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Music Trade Review

Issue: 1921 Vol. 72 N. 23

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
RMEW
PUBLISHED BY EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Inc.
President and Treasurer, C. L. Bill, 373 Fourth Ave., New York; Vice-President,
T. B. Spillane, 373 Fourth Ave., New York; Second Vice-President, Raymond Bill, 373
Fourth Ave., New York; Secretary, Edward Lyman Bill, 373 Fourth Ave., New York;
Assistant Treasurer, Wm. A. Low.
J. B. SPILLANE, Editor
RAY BILL, B. B. WILSON, BRAID WHITE, Associate Editors
WILSON D. BUSH, Managing Editor
CARLETON CHACE, Business Manager
L. E. BOWERS, Circulation Manager
Executive and Reportorial Staff
Published Every Saturday at 373 Fourth Avenue, New York
Entered as second-class matter September 10, 1892, at the post office at New York. N. Y.,
under the Act of March 3, 1879.
SUBSCRIPTION (including postage), United States and Mexico, $2.00 per year;
Canada, $3.50; all other countries, $5.00.
ADVERTISEMENTS, $6.00 per inch, single column, per insertion. On quarterly or
yearly contracts a special discount is allowed. Advertising pages, $150.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency forms, should be made payable to Edward
Lyman Bill, Inc.
Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques-
onH
allU
tions of a technical nature relating to the tuning,
Tp4»hnil»al IW>nai*fm I C l l l U l L d l lW|ldrtliaeill!!> are dealt with, will be found in another section of
this 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
Grand Prix
Paris Exposition, 1900 Silver Medal.. .Charleston Exposition, 1902
Diploma.... Pan-American Exposition, 1901 Gold Medal
St. Louis Exposition, 1904
Gold Medal—Lewis-Clark Exposition. 1905
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONES—NUMBERS 6882—6883 MADISON SQ.
Connecting all Departments
Cable address: "ElbllL New York"
Vol. LXXII
NEW YORK, JUNE 1, 1921
No. 23
1921
SUPPORTING MUSIC AS AN ART
T
HE action of the Chicago Piano Club in guaranteeing $1,000
annually for five years toward the support of the Chicago Grand
Opera Company is in line with the new attitude that has been devel-
oped in the trade toward the cause of music—the attitude that
reflects the realization that the music trade and the art of music are
closely allied and part of one great movement. During the conven-
tions the Chicago Piano Club succeeded admirably in emphasizing
the close relationship between the trade and profession in the carry-
ing out of its entertainment program, in which Harold L. Mc-
Cormick, patron, and Mary Garden, directress of the Chicago Opera
Co., as well as numerous opera stars, took part. This pledge of
financial assistance, therefore, is a logical move and should serve as
an inspiration to members of the music industry in other sections for
doing all they should towards supporting music as an art.
EXPORTS OF PLAYER-PIANOS
EDWARD VAN HARLINGEN, V. D. WALSH, E. B. MUNCH, C. A. LEONARD, LEE ROBINSON,
EDWARD LYMAN BILL, SCOTT KINGWILL, THOS. W. BRBSNAHAN, A. J. NICKLIN.
WESTERN DIVISION:
BOSTON OFFICE:
Republic Bldgr., 209 So. State St., Chicago.
JOHN H. WILSON, 324 Washington St.
Telephone, Wabash 5242-5243
Telephone, Main 6950.
LONDON, ENGLAND: 1 Gresham Buildings, Basinghall St., D. C.
NEWS SERVICE IS SUPPLIED WEEKLY BY OUR CORRESPONDENTS
LOCATED IN THE LEADING CITIES THROUGHOUT AMERICA.
JUNE 4,
T
HE detailed Government report of the exports of player-pianos
from the United States to foreign countries during 1920, repro-
duced elsewhere in The Review, should prove of exceptional inter-
est to those members of the trade who have faith in the possibilities
of export trade as well as those who have been inclined to regard
export business as hardly worth while.
The report shows that during 1920 8,364 player-pianos valued at
$3,472,632 were exported to seventy-two different countries in all
sections of the globe. The exports for 1920 practically doubled those
for 1919, which in itself is significant, because last year some of our
foreign competitors started to get back on their feet. During the
year, too, there were exported music rolls valued at $409,913 as
against rolls valued at $294,000 in 1919.
The figures, especially as they concern exports to Australia,
Spain, Argentina and several other countries, are particularly inter-
esting. Australia, of course, was our best customer, taking 2,785
players and music rolls valued at $109,000 as compared with 982
players and 11,000 music rolls exported to Spain, the next country
on the list. Those who have the welfare of the industry at heart
and who believe that the development of a substantial export trade
will help business at home will find much meat in the facts presented.
