Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1919 Vol. 68 N. 5

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE
FEBRUARY 1, 1919
REVIEW
13
WANE OF INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC HELPS SAN FRANCISCO
Music Dealers Report Increasing Business—L. S. Sherman as a Whale-Catcher—Duo-Art Sym-
phony Concert This Week—Good Fotoplayer Installations—Personals and Other News
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., January 23.—After spend-
ing half a century in selling musical instruments
and in using his every energy for the advance-
ment of all things musical, it is not often that
a man then turns to whale catching. But that
is the very thing which L. S. Sherman, of Sher-
man, Clay & Co., has done. Mr. Sherman is
very proud of his big music house and he de-
lights to take visitors through the various de-
partments and show how completely the estab-
lishment is stocked. In the future, however,
when those prominent in the trade or in the
musical profession pay their respects to Mr.
Sherman the visitor is apt to be invited on a
whale fishing trip on the whaling boat "Her-
cules." Just before the war in Europe broke
out Mr. Sherman became interested in the
possibilities of catching whales on this coast.
He gave some financial backing to a company
which was formed at the time, and is one of
the two men who have stayed with the com-
pany down to the present. The war kept back
the enterprise, but now under the name of the
California Sea Products Co. a vessel valued at
$50,000 has been purchased and a plant repre-
senting an expenditure of over $100,000 has been
erected at Moss Landing some miles south of
San Francisco. Mr. Sherman is vice-president
of the company and one of its active directors.
On January 22 the first whale, a 50-foot sperm,
said to be worth about $5,000, was caught in
sight of land off Moss Landing, and Mr. Sher-
man now talks as glibly about blubber and
whalebone as he formerly did of pianos and
talking machines. Selling pianos is business,
but catching whales is a sport fit for a king.
If the two could only be combined—if only a
talking machine, or piano, or possibly one of the
big Fotoplayers which Sherman, Clay & Co. are
now retailing in this territory could be rigged
up in the prow of the steamer, and the whale
charmed to destruction with the peals of sweet
music, Oh, Lorelei, where then would be the
boasts of thy song?
prices may come down before the close of the
year, but lower prices are not looked for in the
immediate future. The manufacturers must be
given a chance to reduce their stocks and the
dealers must be given the opportunity to clear
their floors before any material reduction is
looked for. Many would-be purchasers seem to
think that prices should be marked down at
once, but the music houses are firm in their
intention to take no serious losses on their
stocks. The only possible danger in the situa-
tion is the remote chance that some makers
may throw a large number of pianos on the
market at greatly reduced prices and so de-
moralize the entire market. This possibility is
regarded as very slight, however, as the dealers
here have every confidence that the manufac-
turers will stand together and will see that
any reductions which may come shall come by
degrees.
Herbert Marple Sending in Big Orders
Herbert Marple, who is traveling for the
sheet music department of Sherman, Clay &
Co., is still in the East and is sending in some
big orders. E. P. Little, head of the depart-
ment, says that "Mummy Mine" is becoming
popular throughout the East.
Duo-Art Piano at Symphony Concert
The Duo-Art piano will make its bow in sym-
phony work with the San Francisco Symphony
Orchestra at a concert to be given January 31.
A private rehearsal will be given the preceding
day for the benefit of the press, and on Sunday,
February 2, the second concert will be given.
The appearance of the Duo-Art at a symphony
concert has been tried successfully at New
York, Philadelphia and Chicago, but this is the
first time for San Francisco. Alfred Hertz, the
conductor of the orchestra, was violently op-
posed at first to the use of the Duo-Art, but
when he learned that he himself would control
absolutely the operation of the instrument he
consented to try it out and he is now said to be
an enthusiastic supporter of the Duo-Art.
Fotoplayer in Dallas Theatre
Influenza on the Wane
The epidemic of influenza seems to have
George Levy, of the San Francisco headquar-
reached its height in this city and it is now ters of the American Photo Player Co., visited
decidedly on the decline. Whether or not this Oklahoma City on business recently, and while
is due to the general wearing of masks is a there he ran down to Dallas, Tex., and landed
mooted question. The advocates of the mask one of the theatres there for a Fotoplayer.
point to the very material decline in the num-
Two Dutch theatre exhibitors from Java were
ber of cases reported, while the opponents show visitors to the American Photo Player Co. this
by the same figures that cases showed a large, week. They are greatly interested in the work-
steady reduction before the mask ordinance was ing of the instrument.
enforced. At any rate the worst of the epidemic
Some Fotoplayer Installations
has passed, and the people are visiting the
Eddy Boyens, of the installation department
stores with practically the same lack of re- of the American Photo Player Co., left for
straint as in ordinary times. This is not one Phoenix recently to install a Fotoplayer there,
of the liveliest periods in the music business and before he completed the work he was or-
here, but from all reports business is normal. dered to Georgia to install two other Foto-
The local houses are all pretty well stocked players.
and they are not inclined to increase their sup-
P. G. Jacobus, Jr., secretary of the American
ply of pianos at least until reconstruction has Photo Player Co., has gone to Cincinnati to
advanced further. It is said by some that piano superintend the construction of Fotoplayers
there. He will remain indefinitely.
