Music Trade Review

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fflJSIC TIRADE
VOL. XLI. No. 17.
Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill at \ Madison Ave., New York, Oct. 28, 1905.
listed in England at £20 to £30 ($100 to $150);
he finds it impossible to guarantee their wear,
Some of the Requirements Necessary on the
looks, or tone for any length of time. Instru-
Part of Manufacturers to Insure a Successful
ments listed here at £35 to £45 ($175 to $225)
Market in That Country.
are useful for hiring purposes, especially in sea-
side towns. The best business is done in a me-
American piano manufacturers are not losing dium-priced piano, from £50 ($250) upwards, but
sight of the possibilities in South Africa, and the for this price a good, well-made, and lasting
number of instruments sent to that part of the piano can be expected.
world in the course of the year is by no means
"In the matter of piano strings we would ad-
inconsiderable. Africanders, as a matter of fact, vise all manufacturers to use plated ones. Not-
are disposed to give the various lines of goods withstanding the general dryness of the South
from this country the preference, all things being African climate, the coast towns, especially East
equal, of course. In connection with the sale and London and Durban, suffer from great moistness
shipment of pianos to South Africa, our English of atmosphere, which speedily reacts on ordinary
namesake makes these practical suggestions as strings.
coming from the "field."
"Pianos sent out to South Africa should always
"So-called 'tropical' pianos are very seldom be packed in an entirely new packing case, as in
asked for, unless by customers along the east case of damage the Customs or the railway de-
coast (Delagoa Bay) and in some parts of Rho
partments will pay no claims if the case is a sec-
desia. The ordinary iron-frame piano interior, ond-hand one. To secure the piano better, two
with a well-seasoned sound-board, will stand the or three bolts should be driven through the pack-
warm but dry climate sufficiently well. It is, ing-case and the tin or zinc lining into the piano,
therefore, in the external appearance of pianos and, of course, the top, front, and sides should be
intended for South Africa that variations will be properly protected by felt bolsters. All this
required. The artistic standard (musically and should be common knowledge; but it is surpris-
otherwise) of the general public in South Africa ing in how many cases these necessary—in fact,
is slightly lower than in Europe. A piano is not
elementary—precautions are neglected, to the an-
so much a means of producing sweet sounds as
noyance and loss of the dealer."
an imposing piece of furniture which every self-
respecting householder must and will have.
LAUTER PIANOS IN GREAT DEMAND.
"Again, the very nature of colonial houses and
rooms demands slight alterations in outward
(Special to The Review.)
style which it would be folly to ignore. These
Newark, N. J., Oct. 26, 1905.
rooms are generally much larger than those in
Never was a busier piano factory than the
England, but less profusely decorated and less Lauter plant is at present. There is a wonderful
heavily furnished. In a climate which even in demand for Lauter pianos from all parts, both
winter permits of the wearing of flannels and East and West, and the company is finding great
ducks, plain and light furniture (such as Madeira difficulty in keeping up with orders. When seen
and bamboo chairs), cocoanut matting, and oil- at the factory to-day, President Charles E. Cam-
cloth, form the staple articles of furniture. eron said: "The demand for the Lauter simply
Moreover, the servants (either Kaffirs or coolies, overwhelms us. On all sides we are having the
male and female) are so notorious for their lazi-
warmest praise for our goods. Wherever the
ness, carelessness, and personal uncleanliness,
Lauter piano goes it is making friends, for it is
that furniture which requires special care in its
an instrument, as you can see for yourself, that
handling and cleaning is quite out of place.
is meant for the discriminating trade." Charles
"The logical outcome of these conditions is A. Borst, the Lauter traveling man, leaves on
clear. Not a small instrument with delicately an extended trip the beginning of next week.
wrought marqueterie, or with gold inlaid lines
and arabesques is wanted, but one with a bold,
CHAS. M. STIEFFS NEW QUARTERS.
rather heavy design and certainly not less than
4 feet 2 inches in height. That it is quite pos-
(Special to The Review.)
sible to make such a case really artistic has been
Baltimore, Md., Oct. 23, 1905.
