Music Trade Review

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THE:
MUSIC TRADE
that he could open San Francisco quarters within a year, as he
deemed it impossible to clear off the wreckage and erect new build-
ings in the city within that time.
Mr. Sherman viewed the situation in the calmest possible
manner, and figures with the wonderful energy of the Western
people that the wounds caused by the great calamity will soon be
healed and onlv the scars remain.
S
CRELY, that is bravery of the right sort. It is the true Ameri-
can spirit so well exemplified in Air. Sherman, who did not
seem cast down or dejected in the least, but immediately departed
for home to place redoubled energies upon his business enterprise.
While San Francisco has been headquarters for the great music
trade establishments, yet not over twenty-five per cent, of their
entire business has been transacted within the city, or in suburban
towns directly adjacent. Three-fourths of the entire business is
conducted in the smaller towns and cities from the -Mexican border
to the Northwest. Probably a number of the music trade merchants
of the Pacific Coast will have headquarters in nearby towns for the
next two months. Hut they will not cease pressing on for a goodly
share of trade, and when the city is rebuilt there will be an oppor-
tunity to sell thousands of pianos to the people of the new San
Francisco.
W
HILE discussing the eond'tions with The Review, Air. Sher-
man remarked that the dealers were all on a basis of
equality, that no one piano man had an advantage over the other,
as they were all cleaned out. so that the opportunities afforded would
be equal.
The work of reconstruction has begun, for the spirit of the
West is indomitable, and the enterprise and energy of her people are
beyond the power of estimate.
The members of our trade have shown the keenest sympa-
thy with the sufferers in California. A number of them have been
greatly exercised over friends and relatives living there, as well as
regarding prominent members of the music trade who were reported
at the Palace Hotel when the first shock occurred. For days after
tlie catastrophe no message was received from them, and as the
hours wore away, naturally the anxiety became intensified. 1'or-
tuuatelv. no casualties have beui reported.
R
IMPORTS indicate a larger attendance at the piano manufac-
turers' convention at Washington next month than was antici-
pated. ICvery week the list of members who will attend is increased,
and it is certain now that there will be a larger gathering than ever
before, and with the dealers meeting the following week, it will mean
that Washington will be the headquarters of pianodom for almost
two weeks, as a good many of the manufacturers will remain over
to meet their various representatives.
There will be no great function given by the piano manufac-
turers. Of course, this does not mean that there will not be a num-
ber of informal dinners, yet the dealers have what may be called the
star banquet, and they have already captured a few lions in the shape
of oratorical talent, so that they have some special attractions to
offer in the way of post-prandial entertainment.
One thing is certain—the men who are actively engaged in pro-
moting the enterprise deserve a good deal of credit. They are
hard workers, and there is no one that is putting in more hours
toward making the event a success than D. E. Woolley. chairman
of the press committee of the Dealers' Association. Mr. Woolley
is constantly working up matters of interest, and he proposes there
shall be no languishing of interest until the convention is a pro-
nounced success.
ONSIDERABLE interest has been manifested in the statement
first appearing in The Review that (/apt. J. A. IT. Dressell, of
the Madison Square Clarden Co., proposed to organize a music trade
exposition, to be held at the Madison Square (iarden in this city next
September.
A number of the manufacturers with whom Captain Dressell
has discussed the matter have expressed themselves as viewing the
project with favor. Captain Dressell is a veteran in the business.
and he feels confident that he can introduce a number of novel and
attractive features. It is probable that he will be present in Wash-
C
REVIEW
ington in order to answer any questions which may be asked regard-
ing his plan of development.
^T^JIE favorable weather which has prevailed throughout the West
J-
and Northwest during the past ten days has greatly stimulated
trade and increased the volume of business that is being done by
retail piano merchants. This is evidenced by the many orders which
are being received bv manufacturers to hurrv shipments. Not only
is this true of business recently placed, but all orders closed earlier
in the season have been urged for hurried spring shipments. It may
be said that the general volume of trade for April has continued
active. The demand from the South is naturally falling off a little
at this season, but conditions with that section are very prosperous,
and our special reports from principal trade centers indicate an excel-
lent condition of business. The general activity throughout the
countrv is apparent.
T
.11 E terrible calamity which has befallen the metropolis of the
Pacific slope has had a reilex on everv business in this city,
and a good many orders which had been pliced for immediate ship-
ment are held awaiting further directions.
New England trade has held up remarkably well, and there is
every indication of a brisk May business. The factories East and
West are busy, and some of them are unable to catch up with the
orders now in hand.
The small grand piano is steadilv growing in trade favor, and
there are some manufacturers, who, in obedience to the public de-
mand, will have small instruments of the grand tvpe ready for the
market in the fall. A number of these men have heretofore re-
frained from entering the grand field, making uprights exclusively.
The demand for players continues excellent. The supply
manufacturers are enjoying the prosperitv which abounds, and their
factories are running to the fullest capacitv. < )ne of the large action
manufacturers stated to The Review recently, that never in his ex-
perience had he known an accumulation of such a number of
advance orders as he had at the present time, and that notwith-
standing his large facilities he had found it impossible to keep up
with orders, particularlv in the various types of grand actions. He
stated that the advance orders which he had would keep his factory
going for months if another order was not received.
This illustration serves to show the demand upon the various
departments of the industry, but a slowing up of shipments all along
the Pacific Coast for some time to come will enable the manufac-
turers to catch u]) with the orders now on hand.
A
N event much talked about in trade circles this week has been
the formal opening of the Wanamaker piano store. This
occupies the entire second Moor in the new building which will be
termed the Wanamaker Annex.
A pen description of the extent and varietv of this new piano
establishment will give a wholly inadequate idea of its extent,
variety and beautv. The rooms are all finished after various art
periods, and as a whole forms a most striking piano wareroom en-
vironment. Naturally with such surroundings and the advertising
which the Wanamaker establishment is constantly doing to promote
its business interests, tin- piano business must materially expand.
The fact that the great merchant has devoted so much space
to the display and sale of pianos may be taken as an indication
that he proposes to place greater emphasis upon it in the future.
In addition to wareroom showing there is a beautiful concert hall
directly adjoining the warerooms, which will be used frequently
for musical entertainments.
C
ERTAINLY no one viewing the magnificent piano store of
Wanamaker will feel that there is any of the atmosphere of
what is commonly termed department store and bargain counter
about it. ( )n the contrary there' is an aesthetic impressiveness
which is calculated to attract the best class of trade. Then, if we
scan a list of the pianos displayed in the Wanamaker wareroooms
we will find that they appeal to the varied tastes from the people
who desire the ("bickering down to those whose financial resources
are limited.
When we consider the enormous piano business which has
been developed in the, two Wanamaker stores within a very brief
time, it must be conceded that the Wanamaker distributive forces
are powerful in pianodom.