Music Trade Review

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
TH
MUSIC TRADE
AMERICAN PIANOS IN GUADALOUPE.
STEINWAYJ^THE SEA.
TVl
More
Many Visitors to the New Store of Howard,
Farwell & Co.—New Manager of Kimball
Branch Appointed—The Leading Dealers Re-
port Trade Somewhat Better This Week in
All Branches.
(Special to The Review.)
Minneapolis and St. Paul, May 7, 1906.
Visitors thronged the new store of Howard,
Farwell & Co., in St. Paul, from early morn on
Saturday till late at night. It was the occasion of
the "grand opening," and the store was beautiful-
ly decorated with palms and flowers, while an
orchestra dispensed music during the afternoon
and evening. Every member of the force ex-
erted himself to the entertainment of the visitors
iu showing them the beautiful appointed par-
lors and the magnificent instruments on display,
while business for the time being was laid aside.
Each lady visitor was presented with carnations
as a memento. The opening proved a great suc-
cess, and Grant P. Wagner, treasurer and gen-
eral manager of the company, expressed himself
as highly pleased at the appreciation shown by
the general public.
The new manager of the Kimball branches in
these two towns, to succeed the late C. A. Elm-
eadorf, arrived Wednesday. Fred J. Hill, a for-
mer Minneapolis boy, was appointed. He has
been away from Minneapolis for six years or
more, but has a host of friends in the Flour City
who will welcome his return. More than that, he
will, by his affable manners be a welcome ad-
dition to the trade. One of his first steps on
taking hold was to stiffen the terms for which
instruments were formerly sold, and to raise the
prices.
The trade, generally speaking, showed a slight
improvement for the better last week, though in
spots it was still rather quiet.
"The trade was quite a bit better," said R. 0.
Foster, of Foster & Waldo. "May-day moving, of
course, somewhat unsettles conditions, but ap-
parently things are on the upward trend again.
One of our sales last week was a Knabe-Angelus."
At the Cable wareraoms similar conditions were
reported. David_ McKee, the manager, was ab-
sent, having gone to Ashland for a few days.
The country trade, it was stated, was in excellent
shape.
"Last week's business was the best we have
had for some time," said E. R. Dyer, president of
Metropolitan Music Co. "The most satisfactory
feature is that it has been a good quality of
business. Sales have included Steinway, Knabe,
Kranich & Bach and Gabler pianos, also one
Weber-pianola piano."
At W. J. Dyer & Bros, the report was: "Noth-
ing special; trade rather quiet."
Another St. Paul house, J. Kalscheuer & Co.,
reported: "Trade has Leen very quiet for last
two or three weeks, but it was much better last
week. Sales, however, have all been high grade
instruments, the cheapest piano we have sold
being the Hobart M. Cable, and that is stiff."
S. W. Raudenbush & Co. reported somewhat
similar conditions at their St. Paul store, trade
having been quiet, but a little better last week.
The Cecilian business, however, was reported aa
very good. The closing out sale in Minneapolis
was not as good last week as the week before, the
best results being obtained in the player depart-
ment.
At the Minneapolis branch of Howard, Farwell
& Co. an excellent Fischer trade was reported
for last week.
The Northwestern Music Co. reported April as
having been the best month the house had ever
had. Half of this trade was in the city, and half
in the country. The Packard and Wissner pianos
are their leaders.
J. E. Weber, who opened a sheet music and
small instrument department in the Cable store
in Minneapolis, moved his stock last week to the
Chicago store in South Minneapolis.
The Billings Spring Metal Flange Co. have
moved their plant from Rockford, 111., to 320
Grand avenue, Milwaukee, Wis.
New Palatial Steamers Which
Artistic Steinway Creations.
11
REVIEW
Carry
Steinway triumphs in the realm of musico-in-
dustrial art are not confined exclusively to the
land, for on the sea this great American prod-
uct has also won distinguished renown, and
it would require a volume of considerable size
to enumerate the number of ocean greyhounds
which carry in their salons instruments bearing
the name of Steinway. There are constant ac-
quisitions to the list, and among the latest is
the superb steamer "Nieuw Amsterdam" of the
Holland-America Line, which contains a special
art grand creation and upright of unique de-
sign. Also two new steamers of the Cuban Mail
Line, which are also equipped with special de-
signs of grand and upright pianos.
Interesting Report on the Situation from the
American Consul to That Country.
(Special to The Review.)
Washington, D. C, May 7, 1906.
In response to inquiries regarding the possi-
bilities of introducing American pianos into
Guadaloupe, Consul Bowens has made a report,
in which he says that nothing can be done by
circular letters. His suggestion, however, would
be to secure a resident agent, rent a small store-
room where the instruments could be displayed
and recitals given. There is not a display or
wareroom there where a piano can be seen. When
one is wanted it is ordered from France. Only
French makes can be found there, the tone of
which is very poor, and they are not attractive
pieces of furniture. All are upright and about
three-fourths as large as the American instru-
ment. The usual price paid for pianos is $160.
