Music Trade Review
Issue: 1891 Vol. N. B - Page 2
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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
222
PUBLISHED * TWICE • EACH • MONTH
JKFP. DAVIS BILL.
EDWARD LTMAN BILL.
BILL & BILL,
EDITOBS AND PBOPBIETOEB.
All Checks, Drafts, Money Orders, Postal
Motes and stall matter should be
made to
BILL & BILL,
EDITORS k PBOPBIETOBS.
3 EAST 14th STREET, NEW YOEK.
SUBSCRIPTION (Including postage) United States and Canada,
S3.00 per year, In advance; Foreign Countries, $4.00
ADVERTISEMENTS, $2.00 per inch, single column, per insertion;
unless Inserted upon rates made by special contract.
Entered at the yew York Pott Office at Second Clou Matter.
lit ea.Uj, -.Ui jacks a s a i S ^ . ^
ip »ro«g tba^Mw
tfce fatara is t)» i
OP NO VALUE TO ADVERTISERS.
OUR attention has been called by certain manufac-
turers to advertisements clipped from THE MUSIC
TRADE REVIEW by conductors of so-called music trade
papers, and sent by them among the piano and organ
trade with solicitations fir insertion at ridiculously
low prices. These requests, in the instances to which
we allude, deservedly met with flat refusal. The sen-
sible view taken by the manufacturers referred to was
th.it a paper which could offer space for such wretched-
ly poor remuneration must be valueless to the trade.
In business, as we have had occasion fo remark ere
now, a good price is expected for a good article, and
an article for which a poor price is asked is infallibly
worthless.
These papers of mushroom growth seldom deceive,
nowadays, those whom they would like to get into
their toils. They may exist for a brief span, but are
regarded rather as circulars than anything else, and as
altogether distinct from the legitimate trade paper
with its regular and abundant supplies of reliable, in-
teresting and valuable tiade information, the arrival
of which is looked forward to with eagerness and even
anxiety. In comparison with such a newspaper the
" mushroom" has no prestige and no worth, and to
spend money on it is simply wanton and wasteful.
Possibly the year 1891 may see the advent of one or
more new journalistic ventures—and also their decease.
Projectors of such questionable enterprises will go
among the trade with roseate representations of what
they are " bound " to accomplish. Would it not be
better in the long run, for all concerned, if these gentle-
men would first do something, i. e. make a paper, (not
a circular) that should bear inherent evidence of be'ng
beneficial by showing legitimate patronage and a legit-
imate circulation ?
The "mushroom" will inevitably find its level, and
a low level it is. Much labor, and time, and thought,
and appl'cation are required in the building up of a
good, lepresentative trade paper. There is no royal
road to success in trade journalism, any more than in
any other worthy undertaking. Success is won by dil-
igence, tact, honorable conduct, and an understanding
of the needs of the trade—not by offering so many
square inches at an absurd and contemptible figure.
* * *
WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR.
TRADE PROSPECTS.
THE holiday trade has been dull and unsatisfactory
in most parts of the country, not only in regard to the
music industries, but generally. We are advised by our
correspondents in the various sections that the busi-
ness of local music dealers has been in a semi-stagnant
condition, while in New York we find that with rare ex-
ceptions the state of affairs has approximated to the
depressing.
Still, some comfort may possibly be derived from
the fact that during the past week the failures have been
fewer and of less importance than in any one of (he
preceding three weeks. Discounts are more readily
obtained from banks, and aside trom the great specula-
tive centers the volume of bank exchanges is larger
than at this period of last year.
Doubtless there will be, subsequent to the loth or
15th January inst., a still further relaxation of the
money market by reason of the fact that the numerous
banking institutions and stock companies of all kinds
will have distributed their annual dividends, thus throw-
ing a vast amount of money into active circulation.
This, again, will probably induce a further outlay of
capital by other parties, for, as we have already observ-
ed, there is plenty of money in the country, but for
some time past the owners of the greater portion of it
have hesitated to distribute their wealth.
