Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
The Crown Pianos and Organs. The Busy Weaver Organ Factory. New Mason & Hamlin Building.
Some Reasons W h y Wide-awake Dealers
Should Not Overlook Those In-
struments When Stocking Up.
Fall season is now upon us with an itn-
proved business already here, and brighter
prospects ahead.
Have you given attention to your stock ?
Have you considered how necessary it is to
keep a large, attractive and satisfying line of
instruments to win trade ?
Have you realized what can be gained by
breaking away from a class of goods which has
failed to bring trade, or adequate recompense for
your industry, and taking hold of a line of in-
struments such as, for instance, the "Crown "
piano3 and organs, manufactured by Geo. P.
Bent, of Chicago, instruments which compelled
the admiration and praise of a million people
at the great Columbian Exposition for their ex-
cellence ?
If not, you should certainly think the matter
over.
You may say, perhaps, that this great honor is
not sufficient to convince you as to the merits
of these instruments. A very proper question
say we.
Geo. P. Bent is not depending upon the mere
honors won by his instruments, but is relying
upon their intrinsic excellence which is fully
exemplified in these wares. An examination is
only necessary to convince the most skeptical of
this truth. For the past twelve months he has
added to the musical qualities of his already pop-
ular instruments by material improvements in
scale and case architecture. And the numerous
new scale "Crown'' instruments which have been
turned out from this house are the best possible
proof that Geo. P. Bent is thoroughly in touch
with this evolutionistic age.
These instruments have commanded some
highly complimentary expressions of opinion
from eminent musicians and dealers throughout
the country. The attractive case work, general
finish and acoustic properties of the new scale
" Crown " pianos have won general commenda-
tion.
The '' Crown '' pianos are selling instru-
ments. Their general excellence is so apparent
upon examination that they sell themselves,
They possess those '' speaking '' points which
do so much to help the dealer. They are instru-
ments which a wide-awake dealer should not
overlook when looking around for a piano that
will stimulate trade. And in this day when
money is scarce, or at least when purchasers
want to get the best possible value, the
4
' Crown '' piano is an instrument which it would
be well to have on hand.
Geo. P. Bent is a pushing, persevering and
energetic worker with whom an acquaintance
would be advantageous. He is desirous of hav-
ing the " Crown " instruments known in every
section of this country, and with such meritori-
ous products he is bound to succeed.
There is no reason why progressive dealers
who are alive to their own best interests should
not help Mr. Bent in his laudable ambition, par-
ticularly when it helps them on the road to pros-
perity—hence of mutual advantage.
It wouldn't be a bad idea to correspond, or
have a talk, with Mr. Bent.
Why not try it ?
H. O. Fox, formerly of Lyon & Healy, of
Chicago, is now connected with the John Church
Co., Cincinnati, as travelling representative for
their small goods department.
discriminating, wide-awake dealer is
always alive to his interests and anxious
to give his customers the best instruments
possible to procure for the price. Organs are
becoming such a common article of merchandise
that any dealer of influence can sell almost any
make of organ he recommends. This makes the
responsibility of the dealer greater than ever.
There is a temptation to recommend a cheap
organ and sell it at a first-class price to the det-
riment of the dealer as well as the customer,
making it annoying for the dealer as well as ex-
pensive to answer the frequent calls for repairs
and the adjustment of all manner of irregularities.
The manufacturers of the Weaver Organ, at
York, Pa., give special attention to the dura-
bility of their organs, and this, together with
their well-deserved reputation, accounts in
a great measure for the fact that they are
largely handled by so many of the largest and
best houses in the country, for the fact they re-
ceived the contract for furnishing the Public
Schools of Baltimore City, with Weaver organs,
and for the fact that the factory is running
eleven hours per day with good prospects for a
busy winter.
There are many good reasons for handling the
Weaver organs in preference to many others, and
dealers contemplating any change in their line
should acquaint themselves with them.
Still Another.
McKeesport (Pa.) Times says that
William Schaum, of Port View, has in his
possession a piano over ioo years old. It was
brought to McKeesport about 1850, and Mr.
Schaum purchased it about 1854. He prizes the
old relic very highly, but says he will loan it
for the antiquarian exhibit if it is wanted.
