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THE
INCREASED ACTIVITY IN DETROIT'S MUSIC TRADE FIELD.
Retailers Most Optimistic Over Showing—Grinnell's Close a Summer Sale of Twenty-five Hun-
dred Pianos and Players—-Bush & Lane Co. Remodels—Interesting Budget of News.
(Special to The Review.)
DETROIT, MrcH., October 5.—The cold weather
of the past week, coupled with the unusual amount
ol piano advertising in the daily newspapers, ap-
parently had a very satisfactory effect. Retailers
seen this week were more optimistic than they have
been in many months; aside from being optimistic,
they reported business to be more active than they
have seen it in some time. By active is meant the
number of instruments sold.
The biggest sales of the past week were re-
ported by Grinnell Bros., who are now conducting
their twelfth annual sale of summer resort used
pianos. From officials of the company and from
the heads of all departments come reports which
show that thus far the sale has been better than
expected and far ahead of any previous sale. Tak-
ing the combined business of Detroit and the
branch stores throughout the State, it is safe to
say that before the conclusion of the twelfth an-
nual summer resort sale the number of pianos and
player-pianos actually sold will be in the neigh-
borhood of "J/iOO.
The Detroit Association of Credit Men (in
which a number of piano retailers hold member-
ship) will maintain a fund of $10,000 for the in-
vestigation and prosecution of fraudulent debtors.
The special committee handling this subject has
vc ted to set aside annually for the next five years
the sum of $2,5<>0 for this purpose. The commit-
tee will carry on its work through an expert detec-
tive. He will watch cases before the bankruptcy
ccurt and will report his findings to the committee.
This body will examine the evidence produced, and
if it is considered valid the committee will recom-
mend to the executive committee of the association
tbat the parry be prosecuted. The Detroit Credit
Men's Association is determined to put a stop to
fraudulent bankruptcy cases.
W. B. Williams, of C. Kurtzmann & Co., was a
Detroit visitor during the past week. Kur;zmann
pianos are sold exclusively in Detroit by the J. L.
Hudson Co.
When a person that knows quality-
enters my store, I keep still—and
show the LAUTER-HUMANA. It
doesn't need salesmanship. Its merits
speak volumes." This is an excerpt
from a recent letter.
It is no stretch of the imagination
that the LAUTER-HUMANA is a
quick-selling asset. Its quality makes
it a power wherever it is handled.
The LAUTER-HUMANA should
be on your floor.
CAUTION—The word humana means human—
human-like control. This name is our trade-mark.
The artistic supremacy of the LAUTER-HUMANA
has brought forth imitations with claims of "human-
like control," 'human touch," etc There is but one
Humana—the LAUTER-HUMANA, manufactured
wholly in our own Newark plant.
LAUTER CO"
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY
11
MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Hudson store ever had in its piano department, and
was the best September I have had since I have
been in the piano business," reported E. P.
Andrews, of the J. L. Hudson Co. "Of course,
the thirty-fourth anniversary sale was a tremend-
ous factor, but aside from the business done dur-
ing the five days of that sale we did more than we
expected to. October has started out splendidly
and the remainder of this year is sure to 'be pro-
ductive of some fine business."
During the coming week contractors will have
completed their remodeling of the entrance to the
Woodward Arcade, which means that the Bush &
Larie Piano Co., on the fifth floor, will have access
to the window on the first floor which has been
built specially for them. The window is just
large enough to display two upright pianos or
ELABORATE EXHIBIT AT FAIR.
players. Manager Cross will keep the displays at-
Friedrich Music House Displays Cable, MeMin
tractive and will change them often.
and Fischer Lines at West Michigan Fair.
