Music Trade Review
Issue: 1904 Vol. 39 N. 2 - Page 39
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
39
In tKe Musical MercKandise Domain
SITUATION EMINENTLY SATISFACTORY
BAUER CO.'S BIO BUSINESS.
Notwithstanding the Quiet Season of the Year
Business Holds Up Fairly Well, and the
Situation Is Healthy—Intelligent Aggres-
siveness Is a Winning Factor in Getting
Trade Results—What a Leading Member of
the Trade Has to Say on the Situation.
Shipments Being Made All Over the world—
A Mandolin Banjo the Latest.
In a large way the situation in the small goods
trade is eminently satisfactory. Not but what
the present is the quietest time of the year, on
general principles; but there are exceptions
which prove the rule that a persistent push for
business has its own reward. Evidently a change
is going on in the line that few appreciate and
less recognize, but the alterations of old land-
marks, or, rather, "trade-marks" are gradually
changing the entire face of affairs.
New blood is heard of, also the injection of
aggressive methods, and both are counting big,
and are destined to eventually hold the trade's
special attention from now on. A closer exam-
ination will reveal those well tried and honor-
able practices always of first consideration in the
mercantile world. Prices are not altogether the
controlling factor, though it depends greatly how
this feature of transactions is received to gain a
correct view of the situation. Every week some
new development is in evidence that is incon-
testable proof of the continued pre-eminence of
lines in which price and quality are so mixed
up that the combination is irresistible to the
shrewd buyer.
Possibly there is a shading of prices, and as
against the margin enjoyed by the old-timers, it
is high time a revision on a lower scale was due
the trade. Values are on certainly a higher
plane, but the small goods men of later birth
are not averse to doing business on a modern
basis, with the corollary of quick sales and a
rapid turning over of money. This attitude is
neither hurtful to the wholesaler, the jobber or
the dealer, and is deprecated only by the vener-
able institutions. That a change has taken place
the following observations are offered as evi-
dence, which embody the experience of one well
versed in the trade: "Though business is sup-
posed to be quiet now, we can file no complaint.
Orders every day, this and the latter part of last
week, averaged thirty a day, and in these are not
included a bill for a dozen strings; all good,
substantial lines up to $500 and $1,000. The
trouble with the small goods trade is its adher-
ance to old-time methods. Houses which in years
past established their name along certain lines—
now recognized as moss-grown—still persist in
carrying on their business in the same way. I t
is against the true growth of the trade, and I
venture to predict that while they are now
mildly protesting and sarcastically critical, the
day is not far distant when they will be wonder-
ing how their trade got away from them. The
transformation scene is now on, and the most
curious part of the game is the thinly disguised
yet wounded pride of the supposed old guard,
who die but never surrender. The modern busi-
ness world is strewn with similar sad catastro-
phies. The hustler has come into his own."
COMPETENT SALESMEN IN DEMAND.
Competent salesmen are in demand for the mu-
sical merchandise sections of several New York
City department stores. This branch of their
business is being vigorously pushed, a larger
stock being carried, and the regular dealer, unless
particularly energetic, is feeling this competition
keenly.
The new lines for fall trade will soon be ready
for inspection.
(Special to The Review.)
Philadelphia, Pa., July 5, 1904.
The Bauer Co., manufacturers of the famous
Stewart instruments, are very enthusiastic over
the excellent business thus far during the year.
Emil Bauer says that the firm have heavy orders
for fall shipment, and will run full time all sum-
mer, with the exception of a few days that they
will be compelled to shut down for stock taking.
During June the firm sent big shipments all
over the country. The best illustration of how
international the Bauer Co. have become is
shown by shipments in their books that went to
Hamburg, Germany; a large order from London,
England; to S. Marshall & Sons, Adelaide, South
Australia; to Hong Kong, China; to Wellington,
New Zealand; to Hamilton, Bermuda; to Sher-
man, Clay & Co., San Francisco, and the Nord-
heimer Piano Co., of Toronto, Canada.
