Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
HE American piano has right along
been distinguished from European
makes by the early application of the iron
plate and continued developments in that
field tending to a greater solidity and
larger tone. In this connection^Davenport
& Treacy have been prime factors in en-
abling the American piano manufacturer
to attain certain ends and achieve certain
aims. They have been pioneers in the
perfection of piano plates and their labors
have been rewarded by a goodly patronage
which is thoroughly well deserved.
Both members of the firm are highly es-
teemed for their personal and business
qualities. Colonel Treacy possesses a
scientific and practical knowledge of his
business, as well as a bonhomie and genial-
ity of manner which have made him one
of the most popular members of the supply
trade. OfLMr. Davenport it is only neces-
ary to say that it is hard to tell which
member of the firm is the most popular.
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Albert T. Strauch returned from an ex-
tended Western trip last Saturday evening.
In the course of a conversation a few days
ago, he said: "Business conditions out
West are not vastly different than at home.
Things are quiet all over, but the consen-
sus of opinion is that business will imme-
diately look up after the Convention, for
there is no doubt as to the election of the
nominee of the Republican party. On my
way home last week, I met a gentleman, a
native of the South, who has been residing
in New York for the past fifteen years.
He said:
" 'I have never voted the Republican
ticket in my life, but am so heartily sick of
the record made by the Democratic party
that I intend to vote for the Republican
nominee at the forthcoming election.'
"And this," added Mr. Strauch, "is only
one of several indications which have come
under my notice recently, which go to
show that the change which will occur next
November will not be an ordinary battle,
but a Waterloo.
"As far as general business is concerned,
we have no reason to complain. We are
experiencing a fair degree of activity in
our action and key-making departments."
T
From
time to time we have heard
many complimentary remarks anent the
piano cases manufactured by Phelps &
Lyddon, Rochester, N. Y. The members
of this firm are wide-awake, progressive
young men, who know how to build good
piano cases, which especially please those
firms who are extremely particular about
the quality of their work.
Since they commenced manufacturing
they have received a strong support
which is bound to be accelerated as
soon as the present unfavorable cloud dis-
appears from the business horizon. Their
regular line of cases will be augmented the
coming fall by a number of fancy designs
which are bound to command recognition
from go-ahead manufacturers desirous of
appealing to the artistic instincts of the
purchaser. They will be worth investigat-
ing.
* * * * *
Robt. M. Webb's summer vacation will,
as already announced in these columns, be
spent in Europe. It is, however, a mis-
nomer to call it a "vacation," for his trip
is largely one of business. It is simply ad-
vance preparations for fall trade. He will
visit the Billion concern in France, whose
felts he represents in this country, as well
as other manufacturers in Germany and
elsewhere, with whom he has business
dealings. Mr. Webb's business for the
past six months has been eminently satis-
factory, showing a constant growth, not-
withstanding the general depression.
Season after season he continues to add
new customers to his books and increase his
legion of friends.
* * * * *
It is a pleasure nowadays to come across
a manufacturer in any line who claims
to have as much work as he cares to handle.
There is one, however, in the person of
Mr. J. Erlandsen, manufacturer of tools
for piano and action makers, 172 Centre
street, this city. For the past six months
he has been endeavoring to get ahead of
his orders, but is only now about succeed-
ing to catch up. The activity of Mr. Er-
landsen's business must be ascribed to the
fact that he is a specialist in his line, and
that his wares are so reliable and so satis-
factory that once used, always used.
His general line of machinery, such as
lathes, etc., for piano, action and key-
makers, are among the most reliable to be
found. The high standard of the Erland-
sen products, which was firmly established
by Mr. Erlandsen's father, has been con-
sistently maintained by his son, the present
proprietor.
[ Dropping in a few days ago at the fac-
tory of David H. Schmidt, piano hammer
coverer, East 163d street, near Brook
avenue, we found that gentleman as hard
at work as if we were enjoying the grand
old prosperous times of '92. After an in-
quiry as to business, he said:
"Busy? yes; but not with an abundance
of immediate orders, for there is hardly
any use in saying anything about the con-
ditions of trade. I am at present utilizing
all of my spare time in getting ready for
business when it opens up. In the mean-
time, I cannot complain; I am doing fairly
well, and, in fact, getting my share of
what is going."
Mr. Schmidt has recently added a large
number of new hammer covering machines
to his already extensive plant, and he is no
doubt splendidly fixed for the conduct of a
large business. His machines are up-to-
date in every respect, and his equipment
is perhaps the largest of its kind in the
United States. Whatever success has come
Mr. Schmidt's way is well deserved. He
is a hard worker, and he has built up a
splendid trade and reputation for his wares.
DAVID H. SCHMIDT.