Music Trade Review
Issue: 1897 Vol. 24 N. 4 - Page 19
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
21
SMALL GOODS" TRADE
The Phonoharp Co.
J. Leverett Pierce, president of the Phono-
harp Co., E. Boston, Mass., was interviewed
by the Review at his New York office, 317
Broadway, on Tuesday of this week: " I have
this morning received a letter from our treas-
urer, Mr. J. R. Green,]' said Mr. Pierce, " and
lie reports a heavy rush for goods at the
factory.
NO.
COLUMI5IA
ZITHER.
" Owing to the recent breaking down of the
engine we have been delayed somewhat and
find ourselves behind on orders. Everything
is all right now; we have lately enlarged our
factory, our varnishing facilities are much bet-
ter, and we are in a position to do a thumping
business. The demand for our Columbia
Zithers is simply measured by the supply; we
can sell all we can make. One specially en-
couraging point is that new agencies for our
goods are constantly cropping up, and we now
exclusively supply some of the largest houses
in the country. Mr. Wurlitzer, of the R. Wur-
litzer Co., Cincinnati, called in to see me on
Saturday last and promised to leave an order
before his return home."
The Review at this point interpolated,
" You are especially pushing the Columbia,
Mr. Pierce, are you not? " " We are not push-
ing the'Columbia,'" tersely replied Mr. Pierce,
"the 'Columbia' is pushing us; our No. 2
especially is a splendid seller. Our Phono-
harp, Zithern, and American harp trade keeps
up well, however, and we are expecting a big
year's business for all our goods.
" You might just mention that our recently
published Columbia Zither instruction books
seem to be much appreciated by dealers and
the public. There are five in the series, all
specially compiled for No.'s 1 and 2, 3, 3J, 3^,
and 4 instruments."
Only a Name.
Many thousands of people, perhaps, have
experienced the surprise indicated in the sub-
joined letter:
To THE EDITOR OK THE SUN—Sir:
A few weeks
ago I was buying some cheap violins for an out-of-
town music store, and when I examined them I found
in one, which, if I am not very much mistaken, was
$1.50, the following si<;n :
:
ANTON ins STKADIVARIUS FECIT
:
AVNO 1735.
:
:
M \ D E IN GERMANY.
:
:
The manufacturer of these instruments probably
is a great musician and judge of violins. The hou=e
which sold these goods is located on Broadway, and
is one of the biggest in the trade.
A MUSICIAN.
Astonishment at a reputable merchant sell-
ing with the Stradivarius label a violin evi-
dently cheap and modern, reminds us of the
boy and the pie. From a stand bearing the
sign " Hot Mince Pies " a boy helped himself,
and biting into the piece found it stone cold.
" Swindle! " said he. " It's cold. It's a cheat
to call these ' hot mince pies.' " " Pshaw,"
said the merchant, " that's the name of 'em."
" Antonius Stradivarius fecit 17
" has
gradually become the established name for all
fiddles whose actual origin is so humble as
to be unasserted, just as the personal name of
C?esar became the regular title for all Roman
emperors. In either case the name of em-
peror or fiddle follows the principle that the
best is always good enough for use. This
practice has grown to be so frequent among
the wholesale or machine makers of violins,
and also among many modest artists of no
mean skill in the divine art which revealed
the genius of Stradivarius, that it has lost the
element of trickery. " Antonius Stradivarius
fecit " in the belly of an instrument is nothing
but a tribute to the archmaster of fiddle
making.
Our friend, however, gives a conclusive ar-
gument against suspicion that the article in
question was intended to deceive. It bore the
well-known national Teutonic trademark:
" Made in Germany." Stradivarius lived and
labored in Cremona.—The " Sun."
The Apollo Harp.
•BIG DEMAND FOR THE APOLLO
THE " NEW
SYMPHONIC S L I D E " MUCH APPRECIATED
FINE TONAL QUALITY OF
T H E INSTRUMENTS.
"That remarkably unique and sweet-toned
instrument, the Apollo Harp, seems destined
to achieve almost a phenomenal popularity
among the music-buving public. Although the
instrument has been before the trade and pub-
lic for nearly three years, and during that time
has become recognized as one of the best in-
struments of its kind on the market, its popu-
larity has been so accentuated by the recent
adoption of the new symphonic slide, that the
Apollo can fairly be stated to have taken a new
lease of life, and to be on the tidal wave of a
still further increased prosperity.
