Music Trade Review
Issue: 1881 Vol. 4 N. 12 - Page 11
Music
Trade
Review -- © THE
mbsi.org,
arcade-museum.com
-- TRADE
digitized with
support from namm.org
July 20th,
1881.
MUSICAL
CRITIC AND
REVIEW.
177
constitute a compromise. In this connection I might suggest that any per- Decker, of the well-known firm of Decker & Son, piano manufacturers, New
son should be empowered to appeal after thirty days' notice on giving suffi- York. Mr. Decker visits our city in the interests of his business, and, we
cient bonds, but not otherwise; because, unless bonds were made obligatory understand, has established his agency at the extensive house of the N. Y.
the amount of appeals taken would obstruct the courts.
Piano Company, 226 and 228 St. James street. Mr. Decker is one of the
Reporter—Many persons in the music trades have spoken about the oldest and most respectable piano manufacturers in America, having worked
abuses arising from the appointment of receivers by the courts, and have at the bench with the celebrated Albert Weber over thirty years ago. His
expressed a wish that these abuses might be avoided in framing the "hew instruments have the endorsement of the leading musicians of the country,
and are as handsome in style as they are sweet and beautiful in tone."
laws.
When the reporter had read the above, Mr. Decker said, " It is strange,
Mr. Stewart—I think they are in error in regard to the facts in the case ;
under the old law the receiver was elected by a majority of the creditors, is it not, that after my arrival in Montreal to place an agency there, this
little paragraph should turn up, and in the same issue of the paper that the
and this provision should be included in any new law on the subject.
As all the questions were now answered, Mr. Stewart, having clients above appeared in ? " and Mr. Decker handed the reporter another slip of
waiting to see him, left our reporter to a perusal of the act of 1867, with which paper on which he read:
Mr. Stewart had kindly furnished him, and in which he (the reporter) found
BEWARE of bogus "Decker" Pianos. DECKER BROS., of Union Square,
an answer to a question which has been raised by some members of the trade, New York, are alone entitled to the trademark, " T H E DECKER," and De-
viz.: whether there should not be some way of punishing persons who do Zouche & Co. are the sole agents.
not, or cannot, keep their books correctly. The act of 1867 states very dis-
" Curious coincidence that, isn't it ? Possibly some of them will say, if
tinctly that the bankrupt will not be entitled to a discharge unless he has kept the cap fits me I may wear it. But that's nonsense, I know what the thing
proper books of account.
amounts to, and I don't hesitate to put tbe matter before you."
We may state in conclusion that we think Mr. Ingalls has adopted the
" Now here is another phase of the question : let me read you a part of
proper course in seeking answers to his questions, and suggestions from a letter which is similar to thousands I receive. It is from John A. Gilbert,
editors of papers, particularly those connected with the various trades.
my agent in Crawfordsville, Ind. He writes me to send him one of my best
uprights for exhibition at some fair in the West, and says:
' I want to take the rag from my competitors who claim that the piano
DECKER & SON LIFT UP THEIR VOICES.
you make is bogus, and a base imitation of the genuine. Their denunciations
" T THINK," said Mr. Myron A. Decker, the head of the well-known house are loud and deep. They say that you are counterfeiters, and make a third-
X of Decker & Son, piano manufacturers of this city, "that more per- class instrument. Told all this to the party to whom I sold my initial
sistent and malicious efforts are made to persecute me than, any man in the Decker & Son piano; called it a cheap, snide thing. They have one Weber,
Emerson and Kimball."
trade I know of."
" Now what would you do to such fellows as those he speaks of," asked
It was while a reporter of the MUSICAL CKITIO AND TRADE BEVIEW was
sitting in Mr. Decker's office, just before the examination of the "Baby" Mr. Decker.
Grand spoken of in our last issue, that the above remark was made.
