Music Trade Review

Issue: 1917 Vol. 64 N. 8

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
65
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE RAVAGES OF TROPICAL ANTS
THE SHELLAC QUESTION
Piano Manufacturers Doing an Export Trade
Will Find This Subject an Interesting One
Shellac Containing Rosin Will Not Dissolve As
It Should—Some Hints for Piano Workers
Who Find Difficulties Along This Line
Periodically we hear stories about the rav-
ages of ants in connection with woodwork
shipped to some of the Latin-American countries.
The metal furniture people have made good use
of these stories in promoting the sale of metal
furniture, and the white ant problem was one
mentioned by Robert E. Simmons in an ad-
dress on veneers in South America, at the recent
meeting of veneer and panel manufacturers. He
says the ants eat up every article of wood that
comes their way, including furniture, houses,
bridges, cross-ties, etc.
There is no questioning the fact that ants do
violence to wood in some parts of the tropics.
There is a question involved here, however,
which we should seek a solution for, and that is
the question of rinding a wood that will resist
the ants or developing a method of treatment
that will render wood proof against the attacks
of these insects.
As to various woods, a state forester, in an ad-
dress before a gathering of architects recently,
said that at Panama there were found some ties
in a good state of preservation that were put
down a good many years ago. These were of
lignumvitae, and serve to show that some woods
will resist decay and ravages of insects, and it is
possible we may discover some species in our
cabinet woods that will do the same.
It is more likely, however, that the best results
along this line will be obtained through research
work to develop a species of chemical treatment
or outer coating or finish for furniture or other
woodwork that will render it proof from these
insects. It would seem much better to spend
some time and money in experiment with this
end in view than simply admit that ants do dam-
age and refrain from trying to develop a trade
because of this difficulty.
PIANO PLATES
Made by
Plate Makers Who Know
for
Piano Makers Who Know
Matawan Steel and Iron Co.
Matawan
New Jersey
Agreeing that alcohol will cut or dissolve gum
shellac, the only question is, what is wrong when
a certain lot of alleged shellac fails to submit
to this cutting action of the alcohol? It is well
known, of course, that the finer the shellac is
pulverized the easier it is for the alcohol to act,
but if the shellac contains any rosin—and a lot
of it does—no matter how finely pulverized it
may be, it will not dissolve right. That is to
say, the rosin will dissolve first, and the result
will be a gum at the bottom.
As to its quality, if it is dirty and bad, don't
use it. It is not at all difficult to buy per-
fectly clean shellac. Get the brown shellac that
comes in thin flakes, use wood or grain alcohol
—never use denatured alcohol. Of course, it
will require an occasional shaking, and when
dissolved in an agitator, as when large quantities
are wanted, there is no setting of the gum. But
even when it does settle, it is not a hard thing
to get it mixed with the alcohol. No, it is the
rosin shellac that is difficult or impossible to
mix.
As to denatured alcohol, it will cut shellac
when its denaturant is wood alcohol, but if it is
a hydrocarbon, then it will not properly dissolve
the shellac. The manufacturers have a special
permit for denaturing alcohol for use in var-
nishes, etc., but when we go to the store to buy
denatured alcohol we do not get the kind suit-
able for use with shellac.
Another possible trouble with shellac may
arise from trying to dissolve too large a quan-
tity with the amount of liquid used. Where a
large amount of gum is to be cut there will be
trouble unless the proper apparatus is used for
the mixing. In very many cases it will be found
best to buy the shellac in liquid form, ready for
use, and buying from a responsible party. Just
now shellac is high and scarce, owing to the diffi-
culty of getting it from abroad. Hence there
will be added temptation for sophisticating the
gum. Look out for this adulteration more than
ever, as it is liable to be encountered frequently
in these times of scarce supplies and consequent
high prices.
A good way to pulverize gum shellac, accord-
ing to Ashmun A. Kelly, writing in Veneers,
where the quantity is rather small, is to place it
And when you're satisfied
that we've the best punch-
ings on the market, cut
clean and accurately from
the best of material in cellu-
loid, cloth, felt, fibre,
leather, paper, rubber or
whatever you want, give
us credit and send your
orders to
CF. GOEPELAVCO
137 E A S T I3 T -* ST.
NEW YORK
in a strong bag and hammer it. White or
bleached shellac can be bought ready granu-
lated. Tt is not so much used as the brown or
orange color. It is also more likely to be adul-
terated, and often contains water, which makes
it difficult to dissolve.
Consult the universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge for men who desire positions
of any kind.
The Ohio Veneer Co.
CINCINNATI, O.
Importers and Manufacturers of Figured
Mahogany and Foreign Woods for high*
grade piano cases and cabinets.
m
N*w York Office and Samplm Room
Grand Central Palace Bid*.
Lexington Kw: and 46th St.
G. H. VAUGHAN. Eastern Representative
T H E COMSTOCK, CHENEY & CO.,
1V0RYT0N C0NN
^MANUFACTURERS:
'
-
Piano-forte Ivory Keys, Actions and Hammers,
Ivory and Composition Covered Organ Keys
GRUBB & KO8EGARTEN BROS.
