Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
NOVEMBER 9,
THE MUSIC TRADE
1918
REVIEW
PITTSBURGH ORGANIZATION WILL.AID TRADE INTERESTS
Local Piano Dealers Heartily in Favor of a Piano Men's Association, Plans for Which Are Rap-
idly Nearing Completion—Business Is Active—Christmas Advertising Appearing
Manufactured by
W. F. Frederick Piano Co., reported trade as
unusually brisk the past week and stated that
he took it as an indication that people who
wanted pianos for Christmas gifts were in the
market early so as to be sure of obtaining what
they wanted. As an indication of the character
of the trade Mr. Watkins stated that one after-
noon's sales consisted of two Knabe Ampico
grands and two Knabe Ampico uprights, a
total of $7,000 being involved in the four trans-
actions. Mr. Watkins said: "1 have been in
the piano business a number of years and this
is the first time in my career that there has
been such an insistent demand for high-grade
pianos. Of course, the reason is very plainly
apparent when it is understood that the wages
that are now disbursed weekly in the Pittsburgh
district total into the millions, and when it is
remembered that the average worker who has
a true appreciation of the need of a piano in
his home is willing to pay the price for a high-
class piano."
The C. C. Mellor Co., local representatives for
the Aeolian Co. line, have been paying special
attention to featuring the Duo-Art Pianolas in
their advertising, calling particular attention to
the perfection of the reproduction made possible
by that instrument.
Pittsburgh music houses are giving liberal
support to the campaign that has just been
started here to furnish musical instruments of
all kinds to the American soldiers "over there"
and in cantonments on this side. The campaign
in Pittsburgh has the support of prominent men
and women. The C. C. Mellor Co. has agreed
to pack for shipment all instruments turned in,
while Volkwein Bros, will make the necessary
repairs free of charge. Pittsburgh school chil-
dren will aid in the collection of the instruments.
The campaign is to close December 7.
A. B. Furlong', Jr., of the Vocalstyle Music
Co., was in Pittsburgh on a business trip.
With commendable enterprise E. F. Harwood,
the manager of the piano department of Kauf-
mann's, "The Big Store," launched his Christmas
drive for customers. Mr. Harwood, with the
use of printer's ink, impressed upon the music-
loving public, and especially upon those who
contemplated the buying of a piano or player-
piano, the need of placing orders speedily so
as to avoid delay and possible disappointment.
Horace Hays, of E. G. Hays & Co., piano
dealers, who has been quite ill for some time,
has recovered sufficiently to permit of a journey
to St. Petersburg, Fla., where he will spend the
winter. Mrs. Hays and their two sons, L,loyd
Urben and Edwin Charles, will accompany him.
Mrs. Christine Miller Clemenson, Pittsburgh's
noted contralto, left on an extended trip to the
soldier camps in the East and Southeast, where
she will give a series of concerts. Her opening
concert was at Camp Lee, Va., Friday evening,
November 1, where over 3,000 men heard her
sing.
Smith, Barnes
MISS HEALY ON WAY TO FRANCE
PITTSBURGH, PA., November 4.—Expressing the
sentiment that the most opportune time had
come for the local piano trade to be placed on
a higher ethical basis D. B. Hart, the well-
known manager of the piano department of the
May-Stern Co., stated to The Review represent-
ative that it was most fitting and proper that
the piano dealers of Pittsburgh were contem-
plating the formation of an organization for mu-
tual benefit. Mr. Hart, in the course of his
remarks on the subject, said: "There is ample
business in the Pittsburgh district for all of
the piano houses that are established here, and
there has never been any need for the piratical
actions that have characterized some of the men
who have broken into the piano trade. I am
happy to say that there are high-class piano
houses in this city whose dealings even with
competitors are fair and equitable. With such
men as members of an organization the piano
trade will be placed on a very high plane which
will command the respect of the- entire com-
munity.
"It must be remembered that, with conditions
made so by the abnormal state of affairs in the
world at large, the piano dealer has a most ex-
cellent opportunity to get on the right side of
the market. He can decide who shall and who
shall not have a piano. In other words, the
honest piano dealer will not attempt to put in
a home an instrument that under the ethical
order of things has no business there.
"Then, again, cut-throat competition is on the
sliding board and the mere fact of association
together of piano dealers in an organization
founded on mutual respect and esteem will be
a dominating factor in placing the piano trade
on the high plane that it so justly deserves. An
organization of this kind has my best wishes,
and I am sure the remainder of my brethren in
the trade will agree with me in this instance."
Mr. Hart stated that the May-Stern Co. at the
present time was actively promoting the sales
of the Kroeger, Cable & Sons and other makes
of pianos. The company recently opened a
player roll department, which is proving to be
quite an attraction, and sales of rolls are re-
ported to have fully justified the move.
G. W. Watkins, piano sales manager of the
CHARACTER
"Admirable Quality; Acknowledged Reputation"
—(.Standard Dictionary)
PIANOS
^ ^ = ^ = ^ = and
• = = = =
Strohber Co.
have for 33 years
justified their right
to be called
Pianos of Character
FACTORIES
North Milwaukee, Wii.
Chicago, III.
OFFICE
1872 Cljbourn Avenue
Chicago, 111.
Daughter of Founder of the Firm of Lyon &
Healy to Do Canteen Work in France
Miss Mary V. Healy, daughter of the late P.
J. Healy, recently passed through New York
on her way overseas, where she will engage in
aviation canteen service. Miss Healy has lived
in France, and since 1914 has been engaged in
Red Cross activities. Three of her brothers,
all well known to the trade, are in the service,
Captain Vincent E. Healy and Lieut. Augustine
Healy being in the Marine Corps, and Lieut.
Columbus Healy being attached to a machine
oun outfit.
The Melville Clark Piano Co., of Chicago, has
leased space in the building at 518 West Fifty-
fifth street, New York .City.
Victrola XVII, $275
Victrola XVII, electric, $332.50
Mahogany or oak
Other styles $22.50 to $950
".Will there be a
Victrola in your home
this Christinas?"
We do the question-
ing—in our advertising
which reaches every part
of the country.
People do the answer-
ing— by going to the
stores of Victor retailers
everywhere.
You do the business—
demonstrate the Victrola
and turn the prospect
into a customer.
Victor Talking Machine Co.
Camden, N. J., U. S. A.
" V i c t r o l a " i, the Registered Trade-mark of
the Victor Talking Machine Conpany designating
the product! of this Company only.
W a r n i n g : The ute of the word VictroU
upon or in the promotion of tale of any other
Talking Machine or Phonograph product! it mil-
leading and illegal.
Important Notice.
Victor Records and
Victor Machine* are scientifically co-ordinated
and synchronized in the processes of manufacture,
and their use, one with the other, is absolutely
essential to a perfect reproduction.
"HIS MASTERS VOICE"