" Do," repeated the reporter, " Why the first thing I should do would
" Here, as you know," continued Mr. Decker, " I have beenmaniafactur- be to get my batteries perfectly in order before opening fire on them."
ing pianos for about twenty-five years, and yet some of my rivals would like
to take from me the right to uae my own name, and if possible to run me out
THE OLD CKEDIT SYSTEM IN JOURNALISM.
of the business. I know very well that I make a thoroughly good piano, a
I
N
an
address
upon the powers and duties of the press before the Northern
great deal better piano than many others make, and I suppose it is the quality
_L Indiana Editorial Association last week, at Wabash, Mr. Richard Bmith,
of my goods that hurts them."
of the Cincinnati Gazette, speaking of the evils of the credit system,
" Yes," replied the reporter, " you certainly do make an excellent piano. editor
said:
"
the Gazette Company changed from the credit to the cash in
But if your enemies trouble vou, why don't you fight ? Your piano is good advance When
system
there were $80,000 due on the books from weekly subscribers
enough, but there is one thing that should be combined with it."
alone that had been accumulating for a third of a century. Of that amount
"And that is," said Mr. Decker.
cents were collected. We employed a man and furnished him a
"Aggressiveness," replied the reporter. "If, as you say, parties are not 80,000
horse and sent him off on a collecting tour. In six months the horse
trying to walk all over you, you should strike out straight from the good
died, the saddle and bridle were pawned for keep, and the man returned a
shoulder."
considerable balance against the company. We sold the books for old paper
Mr. Decker smiled at this point as if he had his share of aggressiveness, and called those credits lost."
and was prepared to make use of it at the right time.
" The feeling extends," he continued, "even to agents and dealers,
rivals of my agents and dealers, all over the country; it has grown so that it
is difficult to keep track of it, and it has become so common that I should
have my hands about full to attend to it. I think it will be a good idea to
THE CHICAGO MTTSIO CO.
take some one person, and make an example of him that will frighten the
AlfredM.
Fletcher.
"Longing."
Song. Price 35 cents.
others. Some of my manufacturing rivals having started the ' fraud ' cry,
it has been taken up by dealers, who find it very convenient, I suppose,
Nera. " Break into Beautiful Blossoms." Song. Price 25 cents.
when my pianos come in competition with those they handle, to take up the
Nera. "Words." Song. Price 35 cents.
howl of ' bogus, bogus!' "
" Here is one way in which the thing is worked," and Mr. Decker handed
J. A. Harris. "Fort Dearborn March." For the piano. Price 40
the reporter a slip cut from the Montreal Herald and Daily Commercial
cents.
Gazette, dated Saturday, June 18th, 1881, which read as follows:
" PERSONAL.—We have had the pleasure of a visit from Mr. Myron A.
NEW
PUBLICATIONS.
CORRESPONDENCE.
THE CHILD ORGAN, ONLY $22.
Three and one-third Octaves, Knee Swell, Rich Tone, Ebony and Gold
Case, Two Blow Pedals and Rubber Bellows.
Warranted six years.
The trade supplied.
HORACE WATERS & CO.,
MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS IN PIANOS AND ORGANS,
826 B R O A D W A Y , N E W Y O R K .
N. B.—AB the child is larger than the baby BO the Child Organ has more notes than baby organs.
A CANADIAN ADMIRER OF THIS PAPER.
SHERBROOKE, Que., July 7th, 1881.
Editor Musical Critic and Trade Review:
DEAR SIR :—I see in your paper of June 20th, that you will s^nd copies
of February 5th, 1881, exposing D. F. Beatty. Please send me two
copies. I read your paper and / like it. I have been in the piano and
organ business here for twenty-four years, I represent J. Estey & Co., of
Brattleboro', Vt. They are first-class men, and they certainly make a fine
organ, I also represent the Emerson Piano, which is a first-class one in every
respect. Business is good, and times are better.
Respectfrilly yours,
H. C. W.
GRAND CONSERVATORY OP MUSIC
DIHECTOKY
OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
OP THE
21 East 14th Street. 21
MUSICAL PROFESSION
This RENOWNED MTJSIO SCHOOL offers the accumulated advan-
tages of years of successful operation. Instruction in all branches
of Vocal and Instrumental Music, Harmony and Composition,
etc., by the most eminent Masters and Professors of the land, at
MODERATE RATES.
For further particulars, address,
K. E B E R H A R D ,
AND THE
MUSIC TRADES.
BOSTON, MASS.
Director.
MANUFACTURERS.
ENERGETIC PIANO TRAVELER
Wants situation with First-class House, well acquainted with
business. Best of references.
