Music Trade Review
Issue: 1895 Vol. 20 N. 29 - Page 4
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
HE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
against the charge which has been proven
.ridiculous, and further, the reports of the
case have been scattered broadcast. It is
well to ask, was not the accusation brought
about by jealous competitors? Are there
not men who have taken this subtle, under-
handed way to stab a successful business
man in the back? At the present time Mr.
Flechter is doing business at the old stand
and caters to a large clientele of purchasers
of rare old instruments.
Flechter Wins.
T
HE great legal battle over the alleged
Bott violin has ended in a victory for
Victor S. Flechter. The District Attorne) r
was unable to prove to the satisfaction of
the Court that the violin in dispute was the
missing instrument. Mr. Flechter's case
was undoubtedly strengthened by the
numerous musical experts who testified in
his behalf. While the prosecution made
out a fair case, yet in the opinion of Jus-
tice Flammer, who heard the case, it was
unsubstantiated.
The examination last
Saturday ended in indescribable confusion.
Throughout the entire trial the friends of
the principals manifested a great deal of
pent-up feeling, and after the examina-
tion there was an uproar of vituperation
on both sides. The District Attorneys,
Allen and Battle, displayed an unusual
interest in the case. Mr. Flechter, how-
ever, has come out ahead, and it is due
him to state that he has won fairly and
squarely.
The violin in question was returned to
him last Monday morning. Now it occurs
to us in reviewing the case that before
bringing such a serious charge against a
business man it would have been well first
to have had some substantial basis on which
to have made the charge—a charge which
cannot be passed by lightly. According to
expert testimony the violin was no "Strad"
at all. A man of world-wide reputation,
Edouard Remenyi, declared that the violin
over which the legal battle was fought was
not a "vStrad," therefore it is impossible for
it to have been the Bott violin. How much
better for the accusers, if their intention
were fair, to have secured expert testimony
regarding the instrument before instead of
at the trial. Victor S. Flechter, a virtuoso
of note, has been accused before the bar of
justice of a heinous crime, yet at the very
outset the whole basis of the accusation is
demolished, and the very instrument
which he is accused of stealing is declared
not of the make which his maligners desig-
nated. What a fallacy and what a farce,
yet not for Mr. Flechter, who has been
compelled tQ defend his reputation in court
A CHAT WITH ALBERT T. STRAUCH.
T
HE supply houses may be termed the
barometers of the piano trade. The
increase or decrease in business is inva-
riably noticeable in these establishments.
At such a representative house as Strauch
Brothers, for instance, which manufactures
a
line of wares such as piano actions, keys
"A Wise Choice. 1
and hammers, one is able to get an excellent
ILLIAM C. ALTPETER, a well idea of the present condition, as well as the
known music trade dealer of Roches- outlook for fall trade. We are pleased to
ter, N. Y., is in receipt of the following say that there is a marked demand for the
from an enthusiastic purchaser of a Steck wares manufactured by Strauch Brothers—
parlor grand piano: "I sincerely believe a demand that is not a spurt, but a steady
that the Steck is the finest piano made. growth in all departments. There is a
You know I was particular and investi- special call for the higher grade of actions,
gated the merits of all the best makes be- while their anticipations of the key and
fore purchasing, and I selected the Steck hammer business have been far more than
as the head of the list. I am more than realized.
Albert T. Strauch, of this house, re-
ever convinced that I made a wise choice."
tiirned last week from an extended busi-
ness trip, which embraced the principal
Elgin Piano Company Assign.
cities in the East and West as well as
The Elgin Piano and Organ Co., Elgin, Canada, and in a chat with him a few days
111., made an assignment on July 15, ago he said: "I am fully convinced that we
to Lawyer James Spilhard. H. H. Deni- arc going to experience a good live trade
son is manager. The assets are stated to the coming season. Throughout my trip,
be $25,000, the liabilities $20,000. Among with perhaps the exception of Canada, I
the creditors are the Manufacturers' Piano found a better and more confident feeling
Co., Chicago, $5,300, secured; John Church prevailing. This is not my opinion solus,
Music Co., $5,000, secured; Emerson Piano but the opinion of all the representative
men I came in contact with.
Co., $1,800.
"In Canada business is quiet, but there
is
a
great undeveloped field in that section
America's Trade with Mexico.
were the Canadians more progressive.
