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THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
PAUL G. MEHLIN YOUNG AT 79.
INCREASE REPORTED IN EXPORTS; IMPORTS DECREASE.
Veteran Piano Manufacturer, Dean of Industry,
Says He Feels Like Thirty-five—Passed
Birthday on Monday Last, Quietly Receiving
Congratulatory Letters and Telegrams.
Exports of Musical Instruments for Twelve Months Ending December 31, $233,384 More Than
Total for Same Period in 1914—Imports Show Loss During Same Period of $580,472—
Figures Regarding Trade in Player-Pianos, Music Rolls, Piano Players and Small Goods.
Paul G. Mehlin, veteran head of Paul G. Mehlin
& Sons, with extensive factories at West New
York, N. J., celebrated his seventy-ninth birthday
on Monday of this week. Mr. Mehlin is the oldest
piano manufacturer actively engaged in business
now living. The usual festivities which have oc-
Paul G. Mehlin in His Workshop at Factory.
curred in years past on the occasion of Mr. Meh-
lin's birthday were dispensed with this year owing
to the fact that he has been confined to the house
for some time with an attack of lumbago.
When seen at his home on Monday, Mr. Mehlin
stated to a representative of The Review that so
far as his feelings were concerned his age was
about thirty-five. "I couldn't help but think," he
said, "when I woke up this morning, how many
changes have taken place since I entered the piano
industry. There are very* few of the old school of
piano makers left, and it is a pleasure to remem-
ber how hard each one strove to make the very
best which could be produced in piano construc-
tion. In those days, when a man announced a new
device or method of construction, there was uni-
versal interest manifested in the trade and dealers
would come from all over the country to acquire
a knowledge regarding it. There was naturally
not as much competition then as there is to-day,
and the piano was in the early stages of develop-
ment."
Mr. Mehlin stated that he was sorry he could not
have his usual birthday party, but that he was go-
ing to reserve all his energy for a big celebration
on his eightieth anniversary next year.
NEW PIANO HOUSE IN OCONTO, WIS.
(Special to The Review.)
MILWAUKEE, WIS., February 29.—The Menke
Music House was formally opened in the Funke
building at Oconto, Wis., on February 19, by
Claude Menke, well-known piano traveler, repre-
senting the Janssen line, according to news re-
ceived in Milwaukee. Mr. Menke has been sell-
ing pianos and players to dealers in the North-
west for many years, and it is anticipated that
he will meet with much success in his new retail
venture. The Edison phonographs will be car-
ried in addition to the Janssen pianos and players.
(Special to The Review.)
WASHINGTON, D. C, February 28.—The summary
of exports and imports of the commerce of the
United States for the month of December, 1915,
the latest period for which it has been compiled,
has just been issued by the Bureau of Statistics of
the Department of Commerce and Labor. The
figures relating to pianos, organs, piano players
and miscellaneous "small goods," duly collated,
show a very satisfactory condition in the trade, and
are as follows:
The dutiable imports of musical instruments
during December amounted to $57,670, as com-
pared with $129,153 worth which was imported the
same month of 1914. The twelve months' total end-
ing December showed importations valued at
$980,399, against $1,560,871 worth of musical in-
struments imported during the same period in
1914, and $1,959,261 in 1913. This gives a de-
crease in imports for the twelve months of $580,-
472.
The total domestic exports of musical instru-
ments for December, 1915, amounted to $267,456,
as compared with $149,779 for the same month of
the previous year. The twelve months' exportation
of musical instruments amounted to $2,722,886, as
against $2,489,502 for the same period of 1914, and
$3,672,267 in 1913. This shows an increase in ex-
ports for the twelve months of $233,384.
Of the aggregate exportation in December there
were 223 organs, valued at $17,268, as compared
with 223 organs in 1914, valued at $10,975. The
twelve months' total showed that we exported 3,-
555 organs, valued at $219,901, as against 6,048
organs, valued at $365,587, for the same period in
1914, and 8,319 organs, which were valued at
$605,203, in 1913.
In December, 1915, we exported 605 pianos, val-
ued at $122,827, as compared with 363 pianos, val-
ued at $70,307, for the same period of the previous
year. The twelve months' total shows 6,342 pi-
anos, valued at $1,206,206, as compared with 4,776
pianos, valued at $999,650, exported in the same
period in 1914, and 7,318 pianos, valued at $1,552,-
038, sent abroad during the same period in 1913.