PROOF OF BETTER SELLING TERMS
T
HE analysis of piano and talking machine sales during 1914 and
1920, prepared by the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce as
an argument to be presented before Congress in an effort to have
the excise tax on musical instruments eliminated, offers information
that should prove as interesting and helpful to members of the trade
as it should to Congress. In fact, there are found in the figures
proof of the better merchandising methods adopted by the industry
during the war, which it is urged should be kept in force during and
after the period of readjustment.
Both in the matter of price and terms there is shown a remark-
able advance during the six years. In 1914, for instance, in 38 per
cent of the sales less than 5 per cent of the purchase price was
received as first payment. In 1920 in only 15 per cent of the sales
were such low terms reported. In 1914 in only 10 per cent of the
retail sales were final payments made within a year, and in only 22
per cent were the sales cleared up in less than two years. In 1920,
on the other hand, 42 per cent of the sales were made on a basis
that closed up the accounts in less than two years.
Quite in contrast with the terms on pianos are those cited in
connection with the sale of talking machines. In 1914 in only 10
per cent of the sales were the down payments less than 5 per cent
of the sale price. In 1920 this percentage had dropped to 4. In 1914
60 per cent of the sales were wound up within the year, and a total
of 93 per cent in two years, while in 1920 fully 97 per cent of the sales
were consummated within the two-year period.
It is significant in considering the analysis that in the sale of both
talking machines and pianos an average of one-quarter of the buyers
paid down at the outset 25 per cent or more of the purchase price.
This figure will probably prove a surprise to those who fondly
believe that about 90 per cent of piano purchasers did business on a
long-time basis.
The figures go to prove that substantial terms on piano sales
particularly can be obtained and have been obtained. In the present
race for business this fact should not be overlooked.
PADEREWSKI—MUSICIAN AND CITIZEN
T
H E recent arrival of Paderewski in the United States to enjoy
a well-deserved rest at his home on the Pacific Coast has
brought forth many tributes to the great work of this patriot-
statesman and musician. The following editorial, which we clip from
the Hartford Times, is a tribute in which his many friends in the
music trade industry can cordially join :
"When the time comes to write the full story of Paderewski's
accomplishments historians are likely to say that his greatest work
was not his leadership of Poland from disunion and misery back
to her old, proud position of unity and independence, but his in-
spiration, even ennoblement, of humanity through his music. Pader-
ewski made the piano more than a mechanism of wood and metal,
he made it something that expressed, under manipulation by his
skillful fingers, the very soul of humanity. The aspirations, joys,
sorrow, pain, hatred and love that are combined in us have been told
in unmistakable terms of music and none that ever heard the won-
derful virtuoso ever can forget either him or his message. Great
patriot though he is, he will live in the minds of Americans as the
greatest master of the pianoforte of his time, and it may be many
years before his equal comes before the public, with due respect for
the many great artists that now delight us. May he find rest here
in America, and from his brilliant mind may there come many more
compositions to enthrall,, even though played by other hands."
CO-OPERATING WITH THE GOVERNMENT
R
ECENTLY, William Braid White, associate and technical editor
of The Review, made a journey to Madison, Wis., where, over a
period of several days, he consulted and worked with the head of
the American School of Forestry, which is located in that city.
The Review proposes to co-operate with this Governmental institu-
tion in every way possible, with the end in view of advancing the effi-
ciency with which various kinds of woods are utilized in the pro-
duction of pianos and talking machines.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
JUNE 4, 1921
AMERICAN PLAYERS POPULAR IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES
THE ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
Exports of Player-pianos During 1920 Very Nearly Doubled Those of 1919—Australia and Spain
Our Best Customers—Demand for American Music Rolls Also Increases
Meet of National Golf Association of the Piano
Trade to Be Held at Sea View Golf Club,
Absecon, N. J., June 20 and 21
The popularity of the American player-pianos
in foreign countries is well evident from the
fact that according to U. S. Government sta-
tistics just issued the exports of players from
the United States during 1920 were almost
double the exports for 1919. Last year there
were imported 8,364 instruments, valued at
$3,472,632, as against 4,378 instruments, valued
at $1,656,519, during the year 1919. The ex-
ports of music rolls increased during the same
period from $294,722 to $409,913 in value.
