Music Trade Review

Issue: 1922 Vol. 74 N. 6

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
FEBRUARY 11, 1922
OUR TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT
being played the bass strings will not be dis-
STILL BUYING IN^ANTON DISTRICT
colored. Further, it appears that one can some-
(Continued from page 11)
times clean up a stained copper bass string by Public Shows Inclination to Invest on Conserva-
parted company, I going on through Nome and rubbing with a felt pad. Can any reader supply
tive Basis in Musical Instruments of Quality—
the coast of the Behring Sea, taking in the any better information than this somewhat in-
Personals and General News of the Trade
western Alaska coast, which is a matter of some sufficient description?
four thousand miles.
CANTON, O., February 6.—Business in the Canton
"Later I had the pleasure of meeting my
district continues to show steady but slow im-
ALL WELCOME HERE
friend and competitor in Portland, Ore., when I
provement and the first of February found the
Communications of all kinds are welcome if
was visiting there and we spent a pleasant time
trade, as a whole, most optimistic regarding the
together, but since then he has taken his last they contain matter likely to interest the read- outlook for 1922. While it is the truth that
trip, one which all piano tuners must take some ers of the Technical Department. To secure money is still tight and banks hesitate about
day. The profession lost a first-class man when prompt attention they should be addressed to granting loans, there seems to be a tendency
he passed on, a good, clean lad, too, and a William Braid White, care The Music Trade upon the part of the people who have a little
worthy competitor. Ever yours, George An- Review, 373 Fourth avenue, New York.
saved to let go of it if they can be convinced
derson, Juneau, Alaska."
that merchandise is as represented.
Brother Anderson believed that this letter SEES UPWARD TREND IN BUSINESS
Charles W. Smiley,' formerly manager and
might bore my readers, but I am no judge of
president of the J. W. Brown Piano Co., but for
human nature if it has any soporific effect on Federal Reserve Board Notes Many Encour- the past year a member of the new Van Fossen-
aging Indications—North and East Improving Smilcy Piano Co., is temporary head of the latter
any brother who reads the Technical page. We
More Rapidly Than West and South
fellows back in our comfortable (if you don't
concern, since the death two months ago of
care what you say) centers of (for the sake of
S. B. Van Fossen, its president. He says that
WASHINGTON, D. C, February 6.—Business and the piano industry is due for a revival and is not
argument) superior civilization have very little
idea how much beauty, wonder and adventure financial conditions throughout the country dur- in the least disheartened with the slow season
lie still within the territories of the U. S. A. ing January were without striking departures which has characterized the industry locally for
and Canada. Mr. Anderson is, I believe, the from the general December situation, according several weeks. The annual meeting of the Van
only tuner who travels Alaskan territory to the monthly review issued last week by the Fossen-Smiley Co. will be held in April.
throughout, penetrating regularly from one end Federal Reserve Board.
R. C. Danforth, formerly in charge of the
Seasonal slackening in various lines of indus- music department of the Shepard stores, Boston,
to the other of that wonder-land and bringing
harmony into the most out-of-the-way places tries has taken place during the month, the Board
Mass., has taken charge of the same department
where a piano has ever found itself. To have declared, but not beyond the proportions to be of LaSalle & Koch Co., Toledo, O.
something like a monopoly over that great em- expected at this time of the year. Productive
pire is to occupy a rather unique position, but I activity in a number of lines has been unusually
should not advise any young gentleman from well sustained, it was added.
the East, mid-West or Pacific Coast to jump to
Wholesale trade lines have shown great varia-
any conclusions about the desirability of start- tion, but, in the retail trade, the buying demand
ing a little healthy competition. Far be it from in the manufacturing districts in the East and
me to suggest that Brother Anderson is a tough North still shows improvement, while demand
bird, but I think he will not mind me calling in the agricultural regions of the West and South
him a tough competitor.
indicates a sharp decrease, as compared with the
Of course, a great many folks have the idea corresponding period of a year ago.
The general price level, the Board added, has
that Alaska is a land of eternal ice, eternal
Eskimos and eternal gold digging. As a mat- shown but little change.
Commercial demand for credit during the
ter of fact, the territory is rich in all sorts of
agricultural, mineral, woodland and similar nat- month has tended downward and export
ural products and has a marvelous future. Nor trade has shown a tendency toward a small vol-
is its climate extreme save in the regions on or ume of business.
above the Arctic Circle. There used to be an
idea that Canada was a land of eternal snow.
We know better now. So also we shall some
day know about the great Alaska Territory.
