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THE
MARCH 19, 1921
MUSIC
TRADE
43
REVIEW
CONDUCTED BY V. D. WALSH
PUBLISHERS MAY REDUCE POPULAR ISSUES TO 25 CENTS
h.
Movement on Foot to Reduce Price on Numbers Which Hitherto Have Been Placed in the 30-cent
Class to 25 Cents—Lower Price Should Mean a Logical Increase in Sales
There seems to be a movement in the music
publishing Hold to make a united effort, prob-
ably through the Music Publishers' Protective
Association, to reduce the retail price of popu-
lar sheet music from the present standard to
25 cents. Most of such music to-day is sold
retail at 30 cents, although in some sections
of the country, and in particular districts, indi-
vidual dealers have found it possible to mark
it at a higher figure.
Such a movement, of course, will only apply
to the really popular numbers, more especially
novelties and the sort of works that have quick
publicity and are passe in a short time. The
higher class numbers, including the songs from
musical comedies, are not to be affected.
Some time ago a good many of the pub-
lishers agreed to mark the net retail selling
price on every copy of music issued. While the
agreement was almost unanimous the carrying
cut of the plan was not, and only in a few in-
stances did the trade receive material which
was so marked.
Taking everything into consideration, it
would appear that in the lowering of the retail
price on the part of the publishers it would be
better, for the first few months, to eliminate any
SONGS THAT SELL
marked net retail selling prices. Particularly
is this true when Pacific Coast and Far West
trade centers are considered. While, no doubt,
a reduction in the retail price will do much to
increase sales in syndicate stores, song shops
and distribution channels of such caliber the
same may not hold so true where the legitimate
sheet music dealer is considered. His clientele
is entirely different and, more often than not, if
it desires certain music the price practically
makes no difference. Of course, from the sales
standpoint and merchandising policy, there is no
doubt that even he should see the value of in-
creased sales in the lowering of prices. No mat-
ter to what class a purchaser belongs to-day
there is a real effort to economize and the psy-
chology in a situation where music is offered
at 25 instead of 30 or 35 cents a copy is all in
favor of increased sales at the lesser figure.
We believe in the marketing of music at the
net retail price. Practically all the publishers
do, both of the standard and popular class, but
in carrying out such beliefs there are obstacles
and difficulties and for this reason we believe it
would be better, at this time, in the reducing of
the retail price to discontinue marking the net
retail sales price.
My Mammy
Rosie
(Make It Rosy for Me)
Home Again Blues
The Broadway Blues
Tired of Me
My Little Bimbo
(Down on the Bamboo Isle)
I Like It
Tell Me Little Gypsy
From Zfegfeld's Follies of 1920
The Girls ol My Dreams
From Zlegfeld's Follies of 1920
Bells
From Zicgfeld's Fn'.lies of 1920
Fair One
Beautiful Faces
AfterYouGetWhatYouWant
doubt, one of the biggest things in song impor-
(You Don't Want It)
tations that has ever reached this country. At
I
Love
the Land of
General Manager of Leo Feist, Inc., Arranged least we hardly believe that there will be any
to Have Francis, Day & Hunter Represent dispute about its being the biggest thing since
Feist Catalog in London—Secured American the war.
Leo Feist, Inc., will inaugurate a publicity
Rights for "Mon Homme"—'Conditions Normal
campaign immediately on behalf of "Mon
Edgar F. Bitner, general manager of Leo Homme" and it will be exploited strongly.
Feist, Inc., who has spent the past seven weeks
Upon his return, in speaking of the general
in Europe, particularly in London and Paris, European business situation, Mr. Bitner said:
returned to his desk on Monday of this week. "So far as a visitor can see, business conditions
Upon his return he announced that the firm as regards the music field in both England
of Francis, Day & Hunter would now repre- and France are quite normal. Indeed, the state-
1587 Broadway, New York
sent his company in London. This arrange- ments of several of the London publishers show
ment in nowise affects the past arrangements a big increase in 1920 over the previous year.
with the Herman Darewski Music Co., Ltd. The English publishers seem to be showing
Leo Feist, Inc., will also represent in the future much activity and their plans for the coming
REVIVAL OF "ALICE BLUE GOWN"
the catalog of Francis, Day & Hunter in the season give the impression that they look for-
United States.
ward to a most healthy 1921."
According to recent reports, in honor of Miss
Special news announced on his return is the
Alice M. Robertson, Muskogee, Okla.'s con-
fact that Leo Feist, Inc., has obtaiired the
gresswoman, the "Alice Blue Gown" is to be re-
A NEW PUBLISHING HOUSE
American publication rights for the European
vived, all of which has been noted in the daily
Charles E. Hochberg, who was formerly in papers and has been good publicity for the Leo
success, "Mon Homme" (My Man). This
French number, originally so successful in the publishing business for himself at 1717 Sack- Feist, Inc., number, "Alice Blue Gown," which
France in both song and instrumental form, man street, Brooklyn, N. Y., recently organized is the feature number in the musical show
following which it became one of the most the Strand Music Publishing Corp. and has "Irene," now playing in New York and with
prominent musical offerings in England, Rel- leased quarters in the Roseland Building, Broad- five companies touring the country, besides com-
gium and other European countries, is, without way and Fifty-first street, Xew York City.
panies in Europe.
E. F. BITNER BACK FROM EUROPE
Old Black Joe
Everybody Knows
Lindy
Rock-a-Bye Lullaby Mammy
IRVING BERLIN, Inc.
ANYTIME
&$
ANYDAY
•**•"
.iV-«® ANYWHERE
A Universal Success
Cdusic Publishers
THE
PREDOMINATING
ONESTEP
A SPECIAL PELET^
ON THE VICTOR R E -
CORDS FOR M A R C H .