievement Worth Noting.
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
erously, all of which tends to show that the talk-
ing machine has considerable of a grip on the
Buffalo's taste for music.
REX CO. TO RESUME WORK SOON.
Bankruptcy Proceeding in Philadelphia Court
Friendly Suit, Official Says—Liabilities Are
Arthur D. Geissler, vice-president of the New
Less Than $20,000 It Is Claimed.
PROMOTION FOR EDMOND F. SAUSE.
Appointed Manager of the Columbia Export De-
partment—Well Experienced and Popular—
L. S. Sterling to Europe—Columbia Co.'s
Wholesale Headquarters Removed.
Edmond F. Sause, for the past nine years as-
sistant to Vice-President Burns, of the Columbia
York Talking Machine Co., 81 Chambers street,
Graphophone Co., was this week appointed manager
(Special to The Review.)
New York, Victor distributer, took advantage on
of the Columbia ex-
PHILADELPHIA, PA., February 8.—That the bank-
Wednesday last of the recently perfected tele-
port department. Mr.
phonic system between San Francisco and New ruptcy proceedings started last week in the
Bums, who has here-
York to sell a substantial bill of Victor products to United States Court in this city will have no effect
tofore occupied this
a prominent Coast concern and to also play a Victor on the company's future was the statement of
post, in addition to
Philip Wohlstetter, president of the Rex Talking
record over this distance of 3,000 miles.
his other duties, is
The announcement of the perfection of telephone Machine Co. The suit is merely an incident in
planning to devote
service between New York and the Pacific Coast a plan of reorganization, and creditors are friendly
more of his time in
was made the early part of last week, and realizing to the concern, according to Mr. Wohlstetter.
the future to the de-
Mr. Wohlstetter declares the Wilmington plant
the fact that this engineering feat represented an
velopment of Colum-
epoch in the history of the telephone, Mr. Geissler of the company soon will be reopened, the concern
bia export business,
on Wednesday morning secured communication by having arranged to pay employes at once. The
and the designation
telephone with James Bradt, of the Wiley B. Allen concern is liable to workmen for about half a
of Mr. Sause as ex-
Co., San Francisco, Cal. 1 he connection was made week's wages.
port m a n a g e r will
"Our company is in process of reorganization and
with comparatively no difficulty, and at the close of
place the responsibil-
the conversation, which embraced numerous im- soon will be ready to continue business," Mr.
E. F. Sause.
ity of this important
portant business topics, Mr. Bradt placed a sub- Wohlstetter said. "We have no thought of sus- post in
in most capable hands. Mr. Sause has
pending
and
the
bankruptcy
action
against
us
stantial order with the New York Talking Machine
been associated with the Columbia Co. for the
Co., which was the first Victor order received over comes from men who wish us well, but who acted past twelve years and, starting in a clerical
to
protect
the
interests
of
all
concerned.
I
haven't
the telephone from such a distance.
capacity, has embraced every phase of Colum-
That same evening Mr. Geissler, enthusiastic over the slightest doubt that we shall be able to satis- bia business in his steady march forward. He
factorily
arrange
matters."
his morning's experience, called up his mother-in-
has traveled in all parts of the world on behalf of
law, Mrs. George A. Moore, at her home in Ross,
Columbia export trade and is versed in every detail
PUBLICLTY TOJiELP DEALERS.
Cal., and in addition to an informal talk played for
of the successful merchandising of Columbia prod-
her edification John McCormack's new Victor rec-
The New York Talking Machine Co., 81 Cham- ucts in South America, Central America and the
ord of "Tipperary" on his Victrola XVI electric bers street, New York, Victor distributer, launched other countries included in the Columbia export
The playing of this record made a reality of the a new idea this week to help its dealers in the sphere.
once seemingly improbable thought that "John Mc- nature of an artistic and finely finished feature card
Louis S. Sterling, general European manager of
Cormack while singing in New York is heard by a for show window and wareroom display. This the Columbia Co., sailed for England Saturday on
San Francisco audience."
card, which is designed in a number of colors which the steamer "Lusitania" after a two months' stay
harmonize very effectively, is devoted to a pithy in this country. Mr. Sterling spent some time visit-
CLEVER STUNT WITH THE VICTROLA. sentence regarding the new Celesta Victor records ing Columbia wholesale branches while here, and
played by Felix Arndt, the well-known pianist. th Columbia factory at Bridgeport, Conn.
