Music Trade Review
Issue: 1908 Vol. 46 N. 20 - Page 11
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TH
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
May Business Good—Renting Season Opens—Reclaimed Instruments Few—Manufacturers Busy
—Wm.
Dalbiba Dutton a Visitor—S. A. Woodford Preparing Paper for Convention—New
Estey Grand—Piano Mover Hurt—Wanamaker Sale of Used Pianos—The Profitable Herz-
berg Policy.
him. There is possibly considerable still lurk-
(Special to The Review.)
ing in his system, and he will be able, no doubt,
Philadelphia, Pa., May 12, 1908.
The piano business in Philadelphia during the to distribute this to others in the trade through
first two weeks of May has been most promising. his paper, that is, unless they are inoculated
The piano movers report that they have been against any medicine.
The Estey Co. have just received a new style
more active than at any time of the year. Of
course some of their work has been devoted to "Tiny Grand Estey, which is one of the handsom-
the delivery of pianos rented for the summer est things of the kind that the Estey Co. have
but, judging from the way this business is con- yet had, and it compares very favorably with the
ducted in Philadelphia, it is profitable and usu- other pianos of its class exhibited here.
Leaning too far out of a second-story window
ally means the sale of an instrument. Most of
the renters seem to take unusual care of pianos. in an effort to adjust the tackle arranged for
In one of the warerooms the past week I was lifting a piano, Patrick Joyce, 40 years old, a
asked to pick out the piano that had been rented professional piano mover, of 2631 Phillips street,
all winter from a number of new ones. I picked last week lost his balance and fell to the brick
the wrong instrument after having tried them pavement below. He was picked up unconscious
all. The best piano in the lot was the one that by fellow employes, and was sent to the Samari-
had been used all winter, and it is no doubt the tan Hospital, where it was found he was suffer-
piano that will sell the quickest. It is in such ing from a severe fracture of the skull.
Wanamaker's are this week having a "Great
excellent condition that the dealer is asking
only. $25 less than one of the new pianos, and Sale of Used and Reduced Pianos." They an-
nounce this sale as follows: "We had hoped to
has received six months' rental.
While in some stores I hear about a number avoid this sale, as we greatly prefer to have but
of reclaimed pianos, yet in others I am told that two clearance sales of used pianos a year—those
there have not been more this winter than which we hold* regularly every January and
usual, which is a rather remarkable condition August. But the constant increase in our busi-
under the circumstances. Of course there is ness forced a change of plans a year ago, when
considerable leniency shown, for wherever a firm we were obliged to dispose of between 100 and
has heretofore found that a purchaser has been 200 pianos that came to us in exchange, and we
prompt in his payments up to the arrival of are compelled to do the same now and may find
the business depression, they seem inclined to the same course necessary every spring here-
give him all the chance possible to retrieve in after. Both Dr. J. Lewis Browne and Prof. Fer-
the future. There is no doubt but that collec- dinand Himmelreich have consented to advise
tions are becoming much easier and money customers and assist in the selection of pianos
if desired." The Wanamaker sale has been di-
seems to be coming normal again.
The Philadelphia manufacturers are very busy vided as follows: Monday, used upright pianos;
at present. While they are receiving a number Tuesday, used grand pianos; Wednesday, used
of orders, yet they are keeping their factories player-pianos and piano players; Thursday, spe-
going in order to get some stock ahead, for they cial sale of new player-pianos; Friday, general
believe that by the time the fall arrives that they sale of shopworn pianos, and Saturday, general
will have need for all the instruments they can clearance.
As to what they have accomplished in the past,
make during the summer. Most every one seems
anxious for the passing of the national conven- the Wanamaker announcement still further
tions, believing that once the nominations are adds: "Our Philadelphia piano store holds the
made that business will quickly resume, as it is world's piano sale record, having sold 165 used
generally conceded that more anxiety hangs on pianos in a single day, and our New York store
the nominations than on the election, for the the next best with a record of 142 in a day. No
Republican candidate is no doubt to be elected, other store ever sold half that number, and no
and there is just the uncertain question as to store could have ever sold that number except
by means of such pianos, prices and terms as
whether the best man will be nominated.
Wm. Dalliba Dutton was here this week and was never offered before."
Gustave Herzberg & Son have had a number
brought encouraging news. He says: "I have
just returned from a trip in which I examined of demonstrations lately of how sterling honesty
very carefully into conditions, and on the whole in the past counts. Few firms with present day
1 have found them very satisfactory. I found methods can look forward to the future with
the people in a hopeful mood. The sky seems such assurance as the Herzberg firm are now
realizing. There was less competition, and I
to be clearing."
There was another prominent piano man a fully believe, more honesty in the old days than
visitor to the Bellak house this week, and he at present, and that is why so many persons
has also made a careful study of the situation, who bought pianos of Gustave Herzberg thirty
and says he believes that in April the business years ago, this spring have come back to the
house to buy the same piano for, in many in-
was about 80 per cent, normal.
