Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
From A Traveler's
Note Book.
SMALLER TERRITORY — MORE DEALERS, THAT
IS WHAT SOME SAY THE REIMERS PIANOS.
A FINE EXHIBIT PIANOS THAT HAVE
INDIVIDUALITY
NEW INVENTIONS.
IT WILL PAY TO HAVE REPRESEN-
TATIVES AT COUNTY FAIRS A
GOOD
ADVERTISING
POINT
PROPERLY WORKED PIANOS
IN PUBLIC PLACES ARE,
AS A RULE, OUT OF
TUNE—WORK GREAT
INJUSTICETO MAN-
UFACTURERS IN
THAT CONDI-
TION.
SOME ILLUSTRATIONS—C. A. FRICKER, THE
SOUTHERN SOHMER AGENT — AMERICA'S
GREATEST RAILROAD, THE NEW YORK
CENTRAL AN INNOVATION
IN RAILROADING.
HE article which I wrote last
week suggesting that manu-
facturers pay more attention
to smaller dealers instead of
locking up vast slices of ter-
ritory with larger ones,
seems to have met with warm approval
in many localities. I am in receipt of sev-
eral communications anent the matter.
One writes: "I read your article with much
interest. It seemed to strike the nail
fairly on the head. I for one would say
that I have had too much territory in the
hands of a few men from whom I have
been getting but very little business.
This I propose to change in the near fu-
ture; in fact, I intend to immediately carve
up the territory. " Such is the tenor of sev-
eral communications. I am glad that the
result of my observations has set manu-
facturers to thinking on the general lines
which I laid out. THE MUSIC TRADE RE-
VIEW is first of all "the business man's pa-
per."
* *
*
This week I had the pleasure of inspect-
ing some of the new Reimers pianos, man-
ufactured at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and I
am glad to say as the result of my investi-
gation of these instruments, that Mr.
Reimers in building his pianos has
adhered strictly to high grade lines. The
Reimers pianos contain a number of orig-
inal inventions which aie really more than
''talking points," as they possess intrinsic
merit. I refer particularly to the separable
case, which is the best thing I have seen on
the market; also to his patent swing desk
and tone liberator, with which I shall deal
at greater length in a later issue. At the
Fair at Poughkeepsie, they came in for a
large share of attention. The residents of
Poughkeepsie are taking a warm interest
in the Reimers piano, because it is a home
product, and the firm are advised that
many people are delaying the purchase of
an instrument in order that they may place
a Poughkeepsie-made piano in their homes.
known musicians. One, a lady, seated her-
self at a grand piano, which bore cne of the
best known names in this country. After
striking a few bars, she exclaimed in dis-
gust, "What a wretched toned instrument!',
And everyone present agreed with her per-
fectly. It was simply wretched; that ex-
pressed it. Now, the name in itself is a
guarantee of a good piano, and it was sim-
ply the fault of the dealer in allowing the
piano to ^et in this wretched condition. In-
stead of being an advertisement for the
firm, it was a positive injury to have that
instrument there. For the number of peo-
ple who would try it or listen to it would
depart carrying in their minds opinions far
from complimentary regarding that make.
The seed would be widely spread, and there
is no computing wha^ far-reaching effect it
might have upon the sale of an instrument
bearing that name. If it is worth while to
have a piano in a public place, it will sure-
ly pay to keep it in perfect condition.
There is a strong point to be made in
sending a good representative to be present
and assist the local dealer at the various
county fairs which are held throughout the
country. The fairs are largely patronized
by the best residents of the sections where-
in they are held, and oftentimes if actual
sales are not made at the exhibits, yet the
groundwork is laid for future business.
There is also a splendid chance afforded to
distribute advertising matter. Now, if the
manufacturer has a good, live man to as-
sist the local dealer, he not only popular-
izes himself with the dealer, but he assists
to bring the goods which he represents
prominently before the people who patron-
ize the fairs. I have noticed this for years,
and have frequently thought that manufac-
turers pass these matters over too lightly.
For illustration, take the fair at Pough-
keepsie. Probably not less than one hun-
dred to one hundred and fifty thousand
people passed the piano exhibits which
were made there during the week. A large
percentage of those people were of the well-
to-do class. They would carry to their
homes with them favorable impressions of
these instruments, if they were played
well, shown to advantage, and were pleas-
ing in their appearance. The tone net so
much, because no matter how fine the in-
strument, it is a wretched place to display
its tonal qualities, but the impression of
the instrument remains. Now, at Pough-
keepsie all the prominent dealers had very
good exhibits. There was the Reimers
Piano Co., the local manufacturers of
Poughkeepsie; then exhibits by Mr.
Hickok, Mr. Sutherland, Mr. Vossler and
Mr. Rider, representing such pianos as the
Steinway, Uhickering, Weber, Hallet &
C. A. FRICKER.
Davis, Behning, Haines Bros., and a host
C. A. Fricker, of Americus, Ga., has
of others. The only factory representative
done
a great deal toward making the
whom I saw present was young Albert
Sohmer
piano popular not only in the Em-
Haines, of Haines Bros., who was assisting
Mr. Sutherland to show off his instruments pire State of the South, but in other States
to good advantage, chatting and making as well. It should be known that the
himself generally agreeable to the visiting Sohmer has a strong hold upon musical
Southerners. In fact, it is only duplicat-
people.
ing the wonderful popularity of the famous
New York instruments in other sections of
the
country. As a well-known member of
Another matter which surely should have
the
trade
said the other day, " I t i s Sohmer-
the attention of manufacturers, and that is,
ited,
you
know." Mr. Fricker has met
getting pianos in proper tune and well reg-
with
that
success which comes to every
ulated when used in public places, or at
dealer
who
places the "Sohmer" fairly be-
least impressing upon their local represent-
fore
the
public.
Aside from his piano en-
atives that the instruments which are seen
terprise,
Mr.
Fricker
takes an active part
and played upon by the public should be at
in
many
of
the
business
operations in Geor-
all times in perfect musical condition. I
gia.
He
is
a
director
of the Savannah,
have seen in my travels during the past few
Americus
and
Montgomery
Railway, the
months in some of the best hotels in Minne-
Bank
of
Commerce,
the
Mutual
Building
apolis, St. Louis, Montreal, New Orleans,
Loan
Association,
and
many
other
enter-
Washington and many other points, pianos
prises.
.
'
in a condition that was simply a disgrace
to the firm whose name was on the fall-
board. I recollect one instance perfectly
IT is said that William Sohmer, who was
well. It made a marked impression on me candidate for Sheriff last year, is to head
at the time. A party of ladies and gentle- the Tammany ticket this fall for the posi-
men had gathered in the parlor to enjoy a tion of County Clerk. Mr. Sohmer is a
little music. In the party there were some brother of Hugo Sohmer, the well-known
ight or ten of us, some of whom were well- and esteemed piano manufacturer.
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