Music Trade Review
Issue: 1897 Vol. 24 N. 8 - Page 19
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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
21
THE "SMALL GOODS" TRADE
The Phonoharp and Columbia this week at the office and warerooms of
William R. Gratz & Co. at 18 East Four-
Zither.
Without any doubt, two of the strongest
competitors to-day for the people's patron-
age, among musical instruments of the
harp class, are the Phonoharp and the
Columbia Zither. In talking to the Re-
view on Wednesday at his office, 317 Broad-
way, Mr. L. Pierce, of the Phonoharp Co.,
said in response to an inquiry, that good
reports were coming in from every section
of the country.
"Right here, in New York City," he
remarked, " we are doing an extensive and
entirely satisfactory business, with abso-
lutely no complaints, and are receiving
many valuable unsought testimonials.
Here is one from Mr. W. L. Evans, re-
ceived on the 10th of this month. He
says: ' Just a few words of thanks for the
pleasure you have given me through your
Columbia Zither. For simplicity and
sweetness of tone it is, in my estimation,
unrivaled, and its extremely low price
should bring it into every home.'
"That is a very f_air average sample of
the letters we receive almost daily. All the
big firms in this and other large cities are
handling our goods with excellent results.
Dealers handle them with satisfaction to all
concerned. Once they take hold they
never quit, but we hear, not infrequently,
of those who did handle several others but
now prefer to do business with us exclu-
sively. The only real news this week out-
side what I have just told you is that an
important order has just come in from
Mexico. That will give you some idea of
the scope of our work."
"What is this—a new circular?" was
asked when a four-page leaflet came in
view, on the front page of which is a
picture of a baby playing one of the
Columbia zithers.
"Oh," said Mr. Pierce, "that contains a
little poem, written by one of our admir-
ers. He has a baby girl who, after a sim-
ple lesson from our books, learned to play
the instrument with almost magical re-
sults. The father was so pleased with the
zither and his child's rapid progress in
playing it that he wrote a poem. It is
well put together and tells the story as it
should be told."
teenth street, Mr. Joseph Mock, answering
for Mr. Gratz during the latter's absence
on a business tour, told the Review of a
most important addition to the Sympho-
nion attachments.
Samples have just
arrived of what is known as No. 25 Du-
plex. It is operated by one plate having
four combs instead of the usual number,
two.
These four combs have 168 teeth. By
the use of the two additional the volume of
sound is doubled. They are operated by
music disc No. 25, which is specially pre-
pared. Nor is this improvement by any
means the last. Mr. Mock said, in the
course of his Symphonion talk, that other
samples, with a zither attachment, are
nearly ready.
A beautiful sample now in stock is a
Symphonion with white and gold enameled
case to match room furniture of a simi-
lar pattern. The effects of the white and
gold figured case is pleasing in the ex-
treme.
Among other recent imported samples in
Mr. Gratz's stock are several new accordeons
and concertinas. The Empress accordeon
has proved to be an attractive specialty.
Mouth harmonicas, too, of excellent tone,
supplementing those already in stock, re-
cently came to hand from Europe.
Some that were pointed out as good sell-
ers carry the impressive titles of "Jubilee
Victoria," "Britain's Pride," and "Cham-
pion." Each of these contains important
special features of shape or tone—usually
both.
Mr. Gratz is having a successful tour.
He reports that all his leading sympho-
nions and other instruments are grow-
ing in favor wherever they are introduced.
The demand is steadily increasing, not only
in the United States, but throughout the
civilized world. This speaks volumes for
Mr. Gratz's good judgment in making his
selections.
WE ARE NOW PREPARED TO
APPOINT AGENCIES FOR
THE ONLY ALL
Hlumtnum
Wm. R. Gratz & Co.
Improvements in the Symphonion are
apparently never ending. Judging from
results achieved in developing these in-
genious and charming music boxes during
the past few years, one would think further
efforts to secure perfect mechanism would
be of no avail.
Not so, however. When a call was made
The Greatest Musical Invention
of the Century
Hutchins flanufacturing Co.
MAKERS OF
THE ALUMINUM MANDOLIN
Springfield, i l a s s .
CHAS., H. PARSONS
Prest.
F.EDWARDS
Treas.
C. W. HUTCHINS
Manager
The Apollo Harp.
That busy man, Mr. Frank Scribner,
walked into his office at 419 Broadway,
about the noon hour on Wednesday just
after the Review had reached there in
search of news.
