Music Trade Review

Issue: 1915 Vol. 61 N. 4

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
it)
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
He reads everything worth while published on
these subjects, and is constantly trying to improve
Dealers Manage to Make Many Sales Under Unfavorable Conditions—Detroit's
Population
them. The system he operates takes only about
Grows—Adcraft Club Watches Questionable Advertising—D. J. Nolan a Believer in System.
twenty-five minutes' time of a stenographer and is
(Special to The Review.)
practically a perpetual inventory of the stock on
Basement Open to the Public.
DETROIT, MICH., July 19.—Piano and player-
The basement of the new J. L. Hudson Co. piano hand in all departments.
piano business for the week ending July 17 was store has been thrown open to the public. It is
Doesn't Believe in Sensational Sales.
really remarkable, considering the rainy weather used exclusively for the player roll department
J. Henry Ling, who operates as a one-price and
and the number of counter attractions. Rain and is in charge of Miss Margaret Fay, a composer no-outside-salesmen piano house in Detroit, says
poured down nearly every day during the week; and singer of much local prominence. A feature that every week he gets letters from firms who
the annual Windsor racing meet was on, the at- of this department is that the sales force consists offer to conduct a sensational sale at his store. Mr.
tendance being about 6,000 people per day; the entirely of ladies. The department is a very com- Ling always answers that he is sorry he cannot
Detroit baseball team played every day at the home plete one, with private demonstrating booths and accept, and explains why. In all of the years that
grounds and drew unusually large crowds. On the an up-to-date system for handling the stock.
Mr. Ling has been in business—and he is one of
days when it didn't rain the weather was extremely
the pioneers in the piano industry of Michigan—he
A Believer in Business System.
warm. And yet the piano dealers had better busi-
has never had a sale on new goods. Of course, he
Dan J. Nolan, who operates the piano depart- does conduct sales on used pianos which have been
ness than they have had for some time. C. H.
Kesler, manager of the player department at Grin- ment at the store of the May Co., Cleveland, O., taken in trade. Mr. Ling says that business for
nell Bros., said that during the terrible rainstorm was a visitor in Detroit July 15, most of which the first five months of this year was 15 per cent,
Friday afternoon, July 16, he had two customers time he spent at the store of the Hudson Co. Man- behind the same period of 1914, but that the first
ager Andrews explained his system of keeping his five months of 1914 were the biggest in the history
in the store, both of whom purchased.
stock of Victrolas and music rolls, which Mr. of the Ling store, hence he considers this year's
Rapid Growth in Population.
. The latest figures of the Water Board give Nolan said was the best he had ever heard of. business to be remarkably good. "Business fell off
Detroit a population of approximately 675,000, or Mr. Andrews has spent a great deal of time in about June last year, so it isn't going to be diffi-
760,000, taking in the adjoining suburbs, which are perfecting the system now in vogue. In fact, Mr. cult for us to beat the last six months of 1914," he
practically a part of Detroit. Based exclusively on Andrews is a crank on system and stockkeeping. said.
the city's population, Detroit made an increase of
58,000 during the past twelve months. When the
new Ford tractor and blast furnace plant is com-
pleted, giving employment to 20,000 more men, the Large Attendance at Formal Dedication of This Beautiful Establishment on Monday—Empha-
sizes Place Which Baldwin House and Products Have Won in Affections of Denverites.
city's population will be increased by another
100,000, so it is safe to say that by 1920 the popula-
(Special to The Review.)
form with the Adam period followed in the other
tion of Greater Detroit will easily be 1,000,000.
DENVER, COL., July 19.—The program incident to decorations of the structure.
