Music Trade Review
Issue: 1899 Vol. 29 N. 5 - Page 7
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
no one knew anything of the name as indi-
cated by the stencil, no one could say from
experience that the instrument was bad,
consequently it was sold as being whatever
kind of piano best suited the dealer to rep-
resent it. For example, of two competi-
tive dealers doing business in the same
place one would sell the substantial, guar-
anteed instrument of a reputable, well-
known manufacturer, costing a fair price;
the other, a cheap, stencilled piano with
the name of an imaginary maker upon it,
manufactured at a third the cost of that of
the genuine instrument and sold without
responsible guarantee. The dealer who
sold • the good piano was at a dis-
advantage as opposed to the one who sold
the bad one because he did not know who
made the piano of his competitor and the
two instruments looking very much alike,
the dishonest dealer took advantage of the
fact and sold his stencilled piano for nearly
as much as the price of the good instru-
ment. Besides this fraud upon the public
another frequently practised was the imi-
tation of well-known brands by changing
a letter or making some other slight alter-
ation in the name. The unwary were de-
ceived and made to believe that one of
these worthless, stencilled instruments was
a genuine piano of a first-class maker.
All the above described methods of sten-
ciling except the last are more generally
in use to-day than ever before in the his-
tory of the piano business, and the public
has no idea of the extent to which the
practice is carried. The general result of
stenciling has been that although certain
forms, such as putting the name of a re-
putable dealer upon a good instrument,
may be called legitimate, stencilling in
general has brought great trouble, injus-
tice and loss upon the public, and conse-
quent discredit upon the art of piano-
making.
TO THE MANUFACTURER, THE DEALER
THE PUBLIC.
AND
That the practice of stencilling pianos
has grown to such proportions as to seri-
ously hamper the legitimate business of
the industry is without question, and the
importance of united action to bring about
a better condition is clear to every reputa-
ble manufacturer. The evils of the present
system, or rather absence of system, are so
well known that it is unnecessary to enlarge
upon them. The question cannot be met
successfully except by united action,
and, without desiring to assume any author-
ity whatever, the members of the Na-
tional Piano Manufacturers' Association of
America have realized that upon their
organization naturally falls the responsi-
bility of taking the initial step in effecting
an improvement. At the meeting of the
Association, therefore, held in Washington
on April 12 and 13, 1899, a comprehensive
report on the subject was submitted by a
committee of the New York Piano Manu-
facturers' Association, after a reading and
discussion of which the following resolution
was unanimously adopted by the National
Association.
Here follows resolution passed at Wash-
ington.
son acted as toastmaster. Brief responses
came from Alexander Helper, J. G. Tay-
UPON PASSING T n E SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY
lor and E. D. Miller. The following
BEYOND THE HALF CENTURY MARK
guests
were present:
GREAT TIME AT THE FIFTY-SEV-
George
L. Brawner, Martinsburg, W.
ENTH ANNUAL STIEFF OUTING.
Va. Byron von Eisner, manager of Har-
The annual picnics and general jollifica- risburg Branch. R. L. Huffines, Wilming-
tions of the Stieff employees are recognized ton, N. C. John J. Foster, manager of
as important events in Baltimore. Thou- Norfolk Branch. John C. Conliff, manager
sands of people enter into the annual of Washington Branch. E. S. Wallover,
outings and there are always present men manager of Pittsburg Branch. P. A.
of political importance outside the sphere Small, Pennsylvania.
C. H. Wilmoth,
of Maryland politics. The Stieff agents in manager of Charlotte Branch. William J.
different parts of the country invariably Bramlage, Pomeroy, O. Bloom & Schoff-
make it a point to reach Baltimore on the stall, Sunbury, Pa. H. G. Browne, Easton,
day of the Stieff jollification.
Md. A. W. Fischer, Toledo, O. F. A.