The best customer for American players was
Australia, which during 1920 took 2,785 instru-
ments, valued at slightly over one million dol-
lars, and at the same time imported player
rolls valued at $109,156—truly a substantial
figure. Next in turn came Spain, with 982
players, valued at $438,953, although she only
took $11,000 worth of rolls. Canada took
$116,464 worth of rolls, but only 189 player-
pianos, valued at $70,000. Cuba was third
best customer, with 754 players, worth $317,888,
and music rolls to the value of $18,591, while
Argentina was fourth with 521 players, valued
at $209,000.
Seventy-two separate countries are listed as
customers of the United States in the purchase
of player-pianos, representing as they do every
important country in the world. The list is an
imposing one and should afford an inspiration
to those of the trade who fear that our ex-
port business is on the decline or that the
foreign market affords few opportunities. The
figures in detail are as follows:
Countries
Azores and Madeira Islands
Belgium
Denmark
France
Germany
Gibraltar
Greece
Italy
Netherlands
Norway
Poland and Danzig
Portugal
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey in Europe
England
Scotland
Bermuda
British Honduras
Canada
•
Costa Rica
Guatemala
Honduras
Nicaragua
Panama
Salvador
Mexico
Newfoundland and L a b r a d o r . . . .
layer-pianos
Num-
ber
Value
11
$5,880
25
2
1
33
12
10,644
2,100
395
14,702
9,703
75,492
6,850
398
9,908
438,953
10,705
10,520
12,220
136,362
1,800
213
16
1
23
982
11
19
26
294
4
189
11
10
6
14
9
21
366
Perfo-
rated
music
rolls
(value)
$500
286
36
574
287
2,984
894
8,444
1,308
"'155
11,292
1,623
205
696
24,969
270
71,591 116,464
6,715
94
6,398
303
2,904
J./5
7,525
931
4,726
520
9,477
943
149,249
9,204
2,344'
631
Player-pianos
Countries
Barbados
Jamaica
Trinidad and Tobago
Other British West Indies
Cuba
Virgin Islands of United States.
Dutch West Indies
French West Indies
Haiti
Dominican Republic
Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Uruguay
British Guiana
Dutch Guiana
Paraguay
Peru
Venezuela
China
Chosen
British India
Straits Settlements
Other British East Indies
Dutch East Indies
Hongkong
Japan
Turkey in Asia
Australia
New Zealand
Other British Oceania
French Oceania
Philippine Islands
%
British West Africa
British South Africa
Canary Islands
French Africa
Madagascar
Portuguese Africa . .
Egypt
Total
Num-
ber
5
ii
10
2
754
Perfo-
rated
music
rolls
(value)
$296
1,032
882
74
18,591
1
36
9
96
7
2,785
94
23
Value
$2,419
11,446
4,283
1,096
317,888
848
1,115
2,048
2,323
15,523
209,380
9,119
62,618
110,852
103,198
11,260
80,473
3,987
200
1,305
169,520
29,942
13,990
1,365
4,231
3,740
518
15,365
4,060
38,439
4,793
1,050,273
35,001
4,313
164
1
147
3
5
10
2
13
63,288
600
61,844
1,169
1,603
3,436
1,010
5,190
"'508
8,364
3,472,632
409,913
2
6
6
26
S21
21
149
223
223
24
187
4
' 1
2
338
69
31
4
10
285
298
611
2,370
11,313
98
6,128
16,934
8,095
1,739
3,117
250
29
12,236
3,793
937
500
311
187
' V,024
159
6,631
93
109,156
7,874
14
2,685
101
3,419
7
300
C. A. STEINWAY'S WILL APPRAISED
Late President of Steinway & Sons Leaves Net
Estate Appraised at $618,977
An appraisal filed recently in the Surrogate's
office, New York, shows that the estate of the
late Charles A. Steinway, president of Steinway
& Sons, who died in October, 1919, is valued in
the gross at $637,169 and net at $618,977. His
interest in Steinway & Sons firm is valued at
$563,000.
The beneficiaries are his widow, Maria A., of
Pasad'ena, Cal., who is given a life estate in
$193,090; his daughter, Marie L. M. Batchelor,
$1,441 in jewelry and $235,969 in cash; his son,
Charles F. M. Steinway, $1,398 in jewelry and
an annuity of $5,200; his daughter-in-law, Flor-
ence G. Steinway, an annuity of $2,600; his
grandson, Charles F. Steinway, an annuity of
$2,600 until he is twenty-one years old, and Mary
C. Osgood, life estate in $46,000. Other minor
bequests are also enumerated.
