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AUGUST 25, 1928
The Music Trade Review
German Manufacturers Form Steinway Export and
Numerous Exhibitors at
Go-operative Association
European Business Grows
the Tuners' Convention
Arrange for Pooling of Interests in Purchasing
of Materials, in Buying and Selling Opera-
tions and in Financing
Paul H. Schmidt Brings Satisfying Report
From Abroad—Sales for Year in Many Coun-
tries Break Previous Records
Several Manufacturers Conduct Classes in Re
pair and Regulating Work for the Benefit of
the Association Members
There has recently been formed in Germany
an association of 53 well-known German piano-
forte and harmonium manufacturers with head-
quarters in Berlin, and with the object of co-
operating in the purchase of materials in the
standardization and cheapening of production,
in formulating and carrying out sales agree-
ments, in pooling experience, obtaining credit,
and financing purchases and sales, including in-
stalment accounts.
The capital stock of the new organization is
set at four million Reichmark, made up of four
thousand denominational shares of 1,000 marks
each, and it is declared that the stock is rapidly
being taken by manufacturers already in the
association and that a number of others are
expected to join, including a number from
Switzerland. The membership at the outset
includes such well known houses as Bechstein,
Bluthner, Fuerich, August Forster, Gors &
Kallmann, Grotrian-Steinweg, Ibach, August
Roth, Schimmel, and many others. The board
of directors consists of Eduard Lucas and Dr.
Heinrich Schermann, with Richard Bradt and
Ferdinand von Reichel as deputies.
Paul H. Schmidt, assistant to the president
of Steinway & Sons, who returned last week
from his annual visit to the European houses
of Steinway & Sons, brought back with him a
particularly satisfying report regarding Euro-
pean and export sales so far as they concerned
the Steinway products. So far as Germany,
Sweden, Holland, Switzerland are concerned,
the demand for Steinway pianos has broken
previous records and the same holds good of
shipments to South America, particularly the
Argentine and Brazil and to South Africa. The
piano demand in Japan is also gaining strength.
In England conditions are somewhat im-
proved, although the effects of the McKenna
Tariff continue to be felt seriously. The situa-
tion, in fact, has developed to a point where
there have been several meetings of manufac-
turers called to urge that the bill be repealed
and that the practice of free trading be re-
sumed.
Another factor that appears to be detrimental
to extensive piano sales in Great Britain is the
law that gives a landlord the right to seize
the property of a tenant for non-payment of
rent, whether that property has been fully paid
for or not. In other words, where the title in
a high purchase sale remains with the seller,
the landlords can still take the instrument in
settlement of debt. Sometime ago a measure
was introduced in Parliament to have this phase
o. the law repealed for the protection of mer-
chants selling on time, but the landlords were
strong enough to defeat it.
There has recently been concluded in Eng-
land a very successful piano-playing contest of
national scope and modeled along the lines of
those that have proven so popular in the
United States. The contest was sponsored by
the Daily Express of London in co-operation
with the organized piano trade and the finals
were held at Kingsway Hall. London, on
August 9, with Harold Samuel, noted British
pianist, and Dr. Malcolm Sargent, the well-
known conductor and composer, on the plat-
form.
Mr. Schmidt was accompanied abroad by
Theodore E. Steinway, president of Steinway
& Sons, who returned some weeks ago and
while in Europe spent some time traveling in
company with Hermann Irion, of the New York
executive staff, who will remain overseas for
another month or so.
CLEVELAND, O., August 20.—During the' period
of the tuners' convention at the Hotel Statlcr
here last week, there were a number of exhibits
by piano manufacturers and supply houses and
in several instances classes in reproducing
action installation and repair, and in piano regu-
lating were conducted for the benefit of the
association members.
The companies exhibiting during the week
included Steinway & Sons, the Aeolian Co.,
(Duo-Art), Pratt, Read Player Action Co.,
Weaver Piano Co., Standard Pneumatic Action
Co., M. Schulz Co., Welte-Mignon Corp., Otto
R. Trefz, Jr., Co., Inc., Tuners' Supply Co.,
Everett Piano Co., the Gulbransen Co., Bald-
win Piano Co., and the Thayer Action Co.
Ghas. E. Gorham Joins
Bankers-Commercial Go.
Chas. E. Gorham, has resigned as director of
Ampico, Ltd., and representative of the Ameri-
can Piano Co., in London, England, to become
vice-president and director of the Bankers-
Commercial Security Co., Ltd., in charge of the
London office. The latter company, with head-
quarters in New York, is engaged in financing
piano instalment accounts.
Jones Goes to Philadelphia
BOSTON, MASS., August 22.—Horace Jones, who
for some time past has been New England
manager for the QRS Co., and has made many
friends in this locality, has been transferred to
the Philadelphia branch of that company in the
capacity of local manager.
Chas. Weidelman has purchased the music
store of McLogan & Pearce, Calumet, Mich.,
of which he has been manager for several years
past, and will continue the business.
Hepplewhite
Merriam Bench No. 703B
This period design is adaptable for use with
various piano case models.
Merriam quality
throughout. Seat IS ins. x 36 ins., Grand Height,
19 ins., Mahogany or Walnut, Polished or Uphol-
stered Seat, Music Compartment.
Write for information and prices to
AMERWAMQ).
SO. ACTON, MASS.
Garter Music Go. Giving
Free Piano Instruction
HOUSTON, TEXAS, August 23.—The J. W. Carter
Music Company, of Houston, is giving a four
weeks' free music course in piano to more than
one hundred children. These children range
in age from six to sixteen years.
These piano classes are being conducted by
Miss Katherine Bradshaw Morgan, who was
one of the first Americans to study with To-
bias Matthay, London, often considered Eng-
land's greatest authority of piano teaching for
children.
Music Displays Withdraw
From British Fair
Because of the fact that the management of
the British Industries' Fair announced that the
displays of musical instruments would be ar-
ranged this year in a section not nearly so
desirable as that occupied by the music displays
for several years past, the Federation of Brit-
ish Music Industries has decided to withdraw.
Hermann Irion to Be
Dined by British Trade
Announcement comes from England that
Hermann Irion, President of the Music Indus-
tries Chamber of Commerce of America, who
has been abroad for some weeks, will be the
guest of honor at a dinner given by the Presi-
dent and Council of the Federation of British
Music. Industries in London on September 12.
Consult the Universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge for men who desire positions.
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