Last Monday, July 24, the 57th anniver- Guttenberger, Macon, Ga. Horace J.
sary of the founding of the house of Stieff Gardner, Boston, Mass. G. Fred Osgood,
was fittingly celebrated in Darley Park. Boston, Mass. Klein & Heffelman, Canton,
In speaking to the assemblage Mr. O. Samuel Nittinger, Philadelphia, Pa.
Fred P. Stieff remarked:
Ramser & Bro., Durham, N. C. C. W.
"It is well for us to consider the great Whitemore, Lynchburg, Va. F. B. Burns,
question of labor in our merry-making. New York. Professor Bachman, Phila-
First, let it be borne in mind that in the
struggle of competition in trade, pro- delphia, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kohler,
ducer and consumer are constantly brought New York.
together, and the outlook from year to
year seems to be better and better for The •• Peerless" Player's Success.
the laboring man. Let us also make a
The exhibition of the "Peerless Piano
note of the fact that trade and business in
all conditions of life cultivate a workman's Player" by Mr. Roth, of Roth & Engel-
mind and bind him closer to his brother hart, for two weeks at the Victoria Hotel,
man. Economy, thrift and success are Chicago, was very successful. A number
qualities of his moral and social being, and
in proportion as he accumulates money he of orders were taken in the exhibition room
accumulates a sturdy manhood and his and many friends were made for the in-
ledger is the diary of a daily growth in the strument. "Those who saw and heard it,"
genuineness of intelligence and goodness. said Mr. Roth on Thursday, when asked
Not only does he acquire a competence, but to make some report on his trip and its re-
he acquires the wisdom to use and the sults "were unanimously of opinion that
sensibility to enjoy it.
"Since our last meeting war with Spain the 'Peerless' is by far the best instrument
has ended, and here should we stop to in its class.
" I may visit Boston later on, but until
reflect upon the value of that great les-
son of justice wrought by iron and blood. I can get away to that city, the time will
It was not our prowess in war, the vic- be taken up in completing our plans in
tories we had achieved on land and sea, other directions. In about six weeks, we
that brought us so much good will, any
more than it was our greater achieve- hope to have the pedal attachments com-
ments of peace and commerce. Within plete, whereby foot power can be used."
the past two, and especially within the
last twelve months, our commercial re-
New Bradbury Catalogue.
lations with the world have assumed an
The new Bradbury Catalogue, which
importance which has forced a com-
parative value of high rating for us as made its appearance this week, outdoes
a nation. The Fourth of July which the easily any previous publication along this
world has just helped us to celebrate is line. In conception and execution it is a
not only commemorative of the national veritable chef d'oeuvre and fully merits a
birth, but is doubly indicative of the com-
mercial place which we have come to occupy detailed notice, which it will receive in our
in the affairs of the world. The day is past next issue.
when we can be left out of consideration in
Increase of 33 Per Cent.
the social and political problems of the
world, and the day has come when we are
The factory output of J. & C. Fischer
one of the most important factors in the
commercial relations of nations. Bear during the present month exceeds that of
these thoughts in mind in your play to-day July, 1898, by over thirty-three per cent.
beneath the shade of the trees, and in the Henry B. Fischer, in answer to a question
enjoyment of the physical man."
""Mr. Stieff said that their business had by The Review on Thursday, said that
been especially good during the past year, nearly all hands in the factory are now
and referred with pride to their establish- busily engaged on products for the early
ment being OQ Liberty street for over half fall trade.
a century. An old directory of 1849, con-
taining the address, "Stieff, Charles M.,
Burn's Success.
importer of pianos, 7 Liberty street, dwell-
H. A. Ansell, one of Frank B. Burns'
ing n o Baltimore street," was exhibited
traveling representatives, is now on the
and proved of much interest to many.
Other speeches were made by Senator road and doing well. J. O. Christie, of
Wellington, ex-Mayor Latrobe and others. San Francisco, one of the most enterprising
The speech-making concluded, the speak- merchants in that city, is the Burns
ers and guests repaired to the park cafe, representative on the Pacific Cost. Mr.
where a feast was served- H. K. L. John- Burns is sending in a lot of good orders.