To Eliminate "Bunk" in Advertising.
the formal opening of the handsome new quarters
The heating and ventilating systems in the new
The reorganized Detroit Adcraft Club, compris- of the Baldwin Co., at 1636 California street, this building have also received much attention and
ing the leading advertising men of the city, has city, is now being carried out, and the celebration come about as near to perfection as is possible in
appointed a Special committee to keep an eye on will continue to-morrow. Both the new building, its a strictly business building. The ventilating system
all newspaper and general advertising and to in- interior arrangement and the manner in which the is particularly interesting, for all the air that is
vestigate such advertising as it considers to be dis- program for the formal opening are being conducted, pumped into the various rooms is heated in winter
honest and misrepresentative. "There is altogether are all in keeping with the traditions of the great and cooled in summer, which does away with direct
too much bunk and exaggeration in the present- Cincinnati piano house.
heating. Powerful fans also draw the foul air
day advertising," said one member of the club.
The new building, which immediately adjoins the from the rooms through special ducts, and there is
"Before we can elevate advertising and get the former quarters of the Baldwin Co. here, is the re- no feeling of stuffiness in any part of the building,
public to have greater confidence in our copy we sult of much careful thought both in regard to in- whether it is crowded or not.
must eliminate the 'bunk' part. The committee ap- terior and exterior arrangement. The design
A feature of the opening that proved very inter-
pointed will keep their eyes on all lines of trade, and throughout follows closely the Adam style of deco- esting to the many visitors was the display of the
we hope to see a great deal of improvement during ration, and the entire effect, particularly the color
special art styles of Baldwin grand and upright
the coming twelve months as a result of this com- scheme, is fascinating. The work was designed pianos designed for the Panama-Pacific Exposi-
mittee's work."
and carried out by Fischer & Fischer, who are tion, and which have some of the most beautiful
John S. Read, salesman in the Grinnell Bros, among the most prominent architects in Denver, and elaborate cases ever produced on pianos.
player department, left July 18 on a two weeks' and who have kept a small army of workmen busy
The new home of the Baldwin Co. in Denver is
motor trip through Canada. The trip is being for some months past.
a fitting monument to the success that has been met
made in his own automobile. His wife and three
The Baldwin Piano Co. has won a high place for
with by that company since it first established n
children are accompanying him. Mr. Read has itself among the music lovers of Denver, which is permanent branch in the "Metropolis of the Rock-
been with Grinnell Bros, for two years, having best indicated by the crowds that have been visit- ies," for the local store of the company has pros-
formerly been with the Aeolian Co. in Chicago.
ing the new home of the company during the first
pered from the start and has served to carry the
A Sale Worth Mentioning.
day of the opening to inspect the new quarters and
fame of the Baldwin products through a large ter-
Manager Kesler, of the Grinnell Bros, player listen to the unusually excellent program provided
ritory in the West, where there arc still further
department, says that a sale worth mentioning was for their entertainment. It was the expressed
victories to achieve.
made during the past week. A man came in some opinion of a number of the visitors, among them a
time ago and looked at a $700 player. Mr. Read prominent piano man from the East, that the new
PADEREWSKI IN CALIFORNIA.
had him in charge. He spent about an hour and a Baldwin building contained the most artistic piano
half with the customer and finally got him to con- warerooms west of New York.
Paderewski is now in California, where he ex-
sider a $1,000 Weber Pianola piano. The man said
The main warerooms on the first or ground floor
he would talk it over with his wife and come back. are delightfully finished in French Caen stone, the pects to remain about six weeks. A Polish day is
being arranged for him at the Panama-Pacific
Last week he came in with his wife. Inside of a soft buff tones of which have become so popular
half hour the man purchased the Weber Pianola lately in decoration. The plainness of the walls is Exposition. Subsequently he will go to Pasa
and paid the $1,000 in cash; he also paid $50 for a relieved by a dainty frieze in classic design, an or- Robles for the baths, which have heretofore greatly
stool. "It was one of the easiest sales we have namental cornice and handsome pilasters. The alleviated his intense suffering from neuritis. On
returning to the East he and Mme. Paderewski
made in a long, long while," said Mr. Kesler. desire for perfect harmony in the interior arrange-
"The man who bought it is in the automobile busi- ment is indicated by the fact that in the main will go to Bar Harbor. He is intensely interested
in efforts being made to get money to relieve the
ness."
showroom every door in one wall is offset by a
sufferings of the Polish people in the war.