The Estey Co. are about starting the erection stances, the third generation of the family.
of an organ in the Church of Our Saviour, Bal- There is probably not another firm in Philadel-
timore, and another one in the Northminster phia where the books will show a like result as
at the Herzberg house, where grandmothers,
Presbyterian Church of Washington, D. C.
D. E. Woolley has been notified that S. A. mothers and daughters have all owned Kranich
Woodford, of the firm of Woodford, Crouse & & Bach and Mehlin pianos, and from present ap-
Stoll, will write a paper for the coming national pearances grandchildren and great-grandchildren
convention, which he personally will read. Mr. will all play on these instruments, and form, so
Woodford is one of the youngest members in to speak, a big family tree. Mr. Herzberg re-
the trade, yet he is one of the most brilliant, and cently received some new styles of the Kranich
much food for thought will no doubt be brought & Bach pianos, which are along that same ex-
out of this paper. He knows how to write, and quisite style of art case which has made the
he knows how to strike from the shoulder. The firm of piano builders famous, and the Herzberg
subject of his paper will be "The Department warerooms at present look more beautiful than
Store Methods and How the Regular Line Dealer ever before.
Shall Meet Them." Mr. Woodford should be
able to handle this subject intelligently, for he
R. L. Kile, an Independence (Kan.) music
was connected with the Wanamaker department dealer, has just completed the remodeling and re-
in this city for some time and had a good dose arranging of his quarters in that city, and now
of department store medicine administered to has a most beautiful store.
11
Do You Wish
To Know
Something
About Player
Mechanism?
€j| We have a book that will
tell you how to regulate, re-
pair; explains to you in detail
the functions of the different
parts including control and
technique. In this volume the
leading piano player systems
are described in detail.
fj Do you wish to have all
player problems easily solved
and made perfectly clear? Do
you wish all this information
in a neat, compact volume,
illustrated and printed in an
artistic manner with an attrac-
tive binding?
€| We have precisely such a
volume and it is the result of
long and careful study and
examination of the principal
player products in this country.
tfl We have established quite
a reputation for technical litera-
ture and we feel confident
that our new book, which is
entitled "A Technical Treatise
On Piano Player Mechanism,"
will enhance our reputation
along these lines. Every
player, tuner, repairer, dealer
and salesman should own a
copy. It will cost but $1.50
delivered to any part of this
country.
EDWARD LYMAN BILL
Publisher
No. 1 Madison Avenue, New York
TH
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
May Business Good—Renting Season Opens—Reclaimed Instruments Few—Manufacturers Busy
—Wm.
Dalbiba Dutton a Visitor—S. A. Woodford Preparing Paper for Convention—New
Estey Grand—Piano Mover Hurt—Wanamaker Sale of Used Pianos—The Profitable Herz-
berg Policy.
him. There is possibly considerable still lurk-
(Special to The Review.)
ing in his system, and he will be able, no doubt,
Philadelphia, Pa., May 12, 1908.
The piano business in Philadelphia during the to distribute this to others in the trade through
first two weeks of May has been most promising. his paper, that is, unless they are inoculated
The piano movers report that they have been against any medicine.
The Estey Co. have just received a new style
more active than at any time of the year. Of
course some of their work has been devoted to "Tiny Grand Estey, which is one of the handsom-
the delivery of pianos rented for the summer est things of the kind that the Estey Co. have
but, judging from the way this business is con- yet had, and it compares very favorably with the
ducted in Philadelphia, it is profitable and usu- other pianos of its class exhibited here.
Leaning too far out of a second-story window
ally means the sale of an instrument. Most of
the renters seem to take unusual care of pianos. in an effort to adjust the tackle arranged for
In one of the warerooms the past week I was lifting a piano, Patrick Joyce, 40 years old, a
asked to pick out the piano that had been rented professional piano mover, of 2631 Phillips street,
all winter from a number of new ones. I picked last week lost his balance and fell to the brick
the wrong instrument after having tried them pavement below. He was picked up unconscious
all. The best piano in the lot was the one that by fellow employes, and was sent to the Samari-
had been used all winter, and it is no doubt the tan Hospital, where it was found he was suffer-
piano that will sell the quickest. It is in such ing from a severe fracture of the skull.
Wanamaker's are this week having a "Great
excellent condition that the dealer is asking
only. $25 less than one of the new pianos, and Sale of Used and Reduced Pianos." They an-
nounce this sale as follows: "We had hoped to
has received six months' rental.
