Music Trade Review
Issue: 1910 Vol. 50 N. 1 - Page 48
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
Why not a little mental healing in the form of
Christian Science or other ramification of New
Thought? If you in New York can mentally
assassinate your rival in Chicago because your
business worries are worse than a toothache,
why not apply the same treatment to the dis-
ease? In other words, form a few good resolu-
EDWARD LYMAN BILL • Editor and Proprietor tions to the effect that the music publishing
business is not in a state bordering on collapse,
J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor
that an end is to be put to the complaints against
Published Every Saturday at 1 MadiMn Avenue. New Y»rk
prices, and that as long as you are trying your
SUBSCRIPTION, (including postage), United State* and
hardest
to sell music at prevailing market fig-
Mexico, $2.00 per year; Canada, f t - 5 0 ; all ether coun-
ures it is better to say you're satisfied than to
tries, $4.00.
pretend you cannot make any profits. If music
Telephones—Numbers 4677 and 4678 Gramerey
publishers in general were to assume a cheer-
Connecting all Departments
ful spirit when discussing their business and
NEW YORK, JANUARY 1, 1910
cease the attempt to spread a cloak of dissat-
isfaction around it, it is probable tney would
soon find that the brighter tone of their dealings
All news matter, music or mail, in-
created something like satisfaction, when they
tended for this department should be
came to take definite thought of the matter
addressed The Editor Music Section
later, with the accompanying result of the in-
Music Trade Review, 1 Madison Avenue,
creased commercial volume for which they are
New York, and Not to individuals.
all striving.
Some Songs Too High at Any Price.
In this connection it is noteworthy that the
more successful publishers do not need to form
COMMENTS B Y -
such resolutions, they need only renew them.
One does not hear them carping at the busi-
ness itself, since the fact is that such fault as
exists lies, not with the publishing business,
but with some of the men engaged therein.
Desolate indeed is the mind of man in which, Those who make complaints all have the same
a few good resolutions are not made for the story to tell. It concerns the prices at which
New Year, even if they are to be broken and they J are obliged to sell popular music. Vain
happily forgotten in a few weeks! All of us are regrets are expressed for the passing of the day
going to restrict our cigars and banish our cock- when such music was sold at eighteen cents per
tails, but it occurs to only a few each January copy. Deep sighs are breathed and much fret
to see cause for a change in business habits. is fretted over the fact that now it is no use to
Judging by the "malicious animal magnetism" seek more than seven or eight cents per copy
and "mental assassination" that have been from the dealers, and maybe those same prices
wielded right up to the time that old 1909 took or a little less from the jobbers. But are the
his tired old ears into a solitude where the woes regrets real and the sighs heartfelt? Get ac-
of music publishers and dealers enter not, the quainted with some of the dealers and what
business men of the craft are sadly in need does one find? The dealer opens his mail and
of the effects of good resolutions that will be shows circulars from the very publishers who
kept. But that is a conclusion founded on the have been making the complaints. Here is John
premises mentioned as constituting the grounds Smith, in big type, saying, "These are hits! If
for judgment. If these be wrong, then it is you want real sellers, order any of the follow-
sophistry that has created the anguish of mind ing. They are going like hot cakes. Make your
from which publishers and dealers have been selections of the first half at eight dollars per
suffering. It would seem, too, chat the remedy hundred, and of the second half at seven cents
should be applied to the spot where the pain is.
THIS SONG HAS THOUSANDS OF KEYS.
To advertise a song that has been very suc-
cessful in the short time that has elapsed since
it was brought from London to New York by
the singer, a scheme that at least has the merit
of being distinctly novel has been adopted.
Some thousands of cards with the inscription,
"George Lashwood's 'My Latchkey,' " are being
given away, each having a key attached to it.
"My Latchkey" has won its way by virtue of
its own "taking" qualities and the ability of the
pinger, who has brought over something new
in the way of entertainment. The advertising
idea was evolved, it is understood, by George
M. Leventrltt, of the Morris circuit of theaters.
Teachers and students
of_ the piano will find in
this book an instructor
that not only will replace
the old methods by pre-
senting the elements of
music in a manner to
meet the conditions but
will do so in such a pleas-
ant way as to interest
even the most indifferent
student.
The little compositions
used as exercises through-
out the book is a new de-
parture that will act as
an incentive to the stu-
dent by making him feel
that he is progressing.
Price, 75 cents.