One of the windows in the Story & Clark piano handsome mirror set into the opposite wall. Of
store was badly shattered by the terrific rainstorm the smaller showrooms, two are finished in quar-
of July 16.
tered oak with a satin finish in olive gray, with
Only one
walls covered with burlap-like textile and paneled
piano
is
ceilings. The other two smaller salesrooms have
paneled walls and are attractively finished in ivory
N. Y. Piano Factory
iw&de in
white.
To Let or For Sale
this large
Although the decorations throughout the build-
factoryand
FACTORY, N.W. cor. of 135th St. and
ing are of a most original and elaborate character,
that is the
Willow Ave., five stories and basement,
the prime considerations of comfort and business
50x90 on lot 50x100, light all around, elec-
convenience have not been lost sight of. The first
trically controlled elevator, steam heat and
LINDEMAN
thing that impresses the visitor, next to the decora-
all modern improvements.
Possession
originated
tions,
especially
at
night,
is
the
elaborate
and
up-
August 1, 1916. Now occupied by Mans-
in 1821 by
to-date character of the lighting system, which is
field Piano Co.; for terms, etc., apply
W?Lit\dcmai\
CHAS. RAMSEY, KINGSTON, N. Y.
of the semi-indirect type that provides an abun-
Lindcm&n & Sons Piano Gi.
dance of soft, mellow light, distinctly restful to the
45 T -? St. 6 11 T T H Ave
New York.
eyes, through bowls of alabaster designed to con-
GOOD BUSINESS IN DETROIT DESPITE BAD WEATHER.
FORMAL OPENING OF BALDWIN CO.'S NEW HOME IN DENVER
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
11
HOW GOOD FELLOWSHIP IS PROMOTED BY PIANO CLUB.
ON THRESHOLD OF FALL ACTIVITY.
Little Groups Seen Conversing on Boat on Outing Show How Piano Men Have Learned to Know
Each Other Better Since New York Organization Became a Success.
This Is How Piano Dealers in Northwest Feel
in Middle of July—Commencing to Stock Up
—Big
Everett Order from
Minneapolis
Athletic Club—Large Steinway Shipments.
true light to-day than they did live years ago be-
fore the club was founded, and in this way much
better feeling towa d each other has been shown
(Special to The Review.)
by them, not only socially but in busi-
MINNEAPOLIS
AND ST. PAUL, MINN., July 19.—
ness, with the result that they have
Piano merchants in the Twin towns already are
worked in unity and with greater
harmony, which has strengthened the talking of fall prospects, of the resumption of
normal business and such interesting topics. July
New York trade as a whole.
An idea as to how the men get to- soon will be over and then the Northwest will be
on the threshold of autumn activities. The pros-
gether on these outings may be seen
pects are fine as a whole. A big crop practically
in the accompanying illustrations,
which were taken by The Review is assured, except as to corn, the yield for which
photographer on the steamer as she is uncertain. Everything else promises big and
sailed up the Sound. Although space prices undoubtedly will be high. Iron shipments
will not allow us to reproduce all also show a tendency to increase, and it is be-
these groups, a very fair idea may be lieved that there will be tremendous activities in
the mining sections in the fall.
gained from those herewith. All over
In the meantime the dealers are stocking up,
the steamer "Commander" such
completing their lines, giving their help the regu-
groups could be found, and very few
lation vacations, and when the trade conditions
on this day were discussing business
improve the piano men will be right on hand to
problems. In one of these particular
pictures George Derby, of the Bjur give it welcome.
