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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE WEBER—1852-1902.
A Glorious Record—The Weber of To-day Main-
ta ns the Reputation of the Past—The Makers
Holding Close to the Ideals of the Founder
of the House.
This year marks the half century milestone
of Weber progress.
The pathway since 1852 has led from tri-
umph to triumph.
Changes have occurred, deaths have inter-
vened, world history has been made, and
great achievements in all domains of effort
have been won, but the same ideals and the
same aims that actuated the Weber institu-
tion from its inception prevail to-day.
'Twas a priceless heritage that Albert
Weber embodied in the pianos that bear his
name.
He demonstrated that tone development
was the essential of piano progress.
Viewing the instrument more from the mu-
sicians' than from the commercial side, he
concentrated his efforts on securing "that
pure, sympathetic quality of tone" which has
been recognized by the greatest judges in
international exhibitions in the past, as it is
to-day by authorities in the musical world.
He believed that the scales which produced
such satisfactory results and satisfied the
highest judges represented the greatest ac-
complishments in the domain of acoustics.
The manufacturers of the Weber piano
have held closely to the ideals of the founder
of the house, and while keeping in touch with
the architectural trend in case designs, they
are placing on the market in the Weber of
to-day the same musical soul that won such
universal commendation.
The Weber pianos of 1902, like their pre-
decessors, are made under the competent di-
rection of the same superintendent who di-
rected the constructive forces under Albert
Weber himself.
His efforts are enthusiastically supported
by the officers and directors of the Weber
concern.
In office, wareroom and factory, the aim
is that the Weber piano shall be as perfect
musically in the opening years of the new
century as it was in the palmy days of its
founder.
No efforts are being spared to that end,
and the outlay of money, care and watch-
fulness in this connection has been prodigious.
The forces behind the Weber to-day con-
sistently stand for the ideals which have been
bequeathed to them.
There has been no deviation from the artis-
tic.
As before stated, portentous commercial
changes have materialized which have, to a
large extent, affected the whole atmosphere
of trade.
This, however, only concerns the business
and not the manufacturing departments of
the industry ; at least, it has not affected, and
does not affect, artistic pianos.
Tn the creation of the Weber, the manufac-
turers have been unceasing in their efforts
to keep it up to the very highest standard,
and the instruments which they are produc-
ing to-day testify to this most emphatically.
Tndeed, the history of the Weber piano,
now covering a half century, illustrates the
value of persistence and fidelity to an idea.
And that idea is as dominant with the manu-
facturers to-day as it was years ago.
NEW PRIZES
A f l O U N T I N Q TO
THE FAMOUS MATHUSHEK
$100
Arouses Enmity on the Part of Competitors who
Adopt Reprehensible Practices.
The best evidence of the salable excellence
of the Mathushek & Son piano is evidenced
by the fact that some dealers who have
found it a hard competitor have adopted rep-
rehensible methods to discredit the historical
Mathushek.
Some time ago we took occasion to make
reference to printed matter which was dis-
tributed throughout the South, in which it
was asserted that the Mathushek & Son piano
belonged to what is commonly termed the
stencil class.
The success of the institution has evidently
aroused jealousy on the part of certain
competitors, who have taken occasion to cir-
culate reports which are wholly misleading
regarding the Mathushek product of New
^ ork. It is separate and distinct from all
other establishments, and anyone who will
pay a visit to the factory, which is located
at Forty-seventh street and J {roadway, will
be convinced that the Mathushek & Son con-
cern is a live and progressive one. The
Mathusheks are not only building pianos in
quantities, but building them well; in other
words, instruments which appeal to discrim-
inating piano buyers. In the Mathushek &
Son piano of to-day are embodied many pat-
ented inventions of that famous old expert,
Frederick Mathushek, founder of the house.
Several conspicuous instances of palpable
misrepresentation on the part of dealers
handling an instrument similar in name to
the Mathushek & Son piano have recently
been brought to light, and the methods of
those who are again endeavoring to injure
the reputation arid trade of a legitimate piano
manufacturing firm, in order to further their
own interests, are as discreditable as thev are
likely to be ineffectual in the long run.
liros. are right in line with those
who are displaying their pianos through the
most artistic avenues, as the recital given yes-
terday in the Concert Room will attest. S.
Monroe Fabian, of New York, gave a beau-
tiful program in which he was assisted by
Miss Agnes Thompson in songs. The Knabe
piano was in good hands and Fabian's re-
sults proved the merits of the instrument.
Some of the finest people of Philadelphia
were present. Compliments are certainly
due 15. F. Owen, the efficient manager of
the piano department.
C. A. l'helps, who has been managing
partner, has become sole proprietor of the
music store on South Alain street. Mr.
Phelps has had years of experience in the
business and will, no doubt, continue the
business with great success.—Peoria, 111.,
Journal.
ARE OFFERED BY T H E
REVIEW
To Be Died as F i t
N o . 1 — $ 2 0 . 0 0 to the person sending
the best original article upon the sub-
ject :
•
In what essentials will the piano store
of the future differ from that of
to-day ?
NO. 2
$ 2 0 . 0 0 to the person sending
the best o r i g i n a l a r t i c l e upon t h e
subject:
What methods can the Dealers' Asso-
ciation adopt to stamp out mis-
leading advertising?
NO. 3
$ 2 0 . 0 0 to the person sending
the best original article upon:
What is the greatest accomplishment
won by Association work in this
industry ?
NO. 4 — $ 2 0 . 0 0 to the person sending
the best original article upon:
What are the best means to adjust
commissions on retail sales ?
NO. 5 — $ 2 0 . 0 0 to the person sending
the best original article upon:
In what way may the general system
of retail collections be improved?
RULES GOVERNING THE
PRIZE CONTEST.
All manuscripts must be submitted in
type-written form.
No composition must contain less than
300 words.
The contest is open to all readers of
The Review.
The editor of The Review reserves the
right to publish any of the compositions
sent in.
All those who enter for Prize No. 1,
must send in their manuscripts by
February 28th.
The names of the contestants must be
attached to manuscript submitted, but
will not be published in connection with
the contribution if so specified by the
writer.
It is our intention to continue the series of
prizes and embrace every department of
trade which will be of interest to Manu-
facturer, Dealer, Salesman and Factory
Employee,
A l l communications m u s t b e addressed
"Prize Contest."
EDITOR OF T H E REVIEW
Some effective and creditable Mason &
ilanilin advertising is being done on the 3 East 14th Street, New York.
Pacific coast by the Geo. J. Rirkel Co., of
Los Angeles and San Diego.
,