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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.