Manufacturer* ot HIGH GRADE
PIANO-FORTE ACTIONS
NASSAU. Rensselaer County. N. Y.
THE STANDARD CO., T0R c R S T011
Established 1853
SYLVESTER TOWER CO.
Tower* Above
All Other*
Manufacturer.
G r a n d a n d Upright Piano-forte Actions SSt
Keys, Actions, Hammers. Brackets and Nickel Rail Furnished Complete
131 to 147 Broadway
.
.
.
CAMBRIDGEPORT, MASS.
WESSELL, NICKEL & GROSS
MANUFACTURERS
OF
Manufacturers of a
Complete Line of Piano Action Hardware
Bras* Flanges, Damper Rods, Special Capstan Screws,
Bracket and Ball Bolts. Key Pins, Regulating Brackets
and Specialties.
PIANO
HIGHEST GRADE
WHITE, SON COMPANY
Manufacturers
ORGAN AND PLAYER-PIANO LEATHERS
530-540 ATLANTIC AVENUE
ACTIONS
WksSELLf
OFFICE
457 WEST FORTY-FIFTH ST.
HEW YORK.
ONE GRADE ONLY
MARK.
FACTORIES—WEST FORTY-FIFTH ST.
Twta ATCBM ami West Fwty-Sixtfc Street
NEW YORK
BOSTON. MASS.
A. C. CHENEY PIANO ACTION CO.
«i j PNEUMATIC ACTIONS FOR PLAYER-PIANOS
oi -j HIGH-GRADE PIANOFORTE ACTIONS
CASTLETON, NEW YORK
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
66
THE
MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
BRADT REPORTS GOOD OUTLOOK
THE USE OF EDUCATIONAL BOOKS
ANNOUNCING 1917 BROOKS MODEL
General Sales Manager for Columbia Co., Just
Returned From Trip, Comments on Conditions
Victor Talking Machine Co. Sends Circular to
Dealers Outlining Methods for Proper Order-
ing and Distributing of Various Publications
of Its Educational Department
Automatic Stop and Repeater Exclusive Fea-
tures of New Model Brooks Phonograph Be-
ing Placed on the Market by the Brooks Co.
"The optimism, which is country-wide at the
present time, is remarkable," said James P.
Bradt, general sales manager of the Columbia
Graphophone Co., New York, who returned this
week from a visit to Pittsburgh, Cincinnati,
Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, Indian-
apolis, Boston and Toronto, Can. Mr. Bradt is
recognized as one of the best-posted members
of the talking machine industry, and his com-
ments anent the business situation are based on
a careful study of industrial conditions.
"On this trip I did not find one man who
could see anything but a wonderful year from a
business standpoint, without regard to any de-
velopment in the 'war' situation. At the most,
the business men of the country believe that a
real state of war would only create a ripple in
general conditions.
"Our own business is splendid, and every one
of our wholesale distributing centers closed a
record-breaking year. February sales to date
give every indication of this month being the
largest in the history of the company, with the
possible exception of last December.
"Our Canadian manager, Mr. Cabanas, is clos-
ing a phenomenal business in the Dominion of
Canada, and his figures for 1916 showed an in-
crease of more than 700 per cent, over any year's
business prior to 1910."
TALKING MACHINE EXPORTS
The Figures for December Presented—Exports
Show Increase for the Month
WASHINGTON, D. C, February 19.—In the sum-
mary of the exports and imports of the com-
merce of the United States for the month of
December, 1916, (the latest period for which it
has been compiled), which has just been issued
by the Bureau of Statistics of the Department
of Commerce and Labor, the following figures
regarding talking machines and supplies appear:
Talking machines to the number of 8,987
valued at $225,577, were exported in December,
1916, as compared with 2,967 talking machines,
valued at $95,688, sent abroad in the same
month of 1915. The total exports of records
and supplies for December were valued at
$105,120 as compared with $57,829 in December,
1915. For the twelve months 64,996 talking ma-
chines were exported valued at $1,640,208 in
1916, and 28,994, valued at $885,306, in 1915,
while records and supplies valued at $1,227,005
were sent abroad during 1916, as against 764,526
in 1915.
In a recent circular to dealers the Victor Talk-
ing Machine Co. offers some general informa-
tion regarding the proper manner of ordering
and distributing the various educational books
and the quantity of educational literature issued
by that company. Special attention is called to
the fact that the various volumes such as the
"English" booklet and the "Physical Educa-
tion" and "Rural" booklets are designed for
special purposes. The "Rural" booklet, for in-
stance, is only for rural and small town schools,
and not for city schools, and "Physical Educa-
tion" is designed only for those teachers in
schools or playgrounds who teach folk dancing
and calisthenics, etc. In no cases are the book-
lets to go to the pupils. Attention is also called
to the new edition of "What We Hear in Music,"
and which has been greatly improved and espe-
cially adapted as a text book for high schools,
colleges, clubs, etc, A paragraph of the cir-
cular is also devoted to the interesting volume
"Pan and His Pipes," and which the dealers are
advised to bring before the mothers of their
communities, as well as the teachers. The grow-
ing importance of the educational work being
conducted by the Victor Co., through the co-
operation of its own educational department with
the distributors and dealers make advice on the
proper handling of educational matter of this
kind both very timely and quite welcome.
