Music Trade Review
Issue: 1905 Vol. 41 N. 14 - Page 13
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THE MUSIC TRADE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION MATTERS.
The Press Committee Offers Some Suggestions
to Members and Reports Prosperity from
Every Quarter—Grievance Committee Busy.
(Supplied by C'liairuian 1'ress Committee.j
While it may not come within the province of
the officers of the National Association of Piano
Dealers of America to offer advice to the mem-
bers, yet it would seem that a few suggestions
at this season of the year, possibly 1o those who
are not members as well as to the membership,
would be advisable and helpful.
Members who have the wisdom to read care-
fully the trade papers have undoubtedly noticed
the reports of exceptional prosperity coming from
all quarters of the United States. The conditions
at the present time are infinitely better and
brighter than they have been for many months.
Travelers through the West and agricultural dis-
tricts give glowing accounts of prosperity in
these sections. The manufacturing establish-
ments of the East are all busy, while financial
conditions are unquestionably as good as they
have been at any time during the past ten years.
These favorable conditions are of inestimable
value to the piano trade at large. It means that
a greater number of pianos will be soid during
the season of 1905-06 that have been sold prob-
ably in any two seasons up to this time, and
general prosperity is bound to reign all through
the piano trade. It behooves every dealer there-
fore to attend strictly to his business, and in
this connection let him be careful about wasting
any time paying attention to the business of his
competitor. Let him bear in mind that he should
spend his money in advertising his own goods,
not in advertising the goods of his neighbor, and
in his efforts to sell his line of goods let him
forget that other dealers exist. Ho should cease
knocking the other fellow, and bend all his en-
ergies to convince the prospective buyer of tiie
merit of his own goods. Experience has taught
many a dealer that in this way he obtains a
greater volume of business than by attempting
to run down his competitor,
If the dealer wants all the good that is com-
ing to him he should also adhere strictly to the
one-price system. He should get on each trans-
action all the money that is possible in the way
of first payment, and work toward the increase
of amount of monthly installment. The public
undeniably has money to spend, and it is the
duty of every piano dealer to devise ways and
means to get the greatest amount of this money
possible diverted into the piano channel.
Careless and unscrupulous methods in adver-
tising and dealing with the public will not stand
in these progressive times. Be careful that your
advertising is clean-cut, honest and straightfor-
ward from the top line to the address below.
Make no extravagant statements which cannot be
fulfilled. Be careful to advertise only such goods
as can be shown to a customer, and for the good
of the trade at large, and yourself in particular,
avoid the stencil habit. Hundreds of warerooms
no doubt harbor a number of these unknown im-
postors. In disposing of them be honest and
fair with the customer. Tell him from whom
you. bought the instrument, and state clearly that
in the future you will request the manufacturer
to place his name upon the instrument. Dealers
who have tried the method and can conscien-
tiously say to the customer that they handle
only pianos which are identified by the manu-
facturer find it works wholly to their advantage.
The National Association of Piano Dealers of
America has always striven from the day of its
inception for fair and honest methods, and it has
been supposed that every dealer who signed an
application for membership appreciated and ap-
proved of the Association's standard. If,
through misunderstanding or misrepresentation
dealers who do-not approve of fair treatment of
the public have become members, they should at
once change their habits and adopt the methods
approved by the organization. Certain it is,
that, membership in an organization which stands
for good principle will be beneficial to finy deal-
er. The moral effect of belonging to such an
REVIEW
organization and enjoying the opportunity of
meeting with its members is not to be measured
by financial expenditure. Aside from this ele-
vating feature monetary benefits are received
from the results of the freight bureau and other
committees which are constantly working for
the good of the trade in general.
The work of the Advisory Committee should
not be overlooked. Ex-President James C. Mil-
ler, who is now chairman of this committee,
which has charge of grievances, has been ex-
tremely busy attending to the duties of his of-
fice since his return from his summer vacation.
