Music Trade Review
Issue: 1898 Vol. 26 N. 4 - Page 6
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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Gen. Julius J. Estey Talks
Like so many others of the craft, Charles
Baumeister is enjoying a big run on the
Baumeister style " C " and other favorites.
The Baumeister business is rapidly increas-
ing in volume.
ABOUT BUSINESS-PROSPERITY REFLECTED BY
PRESENT AND PROSPECTIVE CONDITIONS.
"One of the best tests of the prosperity of
a nation is the extent of the business done by
dealers in articles looked upon as luxuries,"
said Gen. Julius J. Estey, of the Estey Organ
Co., Brattleboro, Vt., in the course of a talk
during his visit to this city this week.
"Trade in the last year has been better than
it was at any time since the panic of 1893,"
he continued. "We did pretty well for the
first six months of that year, but the fall-
ing off was most marked in July and
August. Since that time up to the restora-
tion of confidence, business was extremely
poor. Of course an organ is classed among
the luxuries. People do not, as a rule, in-
dulge in luxuries, when they are uncertain as
to their incomes, when wages are likely to be
decreased and employment unsteady and
scarce. Those conditions bring about a cur-
tailment in all directions, and the rule is that
the luxuries of life are the first to be cut off.
That was the case when the panic of '93
struck the country.
"I do not mean to convey the idea that
there has been what is termed a 'boom' in
our business, but the showing of the last
six months indicate a steady, even progress
in the direction of prosperity. The condi-
tion of the country people is a good index of
the general situation, and as they fare so do
those in the cities fare. Our business is con-
fined entirely to the country districts, and
when they are buying organs for their homes,
school houses and churches, it is evident that
there is improvement all around. The West-
ern trade has shown the best results so far,
and seems quickest to feel the existence of a
new reign.
Collections in the West are
quicker and much easier than they have been
for some time."
Failure of a Kentucky Dealer.
[Special to The Review.]
Louisville, Ky., Jan. 19, 1898.
Joseph Mueller, music dealer of this city,
has made an assignment. The liabilities are
placed at $1,190. The assets are as yet un-
known.
rioving Their Plant.
There are lively times ahead in this trade
of ours, and the legal storm clouds are mass-
ing on the horizon. There will be no dearth
of wordy pyrotechnics or clashing of legal
blades, there is plenty of fight on. The out-
look is interesting, but not peaceful.
The latest Krell styles in grands and up-
rights are attracting much attention. Callers
at the warerooms are frequent and purchases
numerous. The Krell musical merchandise
department at the warerooms is a big success,
bringing many visitors, including a host of
buyers.
Hon. C. G. Conn, who has been spending
the past three weeks at the factories in Elk-
hart, returned to town on Thursday last.
Everything is in ship shape at the factories
for an immense trade in band instruments,
violins, mandolins, talking machines, and
other miscellaneous enterprises in which Mr.
Conn is interested.
Business with Hamilton S. Gordon's sheet
music department shows a decided increase
since Jan. 1st. When The Review called at
the Gordon establishment this week, Theo.
Hamel, the genial manager, was as busy as
could be supplying the wants of a big line of
customers. Mail orders for music are also
quite large.
Boardman & Gray, Albany, N . Y., are
having a splendid call for their style G
Colonial. It is a handsome instrument and
deserves liberal appreciation. General busi-
ness with this distinguished firm is very satis
factory, and the prospects are most encourag-
ing.
Piano stools for the use of either one or
two players are fitted with hinged side pieces
upholstered like the seat and hanging down
when not in use, spring-actuated rods sliding
into the main seat to support them in a hori-
zontal position for use.
The National Musical String Co. has com-
menced the work of dismantling their factory
at Belleville, near Newark, preparatory to
moving to the newly built factory in New
Brunswick.
At the Gabler warerooms there is now a
big stock of the choicest styles. Trade,
wholesale and retail, is reported as active,
there having been no cessation of orders,
even during the holiday and stocktaking
periods.
Orchestrelles, Aeriol pianos and
Princess organs are being turned out of the
yEolian factories just as rapidly as the firm's
extensive facilities will allow, yet they are
claimed for customers as soon as completed,
with every indication of a larger demand in
1898 than during any previous year.
L. & A. Babcock, the well-known dealers
of Norwich, N. Y., are constantly extending
their branches. A new store will shortly be
opened in one of the adjacent towns.