Stieff Jollification
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
no one knew anything of the name as indi-
cated by the stencil, no one could say from
experience that the instrument was bad,
consequently it was sold as being whatever
kind of piano best suited the dealer to rep-
resent it. For example, of two competi-
tive dealers doing business in the same
place one would sell the substantial, guar-
anteed instrument of a reputable, well-
known manufacturer, costing a fair price;
the other, a cheap, stencilled piano with
the name of an imaginary maker upon it,
manufactured at a third the cost of that of
the genuine instrument and sold without
responsible guarantee. The dealer who
sold • the good piano was at a dis-
advantage as opposed to the one who sold
the bad one because he did not know who
made the piano of his competitor and the
two instruments looking very much alike,
the dishonest dealer took advantage of the
fact and sold his stencilled piano for nearly
as much as the price of the good instru-
ment. Besides this fraud upon the public
another frequently practised was the imi-
tation of well-known brands by changing
a letter or making some other slight alter-
ation in the name. The unwary were de-
ceived and made to believe that one of
these worthless, stencilled instruments was
a genuine piano of a first-class maker.
All the above described methods of sten-
ciling except the last are more generally
in use to-day than ever before in the his-
tory of the piano business, and the public
has no idea of the extent to which the
practice is carried. The general result of
stenciling has been that although certain
forms, such as putting the name of a re-
putable dealer upon a good instrument,
may be called legitimate, stencilling in
general has brought great trouble, injus-
tice and loss upon the public, and conse-
quent discredit upon the art of piano-
making.
TO THE MANUFACTURER, THE DEALER
THE PUBLIC.
AND
That the practice of stencilling pianos
has grown to such proportions as to seri-
ously hamper the legitimate business of
the industry is without question, and the
importance of united action to bring about
a better condition is clear to every reputa-
ble manufacturer. The evils of the present
system, or rather absence of system, are so
well known that it is unnecessary to enlarge
upon them. The question cannot be met
successfully except by united action,
and, without desiring to assume any author-
ity whatever, the members of the Na-
tional Piano Manufacturers' Association of
America have realized that upon their
organization naturally falls the responsi-
bility of taking the initial step in effecting
an improvement. At the meeting of the
Association, therefore, held in Washington
on April 12 and 13, 1899, a comprehensive
report on the subject was submitted by a
committee of the New York Piano Manu-
facturers' Association, after a reading and
discussion of which the following resolution
was unanimously adopted by the National
Association.
Here follows resolution passed at Wash-
ington.
son acted as toastmaster. Brief responses
came from Alexander Helper, J. G. Tay-
UPON PASSING T n E SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY
lor and E. D. Miller. The following
BEYOND THE HALF CENTURY MARK
guests
were present:
GREAT TIME AT THE FIFTY-SEV-
George
L. Brawner, Martinsburg, W.
ENTH ANNUAL STIEFF OUTING.
Va. Byron von Eisner, manager of Har-
The annual picnics and general jollifica- risburg Branch. R. L. Huffines, Wilming-
tions of the Stieff employees are recognized ton, N. C. John J. Foster, manager of
as important events in Baltimore. Thou- Norfolk Branch. John C. Conliff, manager
sands of people enter into the annual of Washington Branch. E. S. Wallover,
outings and there are always present men manager of Pittsburg Branch. P. A.
of political importance outside the sphere Small, Pennsylvania.
C. H. Wilmoth,
of Maryland politics. The Stieff agents in manager of Charlotte Branch. William J.
different parts of the country invariably Bramlage, Pomeroy, O. Bloom & Schoff-
make it a point to reach Baltimore on the stall, Sunbury, Pa. H. G. Browne, Easton,
day of the Stieff jollification.
Md. A. W. Fischer, Toledo, O. F. A.
Last Monday, July 24, the 57th anniver- Guttenberger, Macon, Ga. Horace J.
sary of the founding of the house of Stieff Gardner, Boston, Mass. G. Fred Osgood,
was fittingly celebrated in Darley Park. Boston, Mass. Klein & Heffelman, Canton,
In speaking to the assemblage Mr. O. Samuel Nittinger, Philadelphia, Pa.
