Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
IO
before there is much speculation as to the
future of the Sun, a newspaper which was
really Dana's second self.
And so the endless caravan moves on.
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I would not be surprised if there were
developments in the affairs of Luxton &
Black which will cause quite a sensation in
the trade later on when brought out by
legal proceedings.
Fred. Knoll, the Sohmer and Hazelton
dealer of Buffalo, said:
" While I do not wish to say that busi-
ness is booming with me, yet I am feeling
that it is beginning to come our way. It is
a big improvement over last year. We can
stand a change, too."
Down at the Kurtzman factory they are
feeling the effects of the rising business
tide. Mr. Devereaux, the company's
traveler, is doing some effective work on
the road. The new style
Kurtzman
pianos are meeting with trade approval.
George F. Hedge, Denton Cottier &
Daniels, Robert L. Loud, C. H. Utley and
the remainder of the Buffalo trade all speak
satisfactorily of present conditions and
think that the future presages well for the
piano man, particularly the Buffalo piano
man.
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Since the death of W. J.McCarterrumors
have been circulated to the effect that the
Colby Piano Co., Erie, Pa., would shortly
retire from the piano manufacturing field.
Nothing could be further from the truth—
while the members of the concern feel
deeply the loss of their young president,
yet it is their intention to push the business
with unremitting vigor. The newly elect-
ed president, Mr. F. V. Kepler, is promi-
nent in financial circles, being vice presi-
dent of one of the leading banks of Erie.
Mr. C. C. Colby, the vice president, is a
young man of excellent qualifications. He
has been for years holding the position of
factory superintendent, and is thoroughly
well acquainted in all the details of piano
construction. He also adds to this a large
experience gained in selling pianos. Mr.
Colby's experience, embracing as it does
the selling and manufacturing depart-
ments, has especially fitted him to fill with
credit the position which he occupies to-
day.
Mr. George F. Diehl, a forceful and am-
bitious man, the secretary and treasurer of
the company, has for a long period occu-
pied a position of trust and responsibility
close to President McCarter. Mr. Diehl
likes the piano business, and naturally is
confident of the future of the Colby piano.
Well officered by men who will work to-
gether for success, there will be no halting
in "Colby progress.
With Mr. Diehl I toured the factory,
which is located a few minutes' ride on the
car from the warerooms.
There is excellent light on every floor,
and the work is thoroughly department-
ized, a condition of affairs which reflects
credit upon Mr. Colby.
The Colby piano has evoluted, as it were.
It is better to-day than ever. There is a
closer attention paid to the detail work. appointed wareroom at 213-215 Euclid av-
The cases are gotten up in an attractive enue, where a complete line of the Everett
manner, in a variety of styles as well, in and Harvard pianos are carried. Mr. Put-
nam is a worker, and with the Everett
many different woods.
At the Shaw factory I learned that piano he has an instrument which will ap-
neither Mr. Meckel nor Mr. Raymore were peal to a large following.
Our old friend A. G. Clemmer, now of
in town.
I sent you word of the collapse of the Clemmer, Smith & Coller, 260 Prospect
Burdett Piano Co. I saw John R. Brown. street, said: " I have been agreeably sur-
A run of ill luck brought the downfall prised in our trade thus far. We have
about. Mr. Brown hopes to resuscitate made progress and we feel encouraged."
Milton Slocum, the manager of the W.
the company, yet he frankly said he did
W. Kimball branch in the Arcade, says his
not see just how he was going to do it.
only complaint is that he can't get pianos
it
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In Cleveland I saw Julius A. Meckel, fast enough. ' ' We are in the swim here,"
treasurer of the Shaw Piano Co. He said he said, "and I feel that my work has been
fairly satisfactory. Cleveland is all right,
among other things:
"We have done nothing further since the Kimball is all right," and Mr. Slocum con-
reorganization; owing to the laws of Penn- tinued to fold Kimball testimonials to be
sylvania, under which the Shaw Piano Co. sent out.
At the F. L. Raymond factory, I found
is incorporated, there can be no increase
of capital stock until certain requirements Mr. Raymond and Mr. Schemerhorn su-
have been fulfilled. The law requires that pervising some office improvements which
sixty days notice must be given by adver- when completed will add materially to the
tising the increase of stock in a local appearance of the business department.
paper. Until the sixty days shall have ex- "Behind in piano orders, and just tell
them we are alive," said Mr. Raymond
pired we cannot issue stock.
"And the reorganization occurred on when I came away.
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September 8."
"Then it will be November 8 before the
I sent you a special from Detroit, last
increase to $200,000 is made, and how Thursday, saying that Vaughn & Tanner,
about the policy of the company, Mr. whose stock was totally destroyed, will at
Meckel?" I asked. "Will it be changed once resume business at No. 36 Gratiot
materially ?"
street. Their new quarters will include a
"Frank Meckel will direct the policy of lot of studios and they consider the loca-
the Shaw Piano Co. He has definite ideas tion an excellent one. Their stock was
which he proposes to carry out—plans valued at about $15,000, on which there
which, I suppose, will differ somewhat was an insurance of $7,000. Their line
from the old. As you have printed, Mr. comprised Fischer, Starr, Singer and Rich-
Raymore will be interested in the concern mond.
and will hold a strong position."
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"Trade," said Henry Dreher, "is fine.
C. W. Marvin is a fortunate man. It
Sold three pianos this morning; have a was only a short time ago that he moved
customer coming in a few minutes. She from the large fireproof (?) building to his
will buy, too. Three Steinways last week, present location, only a few doors away.
one grand. Collections are coming in The fireproof*(?) building was completely
splendidly. October is great and we are gutted by the fire which swept Vaughn &
right in it. This is trolley day—a lot of Tanner's, the Detroit Opera House and
people in town. Ah! there comes my cus- other buildings off the earth. Although it
tomer now. Say, will you come around was a close call, not one of Mr. Marvin's
and have lunch with me? Make it one pianos was damaged, so he can't even have
o'clock." And Henry Hustling Dreher a fire sale.
whisked off to sell another piano. Great
C. J. Whitney, former manager of the
are the Dreher boys of Cleveland.
Detroit Opera House, has arranged with
H. M. Brainard likes his new location on the Clark Estate to begin at once the erec-
Euclid avenue much better than his former tion of a new theatre on the site of the old.
quarters. He said: " There is a material re- It will be ready for occupancy at the be-
duction in expenses, and although my room ginning of next season.
It is proposed to enlarge the stage and
here is not as spacious as the old, yet I find
more people come in, and I am much increase the seating capacity. The old
theatre seated about 2,200. The new
pleased with the change."
With young Mr. Wamelink I enjoyed a theatre will be large enough to accommo-
pleasant chat. The Wamelink store has date a grand opera company and to furnish
been recently enlarged by taking the ware- an auditorium for musical festivals.
" I t is understood," said Mr. Whitney,
room adjoining. The front is now much more
imposing, and a handsome show window " that we are to make of the theatre one of
adds to the attractiveness of the establish- the best playhouses in the country. There
ment. Mr. Wamelink is an enthusiast over is no limit to be put upon us as to expense
the artistic qualities of the Henry F. Miller by the estate, and it is impossible to tell at
piano, and he is a capable judge. Through this time what the new theatre will cost.
his persistent advocacy of its merits the
" I n the old theatre we were consider-
Henry F. Miller piano has acquired a high ably hampered for want of room. All the
reputation in the art circles of Cleveland. scenery had to be hoisted into the fly gal-
F. H. Putnam Co. have a large and well lery because we had no room in which to