Music Trade Review
Issue: 1886 Vol. 9 N. 18 - Page 3
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Music Trade Review.
The Only Music Trade Paper in America, and the Organ of the Music Trade of this Country.
3T o "CL m- cL e cL
VOL. IX. No. 18.
1879.
83.00 PER YEAR.
SINGLE COPIES, 16 CENTS.
NEW YORK, APRIL 20 TO MAY 5, 1886.
PUBLISHED * TWICE * EACH * MONTH.
CHARLES AVERY WELLES
AND
JEFF. DAVIS BILL,
EDITORS AND PBOPBIETOBS.
22 EAST 17th STREET, NEW YORK.
SUBSCBIPTION (Including postage) United States and Canada,
$3.00 per year, in advance; Foreign Countries, $4.00.
ADVERTISEMENTS, $3.00 per incb, single column, per insertion;
unless inserted upon rates made by special contract.
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Class Matter.
THE DRUMMERS' TAX.
F
OR mutual protection, the merchants, manufac-
turers, salesmen, and their customers, in this
city, have organized themselves into the
Traders' and Travelers' Union. The first important
step taken by the Union has been in framing the fol-
lowing bill:
A BILL
To regulate commercial sales of goods and merchan-
dise by samples, catalogue, card, price-list, de-
scription, or other representation, between resi-
dents of the several States and Territories.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of America, in
Congress assembled, that residents of each State and
Territory may, within the other States and Territo-
ries and within the District of Columbia, solicit from
dealers or merchants orders for goods and merchan-
dise by sample, catalogue, card, price-list, descrip-
tion, or other representation, without payment of any
license or mercantile tax.
On the 1st of April, the counsel of the Traders and
Travellers' Union presented arguments in favor of
the bill before the Committe on Commerce. On
April 12th, the bill, properly framed, was sent to the
Committee on Commerce of the House of Represen-
tatives and to the members of both houses of Con-
gress. In its communication the union states, " That
the petition has received the signatures of nearly five
thousand leading merchants and manufacturers of
New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, New Orleans,
Chicago, and Boston. These recognized manufac-
turers and merchants transact an annual business
varying from $250,000 to $20,000,000 each, amounting
in the aggregate, by estimation, to upward of $2,500-
000,000 per year, and their united request for the enact-
ment of this measure is worthy of consideration.
They employ about twenty.five thousand travelling
agents, who likewise appeal for relief from the exac-
tions imposed [in the forms of local taxation upon
them in several of the Southern and Western States
and Territories, through which they pass in the
transaction of their business.
"In certain sections of our country license fees, or
mercantile taxes are imposed upon commercial trav-
ellers soliciting from dealers or merchants, orders
for sales of goods and merchandise by sample, cata-
. logue, card, price-list, description, or other repre-
sentation. These laws are not uniform; in many
instances they discriminate against non-residents,
and against the products of other sections of the
country. In some instances the amount exacted is
so excessive as to prohibit commercial transactions,
and such confused and oppressive laws unjustly re-
strain trade and injuriously affect inter-State com-
merce.
11
Fourteen States and Territories in some form
levy this tax, viz.: Alabama, Arizona Territory, Col-
orado, Delaware, Dakota Territory, Florida, Louisi-
ana, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana Territory,
North Carolina, Nevada, Texas and Virginia.
" The District of Columbia, being within the ex-
clusive jurisdiction of our Government, possesess
the most obnoxious and least effective law upon the
subject."
In Washington, the tax imposed on commercial
travellers is $200. This tax is evaded by middlemen,
who reap fortunes from this source. The bill offered
by the union affords the remedy earnestly sought.
It has been submitted to many of the ablest lawyers
of the country, and leading merchants and manufac-
turers, and they approve its provisions. It imposes
no penalty, but it expresses the sentiment of these
representative classes, that restraints upon trade be-
tween the States should be removed. The bill is
represented by Senator William M. Evarts in the
Senate, and will undoubtedly receive the considera-
tion it deserves.
A 100-YEAR OLD PIANO.
INTERESTING RELIC IN AN OLD HOUSE IN THE ANCIENT
TOWN OP SALEM.
OR at least a century and a half the town of
Salem has stood, a veritable "old curiosity
shop " to the American people. Its weird tra-
ditions took root and domicile much earlier, but
were not valued at par until time had given the sure
appreciation.