Manager of the Regent Theater in Buffalo
The card reads, "Victor Celesta Solo Records
The wholesale headquarters of the Columbia Co.
Pays Tribute to the Wonderful Perfection
Played with a Fibre Needle Are Charming." It is moved on Monday from 89 to 83 Chambers street,
of the Modern Talking Machine by Replac-
planned to issue these feature cards at frequent New York. New booths were finished in time for
ing Human Singers with the Victrola.
intervals, featuring one special phase of the Vic- the opening of the store, and Manager Bolton is
tor record library or machine catalog on each card. greatly pleased with the many advantages of the
(Special to The Review.)
new store as compared with the former quarters.
BUFFALO, N. Y., February 1.—Just how much of
WONDER TALKING MACHINE CO.
About the first of May it is planned to have the
an element of perfection in the creation of the
New York Dictaphone headquarters remove from
The
Wonder
Talking
Machine
Co.
was,
incorpo-
sounds of the human voice has been attained in
the latest high price models of talking machines rated at Albany early this week for the purpose their present address, 2G1 Broadway, to the store at
was forcibly and clearly demonstrated recently, of handling phonographs and music boxes, with a 83 Chambers street, where ample facilities will be
when a brand new and startling innovation into the capital of $10,000. C. Hollender, H. B. McNulty placed at their disposal for the extension and de-
velopment of their business.
local theatrical world was born to Manager Gus and B. Doktor are the incorporators.
The foreign record department of the Columbia
Schlesinger, of the Regent Theater, an amusement
Co. sent out to its dealers this week an attractive
palace located in Buffalo's most fashionable resi-
window hanger featuring patriotic records in the
dential section at Main and West Utica streets.
The Victor Talking Machine Co. sent out to
'Manager Schlesinger used a Victrola in such its trade this week new repair catalogs for Vic- German and Austrian languages.
Notwithstanding the temporary business depres-
clever fashion, that many left the theater wonder- tor XXV B, Victrolas XVI H, XVI Electric,
ing where the opera singers had been secreted, in- and numerical price lists of parts. To properly sion in the Southern States, the Toomer Music
asmuch as a troupe of trained soloists had appeared accommodate these important publications, the House, Athens, Ga., a successful Columbia dealer,
on the stage but a short time before the Victrola Victor Co. suggested the use of a new style has continued to use good-sized space in the local
newspapers, featuring Columbia products.
was set in action.
patented spring binder which will hold about 200
The Victrola was introduced as part of the per- pages and is provided with an inside folder for
formance scheduled for "Grand Opera Week." retaining the repair part catalogs. This binder is
High class singers known as the "Milano Quin- offered to Victor dealers at 75 cents, the price of
tette" offered operatic numbers, and as soon as the former style' of binder.
they withdrew from the stage the music from a
Victrola floated into the big auditorium from the
CHANCE FOR MANUFACTURER.
wistaria covered crest in the rear of the house.
A firm in Russia informs an American con-
The machine was completely hidden, and the sular officer that it desires to establish connections
audience craned necks long in an effort to locate with American manufacturers of gramophones,
the singers.
parts and accessories. Prices should be stated in
With the completion of the Victrola offering, the rubles, c. i. f. destination. Correspondence pre-
operatic singers appeared. Applause in large meas- ferred in Russian. It is stated that if terms and
ure came as a finale to each Victrola number. prices are satisfactory, orders will be placed at
Every night throughout the week the big Victrola once. Manufacturers interested in this query
For Bett Service, write to
was used with success. With the opening of the should address the Bureau of Foreign Opportuni-
number on the Victrola the lights were dimmed and ties, Department of Commerce and Labor, Wash-
more of a surprise created when the audience, ington, D. C., referring to Inquiry No. 15463. $
upon brightening of the lights, saw that the singers
Largest Distributors
were not on the stage. When the plan was dis-
The F. C. Spiegel Piano Co., Fort Wayne,
covered the Victrola selections were applauded gen- Ind., has opened a talking machine department.
CONVENIENT REPAIR CATALOGS.
LYON & HEALY

Download Page 49: PDF File | Image

Download Page 50 PDF File | Image

Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).

Pro Tip: You can flip pages on the issue easily by using the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard.