Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1915 Vol. 61 N. 11

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
NEWLY INVENTED^ THUMB REST.
D3ta'ls of the Invention of Dr. Cyrus Hamlin
of
Brooklyn—Acts as "First
Aid"
for
Students and Will Be Appreciated.
A newly invented "thumb rest" for the violin, de-
vised by Dr. Cyrus Hamlin, of Brooklyn, is cal-
culated t<> save the student much anguish of mind
and hand. Instead of cracking his second thumb
joint in the fifth position and painfully—for himself
and the neighbors—stretching his little finger al-
most to the note high up on the strings which he
would like to hit, the rest supports the thumb so
that the higher notes can be played wi:h compara-
tive case. The device is detachable and is an en-
tire novelty.
"The average violinist," says Dr. Hamlin, refer-
ring to the student and violin amateur, "knows lit-
tle or nothing above the fifth position, as he has not
learned or caught on to the trick of the proper
manipulation of the left thumb, which is the basis
of shifting. The thumb rest enables him to glide
the tip of the thumb from the left side of the neck
of the instrument to the right until it comes in con-
tact with the under side of the rest, which is at-
tached just at the angle formed by the junction of
the base of the neck with the body of the violin.
In this position the reach of the fingers is increased
one full inch and most of the strain is taken off the
thumb. Violinists with small hands and young
artists will find it a great help, as it will place them
on the same footing as those who are fortunate
enough to possess long fingers. It will be as great
a help to the ambitious student in his technique as
the chin rest has been.
"By means of the thumb rest one of the most
difficult steps in the mastery of the violin will be
made so much easier that there is bound to be a
noticeable improvement in the technique of those
students who are able to make use of its aid in
their course of study."
SOME STRANGE VIOLINS.
A man by the name of Sinclair in the south of
Scot'and made strange violins some years ago. The
outline was triangular and of the ordinary size.
One had twelve wires stretched across it, and tuned
to correspond to the tones and semi-tones of the
scale, in addition to the ordinary strings.
Another had two bridges, one being higher than
the other, to allow a free passage for the bow to
pass.
The purpose in each case was to augment the
tone.
A man in Texas patterned a fiddle after the skull
of a n gro which he borrowed from a doctor. The
maker had a theory that the negro being a natural
musician, a fiddle construe'ed on the plan of the
skull would be more musical than if made in the
ordinary way. The dimensions of the instrument
wire according to the width and length of the
skull.
Instead of sounding holes on top, shotgun tubes
were placed on the sides, at an angle of 20 degrees.
it being the angle that the nerves of the ears en-
tered the brain.
PATENTS SOUNDING BATON.
Something Unique Finds Its Way Into the
Patent Office at Washington in the Form of
a Baton That Gives the Keynote of the Selec-
tion to Be Rendered—Convenient for Con-
ductors of Choral Unions and Glee Clubs.
(Special to The Review.)
WASHINGTON, D. C, September 7.—Peter A. Fair,
Helena, Mont., was last week granted Patent No.
1.15<),85ti, for a sounding baton.
As is well known, one important function of the
baton, both for choral leaders and band leaders, is
to produce a sound to attract the attention of the
performers, this being usually accomplished by the
leader tapping with the baton upon the music rest
or some other object before him; and it is an im-
portant object of this invention to provide a de-
vice especially suitable for choral leaders whereby
the baton in serving to attract the attention o"f the
choir will also sound the desired key note of the
selection to be rendered in a manner which may not
be mistaken.
A further object is to provide means whereby
ordinary ba'.ons may readily be converted into
sounding batons.
It is another aim to give a ready means for
actuating the sounding element.
Another aim is to provide a plucking device
which will be applicable to use in connection with
tuning forks, stringed instruments and other mu-
sical devices.
It is an important purpose of this invention to
enable the mounting of a tuning fork and a sound-
ing device in a compact and attractive form, espe-
ciall adapted to form a continuation of a baton,
although not necessarily limited to this use.
RETURNS FROM CHICAGO.
H. L. Hunt Visited Lyon & Healy Harp Factory
During His Recent Vacation.
If. L. Hunt, manager of the musical merchandise
department of Charles H. Ditson & Co., 8 East
Thirty-fourth street, New York, returned Tuesday
after a combined vacation and business trip, upon
which he visited the headquarters of Oliver Ditson
& Co., Boston, Mass., and the factory and store of
Lyon & Healy at Chicago, 111. Mr. Hunt spent his
\acation at a lake resort near Chicago, his usual
summer resting place.
Mr. Hunt was impressed with the manufacturing
perfection which characterizes the Lyon & Healy
harp factory, and after spending an entire day at
the factory was highly pleased with the many inno-
vations which have been introduced since his last
visit there a year ago. The Lyon & Healy harp
factory is turning out more harps than ever before,
the total to date being considerably ahead of last
vear.
AN IMPORTANT DECISION.
In sustaining protests by Brown & Reese the
board held that the protest fee of $1 required by the
tariff act of 1913 does not apply to merchandise en-
tered and liquidated before the enactment of the
present law, even though the protest itself was filed
after the law became effective. The merchandise
involved consisted of 2,120 bales of cork shavings,
which were returned for duty at the rate of 10 per
cent, ad valorem under the act of 190!) as "waste."
The board held that the goods should be given free
entry under Paragraph 547, which specifies "cork
wood, or cork bark, unmanufactured."
SHOULD SEND^THEJR^PRICE LISTS.
Vice Consul C. H. Heisler, Cape Town, South
Africa, says in a commerce report that numerous
complaints have been lodged at that consulate by
prospective buyers of American goods because of
PROOF NOT PRESENTED.
the lack of price and discount lists. Many Ameri-
can firms that yearly send their latest catalogs con-
Much to the surprise of customs officials, im-
tinually neglect these lists. This, Mr. Heisler says,
porters continue to lose claims almost daily before
necessitates a delay of several months to the South
the Board of General Appraisers relating to the re-
African purchaser, who may desire an article in the
bate of o per cent, allowed in the present tariff law
shortest time possible, and may lead him to order it
on merchandise brought to this country in vessels
from some other country. American manufactur-
of American register. Importers' carelessness in
ers, he asserts, should in all cases transmit all par-
this regard has been noted for quite some time, but
ticulars when forwarding their catalogs in order to
no improvement appears to have taken place. It
avoid delays and possible loss of orders.
is known that many merchants take particular
care to have goods shipped in American vessels
IMPROVEMENT IN XYLOPHONES.
where they are available, but when it comes to a
trial of the protests asking the rebate there is
(Special to Tlie Review.)
usually no proof. This, of course, results in the
WASHINGTON, D. C, September 7.—Patent No.
claim being overruled. The test case is to come be- 1,152,254 was last week granted to Frederick W.
fore the Supreme Court of the United States some Wood, Kansas City, Mo., for a musical instru-
time this coming winter, and should a decision ulti- ment, and relates particularly to pneumatically
mately be handed down in favor of the validity of
operated xylophones, and the object is to provide
the tariff section importers failing before the board a mechanism for striking a sounding body, such as
now will be obliged to undergo new trials before a xylophone bar, and which will not muffle the
the board in order to get the rebates, provided the sound nor deaden the tone of the sounding body
during the striking operation.
evidence is conclusive.
ASHLAND QUALITY
MUSIC STRINGS
Unexcelled for Strength
Made of Highest Quality Gut
Made by experts in the most modern musical string factory in the country,
to the finished strings every precaution is taken to insure perfection,
exclusive process withstand, dampness and climatic conditions.
VIOLIN E-4 LENGTHS
LARGE STOCKS, PROMPT SHIPMENTS
From the raw material
Strings made by our
.00 to $5.00 per Bundle
WRITE TODAY FOR PRICE LIST
Ashland Manufacturing Company
Dept. B 4100 S. Ashland Avenue, CHICAGO
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50
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
TO MEET SEPTEMBER 10.
NEW PATHE STORE IN DETROIT.
COLUMBIA NEWS ITEMS.
Executive Committee of National Association
of Talking
Machine Jobbers to Meet in
Philadelphia—Press Committee Appointed.