Fred P. Stieff remarked:
Ramser & Bro., Durham, N. C. C. W.
"It is well for us to consider the great Whitemore, Lynchburg, Va. F. B. Burns,
question of labor in our merry-making. New York. Professor Bachman, Phila-
First, let it be borne in mind that in the
struggle of competition in trade, pro- delphia, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kohler,
ducer and consumer are constantly brought New York.
together, and the outlook from year to
year seems to be better and better for The •• Peerless" Player's Success.
the laboring man. Let us also make a
The exhibition of the "Peerless Piano
note of the fact that trade and business in
all conditions of life cultivate a workman's Player" by Mr. Roth, of Roth & Engel-
mind and bind him closer to his brother hart, for two weeks at the Victoria Hotel,
man. Economy, thrift and success are Chicago, was very successful. A number
qualities of his moral and social being, and
in proportion as he accumulates money he of orders were taken in the exhibition room
accumulates a sturdy manhood and his and many friends were made for the in-
ledger is the diary of a daily growth in the strument. "Those who saw and heard it,"
genuineness of intelligence and goodness. said Mr. Roth on Thursday, when asked
Not only does he acquire a competence, but to make some report on his trip and its re-
he acquires the wisdom to use and the sults "were unanimously of opinion that
sensibility to enjoy it.
"Since our last meeting war with Spain the 'Peerless' is by far the best instrument
has ended, and here should we stop to in its class.
" I may visit Boston later on, but until
reflect upon the value of that great les-
son of justice wrought by iron and blood. I can get away to that city, the time will
It was not our prowess in war, the vic- be taken up in completing our plans in
tories we had achieved on land and sea, other directions. In about six weeks, we
that brought us so much good will, any
more than it was our greater achieve- hope to have the pedal attachments com-
ments of peace and commerce. Within plete, whereby foot power can be used."
the past two, and especially within the
last twelve months, our commercial re-
New Bradbury Catalogue.
lations with the world have assumed an
The new Bradbury Catalogue, which
importance which has forced a com-
parative value of high rating for us as made its appearance this week, outdoes
a nation. The Fourth of July which the easily any previous publication along this
world has just helped us to celebrate is line. In conception and execution it is a
not only commemorative of the national veritable chef d'oeuvre and fully merits a
birth, but is doubly indicative of the com-
mercial place which we have come to occupy detailed notice, which it will receive in our
in the affairs of the world. The day is past next issue.
when we can be left out of consideration in
Increase of 33 Per Cent.
the social and political problems of the
world, and the day has come when we are
The factory output of J. & C. Fischer
one of the most important factors in the
commercial relations of nations. Bear during the present month exceeds that of
these thoughts in mind in your play to-day July, 1898, by over thirty-three per cent.
beneath the shade of the trees, and in the Henry B. Fischer, in answer to a question
enjoyment of the physical man."
""Mr. Stieff said that their business had by The Review on Thursday, said that
been especially good during the past year, nearly all hands in the factory are now
and referred with pride to their establish- busily engaged on products for the early
ment being OQ Liberty street for over half fall trade.
a century. An old directory of 1849, con-
taining the address, "Stieff, Charles M.,
Burn's Success.
importer of pianos, 7 Liberty street, dwell-
H. A. Ansell, one of Frank B. Burns'
ing n o Baltimore street," was exhibited
traveling representatives, is now on the
and proved of much interest to many.
Other speeches were made by Senator road and doing well. J. O. Christie, of
Wellington, ex-Mayor Latrobe and others. San Francisco, one of the most enterprising
The speech-making concluded, the speak- merchants in that city, is the Burns
ers and guests repaired to the park cafe, representative on the Pacific Cost. Mr.
where a feast was served- H. K. L. John- Burns is sending in a lot of good orders.
Stieff Jollification
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