Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE "SMALL GOODS" TRADE
prices in this instance is merely tempo- because of its simplicity. Of its tone and
rary. If the instruments were not worth musical possibilities, it is impossible to
AN INTERESTING CHAT WITH MR. PIERCE.
the money asked for them by canvassers speak too highly.
On Tuesday morning The Review visited then there might be good cause for com-
Facts about Violin Woods.
the New York office of the Phonoharp plaint. As a matter of fact they are worth
Glancing through a book of anecdotes
Company and found Mr. Pierce busy as more, in every way. The canvasser's price
of
Invention and Discovery recently, says
usual with his correspondence. He found includes tuition and that of the cut-price
a
writer
in The Violin Times (London),
time, however, to suspend work for a few dealer does not. The men who visit
I
came
across
some curious notes relating
moments when asked for Phonoharp and families at their homes are the men who
to
the
efficiency
of " the Application of
have done much of the work of musical
Columbia Zither news.
Heated
Currents
to Manufacturing and
During the conversation, The Review education among people to whom a little
other
Purposes,"
once
patented by David-
asked Mr. Pierce the foundation of the money sometimes means a great sacrifice.
son
and
Lymington,
as
applied to drying
Phonoharp Company's claims for public They have created the demand. Is it right
the
wood
of
violins.
In
one case a violin
patronage, bearing in mind the lively —is it just—is it even human to deprive
that
had
been
in
the
owner's
possession
competition now experienced in this par- them of a livelihood? If those—they
for
upwards
of
sixteen
years—how
old it
ticular class of musical instruments.
was
when
he
first
had
it
is
not
known—
" Our claims are well founded," said he,
upon being exposed to this process, lost
"and I will tell you some of the reasons.
in eight hours no less than five-sixths
Our goods are made of the finest material.
(nearly five and two-thirds) per cent, of its
The strings are of the best plated steel
weight.
This, it is conjectured, was
wire and are looped so that they can be
chiefly
owing
to the inside blocks and
readily replaced. We have spared no ex-
other
fittings
not being sufficiently sea-
pense to make our instruments complete
soned,
or
divested
of moisture. In an-
and perfect in everyway. Our specialties, are few and far between—who are active
other
instance,
a
violin-maker
of high
the Phonoharp and Columbia Zither, are in denouncing canvassers and their prices
reputation
received
an
order
to
make
an
marvels of simplicity and we claim that would undertake to send out instructors
instrument,with
the
proviso
that
the
wood
they are unequaled in quality of tone by among the people and thus carry on the
should be seasoned by this new process.
anything in the market.
work we began, some credit would be due Only three days were allowed for this ex-
" The price places them within the reach them. Instead of doing so, they secure an
of all. The instructions are so clear that instrument, place it in their window at a periment, in which the wood was to be
anyone can play the instruments without cut price, inspire wrongful and malicious seasoned and sent home. Then it was
a teacher. The thousands already in use, attacks in some local paper and then sit found that the two heaviest pieces were
reduced 2*4 lbs. in weight, which is equal
and the ever-increasing demand, show down and wait for customers."
to two pints of water. The wood had
that the public appreciate real merit." The
been in the possession of its owner eight
No. 2 Columbia Zither, of which a cut ap-
years, having in the first instance been
John
Church
Co.
pears on this page, is one of the best sell-
During a call for news at the John sent from Switzerland as dry wood.
ers now made by the Phonoharp Co. Its
The Phonoharp Co.
size is 20 x n}4 inches, finished in ebony,
arm rest over hitch pins, four groups of
chords, key of C, music book, key and
box.
As The Review was about to leave, Mr.
Pierce mentioned the fact that a number
of his out-door canvassers have complained
against what they consider to be detriment-
al action on the part of dealers in certain
sections. He said, after reading several
letters of strong protest: "If the few retail-
ers who are cutting prices would only stop
to consider, they would not take the bread
out of the mouths of men who get a just
and fair recompense for their work.
"The advantage they gain by reduced
vW,
FIRST PRACTICAL
MUSIC CABINET
Church Company's musical merchandise
Impresario Scribner.
warerooms on Tuesday, Mr. Adams, re-
The third annual entertainment given
sponding to a question as to demand for
under
the direction of Frank Scribner was
metronomes, informed The Review that
given
at Pohlmann's Hall, Jersey City
among other institutions in which, after
Heights,
on Thursday night. Thirty-six
the severest possible tests and compari-
views
were
on the biograph, and many
sons, the John Church Company's metro-
musical
celebrities
assisted. The program
nome has been finally adopted, are the
included
a
solo
on
the Apollo harp. Mr.
Virgil Practice Clavier and the New Eng-
W.
A.
Corey,
manager
of Ernest Neyer's
land Conservatory, Boston. General busi-
Seventh
Regiment
band,
aided Mr. Scribner
ness reported "good."
in making the entertainment a success.
flenzenhauer-Schmidt.
The output at the Menzenhauer-Schmidt
factory is as large as ever. Mr. Schmidt
gives his personal attention to all impor-
tant matters of detail, and, with the aid of
competent foremen and expert workpeople,
secures for patrons an entirely satisfactory
product.
Wm. Tonk & Bro.
] S TW^THREE, FOUR,
. m i TEN RECEPTACLES.
BARROWS MUSIC CO
SAG IN AW MICH
In SWEETNESS and POWER OF TONE
and BEAUTY of DESIGN
BAY STATE"
Guitars,
Mandolins,
Banjos,
Zithers and
Flutes
are unequaled.
Have received
Twenty-seven Highest Awards and
Two Gold Medals.
The new Tonk catalogue is in active
Illustrated Catalogues Free.
preparation and will be ready in a few
days. The call for the Solophone, referred
to and described pictorially in The Review
of Dec. 4, is increasing. In addition to its
artistic form and attractive appearance, 453 to 463 Washington Street*
BOSTON, MASS
this instrument is giving great satisfaction
JOHN C. HfiYHES & CO..