Elaborate Quarters Just Opened by Pathe
Freres Phonograph Co. in That City Under
the Management of C. F. Morrison.
Sales Manager
Bradt Reports Big August
Business—Wise to Order Fall and Holiday
Stock Now—Unusual Records Made by Per-
sonal Record Department—Other Items.
Andrew G. McCarthy, president of the National
Association of Talking Machine Jobbers, has ap-
pointed J. C. Roush, of the Standard Talking Ma-
chine Co., Pittsburgh, Pa., chairman of the asso-
ciation's press committee, the other members of
which are P. B. Whitsit, B. J. Pierce, R. C. Rogers
and A. M. Stewart. President McCarthy has called
a meeting of the executive committee of the asso-
ciation to take place at the Bellevue-Stratford
Hotel, Philadelphia, Pa., on Friday morning, Sep-
tember 10. Later in the day the committee will
confer with A. E. Whittier, of the American Fair
Trade League, relative to the Stevens bill.
(Special to The Review.)
DETROIT, MICH., September 4.—The Pathe Freres
Phonograph Co. has opened a store at 114 Far-
mer street, in this city, where it will sell at retail
and wholesale Pathe Freres phonographs and
records. The store is in the heart of the "talk-
ing machine center of Detroit," there being four
other concerns selling talking machines within a
stone's throw. The new Pathe store is indeed a
beautiful one. No expense was apparently spared
in alterations and decorations, as well as the in-
r.tallatron of equipment. The size is 20 by 100
feet, and has a large window extending across
the front for display purposes. The entire floor
is covered with rich green carpet. There is a
large reception room toward the front, and to
PHONOGRAPHS IN WAR ZONE.
one side there are four large booths, partitioned
Phonographs and phonographic records are be- off with wood and the best plate glass. The parti-
ing sent in considerable quantities at the present tions are painted in white, inside and out, ana
time to troops fighting in the trenches of France make a splendid contrast against the green carpet
and Belgium. This statement, which is indicative and the walls, which are embellished with a light
of the comparatively quiet conditions now existing brown design.
on the Western battle front, comes from the Eng-
There is an attractive mezzanine balcony in
lish branch of the Aeolian Co. of this city. These the rear, which will be used for the general offi-
shipments, it is said, are made almost wholly by ces, while the rear part of the main floor will be
private persons with friends or relatives at the used as the shipping and receiving room. While
front, and are not purchased by the Government there is plenty of room to carry a large stock of
for the entertainment of the soldiers. Private machines and records at this store, the company
soldiers as well as officers are the recipients. As has rented a loft in the immediate vicinity, which
England is a large importer of American made will be used for general storage. C. F. Morrison
phonographs, many of the instruments sent to the is in charge of the store, while Harry C. Shea,
front are of American manufacture. The Eng- general manager of the business, will spend most
lish branch of the Aeolian Co. has specialized in of his time on the road, signing up dealers in the
this business and all shipments made to it from State and getting orders. He has already ar-
this side include types of instruments especially ranged for dealers in many of the principalities,
suited for the rough handling incidental to condi- and writes in that prospects are very bright for
tions at the front.—New York World.
a big business by fall. The company in addition
to selling at retail is the Michigan distributer for
REST ROOM UNDER PIANO STORE.
Pathe machines and records, and will carry a
complete line.
(Special to The Review.)
ASHTABULA, O., September 6.—B. R. Walker, the
prominent piano dealer, has opened to the public a
series of rest rooms in the basement of his store.
The rooms include two sound-proof booths where
people can listen to the music of Grafonolas while
resting, a private writing room for the convenience
of ladies, and a toilet room. The innovation has
attracted much and favorable comment.
PLAN OF EXPANDING BUSINESS.
Hardman, Peck & Co. Keep Their Products
Before Customers in a Very Effective Way.