THE CELEBRATED
For what you have so kindly and skillfully told
us, Brother Anderson, our very best thanks.
Please come again.
F&C
PARAFFIN OIL
An Inquiry Regarding Wholesale Headquarters
for This Oil
Mr. C. F. Schweikart, of Girardsville, Pa.,
asks where he can buy paraffin oil at wholesale.
He says that local dealers want three dollars a
gallon, which certainly seems a fearfully high
price. Paraffin oil is, of course, not used for
illuminating purposes these days, but for a
variety of special work in lubrication, mixing
up varnishes and similar things it has its uses.
I suppose that the sales department of the
Standard Oil Co. at New York would be the
best place to apply to for wholesale rates. If
any reader buys this oil and will tell me where
it can be had at a reasonable price I shall be
grateful and so will C. F. Schweikart, of Girards-
ville, Pa.
CLEANING BASS STRINGS
Has anyone ever found a good practical way
of cleaning discolored bass strings? I often
get letters in which this question is asked, but it
is very hard to make a satisfactory answer to
them, for, in fact, so far as I can see, when
once a bass string has lost its luster it has lost
it for all time. Of course, one can rub the
string down with powdered pumice stone, but
this usually has the effect of leaving a lot of
white grit between the coils, and so the improve-
ment is not exactly noticeable. I have found
that if a sheet of felt be laid on the strings of
a grand piano whenever the instrument is not
(FELTEN & GUILLEAUME)
IMPORTED-
MUSIC WIRE
IN BLACK, RED and GREEN
LABEL BRANDS
IS UNEXCELLED
T h e " F & G " Blue Label Brand is again being
used by Rudolph C. Koch in the manufacture
off the Reinwarth Covered Bass Strings
For TUNERS and REPAIRERS we have the
convenient one quarter pound clamps
HAMMACHER, SCHLEMMER& CO.
PIANO AND PLAYER HARDWARE, FELTS AND TOOLS
NEW YORK SINCE 1848
!
4th Ave. and 13th St.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
FEBRUARY 11,
THE
1922
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
13
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT IMPORTS AND EXPORTS SHOW LOSS
Figures for Last Year Show That Both the Importation and Exportation of Musical Instruments
Dropped Below Totals for 1920—Greatest Loss Shown in Export Trade
WASHINGTON, D. C, February 6.—The summary
of exports and imports of the commerce of the
United States for the month of December, 1921,
the latest period for which it has been compiled,
has just been issued as follows:
The dutiable imports of musical instruments
and parts, including strings, during December,
1921, amounted to $146,279 as compared with
$19U,O20 which were imported during the same
month of 1920. The twelve months' total end-
ing December, 1921, showed importations valued
ax $2,483,368, against $2,964,505 worth of musical
instruments imported during the same period of
1920, and $1,300,374 in 1919. This gives a de-
crease m imports for the twelve months of
$481,137.
The total domestic exports of musical instru-
ments for December, 1921, amounted to $327,-
604, as compared with $1,019,563 for the same
period of the previous year. The twelve months'
exportations of musical instruments amounted
to $4,466,056 in 1921, as against $11,848,567 in
1920 and $6,883,883 in 1919. This shows a de-
crease for the twelve months of $7,382,511.
Of the aggregate exportations in December
there were 84 organs, valued at $9,800, as com-
pared with 211 organs, valued at $17,659, in 1920.
The twelve months' total showed that we ex-
ported 1,261 organs, valued at $159,911, in De-
cember, 1921; 2,720 organs, valued at $296,942,
for the same period of 1920, and 2,271 organs,
valued at $174,647, in 1919.
In December, 1921, we exported 309 pianos,
valued at $90,908, as compared with 1,309 pianos,
valued at $456,347, for the same period of the
previous year. The twelve months' total shows
4,506 pianos, valued at $1,362,103, as compared
with 16,838 pianos, valued at $5,261,071, for the
same period of 1920, and 12,507 pianos, valued at
$3,001,994, in 1919.
The exports of player-pianos show that 331
of these instruments, valued at $115,914, were ex-
ported during December, 1921, as compared with
768, valued at $326,638, exported in 1920. The
twelve months' total shows that 3,372 player-
pianos, valued at $1,420,129, were exported dur-
ing December, 1921, as compared with 8,364,
valued at $3,472,632, for the same period of
1920, and 4,378, valued at $1,656,519, in 1919.
Of the aggregate exportations there were 12
piano players, valued at $3,410, in 1921. For the
twelve months' period 73 of these instruments,
valued at $24,128, were sent abroad in 1921, as
compared with 117, valued at $46,399, in 1920.
