Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
IO
pianos of the Kimball Co. have now de-
veloped into a character and grade far
above the average type, in the construc-
tion the greatest care is evinced, and from
the outside finish into the very deepest and
obscure inside portions the best technical
skill is applied. The result is a splendid
tone and a most sympathetic touch.
What peculiar changes the whirligig of
time brings forth.
# * *
This is also from the same paper:
By the way, I notice on the back page of
the Musical Courier there are five large
piano firms, and all are Western houses ex-
cept Steinway. Isn't that rather signifi-
cant? Has it not struck you yet? Does
it not show a handwriting on the wall?
Well, it may be significant. It depends
largely how you construe the meaning of
the particular ads alluded to. There are
some who might be unkind enough to say
—well, I will pause. Perhaps I'd better, at
least until the time when Mr. Blumenberg
has satisfactorily and clearly defined
"Western Methods," as applied to the
Smith & Nixon collapse.
* *
*
*To show what a tremendous hold the
bicycle craze is having on members of the
piano trade, I will quote a portion of a con-
versation which I recently overheard in a
well-known Fifth avenue wareroom, when
a salesman was addressing a possible piano
customer.
"This, madam, I assure you is one of
our 1896 productions. You will notice that
it has rear quadrant tubes, detachable
sprockets, ball bearings, truss saddle
double swaged spokes, corkaline grips
This wheel—I beg your pardon — piano,
has dust proof bearings, cones and cases
turned from special steel, hardened and
ground. This wheel—I beg your pardon,
this piano, I mean—has high grade rat trap
pedals, the finish, as you will see, is in
black enamel trimmings. This wheel—I
mean piano—(aside—where the devil am I
at?)—I assure you, will give you perfect
satisfaction."
* *
While passing through Union SquareHote
a few days ago, I met Col. Daniel F. Treacy,
looking as happy as if he had fallen heir to
a fortune. He had just returned from a
trip through the West and Canada, and is
quite optimistic about trade conditions.
Col. Dan believes that the man who gets
out and hustles these days is the one who
secures trade, and with this view I entirely
agree. It is by putting on working har-
ness that Davenport & Treacy are enabled
to keep their immense plant at Stamford
always busy. This is a recipe which other
firms should try.
* *
*
The return of Minister Dunn from
Japan on a vacation trip has exploded the
Japanese piano competition bomb which
the esteemed Art Journal has been so much
afraid of for some time. It was all smoke.
Minister Dunn's statement that we have
nothing to fear now or in the future in that
line should reassure our venerable contem-
porary.
Furbush with Vose.
M
R. E. W. FURBUSH, late of the
Briggs Piano Co., will on June 1st
repiesent the well-known piano manufac-
turers, Vose & Sons, in their wholesale de-
partment.
The eminent Boston firm and Mr. Fur
bush are no strangers.
In fact, their acquaintance was formed
years ago, and Mr. Furbush has performed
many years of faithful service in their be-
half on the road, hence the resumption of
his former duties and his alliance with
the well-known corporation of Vose & Sons
will be welcome news to his host of friends
on the road.
The fact is, Mr. Furbush has talked Vose
pianos for so many years he has always had
a sort of leaning toward them—a sort of
hankering, as it were—he could not with-
stand their attractive powers.
The Vose is one of the best known, and
certainly one of the most popular pianos
in the trade, and Mr. Furbush is a salesman
of exceptional ability, hence the arrange-
ment must prove truly an advantage. Mr.
Furbush is back with his old love again,
and that's all there is about it.
The Rohlfing Sons flusic Co.
A NEW
CORPORATION.
T
HE sheet music and publishing depart-
ment of the firm of Wm. Rohlfing &
Sons has been incorporated under the name
of Rohlfing Sons Music Co., with a capital
stock of $100,000. Chas. Rohlfing, presi-
dent; Geo. Rohlfing, vice-president, and
Arthur Munkwitz, secretary and treasurer.
The name of Rohlfing is familiar to the
entire trade.
It is associated with the
growth of a large and successful music pub-
lishing business. The Rohlfing catalogue
has an international reputation, containing
a wide variety of only the better class of
music. Their publications find a sale in
all parts of the world, the foreign represen-
tatives being F. Schuberth, Leipzig, Ger-
many, and Cranz & Co., London, Eng.
All the members of the corporation are
well known and enterprising young men.
Charles and George Rohlfing have since its
establishment in Milwaukee been continu-
ously connected with the business, and A.
R. Munkwitz, the new member, having
been with the same firm in former years,
is also experienced in this line. The latter
has been until now connected with the Wis-
consin Marine and Fire Insurance Co.
Bank, but realized that an opportunity like
this one to associate himself with a firm of
such excellent standing as the Rohlfing
house was one that not often presented it-
self to a young, energetic man of his ability,
who has an ambition of making a success-
ful business career.
According to the Milwaukee Sentinel, the
business of Wm. Rohlfing & Sons and
Rohlfing Sons Music Co. will remain
together as heretofore, only that the sheet
WM.
ROHLFING.
music and publishing department is to be
kept separate from the piano department,
and the location of the sheet music as well
as the piano business remains the same,
corner Broadway and Mason streets. The
senior member of the firm, Mr. Wm.
Rohlfing, can well feel proud that he has
succeeded in systematizing his business
affairs so that in his advancing years he
can take it somewhat easier while still keep-
ing a watchful eye 01: all the departments.
The Fischer Grand Piano.
M
USICIANS are rapidly falling in line
in their admiration and appreciation
of the merits of the Fischer grand pianos.
It has been our pleasure to hear many
tributes paid them by competent musical
authorities. The following letter, which
Messrs. J. & C. Fischer recently received
from Sig. Pietro Minetti, one of the lead-
ing teachers in the Peabody School of
Music, Baltimore, Md., is a worthy and
honest complement to instruments which
are destined to win a greater vogue as time
goes on apace:
GENTLEMEN:—My attention was called to
a "Fischer" grand piano in your ware-
rooms, and upon examination I am free to
say that I was delighted with it in every
respect. Its tone is noble, rich and full,
and there is a sonority rarely found in
pianos. The touch is elastic and even, and
taking it all in all, the instrument is worthy
of the highest place in the piano world.
Funeral of H. P. Sondheim.
T
HE funeral of the late Mr. Henry P.
Sondheira, special partner in the
firm of Hardman, Peck & Co., who died in
Dresden, Ger., recently, was held from his
late residence Sunday last. There was a
large gathering of his associates in the
Cotton Exchange and personal friends who
in common with a legion of acquaintances,
deeply regret the demise of an honorable
and upright business man.