He and other members of his committee have
settled many unpleasant controversies which
have arisen in various sections of the country.
He admonishes all, however, in filing complaints
that they have tne details absolutely correct, that
they may be prepared to back up their complaints
with affidavits, which will prevent placing the
committee in a position which would necessitate
a backdown in the event of not being prepared to
submit substantial proof of accusation. The com-
mittee wants every member to feel that he has
a right to file all reasonable complaints, but at
the same time be prepared to fully substantiate
his statements.
• * * *
President Werlein will, in all probability, issue
an early call for the meeting of the Executive
Board to consider arrangements for the Washing-
ton convention, to be held next May. This meet-
ing was to have been held last August, but on ac-
count of the vacation season so many of the of-
ficers were unable to attend it was decided
to postpone it. It is hoped that the various of-
ficers will now hold themselves in readiness to
respond as soon as the call is issued. Mr. Wer-
lein's time has been greatly occupied with official
duties in his own city during the recent epidemic
of yellow fever in New Orleans. Fortunately the
pest has now been practically cleaned out, and
he will be able to give greater attention to As-
sociation matters.
Secretary Foster reports a large number of
applications for associate membership. Present
members should bear in mind that the associate
membership permits any employe of their busi-
ness to join the Association, the fee being only
13
OUR FOREIGN CUSTOMERS.
Pianos and Other Musical Instruments Shipped
Abroad from the Port of New York for the
Week Just Ended.
(Special to The Review.)
Washington, D. C, October 2, 1905.
The following were the exports of musical in-
struments and kindred lines from the Port of
New York for the week just ended:
Algoa Bay—14 cases organs and material,
$888; 8 pkgs. talking machines and material,
$146; 2 cases piano players, $210.
Amsterdam—11 cases organs and material,
$800.
Berlin—341 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
terial, $5,732; 1 case pianos, $200.
Bombay—33 pkgs. talking machines and ma-!
terial, $531.
Buenos Aires—7 pkgs. talking machines and
material, $310; 7 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
terial, $918; 3 cases organs and material, $173;
2 cases pianos and material, $405.
Callao—8 pkgs. talking machines and material,
$580.
Corinto—2 cases pianos, $233; 9 cases pianos,
$198.
Genoa—2 cases pianos and material, $900.
Glasgow—31 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
terial, $1,314.
Guayaquil—10 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
terial, $288.
Hamburg—5 cases pianos, $461; 36 cases or-
gans and material, $1,346; 8 pkgs. talking ma-
chines and material, $155; 51 cases piano play-
ers. $11,958.
Havana—6 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
terial, $109; 44 pkgs. clocks, $725; 7 cases pianos,
$1,325; 97 pkgs. talking machines and material,
$2,409; 2 pkgs. music, $109.
Havre—30 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
:
terial, $893.
Larnaca—2 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
terial, $120.
Liverpool—10 cases organs and material, $518;
1 case pianos and material, $300; 1 case organs,
$122.
London—36 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
terial, $10,708; 8 cases pianos and material, $585;
$3.00.
1,192 pkgs. talking machines and material, $14,-
458; 55 cases piano players, $10,635; 27 cases
BUSY TIMES WITH BENNETT CO.
organs, $830; 11 pkgs. music, $1,184; 6 pkgs.
piano players. $530; 2 cases pianos, $400.
The Bennett Piano Co., of Warren, Pa., manu-
Mazatlan—6 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
facturers of the Bennett grands and uprights, and
terial, $214.
of the Hartzell and Widdifield pianos, report that
Manchester—75 pkgs. talking machines and
their factory at Warren is rushed with orders up
to full capacity. Overtime work has been famil- material, $395.
Milan—49 pkgs. talking machines and material,
iar to the Bennett Co. for the whole summer.
$1,445; 1 case piano players, $125.
