Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1919 Vol. 69 N. 1

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
JULY 5,
1919
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
NEWS OF THE TRADE IN TORONTO
PORTLAND TRADE SHOWS REVIVAL
Montelius Piano House Retires From Busi-
ness—Employes of R. S. Williams & Sons
Hold Picnic—H. G. Stanton Recovers From
Recent Illness—Bloss Buys Music House
Increased Business Following Rose Festival—
Wiley B. Allen Co. Enlarging—The G. F.
Johnson Co. Displays New Sign—McDougal
Improvements About Completed
TORONTO, ONT., June 30.—The annual picnic
and excursion of the employes of the R. S.
Williams & Sons Co., Ltd., was held at Queens-
ton Heights on Thursday, June 19. The store
and wholesale warehouse were closed for the
day so that every member of both staffs could
participate in the enjoyment of the day.
The Montelius Piano House, Ltd., of Gran-
ville street, Vancouver, announce that they are
retiring from business, and the premises have
been taken over by a large mercantile establish-
ment.
Holmes Maddock, manager of the Whaley,
Royce & Co.'s wholesale music department, was
among the month's visitors to New York, where
he attended the sheet music men's convention
at the Hotel McAlpin.
J. F. Sherlock, of the Sherlock-Manning
Piano & Organ Co., returned to headquarters
at London recently, from a business trip to the
Pacific Coast. Mr. Sherlock, who has an exten-
sive acquaintanceship in the trade from Coast
to Coast, met with his usual good success in
the sales of Sherlock-Manning pianos and
players. At Edmonton, however, he became ill
and was confined to his room in the hotel for
more than a week.
J. J. Buchanan, office manager of the Otto
Higel Co., Ltd., with a party of brethren from
Toronto, attended the Shriners' convention at
Indianapolis.
A. E. Switzer, sales manager of the Martin-
Orme Piano Co., of Ottawa, recently took a trip
through the Maritime Provinces, calling on
Martin-Orme dealers there.
H. G. Stanton, vice-president and general
manager of the R. S. Williams & Sons Co., Ltd.,
has nearly recovered from his illness and is
again among his wide circle of business and
social friends. Mr. Stanton is president of the
Toronto Rotary Club and he will represent it
at the International Convention of Rotarians at
Salt Lake City.
Assiniboia Jewelry & Music Co., of Moose
Jaw, of which A. Bloss is proprietor, has ac-
quired the business formerly known as the As-
siniboia Music Co., which was owned by N. J.
Porter.
The employes of the Williams Piano Co., Ltd.,
Oshawa, have started on a nine-hour day at a
ten-hour day pay; working hours from 8 a. m.
to 6 p. m.; closing Saturdays at 12 o'clock noon.
Miss Jessie Plaxton, manager of Beare &
Son's local branch, has returned from a two
weeks' trip to Columbus, Ohio, where she at-
tended a convention. Going, Miss Plaxton took
in Buffalo and Cleveland, and returning spent
three or four days in Detroit.
Vincent Pue, of Edmonton, is leaving the
Masters Piano Co. to engage in farming in the
Carstairs district. He will be succeeded by E.
Woolman, who has been in the employ of the
Alberta Piano Co. (Masters) ever since his re-
turn from overseas last June.
PORTLAND, ORE., June 30.—There has been a
real revival of trade in the music houses since
the Victory Rose Festival. During the festival
there was a decided let-up in business in all the
houses owing to the large number of outdoor
attractions, but since Portland has regained its
normal condition business has had a most
gratifying recovery and buyers are visiting the
various music houses.
The Wiley B. Allen Co., which has remodeled
the lower floor of its big building and is now
engaged in making some very modern improve-
ments in the talking machine department, is
doing a fine post-festival business.
Player-
pianos and talking machines are moving fast.
During the festival, when people had little
time to give attention to pianos, E. E. Gabriel
sold both player-pianos and straight pianos and
on the first day of the present week sold a $1,000
Carola player and two Ludwigs.