COMPARATIVE FIGURES SHOWGROWTH OF THE INDUSTRY
Census Bureau Issues Preliminary Statement of 1920 Census of Manufactures, Showing the
Number of Establishments Engaged in the Music Trade and the Value of Their Products
A preliminary statement of the 1920 census
of manufactures has been issued by the Bureau
of the Census, Department of Commerce, fur-
nishing statistics for industries relative to the
number of establishments and values of products
for the year 1919 with comparative figures for
the preceding census year, 1914. The figures, of
course, are held subject to such correction as
may prove necessary later.
Of special interest to the music industry are
the comparative figures covering the manufac-
tures of musical instruments of various sorts.
The census statement shows that in 1914 there
were 255 establishments manufacturing pianos,
to the value of $62,775,000, while in 1919 there
were only 192 establishments, but their products
were valued at $107,245,000. In 1914 there were
85 establishments making organs with an output
valued at $6,297,000. In 1920 the number of
establishments had dropped to 69, and the value
of the products to $6,118,000. In 1914 there were
138 establishments making piano and organ ma-
terials, valued at $19,876,000, and although there
were only 112 establishments in 1920 their prod-
ucts were valued at $36,052,000, an increase in
value of nearly 100 per cent. In 1914 there were
241 establishments making musical instruments
and materials not specified, and valued at $3,-
625,000. During the five-year period one estab-
lishment dropped out, leaving 240, whose prod-
ucts were valued at $14,266,000, an increase of
over 300 per cent. In 1914 there were 18 talking
machine factories, whose products were valued
at $27,116,000, but in 1919 the number of estab-
lishments had jumped tq 167, with their products
valued at $158,668,000. ,
These figures are particularly interesting in
that the only loss in valuation reported is in
connection with the production of organs, every
other musical product listed having shown sub-
stantial progress during the five-year period for
which the enumeration has been made.
Formal announcement of the annual tourna-
ment of the National Golf Association of the
Piano Trade, to be held at the Sea View Club at
Absecon, N. J., near Atlantic City, on June 20
and 21, has just been issued by the Tournament.
Committee. The Sea View Club was the scene
of last year's tournament, and all the members
of the Association were enthusiastic over the
accommodations. It was, therefore, decided to
hold this year's tournament at the same place.
The tournament will cover two days, Monday
and Tuesday, with a medal play handicap Mon-
day morning and a match play starting Monday
afternoon and finishing Tuesday morning. There
will also be a medal play handicap Tuesday
afternoon. There will be the usual number of
attractive prizes, for although the giving of
prizes by individual members has been discon-
tinued the Association as a body has taken over
the matter of such presentations. H. B. More-
nus, president of the Association, has provided
a handsome trophy this year.
The annual dinner and election of officers will
be held at the Sea View Club on Tuesday eve-
ning, June 21. Although no playing privileges
could be obtained on Saturday or Sunday prior
to the tournament, it will be possible for trade
golfers to remain over after dinner and play the
course on Wednesday.
It is probable that a number of Association
members will spend Saturday and Sunday at
Atlantic City and come over to the Sea View
Club by automobile late Sunday afternoon in
order to be ready for the early Monday morning
play.
OHIO MERCHANTS' CONVENTION
Columbus Selected by Association for Meetings
September 13 and 14
Colunibus, Ohio, has been selected by the Ohio
Music Merchants' Association as the site for their
annual convention to be held September 13 and
14. From present indications, it is expected that
the forthcoming convention will be the biggest
in the history of the State. A committee repre-
senting the Music Industry Association of Co-
lumbus will be named in the immediate future to
assume charge of the local arrangements. It is
planned to make the convention the most suc-
cessful not only from the business standpoint but
also from the standpoint of entertainment. To
further this plan the Entertainment Committee
is busily engaged in the formation of elaborate
plans for the entertainment of Association mem-
bers and guests.
An effort is being made by the Tuners' Asso-
ciation of the State, through Secretary Ochs, to
meet in Columbus while the convention is in
progress.
BARNES=SHUCK MUSIC STORE OPENS
Live Pair of Music Men Establish Fine Shop
in Glendale, Cal., Handling All Lines
An, artistic music house has lately been
opened in Glendale, Cal., at 211 North Boulevard
avenue, by Barnes & Shuck, the former widely
known for his compositions of popular music
and the latter with considerable reputation in
California as a salesman of musical instruments.
The concern handles pianos, talking machines,
sheet music and player rolls. Commodious,
sound-proof demonstration booths are a part
of the talking machine division of this store.
Meyer's Music House, Carlinville, 111., is hold-
ing a remodeling sale preparatory to the reno-
vating of their establishment.

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