The Bennett baby grand has proved to be one
Nassau—2 cases pianos, $300.
of the successes of the day in the grand field, and
Pointe A Pitre—3 pkgs. talking machines and
the new Widdifield upright appears, from the ad-
material, $100.
vance orders, to be destined to make the same
Rotterdam—2 cases organs and material, $100.
kind of hit as its predecessors among the products
Santos—32 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
of this very progressive firm.
terial, $1,754.
Sydney—66 cases organs, $4,945; 60 pkgs. talk-
FOREIGN DEMAND FOR BYRNE PIANOS.
ing machines and material, $901.
The C. E. Byrne Piano Co. have recently been
Sheffield—85 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
making some very large foreign shipments. For terial, $727.
instance, last week they shipped three pianos to
St. Petersburg—12 pkgs. talking machines and
Cuba, six to Australia, and have in hand some material, $293.
other orders for Australia and other foreign
Trinidad—2 cases organs, $160; 2 cases pianos,
points. The Byrne Co. make it a special point $243.
of encasing their pianos in a manner to insure
Vera Cruz—2 cases pianos and material, $275;
delivery in the best of condition at their appoint- 5 pkgs. talking machines and material, $158.
ed destination. This is a very important con-
Vienna—35 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
sideration in the matter of export trade.
terial, $1,032.
Valparaiso—12 cases organs and material,
THE GORDON PIANO CO.
$264; 4 pkgs. talking machines and material,
$457.
The Gordon Piano Co., of 162 West 27th street,
Warsaw—4 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
have just completed their first lot of pianos, and
terial, $141.
will have them ready for exhibition in a few
Wellington—62 pkgs. talking machines and
days. They are preparing a catalogue which they
material,
$1,531; 18 cases organs and material,.
will send out to the trade about the middle of
$321.
the month.
The Meyers department store, Greensboro, N.
C, which opens November 1, will handle pianos,
musical merchandise and music in- addition. to
other lines.
James Pearce, who for a time was connected
with the piano warerooms of John Wanamaker
and the Anderson Piano Co., has joined the
forces of Sedgwick & Casey, Hartford, Conn.
THE MUSIC TRADE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION MATTERS.
The Press Committee Offers Some Suggestions
to Members and Reports Prosperity from
Every Quarter—Grievance Committee Busy.
(Supplied by C'liairuian 1'ress Committee.j
While it may not come within the province of
the officers of the National Association of Piano
Dealers of America to offer advice to the mem-
bers, yet it would seem that a few suggestions
at this season of the year, possibly 1o those who
are not members as well as to the membership,
would be advisable and helpful.
Members who have the wisdom to read care-
fully the trade papers have undoubtedly noticed
the reports of exceptional prosperity coming from
all quarters of the United States. The conditions
at the present time are infinitely better and
brighter than they have been for many months.
Travelers through the West and agricultural dis-
tricts give glowing accounts of prosperity in
these sections. The manufacturing establish-
ments of the East are all busy, while financial
conditions are unquestionably as good as they
have been at any time during the past ten years.
These favorable conditions are of inestimable
value to the piano trade at large. It means that
a greater number of pianos will be soid during
the season of 1905-06 that have been sold prob-
ably in any two seasons up to this time, and
general prosperity is bound to reign all through
the piano trade. It behooves every dealer there-
fore to attend strictly to his business, and in
this connection let him be careful about wasting
any time paying attention to the business of his
competitor. Let him bear in mind that he should
spend his money in advertising his own goods,
not in advertising the goods of his neighbor, and
in his efforts to sell his line of goods let him
forget that other dealers exist. Ho should cease
knocking the other fellow, and bend all his en-
ergies to convince the prospective buyer of tiie
merit of his own goods. Experience has taught
many a dealer that in this way he obtains a
greater volume of business than by attempting
to run down his competitor,
If the dealer wants all the good that is com-
ing to him he should also adhere strictly to the
one-price system. He should get on each trans-
action all the money that is possible in the way
of first payment, and work toward the increase
of amount of monthly installment. The public
undeniably has money to spend, and it is the
duty of every piano dealer to devise ways and
means to get the greatest amount of this money
possible diverted into the piano channel.
