Music Trade Review
Issue: 1908 Vol. 46 N. 18 - Page 7
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE:
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS IN MEXICO.
always furnishes his instrument as above de- may be before the open doorway of a music store,
from whence issued the sounds of a phonograph,
scribed.
It is essential that the cabinet work be good. and playing nearly always a classical selection or
Demand for American Pianos, Talking Ma-
chines and Band Instruments Increases— Ebonized wood is preferred to all others; prob- one from some famous opera. In style, the disc
Something of the Style of Goods Preferred— ably 95 per cent, of the pianos sold here are in machine is the most popular.
STRING AND BRASS INSTRUMENTS.
Important Pointers Anent
Shipments— the black finish. One feature which has proven
A good proportion of string instruments come"
of great help in advancing sales of American
French and German Competition.
pianos in Mexico is the guaranty given by the from the United States, with German instru-
(Special to The Review.)
manufacturers covering a period of five, and in ments of like character in keen competition. The
Washington, D. C, April 27, 1908.
some instances, ten years. In styles, both grands cheaper grades of violins and guitars find con-
In the course of a very interesting report to and uprights are sold; the latter being naturally siderable sale among the lower classes, whose
the Department of Commerce and Labor, Special the popular piano. A matter of vital importance, small purchasing power necessitates the requisite
of low cost. Italian strings are considered the
Agent Arthur B. Butman, writing from Mexico which should receive the attention and study of
City, discusses the increased demand in Mexico piano makers in the United States wishing to best and have the largest sale. Rosin is princi-
for American pianos and talking machines and introduce makes here, is the Mexican climatic pally secured from Germany, owing to price, this
the competition of Germany and France in the conditions, and their action upon the pianoforte. being approximately one-third less.
Mexican bauds are numerous, and there is a
musical merchandise line. He says:
MOISTURE SHOULD NOT BE EXTRACTED.
fairly
large demand for brass instruments
The importation of pianos into Mexico is stead-
I am given to understand that American mak-
ily increasing, and the Republic offers at the ers extract every possible atom of moisture from throughout the Republic, which is principally
present time a good field for this and for various the wood which goes into the construction of a supplied by France. French instruments are
other musical instruments. The Mexican people pianoforte for use in the United States. For use much better known than the American, having
are, as a whole, a music-loving people and pos- in Mexico such preparation is almost suicidal to been long in the field, and, perhaps partially for
sess as well a natural taste for what we know the instrument, since pianos destined for this this reason, better liked. The pitch of the
French-made brass instrument—one-half tone
as "good music." I have been told that up to country must contain a certain percentage of
a somewhat recent period, possibly ten or twelve moisture in the construction wood in order to higher than our own—is preferred, and likewise
years ago, musical instruments of American possess satisfactory wearing qualities. It would French instruments of high grade are lower in
manufacture were comparatively unknown in this seem that the possibilities of the Mexican piano price than American of the same class.
American sheet music obtains a fair sale at
country. A limited number of American-made market justify a study of its detail requirements
present, and it has been suggested to me that
pianos of the high-grade class were introduced by those interested in the piano trade.
at the time mentioned and, finding favor, the
The following instructions for shipments of American sheet music publishers might do well to
trade has constantly grown. French and German pianos and organs to Mexico should be valuable publish vocal selections in the Spanish language,
since the sale for such would undoubtedly be
pianos were on the market before the advent of to those interested:
the American instrument, and at present we meet
Mexican custom-house regulations require that sufficiently large to warrant the action. However,
strongest competition from the latter makes. net legal and gross weights of each package be this should be a matter for the publishers' own
Dealers state that American pianos are now con- given exactly. Net weight is the weight of the determining, after possessing a good knowledge
sidered firmly established on the market, and instrument without wrapping or packing. Legal of the Spanish requirements based upon personal
that they are constantly becoming better known weight is the weight of the instrument including investigation.
Catalogs of musical instruments sent to Mexico
and more popular with the Mexican buyer. Dur- wrapping and any other packing excepting
ing the fiscal year 1907 the United States ex- the outer shipping case or box. Since in many should be printed in the language of the country;
ported to Mexico $110,805 worth of pianos and cases duty charges are based on legal weights, if printed in English they are comparatively
and in addition $5,689 in value of pianolas, etc. interior wrappings should be as light as is con- worthless.