As The Review goes to press the latest
Fischer bookle.t "Which and Why?" comes
to hand. Like its predecessors, it is admir-
able in every way and will be noted at greater
length in a future issue.
Stultz & Bauer products continue to be
called for with a moderate and steady de-
mand. Mr. Golden left town on Monday for
an extended trip, lasting several weeks.
Henry Keller told The Review, when
asked for news, that he thought people must
like the Keller pianos, so many of them are
being made and sold.
Business is brisk at the Gibson Piano facr
tory. Orders are reported as plentiful and
shipments frequent.
Secretary Van Matre of the Smith & Barnes
Co. made a visit to the East last week.
The annual meeting of Lyon, Potter & Co.
will be held in Chicago, February 7th.
The Schaeffer Piano Co. Deal.
The Schaeffer Piano Co. deal has been
consummated and Mr. Dougherty now is
master of the situation. He gave his check
for $19,000 to the Chicago Cottage Organ
Co. and took possession last Wednesday morn-
ing. The latter half of last week was devoted
to taking an invoice and yesterday the factory
was started again. In a few days the affairs
of the company will be in as desirable a con-
dition as any business man would desire. The
labor claim of $6,200 has been paid and the
Chicago Cottage Organ Co. will lose very lit-
tle by the collapse of the company under Mr.
Rice's management. Mr. Rice will be the road
man of the rehabilitated concern and will
give his entire time to selling the product.
Besides the $19,000 paid, Mr. Dougherty
will assume claims for $3,000, which will
make a total of $22,000 paid for the plant
and its contents.—Indicator, Chicago.
'J*HE MODERN PRINTING CO. J*
1 AND 3 EAST 13TH STREET, N. Y.
Finest Book and Publication work. Catalogue
and Pamphlet printing at short notice. Send
for estimates.
Alanson Reed, of A. Reed & Sons, Chicago,
is in town.
HEINRICH
It will pay t h e wide a w a k e dealer to investigate this
piano. Thoroughly first-class and sold at a mod-
erate price.
W r i t e right now.
© © 0 0 0
HEINRICH PIANO CO., 703 F U L T O N ST., BROOKLYN, N. Y.
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Gen. Julius J. Estey Talks
Like so many others of the craft, Charles
Baumeister is enjoying a big run on the
Baumeister style " C " and other favorites.
The Baumeister business is rapidly increas-
ing in volume.
ABOUT BUSINESS-PROSPERITY REFLECTED BY
PRESENT AND PROSPECTIVE CONDITIONS.
"One of the best tests of the prosperity of
a nation is the extent of the business done by
dealers in articles looked upon as luxuries,"
said Gen. Julius J. Estey, of the Estey Organ
Co., Brattleboro, Vt., in the course of a talk
during his visit to this city this week.
"Trade in the last year has been better than
it was at any time since the panic of 1893,"
he continued. "We did pretty well for the
first six months of that year, but the fall-
ing off was most marked in July and
August. Since that time up to the restora-
tion of confidence, business was extremely
poor. Of course an organ is classed among
the luxuries. People do not, as a rule, in-
dulge in luxuries, when they are uncertain as
to their incomes, when wages are likely to be
decreased and employment unsteady and
scarce. Those conditions bring about a cur-
tailment in all directions, and the rule is that
the luxuries of life are the first to be cut off.
That was the case when the panic of '93
struck the country.
"I do not mean to convey the idea that
there has been what is termed a 'boom' in
our business, but the showing of the last
six months indicate a steady, even progress
in the direction of prosperity. The condi-
tion of the country people is a good index of
the general situation, and as they fare so do
those in the cities fare. Our business is con-
fined entirely to the country districts, and
when they are buying organs for their homes,
school houses and churches, it is evident that
there is improvement all around. The West-
ern trade has shown the best results so far,
and seems quickest to feel the existence of a
new reign.
Collections in the West are
quicker and much easier than they have been
for some time."
Failure of a Kentucky Dealer.
[Special to The Review.]
Louisville, Ky., Jan. 19, 1898.
Joseph Mueller, music dealer of this city,
has made an assignment. The liabilities are
placed at $1,190. The assets are as yet un-
known.
rioving Their Plant.