proved by a few manufacturers. * * * On
The Charles M. Stieff piano warerooms at
no account should any economy be permitted in Ninth and Liberty streets have been entirely re-
the veneer, as there is probably no other climate constructed since the fire. Elevators have been
which so quickly and thoroughly exposes slovenly put in and the decorative effects are most ar-
and inferior workmanship in this respect. A tistic. The firm have also leased the three upper
good veneer will retain, with care, its smoothness floors of the adjoining building at 7 North Lib-
and brightness for several years, whereas the erty street, and the two buildings were connected
African sun and winds work havoc with every- by large doors, and are practically one structure.
thing that has not had the most careful attention In the course of a chat this week, Manager Will-
bestowed on it. On account of these winds, iams stated that an order for fifteen grand
which fill every corner of the houses with dust pianos was recently received from the Boston
and sand, walnut cases have been found most Conservatory of Music, and that a carload of up-
suitable; there is, of course, a demand for black- right pianos will be sent to the same school this
wood and rosewood pianos, but the consensus of
week.
opinion is that walnut withstands the vicissitudes
of climate and time much better.
Geo. H. Lent, who recently opened up in New
"There is small demand for very cheap pianos, Britain, Conn., is doing a very excellent business
and no respectable dealer will import pianos with the Melville Clark pianos.
PIANOS FOR SOUTH AFRICA.
SINGLE COPIES, 10 CENTS.
$2.00 PER YEAR.
DREHER'S HARVEST DISPLAY
A Novel Exhibition Which Attracts Thousands
—Interesting Musical Programmes—Hand-
some Decorations.
(Special to The Review.)
Cleveland, O.. Oct. 23, 1905.
The spacious warerooms of the B. Dreher's
Sons Piano Co. were given over for some days
past to a magnificent opening exhibition and
autumn display, which was attended by thou-
sands of people. The warerooms were tastily
decorated in an appropriate autumn scheme, con-
sisting of flowers, foliage and ripened corn and
wheat, the ensemble making a. most effective and
pleasing combination.
The musical programme was particularly
pleasing. Johnston's orchestra furnished music
in the main wareroom during the entire period,
and a special Pianola and Aeolian pipe organ
recital was rendered in Aeolian Hall from 3 to
4. The solo numbers by Mrs. Elmyre Lucas Ew-
ing, soprano, and James D. Johnston, violinist,
were rendered in an admirable manner, the ac-
companiments in each case being played with
the aid of the Pianola. The wonderful possibili-
ties of the Pianola and the Aeolian pipe organ
were fully demonstrated by several beautiful se-
lections under skilful execution of Ferdinand A.
Krauss and Robert Jones.
The display of instruments in pianos, pianolas,
aeolians and vocalions was very complete, and
represented miost npito-dale manufacturers in
the country. Among the pianos were a magnifi-
cent art Steinway of Louis XV. design, made in
curly birch and valued at $1,300. A beautiful
Krakauer piano, in bird's-eye maple, was an-
other which received a great deal of attention.
There were scores of regular colonial and em-
pire styles made in fancy woods and represent-
ing a number of different makers. The pianola
pianos were objects of particular interest, and
nearly every visitor availed themselves of the op-
portunity to inspect this latest type of piano,
which so nicely combines piano and piano-player
in the same case. Another feature which ma-
terially added to the artistic success of this
exhibition was the large display of paintings from
Guenther's Art Store.
PIANO DEALERS AND "OLD HOME WEEK."
At the Old Home Week celebration held in
Harrisburg, Pa., last week, the piano dealers were
well in evidence. The J. H. Troup Piano House
was represented in the trade parade by two floats
and a delivery wagon, which were beautifully
decorated, showing their extensive line of goods.
Another handsome float was that of J. H. Kurzen-
knabe, which was thirteen feet long by seven
wide, and on which was displayed two pianos, one
made in Germany a hundred years ago, and the
other a modern Si rich & Zeidler. Other piano
dealers represented by floats were C. M. Zeigler,
Chas. M. Stieff and J. C. Oyler & Son, while S. A.
Floyd, the talking machine dealer, had a pretty
display of talking machines which were operated
en route. About 150,000 people were entertained
during Old Home Week, and it was in every" re-
spect one of the most successful affairs ever held
in that part of Pennsylvania.