TATISTICS of exports for the first The railroad connections with some of the
quarter of this year show that the leading cities are entirely inadequate. This
total exportation amounted to $26,263,566, is not so much the fault of the rail-
a gain over the corresponding period of last roads, however, it seems, for a Canadian
year of $4,600,331. Of this the United told me that in the small towns up there
States took 80 per cent., England 6, Ger- the residents object to the railroads on the
many 5 and France a trifle over 3 per cent. ground that 'they bring dust, smoke, noise
and other objectionable features.' This
may be a story, but it looks as if it might
Chicago Modestly Claims
be true.
1,695,000.
"Yes, the business which we are enjoy-
HICAGO'S directory for 1895, just is- ing in all departments indicates that there
sued, makes the estimated population is a steady improvement in trade and also
of the city 1,695,000. The publisher de- demonstrates that manufacturers are pre-
clares that Chicago has shown an increase paring for fall trade. Everything goes to
of 60,000 in population in one year.
show that the fall business will open up
earlier than usual.
A Wonderful Lot of Violins.
"One of the most gratifying tendencies
of
the times is the demand for high grade
ROBABLY the finest individual collec-
tion of fiddles in the world will shortly supplies in the shape of actions, keys, ham-
be put upon the market for sale, and no mers, etc. It proves that the era of cheap-
doubt this announcement will cause a stir ness is fast disappearing, and that the
among violin collectors and connoisseurs. people are commencing to purchase good
This collection is known as the Hawley pianos
Collection, and while it consists of only
WK are in receipt of an invitation from
twelve violins, its value is very conserva-
tively estimated at between $40,000 and C. M. Stieff, piano manufacturer, Balti-
$55,000.
more, Md., to attend the fifty-third anni-
versary and picnic of his employees, which
Full many a stock, tho' varied, choice and clean,
will occur Monday, July 22, at Darley
Now fills its anxious owner with despair;
Park, Baltimore. Music by the famous
For many a bargain's doomed to go unseen,
Fifth Regiment Band, under the direction
Because the public does not know 'tis there!
of Professor Charles Weber,
—Printers' Ink,
W
VICTOR S. FLECHTER.
Steady Improvement in Busi-
ness.
S
C
P
HE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
against the charge which has been proven
.ridiculous, and further, the reports of the
case have been scattered broadcast. It is
well to ask, was not the accusation brought
about by jealous competitors? Are there
not men who have taken this subtle, under-
handed way to stab a successful business
man in the back? At the present time Mr.
Flechter is doing business at the old stand
and caters to a large clientele of purchasers
of rare old instruments.
Flechter Wins.
T
HE great legal battle over the alleged
Bott violin has ended in a victory for
Victor S. Flechter. The District Attorne) r
was unable to prove to the satisfaction of
the Court that the violin in dispute was the
missing instrument. Mr. Flechter's case
was undoubtedly strengthened by the
numerous musical experts who testified in
his behalf. While the prosecution made
out a fair case, yet in the opinion of Jus-
tice Flammer, who heard the case, it was
unsubstantiated.
The examination last
Saturday ended in indescribable confusion.
Throughout the entire trial the friends of
the principals manifested a great deal of
pent-up feeling, and after the examina-
tion there was an uproar of vituperation
on both sides. The District Attorneys,
Allen and Battle, displayed an unusual
interest in the case. Mr. Flechter, how-
ever, has come out ahead, and it is due
him to state that he has won fairly and
squarely.
The violin in question was returned to
him last Monday morning. Now it occurs
to us in reviewing the case that before
bringing such a serious charge against a
business man it would have been well first
to have had some substantial basis on which
to have made the charge—a charge which
cannot be passed by lightly. According to
expert testimony the violin was no "Strad"
at all. A man of world-wide reputation,
Edouard Remenyi, declared that the violin
over which the legal battle was fought was
not a "vStrad," therefore it is impossible for
it to have been the Bott violin. How much
better for the accusers, if their intention
were fair, to have secured expert testimony
regarding the instrument before instead of
at the trial. Victor S. Flechter, a virtuoso
of note, has been accused before the bar of
justice of a heinous crime, yet at the very
outset the whole basis of the accusation is
demolished, and the very instrument
which he is accused of stealing is declared
not of the make which his maligners desig-
nated. What a fallacy and what a farce,
yet not for Mr. Flechter, who has been
compelled tQ defend his reputation in court
A CHAT WITH ALBERT T. STRAUCH.