Among the visitors to the Bauer house recently
were Andrew McCarthy, representing Sherman,
Clay & Co., who found much interest in going
through the factory. The firm has started to
manufacture a mandolin banjo, which is selling
very well; it is a mandolin tone in a banjo frame.
It is easier to carry and not subject to breakage.
They are selling most of these instruments
through the West. The Bauer Co. have improved
their place very much during June, and have sev-
eral fine exhibit cases in the front part of their
factory.
the expense for the services of professionals is
an item the size of which is growing with alarm-
ing rapidity rather than diminishing. In other
words the laboratory is the most expensive de-
partment of the talking machine factory. For
instance, shellac, largely employed in the manu-
facture of disks and cylinders, in its finest form
and of best quality, has advanced in three years'
time from 18 to 60 cents a pound. Other ingre-
dients are equally as costly. Then in record
making the compensation of the singers is not
to be overlooked. One of the companies paid an
artist, of the highest reputation, of course,
$3,000 for his services in their profesional de-
partment, and an additional $2,000 for an agree-
ment not to sing for any other record manufac-
turer in two years.
SPECIAL HOHNER OFFER.
Prices Reduced on Certain Styles from July 1 —
Dealers Should Not Let This Offer Escape.
A Costly Undertaking—Prices of Raw Ma-
terial More Costly—Yet Records Were
Never Better or Lower in Price.
The Hohner firm announce this week that, in
order to enable retailers to sell at 50 cents each
the M. Hohner full concert harmonicas Nos.
1896 octave, 1896 concert, 1903, 483 and 63, de-
scribed in catalogue, the price has been reduced,
from July 1, 1904, to $45 per gross, net 30 days,
or $4.25 per dozen, 6 per cent. 10 days, 5 per
cent. 30 days. The organola, No. 4000, so popu-
lar in the trade, has also been reduced to $12 per
dozen, 6 per cent. 10 days, 5 per cent. 30 days.
This move is in line with the Hohner policy of
liberal treatment to all who handle the Hohner
products. The organola is a solo mouth organ
specially tuned, comprising 2% octaves and sev-
eral half-tones, which makes it nearly chromati-
cal. A special descriptive circular can be ob-
tained from jobbers.
Not only is the raw material used in the manu-
facture of phonograph records more costly, but
COMBINATIONS FUTILE.
THE MAKING OF RECORDS
Several Attempts Made in Markneukirchen,
But Unsuccessfully, To Bring Exporters
Together.
"HI*
MUSTEK'S VOICE••
Re turn Your Old Re cord s
and Get New Ones.
On every order for Records we will
allow the return for full credit of
1-3 as many records as you order.
No matter how old or shopworn they
may be, provided they are "Victor
Records" and not broken. In order-
ing under this plan, always give a
second choice list, as we reserve the
right to substitute, if necessary, to
make up the full number.
The Largest and Most Complete Stock
in the United States.
THE VICTOR DISTRIBUTING 8 EXPORT CO.
77 Chambers St., New York.
The head of one of the best-known musical
merchandise houses who recently returned from
a run around the European countries, said to
The Review this week: "Attempts to form
combinations with the Markneukirchen export-
ers have been made, but they are futile. Not long
back a couple of houses tried to corner the mar-
ket on the cheaper grade of goods, but it was so
signal a failure that the promoters were not
only defeated, but placed under a social ban
for a sufficient length of time to make them feel
their unenviable position keenly. Not one of
their colleagues in the same line would associate
with them, either in public or private, because
they had tried to takfe advantage of their confi-
dential relations with each other.
"As a matter of fact, should another move
of the kind be made over there, the people we
represent will know of i t and block the game.
Should something of the kind be tried in the
American market, we are on deck here and think
we know enough to catch on and put a spoke in
their wheel. The German small goods manufac-
turer is a wily article, however, and will bear
watching; for if he can get the best of you in
any way, rest assured he will do so, and without
any qualms. Of course, the houses having regu-
lar representatives are not in this class, and
their engagements are honorably kept in every
particular."
Accordeons after the Italian system are now
"made in Germany" at half the price, and the
finish is said to be superior.
THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
39
In tKe Musical MercKandise Domain
SITUATION EMINENTLY SATISFACTORY
BAUER CO.'S BIO BUSINESS.
Notwithstanding the Quiet Season of the Year
Business Holds Up Fairly Well, and the
Situation Is Healthy—Intelligent Aggres-
siveness Is a Winning Factor in Getting
Trade Results—What a Leading Member of
the Trade Has to Say on the Situation.
Shipments Being Made All Over the world—
A Mandolin Banjo the Latest.
In a large way the situation in the small goods
trade is eminently satisfactory. Not but what
the present is the quietest time of the year, on
general principles; but there are exceptions
which prove the rule that a persistent push for
business has its own reward. Evidently a change
is going on in the line that few appreciate and
less recognize, but the alterations of old land-
marks, or, rather, "trade-marks" are gradually
changing the entire face of affairs.
New blood is heard of, also the injection of
aggressive methods, and both are counting big,
and are destined to eventually hold the trade's
special attention from now on. A closer exam-
ination will reveal those well tried and honor-
able practices always of first consideration in the
mercantile world. Prices are not altogether the
controlling factor, though it depends greatly how
this feature of transactions is received to gain a
correct view of the situation. Every week some
new development is in evidence that is incon-
testable proof of the continued pre-eminence of
lines in which price and quality are so mixed
up that the combination is irresistible to the
shrewd buyer.
Possibly there is a shading of prices, and as
against the margin enjoyed by the old-timers, it
is high time a revision on a lower scale was due
the trade. Values are on certainly a higher
plane, but the small goods men of later birth
are not averse to doing business on a modern
basis, with the corollary of quick sales and a
rapid turning over of money. This attitude is
neither hurtful to the wholesaler, the jobber or
the dealer, and is deprecated only by the vener-
able institutions. That a change has taken place
the following observations are offered as evi-
dence, which embody the experience of one well
versed in the trade: "Though business is sup-
posed to be quiet now, we can file no complaint.
Orders every day, this and the latter part of last
week, averaged thirty a day, and in these are not
included a bill for a dozen strings; all good,
substantial lines up to $500 and $1,000. The
trouble with the small goods trade is its adher-
ance to old-time methods. Houses which in years
past established their name along certain lines—
now recognized as moss-grown—still persist in
carrying on their business in the same way. I t
is against the true growth of the trade, and I
venture to predict that while they are now
mildly protesting and sarcastically critical, the
day is not far distant when they will be wonder-
ing how their trade got away from them. The
transformation scene is now on, and the most
curious part of the game is the thinly disguised
yet wounded pride of the supposed old guard,
who die but never surrender. The modern busi-
ness world is strewn with similar sad catastro-
phies. The hustler has come into his own."
COMPETENT SALESMEN IN DEMAND.
Competent salesmen are in demand for the mu-
sical merchandise sections of several New York
City department stores. This branch of their
business is being vigorously pushed, a larger
stock being carried, and the regular dealer, unless
particularly energetic, is feeling this competition
keenly.
The new lines for fall trade will soon be ready
for inspection.
(Special to The Review.)
Philadelphia, Pa., July 5, 1904.
The Bauer Co., manufacturers of the famous
Stewart instruments, are very enthusiastic over
the excellent business thus far during the year.
Emil Bauer says that the firm have heavy orders
for fall shipment, and will run full time all sum-
mer, with the exception of a few days that they
will be compelled to shut down for stock taking.
During June the firm sent big shipments all
over the country. The best illustration of how
international the Bauer Co. have become is
shown by shipments in their books that went to
Hamburg, Germany; a large order from London,
England; to S. Marshall & Sons, Adelaide, South
Australia; to Hong Kong, China; to Wellington,
New Zealand; to Hamilton, Bermuda; to Sher-
man, Clay & Co., San Francisco, and the Nord-
heimer Piano Co., of Toronto, Canada.
