Music Trade Review
Issue: 1898 Vol. 27 N. 27 - Page 12
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
John V. Steger's Achievements.
WITH " V A L U E " AS HIS WATCHWORD HE HAS BUILT UP A GREAT TRADE
AND SINGER PIANOS.
John V. Steger, head of those institu-
tions devoted to the manufacture of the
"Steger" and "Singer" pianos, has
closed this week one of the best business
years during his experience as a manu-
facturer. There must be good reasons for
this appreciation of the "Steger" and
"Singer" wares, for the public is not
prone to buy pianos on sentimental
grounds.
The Steger piano, although comparative-
ly young in years, has to-day obtained a
distinct place as an instrument of tried and
admitted worth. It is not merely a piano
im name, it is a piano in its musical func-
tions. Dealers who have so far tested it,
musicians who have used it, and practical
men who have tuned and examined it
unanimously pronounce it a piano of consid-
erable merit, made of excellent materials,
and constructed upon improved lines.
Mr. Steger has laid down as a basis of
success the axiom that no piano can suc-
cessfully claim value unless it possesses
value. This applies with as much force to
the products of the Singer Co. as to those
of Steger & Co.
The aim and purpose of
the concerns with which Mr. Steger is
connected is to work on these lines.
For the Singer piano Mr. Steger has
made no unfounded claims. He started
out to make a popular instrument, he has
not asserted it is the best made on this
mundane sphere, he has sold it at a reason-
able price.
Some dealers are selling, and many peo-
ple are purchasing to-day instruments des-
titute of every vestige of claim to the
name of piano; probably because they are
not aware of the value of the Singer
piano, which, although a little dearer in
price, possesses advantages over the ordi-
nary cheap piano.
These men may not care to look up the
Singer piano, hut on the other hand, there
are. progressive dealers who are ever on the
alert for evcr\ thing that is of value in
their line. These men are investigating
this instrument, and their investigations
have, so far, been followed by applications
for the ngency. The worth of the piano at
, the price is obvious, and good sense and
intelligence are to be commended.
One of the Singer styles most popular
with the trade is illustrated on this page.
"It is not only good to look upon but its
tone abounds in that singing quality so
much sought for. Possessing such attri-
butes its name 'Singer' is an eminently
happy one," says a dealer.
The success of the houses of Steger &
Co, and the Singer Piano Co. must, aside
from the excellence of their product, be
largely attributed to the business capacity
of John V. Steger, whose reputation for
business acumen and enterprise has un-
doubtedly helped the fortunes of these
progressive institutions. During the past
year no sooner was one addition to the fac-
FOR THE STEGER
tories at Steger, 111., completed, than an-
other seemed imperatively necessary to
meet the increasing demand. So it has
gone on.
Notwithstanding his engrossing cares
and responsibilities Mr. Steger found time
to personally superintend the erection of
new cottages for employees, and to mani-
fest a keen, practical interest in their wel-
fare and advancement. On various occa-
sions during the year he has shown how
big and generous is his heart. As has
been his custom for some years he made
happy the children of the Steger Sunday
School Mission on Christmas eve with a
gigantic tree upon which were laden a
tempting display of gifts which he pur-
chased and presented. There were also
special exercises.
This little episode
throws a flood of light on Mr. Steger's char-
acter. His liberality and good works to-
ward striving for the welfare of old and
young alike is not confined to Christmas.
For years he has at appropriate seasons
striven to make the lots of his less fortunate
brethren- brighter and his Thanksgiving
benefactions are well remembered.
And John V. Steger is as patriotic as he
is generous. During the war, when the
country was alive with excitement and pa-
triotism, there was a flag-raising at Steger,
in the course of which Mr. Steger made a
few impromptu remarks. They so well
reveal his intense love for American insti-
tutions that a few excerpts are apropos:
Although born in a foreign country and
retaining a natural love for my fatherland,
nevertheless I am proud to be an Ameri-
can citizen and to stand tinder the folds of
the American flag that has from the very
first always represented liberty of thought
and speech and the best interests of
humanity.
Patriotism and love for our country keep
us great as a nation and honored by the
entire world. I hope every child here to-
day will try to understand what a pride he
should feel in belonging to the greatest
and best country on earth—The United
States of America.
Patriotism is not a mere sentiment to be
brought out on holidays, but should fill
our lives all the time. * * * I will tell
you when you will really know just how
much you love this great land. It will be
some time when you are far away, in an-
other country, away from home and
friends. Suddenly, in a strange city, you
will see floating in the air the Star Span-
gled Banner, the glorious flag of your own
home. No matter where you are—no mat-
ter who is around—your heart will leap
and you will immediately swing your hat
and shout for "Old Glory." You will feel
at home because you are with your flag.
This is the experience of all travelers
abroad and reveals the depth of the genu-
ine patriotism that prevails.
Whenever you find a good man you
will find a good patriot. There may be
difference of political opinion and religious
views, but when we gather around the
flag we are all Americans with one
common object in view.
It is a pleasure to The Review to chron-
icle the success of such a man as John V.
Steger and of the concerns of which he is
the executive. Success under such circum-
stances is unquestionably a logical and
merited reward for persistent striving.
That good fortune will follow the Steger
industries during 1899 is certain.
The
business outlook at the present time prom-
ises great activity—a steady augmentation
of trade during the new year.