Of the aggregate exportation in December there
were 35 piano players, valued at $6,410, as com-
pared with 3, valued at $787, in December, 1914.
For the twelve months' period 281 of these instru-
ments, valued at $76,487, were sent abroad, as
compared with 760, valued at $126,948, in 1914,
and 1,174, valued at $208,316, sent abroad in 1913.
The exports of player-pianos show that 59 of
these instruments, valued at $18,313, were exported
during December, as compared, with 80, valued at
$21,612, exported in December, 1914. The twelve
months' total shows that 1,089 player-pianos, valued
at $330,040, were exported during the year recently
ended.
The exports of perforated music rolls for the
month of December amounted in value to $3,648,
as compared to $5,784 in December, 1914. The
twelve months' total amounted in value to $54,318,
as compared with $104,903 in exports for 1914.
The value *of all other instruments and parts
thereof sent abroad during December, 1915,
amounted to $98,990. The total exports for the
twelve months under this heading foot up $835,-
934, as against $567,219 exported during the same
period of last year.
STEINWAY GRANDS IN MILWAUKEE.
NORTH CO. REMODELING STORE.
Edmund Gram Music House Reports Numerous
Sales of These Instruments—Being Used in
Concerts and Recitals During the Season.
Lester Piano Headquarters in Reading Will Be
Modernized and Greatly Enlarged.
(Special to The Review.)
READING, PA., February 28.—The North Piano
Co., 15 North Fifth street, is planning extensive
alterations. It is the purpose of the company to
make its store one of the most attractive and up-
to-date music houses in this section.
The growing business of the company is com-
pelling this alteration. The store on North Fifth
street is one of the branch establishments of the
F. A. North Co., which represents the Lester piano.
Because of the reliable product which it handles,
the business of the local company has grown to
large proportions in this city and section.
The display windows will be remodeled. The
entire first floor will be practically built into one
large room. Electric and other fixtures will be
artistically arranged to harmonize with the at-
mosphere of a piano salesroom. The work of re-
modeling will be started at once.
MILWAUKEE, WIS., February 29.—Arthur Shat-
tuck, the noted pianist, used the Steinway, fur-
nished by the Edmund Gram Piano House, at the
recital given at the Pabst Theatre on February
24. Elsa Kellner, the soprano, also appeared on
the program, and the Steinway was used by her
accompanist, J. Erich Schmaal, the prominent
Milwaukee pianist. The audience was favorably
impressed with the Steinway, for, as usual, the
instrument gave an excellent account of itself.
Clarence S. Hammond, sales manager of the
Edmund Gram Piano House, is making some es-
pecially fine sales of Steinway grands to people
in Milwaukee and about the State during the ab-
sence of Edmund Gram in New York.
JANUARY EXPORTS $335,535,000.
Reports Show an Excess of Exports Over Im-
ports for the Month of $151,332,000.
Total exports of merchandise from the United
States during the month of January amounted to
$335,535,000, as compared with $352,800,000 in De-
cember and $267,801,000 in January, 1915.
Imports in January amounted to $184,192,000,
leaving an excess of exports over imports of
$151,332,000, as against $187,459,000 in December
and $145,536,000 in January, 1915.
Shipments of merchandise for the seven months
ended January 31 were valued at $2,181,312,000, a
total 64 per cent, greater than in the same period
of the previous year. Export balance for the
seven months was $1,084,333,000, as compared with
$403,957,019 in 1915 and $454,050,000 in 1914 and
$430,149,000 in 1913.
WINTER & CO.
22% SOUTHERN BOULEVARD, NEW YORK
Manufacturers of
(Special to The Review.)
PIANO DR1VER_SUES FORD CO.
Seeks Damages for Injuries Sustained When
Rear Wheel on Motor Truck Collapsed.
James Costello, a chauffeur, brought a $30,000
damage suit against the Ford Motor Co. of Michi-
gan in the United States District Court last week.
He alleges in his complaint that on March 18, 1915,
while driving a Ford motor truck for the Lauter
Piano Co. in Jersey City a rear wheel collapsed,
throwing him to the ground, fracturing his skull
and causing the loss of his left eye. He contends
that the accident was not due to carelessness on his
part, but was caused by the negligence of the Ford
officials in allowing a truck with a defective wheel
tc leave the factory. He is represented by Arm-
strong, Brown & Purdy, of 27 Cedar street.
Superior Pianos
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