Music Trade Review
Issue: 1907 Vol. 45 N. 20 - Page 9
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THE MUSIC TRADE
TRADE NOTESfROM DETROIT.
Death of F. E. Grinnell—Business Depression
Not to Last Long Is the Opinion of Detroit
Dealers—Music Trade Association Meets—
Col. Hudson in the North—Starr Player Piano
Arrives—Fannie Bloomfield-Zeisler's Recital.
REVIEW
recently held in that city. The M. Sonnenberg
Piano Co., who handle the Chickering, Kranich
& Bach, Crown, Sterling and other makes of
pianos in that city, had one of the handsomest
windows in any line, showing a piano draped
with the Elks colors and bearing the letters
B. P. O. E. as standing for "Best People on
Earth" and "Best Pianos on Earth."
(Special to The Review.)
Detroit, Mich., Nov. 12, 1907.
AN OLD ORGAN STORY
Michigan has lost a piano salesman known to
the trade in this state for many years. He was From the Backwoods of Missouri—How an
Ferdinand E. Grinnell, brother of I. N. and C. A.
Organ Sale Was Consummated Under Very
'Grinnell, of Grinnell Bros. Since he suffered a
Extraordinary Circumstances.
severe attack of pneumonia more than a year ago
he never fully regained his health and returned
A New York piano salesman, at present travel-
to Grace Hospital six weeks ago, where he died ing for a Cincinnati house, tells a story in which
Saturday. Mr. Grinnell was 56 years old and 38 he asserts he literally sold an organ to a dead
years of his life had been spent in Michigan and man in the palmy days of the past. Those sales-
most of that time as a piano salesman in various men who have experienced difficulty in closing
parts of the state. He was not a member of the a deal, even with a live prospect, should enjoy
firm of Grinnell Bros., but had been in his the story, though it might not be wise to follow
brothers' employ for some time as a salesman. suit. The following is the story told by the
One daughter, two brothers and three sisters salesman:
survive. The funeral was held yesterday from
Several years ago, while traveling out of St.
the residence of I. N. Grinnell, interment being Louis he was canvassing the backwoods coun-
at Vermontville, Mich.
ties of Missouri introducing pianos among the
"I don't think this business depression is go- natives whose musical education had been con-
ing to last long," said C. A. Grinnell, of Grinnell fined mostly to organs and melodeons. He suc-
Bros., to The Review. "There really is no cause ceeded in disposing of one to a Missouri farmer
for a serious depression. It is nothing but a who was somewhat in advance of his neighbors,
lack of currency to carry on the enormous busi- but the sale was made only on condition that he
(Meinberg) take an old organ in part payment.
ness of the last year.
On the appointed day he started out with a
"Last week was rather a poor week with us
out in the state, but this week it is better out helper to take the piano by wagon across the
there and there has been a slight falling-off in country for the farm was many miles from the
the city trade. But it is nothing alarming. It nearest railroad station. Delivering the instru-
is just such a slackness as might result most any ment safely enough he loaded the old organ on
time from a variety of purely local and inconse- the wagon in its place and started on the back-
ward trip to St. Louis.
quential causes."
But the road was long and Missouri roads are
There was some talk of the prevailing quiet,
when members of the local Music Trades Asso- not the best. Neither was the organ and after
ciation held a meeting last week. It was a covering several miles of his return journey,
pleasant meeting and all the members but two Meinberg appraised the instrument and decided
it wasn't worth the long haul.
were present.
Just as he arrived at this decision they
Col. H. H. Hudson, of the Starr Piano Co., is
visiting Northern Michigan branch houses be- reached a bridge over a good sized stream and
fore winter closes in on the north country. Col. Meinberg suggested that they pitch the organ
Hudson so far has been denied his long planned overboard. The thrifty Missourian who accom-
month's vacation on the Pacific Coast, but says panied him objected to this and prevailed on
he will try to make the trip after he finishes his him to hold on to the instrument.
Night overtook them on the way back and they
tour of the northern branches.
The first of a new type of Starr player piano put up at a little town where the chief topic of
has reached Detroit and is said to have some conversation was the death of an old resident.
special points of merit that give it high recom- Meinberg saw in this the opportunity to get rid
of the organ and calling on the newly made
mendation.
Harry Hurd, a Detroit teacher of vocal music, widow extended his condolences and gently
has purchased a Starr parlor grand for his broke the news that the husband had before his
death contracted with him to buy an organ
studio.
Clarence Gennett, treasurer of the Starr Piano which he had just brought to town. John, or
whatever his name was, had thought to surprise
Co., paid Col. Hudson a visit a few days ago.
