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Kk j , 1925
THE
MUSIC
TRADE
REVIEW
59
IN THE WORLD OF MUSIC PUBLISHING
Conducted By V. D. Walsh
Richmond Invades Another Canadian
City and Sends the News from Toronto
Head of the Richmond Music Supply Corp., New York, Makes a General Survey of the Mus'.c
Merchants in That City and Finds Things Humming Up There
bit. Mr. Hunter reports splendid progress in
the business for 1925 and that they are exceed-
ing their quota.
That is some busy office Mr. Hunter occu-
pies. I counted at least six busy fascinating
young ladies under his personal guidance, who
appeared to be going "top speed." Who
wouldn't get an inspiration with an outfit like
that?
One of the finest catalogs in the entire musi-
cal merchandise industry is now in preparation
by this house under the personal supervision of
VV. H. Myhill, the manager of that department.
It will display everything from a Jew's harp to
a concert harp. Twelve pages of it will be de-
voted to illustrated matter in four colors on
string instruments. Mr. Myhill is exceptionally
enthused about this undertaking and looks for a
very substantial gain of business through this
medium. He thinks that the saxophone is one
of the best selling instruments in Canada,
mainly because it is easy to play and, besides,
the saxophone beats the ukulele because it keeps
the mouth busy.
Nordheimer Piano & Music Co., Ltd.
The "House of Nordheimer" showed its usual
Whaley, Royce & Co.
Can anyone wlio knows Holmes Maddock, the business-like appearance throughout the build-
music man of this firm, picture him anything ing. When I dropped in I had to wait around
for some time in the music department before
but hitting on eight cylinders, stepping right on
the boys could even see me wink the other eye.
it? To my sorrow, when I called on him, I
found Holmes was in bed with rheumatic neuri- Mr. Syler, the manager of the sheet music de-
partment, and the other boys, including "Louie"
tis (whatever that is). It's no good friend of
his except that it brought a sweet and good- Sekinger, were all busy waiting on the trade.
A. J. Syler had this much to say: "Our prices
looking nursie to his bedside. That poor boy
is all crippled up. . Holmes told me the evening are net whether it's to the lay public, teacher or
1 was with him that a friend called him up on professional musician. We are obliged to mark
our merchandise 20 per cent higher than the
the phone and asked what the trouble was and
he said to Holmes: "Oh you'll be out in a few price the American dealer sells for, that being
days no doubt." But Holmes Maddock was the added cost in bringing it into the country."
I mentioned the fact that I had not seen him
rather doubtful just when he would be able to
get about. His friend further asked: "Why are at our last music dealers' convention early in
you so anxious to stay in bed? Are you being June in New York. He said that he was sorry
well taken care of?" When Holmes described but he found it hard to get away. The firm
him all the facts his friend said: "That's differ- had taken over the entire stock of the Frederick
ent. 1 don't blame you. With that pretty nurse Harris Co. wholesale and retail business and he
around, anyone is liable to be slow in recover- had been devoting his time converting that
stock into cash. What could be nicer?
ing."
It is really marvelous how well Mr. Syler
Mrs. Maddock is my friend, we had a per-
looked. He didn't tell me how old he is. He
fectly wonderful dinner she cooked herself, and
can easily be a grandpa in years, yet he feels
little Bobby, the young son and heir, was with
us and Nursie on my right—just think of that. young. He has the right idea and knows how
I was not sick at all. Bobby is a smart little to keep well. He is satisfied that the elephant,
fellow. He related an experience he had with the parrot, the crocodile and turtle live long.
his teacher. "What's the shape of the earth?" They keep busy and they don't strain them-
asked the teacher calling suddenly on Bobby. selves to make it snappy.
T. Eaton Co.
"Round," was his reply. "How do you know
In my travels I go from the Atlantic to the
it's round?" "All right," said Bobby, "it's
Pacific, but nowhere is there a music depart-
square then. I don't want to start any argu-
ment about it." Quite like his mother, Bobby, ment that is worthy of more praise than Eaton's
music department for extreme neatness in ap-
much different from his dad.
Bobby tells another one. It seems their next- pearance, with solid mahogany fixtures through-
door neighbors have some chickens and they out. Its polish is continually kept right up to
had a visitor from the States who was rather par. There are clean-looking stock, attractive
inquisitive. He asked: "Do you hatch all these displays and signs; in fact everything is precise.
Mr. Noble mentioned the following publica-
chickens yourself?" "Nope," retorted the neigh-
bor, "we keep the hens to look after them de- tions of standard and popular material as the
"top notchers" during my visit: "Country Gar-
tails."
