Music Trade Review
Issue: 1881 Vol. 5 N. 3 - Page 14
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
September 5th, 1881.
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
barrassrnents in former years, the business carried
on at present is limited to from three to five pianos
per week, the sale of which is confined to the retail
trade.—Ed. MUSICAL CRITIC AND TBADM REVIEW.]
Nova Scotia, Organs
British Poss. in Africa, Organs
"
"
" Australasia, Organs.
Total
$230
2,575
4,156
$10,882
Imports.
England, Miscellaneous Musical Instruments
are realized. From the large manufacturing towns,
however, the outlook is not very promising, and
the expected revival of trade does not seem to
hasten. It may, nevertheless, be mentioned that
the music trade firms who are feeling the times
moat are those who, believing they are safe under
the ;egis of the names won by their ancestors, take
little pains either to work up trade or to advance
with the times. The newer firms who are rising
up, adopting every genuine improvement from
whatever quarter it may come, and really pushing
business, have not, of course, yet attained anything
like the position of the larger firms, but, taken in
the aggregate, they must largely have cut into a
business which only a few years ago was a close
corporation, while the foreign imports of goods
brought into England duty free have also, to a
certain extent, injured the English trade How-
ever, the musical instrument trades are better off
in this respect than other branches of industry.—
London and Provincial Music Trades Review.
PITCH FOR AMERICAN PIANOS.
$338
"In an article 011 the necessity of a uniform pitch for
American pianos, published in the N. Y. CKITIC AND
Week ending Aug. 26 TRADE REVIEW, and credited to the Buffalo Courier,
Exports.
the following paragraph occurs : ' It is a moral im-
possibility for most of our vocalists to accompany England, Organs
$4,757
themselves, and when it comes to transpositions they
"
Organettes...
12
are immediately out of depth and as helpless as if Nova Scotia, Organ
100
they knew nothing of music' I am aware of the fact British Poss. in Africa, Organ
77
that the majority of our leading vocalists are indif-
ferent instrumentalists. Miss Kellogg is an excep-
Total
$4,946
tion, and is said to be as good a musician as she is a
Imports.
vocalist, while Abbott cannot even play a five finger
exercise correctly on the piano, at least I have heard England, Miscellaneous Musical Instruments $2,006
her say so. But I must confess that this writer car-
ries me beyond my depth, and that I am not able to
' catch on ' to his idea of a 'moral' impossibility?
What has morality to do with the ability or inability
of a singer to play an accompaniment ? As the CRITIC
DECREASE OF THE ENGLISH MUSIC TRADE.
republished the article, and thus endorsed it, will it
kindly give the desired information and relieve the
E reprint from the London and Provincial
MAKING HASTE SLOWIJY.
curiosity of a moral young man?—'Quiz,' in the
Music Trades Review the following extracts
Sunday Mirror, Philadelphia."
Our reporter visited the factory of the "Raven" from that journal's annual review of the year's
There is a simple but effective answer to the above. piano in Washington Place, this city, a few days trade in musical instruments, which shows a great
The fact of the republication of an article, is, in no since while investigating the condition of the falling off in the music trade of Great Britain, and
sense whatever, an endorsement by the one who re- piano trade, and during the conversation which a corresponding increase in the amount of music-
publishes, of the sentiments or opinions expressed ensued, Mr. Raven said:—"I am only making a al merchandise imported from other countries,
few pianos, my capacity for manufacturing is quite particularly from the United States.
in the article.
limited, and, therefore, I do not feel the need of
"The list shows that we have both imported and
selling them through a third party."
exported more than last year, and thus far we
EXPORTS AND IMPORTS.
Reporter—Why don't you extend, everybody is have progressed. The following figures will, how-
PORT OF NEW YORK.
making preparations for a big trade this Fall and ever, show that the foreign trade is making dan-
Week ending August 16th, 1881.
there is plenty of capital seeking good invest- gerous inroads, and that even in Melbourne, where
Exports.
protective duties are in force, the foreign instru-
ments ?
Havre, 1 Piano
$500
Mr. Raven—My motto is " make haste slowly." ments trade is largely increasing. The figures
Hamburg, 4 Pianos
1,200 I could probably make and sell as many second or given of foreign instruments only apply to those
23 Organs
1,802 third class pianos as any other man, but my sent for transhipment from abroad to England,
London, 28 Organs
7,969 house has been in the business for manv years and of course a good deal more are sent from for-
Hull, 4 Organs
480
Brit. N. American Colonies. 1 Piano Action
89 and has a reputation for good work, which I am eign countries direct to the port of destination.