On its exterior it is a massive, unpretentious old
mansion, built so long ago that the work was done
" pon honor," and yet not long enough in lang syne
to admit it into the category of ancient houses. I t
is not more than a century old, and a century in
Salem gives nothing a respectable age.
One of the most interesting articles in the house,
which is the old Rogers home, is the old piano, which
is quite likely the oldest musical instrument of the
kind in the United States, which is now fit for use.
The " Inventor" of the first American piano, which
was brought out in Salem according to more than
one chronicler, would not have cared t o have the fact
generally known that he spent hour after hour at
different times studying the Rogers piano, and that
he copied all of the essential points. This venerable
instrument is a surprising revelation to those who
ponder on the "strides " made in the manufacture of
pianofortes in this country. This musical relic of
" ye olden time " is a pretty convincing bit of testi-
mony to the fact that there have been no astonishing
Improvements in pianos for a hundred years.
The essentials of the modern splendid piano are all
in that old instrument, and its notes are still surpris-
ingly excellent, while the " action " is almost a mar-
vel of mechanical achievement, when the remoteness
of the production is taken into account. The case is
a costly one, fillets of rare inlaid work profusely di-
versifying the beautiful rosewood and mahogany,
while the keys, though varying slightly from the
present pattern, are about as good as those now
standard. In size this instrument is in no wise to
be compared with the modern piano. It is so dimin-
utive that its real excellence is obscured. It is 66
Inches long, 23£ inches wide, and 33 inches high. Its
legs, six in number, are as slim, and of the shape as
those of a stand or small table. The legs are square,
tapering to the bottom, slightly beaded. Four of
the legs are on the front of the piano.
At each end, underneath the piano proper, are
small music closets with doors opening to the front,
F
while still nearer the player and underneath, are
shelves with gracefully rounded corners. Just above
thejlegs, handsome brass rosettes are set upon the body
of the instrument. There are two pedals, one being
used to prolong the notes, and the other serving a dou-
ble purpose. One of its uses is to increase the volume
of sound somewhat by lifting ajsection of the top of
the piano or lid near the front. The other use of
this pedal is to produce an imitation of the firing of
cannon, in this case a slam-bang operation, as the
player suddenly lifts the section of the top referred
to, and as suddenly lets it fall.—Boston Herald.
GET YOUR GOODS WHILE YOU CAN.
HERE seems to be but very little doubt but
that we shall have a strike in the piano and
organ trade very soon, and it seems to us
as though the dealers ought to make preparations
accordingly, and lay in a large stock of goods.
Unless they do this they will be the losers. When
the strike comes, it is bound to effect the dealers,
more perhaps than they think. If the manufactur-
ers combine and fight it out, it will then keep the
dealer out of goods, for some months at least, and
consequently they will be unable to fill their orders.
On the other hand, if the manufacturers accede to*
the demands of the workmen it must necessarily-
cause an advance in the price of the instruments-..
We see no other way, and therefore advise the deal-
ers, for their own protection, to stock their ware-
rooms up now to their fullest capacity.
T
EXPORTS AND IMPORTS.
EXPORTS,
WEEK ENDING, MARCH 30, 1886.
Stockholm,
Organs,
13 cases, *$ 933
Hamburg,
Piano Materials,
7 "
400
"
Organs,
5 "
240
Liverpool,
Orguinettes,
225 boxes, 1,968
London,
Organ Materials, 13 cases,
755
British Austr'a, Organs,
18 '•
1,800
IMPORTS.
WEEK ENDING MARCH 26, 1886.
209 cases,
$16,918
WEEK ENDING APRIL 6, 1886.
EXPORTS.
Hamburg,
Pianos,
Organs,
"
Piano Mtrl.
Bremen
Piano,
Amsterdam,
Organ Mtrl,,
Liverpool,
Organs,
Antwerp,
Music boxes,
"
Organs,
London,
Organ Mtrl.,
Glasgow,
Organs,
Br. Australia, Organs,
Brit. E. Indies, Organs,
Venezuela,
Piano,
Mexico,
Organs,
Argentine Rep. Organettes,
2 cases, 1,,355
105 "
7,665
3 "
260
1 "
200
4 cases,
133
19 "
795
1 case,
1 •'
1 case,
3 "
26 "
1 "
1
"
2 «
7 "
400
75
92
300
2, ,570
75
465
94
260
IMPORTS.
WEEK ENDING APRIL, 2, 1886.
