Music Trade Review
Issue: 1907 Vol. 44 N. 8 - Page 12
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
WHAT CONSTITUTES AN "ART" PIANO ?
A STRONG PRICE & TEEPLE FAVORITE.
Should Have Individuality and Exclusiveness—
Should the "Special" Original Art Concep-
tion in Pianos be Classified as "De Luxe" or
Some Similar Appelation to Distinguish It
from the General Term " A r t ? "
Since art pianos have become a recognized fea-
ture, what constitutes a real "art" piano seems •
to be a matter left to the discretion of the manu-
facturer rather than being in accordance with
any established rule.
Although it is often claimed that the piano is
an art rather than a commercial product, still
the fact cannot be ignored that it is a piece of
merchandise sold for its intrinsic value and at
best would only come under the head of indus-
trial art products. With the advent of the "ai't"
piano, however, a truly art atmosphere was im-
parted to certain instruments, and they were
sold as much for the value of their exterior dec-
oration as for their mechanical perfection. But
with the new conditions there arises the question
what really constitutes an art piano. If every
piano with a case treatment designed after one
of the recognized decorative styles was termed
an "art" piano, about ninety-nine per cent, of the
instruments made at present would come under
that category.
In such an event, how would the ornate in-
struments made to special order by the leading
makers, hand-painted and otherwise embellished
as they are, be classified? If the term "art" is
applicable to a mahogany upright with panels
of Empire design, surely there should be some
such term as "de luxe" or "art de luxe" to sig-
nify the richer effects in piano decoration. Should
it be desired to- still refer to the richly carved
and painted "special order" instruments as "art"
pianos, by far the better plan, then makers of
pianos of ordinary aspect should not use the term
indiscriminately, as is now frequently the case.
An art piano should have individuality and ex-
clusiveness. If there were fifty or sixty turned
out in exact duplicate of the first, that one would
lose value and become an example of an ordinary
style, richly decorated though it be.
As conditions are at present, catalogue after
catalogue reaches this office with such items as
"Art Style 'R' Colonial Design," which may be
obtained in any quantity. The result is that
those who can afford a real specially made art
piano are liable to have a poor conception of the
possibilities in that direction through seeing de-
scriptions of ordinary uprights termed "art"
styles, and when about to purchase spend much
less than they would be willing to pay for an
original and exclusive art conception. This fea-
ture hits the manufacturer right where he feels
it, i. e., in his pocket.
Another result is to encourage people who
would do better to purchase an instrument in
ordinary case to lose all idea of interior quality
and want outside aspect just for the sake of own-
ing what the catalogue says is an "art" piano.
This feature means higher prices for the dealer
perhaps, but from a class of purchasers who will
need extended time and small instalments, hardly
ever a profitable sale.
HE WANTED THE "TUNE."
The Cable Company branch in Ishpeming,
which has quite a trade with the numerous Scan-
dinavians in that locality, were recently in re-
ceipt of the following unique letter from a Swede
who eventually purchased the organ referred to:
"Yours of the 12th inst. at hand. I must say it
was a surprise, as I have not for a while intend
to by any organ although we had the subject up
some time ago for discussion. I should not like
to buy an organ without to have a look at him
and hear the tune and like to see what him look
alike but it is not the look of him aspecely but
the tune if it is a sweet mellow tune in him you
are at liberty to ship him here to us for approval
on condition you stated and I hop you do not go
to expenses and ship him here unless you have
Write the PRICE & T E E P L E PIANO CO., Chicago for their new Art catalogue and booklet
of satisfied customers.
some chance to sell him. You understand what
1 want is tune, as 1 can to day buy one for $30
including freight and all in Chicago but abouth
tune I can not say and neather will. In all if
you can say' that it will meet the demand ship
him with no promis on my side to buy him un-
less him have the tune that suits me. Respect-
fuWy yours,
OLE SWEXSEN."
vertising in your newspaper should occupy a cer-
tain place on a certain page regularly. I t can
be found there at all times. I t costs more for a
certain place? You willingly pay more rent than
your competitor on a side street, don't you?
HIS FONDEST MEMORIES.
A hard-headed- old Pittsburg manufacturer who
made his fortune, as he expresses it, "with his
coat off," was induced by his daughters to ac-
Much of the success of D. H. Baldwin & Co., company them to a Wagner concert, the first he
the great manufacturers of Cincinnati, 0., must had ever attended. The next day he happened
be attributed to the especial attention which to meet an acquaintance who had seen him the
they are giving to advertising. Their publicity, night before, who asked:
"I suppose you enjoyed the concert last night,
whether in the magazines or in the daily or
trade papers, is always forceful, dignified and Mr. Brown?"
