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JANUARY 2,
THE
1926
MUSIC TRADE
45
REVIEW
SUPPLY BRANCHES OF THE INDUSTRY
A. L. Wessell Sees the Piano Industry
Enter New Year Under Fine^Conditions
Vice-President of the Wessell, Nickel & Gross States Firm Has Completed Fine Year—Foresees
Increase in the Production of Straight Upright Instruments
A T the conclusion of the old year and begm-
"^^ ning Qf the new utmost confidence and
optimism radiates from the headquarters of
Wessell, Nickel & Gross, New York, manufac-
Arthur L. Wessell
turers of Wessell, Nickel & Gross piano actions.
Arthur L. Wessell, vice-president of the com-
pany, who is in touch with practically every
development in the piano industry, spoke inter-
estingly to a representative of The Review upon
current conditions and the outlook for the
future.
Mr. Wessell stated in part: "We have found
business during the past year very satisfactory.
Not only did it average good, but it kept up in
even proportions throughout the entire year,
with no dull season. Renewed confidence in
conditions was reflected in the activities of a
number of piano manufacturers during the Sum-
mer months, while retail business was quiet.
These manufacturers realizing the Fall would
create a heavy demand for pianos kept their
factories in operation during the Summer
months and had a stock on hand ready for the
increased Fall business.
"Good business did not end with Christmas.
On the days following we continued to receive
telegrams from our customers for rush orders
for immediate delivery. These telegrams were
frequent during the entire Fall season. Some
of them were received from houses that were
not our regular customers. However, we fol-
lowed our well-established practice of serving
our customers first.
FOR YOU
Are you still wasting your time and
going to the expense of scraping off old
varnish and shellac to eliminate the
checks and cracks in order to secure a
smooth surface for refinishing?
Use Behlen's Varnish Crack Eradi-
cator.
It saves time, trouble and, incidentally,
expense, at the same time giving you as
fine a body surface for the new finish
as you could possibly wish for.
A sample can for trial awaits your
request.
H. BEHLEN & BRO.
Anilines
Shellac*
Stains
Fillers
10-12 Christopher St., New York
Near «th AT«., and 8th St.
"We are entering a new year in an excep-
tionally healthy condition. We are carrying
more orders over into the next year than ever
before in the history of our organization, and
this, as you know, dates back for half a century.
"Last year was a quality market. I believe
that this same situation will influence the busi-
ness of the coming year, for the buying public
is becoming more and more cognizant.of piano
values. While there may always be a cheap
piano market I do not believe that the average
person will continue to be misled by 'bait' ad-
vertising. A quality piano costs a lot to produce
and must, therefore, command a proportionate
price, and the sensationally priced instrument is
seldom, if ever, worth more than is paid for it.
'Bait' advertising has undoubtedly misled many
but I believe that this condition will rectify
itself and that the new year will witness the
true appreciation of the quality piano.
"Orders during the past year were well pro-
portioned among player, grand and straight up-
right pianos. Notwithstanding many rumors
that were circulated to the contrary, straight
pianos are holding their own. We have been
surprised at the figures showing the production
of the straight piano, and it would seem from
present indications that production on straight
uprights would see a still further increase dur-
ing 1926.
"An influential factor bearing upon the sales
of straight upright pianos is the training of
the child in music, which for a time was some-
what overlooked. It is, however, now receiving
increased attention and fortunately so for the
popularity of the straight upright piano. Al-
though every child cannot master the technique
of the great artists, still the ability to read and
play the simpler but equally pleasing lighter
compositions is much to be desired.
"During the past year additional machinery
has been added to the wood-working mills of
Wessell, Nickel & Gross in Vermont, thus in-
creasing the efficiency of this important end of
the business. We are also assured of securing
during the early part of this year an assortment
of the very finest grade lumber which will be
made up into our actions.
"The satisfactory conditions at the present
time enables me to confidently predict that 1926
will probably prove one of the biggest years in
the piano industry. The industry is in a sub-
stantial condition. Name values will count in-
creasingly, and the buying public and dealers,
carrying well and favorably known makes of
pianos will benefit. The sale of good pianos
makes for stability in the industry, and we can
all, therefore, safely look for a banner year.
Wessell, Nickel & Gross, as manufacturers of
piano actions, are in a particularly strategic posi-
tion to sense conditions in the industry. Their
findings may well indicate the actual prospects
in the piano business during the coming year.
Astoria Mahogany Go.
Bought by J. F. Young
Firm Bought at Receiver's Sale for Reported
Consideration of $2,000,000—Organized Dur-
ing War
The sale of the plant and equipment of the
Astoria Mahogany Co. on twenty-nine acres at
Steinway and Riker avenues, Astoria, L. I., for
a consideration of $2,000,000, has just been ap-
proved by Federal Judge Marcus B. Campbell in
Brooklyn. The purchaser is John F. Young, of
New York City, who secures the company's
yards in Chicago, Grand Rapids and Jamestown,
N. Y., with the deal.
The Astoria Mahogany Co. was organized
in war time for the purpose of supplying the
Government with airplane wood materials, and
went into the hands of receivers on January
14, 1922, Douglas Allen and Edward McMahon
being the men appointed to this position. At
the time the company went into bankruptcy it
was explained that its working capital had been
used to carry out contracts to supply mahogany
to the government for use in the manufacture
of airplanes during the war, and that the com-
pany had not yet been paid for the mahogany
delivered. Suits for payment of money are
pending.
The Ambassador Music Shop, Inc., of Lancas-
ter, Pa., has opened for business in Penn
Square, featuring phonographs, records and all
kinds of small goods.
Consult the Universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge for men who desire positions.
We Are Specialists in
High Grade White Eastern
BAR STOCK
Let us know your requirements
GEORGE LOUGKS
Dolgeville
One of the Popular
"ART LINE"
ROLL CABINETS
American
Capacity 96 Rolls
Write for Catalog.
Piano Wire
The Art Novelty Co.
Goshen, Ind. ,
"Perfected" "Crown"
Highest acoustic excellence dating back to the
days of Jonas Chickering. Took prize over
whole world at Paris 19lK). For generations
the standard, and used on the greatest num-
ber of pianos in the world.
Serricat of sur Acouttlc Xatfaeer always available
—free Illustrated books—fr«e
American Steel & Wire
ACOUSTIC DEPARTMENT
ZM ». LA &ALLE ST.. CHICAGO
New York
Company
STYLE NO. 171
PHILIP W. OETTING & SON, Inc.
213 East 19th Street. New York
Sole Agent* lor
WEICKERT HAMMER AND DAMPER FELTS
GRAND AND UPRIGHT HAMMERS
Made of Welckert Felt