Address,
A UTOMATIO MUSICAL PAPER CO. Music Paper for Mechan
XX ical Musical Instruments. 227 to 233 Cambridge Street.
TTiMERSON PIANO 00., manufacturers of Grand, Square and
J l l Upright Pianos, 595 Washington Street.
WORCESTER, MASS.
C. R I C H T E R , Care of 0 . NEWCOMBE & Co., TOBONTO.
MANUFAC TURERS.
f^
W. INGALLS & CO., Organ Reed Boards, Parker Tremolos
vJTi and Octave Couplers, 25 Hermon Street.
rTT>RAVELING SALESMAN. I desire to engage with some good
JL
pianoforte or organ manufactory as a wholesale Traveling
Salesman for the State of Ohio and neighboring territory. Will
engage on salary, commission, or the two combined. Territory
must be absolutely protected. Ability guaranteed. Best reference
given. Acquaintance large. -Address,
MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW, 853 Broadway, N. Y.City.
T"v
G. KETTELL, Piano.Punchings, 6 Lincoln Square.
AQENTS AND DEALERS.
CJ R. LELAND & CO., Chickering. Knabe, Hallett, Davis &
O .
Co., and Fischer Pianos ; Peloubet & Co. and Smith
American Organs, Sheet Music and Band Instruments.
The United States exported to Australia in
1878 (the last year for which the statistics have
been published) musical instruments to the am-
ount of $2,920. During the same period Great
Britain exported musical instruments to Australia
of the value of $370,000.
The Star Parlor Organ Co., of Washington
N. J., have issued a new catalogue containing
illustrations of their handsome instruments. The
company state that it is their purpose to turn out
a reed organ second to none in the country.
Mr. William, Blasius of 921 Chestnut street,
Philadelphia, was in New York city recently on
business connected with his agency for mechan-
ical musical instruments for which he is having
an unprecedented sale throughout Pennsylvania.
There seems to have been something myster-
ious about the mortgagee's sale of felt making
machinery in 22d street, noticed in our last issue.
Parties who were on the ground, within five min-
utes of the time advertised for the sale to take
place, state that they found the sale over and the
place closed, and on investigating the matter
found that machinery valued at about $2,000, had
been knocked down for about $600.
Trade
Review -- © THE
mbsi.org,
arcade-museum.com
-- TRADE
digitized with
support from namm.org
July 20th,
1881.
MUSICAL
CRITIC AND
REVIEW.
177
constitute a compromise. In this connection I might suggest that any per- Decker, of the well-known firm of Decker & Son, piano manufacturers, New
son should be empowered to appeal after thirty days' notice on giving suffi- York. Mr. Decker visits our city in the interests of his business, and, we
cient bonds, but not otherwise; because, unless bonds were made obligatory understand, has established his agency at the extensive house of the N. Y.
the amount of appeals taken would obstruct the courts.
Piano Company, 226 and 228 St. James street. Mr. Decker is one of the
Reporter—Many persons in the music trades have spoken about the oldest and most respectable piano manufacturers in America, having worked
abuses arising from the appointment of receivers by the courts, and have at the bench with the celebrated Albert Weber over thirty years ago. His
expressed a wish that these abuses might be avoided in framing the "hew instruments have the endorsement of the leading musicians of the country,
and are as handsome in style as they are sweet and beautiful in tone."
laws.
When the reporter had read the above, Mr. Decker said, " It is strange,
Mr. Stewart—I think they are in error in regard to the facts in the case ;
under the old law the receiver was elected by a majority of the creditors, is it not, that after my arrival in Montreal to place an agency there, this
little paragraph should turn up, and in the same issue of the paper that the
and this provision should be included in any new law on the subject.
As all the questions were now answered, Mr. Stewart, having clients above appeared in ? " and Mr. Decker handed the reporter another slip of
waiting to see him, left our reporter to a perusal of the act of 1867, with which paper on which he read:
Mr. Stewart had kindly furnished him, and in which he (the reporter) found
BEWARE of bogus "Decker" Pianos. DECKER BROS., of Union Square,
an answer to a question which has been raised by some members of the trade, New York, are alone entitled to the trademark, " T H E DECKER," and De-
viz.: whether there should not be some way of punishing persons who do Zouche & Co. are the sole agents.
not, or cannot, keep their books correctly. The act of 1867 states very dis-
" Curious coincidence that, isn't it ? Possibly some of them will say, if
tinctly that the bankrupt will not be entitled to a discharge unless he has kept the cap fits me I may wear it. But that's nonsense, I know what the thing
proper books of account.
amounts to, and I don't hesitate to put tbe matter before you."