W. H. Hunter, the treasurer, is always hunt- den," by Grainger; "Rendezvous," a Bosworth
ing for something or another. Being the money- publication for piano; "Souvenir," piano solo by
Bradla; "Midnight Waltz," Feist; "Yes, Sir,
man of the firm he is very popular, but that
is really the least reason. His charm and per- That's My Baby"; "Ukulele Lady"; If I Had
a Girl Like You"; "Let It Rain, Let It Pour";
sonal magnetism is beyond description and if
any of you music men ever get to Toronto you and "If You Knew Susie."
Over one thousand of the Leo Feist latest
will soon learn that I am not exaggerating one
^ T O R O N T O , Ontario, Canada, September 27.
*• —Seated in the observation car on the
C. P. R. train for Toronto leaving Montreal just
before train time, I saw a gent approaching who
was a "dead ringer" for
my good friend, Mi-
chael Keene, and who
doesn't know Michael
Kecne? He had the
same elastic step, thick
mustache and a big
cigar in his mouth and
you know it's quite all
right for Mike to come
to Toronto. The head
of Boosey & Co. of
America has many ex-
Maurice Richmond
cuses for going to Can-
ada. 1 said to this individual from a distance "Do
I hear you calling me, Mike," but there was no
response. Being certain that I was right, I fol-
lowed this bird and as I came closer I heard
him whistle "My Wild Irish Rose." I knew
then and there it was my error, as this happy
individual disappeared in space.
dance folio have been disposed of in less than
thirty days. The T. Katon Co. also operates a
mail order music department very successfully
under the supervision of Mr. Alexander.
A. Cox & Co.
In one of my previous sketches, I called Mr.
Cox a fox, because of his alertness. He is still
up and doing and is just as lively in his pub-
lishing business, which consist principally of
various collections that are enjoying splendid
sales throughout Canada. His business is com-
pact; he does it in a small space in a cozy little
place in an office building upstairs, but from all
evidences he thoroughly enjoys his work and
is happy in it.
The Remick Song & Gift Shop
This is a music store that is well stocked with
the modern type of publications, well displayed
and demonstrated with considerable efficiency to
the buyer. The counters are well stocked with
many hits and the Remick publications, as Mr.
Goldberg, the manager, said, are selling like
"hot cakes."
Armand-Greig Music Co.
This combined retail and wholesale business
is being successfully operated by two men who
have had an abundance of experience in the
field. Mr. Grcig is confident that their whole-
sale business is making splendid headway. Their
credit is good; if you have anything good "try
and sell them."
George Musgrave
The Yonge St. Arcade has housed George
Musgrave and his brother, Charley, for many
years. While they are brothers, they still like
each other, but Brother Charley is no longer
connected with the business. George always
makes it a point to have good musicians around
the store and they sure know how to demon-
strate popular music. His stunt is to use two
pianos. He finds the duet idea is much more
effective to the listener and the boys certainly
know how to put it over.
National Music Store
On Bloor street, a ways up town, this smart-
looking music shop is serving every need of the
musical public, a high grade piano, Victor talk-
ing machine, as well as a good line of popular
and semi-classic publications. A short visit with
the manager, who was bubbling over with posi-
tiveness for this Fall's big doings in the entire
industry, was indeed interesting. This house is
making splendid headway in all the lines it is
handling and is optimistic for the future.
Throughout the Dominion of Canada the bet-
ter type of ballads arc much in evidence and
the dealer finds them profitable to handle. That
is why the Witmark Black & White catalog,
likewise the Boosey and Chappell songs, are
bought so freely by our Canadian cousins. They
like good songs.
Leo Feist, Ltd., of Canada
Leo Feist, Ltd., is located in the Heintzman
Building in the heart of the business section of
Yongc street. Ed. Bitner holds the office of
president and its general manager is Gordon
Thompson, a Canadian, who has been identified
in the music publishing business for many years.
These officers take care of the entire Canadian
business from the Atlantic to the Pacific in the
Leo Feist catalog as well as the Century edition
of standard music.
Gordon Thompson is a much-liked fellow with
the Canadian trade. One of the reasons is be-
cause he is a Canadian himself. Another reason
is that he represents the "Tiffany" of the popu-
lar music business. The dealer is always glad
to handle merchandise that has a quick turn-
over and the Feist prints certainly do sell,
whether it is in Canada or the good old U. S. A.
(Continued on page 62)