"A Wonderful Thing" Makes Big Hit
Arthur W. Fisk, of the Fisk Music Co., says
that "A Wonderful Thing" is proving one of
the most popular songs sung in this city. He
has been called to make over fifty-odd arrange-
ments for public singers who were not satis-
fied with the song in the published keys.
Alfred Dolge Back Home
Alfred Dolge, of Los Angeles, is just back
The Auto Grand
from a visit to the Haddorff factory at Rock-
The Krell Auto Grand
ford, 111. While he missed the coldest weather
he is glad to get back again to the land of
The Krell Player
sunshine, even if he does have to cover his
Quality products that will enable the dealer to close
smile with a "flu" mask.
Krell
Duchess, Mervy n
Royal
a quality business at a substantial profit.
Write for Catalog
THE WERNER INDUSTRIES CO.
9th and Harriet St..,
CINCINNATI, O.
The Armstrong-Matthews Music Co., Enid,
Okla., has been incorporated with capital stock
of $25,000, all paid in. The step was taken in
order to distinguish the concern from companies
doing business under a similar name.
Talking Points
In Every
SEEBURG
"X"
PRESSION
Reproducing
Piano
(Coin-Operated)
Your customers will
appreciate them all.
But the
crowning
argument lies in giving
them a
Practical
Demonstration
in your own Ware-
rooms.
"Ever ybody is de-
lighted, everybody
Wants"
The Seeburg
A presston
Reproducing Piano
Write us TO-DAY for
pertinent facts
J. P. SEEBURG
PIANO COMPANY
"Leaders in the Automatic Field"
Republic Building, 209 South State Street
Factories, Seeburg Building, 419 Wett Erie Street
CHICAGO
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
14
THE
MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Madame Alma Webster Powell
music she speaks of are based upon the laws of
science. She has spent years of profound study
and research in her field and is indorsed by
some of the best-known musicians and scien-
tists in the country. Of almost equal impor-
tance with the strength of her arguments is
the delightful manner in which she demonstrates
them. The musical program supplementing her
lecture is of the highest type of entertainment.
The bureau cannot recommend too strongly
the benefit the trade will derive wherever
Madame Powell appears in a community. The
re suit will be more immediate business and more
business in the future.
Madame Powell's demonstration of the
powers of music leaves a lasting impression.
People will think about it, will regard music in
a new light, and will see that it becomes a fac-
tor in their home life.
Madame Powell can be secured for a sum that
is small in comparison with her standing as an
artist and with the value of her services.
Several dealers acting in co-operation could
easily bring her to their city, engage a hall and
fill it with their prospects, each dealer being ap-
portioned tickets according to his contribution
toward the expenses. These tickets could then
be distributed among the dealer's prospects or
those he hoped to make prospects, and the re-
sult would be that a foundation would be laid
for the salesmen's arguments of the greatest
value in closing sales. The expense to each
dealer would be very small.
Where co-operation does not seem possible
a single dealer acting independently could man-
age the whole thing. His expenses would be
larger, of course, but so would the advantage
be proportionately greater.
If it is not feasible to arrange for Madame
Powell's appearance under the auspices of one
or more dealers, the best thing for the progres-
sive element among the local trade to do would
be to induce some woman's club, musical club
or other organization to engage her. This
would insure publicity for her message in the
community, although it would not afford the
dealers the same opportunity of having their
prospects present as would an engagement under
their own auspices.
The bureau requests that all dealers interested
in the possibility of securing Madame Powell
write immediately to C. M. Tremaine, director,
105 West Fortieth street. A booklet giving full
description of her work in opera and concert
and on the lecture platform will also be sent
to those desiring it.
OPERATION FOR CHAS. E. CAMERON
FIGURES ON FOREIGN TRADE
President of Lauter Piano Co. Now on Road to
Recovery in Atlantic City Hospital
The Total Shows a Small Net Increase—Gain in
Imports More Than Offsetting the Decline in
Exports—Ocean Tonnage Improves
LECTURES BY MADAME POWELL ATTRACTING ATTENTION
Music Dealers Showing Great Interest in Lecture Tour Planned for Madame Alma Webster Powell
by the National Bureau for the Advancement of Music—Music's Relation to Health
The tour planned for Madame Alma Webster
Powell by the National Bureau for the Ad-
vancement of Music is an event of importance
to the music trade and one that every progres-
sive dealer should try to take advantage of. Al-
though designed primarily to bring her to the
universities and colleges throughout the coun-
try it will enable her to reach many cities en
route whose people should hear her message
telling them the facts about the relation of
music to health.