226 packages,
$21, ,216
Music Trade Review.
The Only Music Trade Paper in America, and the Organ of the Music Trade of this Country.
3T o "CL m- cL e cL
VOL. IX. No. 18.
1879.
83.00 PER YEAR.
SINGLE COPIES, 16 CENTS.
NEW YORK, APRIL 20 TO MAY 5, 1886.
PUBLISHED * TWICE * EACH * MONTH.
CHARLES AVERY WELLES
AND
JEFF. DAVIS BILL,
EDITORS AND PBOPBIETOBS.
22 EAST 17th STREET, NEW YORK.
SUBSCBIPTION (Including postage) United States and Canada,
$3.00 per year, in advance; Foreign Countries, $4.00.
ADVERTISEMENTS, $3.00 per incb, single column, per insertion;
unless inserted upon rates made by special contract.
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Class Matter.
THE DRUMMERS' TAX.
F
OR mutual protection, the merchants, manufac-
turers, salesmen, and their customers, in this
city, have organized themselves into the
Traders' and Travelers' Union. The first important
step taken by the Union has been in framing the fol-
lowing bill:
A BILL
To regulate commercial sales of goods and merchan-
dise by samples, catalogue, card, price-list, de-
scription, or other representation, between resi-
dents of the several States and Territories.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of America, in
Congress assembled, that residents of each State and
Territory may, within the other States and Territo-
ries and within the District of Columbia, solicit from
dealers or merchants orders for goods and merchan-
dise by sample, catalogue, card, price-list, descrip-
tion, or other representation, without payment of any
license or mercantile tax.
On the 1st of April, the counsel of the Traders and
Travellers' Union presented arguments in favor of
the bill before the Committe on Commerce. On
April 12th, the bill, properly framed, was sent to the
Committee on Commerce of the House of Represen-
tatives and to the members of both houses of Con-
gress. In its communication the union states, " That
the petition has received the signatures of nearly five
thousand leading merchants and manufacturers of
New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, New Orleans,
Chicago, and Boston. These recognized manufac-
turers and merchants transact an annual business
varying from $250,000 to $20,000,000 each, amounting
in the aggregate, by estimation, to upward of $2,500-
000,000 per year, and their united request for the enact-
ment of this measure is worthy of consideration.
They employ about twenty.five thousand travelling
agents, who likewise appeal for relief from the exac-
tions imposed [in the forms of local taxation upon
them in several of the Southern and Western States
and Territories, through which they pass in the
transaction of their business.
"In certain sections of our country license fees, or
mercantile taxes are imposed upon commercial trav-
ellers soliciting from dealers or merchants, orders
for sales of goods and merchandise by sample, cata-
. logue, card, price-list, description, or other repre-
sentation. These laws are not uniform; in many
instances they discriminate against non-residents,
and against the products of other sections of the
country. In some instances the amount exacted is
so excessive as to prohibit commercial transactions,
and such confused and oppressive laws unjustly re-
strain trade and injuriously affect inter-State com-
merce.
11
Fourteen States and Territories in some form
levy this tax, viz.: Alabama, Arizona Territory, Col-
orado, Delaware, Dakota Territory, Florida, Louisi-
ana, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana Territory,
North Carolina, Nevada, Texas and Virginia.
" The District of Columbia, being within the ex-
clusive jurisdiction of our Government, possesess
the most obnoxious and least effective law upon the
subject."
In Washington, the tax imposed on commercial
travellers is $200. This tax is evaded by middlemen,
who reap fortunes from this source. The bill offered
by the union affords the remedy earnestly sought.
It has been submitted to many of the ablest lawyers
of the country, and leading merchants and manufac-
turers, and they approve its provisions. It imposes
no penalty, but it expresses the sentiment of these
representative classes, that restraints upon trade be-
tween the States should be removed. The bill is
represented by Senator William M. Evarts in the
Senate, and will undoubtedly receive the considera-
tion it deserves.
A 100-YEAR OLD PIANO.
INTERESTING RELIC IN AN OLD HOUSE IN THE ANCIENT
TOWN OP SALEM.
OR at least a century and a half the town of
Salem has stood, a veritable "old curiosity
shop " to the American people. Its weird tra-
ditions took root and domicile much earlier, but
were not valued at par until time had given the sure
appreciation.