"Yes, yes, it's the old story," he ex-
claimed, "you want news. And what's
more, you expect some every time you
call."
"Naturally," responded the Review.
" Newspaper men appreciate those who
have business to do but who are never too
busy to be courteous when other busy men
call to see them."
"Well," said Mr. Scribner, "I'm afraid
I must disappoint you to-day. I could
praise the Apollo harp and tell you why
its tone is so superior to all others. But
that's not news. Everybody knows it.
I might point out that with the Apollo
harp you accomplish with one hand what
requires two hands on other forms of
harps, and so on, and so on. But that's
not news. It is getting to be so well
known that even John Wanamaker acknow
ledges it through the newspapers."
Reaching over his desk and picking up
a copy of a Philadelphia paper, he pointed
out an advertisement marked with blue
pencil. ''Look at this," he continued,
"John Wanamaker has a well-earned repu-
tation for knowing a good thing when he
sees it. Read what he says. Not only
does he say it once, but keeps on saying it.
Better still—I've just come from there—
like that young rascal, Oliver Twist, he
asks for more, and it's my business and
pleasure to see that he gets them. I send
them to him, with experts to show their
simple working, and he,-with the aid of the
dear public, is doing the rest. I tell you,
sir, the Apollo Harp is making a large and
conspicuous mark in the commercial hori-
zon just at this time—and I am not saying
a word, so to speak. The harp talks for
itself."
To the Trade.
The Phonoharp Co., a Maine corporation,
doing business at Boston, Mass., and at
New York, N. Y., has heretofore as licensee
under my patent No. 520,651, dated May
29th, 1894, made and sold guitar zithers,
which they term the Columbia zither, and
which had a lettered strip or scale.
I am advised by my counsels, Messrs.
Baldwin, Davidson & Wight, Times Build-
ing, New York, that the Phonoharp Com-
pany has no right to make or sell the guitar
zither having a numbered strip or scale,
which they have recently placed upon the
market; and that the manufacture and sale
of such zithers with a numbered scale is an
infringement of my patent above men-
tioned.
I think it fair to notify the trade that the
making or selling of such zithers is an in-
fringement of my patent, and that I pur-
pose to protect my interests by proper
proceedings in the United States Court.
Yours truly,
F. Menzenhauer.
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
21
THE "SMALL GOODS" TRADE
The Phonoharp and Columbia this week at the office and warerooms of
William R. Gratz & Co. at 18 East Four-
Zither.
Without any doubt, two of the strongest
competitors to-day for the people's patron-
age, among musical instruments of the
harp class, are the Phonoharp and the
Columbia Zither. In talking to the Re-
view on Wednesday at his office, 317 Broad-
way, Mr. L. Pierce, of the Phonoharp Co.,
said in response to an inquiry, that good
reports were coming in from every section
of the country.
"Right here, in New York City," he
remarked, " we are doing an extensive and
entirely satisfactory business, with abso-
lutely no complaints, and are receiving
many valuable unsought testimonials.
Here is one from Mr. W. L. Evans, re-
ceived on the 10th of this month. He
says: ' Just a few words of thanks for the
pleasure you have given me through your
Columbia Zither. For simplicity and
sweetness of tone it is, in my estimation,
unrivaled, and its extremely low price
should bring it into every home.'
"That is a very f_air average sample of
the letters we receive almost daily. All the
big firms in this and other large cities are
handling our goods with excellent results.
Dealers handle them with satisfaction to all
concerned. Once they take hold they
never quit, but we hear, not infrequently,
of those who did handle several others but
now prefer to do business with us exclu-
sively. The only real news this week out-
side what I have just told you is that an
important order has just come in from
Mexico. That will give you some idea of
the scope of our work."
"What is this—a new circular?" was
asked when a four-page leaflet came in
view, on the front page of which is a
picture of a baby playing one of the
Columbia zithers.
"Oh," said Mr. Pierce, "that contains a
little poem, written by one of our admir-
ers. He has a baby girl who, after a sim-
ple lesson from our books, learned to play
the instrument with almost magical re-
sults. The father was so pleased with the
zither and his child's rapid progress in
playing it that he wrote a poem. It is
well put together and tells the story as it
should be told."
teenth street, Mr. Joseph Mock, answering
for Mr. Gratz during the latter's absence
on a business tour, told the Review of a
most important addition to the Sympho-
nion attachments.
Samples have just
arrived of what is known as No. 25 Du-
plex. It is operated by one plate having
four combs instead of the usual number,
two.