T
HE supply houses may be termed the
barometers of the piano trade. The
increase or decrease in business is inva-
riably noticeable in these establishments.
At such a representative house as Strauch
Brothers, for instance, which manufactures
a
line of wares such as piano actions, keys
"A Wise Choice. 1
and hammers, one is able to get an excellent
ILLIAM C. ALTPETER, a well idea of the present condition, as well as the
known music trade dealer of Roches- outlook for fall trade. We are pleased to
ter, N. Y., is in receipt of the following say that there is a marked demand for the
from an enthusiastic purchaser of a Steck wares manufactured by Strauch Brothers—
parlor grand piano: "I sincerely believe a demand that is not a spurt, but a steady
that the Steck is the finest piano made. growth in all departments. There is a
You know I was particular and investi- special call for the higher grade of actions,
gated the merits of all the best makes be- while their anticipations of the key and
fore purchasing, and I selected the Steck hammer business have been far more than
as the head of the list. I am more than realized.
Albert T. Strauch, of this house, re-
ever convinced that I made a wise choice."
tiirned last week from an extended busi-
ness trip, which embraced the principal
Elgin Piano Company Assign.
cities in the East and West as well as
The Elgin Piano and Organ Co., Elgin, Canada, and in a chat with him a few days
111., made an assignment on July 15, ago he said: "I am fully convinced that we
to Lawyer James Spilhard. H. H. Deni- arc going to experience a good live trade
son is manager. The assets are stated to the coming season. Throughout my trip,
be $25,000, the liabilities $20,000. Among with perhaps the exception of Canada, I
the creditors are the Manufacturers' Piano found a better and more confident feeling
Co., Chicago, $5,300, secured; John Church prevailing. This is not my opinion solus,
Music Co., $5,000, secured; Emerson Piano but the opinion of all the representative
men I came in contact with.
Co., $1,800.
"In Canada business is quiet, but there
is
a
great undeveloped field in that section
America's Trade with Mexico.
were the Canadians more progressive.
TATISTICS of exports for the first The railroad connections with some of the
quarter of this year show that the leading cities are entirely inadequate. This
total exportation amounted to $26,263,566, is not so much the fault of the rail-
a gain over the corresponding period of last roads, however, it seems, for a Canadian
year of $4,600,331. Of this the United told me that in the small towns up there
States took 80 per cent., England 6, Ger- the residents object to the railroads on the
many 5 and France a trifle over 3 per cent. ground that 'they bring dust, smoke, noise
and other objectionable features.' This
may be a story, but it looks as if it might
Chicago Modestly Claims
be true.
1,695,000.
"Yes, the business which we are enjoy-
HICAGO'S directory for 1895, just is- ing in all departments indicates that there
sued, makes the estimated population is a steady improvement in trade and also
of the city 1,695,000. The publisher de- demonstrates that manufacturers are pre-
clares that Chicago has shown an increase paring for fall trade. Everything goes to
of 60,000 in population in one year.
show that the fall business will open up
earlier than usual.
A Wonderful Lot of Violins.
"One of the most gratifying tendencies
of
the times is the demand for high grade
ROBABLY the finest individual collec-
tion of fiddles in the world will shortly supplies in the shape of actions, keys, ham-
be put upon the market for sale, and no mers, etc. It proves that the era of cheap-
doubt this announcement will cause a stir ness is fast disappearing, and that the
among violin collectors and connoisseurs. people are commencing to purchase good
This collection is known as the Hawley pianos
Collection, and while it consists of only
WK are in receipt of an invitation from
twelve violins, its value is very conserva-
tively estimated at between $40,000 and C. M. Stieff, piano manufacturer, Balti-
$55,000.
more, Md., to attend the fifty-third anni-
versary and picnic of his employees, which
Full many a stock, tho' varied, choice and clean,
will occur Monday, July 22, at Darley
Now fills its anxious owner with despair;
Park, Baltimore. Music by the famous
For many a bargain's doomed to go unseen,
Fifth Regiment Band, under the direction
Because the public does not know 'tis there!
of Professor Charles Weber,
—Printers' Ink,
W
VICTOR S. FLECHTER.
Steady Improvement in Busi-
ness.
S
C
P
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