Piano dealers maintaining talking machine de
partments could probably utilize to good advantage
a plan being used by the talking machine depart
ment of Hardman, Peck & Co., 4:W Fifth avenue,
New York, handling the Edison diamond disc, Co-
IN CHARGE OF NEW DEPARTMENT. lumbia and Pathe Freres products. This depart-
ment sends out to every piano or player customei
C. M. Dechent lias been placed in charge of the
on the books a printed sli,\ which is enclosed in
newly opened Victrola department in the store of
every communication sent them, on which is room
Reid & Hughes, Waterbury, Conn., which is under
for their name and address, together with the
the direction of the Musical Instrument Sales Co.,
names
of the three lines handled, and a request tha:
New York.
the recipient indicate in which line he is interested
Doyle Bros., furniture dealers of Galesburg, 111., sufficiently to receive a catalog. The reverse side
have added a talking machine department to their of the sheet shows a photograph of Hardman
store, and will sell Columbia machines and records. House, with appropriate reading matter.
It has been announced that -the Tiedeman-Wood-
burn Co., Everett, Wash., has decided to retire
from the piano business and will in future con-
fine its attention to talking machines entirely.
The department store of John Schmelze, Sagi-
naw, Mich., has installed a talking machine depart
ment on the eighth floor of this establishment.
Mrs. Elsie Burroughs has been appointed manager.
LINDSTROM MOTORS
"The Motor of Quality"
'"August's business was remarkable in many
ways," said James P. Bradt, sales manager of the
Columbia Graphophone Co., in a recent chat with
The Review. "In addition to 'being by far the best
August in our history, thereby keeping pace with
the record set for each month of l!Mf>, it showed
the greatest gain over the corresponding month of
1 i > 1 -t of any month so far this year. This would
indicate a steady, active trade that is permanent
and not spasmodic. We closed August thou-
sands of machines behind our orders, involving
every single type of machine in our catalog. Our
dealers should take time by the forelock and place
their orders now for the fall and winter season."
During the past few weeks the personal record
department of the Columbia Co., under the man-
agement of H. D. King, has made a number of
records for rather unusual purposes which serve to
illustrate the possibilities of this department. Sev-
eral records were recently completed at the labo-
ratory to work in conjunction with a new invention
in the talking picture field. It is said that these
new records, which were recorded with all neces-
sary pauses and other incidental changes, will syn-
chronize perfectly with the moving pictures. The
anti-suffrage selection, "Anti-Suffrage Rose," was
recorded by the Columbia personal record division
for the State association opposed to woman suf-
frage, and is having a phenomenal sale throughout
the country. A taxation speech for this same asso-
ciation will be ready in the near future.
The local headquarters of the Columbia Co., at
83 Chambers street, closed a deal a few days ago
whereby each steamship of the Southern Pacific
line will include in the equipment for the entertain-
ment of its passengers a Columbia graphophone
with a good-sized record library. This deal is in
line with the recent arrangements completed with
the New York Central Railroad, by which two
"Mignonettes'' were placed on the bankers' trains
going West.
Harold W. Lyle, of the foreign record division
of th? Columbia Co., is back at his desk after an
extended honeymoon trip and vacation.
H. C. Grove, manager of the Washington, D. C,
store of the Columbia Co., visited headquarters
this week as the tail-end of his summer vacation.
Lester L. Leverich, of the Columbia advertising
department, is again using his gray matter for new
ideas after a fortnight's rest.
If you desire a man for any department of
your service, either for your factory or for your
selling department, forward your advertisement
to us and it will be inserted free of charge.
KNOWN IN FARAWAY JAPAN.
The far-reaching prestige of the New York Talk-
ing Machine Co., 119 West Fortieth street, New
York, Victor distributer, is convincingly evidenced
by a recent issue of the Phonograph World, pub-
lished in Osaka, Japan, which contains a reproduc-
tion of the Lewisohn building, the company's new
home, together with a detailed account of the
space it is occupying and its remarkable success
in the Victor field. The illustration is very clear and
distinct, while a literal translation of the text em-
ployed embraces a quantity of euphonious adjec-
tives which, summed up, signify that the New
York Talking Machine Co. is occupying one of the
finest and most up-to-date talking machine estab-
lishments in the trade.
For Best Service, write to
LYON & HEALY
Largest Distributors
CHICAGO

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