These four combs have 168 teeth. By
the use of the two additional the volume of
sound is doubled. They are operated by
music disc No. 25, which is specially pre-
pared. Nor is this improvement by any
means the last. Mr. Mock said, in the
course of his Symphonion talk, that other
samples, with a zither attachment, are
nearly ready.
A beautiful sample now in stock is a
Symphonion with white and gold enameled
case to match room furniture of a simi-
lar pattern. The effects of the white and
gold figured case is pleasing in the ex-
treme.
Among other recent imported samples in
Mr. Gratz's stock are several new accordeons
and concertinas. The Empress accordeon
has proved to be an attractive specialty.
Mouth harmonicas, too, of excellent tone,
supplementing those already in stock, re-
cently came to hand from Europe.
Some that were pointed out as good sell-
ers carry the impressive titles of "Jubilee
Victoria," "Britain's Pride," and "Cham-
pion." Each of these contains important
special features of shape or tone—usually
both.
Mr. Gratz is having a successful tour.
He reports that all his leading sympho-
nions and other instruments are grow-
ing in favor wherever they are introduced.
The demand is steadily increasing, not only
in the United States, but throughout the
civilized world. This speaks volumes for
Mr. Gratz's good judgment in making his
selections.
WE ARE NOW PREPARED TO
APPOINT AGENCIES FOR
THE ONLY ALL
Hlumtnum
Wm. R. Gratz & Co.
Improvements in the Symphonion are
apparently never ending. Judging from
results achieved in developing these in-
genious and charming music boxes during
the past few years, one would think further
efforts to secure perfect mechanism would
be of no avail.
Not so, however. When a call was made
The Greatest Musical Invention
of the Century
Hutchins flanufacturing Co.
MAKERS OF
THE ALUMINUM MANDOLIN
Springfield, i l a s s .
CHAS., H. PARSONS
Prest.
F.EDWARDS
Treas.
C. W. HUTCHINS
Manager
The Apollo Harp.
That busy man, Mr. Frank Scribner,
walked into his office at 419 Broadway,
about the noon hour on Wednesday just
after the Review had reached there in
search of news.
"Yes, yes, it's the old story," he ex-
claimed, "you want news. And what's
more, you expect some every time you
call."
"Naturally," responded the Review.
" Newspaper men appreciate those who
have business to do but who are never too
busy to be courteous when other busy men
call to see them."
"Well," said Mr. Scribner, "I'm afraid
I must disappoint you to-day. I could
praise the Apollo harp and tell you why
its tone is so superior to all others. But
that's not news. Everybody knows it.
I might point out that with the Apollo
harp you accomplish with one hand what
requires two hands on other forms of
harps, and so on, and so on. But that's
not news. It is getting to be so well
known that even John Wanamaker acknow
ledges it through the newspapers."
Reaching over his desk and picking up
a copy of a Philadelphia paper, he pointed
out an advertisement marked with blue
pencil. ''Look at this," he continued,
"John Wanamaker has a well-earned repu-
tation for knowing a good thing when he
sees it. Read what he says. Not only
does he say it once, but keeps on saying it.
Better still—I've just come from there—
like that young rascal, Oliver Twist, he
asks for more, and it's my business and
pleasure to see that he gets them. I send
them to him, with experts to show their
simple working, and he,-with the aid of the
dear public, is doing the rest. I tell you,
sir, the Apollo Harp is making a large and
conspicuous mark in the commercial hori-
zon just at this time—and I am not saying
a word, so to speak. The harp talks for
itself."
To the Trade.
The Phonoharp Co., a Maine corporation,
doing business at Boston, Mass., and at
New York, N. Y., has heretofore as licensee
under my patent No. 520,651, dated May
29th, 1894, made and sold guitar zithers,
which they term the Columbia zither, and
which had a lettered strip or scale.
I am advised by my counsels, Messrs.
Baldwin, Davidson & Wight, Times Build-
ing, New York, that the Phonoharp Com-
pany has no right to make or sell the guitar
zither having a numbered strip or scale,
which they have recently placed upon the
market; and that the manufacture and sale
of such zithers with a numbered scale is an
infringement of my patent above men-
tioned.
I think it fair to notify the trade that the
making or selling of such zithers is an in-
fringement of my patent, and that I pur-
pose to protect my interests by proper
proceedings in the United States Court.
Yours truly,
F. Menzenhauer.
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