Careless and unscrupulous methods in adver-
tising and dealing with the public will not stand
in these progressive times. Be careful that your
advertising is clean-cut, honest and straightfor-
ward from the top line to the address below.
Make no extravagant statements which cannot be
fulfilled. Be careful to advertise only such goods
as can be shown to a customer, and for the good
of the trade at large, and yourself in particular,
avoid the stencil habit. Hundreds of warerooms
no doubt harbor a number of these unknown im-
postors. In disposing of them be honest and
fair with the customer. Tell him from whom
you. bought the instrument, and state clearly that
in the future you will request the manufacturer
to place his name upon the instrument. Dealers
who have tried the method and can conscien-
tiously say to the customer that they handle
only pianos which are identified by the manu-
facturer find it works wholly to their advantage.
The National Association of Piano Dealers of
America has always striven from the day of its
inception for fair and honest methods, and it has
been supposed that every dealer who signed an
application for membership appreciated and ap-
proved of the Association's standard. If,
through misunderstanding or misrepresentation
dealers who do-not approve of fair treatment of
the public have become members, they should at
once change their habits and adopt the methods
approved by the organization. Certain it is,
that, membership in an organization which stands
for good principle will be beneficial to finy deal-
er. The moral effect of belonging to such an
REVIEW
organization and enjoying the opportunity of
meeting with its members is not to be measured
by financial expenditure. Aside from this ele-
vating feature monetary benefits are received
from the results of the freight bureau and other
committees which are constantly working for
the good of the trade in general.
The work of the Advisory Committee should
not be overlooked. Ex-President James C. Mil-
ler, who is now chairman of this committee,
which has charge of grievances, has been ex-
tremely busy attending to the duties of his of-
fice since his return from his summer vacation.
He and other members of his committee have
settled many unpleasant controversies which
have arisen in various sections of the country.
He admonishes all, however, in filing complaints
that they have tne details absolutely correct, that
they may be prepared to back up their complaints
with affidavits, which will prevent placing the
committee in a position which would necessitate
a backdown in the event of not being prepared to
submit substantial proof of accusation. The com-
mittee wants every member to feel that he has
a right to file all reasonable complaints, but at
the same time be prepared to fully substantiate
his statements.
• * * *
President Werlein will, in all probability, issue
an early call for the meeting of the Executive
Board to consider arrangements for the Washing-
ton convention, to be held next May. This meet-
ing was to have been held last August, but on ac-
count of the vacation season so many of the of-
ficers were unable to attend it was decided
to postpone it. It is hoped that the various of-
ficers will now hold themselves in readiness to
respond as soon as the call is issued. Mr. Wer-
lein's time has been greatly occupied with official
duties in his own city during the recent epidemic
of yellow fever in New Orleans. Fortunately the
pest has now been practically cleaned out, and
he will be able to give greater attention to As-
sociation matters.
Secretary Foster reports a large number of
applications for associate membership. Present
members should bear in mind that the associate
membership permits any employe of their busi-
ness to join the Association, the fee being only
13
OUR FOREIGN CUSTOMERS.
Pianos and Other Musical Instruments Shipped
Abroad from the Port of New York for the
Week Just Ended.
(Special to The Review.)
Washington, D. C, October 2, 1905.
The following were the exports of musical in-
struments and kindred lines from the Port of
New York for the week just ended:
Algoa Bay—14 cases organs and material,
$888; 8 pkgs. talking machines and material,
$146; 2 cases piano players, $210.
Amsterdam—11 cases organs and material,
$800.
Berlin—341 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
terial, $5,732; 1 case pianos, $200.
Bombay—33 pkgs. talking machines and ma-!
terial, $531.
Buenos Aires—7 pkgs. talking machines and
material, $310; 7 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
terial, $918; 3 cases organs and material, $173;
2 cases pianos and material, $405.