Of the merits of the new transposing key-
board, or, to be strictly accurate, the
" Symphonic Slide," it would be difficult to
speak too highly. To be able to play in any
key at will (major or minor), may not, to the
uninitiated appear as bordering on the mar-
vellous, but to the musician, and to the trained
expert who understands the limitations of a
number of other instruments of a similar nat-
ure, its value appeals in the strongest pos-
sible manner. The simplicity of the Apollo is
wonderful, its tonal qualities are superb, the
possibilities of the instrument in the hands of
an expert are marvellous. While the instru-
ment, by reason of its excellence, appeals to
the musical artist, at the same time a child can
produce charming melodies, delightful modu-
lations, and intricate harmonies. As an ac-
companiment to the voice it is simply admir-
able; not only can transpositions be effected
at will, but the quality of tone produced by
the instrument is of so refined and melodious a
STYLE 72 H, APOLLO HARP.
nature that the ear is captivated and the singer
encouraged.
Dealers who are on the look out for a good
seller and a desirable line of goods cannot do
better than place themselves in communica-
tion with Mr. Frank Scribner, of 419 Broad-
way, this city, who is the resident manager of
the Flagg Manufacturing Company of Bos-
ton, makers of the instrument.
Dr. Flagg, president of the company, who
is a well known and much esteemed Boston-
ian, in a recent letter to Mr. Scribner spoke
hopefully of the general business outlook for
the Apollo and stated that the artistic merits
of the instrument were rapidly becoming
recognized by musical experts and critics who
by written communications had recently tes-
tified in unmeasured terms to its artistic at-
tributes.
Scribner Preparing for a Trip.
Frank Scribner, the well known importer,
of 419 P)roadway, this city, is preparing to
make one of his regular import trips. " I ex-
pect to get away early in February," stated
Mr. Scribner to the Review on Tuesday last.
" Shall probably be gone a month, and expect
to do quite a business. I shall call on the job-
bers only and have a new style Brass Band
Harmonica to introduce to the trade that will
knock all competitors higher than a kite."
W. H. Frost, the Zobo manufacturer of this
city, left for Chicago on Thursday night last.
He expects to return to New York the first
week in February.
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
21
SMALL GOODS" TRADE
The Phonoharp Co.
J. Leverett Pierce, president of the Phono-
harp Co., E. Boston, Mass., was interviewed
by the Review at his New York office, 317
Broadway, on Tuesday of this week: " I have
this morning received a letter from our treas-
urer, Mr. J. R. Green,]' said Mr. Pierce, " and
lie reports a heavy rush for goods at the
factory.
NO.
COLUMI5IA
ZITHER.
" Owing to the recent breaking down of the
engine we have been delayed somewhat and
find ourselves behind on orders. Everything
is all right now; we have lately enlarged our
factory, our varnishing facilities are much bet-
ter, and we are in a position to do a thumping
business. The demand for our Columbia
Zithers is simply measured by the supply; we
can sell all we can make. One specially en-
couraging point is that new agencies for our
goods are constantly cropping up, and we now
exclusively supply some of the largest houses
in the country. Mr. Wurlitzer, of the R. Wur-
litzer Co., Cincinnati, called in to see me on
Saturday last and promised to leave an order
before his return home."
The Review at this point interpolated,
" You are especially pushing the Columbia,
Mr. Pierce, are you not? " " We are not push-
ing the'Columbia,'" tersely replied Mr. Pierce,
"the 'Columbia' is pushing us; our No. 2
especially is a splendid seller. Our Phono-
harp, Zithern, and American harp trade keeps
up well, however, and we are expecting a big
year's business for all our goods.
" You might just mention that our recently
published Columbia Zither instruction books
seem to be much appreciated by dealers and
the public. There are five in the series, all
specially compiled for No.'s 1 and 2, 3, 3J, 3^,
and 4 instruments."
Only a Name.
Many thousands of people, perhaps, have
experienced the surprise indicated in the sub-
joined letter:
To THE EDITOR OK THE SUN—Sir:
A few weeks
ago I was buying some cheap violins for an out-of-
town music store, and when I examined them I found
in one, which, if I am not very much mistaken, was
$1.50, the following si<;n :
:
ANTON ins STKADIVARIUS FECIT
:
AVNO 1735.
:
:
M \ D E IN GERMANY.