A. S. Atkins, of Berville, • and R. D. Malcolm, her, Meinberg explained to the widow, and for
of Flint, Starr representatives in the state, vis- this reason had probably never mentioned the
ited Detroit headquarters a few days ago and purchase to her.
"That was just like poor John," sobbed the
left good orders.
Col. Hudson, J. Henry Ling and C. A. Grinnell widow, "always thinking of me and the children.
all report collections very good considering the Now even when he's dead we see how much he
press of money matters under which people now loved us and cared for us."
Meinberg admits he didn't feel just right about
are laboring.
Fannie Bloomfleld-Zeisler, the noted pianist, it, but inasmuch as the children were made
who will give a concert at the Light Guard Arm- happy and the widow had been left fairly well
ory, Wednesday evening, this week, will use a fixed in the world's goods he didn't see any par-
Steinway, to be provided for her by Grinnell ticular harm in the deception. At any rate the
widow paid over $75 out of her love for the
Bros.
memory of the departed John.
PIANO STORES PARTICIPATE.
The various piano stores in Bridgeport, Conn.,
made a special effort to attract attention by
elaborate decorations during the Elks carnival,
J. F. Sluyler is manager of the Eclectic Piano
Store, which is being moved from 115 Main
street, Green Bay, Wis., to a new location on
North Washington street, same city.
THE
ERNEST A.
TONK
PIANO
ENCOURAGING TRADE REPORTS
Are Made by Baltimoreans This Week—
Marked Improvements Noticeable—Knabe
Shipped Seventy Pianos to Agents—Wm.
Knabe's Trip—Mark Hambourg's Concerts
With the Knabe—Other Items.
(Special to The Review.)
Baltimore, Md., Nov. 11, 1907.
Encouraging reports regarding the retail trade
of the piano business are made by all of the
local dealers. They express the opinion that
business will continue good for the remainder
of the season. They believe that the holiday
trade has started for good and that from now on
until after January 1 they will be busy filling
orders for those who desire to give pianos and
other musical instruments to their relatives and
friends as Christmas gifts. The retail trade, ac-
cording to those in business, has been rather
slow in striking its gait, owing to the money
stringency and the other local affairs that have
occurred during October and the first week of
November, namely, the Home Coming celebra-
tion and the state election. Shoppers were also
rather scarce during the time that the money
stringency was at its height, but inasmuch as
all of these obstacles seem to be about at an end
the dealers are jubilant over the prospects.
Manager Charles Keidel, Jr., of William Knabe
& Co., states that trade in the retail department
of the firm has picked up considerably during
the week and that they have every reason to
look forward to a good winter season.
The firm shipped seventy pianos out to agents
in different sections of the country the past
week. The wholesale trade has also continued
to keep up in good shape, many orders coming
in from all sections. William Knabe, who has
been out on the Pacific Coast for several weeks
looking after business for the firm and from
where he sent in a number of good orders, is
now on his way home. At present he is stop-
ping in St. Paul and expects to reach Chicago by
the middle of the present week. From the
Windy City he will continue straight to Balti-
more and then will return to New York.
Road representative Rayner, who has been in
Canada for some time looking after the firm's
business there, returned to Baltimore last week.
After lingering in town for several hours he left
for an extended Southern tour.
The new Knabe building is coming along in
nice shape and Mr. Keidel says that he is confi-
dent that everything will be in readiness for the
firm to move in by the first of next month.
Mark Hambourg will give two performances
in this city, using the Knabe piano on both occa-
sions. He is scheduled for a recital at the Pea-
body on Friday evening, while on the following
Monday evening he will appear in connection
with the Philadelphia at the Lyric. In the after-
noon of the occasion of the recital at the Lyric
he will be tendered a reception by Mr. and Mrs.
Ernest J. Knabe at their home. Carl Pohlig,
leader of the Philadelphia Orchestra, has also
been invited to participate in the reception.
A deal has been closed by S. P. Walker, gen-
eral representative of the Charles M. Stieff piano
house of this city, whereby the latter concern
will occupy the old Mendelssohn Music Co.'s
warerooms at 122 Boylston street, Boston, Mass.
For some time the Boston warerooms of the firm
have been at 207 Tremont street.
James H. Hadley has retired from the firm of
Hadley & Spurgin, of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and will
return to his former home in Eldora, Iowa.
Nevertheless Mr. Spurgin will continue the pros-
perous business at Oskaloosa.
E XTRAORDINARY
DURABILITY
A RTISTICDE S I G N
LIGHT AND
T OUCH
RESPONSIVE
Correspondence with active
dealers solicited.
William Tonk&Bro.