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
John V. Steger's Achievements.
WITH " V A L U E " AS HIS WATCHWORD HE HAS BUILT UP A GREAT TRADE
AND SINGER PIANOS.
John V. Steger, head of those institu-
tions devoted to the manufacture of the
"Steger" and "Singer" pianos, has
closed this week one of the best business
years during his experience as a manu-
facturer. There must be good reasons for
this appreciation of the "Steger" and
"Singer" wares, for the public is not
prone to buy pianos on sentimental
grounds.
The Steger piano, although comparative-
ly young in years, has to-day obtained a
distinct place as an instrument of tried and
admitted worth. It is not merely a piano
im name, it is a piano in its musical func-
tions. Dealers who have so far tested it,
musicians who have used it, and practical
men who have tuned and examined it
unanimously pronounce it a piano of consid-
erable merit, made of excellent materials,
and constructed upon improved lines.
Mr. Steger has laid down as a basis of
success the axiom that no piano can suc-
cessfully claim value unless it possesses
value. This applies with as much force to
the products of the Singer Co. as to those
of Steger & Co.
The aim and purpose of
the concerns with which Mr. Steger is
connected is to work on these lines.
For the Singer piano Mr. Steger has
made no unfounded claims. He started
out to make a popular instrument, he has
not asserted it is the best made on this
mundane sphere, he has sold it at a reason-
able price.
Some dealers are selling, and many peo-
ple are purchasing to-day instruments des-
titute of every vestige of claim to the
name of piano; probably because they are
not aware of the value of the Singer
piano, which, although a little dearer in
price, possesses advantages over the ordi-
nary cheap piano.
These men may not care to look up the
Singer piano, hut on the other hand, there
are. progressive dealers who are ever on the
alert for evcr\ thing that is of value in
their line. These men are investigating
this instrument, and their investigations
have, so far, been followed by applications
for the ngency. The worth of the piano at
, the price is obvious, and good sense and
intelligence are to be commended.
One of the Singer styles most popular
with the trade is illustrated on this page.
"It is not only good to look upon but its
tone abounds in that singing quality so
much sought for. Possessing such attri-
butes its name 'Singer' is an eminently
happy one," says a dealer.
The success of the houses of Steger &
Co, and the Singer Piano Co. must, aside
from the excellence of their product, be
largely attributed to the business capacity
of John V. Steger, whose reputation for
business acumen and enterprise has un-
doubtedly helped the fortunes of these
progressive institutions. During the past
year no sooner was one addition to the fac-
FOR THE STEGER
tories at Steger, 111., completed, than an-
other seemed imperatively necessary to
meet the increasing demand. So it has
gone on.
Notwithstanding his engrossing cares
and responsibilities Mr. Steger found time
to personally superintend the erection of
new cottages for employees, and to mani-
fest a keen, practical interest in their wel-
fare and advancement. On various occa-
sions during the year he has shown how
big and generous is his heart. As has
been his custom for some years he made
happy the children of the Steger Sunday
School Mission on Christmas eve with a
gigantic tree upon which were laden a
tempting display of gifts which he pur-
chased and presented. There were also
special exercises.
This little episode
throws a flood of light on Mr. Steger's char-
acter. His liberality and good works to-
ward striving for the welfare of old and
young alike is not confined to Christmas.
For years he has at appropriate seasons
striven to make the lots of his less fortunate
brethren- brighter and his Thanksgiving
benefactions are well remembered.
And John V. Steger is as patriotic as he
is generous. During the war, when the
country was alive with excitement and pa-
triotism, there was a flag-raising at Steger,
in the course of which Mr. Steger made a
few impromptu remarks. They so well
reveal his intense love for American insti-
tutions that a few excerpts are apropos:
Although born in a foreign country and
retaining a natural love for my fatherland,
nevertheless I am proud to be an Ameri-
can citizen and to stand tinder the folds of
the American flag that has from the very
first always represented liberty of thought
and speech and the best interests of
humanity.
Patriotism and love for our country keep
us great as a nation and honored by the
entire world. I hope every child here to-
day will try to understand what a pride he
should feel in belonging to the greatest
and best country on earth—The United
States of America.
Patriotism is not a mere sentiment to be
brought out on holidays, but should fill
our lives all the time. * * * I will tell
you when you will really know just how
much you love this great land. It will be
some time when you are far away, in an-
other country, away from home and
friends. Suddenly, in a strange city, you
will see floating in the air the Star Span-
gled Banner, the glorious flag of your own
home. No matter where you are—no mat-
ter who is around—your heart will leap
and you will immediately swing your hat
and shout for "Old Glory." You will feel
at home because you are with your flag.
This is the experience of all travelers
abroad and reveals the depth of the genu-
ine patriotism that prevails.
Whenever you find a good man you
will find a good patriot. There may be
difference of political opinion and religious
views, but when we gather around the
flag we are all Americans with one
common object in view.
It is a pleasure to The Review to chron-
icle the success of such a man as John V.
Steger and of the concerns of which he is
the executive. Success under such circum-
stances is unquestionably a logical and
merited reward for persistent striving.
That good fortune will follow the Steger
industries during 1899 is certain.
The
business outlook at the present time prom-
ises great activity—a steady augmentation
of trade during the new year.
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