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DECEMBER 18,
THE
1920
MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
9
SPECIAL THRIFT WEEK POSTER FOR MUSIC DEALERS
DOINGS IN THE TWIN CITIES
Music Industries Chamber of Commerce Preparing to Deliver Specially Designed Poster to Music
Dealers Who Are Aiding in the Observance of National Thrift Week
Christmas Trade Slow in Starting, but Local
Piano Dealers Are Optimistic—Dyer & Bro.
Closing Excellent Fotoplayer Sales
In connection
Music Industries
affiliated interests
to be carried out
with the participation of the
Chamber of Commerce and its
in the Thrift Week Campaign,
January 17-23, there has been
ers, enlarging upon the connection between
thrift and music in the home. The booklet is
of eight pages and of a size to fit into the usual
commercial envelope. Copies of the booklet-
Thrift Week Poster Specially Designed for the Music Trade
prepared for the use of dealers as a window dis- will be furnished to the trade at cost, approxi-
play card an elaborate poster design by mately one cent each. Orders for booklets and
Lawrence Wilbur, the well-known artist, litho- posters should be placed directly with the Music
graphed in five colors, and measuring eleven Industries Chamber of Commerce.
inches wide by fourteen inches deep. The re-
production of the poster presented herewith
TO PUSH COMMUNITY SINGING
gives an excellent idea of its character.
The cards will be furnished by the Chamber Larry Ballou Is Permanent Song Leader and
free of charge to all members of the trade who
Music Commission Is Ready for Work
request them, and will be ready for distribution
about January 3. In connection with the Thrift
FT. WAYNE, IND., December 13.—With the arrival
Week Campaign there has been prepared a in this city of Larry Ballou, permanent leader
Thrift Week booklet for the use of music deal- of the Ft. Wayne Community Council, and the
appointment by Fred W. Eggman, president of
the council, of a community music committee
everything is in readiness for the rapid develop-
ment of community singing, which the city ex-
pects to carry forward on a more extensive scale
than ever attempted in any other city. The or-
ganization of song leaders' classes is well un-
der way and every citizen is asked to join a
class. Music dealers are co-operating heartily in
the effort to encourage Ft. Wayne people to do
more singing.
While it is well to have a store well lighted,
care must be taken to see that the light does
not become glaring. Soft lights are best.
MINNEAPOLIS and
ST. PAUL, MINN., December 13.
—Piano dealers here are wondering when the
Christmas spirit will animate the residents of
their respective towns to the extent of affecting
their particular trade. It may be that the spirit
has arrived, but it has not been greatly mani-
fested in the weaker section of the music trades.
There is considerable activity, to be sure, but
it relates rather to records and small goods than
to piano and talking machines.
Probably it may be unreasonable for the deal-
ers to expect that this Fall's returns should
duplicate or exceed the really exceptional
business of a year ago, but, as a matter of fact,
that is what the majority of them do expect. In
discussing the state of affairs dealers invariably
will compare the present with the record-break-
ing year of 1919, to the disadvantage of the
present. They want to break some more rec-
ords.
All in all, the dealers are doing fairly well.
It is true that they meet with people who want
a piano and have the means for obtaining one,
but for some reason or other are going to wait
until after the first of the year. There is no
question but that a great many people still
hope to see piano prices strike a lower level.
R. W. Bonyea, head of the piano department
of the Golden Rule store, frankly informs his
friends that business is satisfactory to a high
degree. He is not quite sure whether the re-
sult is to be attributed to the prestige and popu-
larity of the store or to the successful work of
his staff, but anyway he is satisfied.
A fair amount of sales of Victrolas is noted
by W. S. Collins, president of the Cable Piano
Co., operating three retail stores in this terri-
tory. The talking machines are keeping things
stirring, he confesses, for pianos are not moving
to any degree that might be classed as speed.
Apparently there is always an open season
for Fotoplayers. At any rate, A. L. Brown, of
W. J. Dyer & Bro., always has some items with
reference to those instruments. Last week his
house installed a $4,000 Fotoplayer at Lake City,
la., and a $5,000 player in the Princess Theatre,
Fargo, N. D. Small goods are going nicely,
likewise Victrolas, and everybody is happy.
The expansion of the Stone Piano Co.'s
Minneapolis branch from a purely Aeolian-
Vocalion establishment into a complete music
house is pronounced a wise move. The piano
department, which is starred by the Sohmer,
Krakauor and Stone lines, is said to be making
good in every way.
Victrolas rather than pianos are interesting
the management of the Metropolitan Music Co.
during the holiday season. Its patrons are not
greatly concerned about pianos.
Reports from the Holland Piano Mfg. Co. and
Raudenbush & Sons show that there is some
demand for instruments somewhere, as both
factories are maintaining their normal output.
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.