J. H. FLETCHER IN TOWN
James H. Fletcher, who conducts the finest
music store in British Columbia, Can., accom-
panied by Tom Switzer, the manager of his
store in Vancouver, B. C, were visitors this
week at the executive offices of the Columbia
Graphophone Co., New York.
Mr. Fletcher
handles the Columbia line exclusively in his
main establishment at Victoria, and in his store
at Vancouver, and is enthusiastic regarding the
progress which the Columbia products are mak-
ing in his territory.
NEW DEPARTMENT FOR VICTROLAS
B. Feldman & Sons, talking machine and
furniture dealers of Little Falls, N. Y., have
moved their Victrola department to the ground
floor of the building and have installed three
sound proof booths for demonstration purposes.
The department is under the management of
R. W. Cain.
VER since the invention of the Talking Machine the big problem has been to eliminate the " needle scratch.'
Various devices have been applied to the sound box, all of which acted as mufflers. The tone was modified but
I the scratch remained. You endured the scratch to enjoy the music. With the "Little One-der" you can enjoy
without enduring. You will be astonished at the tone improvement in all records, especially the new life and sweet, pure
tone of your old and worn favorites that have become noisy and scratchy from long use. Adds one-third to the life of
any record. You really must have it because it makes your Talking Machine investment doubly valuable. Instantly
attached to any needle machine, Pathe or Victrola, order today, post paid 75c, money back if not satisfied.
E
Big Seller for Dealers.
BIG DISCOUNT.
BROWN MUSIC CO., 3018 91st St., Chicago, Dept. A
The Brooks Mfg. Co., Saginaw, Mich., one
of the country's leading furniture manufacturers,
who achieved very pleasing success in 1916 with
the Brooks phonograph, has placed on the mar-
ket the 1917 model of the Brooks phonograph,
which embodies a number of distinctive features.
The company is planning a national advertis-
ing campaign in behalf of this instrument, and
will use double-page spreads, similar to the ad-
vertisement that appears in another section of
this issue of The Review, with the wording
changed to make an appeal to the consumer.
The 1917 Brooks phonograph will embody an
automatic stop and repeater that are exclusive
features of this phonograph, and are not em-
bodied in any other instrument. Both of these
devices were carefully tested out under all con-
ditions before being offered to the trade, and
the repeater, particularly, which is the inven-
tion of B. A. Brooks, vice-president of the
company, is one of the most interesting devices
ever presented to talking machine dealers.
This repeater is manipulated by means of a
dial, there being no button to push and noth-
ing to move, the device being absolutely fool-
proof. It is only necessary to set the needle
at the inner edge of the record cutting, and then
move the pointer on the dial to the word "con-
tinue" or to the figure indicating the number of
times the record is to be repeated. This re-
peater can be utilized for any size of record,
and in operation the needle is lifted automatic-
ally and gently deposited at the outer edge of
the record, accurately and safely.
The Brooks Mfg. Co. occupies a fifteen-acre
factory at Saginaw, Mich., and the company is
generally recognized as one of the most suc-
cessful and prominent producers of high-grade
furniture. It is splendidly equipped to manu-
facture a high-class phonograph, and in its
bulletin to the trade, the company calls atten-
tion to the fact that its 1916 output was con-
tracted for within thirty days of the time it
made its first announcement, and that dealers
will find it advantageous to give careful con-
sideration to the 1917 Brooks phonograph be-
fore the 1917 output is also all under contract.
BISHOP LEAVES BLACKMAN CO.
Takes Ownership of Ridgewood Talking Ma-
chine Co., of Ridgewood, N. J.
L. W. Bishop, the veteran of the traveling
sales staff of the Blackman Talking Machine
Co., New York, Victor distributors, resigned
from this position last week to become the own-
er of the Ridgewood Talking Machine Co.,
Ridgewood, N. J., which will handle the Victor
line exclusively. Mr. Bishop is well-versed in
the Victor retail business, and is planning to
make his establishment a model Victor retail
store.
Alexander J. Wilckens, of the Blackman
wholesale staff, will cover New York City, the
territory formerly handled by Mr. Bishop, and
Edgar S. Palmer will visit the Blackman dealers
in New Jersey.
H A Y N E ' O L A
The Instrument of Quality
Plays all Disc Records made,
without changing parts.
We have the right Instrument and
the right discount for the dealer.
Can satisfy the most conservative.
It will pay you Mr. Dealer to write us.
Hayne'ola Phonograph Corporation
OTTAWA
ILLINOIS

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