Among the visitors to the Bauer house recently
were Andrew McCarthy, representing Sherman,
Clay & Co., who found much interest in going
through the factory. The firm has started to
manufacture a mandolin banjo, which is selling
very well; it is a mandolin tone in a banjo frame.
It is easier to carry and not subject to breakage.
They are selling most of these instruments
through the West. The Bauer Co. have improved
their place very much during June, and have sev-
eral fine exhibit cases in the front part of their
factory.
the expense for the services of professionals is
an item the size of which is growing with alarm-
ing rapidity rather than diminishing. In other
words the laboratory is the most expensive de-
partment of the talking machine factory. For
instance, shellac, largely employed in the manu-
facture of disks and cylinders, in its finest form
and of best quality, has advanced in three years'
time from 18 to 60 cents a pound. Other ingre-
dients are equally as costly. Then in record
making the compensation of the singers is not
to be overlooked. One of the companies paid an
artist, of the highest reputation, of course,
$3,000 for his services in their profesional de-
partment, and an additional $2,000 for an agree-
ment not to sing for any other record manufac-
turer in two years.
SPECIAL HOHNER OFFER.
Prices Reduced on Certain Styles from July 1 —
Dealers Should Not Let This Offer Escape.
A Costly Undertaking—Prices of Raw Ma-
terial More Costly—Yet Records Were
Never Better or Lower in Price.
The Hohner firm announce this week that, in
order to enable retailers to sell at 50 cents each
the M. Hohner full concert harmonicas Nos.
1896 octave, 1896 concert, 1903, 483 and 63, de-
scribed in catalogue, the price has been reduced,
from July 1, 1904, to $45 per gross, net 30 days,
or $4.25 per dozen, 6 per cent. 10 days, 5 per
cent. 30 days. The organola, No. 4000, so popu-
lar in the trade, has also been reduced to $12 per
dozen, 6 per cent. 10 days, 5 per cent. 30 days.
This move is in line with the Hohner policy of
liberal treatment to all who handle the Hohner
products. The organola is a solo mouth organ
specially tuned, comprising 2% octaves and sev-
eral half-tones, which makes it nearly chromati-
cal. A special descriptive circular can be ob-
tained from jobbers.
Not only is the raw material used in the manu-
facture of phonograph records more costly, but
COMBINATIONS FUTILE.
THE MAKING OF RECORDS
Several Attempts Made in Markneukirchen,
But Unsuccessfully, To Bring Exporters
Together.
"HI*
MUSTEK'S VOICE••
Re turn Your Old Re cord s
and Get New Ones.
On every order for Records we will
allow the return for full credit of
1-3 as many records as you order.
No matter how old or shopworn they
may be, provided they are "Victor
Records" and not broken. In order-
ing under this plan, always give a
second choice list, as we reserve the
right to substitute, if necessary, to
make up the full number.
The Largest and Most Complete Stock
in the United States.
THE VICTOR DISTRIBUTING 8 EXPORT CO.
77 Chambers St., New York.
The head of one of the best-known musical
merchandise houses who recently returned from
a run around the European countries, said to
The Review this week: "Attempts to form
combinations with the Markneukirchen export-
ers have been made, but they are futile. Not long
back a couple of houses tried to corner the mar-
ket on the cheaper grade of goods, but it was so
signal a failure that the promoters were not
only defeated, but placed under a social ban
for a sufficient length of time to make them feel
their unenviable position keenly. Not one of
their colleagues in the same line would associate
with them, either in public or private, because
they had tried to takfe advantage of their confi-
dential relations with each other.
"As a matter of fact, should another move
of the kind be made over there, the people we
represent will know of i t and block the game.
Should something of the kind be tried in the
American market, we are on deck here and think
we know enough to catch on and put a spoke in
their wheel. The German small goods manufac-
turer is a wily article, however, and will bear
watching; for if he can get the best of you in
any way, rest assured he will do so, and without
any qualms. Of course, the houses having regu-
lar representatives are not in this class, and
their engagements are honorably kept in every
particular."
Accordeons after the Italian system are now
"made in Germany" at half the price, and the
finish is said to be superior.
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).