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BOSTON AND NEW ENGLAND
John H. Wilson,,Representative, 324 Washington St., Boston, Mass.
OSTON, MASS., December 21.—Another
week, and near the end of the year, and
what a year! But more of that later, a week
later. As for the holiday business which is of
present concern it has been rather disappointing.
As throwing a side-light on a situation that ap-
parently is not uniform throughout the country
it is interesting to quote a big New York piano
man, no less than Mark P. Campbell, of the Bram-
bach Co., who was in town yesterday and told The
Review representative that when he was on the
Coast a while ago business was almost boom-
ing, there was a widespread demand for goods
and the same was equally conspicuous when he
got into Texas. He said that it was only as one
worked East that the poor business was apparent
and the more so the farther East one came. Mr.
Campbell is of the opinion, however, that things
will pick up after the new year and he shares the
belief, with some astute financial experts, that
1927 is going to be a splendid year in general trade.
Harvard Economic Service Survey
Here comes the Harvard Economic service with
its survey of the situation. In part it says:
"As the end of 1926 approaches, the general
credit situation appears distinctly better than that
of a year ago. Instalment sales continue to draw
upon the banking resources of the country; but un-
til depression occurs in business, such sales are
not likely to prove an important adverse factor in
the general situation. Instalment obligations are
usually liquidated or written off creditors' books in
six to twelve months; and, while they would com-
plicate a business situation already embarrassed,
they have not so far threatened trouble during a
period of generally sound conditions. Moreover,
general business is no longer expanding, as it was
in December, 1925, and manufacturing output is in
smaller volume. Indeed,—so far as one can now
see—a rapid tightening of money rates, such as
would cause a major decline in either security or
commodity markets is improbable during the whole
of next year."
Christmas Parties the Rule
This is the week of Christmas parties. The
Oliver Ditson Co., which always has a good time,
and which is arranged by the "Get-Together
Club," spent last evening at the Twentieth Cen-
tury Club in Joy street and the party was as jolly
as ever, but the absence, of course, of Mr. Wood-
man was greatly felt, for he always was the life of
the party. Another party was held by the Boston
Music Co. at the Hotel Brunswick where all the
men and women members of the staff gathered
for supper and dancing. The Ivers & Pond Piano
Co. is planning for a celebration to-morrow or
Thursday evening following the close of business,
and as usual the Henry F. Miller warerooms are
having a happy party, this one to take place Wed-
nesday afternoon.
Two Boston callers this week have been Mark P.
Campbell, of the Brambach Piano Co., and H. B.
Pattison of the Kohler Industries, both of whom
remained here only two days.
Fine Ivers & Pond Window
In the show window of the Ivers & Pond Co.
is a magnificent Louis XVI grand in two-tone
finish, which is attracting a great deal of atten-
tion. Thrown over one side is a beautiful fabric
which Sheppard Pond procured in New York, and
which adapts itself admirably to setting off so
handsome an instrument.
Baldwin Used in Many Concerts
F. F. Motte Lacroix played at the Chilton Club
last night, using a Baldwin grand which was fur-
nished from the A. M. Hume warerooms. To-day
one was heard to good advantage at the Copley-
Plaza where the Professional Woman's Club en-
tertained. Hans Ebell will use a Baldwin at a
concert at Temple Israel on the evening of Janu-
B
ary 1, and on January 2, in Portland, Me. Nagele
will be provided with one of his concerts on that
date. Nagele also will be heard in this city at
Jordan Hall, January 5 and at Groton, January 26.
Poole Co. Enjoys a Good Year
The Poole Piano Co. is having a rather quiet
time this week, for what pianos the factory is
working on are scarcely for holiday delivery. Thus
is the wholesale business of the Poole going to
make a good showing for 1926.
Here's wishing the trade a Happy Christmas,
and may the New Year hold much unexpected joy.
Platt Music Co. Offers $750,000 Worth
of Gold Debentures at 7 Per Cent
Firm Reports an Annual Sales Volume of Over $3,000,000 With Assets of Over $2,700,000, and
Operates Seven Stores—Premiers Featured at Orpheum Theatre
T OS ANGELES, December 17.—The surprise
of the present week was the announcement
of the offering, at an early date, of an issue of
$750,000 Platt Music Co. 7 per cent sinking
fund gold debentures by a strong group of
local investment bankers. The Platt Music
Co. operates seven music stores in Southern
California, the principal one being at 620 South
Broadway, just north of the old Orpheum
Theatre, and it is rumored that a fine building
will soon be erected adjoining the new Orpheum
Theatre between Eighth and Ninth streets on
Broadway and on the same block as the South-
ern California Music Company and Rudolph
Wurlitzer Company. The six other Platt music
stores are situated at: Western avenue, Holly-
wood blvd., Brooklyn avenue, Temple street,
Huntington Park and Long Beach.
As is well known, the rise of the Platt Music
Co. reads like a page from a business romance.
Starting in 1902 with some sewing machines
and a few musical instruments, Mr. Platt has
seen his- business grow from that humble be-
ginning to its present position in which the
sales volume exceeds $3,000,000 annually and a
balance sheet shows assets of over $2,700,000.
Premier Grands Featured at Orpheum
Jerry Valarie is appearing at the Orpheum
with the four Premier grand pianos finished in-
shining gold, together with eleven dancing girls.
The act is accorded an enthusiastic reception,
as elsewhere on the Orpheum circuit, and is
doubtless, in addition, a very fine means of
publicity for the Premier Grand.
Large Advance Sale to the "Miracle"
Tickets for the performance of the "Miracle"
are already enjoying a remarkable advance sale
for the four weeks performance at the Shrine
Auditorium, January 31 to February 26. Mor-
ris Gest, famous producer, is suffering from a
slight nervous breakdown.
Barker Bros. Enjoy Good Sales
This is the first Christmas which has been
spent by Barker Bros, in their magnificent new
store on West Seventh street an-d which is more
than five blocks from their old Broadway loca-
tion. Holiday business in the music depart-
ment is exceeding all anticipations and the last
week's sales should bring the total sales for De-
cember up to a very gratifying amount.
Ed. H. Uhl Serves on Federal Jury
As if Ed. H. Uhl, president of the Southern
California Music Co. and president of the Na-
tional Association of Music Merchants, had not
enough to occupy his time already, he was
subpoenaed for the Federal Jury some time ago.
However, Mr. Uhl never undertakes anything
half-heartedly and, although he would scarcely
be human if he did not deplore this extra call
on his time, he is carrying out his duties, as
one of the twelve good and true, with all of his
usual concentration and devotion.
J. T. Fitzgerald, Rancher
J. T. Fitzgerald, president of the Fitzgerald
Music Co., is a rancher as well as merchant
IS
prince. From his beautiful estate a few miles
out of Los Angeles, which he refers to as "the
ranch," more than three tons of luscious
avocados were gathered, sufficient, in calories
content to sustain a small army for several
weeks. Perhaps it is from these self-same
avocados that Mr. Fitzgerald obtains so much
vigor and pep, for a mountain hike, a brisk walk
and trot—the last named being considered al-
most undignified by young nieces who regard
Uncle Jim as a personage—are his favorite pas-
times.
Consult the Universal Want Directory of
The Review.
Pratt Read
Products
P i a n o Ivory
Piano Keys
Piano Actions
Player Actions
Established in
1806
at Deep River, Conn.
Still There
Standard Service and Highest
£'•
Quality ' •>"?
Special Repair Departments
Maintained for Convenience
of Dealers
PRATT, READ & CO.
THE PRATT READ
PLAYER ACTION CO.
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