MUNSON MUSIC CO. CELEBRATES
It is believed, however, that any one who is in
the market for a piano could, after seeing and
Their 55th Anniversary—An Event of Great
hearing an American piano, be induced to pay
Interest.
$50 to $100 more, and if an arrangement could
be effected as is done in the States—that of tak-
(Special to The Review. I
ing in the old instruments and allowing some-
Zanesville, Ohio, May 5, 1906.
thing for the same—it would materially increase
The Munson Music Co. celebrated their 55th the business. The duty, municipal tax, insur-
anniversary yesterday afternoon by a reception ance and freight per instrument from New York
in their store at Main and Third streets, one of to Guadaloupe would aggregate a little less than
the busiest locations in the city. Fifty-five years $50.
ago Horace D. Munson, Sr., a teacher of vocal
music in the Zanesville Public Schools, rented CONTRACT LET FOR NEW STARR FACTORY.
space in a book store in this city, where he
placed a few musical instruments for sale. From
(Special to The Review.)
this modest beginning has grown one of the
Richmond, Ind., May 8, 1906.
most famous music stores in Ohio. During the
The contract for the erection of a new four-
Civil War Mr. Munson, with his two sons, fought story building at the Starr Piano Co.'s plant,
throughout the conflict in the Union Army, and has been let, and construction will begin as soon
when peace was declared resumed business, tak- as ground can be cleared. The cost will be $14,-
ing the sons into partnership, and the growth 553. The new building will be used for the
has been steady ever since, until now an entire storage of pianos awaiting shipment, as consid-
building is occupied, comprising three large erable difficulty has been experienced in finding
floors. The opening was an event of great in- room for this purpose.
terest to the public at large, since it afforded the
people an opportunity to see one of the finest
CLINTON ROUTH OPENS IN RICHMOND.
equipped and best stocked music rooms in the
A new music store has been opened in Rich-
State of Ohio. An orchestra furnished music for
mond, Ind., by Clinton Routh, at 519 Main
the opening, and the store wore a gala aspect.
street. The stock of musical merchandise is
most
complete, ranging from pianos to sheet mu-
THE MAN WITH THE HAY RAKE.
sic as well as talking machines and supplies.
Mr. Routh is an accomplished musician, and is
W f hen other fellows fume and fret
able to offer his customers valuable advice in
About the laws that we won't get;
the selection of instruments.
While strikers strike and grafters graft,
W r hen right is rendered fore and aft;
While other men swear, rave and rant
DEALERS' ASSOCIATION FOR CANADA.
About what Congress will not grant;
A suggestion was made recently by one of the
While others wonder why on earth
largest
piano manufacturers in Canada that an
Fate ever deigned to give them birth;
agitation be commenced for the organization of a
The patient tiller of the soil,
retail piano dealers' association in that country.
Ignoring all our wild turmoil,
That such an organization would be of advan-
Blessing the day that he was born,
tage to individual members, and to the trade at
Goes calmly forth to break for corn.
large, no one will question, as the benefits of
—Indianapolis Star,
unity have been frequently demonstrated by sim-
ilar organizations in the United States, and one
BRAUNSDORF STILL ENLARGING.
manufacturer has instanced some of the points in
which the association, of which he is a member,
The business of George W. Braunsdorf, man- has been useful apart from the advantage to be
ufacturer of piano punchings, at 305 East Forty- gained from, confidence in each other born of a
third street, New York, has grown to such an more intimate acquaintance. Any movement that
extent that he has found it necessary to lease has for its object the improvement of one of the
the entire fourth floor at 305, 307 and 309 East most important of a country's industries is to be
Forty-third street, thereby trebling his available commended, and Canadian retailers or manufac-
space. The new quarters being in the same turers would do well to give the matter their
building as the old there will be no stopping earnest consideration.
of work, the moving taking place gradually, and
it is expected to have things running smoothly
GOAHEAD DEALER IN JUNEAU, ALASKA.
by May 15.
In a letter from Juneau, Alaska, J. F. Eickerly,
CHAS. F. HOFFMAN TAKES CHARGE.
proprietor of The Post-office Store, informs us
that he has built up a good trade in that section
The Buffalo, N. Y., branch store of the Schu- of the Far North for Crown pianos, small musi-
bert Piano Co. is now under the management of cal instruments and music, keeping in touch with
Charles F. Hoffman, who succeeded Louis L. the music trade conditions in the United States
Stillman in that position. Mr. Hoffman, who is through the columns of The Review.
30 years old, has been in the piano trade for
H. S. Pulling has removed the factory of the
years, having been a member of the firm of Grohs
& Hoffman, later the Grohs Piano Co., and was Little Jewell and Speelman pianos from 546
Southern Boulevard to 157-159 East 128th street.
for a long time with Robert L. Loud.