The practical value of laying these facts be-
fore prospects cannot be too strongly empha-
sized. Madame Powell demonstrates just how
music Qxerts its beneficial effects on the nervous
system and how to bring its influence to bear to
soothe, or to stimulate, according to need. In
this connection her exposition of the methods
of musicotherapy, as they are being used for
the wounded soldiers, will be a revelation to the
folks who have always thought that music was
something dedicated exclusively to the pleas-
urable spending of leisure time.
Equally important for every possible pur-
chaser of an instrument to hear is what Madame
Powell says of the potency of music as an aid
in promoting the happiness of home life and the
welfare of the children. One of the most ef-
fective points she makes in her discussion of
this subject is that music, applied with dis-
crimination, is of great assistance in the treat-
ment of common household diseases.
Both Madame Powell's lecture-recitals, "Music
as a Human Need" and "Music in the Home,"
present facts of great benefit for the trade to
bring before the public. The first mentioned
has the great advantage of being unique. It
concentrates on music as a health agency and
makes clear the physical benefits attainable by
every man, woman and child through its help.
The program of this lecture-recital is as follows:
Part 1—Lecture
Its healing effect upon the nervous system.
Its importance as a remedy in nerve disturb-
ances, acting both as a stimulant and a sedative,
according to individual need. The recognition
of its usefulness in the physical rehabilitation
of the soldiers. The power of music in con-
serving youth and general health, and in pro-
longing the period of efficiency of the business
man and the woman burdened with increasing
demands upon her time and strength.
Influ-
ence of music in relaxing tense muscles of the
face and the accompanying lines resulting there-
from. The special relation of music to per-
sonal and public health in the present strenuous
times.
Part 2—Musical Program
Illustrating types of music for various types
of mind.
1. Erzebet Aria from Hunyadi Lazo
Erkel
2 "II est bon, il est doux" from Hero-
diade
Massenet
3. "Una voce, poco fa" from Barber of
Seville
Rossini
4. "Un bel di vedreno" from Madame
Butterfly
Puccini
5. Those Evening Bells
Pirani
6. Queen of Night Aria from Magic
Flute
Mozart
FEBRUARY 1, 1919
7. Baby
Mallinson
8. Aria from Thais
Massenet
9. Polonaise from Mignon
Thomas
10. Sa chevelure
Debussey
11. Los Consejos—Spanish Aria
Alvarez
12. Land of the Sky Blue Water
Cadman
Madame Powell's work is doubly impressive,
because she shows clearly that the effects of
NEWARK, N. J., January 27.—Charles E. Cam-
eron, president of the Lauter Piano Co., is at
present in the Atlantic City Hospital, Atlantic
City, N. J., on the road to recovery from the
effects of a surgical operation, and expects to
be able to leave the hospital in three weeks or
so. Mr. Cameron went to Atlantic City two
weeks ago for a short vacation, and was taken
ill suddenly. The operation was decided upon
after examination.
TUNERS PROVE TOO STRENUOUS
It is right and proper that piano tuners
should be energetic in going after business, but
a pair operating in and about Salem, Mass., and
said to represent a concern in Worcester, Mass.,
appear to have been a trifle too energetic, so
much so, in fact, that householders appealed to
the local police to curb their strenuous meth-
ods, which appeared chiefly to consist of "bawl-
ing out" piano owners who refused to have
their instruments looked after.
Figures covering the foreign trade of the
United States during 1918, announced this week
by the Department of Commerce, show a small
net increase in the total, a gain in imports more
than offsetting the decline in exports. The
value of exports during the year was reported
as approximately $6,150,000,000, compared with
$0,226,255,000 in 1917, while the value of imports
was $3,031,000,000, against $2,952,465,000 in 1917.
Exports during December were valued at $566,-
000,000, a gain from $522,171,664 in November,
imports aggregating $211,000,000 compared with
$251,008,037 in the preceding month. The im-
provement in the supply of ocean tonnage and
the removal of restrictions on foreign commerce
by the Government are factors tending toward
an expansion of trade, but conditions of supply
and demand in the world's markets may prevent
such a development reaching any great propor-
tions at this time.
MOTOR CYCLE FOR DELIVERY
Pianos and Player-Pianos
of Superior Quality
Moderately Priced and Easy to Sell
Don't fail to inveatigata
444-448 Weit 13th St.
New Yo r k
Popular Mechanics recently printed a pic-
ture of a motor cycle with sidecar owned by a
musical instrument dealer, and used by him in a
hilly section of the Middle West in delivering
pianos and organs as well as talking machines.
The chassis of the sidecar is provided with a
platform to which the instrument is securely
strapped in an upright position. According to
the dealer he has never had any serious diffi-
culty in reaching a destination with a heavy load.
A Leader with Talking Points that
Convince
OTTO WISSNER, Inc.
5$ and 57 Flatbuah Are.
BROOKLYN

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