We may state in conclusion that we think Mr. Ingalls has adopted the
" Now here is another phase of the question : let me read you a part of
proper course in seeking answers to his questions, and suggestions from a letter which is similar to thousands I receive. It is from John A. Gilbert,
editors of papers, particularly those connected with the various trades.
my agent in Crawfordsville, Ind. He writes me to send him one of my best
uprights for exhibition at some fair in the West, and says:
' I want to take the rag from my competitors who claim that the piano
DECKER & SON LIFT UP THEIR VOICES.
you make is bogus, and a base imitation of the genuine. Their denunciations
" T THINK," said Mr. Myron A. Decker, the head of the well-known house are loud and deep. They say that you are counterfeiters, and make a third-
X of Decker & Son, piano manufacturers of this city, "that more per- class instrument. Told all this to the party to whom I sold my initial
sistent and malicious efforts are made to persecute me than, any man in the Decker & Son piano; called it a cheap, snide thing. They have one Weber,
Emerson and Kimball."
trade I know of."
" Now what would you do to such fellows as those he speaks of," asked
It was while a reporter of the MUSICAL CKITIO AND TRADE BEVIEW was
sitting in Mr. Decker's office, just before the examination of the "Baby" Mr. Decker.
Grand spoken of in our last issue, that the above remark was made.
" Do," repeated the reporter, " Why the first thing I should do would
" Here, as you know," continued Mr. Decker, " I have beenmaniafactur- be to get my batteries perfectly in order before opening fire on them."
ing pianos for about twenty-five years, and yet some of my rivals would like
to take from me the right to uae my own name, and if possible to run me out
THE OLD CKEDIT SYSTEM IN JOURNALISM.
of the business. I know very well that I make a thoroughly good piano, a
I
N
an
address
upon the powers and duties of the press before the Northern
great deal better piano than many others make, and I suppose it is the quality
_L Indiana Editorial Association last week, at Wabash, Mr. Richard Bmith,
of my goods that hurts them."
of the Cincinnati Gazette, speaking of the evils of the credit system,
" Yes," replied the reporter, " you certainly do make an excellent piano. editor
said:
"
the Gazette Company changed from the credit to the cash in
But if your enemies trouble vou, why don't you fight ? Your piano is good advance When
system
there were $80,000 due on the books from weekly subscribers
enough, but there is one thing that should be combined with it."
alone that had been accumulating for a third of a century. Of that amount
"And that is," said Mr. Decker.
cents were collected. We employed a man and furnished him a
"Aggressiveness," replied the reporter. "If, as you say, parties are not 80,000
horse and sent him off on a collecting tour. In six months the horse
trying to walk all over you, you should strike out straight from the good
died, the saddle and bridle were pawned for keep, and the man returned a
shoulder."
considerable balance against the company. We sold the books for old paper
Mr. Decker smiled at this point as if he had his share of aggressiveness, and called those credits lost."
and was prepared to make use of it at the right time.
" The feeling extends," he continued, "even to agents and dealers,
rivals of my agents and dealers, all over the country; it has grown so that it
is difficult to keep track of it, and it has become so common that I should
have my hands about full to attend to it. I think it will be a good idea to
THE CHICAGO MTTSIO CO.
take some one person, and make an example of him that will frighten the
AlfredM.
Fletcher.
"Longing."
Song. Price 35 cents.
others. Some of my manufacturing rivals having started the ' fraud ' cry,
it has been taken up by dealers, who find it very convenient, I suppose,
Nera. " Break into Beautiful Blossoms." Song. Price 25 cents.
when my pianos come in competition with those they handle, to take up the
Nera. "Words." Song. Price 35 cents.
howl of ' bogus, bogus!' "
" Here is one way in which the thing is worked," and Mr. Decker handed
J. A. Harris. "Fort Dearborn March." For the piano. Price 40
the reporter a slip cut from the Montreal Herald and Daily Commercial
cents.