For the year 1906 the total value of pianos ex- sistent with safety. Invoices should specify the
JACOBS BUYS BRUEGGEMAN BUSINESS.
ported from the United States amounted to contents of each package, and each package
$638,501, and for the calendar year 1907, $1,050,- should be plainly numbered in consecutive order
George Jacobs, a piano dealer of Fort Wayne,
343, exclusive of $675,105 in value of pianolas and to correspond with the invoice. Invoices should
lnd.,
has purchased the piano business of H. A.
other piano players. Mexico furnished the sec- be made in duplicate, original being mailed to
ond largest market during 1906, purchasing the buyer direct, and a duplicate mailed to the Brueggeman in that city, and Mr. Brueggeman
pianos to the value of $85,050, Canada taking the customs agent at the border. Consular invoices will remain in charge of the business as man-
lead in purchasing $211,340 worth, and the should be made in triplicate, the original mailed ager. Mr. Jacobs handles the following lines of
United Kingdom third with an import valuation to the customs agent, a duplicate accompanying pianos: Mason & Hamlin, Krauich & Bach,
of $84,717. The exports of pianofortes from the shipment, and a triplicate mailed to the buyer Krakauer, the Foster Armstrong line, Melville
Clark, Smith & Barnes, Bogart and several other
United States to Mexico in the fiscah years men- direct.
makes.
tioned were as follows: 158 in 1902, valued at
For shipment of piano scarfs, if any portion be
536,197; 192 in 1904, valued at $43,694; 380 in of silk, either scarf or fringe, the same must be
GIBBS PETITIONS IN BANKRUPTCY.
1906, valued at $85,050, and 443 in 1907, valued specified; if all cotton, this should be stated on
at $110,805.
the invoice. Traveling cases of portable organs,
I. Edwin Gibbs, a piano dealer of Springfield,
The average pianoforte of American manufac- etc. (of wood), pay a smaller duty if shipped in Mass., last week filed a petition of voluntary
ture is considered in Mexico better in construc- separate packages; consequently when practicable bankruptcy with liabilities of $2,563 and assets
tion and of higher class than the average instru- the instrument should be shipped separately and of $421.
ment of our competitors, and it is, as a rule, a not in the traveling case. The duty on pianos
little higher in price. The high-grade American and organs entering Mexico is 55 centavos per
DAVENPORT'S NEW TRADE EMPORIUM.
pianoforte is acknowledged here, as in the mu- legal kilo (2.2 pounds).
sical world generally, a superior product. Amer-
The handsome new three story building of the
TALKERS AND CLASSICAL MUSIC POPULAR.
ican instruments of this grade are for sale and
Phonographs or talking machines are in Tot ten Music House, Davenport, Iowa, was for-
find purchasers among the wealthier classes and greater demand in Mexico, at the present time, mally opened recently and is up-to-date in every
the professionals. Those pianos, however, which than any other musical instrument. Phono- particular of fittings and stock.
sell most readily in Mexico, are priced at from graphs are purchased by all classes in all por-
The first two floors of the building are de-
$300 to $400 gold.
tions of the Republic—in the large cities and voted to piano salesrooms, the lines handled in-
STYLE AND FINISH PREFERRED.
near-by towns, in mountain villages far removed, cluding the Knabe, Hobart M. Cable and Kurtz-
mann. Each make is displayed in a separate
For the most successful furtherance of sales it on haciendas, and in isolated mining camps; and
is very desirable, if not absolutely imperative, for use in the last-mentioned localities the de- room and to great advantage.
The building also contains a music hall in
that piano makers, as well as other manufac- mand is widespread. The phonograph of Amer-
turers sending their goods to this country, cater ican manufacture predominates and in reality which free daily concerts will be given to the
to the tastes and maybe to the whims of the peo- holds the market. A French machine, possibly music lovers of the vicinity; a special display
ple, whether such requirements be in accord or a German, and formerly an Italian were found, room for small goods, and a repair shop.
at variance with their own personal ideas. It but the field is practically held by the Americans
may be stated that the Latin-American taste is —and nearly, if not all makes, are represented
usually more ornate than that of the American —with small competition from the French.
across the border. The Mexican trade demands
I am informed that the classes of music best
To assure this, handle
an elaborate piano case decorated with candela- suited to the Mexican trade are classical and
bra, and European pianos are invariably fur- operatic, marches and two-steps, or other dance
H. F>. INBUSOIN
nished with such. I am informed by a dealer in music. Ragtime and plantation melodies, so
and
Mexico City, who handles American pianos ex- popular with a portion of our masses, do not
clusively, that in order to effect sales of our in- largely appeal to the people here. In Mexico one
RIAINOS
struments with the Mexican buyer he is obliged hears the bootblack or the newsboy whistling
The greatest trade creators of the times
to add these ornaments. The cost to the manu- selections from classic and operatic airs, rather
Manufactured solely by
facturer is insignificant when compared with than from what we know as the "popular songs."
the price of the piano, and the German exporter, I have many times during my stay in the Repub-
who seldom neglects a detail which may please lic noted in the various town gatherings of one,
Write ior prices, terms and catalogues
a purchaser and in turn be a personal benefit, two, or three dozen peons, huddled as closely as
Every One Wants to Win
a B R H A R D
H. P. NELSON & CO., ™
THE:
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS IN MEXICO.
always furnishes his instrument as above de- may be before the open doorway of a music store,
from whence issued the sounds of a phonograph,
scribed.