The Brooks-Evans Piano Co., through Elmer
Bros. Co., is seen just about to con-
verse with Julius Breckwoldt, the A. Brooks, landed a neat order from the Min-
well-known Dolgeville sounding- neapolis Athletic Club last week—two grands and
Left to Right—A. Lichtenstein, J. W. Looschen, J. E. Davis
board expert. In another group is four uprights, six instruments in all—and they
and J. W. Ackerly.
seen Alex. Lichtenstein, of the Mans- were Everetts too. For a summer day's sale it
hardly could be called bad. Ordinarily, though,
manifested last week at the annual outing at Glen-
business has been inert throughout July. Some
wood on the Sound, the only complete story of
dealers say that it hardly has been up to the
which appeared in The Music Trade Review last
average, and this may be true, as other retail lines
Saturday. This was the fifth annual outing, and
complain that they are not doing the volume of
each one has 1) en considered more successful than
business that ordinarily comes in summer.
One of the Twin City dealers, it has been
learned, was threatened with prosecution for mis-
leading advertising. The object of the threat de-
clares it was a bluff pure and simple, and was in-
spired by the envy of a rival dealer. Well, such
is life !
It is rumored that the P. A. Starck Co. con-
templates a branch store in Minneapolis, but the
report could not be confirmed in time for this
letter. Manager H. S. Krossin, of the St. Paul
branch, is well known in Minneapolis, and the
story is not improbable, though the local dealers
declare that there.are quite enough piano houses
in the field at present.
Large shipments of Steinway and other instru-
ments have been received by the Metropolitan
Music Co., which is Completing its entire line of
pianos for the fall trade.
We chronicle the visit of Gustave Behning to
our cities.
J. E. Frank was a member of the big Shriner
Left to Right—C. H. O. Puess, Henry Behning
caravan that for days passed through the Twin
and William Tonk.
Cities on their way to the imperial shrine at
the preceding one. One interesting feature of the
Seattle.
outing is the fact that although many who attend
one year do not attend the next for some good
SELECT A. B^CHASE GRAND.
reason, there are always newcomers, and those new-
A recent sale made by the H. C. Waite Music
comers meet many of the oldcomers in such a way
as to promote better feeling among men who have George Derby Standing and Julius Breckwoldt. Co., of Cedar Rapids, la., was an A. B. Chase
been but slightly known to each other for many held Piano Co.; John W. Looschen, of the grand piano for the Christian Science Church of
Looschen Piano Case Co.; J. E. Davis, of J. E. that city. The purchase followed a critical exami-
years.
It is always on this day that business cares are Davis, Inc., and J. W. Ackerly, the well-known piano nation by a committee of experts, who expressed
merchant from Patchogue, L. I. The Reyiew man themselves most enthusiastically regarding the
forgotten and each man turns to a full day of
is
sure that they were not talking business, because splendid merits of the A. B. Chase piano along the
thorough enjoyment. Proof that the club has been
lines of tone quality, construction and artistic
lie was there and heard the conversation.
a success is manifested by the fact that clubs of
In another group will be noted Henry Behning, design.
similar nature have been started in other large
of the Behning Piano Co.; C. IT. O. Puess, of the
cities and are progressing.
Saturday half holidays with the piano houses are
The piano manufacturers of New York, and also Cleveland Varnish Co., and William Tonk, presi-
now in full vogue in Albany, N. Y.
the supply men, know each other better in their dent of William Tonk & Bro.
The value of the Piano Club of New York as a
promoter of good fellowship between the members
of the piano trade and supply industries was plainly
WRIGHT
Sales Offices at
437 Sth Ave., New York
George H. Beverly. Manager ol Sale*
METAL PLAYER ACTION
Easily 100% in advance of any action ever offered. Simple—
Responsive—Durable—Beautiful. Contains the Wright "Ideal"
bellows.
Being made of metal (the logical material for player actions)
cannot be affected by dampness or any climatic conditions. Its
exclusive features save many dollars in repair work and
make many sales in competition. Write us.
M. S. Wright Company
Worcester, Mass.

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