INCORPORATED
452-456 Ttnth Avt., Niw Ytrk
THE MUSIC TRADE
TRADE NOTESfROM DETROIT.
Death of F. E. Grinnell—Business Depression
Not to Last Long Is the Opinion of Detroit
Dealers—Music Trade Association Meets—
Col. Hudson in the North—Starr Player Piano
Arrives—Fannie Bloomfield-Zeisler's Recital.
REVIEW
recently held in that city. The M. Sonnenberg
Piano Co., who handle the Chickering, Kranich
& Bach, Crown, Sterling and other makes of
pianos in that city, had one of the handsomest
windows in any line, showing a piano draped
with the Elks colors and bearing the letters
B. P. O. E. as standing for "Best People on
Earth" and "Best Pianos on Earth."
(Special to The Review.)
Detroit, Mich., Nov. 12, 1907.
AN OLD ORGAN STORY
Michigan has lost a piano salesman known to
the trade in this state for many years. He was From the Backwoods of Missouri—How an
Ferdinand E. Grinnell, brother of I. N. and C. A.
Organ Sale Was Consummated Under Very
'Grinnell, of Grinnell Bros. Since he suffered a
Extraordinary Circumstances.
severe attack of pneumonia more than a year ago
he never fully regained his health and returned
A New York piano salesman, at present travel-
to Grace Hospital six weeks ago, where he died ing for a Cincinnati house, tells a story in which
Saturday. Mr. Grinnell was 56 years old and 38 he asserts he literally sold an organ to a dead
years of his life had been spent in Michigan and man in the palmy days of the past. Those sales-
most of that time as a piano salesman in various men who have experienced difficulty in closing
parts of the state. He was not a member of the a deal, even with a live prospect, should enjoy
firm of Grinnell Bros., but had been in his the story, though it might not be wise to follow
brothers' employ for some time as a salesman. suit. The following is the story told by the
One daughter, two brothers and three sisters salesman:
survive. The funeral was held yesterday from
Several years ago, while traveling out of St.
the residence of I. N. Grinnell, interment being Louis he was canvassing the backwoods coun-
at Vermontville, Mich.
ties of Missouri introducing pianos among the
"I don't think this business depression is go- natives whose musical education had been con-
ing to last long," said C. A. Grinnell, of Grinnell fined mostly to organs and melodeons. He suc-
Bros., to The Review. "There really is no cause ceeded in disposing of one to a Missouri farmer
for a serious depression. It is nothing but a who was somewhat in advance of his neighbors,
lack of currency to carry on the enormous busi- but the sale was made only on condition that he
(Meinberg) take an old organ in part payment.
ness of the last year.
On the appointed day he started out with a
"Last week was rather a poor week with us
out in the state, but this week it is better out helper to take the piano by wagon across the
there and there has been a slight falling-off in country for the farm was many miles from the
the city trade. But it is nothing alarming. It nearest railroad station. Delivering the instru-
is just such a slackness as might result most any ment safely enough he loaded the old organ on
time from a variety of purely local and inconse- the wagon in its place and started on the back-
ward trip to St. Louis.
quential causes."
But the road was long and Missouri roads are
There was some talk of the prevailing quiet,
when members of the local Music Trades Asso- not the best. Neither was the organ and after
ciation held a meeting last week. It was a covering several miles of his return journey,
pleasant meeting and all the members but two Meinberg appraised the instrument and decided
it wasn't worth the long haul.
were present.
Just as he arrived at this decision they
Col. H. H. Hudson, of the Starr Piano Co., is
visiting Northern Michigan branch houses be- reached a bridge over a good sized stream and
fore winter closes in on the north country. Col. Meinberg suggested that they pitch the organ
Hudson so far has been denied his long planned overboard. The thrifty Missourian who accom-
month's vacation on the Pacific Coast, but says panied him objected to this and prevailed on
he will try to make the trip after he finishes his him to hold on to the instrument.
Night overtook them on the way back and they
tour of the northern branches.
The first of a new type of Starr player piano put up at a little town where the chief topic of
has reached Detroit and is said to have some conversation was the death of an old resident.
special points of merit that give it high recom- Meinberg saw in this the opportunity to get rid
of the organ and calling on the newly made
mendation.
Harry Hurd, a Detroit teacher of vocal music, widow extended his condolences and gently
has purchased a Starr parlor grand for his broke the news that the husband had before his
death contracted with him to buy an organ
studio.
Clarence Gennett, treasurer of the Starr Piano which he had just brought to town. John, or
whatever his name was, had thought to surprise
Co., paid Col. Hudson a visit a few days ago.
