Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE "SMALL GOODS" TRADE
Conn's New Departure
WILL SUPPLY ACTUAL PHOTOGRAPHS OF IN-
STRUMENTS ON REQUEST—A SPLENDIDLY
EQUIPPED STUDIO FITTED UP.
C. G. Conn is truly a Wonder—just like
his instruments. He is always evolving
something new. Recognizing the difficulty
encountered by musicians in purchasing
musical instruments through the medium
of illustrated catalogues and price-lists, he
has now adopted the unique, original and
satisfactory system of supplying customers
with photographs of the instruments which
they desire to purchase, made expressly
for them after the receipt of their applica-
tion for prices. This new plan cannot be
disappointing. Each photograph will be
an exact illustration of the instrument
upon which prices are given, and will be
accompanied by a certificate of an actua\
test of the instrument signed by a com-
petent expert, while the instrument itself
will be held by Mr. Conn a sufficient length
of time to give the customer opportunity
to perfect its purchase.
To. carry out this method of showing
musicians a photograph of the particular
instruments on which prices are quoted, a
complete and admirably equipped studio
has been opened by Mr. Conn in connec-
tion with the New York store; and as each
application for prices is received, the in-
strument for which inquiry is made is se-
lected from the stock and taken to the stu-
dio, where a photograph is made showing
it in several different positions, so that a
correct idea may be had of its proportions,
finish, etc. The instrument is then depos-
ited in the retention room where it is held
a given time subject to the order of the
customer. In this way it will be seen that
patrons cannot be deceived, and will always
purchase precisely the same instrument
upon which they have been given quota-
HOWARD
mandolins and Guitars excel
all others
They are made on scientific prin
ciples, and for volume, purity and
sweetness of tone, have never been
Write for catalogue and
the Rudolph Kluriitzer Co.
tions and information. When writing for
a photograph and description of an instru-
ment, the approximate amount which the
purchaser desires to invest should be
stated. This information will greatly as-
sist in making a suitable selection.
Another novel and important innovation
in the usual manner of selling musical in-
struments is the delivery of all instru-
ments, free of charge, at any point in the
United States, by express or mail; in other
words, prices of instruments will include
their safe delivery at any place in the coun-
try.
In addition to the large line of first-class
musical instruments manufactured by Mr.
Conn, a great variety of instruments of
other manufacturers is carried in stock at
the New York store, which is located at
34 East Fourteenth street. The wants of
every musician for instruments and mer-
chandise can be satisfactorily supplied at
this great emporium.
of Classification handed down a decision
on this question wherein harmonicas cost-
ing, on invoice, not more than one mark
each when single, or two marks each,
when double, and chiefly used for the
amusement of children, are properly class-
ifiable as toys.
This decision has met with the approba-
tion of the Treasury Department and the
Collectors of Customs have been instructed
to apply this ruling in any future dispute
regarding harmonicas which may arise.
Scribner Touring.
Frank Scribner left town on Wednesday
for a Western tour, chiefly in behalf of the
"Brass Band Harmonica" and "Brass Band
Clarion" interests. He expects to leave
for Europe shortly after his return from
the West.
Names of Talking flachines.
THEY ARE ALL CALLED "GRAPHOPHONES"
THE UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.
Mr. Pierce's Holiday.
A small company of men was gathered
J. Leverett Pierce, president of the about a talking machine the other evening
Phonoharp Co., left town for Europe on enjoying the latest popular song, when one
Saturday. He expects to remain abroad of them, a prominent patent attorney,
until the early part of June, and at several made the following contribution to the
stopping places will conduct a vigorous scientific knowledge of the day:
campaign in behalf of the phonoharp and
"In the popular mind there is considera-
Columbia zither. The merits of these in- ble misapprehension and confusion regard-
struments are not unknown in Germany ing the correct designation of talking ma-
and England.
chines. The words 'Graphophone' and
As a result of well-directed zeal and 'Phonograph' are ordinarily misused as
energy on the part of the Phonoharp Co., having the same meaning. The name
the firm's products are now actively han- 'Phonograph' which was given to the first
dled by all leading jobbers. To keep crude model constructed by Edison, has
jobbers and dealers in touch and thus clung in large measure to the perfected
facilitate business an aggressive policy is talking machine as it is known to-day.
being successfully carried out. The ob-
"It is news, therefore, to many people to
ject is to create a demand which shall first learn that all the talking machines of the
be felt by dealers, then, in due course, by present day are officially termed 'Grapho-
the jobbers with whom the dealers trans- phones' by the U. S. Patent Office.
act business.
"In 1877 the attention of the world was
riveted to a new invention by Thomas A.
A Final Harmonica Decision.
Edison of a machine that would talk, to
During the last couple of years consider- which he applied the name 'Phonograph.'
able difference of opinion has prevailed Imaginative people at once began extrava-
among the authorities of the Treasury gant speculations as to the many uses to
Department regarding the classification of which it could be put. The mechanical
harmonicas. They have been designated methods employed in it, however, were in-
as toys, and again as musical instruments, capable of practical use. It employed tin-
and the duties imposed by the Collector of foil as the medium for receiving and repro-
Customs at this port have accordingly ducing the sound waves and a record made
varied. On some shipments they have
been taxed as musical instruments, on
others as toys, and so it has gone on.
In order to secure a uniformity in the
BOSTON.
classification at the various ports the Col-
lector of Customs at New York has sug-
You can't sell Bay State Guitars, Mandolins, Banjos,
gested to the Treasury Department that a
Zithers and Flutes without establishing a reputation for
line of demarcation be established between
handling the finest instruments on the market. Bay State
reputation comes off on you, sticks to jou and marks you
harmonicas that are toys and those that
up among first-class, successful dealers. Our prices on
can be properly termed musical instru-
musical instruments of every description and component
parts entitles us to your orders.
ments.
It will be remembered, as reported in a
3obn (J. fiayncs $ Co., Boston, mass.
recent issue of The Review, that the Board
Bay State
Comes Off
On you.