'' So far as the imports from foreign countries are
"
«•
"
"
1 Piano
319 not willing to sacrifice even with the prospect of
British Australia, 3 Organs
333 making more money in a shorter time. I served concerned, we imported $3,033,870 in 1874, the
"
West Indies, 1 Musical Instrument.
30 an apprenticeship in the piano making business imports falling to $3,080,545 in 1875, and to $2,790,
"
"
"
3 Organs
150 with some of the oldest and best concerns in the 709 in 1876. In 1877 they rose again to $2,95)2,311,
U. S. Colombia, 2 Organs
180 country. I have adopted none of the new methods but they fell again in 1878 to $2,904,818, and in
"
"
3 Pianos
1,450 for putting pianos together cheaply, but continue 1870 to |2,743,513. They have now risen again to
3 Orguinettes
300 to practice the old solid mode of working which $3,435,427, made up as follows :—France $935,943,
Mexico, 1 Organ
375 was in use before so many trashy pianos were Holland $981,066, Germany $841,645, United
Liverpool, 1 Organ.
150 made. All my cases are made in my own factory, States $524,105, Belgium $126,155, and other
Genoa, 4 Musical Instruments
214 my actions are George Bothner's best. I use only
Bremen, 2 Organs
350 sawed veneers on thoroughly seasoned stock and countries $26,156.
" The Americans have, however, exhibited the
Total
$15,891 personally superintend every detail of the manu- steadiest increase as the sure reward of their enter-
facture of my pianos, being persuaded that in the prise. Agencies for American organs have been
Imports.
long run it will prove to be good policy.
established all over England, and a fair business
Musical Instruments, 207
$29,007
is likewise being done in orguinettes. In 1877 the
MR.
F.
CONNOR
ON
THE
SITUATION
Week ending Aug. 23d, 1881.
total value of American musical imports was $323,
Exports.
" I have had an excellent trade this season," 904, in 1878 $366,254, in 1879 $400,711, and last
Glasgow, 2 Organs
$370 said Mr. F. Connor, of 239 East 41st street. " I year the total had risen to $524,165. These figures
London, 9 Organs
950 cannot make pianos fast enough with my limited alone prove that the American trade here is by no
Liverpool, 32 Organs
2,587 facilities to supply the demand."
means overdone, and that there is plenty of field
•'
1 Piano
300
"How do you sell your pianos ; at wholesale, or for fresh business.
"
1 Piano Keys
200
" The most extraordinary increase is, however, in
Hamburg, 4 Pianos
915 retail ? " asked the reporter.
"Strictly wholesale," Mr. Connor replied, "and the case of Holland. This country, which only
"
14 Organs
805
Bremen, 34 Organs
1,200 I am getting fair prices as pianos are going now; exported here, $35,944 worth of musicial instru-
British West Indies, 1 Organ
65 here are orders which it will be impossible to fill ments in 1876", increased to $75,976 in 1877, to
"
Poss. in Africa, 21 Organs
820 as soon as the parties want them, although $571,914 in 1878, to -,$769,498 in 1879, and to the
New Zealand, 1 Organ
80 what is generally considered the dull season is not enormous total of $981,666 last year. The signifi-
Havre, 5 Orguinettes
500 over yet."
cance of these figures will be understood when it
Mexico, 1 Piano Materials
150
"Why don't you take in more capital ? "
is stated that the imports for Holland aro about
Central America, 1 Piano
400
'' The capitalist would probably want the lion's twenty-eight times as great as they were five years
U. S. Colombia, 1 Organ
60
"
1 Piano Materials
50 share and another season might not prove as pros- ago, that we import more from Holland than we
do from any other country, and that more instru-
China, 2 Organs
'219 perous as this one."
" Have you had any trouble with the men late- ments are broiight to us from Holland than are ex-
Venezuela, 2 Musical Instruments
35
ported by our own manufacturers all over the
ly?"
Total
$9,706
"No, men have been looking for work since the globe.