A WELL-KNOWN and influential member of the piano
trade recently remarked to us that he was always pleas-
ed to peruse THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
" Your sub-
jects," said he, "are not onlv extremely interesting
but are also extremely well handled. Your at tides are
brief, and to the point. Further, none of your space is
ever occupied with nauseating self-glorification or sick-
ening attacks upon individuals."
Consiaering the source from which these words
emanated, we consider them highly complimentary.
Don't you ?
The gentleman i9 perfectly correct in his statement.
We have always aimed, and so long as we conduct a
trade paper always shall aim to produce a reliable
sheet, free from sensation, falsehood and vanity. For
this honorable and useful purpose our time and energy
are expended. In this Music TRADE REVIEW are to be
found matters of interest and utility to the makers of
and dealers in musical instruments. Correspondents
in all sections of this country report to this office at
regular intervals as to the condition of trade in and
radiating from their respective districts. In this par-
ticular, as in so many others, we have been enabled to
eclipse every one of our competitors. Our best efforts
for the welfare of the trade are constantly exerted, and
as constantly do we receive genuine and substantial
proofs of the trade's appreciation of our successful en-
deavors.
THE MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION-
WE are officially informed that the first annual meet-
ing and election of officers of the Association of Piano
Manufacturers of New York and Vicinity will be held
on the 13th inst.
As to the value of such an organization, particularly
when placed on a permanent footing, there can be no
diversity of opinion among thinking men. The wonder
is that the manufacturers did not seize the splendid op-
portunity, given to them in the fall of i88g, to unite
upon a far more comprehensive ba
how, even in the incipient stages of union, good may be
done. An attempt by workmen to force concessions from
employers at a time when the latter weie crowded with
orders has been baffled by at least twenty-five firms of
piano manufacturers, while other houses, who have
yielded temporarily to the clamor for a nine-hour day,
will probably be, ere long, in a position to insist suc-
cessfully upon a return to the ten hour day.
Public sympathy is worth much, but effective or-
ganization, especially when supported by a public
sense of its having been called into operation to resist
injustice, is worth a great deal more.
*
* *
MUSICAL EXHIBITS AT THE WORLD'S
FAIR.
OF great interest to the musical public will be the
schedules published in this issue of THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW under the caption of "Music and Musical
Instruments at the Chicago World's Fair." These
schedules, as will be plain to the reader, have been ac-
quired from official sources, and indicate that the
musical exhibits at the great Columbian Exposition
will be of great historical and general interest.
* #
THE JANKO KEYBOARD.
A REPORT having been circulated to the effect that
Mr. Peck, of Hardman, Peck & Co., N. Y., had pur-
chased the rights, for this country, in the Janko Key-
board,we called upon Mr. Peck as to the rumor, and were
informed by him that he has not'concluded any nego-
tiations for the purchase of the Janko invention, nor
was it certain that he would do so,
*
N. J. HAINES, S R , ON THE FINANCIAL
SITUATION.
MR. NAPOLEON J. HAINES,SR., the great piano maker
and financier, anticipates a period of great business ac-
tivity after the 15th of the present month. Dividends
to the amount of $125,000,000, he says, will after that
date be distributed in New York city alone, while more
than that amount will be released in a similar manner
in other parts of the country. The freeing of this
$250,000,000, and its scattering during the latter half
of this month, will unquestionably tend to relax the
money market, and banks will be much readier in their
discounting operations.
THE LATE HORACE C. WILCOX
ADMISSION OF WTLL TO PROBATE.
HE will of Horace C. Wilcox, late president of
the Wilcox & While Organ Company, Meiiden,
Conn., and one of the most influential and re-
spected residents of that city, was there admitted to
probate on the 27th ult.
Deceased"s estate, which amounted to over $1,500,-
000, is equally divided between his four children,
George H. Wilcox, Dwight P. Wilcox, Miss Florence
Wilcox and Mrs. W. P. Morgan. No charitable be-
quests were made by the will, but it is matter of com-
mon knowledge that Mr. Wilcox was a generous and
munificent supporter of educational, religious, and
charitable institutions during his life.