A. S. Atkins, of Berville, • and R. D. Malcolm, her, Meinberg explained to the widow, and for
of Flint, Starr representatives in the state, vis- this reason had probably never mentioned the
ited Detroit headquarters a few days ago and purchase to her.
"That was just like poor John," sobbed the
left good orders.
Col. Hudson, J. Henry Ling and C. A. Grinnell widow, "always thinking of me and the children.
all report collections very good considering the Now even when he's dead we see how much he
press of money matters under which people now loved us and cared for us."
Meinberg admits he didn't feel just right about
are laboring.
Fannie Bloomfleld-Zeisler, the noted pianist, it, but inasmuch as the children were made
who will give a concert at the Light Guard Arm- happy and the widow had been left fairly well
ory, Wednesday evening, this week, will use a fixed in the world's goods he didn't see any par-
Steinway, to be provided for her by Grinnell ticular harm in the deception. At any rate the
widow paid over $75 out of her love for the
Bros.
memory of the departed John.
PIANO STORES PARTICIPATE.
The various piano stores in Bridgeport, Conn.,
made a special effort to attract attention by
elaborate decorations during the Elks carnival,
J. F. Sluyler is manager of the Eclectic Piano
Store, which is being moved from 115 Main
street, Green Bay, Wis., to a new location on
North Washington street, same city.
THE
ERNEST A.
TONK
PIANO
ENCOURAGING TRADE REPORTS
Are Made by Baltimoreans This Week—
Marked Improvements Noticeable—Knabe
Shipped Seventy Pianos to Agents—Wm.
Knabe's Trip—Mark Hambourg's Concerts
With the Knabe—Other Items.
(Special to The Review.)
Baltimore, Md., Nov. 11, 1907.
Encouraging reports regarding the retail trade
of the piano business are made by all of the
local dealers. They express the opinion that
business will continue good for the remainder
of the season. They believe that the holiday
trade has started for good and that from now on
until after January 1 they will be busy filling
orders for those who desire to give pianos and
other musical instruments to their relatives and
friends as Christmas gifts. The retail trade, ac-
cording to those in business, has been rather
slow in striking its gait, owing to the money
stringency and the other local affairs that have
occurred during October and the first week of
November, namely, the Home Coming celebra-
tion and the state election. Shoppers were also
rather scarce during the time that the money
stringency was at its height, but inasmuch as
all of these obstacles seem to be about at an end
the dealers are jubilant over the prospects.
Manager Charles Keidel, Jr., of William Knabe
& Co., states that trade in the retail department
of the firm has picked up considerably during
the week and that they have every reason to
look forward to a good winter season.
The firm shipped seventy pianos out to agents
in different sections of the country the past
week. The wholesale trade has also continued
to keep up in good shape, many orders coming
in from all sections. William Knabe, who has
been out on the Pacific Coast for several weeks
looking after business for the firm and from
where he sent in a number of good orders, is
now on his way home. At present he is stop-
ping in St. Paul and expects to reach Chicago by
the middle of the present week. From the
Windy City he will continue straight to Balti-
more and then will return to New York.
Road representative Rayner, who has been in
Canada for some time looking after the firm's
business there, returned to Baltimore last week.
After lingering in town for several hours he left
for an extended Southern tour.
The new Knabe building is coming along in
nice shape and Mr. Keidel says that he is confi-
dent that everything will be in readiness for the
firm to move in by the first of next month.
Mark Hambourg will give two performances
in this city, using the Knabe piano on both occa-
sions. He is scheduled for a recital at the Pea-
body on Friday evening, while on the following
Monday evening he will appear in connection
with the Philadelphia at the Lyric. In the after-
noon of the occasion of the recital at the Lyric
he will be tendered a reception by Mr. and Mrs.
Ernest J. Knabe at their home. Carl Pohlig,
leader of the Philadelphia Orchestra, has also
been invited to participate in the reception.
A deal has been closed by S. P. Walker, gen-
eral representative of the Charles M. Stieff piano
house of this city, whereby the latter concern
will occupy the old Mendelssohn Music Co.'s
warerooms at 122 Boylston street, Boston, Mass.
For some time the Boston warerooms of the firm
have been at 207 Tremont street.
James H. Hadley has retired from the firm of
Hadley & Spurgin, of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and will
return to his former home in Eldora, Iowa.
Nevertheless Mr. Spurgin will continue the pros-
perous business at Oskaloosa.
E XTRAORDINARY
DURABILITY
A RTISTICDE S I G N
LIGHT AND
T OUCH
RESPONSIVE
Correspondence with active
dealers solicited.
William Tonk&Bro.
INCORPORATED
452-456 Ttnth Avt., Niw Ytrk
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