" In 1877 the total exports of British instruments
Imports.
the strike at Gabler's. Some of them acknowledge
161 Musical
$18,166 that that strike was a mistake and as they are well were $1,102,554, in 1878 they fell to $131,414, in
paid at present for their work they are willing to 1879 they again fell to $832,892, and now they
Week ending Aug. 30th, 1881.
let well enough alone. I have noticed a change in have again risen to $973,176. The exports of
Exports.
the men since the trouble at Gabler's. They seem foreign musical instruments from this country waa
Hamburg. 3 Pianos
~
$600 willing to go ahead and earn all the money they $576,279. The total amount of musical instru-
Bremen, 13 Organs
2,500
Copenhagen, 6 Piano Lumber
150 can on piece work, while before the strike it seem- ments exported from England was, therefore,
Hull, 1 Organ
82 ed to be the policy of the union to prevent the $1,549,455.
" The gross total of British musical exports was
Liverpool, 1 Organ
100 men from doing too much work. Whether this
Glasgow. 16 Organs
1,387 was from a fear that too many pianos would be last year $973,176, and of foreign instruments from
British N. American Colonies, 1 Piano
413 made, or not, I cannot tell; probably they have British ports $576,279. Grand total of musical
'' Australia, 4 Pianos
900 had their eyes opened to the fact that the country is instruments exported, $1,549,455.
25 Organs
1,800 big enough to take all the pianos they can make.
" The gross total of imports of musical instru-
" West Indies, 2 Organs
68
ments from abroad was $3,435,428, and of these
Havre, 6 Orguinettes
67
no less than $2,859,147 worth remained in this
Argentine Republic, 1 Piano
700
ENGLISH MUSIC TRADE.
country.
Total
$8,767 A LTHOUGH trade seems to be by no means
"Grand total of our foreign trade (exports and
±\. equally divided, business generally is on the imports) for 1879, $4,095,730, and for 1880,
Imports.
251 Miscellaneous Musical Instruments. . . . $30,533 increase. Many firms are not only working full $4,984,882."
time, but declare they are behindhand with orders, It will be seen from the above that Great Britain
PORT OP BOSTON.
while with others trade is still dull. Everything imported for her own consumption in 1880, $2,-
Week ending Aug. 19th, 1881.
now depends on the harvest, which seems to be 859,147 worth of musical instruments and merchan-
good all over the country. The effect of this will, dise, while for the same period her exports of the
Exports.
England, Organs
$1,331 of course, not be felt immediately, for farmers do same kind of goods amounted to only $973,176, or
''
Orguinettes
2,590 not begin to buy articles of luxury until the crops about one-third.
TIMELY TALKS OH TIMELY TOPICS
W
September 5th, 1881.
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
barrassrnents in former years, the business carried
on at present is limited to from three to five pianos
per week, the sale of which is confined to the retail
trade.—Ed. MUSICAL CRITIC AND TBADM REVIEW.]
Nova Scotia, Organs
British Poss. in Africa, Organs
"
"
" Australasia, Organs.
Total
$230
2,575
4,156
$10,882
Imports.
England, Miscellaneous Musical Instruments
are realized. From the large manufacturing towns,
however, the outlook is not very promising, and
the expected revival of trade does not seem to
hasten. It may, nevertheless, be mentioned that
the music trade firms who are feeling the times
moat are those who, believing they are safe under
the ;egis of the names won by their ancestors, take
little pains either to work up trade or to advance
with the times. The newer firms who are rising
up, adopting every genuine improvement from
whatever quarter it may come, and really pushing
business, have not, of course, yet attained anything
like the position of the larger firms, but, taken in
the aggregate, they must largely have cut into a
business which only a few years ago was a close
corporation, while the foreign imports of goods
brought into England duty free have also, to a
certain extent, injured the English trade How-
ever, the musical instrument trades are better off
in this respect than other branches of industry.—
London and Provincial Music Trades Review.
PITCH FOR AMERICAN PIANOS.
$338
"In an article 011 the necessity of a uniform pitch for
American pianos, published in the N. Y. CKITIC AND
Week ending Aug. 26 TRADE REVIEW, and credited to the Buffalo Courier,
Exports.
the following paragraph occurs : ' It is a moral im-
possibility for most of our vocalists to accompany England, Organs
$4,757
themselves, and when it comes to transpositions they
"
Organettes...
12
are immediately out of depth and as helpless as if Nova Scotia, Organ
100
they knew nothing of music' I am aware of the fact British Poss. in Africa, Organ
77
that the majority of our leading vocalists are indif-
ferent instrumentalists. Miss Kellogg is an excep-
Total
$4,946
tion, and is said to be as good a musician as she is a
Imports.
vocalist, while Abbott cannot even play a five finger
exercise correctly on the piano, at least I have heard England, Miscellaneous Musical Instruments $2,006
her say so. But I must confess that this writer car-
ries me beyond my depth, and that I am not able to
' catch on ' to his idea of a 'moral' impossibility?