T
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
222
PUBLISHED * TWICE • EACH • MONTH
JKFP. DAVIS BILL.
EDWARD LTMAN BILL.
BILL & BILL,
EDITOBS AND PBOPBIETOEB.
All Checks, Drafts, Money Orders, Postal
Motes and stall matter should be
made to
BILL & BILL,
EDITORS k PBOPBIETOBS.
3 EAST 14th STREET, NEW YOEK.
SUBSCRIPTION (Including postage) United States and Canada,
S3.00 per year, In advance; Foreign Countries, $4.00
ADVERTISEMENTS, $2.00 per inch, single column, per insertion;
unless Inserted upon rates made by special contract.
Entered at the yew York Pott Office at Second Clou Matter.
lit ea.Uj, -.Ui jacks a s a i S ^ . ^
ip »ro«g tba^Mw
tfce fatara is t)» i
OP NO VALUE TO ADVERTISERS.
OUR attention has been called by certain manufac-
turers to advertisements clipped from THE MUSIC
TRADE REVIEW by conductors of so-called music trade
papers, and sent by them among the piano and organ
trade with solicitations fir insertion at ridiculously
low prices. These requests, in the instances to which
we allude, deservedly met with flat refusal. The sen-
sible view taken by the manufacturers referred to was
th.it a paper which could offer space for such wretched-
ly poor remuneration must be valueless to the trade.
In business, as we have had occasion fo remark ere
now, a good price is expected for a good article, and
an article for which a poor price is asked is infallibly
worthless.
These papers of mushroom growth seldom deceive,
nowadays, those whom they would like to get into
their toils. They may exist for a brief span, but are
regarded rather as circulars than anything else, and as
altogether distinct from the legitimate trade paper
with its regular and abundant supplies of reliable, in-
teresting and valuable tiade information, the arrival
of which is looked forward to with eagerness and even
anxiety. In comparison with such a newspaper the
" mushroom" has no prestige and no worth, and to
spend money on it is simply wanton and wasteful.
Possibly the year 1891 may see the advent of one or
more new journalistic ventures—and also their decease.
Projectors of such questionable enterprises will go
among the trade with roseate representations of what
they are " bound " to accomplish. Would it not be
better in the long run, for all concerned, if these gentle-
men would first do something, i. e. make a paper, (not
a circular) that should bear inherent evidence of be'ng
beneficial by showing legitimate patronage and a legit-
imate circulation ?
The "mushroom" will inevitably find its level, and
a low level it is. Much labor, and time, and thought,
and appl'cation are required in the building up of a
good, lepresentative trade paper. There is no royal
road to success in trade journalism, any more than in
any other worthy undertaking. Success is won by dil-
igence, tact, honorable conduct, and an understanding
of the needs of the trade—not by offering so many
square inches at an absurd and contemptible figure.
* * *
WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR.
TRADE PROSPECTS.
THE holiday trade has been dull and unsatisfactory
in most parts of the country, not only in regard to the
music industries, but generally. We are advised by our
correspondents in the various sections that the busi-
ness of local music dealers has been in a semi-stagnant
condition, while in New York we find that with rare ex-
ceptions the state of affairs has approximated to the
depressing.
Still, some comfort may possibly be derived from
the fact that during the past week the failures have been
fewer and of less importance than in any one of (he
preceding three weeks. Discounts are more readily
obtained from banks, and aside trom the great specula-
tive centers the volume of bank exchanges is larger
than at this period of last year.
Doubtless there will be, subsequent to the loth or
15th January inst., a still further relaxation of the
money market by reason of the fact that the numerous
banking institutions and stock companies of all kinds
will have distributed their annual dividends, thus throw-
ing a vast amount of money into active circulation.
This, again, will probably induce a further outlay of
capital by other parties, for, as we have already observ-
ed, there is plenty of money in the country, but for
some time past the owners of the greater portion of it
have hesitated to distribute their wealth.
