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THE
MUSIC TRADE
RMLW
PUBLISHED BY EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Inc.
President and Treasurer, C. L. Bill, 373 Fourth Ave., New York; Vice-President,
J. B. Spillane, 373 Fourth Ave., New York; Second Vice-President, Raymond Bill,
373
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Fourth Ave., New York; Assistant Treasurer, Wm. A. Low.
J. B. SPILLANE, Editor
RAYMOND BILL, B. B. WILSON, Associate Editors
WILSON D. BUSH, Managing Editor
CARLETON CHACE, Business Manager
Executive and Reportorlal Stall
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Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques-
anil
tions
of a technical nature relating to the tuning,
re
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sulating and repairing of pianos and player-pianos
p
dealt
with, will be found in another section of
are
vhis paper. We also publish a number of reliable technical works, information concerning
which will be cheerfully given upon request.
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
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Paris Exposition, 1900 Silver Medal.. .Charleston Exposition, 1902
Diploma.... Pan- American Exposition, 1901
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NEW YORK. JULY 24, 1920
JULY 24, 1920
month, while Uruguay took about $8,000 worth of players, and
$47,000 worth of pianos during the same period, with other coun-
tries showing similar totals. Those who have any doubts regarding
the possibilities of the Australian trade will be interested to know
that during May there were shipped to that country 245 American
player-pianos valued at $90,445, and 632 pianos valued at $169,085.
Figures may at times be dry and uninteresting, but in this
particular instance they should serve to open the eyes of more than
one American manufacturer of musical instruments who talks of
the export trade as something of little real importance to the in-
dustry. If a trade of $2,000,000 a month exists at this time, it is
easy to believe that really constructive effort on the part of an
Export Bureau should build up a total of magnificent proportions.
REASONS FOR ORDERING N O W
V. D. WALSH, WM. BRAID WHITE (Technical Editor), E. B. MUNCH, L. M. ROBINSON,
(J. A. LEONARD, EDWARD LYMAN BILL, SCOTT KINGWILL, THOS. W. BRESNAHAN, A. J.
NICKLIN, L. E. BOWERS
Vol. LXXI
REVIEW
No. 4
A NEW FIELD OF ENDEAVOR
HE. work to be carried on in Little Rock, Ark., shortly by
T
Robert Lawrence, through his connection with the National
Bureau for the Advancement of Music, will, or should be, watched
closely by the trade as it represents an opening wedge in what to all
intents and purposes is a new field of endeavor. The credit for
the experiment is due chiefly to Col. F. B. T. Hollenberg, of the
Hollenberg Music Co., of Little Rock, who saw the vision and was
broad enough to gauge its possibilities to such an extent that he
volunteered to underwrite the cost of conducting the campaign.
Fortunately through Mr. Hollenberg's efforts other music mer-
chants, as well as big men in various lines of industry in and about
New York have been impressed with the opportunity presented and
have agreed to share the expense which means that they will have
in the campaign a distinct and direct interest. If the Little Rock
experiment turns out as expected, we may expect to see similar
campaigns attempted in many other cities, which will unquestion-
ably work out to the advantage of the trade in general.
EXPORT TRADE INCREASING
proof of the steady and material expansion of
I this the. NTERESTING
export trade in musical instruments being taken care of by
country is found in the tables" covering exports during the
month of May just issued by the Department of Commerce. Par-
ticulars regarding pianos and player-pianos are unusually im-
pressive, and indicate that during a single month there were ex-
ported to Spain, for instance, player-pianos valued at $35,153;
pianos to the value of $29,097, and music rolls to the value of
$1,438. Increased importance is attached to the trade of Cuba,
nearer home, when it is found that during May, 167 player-pianos
valued at $67,601, and 238 pianos valued at $75,652, were sent to
that island. Of the South American countries Argentina stands
first, having taken from us during May forty-five player-pianos
valued at $17,127, and 431 pianos valued at $142,561, in addition
to organs and other musical instruments. Ecuador took $14,000
worth of players, and nearly $16,000 worth of pianos during the
HE REVIEW has for some time past been urging upon retailers
T
the desirability and in fact the wisdom of placing orders for Fall
stock as soon as possible in order not only to insure delivery, but also
to take advantage of current prices. It is a noteworthy fact that
retailers who are listed as progressive and among the leaders in the
field have not hesitated to place their orders for quick delivery as
a matter of good business. This fact should encourage those not
quite so closely in touch with general conditions and prospects, j
In line with the arguments presented in The Review is the latest
message sent to Estey dealers by George W. Gittins, treasurer of
the Estey Piano Co., who, under the caption, "Don't Hold Back on
Account of Prices," says:
"Retail piano merchants have nearly four months between now
and the beginning of the heavy Fall business and should take advan-
tage of this time to get some stock ahead.
"They need not hold back in the expectation that prices will be
lower. In my opinion there is not the slightest chance of seeing
piano prices come down this year. In fact, there are many indica-
tions that they will have to go to a still higher level.
"But there is no question about the advisability of dealers build-
ing up a reserve stock this Summer if they can do so.
"In the first place, a dealer is fortunate who can get some stock
ahead over and above his day-to-day requirements. If he starts in
right now to acquire a few instruments more than he needs for
present use he will find it a mighty silow process.
"In the second place dealers will find, this Fall, when the heavy
demand sets in that we will experience the worst traffic conditions
this country has ever known. Embargoes and freight congestion
will be as bad as they were during the war.
"So, taking into account that all piano manufacturers are willing
to make their shipments subject to prices that prevail at the time
shipment is made, there is no reason to hold back. On the other
hand, there are the best of reasons why dealers should use every
possible effort to secure as many instruments now as possible."
It is a message well worth reading and heeding.
THE PASSING OF F. W. LOHR
W. Lohr, secretary of Hardman, Peck
T & HE Co., death marks of the Frederick
passing not only of one of the veterans of the
industry, but also a man to whom we popularly applied the term of
Ambassador, because of his savoir faire and the wide extent of his
visits to the retail trade of the country. He was in very truth not
only an able executive and first class salesman, but he had that dip-
lomatic bent that enabled him to accomplish much and extend the
sphere of his friendships wherever he visited. Mr. Lohr will be
missed not only by the company with which he has been affiliated
and which he has served so loyally for the past thirty-six years, but
also by a host of friends in the industry covering every city of
importance in the nation.
HEALTHY CONDITIONS PREVAILING
T
HE weekly surveys of trade conditions made by authorities this
week note that the improved crop outlook is affecting business
in a constructive fashion, but the money situation continues to retard
operations in many lines. The prevalence of congestion on the rail-
roads also tends to check industrial expansion. Conditions broadly
considered, however, are healthy and a steady betterment of the
money and railroad situation is looked for before the Fall campaign
for business is fully developed.