What has morality to do with the ability or inability
of a singer to play an accompaniment ? As the CRITIC
DECREASE OF THE ENGLISH MUSIC TRADE.
republished the article, and thus endorsed it, will it
kindly give the desired information and relieve the
E reprint from the London and Provincial
MAKING HASTE SLOWIJY.
curiosity of a moral young man?—'Quiz,' in the
Music Trades Review the following extracts
Sunday Mirror, Philadelphia."
Our reporter visited the factory of the "Raven" from that journal's annual review of the year's
There is a simple but effective answer to the above. piano in Washington Place, this city, a few days trade in musical instruments, which shows a great
The fact of the republication of an article, is, in no since while investigating the condition of the falling off in the music trade of Great Britain, and
sense whatever, an endorsement by the one who re- piano trade, and during the conversation which a corresponding increase in the amount of music-
publishes, of the sentiments or opinions expressed ensued, Mr. Raven said:—"I am only making a al merchandise imported from other countries,
few pianos, my capacity for manufacturing is quite particularly from the United States.
in the article.
limited, and, therefore, I do not feel the need of
"The list shows that we have both imported and
selling them through a third party."
exported more than last year, and thus far we
EXPORTS AND IMPORTS.
Reporter—Why don't you extend, everybody is have progressed. The following figures will, how-
PORT OF NEW YORK.
making preparations for a big trade this Fall and ever, show that the foreign trade is making dan-
Week ending August 16th, 1881.
there is plenty of capital seeking good invest- gerous inroads, and that even in Melbourne, where
Exports.
protective duties are in force, the foreign instru-
ments ?
Havre, 1 Piano
$500
Mr. Raven—My motto is " make haste slowly." ments trade is largely increasing. The figures
Hamburg, 4 Pianos
1,200 I could probably make and sell as many second or given of foreign instruments only apply to those
23 Organs
1,802 third class pianos as any other man, but my sent for transhipment from abroad to England,
London, 28 Organs
7,969 house has been in the business for manv years and of course a good deal more are sent from for-
Hull, 4 Organs
480
Brit. N. American Colonies. 1 Piano Action
89 and has a reputation for good work, which I am eign countries direct to the port of destination.
'' So far as the imports from foreign countries are
"
«•
"
"
1 Piano
319 not willing to sacrifice even with the prospect of
British Australia, 3 Organs
333 making more money in a shorter time. I served concerned, we imported $3,033,870 in 1874, the
"
West Indies, 1 Musical Instrument.
30 an apprenticeship in the piano making business imports falling to $3,080,545 in 1875, and to $2,790,
"
"
"
3 Organs
150 with some of the oldest and best concerns in the 709 in 1876. In 1877 they rose again to $2,95)2,311,
U. S. Colombia, 2 Organs
180 country. I have adopted none of the new methods but they fell again in 1878 to $2,904,818, and in
"
"
3 Pianos
1,450 for putting pianos together cheaply, but continue 1870 to |2,743,513. They have now risen again to
3 Orguinettes
300 to practice the old solid mode of working which $3,435,427, made up as follows :—France $935,943,
Mexico, 1 Organ
375 was in use before so many trashy pianos were Holland $981,066, Germany $841,645, United
Liverpool, 1 Organ.
150 made. All my cases are made in my own factory, States $524,105, Belgium $126,155, and other
Genoa, 4 Musical Instruments
214 my actions are George Bothner's best. I use only
Bremen, 2 Organs
350 sawed veneers on thoroughly seasoned stock and countries $26,156.
" The Americans have, however, exhibited the
Total
$15,891 personally superintend every detail of the manu- steadiest increase as the sure reward of their enter-
facture of my pianos, being persuaded that in the prise. Agencies for American organs have been
Imports.
long run it will prove to be good policy.
established all over England, and a fair business
Musical Instruments, 207
$29,007
is likewise being done in orguinettes. In 1877 the
MR.
F.
CONNOR
ON
THE
SITUATION
Week ending Aug. 23d, 1881.
total value of American musical imports was $323,
Exports.
" I have had an excellent trade this season," 904, in 1878 $366,254, in 1879 $400,711, and last
Glasgow, 2 Organs
$370 said Mr. F. Connor, of 239 East 41st street. " I year the total had risen to $524,165. These figures
London, 9 Organs
950 cannot make pianos fast enough with my limited alone prove that the American trade here is by no
Liverpool, 32 Organs
2,587 facilities to supply the demand."
means overdone, and that there is plenty of field
•'
1 Piano
300
"How do you sell your pianos ; at wholesale, or for fresh business.