:
:
The manufacturer of these instruments probably
is a great musician and judge of violins. The hou=e
which sold these goods is located on Broadway, and
is one of the biggest in the trade.
A MUSICIAN.
Astonishment at a reputable merchant sell-
ing with the Stradivarius label a violin evi-
dently cheap and modern, reminds us of the
boy and the pie. From a stand bearing the
sign " Hot Mince Pies " a boy helped himself,
and biting into the piece found it stone cold.
" Swindle! " said he. " It's cold. It's a cheat
to call these ' hot mince pies.' " " Pshaw,"
said the merchant, " that's the name of 'em."
" Antonius Stradivarius fecit 17
" has
gradually become the established name for all
fiddles whose actual origin is so humble as
to be unasserted, just as the personal name of
C?esar became the regular title for all Roman
emperors. In either case the name of em-
peror or fiddle follows the principle that the
best is always good enough for use. This
practice has grown to be so frequent among
the wholesale or machine makers of violins,
and also among many modest artists of no
mean skill in the divine art which revealed
the genius of Stradivarius, that it has lost the
element of trickery. " Antonius Stradivarius
fecit " in the belly of an instrument is nothing
but a tribute to the archmaster of fiddle
making.
Our friend, however, gives a conclusive ar-
gument against suspicion that the article in
question was intended to deceive. It bore the
well-known national Teutonic trademark:
" Made in Germany." Stradivarius lived and
labored in Cremona.—The " Sun."
The Apollo Harp.
•BIG DEMAND FOR THE APOLLO
THE " NEW
SYMPHONIC S L I D E " MUCH APPRECIATED
FINE TONAL QUALITY OF
T H E INSTRUMENTS.
"That remarkably unique and sweet-toned
instrument, the Apollo Harp, seems destined
to achieve almost a phenomenal popularity
among the music-buving public. Although the
instrument has been before the trade and pub-
lic for nearly three years, and during that time
has become recognized as one of the best in-
struments of its kind on the market, its popu-
larity has been so accentuated by the recent
adoption of the new symphonic slide, that the
Apollo can fairly be stated to have taken a new
lease of life, and to be on the tidal wave of a
still further increased prosperity.
Of the merits of the new transposing key-
board, or, to be strictly accurate, the
" Symphonic Slide," it would be difficult to
speak too highly. To be able to play in any
key at will (major or minor), may not, to the
uninitiated appear as bordering on the mar-
vellous, but to the musician, and to the trained
expert who understands the limitations of a
number of other instruments of a similar nat-
ure, its value appeals in the strongest pos-
sible manner. The simplicity of the Apollo is
wonderful, its tonal qualities are superb, the
possibilities of the instrument in the hands of
an expert are marvellous. While the instru-
ment, by reason of its excellence, appeals to
the musical artist, at the same time a child can
produce charming melodies, delightful modu-
lations, and intricate harmonies. As an ac-
companiment to the voice it is simply admir-
able; not only can transpositions be effected
at will, but the quality of tone produced by
the instrument is of so refined and melodious a
STYLE 72 H, APOLLO HARP.
nature that the ear is captivated and the singer
encouraged.
Dealers who are on the look out for a good
seller and a desirable line of goods cannot do
better than place themselves in communica-
tion with Mr. Frank Scribner, of 419 Broad-
way, this city, who is the resident manager of
the Flagg Manufacturing Company of Bos-
ton, makers of the instrument.
Dr. Flagg, president of the company, who
is a well known and much esteemed Boston-
ian, in a recent letter to Mr. Scribner spoke
hopefully of the general business outlook for
the Apollo and stated that the artistic merits
of the instrument were rapidly becoming
recognized by musical experts and critics who
by written communications had recently tes-
tified in unmeasured terms to its artistic at-
tributes.
Scribner Preparing for a Trip.
Frank Scribner, the well known importer,
of 419 P)roadway, this city, is preparing to
make one of his regular import trips. " I ex-
pect to get away early in February," stated
Mr. Scribner to the Review on Tuesday last.
" Shall probably be gone a month, and expect
to do quite a business. I shall call on the job-
bers only and have a new style Brass Band
Harmonica to introduce to the trade that will
knock all competitors higher than a kite."
W. H. Frost, the Zobo manufacturer of this
city, left for Chicago on Thursday night last.
He expects to return to New York the first
week in February.
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).