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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
JANUARY TRADE IN BALTIMORE EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS
Dealers Advertising Extensively, and Collections Are Excellent—Stieff Reports Great Demand for
Players—Many Cash Sales at Knabe Headquarters—G. W. Wigley Passes Away
BALTIMORE, Ma, January 29.—January in the
piano trade in this section proved to be far bet-
ter than many of the local dealers had antici-
pated. The indications are that when the fig-
ures are compiled for the month almost all the
houses will find that it was the best January
they have ever had. The few dealers who found
things rather dull immediately after the Christ-
mas rush soon found that things recovered
more rapidly than any previous year with the
result that during about the second week things
began to pick up, and they continued to improve
throughout the month.
Many Baltimore dealers are now doing busi-
ness which is far greater than that done dur-
ing some of the best months of last year.
Realizing that there is money about and the
public is willing to buy, several of the houses
are using big newspaper space for their adver-
tising. They are having good results. Col-
lections also are good. They seem to be bet-
ter with most houses than they have been for
some time past. The dealers also are securing
better payments on instruments, and the month-
ly payments are better than ever before.
S. P. Walker, general manager for the firm
of Charles M. Stieff, reports that this month is
the best the firm has ever had in this city. He
also says that by the weekly reports, which have
been coming into the main office here from the
branch stores in other cities, it looks as though
most of this will round out the best January
they have ever had. The firm is just as busy
as it can be, and Mr. Walker says the factory
is unable to meet the big demand which it is
having for the Stieff Petite grand piano. Local
conditions are particularly pleasing to the mem-
bers of the firm. The work of the local sales
force is performed under the supervision of
George W. Stieff. Robert Mouat did particu-
larly well during the month. The principal as-
sistants to Mr. Stieff, who have been responsible
for the large amount of business, include Mr.
Mouat, E. F. Panetti and S. W. Ahalt. All of
these men have put forth their best efforts,
and the results are more than pleasing to them
as well as to the members of the firm.
Frederick P. Stieff, Jr., of the Stieff firm, has
been on a business trip to Pittsburgh, and J. G.
Schnepfe, the firm's auditor, has returned from
a trip to Allentown and Scranton.
A good week's business was done by William
Knabe & Co., reports E. C. Taylor, the sales
manager. Most of the sales made during the
week were of the higher grade instruments,
many of the customers paying spot cash. The
Knabe salesmen all are pulling together, and
have determined to make this year the best the
house has ever had. By the way they are work-
ing the heads of the house feel sure that they
will accomplish the task. Mr. Taylor is high in
his praise for the men under him. He has found
nothing but co-operation, and is free to say
what he thinks of the way the men are winning
out in their work.
Business is keeping up well with the H. D.
French Piano Co., distributors of the W. W.
Kimball instruments. Mr. French, head of the
house, says that he has no cause for com-
plaint, as things are moving along in a most
satisfactory manner.
ETTER Piano or Player-
Piano value cannot be
found. You had better
investigate the Schmidt-
Dauber instruments.
B
409 W E S T 14TH S T . NEW YORK
C. B. Noon, manager of the piano department
of The Hub, and also of Hecht Brothers & Co.,
has returned from a business trip to New York
City, which was a very successful one. Both
houses under the management of Mr. Noon are
doing a growing business.
Joseph M. Mann, of the Mann Piano Co.', re-
turned to Baltimore chuck full of enthusiasm
after the big Chicago gathering of piano men.
Business with the firm is moving along at a
very good rate, and there is no complaint to
make.
George William Wigley, fifty-five years old,
one of the oldest music dealers of the city,
died suddenly yesterday of apoplexy. He was
stricken while clearing the sidewalk in front of
his Home and store at 240 South Broadway of
snow. He learned the piano business with the
old firm of William Heinekamp, and of recent
years has been conducting a music store.
The Hub Piano Co., local representatives of
the Smith & Barnes, Christman and Milton in-
struments, make cheery business reports, and
are selling a great many player-pianos.
Herbert Simpson, vice-president of Kohler &
Campbell, Inc., was a visitor to the city to-day.
He called on Joseph M. Mann, president of the
Piano Dealers' Association of Baltimore. Ed-
ward F. Droop, of E. F. Droop & Sons Co., Inc.,
also spent considerable time in conference with
Mr. Mann.
LIVELY TRADE IN CINCINNATI
Many Instalment Customers Paying Up in Full
—Manager Greulich Returns From Florida—
Visitors and Other News of Interest
CINCINNATI, O., January 30.—"Landed our share"
is the general verdict of the merchants in speak-
ing of the results obtained during January, the
first month after the biggest holiday business
in the history of the trade. The tone of the
market is a healthy one, and the merchants
believe the demands this spring will be consid-
erable above normal.
At the Cable Company there is a disposition
on the part of the old customers to wipe out
their accounts—save themselves the weekly or
monthly trip to the collection window, according
to Acting Manager Garthwaite, who was re-
lieved to-day by Manager Greulich. The latter
returned from a vacation in Florida, much im-
proved in health. . Mr. Garthwaite reports an
exceptional demand for the expensive styles of
Mason & Hamlin pianos.
Geo. P. Gross, Main street piano merchant,
is now the president of the business association
comprising the merchants on that thoroughfare.
His administration promises to be the most im-
portant in the history of the organization, for it
will^have a lion's share in preparing for the
dedication of the new Court House, which is
now under roof.
O. W. Williams was here last week on his
visit since becoming the secretary of the R. S.
Howard Co. He was a caller at the Otto Grau
Piano Co. Otto Grau, the president, returned
Saturday from New York City. While there
he called on the several connections of the local
house, including Kranich & Bach.
Between superintending a unique window
display and moving, F. B. Beinkamp, of the
Church-Beinkamp Co., is a busy man. He is
now domiciled in his new home on East Wal-
nut Hills.
D. F. Summey, of the Cable Company, was
hovering about Kentucky last week, picking up
orders.
Kenneth Curtis, of the Milton Piano Co., was
in the city last week.
The Weisbrod Music Co. has opened a music
store at 33 North Ninth street, Richmond, Ind.,
carrying a full line of Mehlin & Sons and Emer-
son pianos, in addition to the Columbia Grafo-
nola.
Victrola XIV, $150
Mahogany or oak
Other styles $15 to $400
Victrola
supremacy
The enormous public
demand for the Victrola
is an endorsement of its
supremacy.
Victor dealers are success-
ful because they give the
public what it wants.
Victor Talking Machine Co.,
Camden, N. J., U. S. A.
Berliner Gramophone Co., Montreil,
Canadian Distributor!
Important Notice. All Victor Talking Machines are
patented and are only licensed, and with right of use with
Victor Records only. All Victor Records are patented and
are only licensed, and,with right of use on Victor Talk-
ing Machines only.
Victor Records and Victor Machines are scientifically
co-ordinated and synchronized by our special processes of
manufacture; and their use, except with each other; is
not only unauthorized, but damaging and unsatisfactory.