It is essential that the cabinet work be good. and playing nearly always a classical selection or
Demand for American Pianos, Talking Ma-
chines and Band Instruments Increases— Ebonized wood is preferred to all others; prob- one from some famous opera. In style, the disc
Something of the Style of Goods Preferred— ably 95 per cent, of the pianos sold here are in machine is the most popular.
STRING AND BRASS INSTRUMENTS.
Important Pointers Anent
Shipments— the black finish. One feature which has proven
A good proportion of string instruments come"
of great help in advancing sales of American
French and German Competition.
pianos in Mexico is the guaranty given by the from the United States, with German instru-
(Special to The Review.)
manufacturers covering a period of five, and in ments of like character in keen competition. The
Washington, D. C, April 27, 1908.
some instances, ten years. In styles, both grands cheaper grades of violins and guitars find con-
In the course of a very interesting report to and uprights are sold; the latter being naturally siderable sale among the lower classes, whose
the Department of Commerce and Labor, Special the popular piano. A matter of vital importance, small purchasing power necessitates the requisite
of low cost. Italian strings are considered the
Agent Arthur B. Butman, writing from Mexico which should receive the attention and study of
City, discusses the increased demand in Mexico piano makers in the United States wishing to best and have the largest sale. Rosin is princi-
for American pianos and talking machines and introduce makes here, is the Mexican climatic pally secured from Germany, owing to price, this
the competition of Germany and France in the conditions, and their action upon the pianoforte. being approximately one-third less.
Mexican bauds are numerous, and there is a
musical merchandise line. He says:
MOISTURE SHOULD NOT BE EXTRACTED.
fairly
large demand for brass instruments
The importation of pianos into Mexico is stead-
I am given to understand that American mak-
ily increasing, and the Republic offers at the ers extract every possible atom of moisture from throughout the Republic, which is principally
present time a good field for this and for various the wood which goes into the construction of a supplied by France. French instruments are
other musical instruments. The Mexican people pianoforte for use in the United States. For use much better known than the American, having
are, as a whole, a music-loving people and pos- in Mexico such preparation is almost suicidal to been long in the field, and, perhaps partially for
sess as well a natural taste for what we know the instrument, since pianos destined for this this reason, better liked. The pitch of the
French-made brass instrument—one-half tone
as "good music." I have been told that up to country must contain a certain percentage of
a somewhat recent period, possibly ten or twelve moisture in the construction wood in order to higher than our own—is preferred, and likewise
years ago, musical instruments of American possess satisfactory wearing qualities. It would French instruments of high grade are lower in
manufacture were comparatively unknown in this seem that the possibilities of the Mexican piano price than American of the same class.
American sheet music obtains a fair sale at
country. A limited number of American-made market justify a study of its detail requirements
present, and it has been suggested to me that
pianos of the high-grade class were introduced by those interested in the piano trade.
at the time mentioned and, finding favor, the
The following instructions for shipments of American sheet music publishers might do well to
trade has constantly grown. French and German pianos and organs to Mexico should be valuable publish vocal selections in the Spanish language,
since the sale for such would undoubtedly be
pianos were on the market before the advent of to those interested:
the American instrument, and at present we meet
Mexican custom-house regulations require that sufficiently large to warrant the action. However,
strongest competition from the latter makes. net legal and gross weights of each package be this should be a matter for the publishers' own
Dealers state that American pianos are now con- given exactly. Net weight is the weight of the determining, after possessing a good knowledge
sidered firmly established on the market, and instrument without wrapping or packing. Legal of the Spanish requirements based upon personal
that they are constantly becoming better known weight is the weight of the instrument including investigation.
Catalogs of musical instruments sent to Mexico
and more popular with the Mexican buyer. Dur- wrapping and any other packing excepting
ing the fiscal year 1907 the United States ex- the outer shipping case or box. Since in many should be printed in the language of the country;
ported to Mexico $110,805 worth of pianos and cases duty charges are based on legal weights, if printed in English they are comparatively
and in addition $5,689 in value of pianolas, etc. interior wrappings should be as light as is con- worthless.