There are lively times ahead in this trade
of ours, and the legal storm clouds are mass-
ing on the horizon. There will be no dearth
of wordy pyrotechnics or clashing of legal
blades, there is plenty of fight on. The out-
look is interesting, but not peaceful.
The latest Krell styles in grands and up-
rights are attracting much attention. Callers
at the warerooms are frequent and purchases
numerous. The Krell musical merchandise
department at the warerooms is a big success,
bringing many visitors, including a host of
buyers.
Hon. C. G. Conn, who has been spending
the past three weeks at the factories in Elk-
hart, returned to town on Thursday last.
Everything is in ship shape at the factories
for an immense trade in band instruments,
violins, mandolins, talking machines, and
other miscellaneous enterprises in which Mr.
Conn is interested.
Business with Hamilton S. Gordon's sheet
music department shows a decided increase
since Jan. 1st. When The Review called at
the Gordon establishment this week, Theo.
Hamel, the genial manager, was as busy as
could be supplying the wants of a big line of
customers. Mail orders for music are also
quite large.
Boardman & Gray, Albany, N . Y., are
having a splendid call for their style G
Colonial. It is a handsome instrument and
deserves liberal appreciation. General busi-
ness with this distinguished firm is very satis
factory, and the prospects are most encourag-
ing.
Piano stools for the use of either one or
two players are fitted with hinged side pieces
upholstered like the seat and hanging down
when not in use, spring-actuated rods sliding
into the main seat to support them in a hori-
zontal position for use.
The National Musical String Co. has com-
menced the work of dismantling their factory
at Belleville, near Newark, preparatory to
moving to the newly built factory in New
Brunswick.
At the Gabler warerooms there is now a
big stock of the choicest styles. Trade,
wholesale and retail, is reported as active,
there having been no cessation of orders,
even during the holiday and stocktaking
periods.
Orchestrelles, Aeriol pianos and
Princess organs are being turned out of the
yEolian factories just as rapidly as the firm's
extensive facilities will allow, yet they are
claimed for customers as soon as completed,
with every indication of a larger demand in
1898 than during any previous year.
L. & A. Babcock, the well-known dealers
of Norwich, N. Y., are constantly extending
their branches. A new store will shortly be
opened in one of the adjacent towns.
As The Review goes to press the latest
Fischer bookle.t "Which and Why?" comes
to hand. Like its predecessors, it is admir-
able in every way and will be noted at greater
length in a future issue.
Stultz & Bauer products continue to be
called for with a moderate and steady de-
mand. Mr. Golden left town on Monday for
an extended trip, lasting several weeks.
Henry Keller told The Review, when
asked for news, that he thought people must
like the Keller pianos, so many of them are
being made and sold.
Business is brisk at the Gibson Piano facr
tory. Orders are reported as plentiful and
shipments frequent.
Secretary Van Matre of the Smith & Barnes
Co. made a visit to the East last week.
The annual meeting of Lyon, Potter & Co.
will be held in Chicago, February 7th.
The Schaeffer Piano Co. Deal.
The Schaeffer Piano Co. deal has been
consummated and Mr. Dougherty now is
master of the situation. He gave his check
for $19,000 to the Chicago Cottage Organ
Co. and took possession last Wednesday morn-
ing. The latter half of last week was devoted
to taking an invoice and yesterday the factory
was started again. In a few days the affairs
of the company will be in as desirable a con-
dition as any business man would desire. The
labor claim of $6,200 has been paid and the
Chicago Cottage Organ Co. will lose very lit-
tle by the collapse of the company under Mr.
Rice's management. Mr. Rice will be the road
man of the rehabilitated concern and will
give his entire time to selling the product.
Besides the $19,000 paid, Mr. Dougherty
will assume claims for $3,000, which will
make a total of $22,000 paid for the plant
and its contents.—Indicator, Chicago.
'J*HE MODERN PRINTING CO. J*
1 AND 3 EAST 13TH STREET, N. Y.
Finest Book and Publication work. Catalogue
and Pamphlet printing at short notice. Send
for estimates.
Alanson Reed, of A. Reed & Sons, Chicago,
is in town.
HEINRICH
It will pay t h e wide a w a k e dealer to investigate this
piano. Thoroughly first-class and sold at a mod-
erate price.
W r i t e right now.
© © 0 0 0
HEINRICH PIANO CO., 703 F U L T O N ST., BROOKLYN, N. Y.
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