A WELL-KNOWN and influential member of the piano
trade recently remarked to us that he was always pleas-
ed to peruse THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
" Your sub-
jects," said he, "are not onlv extremely interesting
but are also extremely well handled. Your at tides are
brief, and to the point. Further, none of your space is
ever occupied with nauseating self-glorification or sick-
ening attacks upon individuals."
Consiaering the source from which these words
emanated, we consider them highly complimentary.
Don't you ?
The gentleman i9 perfectly correct in his statement.
We have always aimed, and so long as we conduct a
trade paper always shall aim to produce a reliable
sheet, free from sensation, falsehood and vanity. For
this honorable and useful purpose our time and energy
are expended. In this Music TRADE REVIEW are to be
found matters of interest and utility to the makers of
and dealers in musical instruments. Correspondents
in all sections of this country report to this office at
regular intervals as to the condition of trade in and
radiating from their respective districts. In this par-
ticular, as in so many others, we have been enabled to
eclipse every one of our competitors. Our best efforts
for the welfare of the trade are constantly exerted, and
as constantly do we receive genuine and substantial
proofs of the trade's appreciation of our successful en-
deavors.
THE MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION-
WE are officially informed that the first annual meet-
ing and election of officers of the Association of Piano
Manufacturers of New York and Vicinity will be held
on the 13th inst.
As to the value of such an organization, particularly
when placed on a permanent footing, there can be no
diversity of opinion among thinking men. The wonder
is that the manufacturers did not seize the splendid op-
portunity, given to them in the fall of i88g, to unite
upon a far more comprehensive ba
how, even in the incipient stages of union, good may be
done. An attempt by workmen to force concessions from
employers at a time when the latter weie crowded with
orders has been baffled by at least twenty-five firms of
piano manufacturers, while other houses, who have
yielded temporarily to the clamor for a nine-hour day,
will probably be, ere long, in a position to insist suc-
cessfully upon a return to the ten hour day.
Public sympathy is worth much, but effective or-
ganization, especially when supported by a public
sense of its having been called into operation to resist
injustice, is worth a great deal more.
*
* *
MUSICAL EXHIBITS AT THE WORLD'S
FAIR.
OF great interest to the musical public will be the
schedules published in this issue of THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW under the caption of "Music and Musical
Instruments at the Chicago World's Fair." These
schedules, as will be plain to the reader, have been ac-
quired from official sources, and indicate that the
musical exhibits at the great Columbian Exposition
will be of great historical and general interest.
* #
THE JANKO KEYBOARD.
A REPORT having been circulated to the effect that
Mr. Peck, of Hardman, Peck & Co., N. Y., had pur-
chased the rights, for this country, in the Janko Key-
board,we called upon Mr. Peck as to the rumor, and were
informed by him that he has not'concluded any nego-
tiations for the purchase of the Janko invention, nor
was it certain that he would do so,
*
N. J. HAINES, S R , ON THE FINANCIAL
SITUATION.
MR. NAPOLEON J. HAINES,SR., the great piano maker
and financier, anticipates a period of great business ac-
tivity after the 15th of the present month. Dividends
to the amount of $125,000,000, he says, will after that
date be distributed in New York city alone, while more
than that amount will be released in a similar manner
in other parts of the country. The freeing of this
$250,000,000, and its scattering during the latter half
of this month, will unquestionably tend to relax the
money market, and banks will be much readier in their
discounting operations.
THE LATE HORACE C. WILCOX
ADMISSION OF WTLL TO PROBATE.
HE will of Horace C. Wilcox, late president of
the Wilcox & While Organ Company, Meiiden,
Conn., and one of the most influential and re-
spected residents of that city, was there admitted to
probate on the 27th ult.
Deceased"s estate, which amounted to over $1,500,-
000, is equally divided between his four children,
George H. Wilcox, Dwight P. Wilcox, Miss Florence
Wilcox and Mrs. W. P. Morgan. No charitable be-
quests were made by the will, but it is matter of com-
mon knowledge that Mr. Wilcox was a generous and
munificent supporter of educational, religious, and
charitable institutions during his life.
T
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