For the year 1906 the total value of pianos ex- sistent with safety. Invoices should specify the
JACOBS BUYS BRUEGGEMAN BUSINESS.
ported from the United States amounted to contents of each package, and each package
$638,501, and for the calendar year 1907, $1,050,- should be plainly numbered in consecutive order
George Jacobs, a piano dealer of Fort Wayne,
343, exclusive of $675,105 in value of pianolas and to correspond with the invoice. Invoices should
lnd.,
has purchased the piano business of H. A.
other piano players. Mexico furnished the sec- be made in duplicate, original being mailed to
ond largest market during 1906, purchasing the buyer direct, and a duplicate mailed to the Brueggeman in that city, and Mr. Brueggeman
pianos to the value of $85,050, Canada taking the customs agent at the border. Consular invoices will remain in charge of the business as man-
lead in purchasing $211,340 worth, and the should be made in triplicate, the original mailed ager. Mr. Jacobs handles the following lines of
United Kingdom third with an import valuation to the customs agent, a duplicate accompanying pianos: Mason & Hamlin, Krauich & Bach,
of $84,717. The exports of pianofortes from the shipment, and a triplicate mailed to the buyer Krakauer, the Foster Armstrong line, Melville
Clark, Smith & Barnes, Bogart and several other
United States to Mexico in the fiscah years men- direct.
makes.
tioned were as follows: 158 in 1902, valued at
For shipment of piano scarfs, if any portion be
536,197; 192 in 1904, valued at $43,694; 380 in of silk, either scarf or fringe, the same must be
GIBBS PETITIONS IN BANKRUPTCY.
1906, valued at $85,050, and 443 in 1907, valued specified; if all cotton, this should be stated on
at $110,805.
the invoice. Traveling cases of portable organs,
I. Edwin Gibbs, a piano dealer of Springfield,
The average pianoforte of American manufac- etc. (of wood), pay a smaller duty if shipped in Mass., last week filed a petition of voluntary
ture is considered in Mexico better in construc- separate packages; consequently when practicable bankruptcy with liabilities of $2,563 and assets
tion and of higher class than the average instru- the instrument should be shipped separately and of $421.
ment of our competitors, and it is, as a rule, a not in the traveling case. The duty on pianos
little higher in price. The high-grade American and organs entering Mexico is 55 centavos per
DAVENPORT'S NEW TRADE EMPORIUM.
pianoforte is acknowledged here, as in the mu- legal kilo (2.2 pounds).
sical world generally, a superior product. Amer-
The handsome new three story building of the
TALKERS AND CLASSICAL MUSIC POPULAR.
ican instruments of this grade are for sale and
Phonographs or talking machines are in Tot ten Music House, Davenport, Iowa, was for-
find purchasers among the wealthier classes and greater demand in Mexico, at the present time, mally opened recently and is up-to-date in every
the professionals. Those pianos, however, which than any other musical instrument. Phono- particular of fittings and stock.
sell most readily in Mexico, are priced at from graphs are purchased by all classes in all por-
The first two floors of the building are de-
$300 to $400 gold.
tions of the Republic—in the large cities and voted to piano salesrooms, the lines handled in-
STYLE AND FINISH PREFERRED.
near-by towns, in mountain villages far removed, cluding the Knabe, Hobart M. Cable and Kurtz-
mann. Each make is displayed in a separate
For the most successful furtherance of sales it on haciendas, and in isolated mining camps; and
is very desirable, if not absolutely imperative, for use in the last-mentioned localities the de- room and to great advantage.
The building also contains a music hall in
that piano makers, as well as other manufac- mand is widespread. The phonograph of Amer-
turers sending their goods to this country, cater ican manufacture predominates and in reality which free daily concerts will be given to the
to the tastes and maybe to the whims of the peo- holds the market. A French machine, possibly music lovers of the vicinity; a special display
ple, whether such requirements be in accord or a German, and formerly an Italian were found, room for small goods, and a repair shop.
at variance with their own personal ideas. It but the field is practically held by the Americans
may be stated that the Latin-American taste is —and nearly, if not all makes, are represented
usually more ornate than that of the American —with small competition from the French.
across the border. The Mexican trade demands
I am informed that the classes of music best
To assure this, handle
an elaborate piano case decorated with candela- suited to the Mexican trade are classical and
bra, and European pianos are invariably fur- operatic, marches and two-steps, or other dance
H. F>. INBUSOIN
nished with such. I am informed by a dealer in music. Ragtime and plantation melodies, so
and
Mexico City, who handles American pianos ex- popular with a portion of our masses, do not
clusively, that in order to effect sales of our in- largely appeal to the people here. In Mexico one
RIAINOS
struments with the Mexican buyer he is obliged hears the bootblack or the newsboy whistling
The greatest trade creators of the times
to add these ornaments. The cost to the manu- selections from classic and operatic airs, rather
Manufactured solely by
facturer is insignificant when compared with than from what we know as the "popular songs."
the price of the piano, and the German exporter, I have many times during my stay in the Repub-
who seldom neglects a detail which may please lic noted in the various town gatherings of one,
Write ior prices, terms and catalogues
a purchaser and in turn be a personal benefit, two, or three dozen peons, huddled as closely as
Every One Wants to Win
a B R H A R D
H. P. NELSON & CO., ™
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).