While in some stores I hear about a number avoid this sale, as we greatly prefer to have but
of reclaimed pianos, yet in others I am told that two clearance sales of used pianos a year—those
there have not been more this winter than which we hold* regularly every January and
usual, which is a rather remarkable condition August. But the constant increase in our busi-
under the circumstances. Of course there is ness forced a change of plans a year ago, when
considerable leniency shown, for wherever a firm we were obliged to dispose of between 100 and
has heretofore found that a purchaser has been 200 pianos that came to us in exchange, and we
prompt in his payments up to the arrival of are compelled to do the same now and may find
the business depression, they seem inclined to the same course necessary every spring here-
give him all the chance possible to retrieve in after. Both Dr. J. Lewis Browne and Prof. Fer-
the future. There is no doubt but that collec- dinand Himmelreich have consented to advise
tions are becoming much easier and money customers and assist in the selection of pianos
if desired." The Wanamaker sale has been di-
seems to be coming normal again.
The Philadelphia manufacturers are very busy vided as follows: Monday, used upright pianos;
at present. While they are receiving a number Tuesday, used grand pianos; Wednesday, used
of orders, yet they are keeping their factories player-pianos and piano players; Thursday, spe-
going in order to get some stock ahead, for they cial sale of new player-pianos; Friday, general
believe that by the time the fall arrives that they sale of shopworn pianos, and Saturday, general
will have need for all the instruments they can clearance.
As to what they have accomplished in the past,
make during the summer. Most every one seems
anxious for the passing of the national conven- the Wanamaker announcement still further
tions, believing that once the nominations are adds: "Our Philadelphia piano store holds the
made that business will quickly resume, as it is world's piano sale record, having sold 165 used
generally conceded that more anxiety hangs on pianos in a single day, and our New York store
the nominations than on the election, for the the next best with a record of 142 in a day. No
Republican candidate is no doubt to be elected, other store ever sold half that number, and no
and there is just the uncertain question as to store could have ever sold that number except
by means of such pianos, prices and terms as
whether the best man will be nominated.
Wm. Dalliba Dutton was here this week and was never offered before."
Gustave Herzberg & Son have had a number
brought encouraging news. He says: "I have
just returned from a trip in which I examined of demonstrations lately of how sterling honesty
very carefully into conditions, and on the whole in the past counts. Few firms with present day
1 have found them very satisfactory. I found methods can look forward to the future with
the people in a hopeful mood. The sky seems such assurance as the Herzberg firm are now
realizing. There was less competition, and I
to be clearing."
There was another prominent piano man a fully believe, more honesty in the old days than
visitor to the Bellak house this week, and he at present, and that is why so many persons
has also made a careful study of the situation, who bought pianos of Gustave Herzberg thirty
and says he believes that in April the business years ago, this spring have come back to the
house to buy the same piano for, in many in-
was about 80 per cent, normal.
The Estey Co. are about starting the erection stances, the third generation of the family.
of an organ in the Church of Our Saviour, Bal- There is probably not another firm in Philadel-
timore, and another one in the Northminster phia where the books will show a like result as
at the Herzberg house, where grandmothers,
Presbyterian Church of Washington, D. C.
D. E. Woolley has been notified that S. A. mothers and daughters have all owned Kranich
Woodford, of the firm of Woodford, Crouse & & Bach and Mehlin pianos, and from present ap-
Stoll, will write a paper for the coming national pearances grandchildren and great-grandchildren
convention, which he personally will read. Mr. will all play on these instruments, and form, so
Woodford is one of the youngest members in to speak, a big family tree. Mr. Herzberg re-
the trade, yet he is one of the most brilliant, and cently received some new styles of the Kranich
much food for thought will no doubt be brought & Bach pianos, which are along that same ex-
out of this paper. He knows how to write, and quisite style of art case which has made the
he knows how to strike from the shoulder. The firm of piano builders famous, and the Herzberg
subject of his paper will be "The Department warerooms at present look more beautiful than
Store Methods and How the Regular Line Dealer ever before.
Shall Meet Them." Mr. Woodford should be
able to handle this subject intelligently, for he
R. L. Kile, an Independence (Kan.) music
was connected with the Wanamaker department dealer, has just completed the remodeling and re-
in this city for some time and had a good dose arranging of his quarters in that city, and now
of department store medicine administered to has a most beautiful store.
11
Do You Wish
To Know
Something
About Player
Mechanism?
€j| We have a book that will
tell you how to regulate, re-
pair; explains to you in detail
the functions of the different
parts including control and
technique. In this volume the
leading piano player systems
are described in detail.
fj Do you wish to have all
player problems easily solved
and made perfectly clear? Do
you wish all this information
in a neat, compact volume,
illustrated and printed in an
artistic manner with an attrac-
tive binding?
€| We have precisely such a
volume and it is the result of
long and careful study and
examination of the principal
player products in this country.
tfl We have established quite
a reputation for technical litera-
ture and we feel confident
that our new book, which is
entitled "A Technical Treatise
On Piano Player Mechanism,"
will enhance our reputation
along these lines. Every
player, tuner, repairer, dealer
and salesman should own a
copy. It will cost but $1.50
delivered to any part of this
country.
EDWARD LYMAN BILL
Publisher
No. 1 Madison Avenue, New York
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).