Callao—8 pkgs. talking machines and material,
$580.
Corinto—2 cases pianos, $233; 9 cases pianos,
$198.
Genoa—2 cases pianos and material, $900.
Glasgow—31 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
terial, $1,314.
Guayaquil—10 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
terial, $288.
Hamburg—5 cases pianos, $461; 36 cases or-
gans and material, $1,346; 8 pkgs. talking ma-
chines and material, $155; 51 cases piano play-
ers. $11,958.
Havana—6 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
terial, $109; 44 pkgs. clocks, $725; 7 cases pianos,
$1,325; 97 pkgs. talking machines and material,
$2,409; 2 pkgs. music, $109.
Havre—30 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
:
terial, $893.
Larnaca—2 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
terial, $120.
Liverpool—10 cases organs and material, $518;
1 case pianos and material, $300; 1 case organs,
$122.
London—36 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
terial, $10,708; 8 cases pianos and material, $585;
$3.00.
1,192 pkgs. talking machines and material, $14,-
458; 55 cases piano players, $10,635; 27 cases
BUSY TIMES WITH BENNETT CO.
organs, $830; 11 pkgs. music, $1,184; 6 pkgs.
piano players. $530; 2 cases pianos, $400.
The Bennett Piano Co., of Warren, Pa., manu-
Mazatlan—6 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
facturers of the Bennett grands and uprights, and
terial, $214.
of the Hartzell and Widdifield pianos, report that
Manchester—75 pkgs. talking machines and
their factory at Warren is rushed with orders up
to full capacity. Overtime work has been famil- material, $395.
Milan—49 pkgs. talking machines and material,
iar to the Bennett Co. for the whole summer.
$1,445; 1 case piano players, $125.
The Bennett baby grand has proved to be one
Nassau—2 cases pianos, $300.
of the successes of the day in the grand field, and
Pointe A Pitre—3 pkgs. talking machines and
the new Widdifield upright appears, from the ad-
material, $100.
vance orders, to be destined to make the same
Rotterdam—2 cases organs and material, $100.
kind of hit as its predecessors among the products
Santos—32 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
of this very progressive firm.
terial, $1,754.
Sydney—66 cases organs, $4,945; 60 pkgs. talk-
FOREIGN DEMAND FOR BYRNE PIANOS.
ing machines and material, $901.
The C. E. Byrne Piano Co. have recently been
Sheffield—85 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
making some very large foreign shipments. For terial, $727.
instance, last week they shipped three pianos to
St. Petersburg—12 pkgs. talking machines and
Cuba, six to Australia, and have in hand some material, $293.
other orders for Australia and other foreign
Trinidad—2 cases organs, $160; 2 cases pianos,
points. The Byrne Co. make it a special point $243.
of encasing their pianos in a manner to insure
Vera Cruz—2 cases pianos and material, $275;
delivery in the best of condition at their appoint- 5 pkgs. talking machines and material, $158.
ed destination. This is a very important con-
Vienna—35 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
sideration in the matter of export trade.
terial, $1,032.
Valparaiso—12 cases organs and material,
THE GORDON PIANO CO.
$264; 4 pkgs. talking machines and material,
$457.
The Gordon Piano Co., of 162 West 27th street,
Warsaw—4 pkgs. talking machines and ma-
have just completed their first lot of pianos, and
terial, $141.
will have them ready for exhibition in a few
Wellington—62 pkgs. talking machines and
days. They are preparing a catalogue which they
material,
$1,531; 18 cases organs and material,.
will send out to the trade about the middle of
$321.
the month.
The Meyers department store, Greensboro, N.
C, which opens November 1, will handle pianos,
musical merchandise and music in- addition. to
other lines.
James Pearce, who for a time was connected
with the piano warerooms of John Wanamaker
and the Anderson Piano Co., has joined the
forces of Sedgwick & Casey, Hartford, Conn.
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).