Philip S. Goss, a salesman, has returned and
is again an active member of the Portland sales
force. Mr. Goss was with the Eighth Regiment,
which was stationed at Galveston, Texas, for a
year. His Portland friends and all his asso-
ciates in the store gave him a sincere and cordial
welcome home.
Frank Anrys, Coast manager of the Wiley B.
Allen Co., was a Portland visitor during the
Rose Festival and says there is a big increase
in business all along the Coast.
G. V. Taylor, formerly with the Wiley B.
Allen Co., is now with the Bush & Lane Piano
Co. and is looking after the country trade of
that firm at Mount Angel, Oregon, and vicinity.
James L. Loder, manager of the Sonora de-
partment of the Bush & Lane Co., is also look-
ing after the outside territory, at present being
at Astoria.
The G. F. Johnson Piano Co. has put up a
unique and handsome electric sign which is at-
tracting attention, as it is the only one of the
kind on the Coast. The upper portion of it
shows the famous Victor trademark. The word
"Victrola" is shown *in large letters beneath the
firm name. It is a double sign, showing the
same on both sides, and is equipped with flashes
so that the sides alternately are light or dark.
J. F. Matthews, head salesman of the firm, has
been very ill, but is said to be steadily recover-
ing. During his absence from the store L. H.
Stoner filled his place and made some splendid
sales. The small goods department of this store
has been more than satisfactory, and the talk-
ing machine department has nothing to com-
plain of except lack of stock.
One Knabe grand was received at Lipman,
Wolfe & Co.'s piano department during the
week and sold immediately. The Knabe pianos
are in very great demand and as fast as they
come in are sold. There is every indication that
the piano department of Lipman, Wolfe & Co.
is entering its most active and prosperous
period.
Foley & Van Dyke had a more quiet week
than usual during the festival, but this week
business has started out with a rush. Three
pianos were sold on the first day of the week
and excellent prospects were on hand. Two
Hobart M. Cable and a Kohler & Campbell
were sold and some other deals partially com-
pleted. A shipment of Kohler & Campbells was
just received and Mr. Foley says they will soon
be disposed of.
The improvements which have been in prog-
ress at McDougal's Music Store are about com-
pleted and add very much to the appearance as
well as the efficiency of this well-known store.
Awarded first prize in many world compe-
titions during the past sixty years, the
Schomacker Piano is now daily receiving
first prizes of preference won by its superb
tone, wonderful breadth of expression and
structural beauty.
SCHOMACKER PIANO CO.
23d and Chestnut Sts.
Philadelphia, Pa.
Victrola XVI, $225
Victrola XVI, electric, $282.50
Mahogany or oak
Other styles $25 to $950
Victor
Supremacy
I
I
The enormous pub-
lic d e m a n d for the
Victrola is an endorse-
ment of its supremacy.
Victor retailers are
successful because
they give the public
what it wants.
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 Company designating
the product* oF this Company only.
W a r n i n g : The use of the word VictroU
upon or in the promotion or sale of any other
Talking Machine or Phonograph products it mis-
leading and illegal.
Important N o t i c e .
Victor Records and
Victor Machines are scientifically co-ordinated
and synchronized in the processes of manufacture,
and should be used together to secure a perfect
reproduction.
HIS MASTERS VOICE'
R. N. Oats, a traveler for the Schaff Bros. Co.,
Huntington, Ind., manufacturers of pianos and
players, is spending his vacation with his family
at the New Century Hotel, Dawson Springs, Ky.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
8
THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
PIANO MANUFACTURERS CO-OPERATING WITH STAMP PLAN
Secretary Dennis Reports Great Influx of Orders for Official Stamp Issued by the National As-
sociation of Music Merchants for Purpose of Raising Funds for Advancement of Music
The ready response of piano manufacturers in
ordering their supplies of the Merchants'
"Official Stamp" indicates the likelihood of 100
per cent, co-operation, according 1 to reports
from the Milwaukee office of Secretary C. L.