Mr. Schaum is an old McKeesport business
man. He started here in 1847 * n a building on
the Youghiogheny River bank, where he made
ginger beer, cakes, &c. He was a baker by
trade, but no bread could be sold here then. He
left town, but came back in 1850 and opened the
first bakery in town at the corner of Third and
Market streets. Later he moved farther up
Market street and he continued in trade until
1873, since which time he has been a farmer.
Mr. Schaum built up from nothing a business of
150,000 a year. He operated a bakery, confec-
tionery and boat store. He was the first bread
baker to locate in McKeesport.
Improvements in the Newman
Bros.' Organs.
5JTHE NEWMAN BROS." COMPANY, of
~C> Chicago, have on several occasions given
testimony of their intention to keep in the front
rank of leading organ manufacturers. The
numerous improvements embodied in their in-
struments, and their artistic case designs are
the best possible evidence of this. The Newman
Bros.' Company are desirous of still further
individualizing their instruments by another
improvement which is destined to create a sur-
prise in the trade. They cannot give a full de-
scription of this innovation just now, but they
claim it produces a finer effect in solo playing
than any device ever put in a doubled reed or-
gan. The improvement has been tested by
numerous experts, and it has given universal
satisfaction and won a great deal of praise. The
Newman Bros. Company are to be congratu-
lated on this evidence of push and enterprise.
new building, 146 Boylston street, soon
to be occupied by the Mason & Hamlin
Organ and Piano Co., is a model house for its
purpose. The architects, Messrs. Shepley, Rutan
& Coolidge, who have been most happy in their
design of the exterior, have most successfully
carried out in execution the ideas suggested for
the interior by the Mason & Hamlin Company,
whose long experience in the piano and organ
business has taught them the ideal arrangement
for the display of their products.
The ground floor is divided into a series of
show rooms. In front is a large room for the
Upright pianos. Here will be a display of in-
struments of various sizes, designs and woods ;
directly back will be a room for Grand pianos ;
further back is a room for the Liszt church organs
and a beautiful little hall for recitals or concerts,
seating two hundred and fifty persons.
On the second floor (connected by elevator)
will be a large display of ^Ejolians, Mason &
Hamlin having the New England agency for
these ingenious instruments. Concerts illustrat-
ing the capabilities of the iEolian will be given
daily, to which the public is cordially invited.
On this floor, also, will be the wholesale offices
of the company, as well as a room for the dis-
play of a great variety of chapel and parlor
organs, manufactured by the company.
The third floor will be occupied by the well
known publisher, Arthur P. Schmidt.
The fourth floor is devoted to studios for
music teachers. Here also will be a practice
room, which may be secured by the hour at a
nominal charge. On this floor, also, will be a
display of Virgil Practice Claviers, for which
instruments Mason & Hamlin also have the New
England agency.
The building throughout has been planned
and built for the convenience of customers. It
is lighted entirely by electricity, and is supplied
with both passenger and freight elevators, and
without question is one of the best equipped
houses, for the purpose, in the country.—Boston
Times.
The Briggs Piano Co.
celebrated Boston firm report a very
satisfactory condition of business both in
their retail and wholesale branches. At this
stage of their career it is hardly necessary to
give a reason why the Briggs pianos have such
a strong hold upon the confidence of their agents,
and are so largely esteemed throughout the coun-
try at large. If there is any reason apart from
the fact that they turn out first class instru-
ments, designed and made by practical men, it
is that they strive to embody in their instru-
ments all the latest improvements, thereby add-
ing to the musical qualities and architectural
beauty of their instruments. The Briggs piano
of to-day is an instrument which dealers should
immediately look up and investigate.
A New Catalogue.
& HEALY have favored us with an
illustrated catalogue of '' Piano Stools,
Benches, Chairs, Scarfs, Music Stands, etc." It
is up to the high standard of typographical
work always noticeable in the catalogues of this
house, and the illustrations are especially good.
This book gives an excellent idea of the very
complete assortment of goods in this line hand-
led by Lyon & Healy, and dealers requiring
stools, benches, stands, etc., should not fail to
send for a catalogue.