Gazette, dated Saturday, June 18th, 1881, which read as follows:
" PERSONAL.—We have had the pleasure of a visit from Mr. Myron A.
NEW
PUBLICATIONS.
CORRESPONDENCE.
THE CHILD ORGAN, ONLY $22.
Three and one-third Octaves, Knee Swell, Rich Tone, Ebony and Gold
Case, Two Blow Pedals and Rubber Bellows.
Warranted six years.
The trade supplied.
HORACE WATERS & CO.,
MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS IN PIANOS AND ORGANS,
826 B R O A D W A Y , N E W Y O R K .
N. B.—AB the child is larger than the baby BO the Child Organ has more notes than baby organs.
A CANADIAN ADMIRER OF THIS PAPER.
SHERBROOKE, Que., July 7th, 1881.
Editor Musical Critic and Trade Review:
DEAR SIR :—I see in your paper of June 20th, that you will s^nd copies
of February 5th, 1881, exposing D. F. Beatty. Please send me two
copies. I read your paper and / like it. I have been in the piano and
organ business here for twenty-four years, I represent J. Estey & Co., of
Brattleboro', Vt. They are first-class men, and they certainly make a fine
organ, I also represent the Emerson Piano, which is a first-class one in every
respect. Business is good, and times are better.
Respectfrilly yours,
H. C. W.
GRAND CONSERVATORY OP MUSIC
DIHECTOKY
OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
OP THE
21 East 14th Street. 21
MUSICAL PROFESSION
This RENOWNED MTJSIO SCHOOL offers the accumulated advan-
tages of years of successful operation. Instruction in all branches
of Vocal and Instrumental Music, Harmony and Composition,
etc., by the most eminent Masters and Professors of the land, at
MODERATE RATES.
For further particulars, address,
K. E B E R H A R D ,
AND THE
MUSIC TRADES.
BOSTON, MASS.
Director.
MANUFACTURERS.
ENERGETIC PIANO TRAVELER
Wants situation with First-class House, well acquainted with
business. Best of references.
Address,
A UTOMATIO MUSICAL PAPER CO. Music Paper for Mechan
XX ical Musical Instruments. 227 to 233 Cambridge Street.
TTiMERSON PIANO 00., manufacturers of Grand, Square and
J l l Upright Pianos, 595 Washington Street.
WORCESTER, MASS.
C. R I C H T E R , Care of 0 . NEWCOMBE & Co., TOBONTO.
MANUFAC TURERS.
f^
W. INGALLS & CO., Organ Reed Boards, Parker Tremolos
vJTi and Octave Couplers, 25 Hermon Street.
rTT>RAVELING SALESMAN. I desire to engage with some good
JL
pianoforte or organ manufactory as a wholesale Traveling
Salesman for the State of Ohio and neighboring territory. Will
engage on salary, commission, or the two combined. Territory
must be absolutely protected. Ability guaranteed. Best reference
given. Acquaintance large. -Address,
MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW, 853 Broadway, N. Y.City.
T"v
G. KETTELL, Piano.Punchings, 6 Lincoln Square.
AQENTS AND DEALERS.
CJ R. LELAND & CO., Chickering. Knabe, Hallett, Davis &
O .
Co., and Fischer Pianos ; Peloubet & Co. and Smith
American Organs, Sheet Music and Band Instruments.
The United States exported to Australia in
1878 (the last year for which the statistics have
been published) musical instruments to the am-
ount of $2,920. During the same period Great
Britain exported musical instruments to Australia
of the value of $370,000.
The Star Parlor Organ Co., of Washington
N. J., have issued a new catalogue containing
illustrations of their handsome instruments. The
company state that it is their purpose to turn out
a reed organ second to none in the country.
Mr. William, Blasius of 921 Chestnut street,
Philadelphia, was in New York city recently on
business connected with his agency for mechan-
ical musical instruments for which he is having
an unprecedented sale throughout Pennsylvania.
There seems to have been something myster-
ious about the mortgagee's sale of felt making
machinery in 22d street, noticed in our last issue.
Parties who were on the ground, within five min-
utes of the time advertised for the sale to take
place, state that they found the sale over and the
place closed, and on investigating the matter
found that machinery valued at about $2,000, had
been knocked down for about $600.
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).