Dennis, of the National Association of Music
Merchants. The first names on the honor roll
of manufacturers, whose immediate orders by
return mail enabled them to affix stamps on
pianos shipped July 1, are: Autopiano Co., New
York; H. C. Bay Co., Chicago; I'jur 13ros. Co.,
New York; Butler Bros. Piano. Mfg. Co.. Cin-
cinnati, O.; Hobart M. Cable Co., La Porte,
Ind.; Cable Company, Chicago, 111.; A. B.
Cameron Piano Co., New York; A. B. Chase
Piano Co., Inc., Norwalk, O.; Christman Piano
Co., New York; Estey Piano Co.. Xew York;
Jesse French & Sons, New Castle, Ind.; J. & C.
Fischer, New York City; Gulbransen-Dickinson
Co., Chicago, 111.; W. P. Haines & C o , New
York; Hardman, Peck & Co., Xew York; R. S.
Howard Co., Bronx, N. Y.; Ivers & Pond Piano
Co., Boston; Krakaucr Bros., Xew York; Lester
Piano Co., Philadelphia; Packard Piano Co., Ft.
Wayne, Ind.; Schaff Bros. Co., Huntington, Ind.;
M. Schulz Co., Chicago, 111.; Smith. Barnes &
Strohber Co., Chicago, 111.; Sohmer & Co., New
York; Straube Piano Co., Hammond, Ind.; Wm.
Tonk & Bro., New York; Waltham Piano Co.,
Milwaukee, Wis.; Weser Bros., Inc., Xew York;
Mathushek Piano Mfg. Co., New York; Lauter
Piano C o , Xewark, X. J.; Chickering & Sons,
Boston, Mass.
Not only the manufacturers, but the mer-
chants who know of the plan, are ordering
stamps. These are wanted for pianos already
on the floor, which were shipped before July
1. Dealers want them for the selling argument
they represent, and the leading merchants have
been quick to recognize the value of the stamp
to retail salesmen.
Among the dealers who have ordered stamps
for pianos in stock are President P. E.- Conroy,
of the National Association, Conroy Piano Co,
St. Louis; Edmund Gram, of Milwaukee; Col. F.
B. T. Hollenbcrg, of the Hollenberg Music Co,
Little Rock, Ark.; John A. Turner, Jr., of the
Turner Music Co, Tampa and Miami, Fla.; Par-
ham Werlein, of Philip Werlein, Inc., Xew Or-
leans, L a , and Henry Dreher, of B. Dreher's
Sens Co, Cleveland, O. The following letter to
C. L. Dennis from Col. Hollenberg is splendid
evidence of the cordial spirit in which the
stamp plan is taken up by dealers:
"I was talking with Mr. Conroy yesterday in
St. Louis, and I have practically the same idea
as to the advantage of using the stamps on
pianos already in stock and not wait for those
that are coming from the factories, stamped at
that end of the line. Therefore, I will request
that you send us a hundred of these stamps as
soon as they are ready, and promptly upon re-
ceipt of same we will take pleasure in mailing
you check for $25.
"I don't think there should be a retail pur-
chaser who should object to this small tax,
particularly so as the money goes to the general
advertising and to the benefit of all engaged in
the music business. A man will write, if neces-
sary, a hundred follow-up letters to sell one
piano, and from the standpoint of educating the
people in general to the necessity of the piano,
his letter does not in any manner cover as wide
a scope as is provided in the work and advertis-
ing of the National Bureau for the Advancement
of Music.
"It is just a good investment upon which the
piano trade and those interested in it directly,
and indirectly, will receive many times the cost
figured at the rate of twenty-five cents per
piano. 1. therefore, hope that not a single
dealer in the United States will object to this
tax, and if he does, I shall, of course, respect
his personal opinion, but will have to say that
he is making a great mistake and over a very
small matter.
"I regret very much that I was not in Chicago
in time to enter into the many interesting de-
liberations, and I am indeed pleased over the
accomplishments during that convention.
"I shall be glad to hear from you and the
other bureaus from time to time, and will be
glad to assist in the splendid work that is being
done by them all. My personal regards to Mr.
Gram and none the less for yourself."