"Yes; it took me back to the days of my
convincing. It has been a great help to deal-
ers throughout the country, as it has reached youth," the old ,man said, with a reminiscent
millions of prospective customers who have been sigh.
unquestionably influenced toward investigating
"Ah, summer days in the country, girl in a
the Baldwin pianos, and it goes without saying lawn dress, birds singing, and all that?"
that an investigation in every instance means a
"No; the days when I worked in a boiler shop
sale.
in Scranton."
BALDWIN PUBLICITY PAYS.
STAPLES CO. SEEK LARGER QUARTERS.
The Staples Piano & Music Co., of Portland,
Me., who handle the Gabler, Henry F. Miller,
Hallet & Davis and Story & Clark pianos, are be-
ing compelled, owing to the growth of their
business to look around for a larger and more
central location. They hope to have an an-
nouncement to make in this connection at an
early date.
MISS RICHMOND APPOINTED MANAGER.
Miss Florence Richmond has been appointed
manager of the M. Steinert & Sons Co.'s estab-
lishment in Meriden, Conn., succeeding F. B.
Chapin. She has had a long experience in the
piano business.
The Metechotic system of stop control for or-
gans was introduced in England in 1890. It is a
method by which a number of registers are in-
geniously arranged to be transferable to different
WILL HANDLE THE WINTER PIANO.
manuals, thereby extending the number of ef-
During the recent visit to this city of Charles fects and combinations. In connection with this
G. Orth, the well-known dealer of Milwaukee, system the inventors have introduced inter-
Wis., he arranged for the representation of the changeable pistons, which permit any arranged
Winter & Co. pianos, with which he expects to combination to be registered for future use at
the will of the performer.
transact an excellent business.
The Southern California Music Co. have opened
a branch store at 543 B street, Oxnard, Cal., in
If a merchant moved from one store to an- charge of George P. Austin, who is well known
other every month he never could succeed. A in that town. A complete line of pianos and mu-
prosperous store keeps one location, Y°ur ad- sical merchandise has been installed.
WHY ONE LOCATION HELPS.
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
WHAT CONSTITUTES AN "ART" PIANO ?
A STRONG PRICE & TEEPLE FAVORITE.
Should Have Individuality and Exclusiveness—
Should the "Special" Original Art Concep-
tion in Pianos be Classified as "De Luxe" or
Some Similar Appelation to Distinguish It
from the General Term " A r t ? "
Since art pianos have become a recognized fea-
ture, what constitutes a real "art" piano seems •
to be a matter left to the discretion of the manu-
facturer rather than being in accordance with
any established rule.
Although it is often claimed that the piano is
an art rather than a commercial product, still
the fact cannot be ignored that it is a piece of
merchandise sold for its intrinsic value and at
best would only come under the head of indus-
trial art products. With the advent of the "ai't"
piano, however, a truly art atmosphere was im-
parted to certain instruments, and they were
sold as much for the value of their exterior dec-
oration as for their mechanical perfection. But
with the new conditions there arises the question
what really constitutes an art piano. If every
piano with a case treatment designed after one
of the recognized decorative styles was termed
an "art" piano, about ninety-nine per cent, of the
instruments made at present would come under
that category.
In such an event, how would the ornate in-
struments made to special order by the leading
makers, hand-painted and otherwise embellished
as they are, be classified? If the term "art" is
applicable to a mahogany upright with panels
of Empire design, surely there should be some
such term as "de luxe" or "art de luxe" to sig-
nify the richer effects in piano decoration. Should
it be desired to- still refer to the richly carved
and painted "special order" instruments as "art"
pianos, by far the better plan, then makers of
pianos of ordinary aspect should not use the term
indiscriminately, as is now frequently the case.
An art piano should have individuality and ex-
clusiveness. If there were fifty or sixty turned
out in exact duplicate of the first, that one would
lose value and become an example of an ordinary
style, richly decorated though it be.
As conditions are at present, catalogue after
catalogue reaches this office with such items as
"Art Style 'R' Colonial Design," which may be
obtained in any quantity. The result is that
those who can afford a real specially made art
piano are liable to have a poor conception of the
possibilities in that direction through seeing de-
scriptions of ordinary uprights termed "art"
styles, and when about to purchase spend much
less than they would be willing to pay for an
original and exclusive art conception. This fea-
ture hits the manufacturer right where he feels
it, i. e., in his pocket.