The exports of perforated music rolls for the
month of December, 1921, amounted in value
to $17,665, as compared with $34,216 in 1920.
The twelve months' total amounted in value to
R.S.HOWARDG
PIANOS
"KNOWN THE WORLD OVER"
NOW FEATURING
1
UTTLE WINDER MODELS
FOR com nones
ADO OUR LINE AHO ADOTO^OUR PROFITS
mire
HOWARMTOWERSfe-
|32ND.5T.r&R0WN PLACE-NY.C.
$266,741, as compared with $409,913 in exports
for the same penod in 1920 and $294,742 in 1919.
The value of all other musical instruments and
parts thereof sent abroad during December,
1921, amounted to $89,907, as compared with
$184,703 in 1920. The total exports for the
twelve months under this heading foot up $1,-
233,044, as against $2,361,610 exported in 1920.
THE JUNIOR PACKARD BULLETIN
Meaty Little House Organ Now Being Issued
by the Packard Piano Co. Full of Articles and
Suggestions Calculated to Stimulate Sales
The Packard Piano Co., Ft. Wayne, Ind., has
just issued Number 1, Volume 1, of the Junior
Packard Bulletin, dated January, and represent-
ing a smaller edition of the very interesting
Packard Bulletin that has been issued to the
trade by that company for several years.
The Junior Bulletin is full of meaty articles
of much force and wisdom. It reviews 1922 pros-
pects in a most optimistic vein, emphasizes the
current value of advertising and why piano men
should advertise persistently and consistently,
has something to say about the number of pros-
pects that are available for the efforts of the
live salesman and then gives some news regard-
ing the activities of the Packard Co. and its
dealers.
The bulletin consists of five pages, typewriting
paper size, with edges of bright red, and makes
an attractive and convenient little house organ
for the benefit of the dealer and the salesman.
The character of the matter offered in the
volume may be judged by a perusal of the fol-
lowing article, under the caption, "The Current
Value of Advertising," an article that should
prove inspiring to retailers in any line. It
reads:
Stand on Michigan avenue, look north, and
the one thing that cannot escape your eye is the
new Wrigley skyscraper, it's white form tower-
ing to the stars. A handsome structure it is and
as it stands to-day so it will stand in the years
to come, a monument to the man whose keen
foresight and undaunted courage built a world-
renowned business in a few short years.
But it is more than that. It is a monument
to advertising—proof of advertising well used.
An advertisement is not advertising. The
fellow who uses occasional classifieds is not an
advertiser. Back of real advertising is a plan.
Back of that plan is a purpose—an idea—some-
thing to be accomplished.
Advertising is not like a flag, to be unfurled
when the sun is shining and taken in when it
rains. Nor is it like an umbrella, to be used
only in storm.
What would you think of a salesman who
worked one day a month? You wouldn't em-
*ploy him at any price. He could do you no
good. Yet there are many who use adver-
tisements whenever the spirit moves them and
they believe themselves to be advertisers.
Advertising, like salesmen, to be successful
must be on the job most of the time. Advertis-
ing builds reputation through repetition. With
advertising you must keep everlastingly at it.
"Business is poor, advertising is expensive,
so I'll cut it out for a time." Such logic is
only equaled by the fellow who figures that
there is so little business that he will be money
ahead if he clos'es up shop to save paying rent,
salaries, heat and light. He's dead from the
neck up. If your baby is ill you get a doctor
and medicine, regardless of cost. Laying aside
all sentiment, medicine is cheaper than funerals.
So with a sick business. It needs medicine, the
proper kind, and given in regular doses. And,
if possible, get a doctor who knows his busi-
ness, even though he doesn't know yours. To-
gether you may save the funeral.
What Are You
Riding On
If you bought a
$7,000 T w i n S i x
L i m o u s i n e you'd
think it mighty fool-
ish to equip it with
cheap fabric tires.
—Even if it was only
a $2,000 touring car
you'd probably see to
it that you had high-
quality treads between
you and the bumps
on the road.
—And the discrimi-
nating dyed - in - the-
wool flivverite, who's
wise, feels that he
wants quality first and
price afterwards.
How About
Piano Benches
—Not quite so evi-
dent, you say.
—But just as impor-
tant in the long run.
—Think it over!
—And then think of
"Tonkbenches"
Manufactured by the
TONK MFG. CO.
Clybourn Ave. & Lewis St.
CHICAGO, ILL.

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