"
1 Piano Keys
200
" The most extraordinary increase is, however, in
Hamburg, 4 Pianos
915 retail ? " asked the reporter.
"Strictly wholesale," Mr. Connor replied, "and the case of Holland. This country, which only
"
14 Organs
805
Bremen, 34 Organs
1,200 I am getting fair prices as pianos are going now; exported here, $35,944 worth of musicial instru-
British West Indies, 1 Organ
65 here are orders which it will be impossible to fill ments in 1876", increased to $75,976 in 1877, to
"
Poss. in Africa, 21 Organs
820 as soon as the parties want them, although $571,914 in 1878, to -,$769,498 in 1879, and to the
New Zealand, 1 Organ
80 what is generally considered the dull season is not enormous total of $981,666 last year. The signifi-
Havre, 5 Orguinettes
500 over yet."
cance of these figures will be understood when it
Mexico, 1 Piano Materials
150
"Why don't you take in more capital ? "
is stated that the imports for Holland aro about
Central America, 1 Piano
400
'' The capitalist would probably want the lion's twenty-eight times as great as they were five years
U. S. Colombia, 1 Organ
60
"
1 Piano Materials
50 share and another season might not prove as pros- ago, that we import more from Holland than we
do from any other country, and that more instru-
China, 2 Organs
'219 perous as this one."
" Have you had any trouble with the men late- ments are broiight to us from Holland than are ex-
Venezuela, 2 Musical Instruments
35
ported by our own manufacturers all over the
ly?"
Total
$9,706
"No, men have been looking for work since the globe.
" In 1877 the total exports of British instruments
Imports.
the strike at Gabler's. Some of them acknowledge
161 Musical
$18,166 that that strike was a mistake and as they are well were $1,102,554, in 1878 they fell to $131,414, in
paid at present for their work they are willing to 1879 they again fell to $832,892, and now they
Week ending Aug. 30th, 1881.
let well enough alone. I have noticed a change in have again risen to $973,176. The exports of
Exports.
the men since the trouble at Gabler's. They seem foreign musical instruments from this country waa
Hamburg. 3 Pianos
~
$600 willing to go ahead and earn all the money they $576,279. The total amount of musical instru-
Bremen, 13 Organs
2,500
Copenhagen, 6 Piano Lumber
150 can on piece work, while before the strike it seem- ments exported from England was, therefore,
Hull, 1 Organ
82 ed to be the policy of the union to prevent the $1,549,455.
" The gross total of British musical exports was
Liverpool, 1 Organ
100 men from doing too much work. Whether this
Glasgow. 16 Organs
1,387 was from a fear that too many pianos would be last year $973,176, and of foreign instruments from
British N. American Colonies, 1 Piano
413 made, or not, I cannot tell; probably they have British ports $576,279. Grand total of musical
'' Australia, 4 Pianos
900 had their eyes opened to the fact that the country is instruments exported, $1,549,455.
25 Organs
1,800 big enough to take all the pianos they can make.
" The gross total of imports of musical instru-
" West Indies, 2 Organs
68
ments from abroad was $3,435,428, and of these
Havre, 6 Orguinettes
67
no less than $2,859,147 worth remained in this
Argentine Republic, 1 Piano
700
ENGLISH MUSIC TRADE.
country.
Total
$8,767 A LTHOUGH trade seems to be by no means
"Grand total of our foreign trade (exports and
±\. equally divided, business generally is on the imports) for 1879, $4,095,730, and for 1880,
Imports.
251 Miscellaneous Musical Instruments. . . . $30,533 increase. Many firms are not only working full $4,984,882."
time, but declare they are behindhand with orders, It will be seen from the above that Great Britain
PORT OP BOSTON.
while with others trade is still dull. Everything imported for her own consumption in 1880, $2,-
Week ending Aug. 19th, 1881.
now depends on the harvest, which seems to be 859,147 worth of musical instruments and merchan-
good all over the country. The effect of this will, dise, while for the same period her exports of the
Exports.
England, Organs
$1,331 of course, not be felt immediately, for farmers do same kind of goods amounted to only $973,176, or
''
Orguinettes
2,590 not begin to buy articles of luxury until the crops about one-third.
TIMELY TALKS OH TIMELY TOPICS
W
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