Another result is to encourage people who
would do better to purchase an instrument in
ordinary case to lose all idea of interior quality
and want outside aspect just for the sake of own-
ing what the catalogue says is an "art" piano.
This feature means higher prices for the dealer
perhaps, but from a class of purchasers who will
need extended time and small instalments, hardly
ever a profitable sale.
HE WANTED THE "TUNE."
The Cable Company branch in Ishpeming,
which has quite a trade with the numerous Scan-
dinavians in that locality, were recently in re-
ceipt of the following unique letter from a Swede
who eventually purchased the organ referred to:
"Yours of the 12th inst. at hand. I must say it
was a surprise, as I have not for a while intend
to by any organ although we had the subject up
some time ago for discussion. I should not like
to buy an organ without to have a look at him
and hear the tune and like to see what him look
alike but it is not the look of him aspecely but
the tune if it is a sweet mellow tune in him you
are at liberty to ship him here to us for approval
on condition you stated and I hop you do not go
to expenses and ship him here unless you have
Write the PRICE & T E E P L E PIANO CO., Chicago for their new Art catalogue and booklet
of satisfied customers.
some chance to sell him. You understand what
1 want is tune, as 1 can to day buy one for $30
including freight and all in Chicago but abouth
tune I can not say and neather will. In all if
you can say' that it will meet the demand ship
him with no promis on my side to buy him un-
less him have the tune that suits me. Respect-
fuWy yours,
OLE SWEXSEN."
vertising in your newspaper should occupy a cer-
tain place on a certain page regularly. I t can
be found there at all times. I t costs more for a
certain place? You willingly pay more rent than
your competitor on a side street, don't you?
HIS FONDEST MEMORIES.
A hard-headed- old Pittsburg manufacturer who
made his fortune, as he expresses it, "with his
coat off," was induced by his daughters to ac-
Much of the success of D. H. Baldwin & Co., company them to a Wagner concert, the first he
the great manufacturers of Cincinnati, 0., must had ever attended. The next day he happened
be attributed to the especial attention which to meet an acquaintance who had seen him the
they are giving to advertising. Their publicity, night before, who asked:
"I suppose you enjoyed the concert last night,
whether in the magazines or in the daily or
trade papers, is always forceful, dignified and Mr. Brown?"
"Yes; it took me back to the days of my
convincing. It has been a great help to deal-
ers throughout the country, as it has reached youth," the old ,man said, with a reminiscent
millions of prospective customers who have been sigh.
unquestionably influenced toward investigating
"Ah, summer days in the country, girl in a
the Baldwin pianos, and it goes without saying lawn dress, birds singing, and all that?"
that an investigation in every instance means a
"No; the days when I worked in a boiler shop
sale.
in Scranton."
BALDWIN PUBLICITY PAYS.
STAPLES CO. SEEK LARGER QUARTERS.
The Staples Piano & Music Co., of Portland,
Me., who handle the Gabler, Henry F. Miller,
Hallet & Davis and Story & Clark pianos, are be-
ing compelled, owing to the growth of their
business to look around for a larger and more
central location. They hope to have an an-
nouncement to make in this connection at an
early date.
MISS RICHMOND APPOINTED MANAGER.
Miss Florence Richmond has been appointed
manager of the M. Steinert & Sons Co.'s estab-
lishment in Meriden, Conn., succeeding F. B.
Chapin. She has had a long experience in the
piano business.
The Metechotic system of stop control for or-
gans was introduced in England in 1890. It is a
method by which a number of registers are in-
geniously arranged to be transferable to different
WILL HANDLE THE WINTER PIANO.
manuals, thereby extending the number of ef-
During the recent visit to this city of Charles fects and combinations. In connection with this
G. Orth, the well-known dealer of Milwaukee, system the inventors have introduced inter-
Wis., he arranged for the representation of the changeable pistons, which permit any arranged
Winter & Co. pianos, with which he expects to combination to be registered for future use at
the will of the performer.
transact an excellent business.
The Southern California Music Co. have opened
a branch store at 543 B street, Oxnard, Cal., in
If a merchant moved from one store to an- charge of George P. Austin, who is well known
other every month he never could succeed. A in that town. A complete line of pianos and mu-
prosperous store keeps one location, Y°ur ad- sical merchandise has been installed.
WHY ONE LOCATION HELPS.
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).