On its exterior it is a massive, unpretentious old
mansion, built so long ago that the work was done
" pon honor," and yet not long enough in lang syne
to admit it into the category of ancient houses. I t
is not more than a century old, and a century in
Salem gives nothing a respectable age.
One of the most interesting articles in the house,
which is the old Rogers home, is the old piano, which
is quite likely the oldest musical instrument of the
kind in the United States, which is now fit for use.
The " Inventor" of the first American piano, which
was brought out in Salem according to more than
one chronicler, would not have cared t o have the fact
generally known that he spent hour after hour at
different times studying the Rogers piano, and that
he copied all of the essential points. This venerable
instrument is a surprising revelation to those who
ponder on the "strides " made in the manufacture of
pianofortes in this country. This musical relic of
" ye olden time " is a pretty convincing bit of testi-
mony to the fact that there have been no astonishing
Improvements in pianos for a hundred years.
The essentials of the modern splendid piano are all
in that old instrument, and its notes are still surpris-
ingly excellent, while the " action " is almost a mar-
vel of mechanical achievement, when the remoteness
of the production is taken into account. The case is
a costly one, fillets of rare inlaid work profusely di-
versifying the beautiful rosewood and mahogany,
while the keys, though varying slightly from the
present pattern, are about as good as those now
standard. In size this instrument is in no wise to
be compared with the modern piano. It is so dimin-
utive that its real excellence is obscured. It is 66
Inches long, 23£ inches wide, and 33 inches high. Its
legs, six in number, are as slim, and of the shape as
those of a stand or small table. The legs are square,
tapering to the bottom, slightly beaded. Four of
the legs are on the front of the piano.
At each end, underneath the piano proper, are
small music closets with doors opening to the front,
F
while still nearer the player and underneath, are
shelves with gracefully rounded corners. Just above
thejlegs, handsome brass rosettes are set upon the body
of the instrument. There are two pedals, one being
used to prolong the notes, and the other serving a dou-
ble purpose. One of its uses is to increase the volume
of sound somewhat by lifting ajsection of the top of
the piano or lid near the front. The other use of
this pedal is to produce an imitation of the firing of
cannon, in this case a slam-bang operation, as the
player suddenly lifts the section of the top referred
to, and as suddenly lets it fall.—Boston Herald.
GET YOUR GOODS WHILE YOU CAN.
HERE seems to be but very little doubt but
that we shall have a strike in the piano and
organ trade very soon, and it seems to us
as though the dealers ought to make preparations
accordingly, and lay in a large stock of goods.
Unless they do this they will be the losers. When
the strike comes, it is bound to effect the dealers,
more perhaps than they think. If the manufactur-
ers combine and fight it out, it will then keep the
dealer out of goods, for some months at least, and
consequently they will be unable to fill their orders.
On the other hand, if the manufacturers accede to*
the demands of the workmen it must necessarily-
cause an advance in the price of the instruments-..
We see no other way, and therefore advise the deal-
ers, for their own protection, to stock their ware-
rooms up now to their fullest capacity.
T
EXPORTS AND IMPORTS.
EXPORTS,
WEEK ENDING, MARCH 30, 1886.
Stockholm,
Organs,
13 cases, *$ 933
Hamburg,
Piano Materials,
7 "
400
"
Organs,
5 "
240
Liverpool,
Orguinettes,
225 boxes, 1,968
London,
Organ Materials, 13 cases,
755
British Austr'a, Organs,
18 '•
1,800
IMPORTS.
WEEK ENDING MARCH 26, 1886.
209 cases,
$16,918
WEEK ENDING APRIL 6, 1886.
EXPORTS.
Hamburg,
Pianos,
Organs,
"
Piano Mtrl.
Bremen
Piano,
Amsterdam,
Organ Mtrl,,
Liverpool,
Organs,
Antwerp,
Music boxes,
"
Organs,
London,
Organ Mtrl.,
Glasgow,
Organs,
Br. Australia, Organs,
Brit. E. Indies, Organs,
Venezuela,
Piano,
Mexico,
Organs,
Argentine Rep. Organettes,
2 cases, 1,,355
105 "
7,665
3 "
260
1 "
200
4 cases,
133
19 "
795
1 case,
1 •'
1 case,
3 "
26 "
1 "
1
"
2 «
7 "
400
75
92
300
2, ,570
75
465
94
260
IMPORTS.
WEEK ENDING APRIL, 2, 1886.
226 packages,
$21, ,216
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).