The second letter which Mr. Dennis has sent
out to the manufacturers follows:
"Arrangements have been* made to place our
Merchants' 'Official Stamp' on sale in our New
York office as well as in this office. If you pre-
fer to do so, you can order from the Assistant
Secretary of the National Piano Manufacturers'
Here's a strong
statement, dealers!
dealer who really investigates
E VERY
the Ludwig Player-Piano is glad to get
the agency. As soon as he finds out how
far the Ludwig outstrips everything else
in tone quality, ease of operation, pedal
responsiveness, accessibility, and appear-
ance—there's no need to urge him further.
We can prove all this—why don't you
make us do it ?
Here's another mighty important feature—Ludwig Player Actions
are exclusive. Wonder if there is a Ludwig dealer in your town?
Ludwig & Co.
Willow Ave. and 136th St.
NEW YORK
JULY 5, 1919
Association, Herbert W. Hill, 105 West Fortieth
street, New York City.
"You will find enclosed copy of letter which
is going out by registered mail to aproximately
5,000 piano dealers throughout the United States
—'the most accurate list we can procure—to gain
their complete co-operation in putting the con-
tribution stamp plan into operation. Stamped
return post cards are enclosed with this letter
for dealers' signatures, which will place them on
record to support the plan.
"Our merchants are unanimously endorsing
the 'Official Stamp', and we are doing our utmost
to make it known throughout the trade, with the
cordial co-operation of the trade press, piano
travelers and our association members. Should
you find any difficulty in collecting the stamp
item on your invoices you are asked to notify
this office promptly."
P. E. Conroy, president of the National
Association of Music Merchants, has also sent
a letter to the piano dealers which reads:
"You will find enclosed a full explanation of
our Merchants' 'Official Stamp,' to be placed
upon every article shipped after July 1. This
was unanimously endorsed at the recent conven-
tions in Chicago by the Merchants', Manufac-
turers' and Travelers' Associations.
"Every piano dealer who has seen the stamp
has immediately recognized its value in selling
pianos—as a talking point to customers—besides
the main purpose of raising funds for the Ad-
vancement of Music, to help make America the
musical center of the world. The 'Official
Stamp' represents 25c paid to the Merchants'
Fund for the support of the Music Industries
Chamber of Commerce, to keep up the work
of Geo. W. Pound and our various bureaus.
The manufacturers agreed to accept the duty of
collecting this fund for the merchants, besides
contributing liberally themselves to a separate
fund for the work. They are advancing pay-
ment for the stamps at 25c per piano, and will
bill same to you, as your contribution for the
Advancement of Music.
"You are asked to pay this small item prompt-
ly, without question, to help along the work and
make it as easy as possible. Every 25c will help
spread the gospel of music and increase your
business. We are depending on you to do your
share. Sign and send in the enclosed card."
President Conroy has prepared a special let-
ter for the travelers which is as follows:
"You will find enclosed copy of letter which is
going out by registered mail to approximately
5.000 piano dealers throughout the United States
—the most accurate list we can procure—to gain
their complete co-operation in connection with
our Merchants' 'Official Stamp.' You are asked
to study the enclosed material carefully, and aid
us wherever possible. The principal help is in
checking up appearance of stamps on pianos and
in getting piano dealers to understand the propo-
sition and pay the stamp items on manufacturers'
invoices without protest. Please keep posted on
the progress of the stamp project, as announced
in the trade papers from week to week."
PRIZES FOR STEINWAY BALL TEAM
Officials of Company Will Reward Players at
Close of Present Season
Tn order to stimulate interest in the national
game and also to reward their employes for
good work during the season Steinway & Sons,
through the efforts of Joseph M. Masheck, have
arranged for a series of prizes to be awarded
to the members of the Steinway baseball team
at the close of the present season. The prizes
announced are as follows: For highest batting
average, a suit of clothes; next best average,
a pair of shoes; most extra base hits, traveling
bag; most stolen bases, hat; best fielding aver-
age (outfield), silk shirt; infield average, silk
shirt; highest number of consecutive hits, com-
bination penknife; most sacrifice hits, pair of
pajamas. For the two worst batting averages
the prize has not been decided, but doubtless will
be in keeping with the crime.

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