The Piano Exchange at 924 Grand River avenue,
Detroit, which is conducted by Mr. Hallis, has
(Special to TTie Review.)
taken on the agency in that section for the Pathe-
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH., October 4.—At the West
phone and will put in a complete line of machines
Michigan State Fair, held at Grand Rapids during
and records.
the past week, the Friedrich Music House had a
Howard Miner, who resigned as salesman in the booth in Art Hall. A feature in connection with 1
player department of Grinnell Bros., to represent
the exhibit was entertainment supplied by a
Hallet & Davis pianos and players in Detroit, re- quartet. Interspersed with the songs by the quar-
ports that he has sold out completely the lirst ship-
tet were instrumental numbers rendered on the
ment of instruments and that he has had to place •Cable Carola Inner-Player piano, the Mehlin
a number of reorders. Mr. Miner is very well
grand and Fischer pianos, for wh'ch the Friedrich
pleased with business condi.ion:, so far, and says
Music House has the exclusive selling agency in
he has enough prospects to keep him going until
western Michigan.
after the holidays. He has been busy with cus-
tomers every night since he made the change. Mr.
YOLANDA MERCrSCONCERT TOUR.
Miner makes his headquarters at the Leonard
An extensive tour has been planned for the
Warehouse, Grand River and Fourteenth streets,
where he has several windows for display purposes charming Hungarian pianist, Yolanda Mero. As
a fiery interpreter of Liszt, in particular, she has
and nearly one-half of the first floor.
few rivals. She plays the Steinway piano.
Col. John S. Bersey, Lansing, Mich., Adjutant
General of the State of Michigan, has purchased a
Wheelock Pianola put out by the Aeolian Co. The
sale wa's made by John S. Read, of Grinnell Bros.,
at the Detroit store.
Paul J. Stroup, of the music ro'J department of
the Aeolian Co., was in town this week.
Detroit piano dealers are reporting an increased
demand for player-pianos in fumed oak. The
reason is that furniture stores are pu hing fumed
oak for the living room and people want every-
thing to match up.
During the past week an order was placed with
Visitors at the Panama-Pacific Ex-
the Detroit store of Grinnell Bros, for two player-
position
have been delighted with the
pianos by officials of the Maxwell Motor Car Co.
musical
features
presented at regular
club rooms. The c'.ub rooms are for employes of
intervals in the recital hall of the ex-
the Maxwell Co.
At the last meeting o f the Good Fellowship
hibit created by the American Steel
Club, comprising employes of the Grinnell store,
& Wire Co.
Detroit, the following new officers were elected:
This exhibit has been the rendez-
President, John S. Read (player department) ;
vous
of musical people, and it has
vice-president, S. M. Preston (advertising) ; sec-
been
the
only one at which an edu-
retary, Gus Otto (small goods department at
cational musical exhibit has been
Monroe avenue store) ; treasurer, George Snyder
(small goods main store). The entertainment
steadily maintained.
committee consists of L. A. Grayson, chairman;
Daily, visitors have been charmed
W. M. McConnell and Joe Gallagher. Dwight
with
the musical instruments shown
Ammerman was appo nted sergeant-at-arms. Plans
therein.
Back of it all has been a
are under way for a very lively fall and winter
great American institution, which has
season. There will be dinner parties and dancing
parties, in addition to the regular meetings.
been producing vital products for
John Merriweather, of the Grand Rapids Elec-
every kind of musical instrument
tric Piano Co., has been accepted as a member of
created, and that part which has been
the Grand Rapids Association of Commerce.
peculiarly pleasing to piano men has
The J. L. Hudson store during the past week
been
wire—wire which has measured
has been featuring very strongly the "Checkering
up to the most exacting requirements
Quarter Grand Piano," called the "Bride's Piano."
This particular style is only five feet two inches in
of the piano world.
length. It was put on exhibition in the window
The greatest American piano
and was extensively advertised.
manufacturers concede the position
"September of this year was the best month the
won by this house. Its remarkable
Recognition
of American
Creative Skill
achievements in the realm of tone are
recognized the world over, and the
duly constituted authorities of the
Panama - Pacific Exposition have
awarded to this creative company
the Grand Prize, an honor worthily
won by an American enterprise.
Onlyorie
piano is
made in.
this large
ktopnd
that is the
American Steel & Wire Company
LINDEMAN
originated
in 1821 by
W^Lindcmin
Lindcman 6 Sons Piano Gb.
45 T -* St. & H T T H Ave.
N e w York.
Chicago. New York, Worcester, Cleveland. Pitts-
burgh, Denver. Export representative: U. S. Steel
Products Co., New York. Pacific Coast represen-
tative: U. S. Steel Products Co., San Francisco,
Los Anpeles, Portland, Seattle.