We are the publishers of the
music of
"THE CLIMAX"
The hit of the season
"Song of the Soul"
Chappell&Co.,Ltd., 37 .
per copy, in any quantity." A similar circular
comes from Tom Jones. Does it seem, there-
fore, that prices are so poor that no one will sell
music at prevailing rates? The men who com-
plained the loudest are found to be trying hard-
est to place their product. Such are the facts.
It is hard to believe, but there is a considerable
space of country outside of Manhattan. Travel
around in it for a while and one sees the need
of a few New Year resolutions on Broadway.
It is true that the eighteen-cent day has passed.
It is to-day that is the concern, whatever its
prices may be. Production music holds its price,
and as for popular music, if seven or eight cents
is too low a price why are necks broken trying
to obtain it? And, finally, if a song lacks merit
or is "dead" two cents or one cent is too high a
price for it.
Will Fix Own Prices if Permitted.
By and large (whatever that means), and
after all, it depends on the publishing house
concerned. The other day we saw an order that
had been sent to a certain publisher. It was for
a hundred copies of this and a hundred of that,
with the words, "Send above at five cents
ench." It is true that the business of selling
songs has become rather complicated when the
dealers name their own terms in advance. But
the publisher need not fill the order unless he
wishes. It is equally true that the dealers are
justified in fixing prices to suit themselves if
they can "get away with it." And, incidental-
ly, they come pretty near knowing with which
houses it is safe to "monkey," and those with
which the only thing to do is to pay "bill ren-
dered" without a murmur.
HINDS, NOBLE & ELDREDGE, 31-35 West 15th Street, New York
This Season's First Real Hits
NOW READY
M.WITMARK&SOHS/*^
New York
125 West 43d Street, Jaw fork fty
SHEET MUSIC
McKJNLEY MUSIC Co
NEW YORK
Chicago
London
Paris
JOBBERS
We Guarantee Filling Your Orders Complete
the Same Day Received.at Lowest Prices.
CHICAGO
The Musical Farce now playing at
the Herald Square Theatre, New
York, with phenomenal
success.
Score, Selection and all the Musical Numbers
HARRY VON 1 0 TILZER MUSIC PUBLISHING CO.
McKINLEY
"OLD~
DUTCH"
The Book, adapted from the German, is
by Edgar Smith; the Lyrics by
George V. Hobart
"The
Cubanola G l i d e " (,JEL)
lk
Oh, What I Know About You M , ,
111 " M y Southern Rose " «„„
"^S^tf-^fk
Another Victor Herbert Triumph
THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
Why not a little mental healing in the form of
Christian Science or other ramification of New
Thought? If you in New York can mentally
assassinate your rival in Chicago because your
business worries are worse than a toothache,
why not apply the same treatment to the dis-
ease? In other words, form a few good resolu-
EDWARD LYMAN BILL • Editor and Proprietor tions to the effect that the music publishing
business is not in a state bordering on collapse,
J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor
that an end is to be put to the complaints against
Published Every Saturday at 1 MadiMn Avenue. New Y»rk
prices, and that as long as you are trying your
SUBSCRIPTION, (including postage), United State* and
hardest
to sell music at prevailing market fig-
Mexico, $2.00 per year; Canada, f t - 5 0 ; all ether coun-
ures it is better to say you're satisfied than to
tries, $4.00.
pretend you cannot make any profits. If music
Telephones—Numbers 4677 and 4678 Gramerey
publishers in general were to assume a cheer-
Connecting all Departments
ful spirit when discussing their business and
NEW YORK, JANUARY 1, 1910
cease the attempt to spread a cloak of dissat-
isfaction around it, it is probable tney would
soon find that the brighter tone of their dealings
All news matter, music or mail, in-
created something like satisfaction, when they
tended for this department should be
came to take definite thought of the matter
addressed The Editor Music Section
later, with the accompanying result of the in-
Music Trade Review, 1 Madison Avenue,
creased commercial volume for which they are
New York, and Not to individuals.
all striving.
Some Songs Too High at Any Price.
In this connection it is noteworthy that the
more successful publishers do not need to form
COMMENTS B Y -
such resolutions, they need only renew them.
One does not hear them carping at the busi-
ness itself, since the fact is that such fault as
exists lies, not with the publishing business,
but with some of the men engaged therein.
Desolate indeed is the mind of man in which, Those who make complaints all have the same
a few good resolutions are not made for the story to tell. It concerns the prices at which
New Year, even if they are to be broken and they J are obliged to sell popular music. Vain
happily forgotten in a few weeks! All of us are regrets are expressed for the passing of the day
going to restrict our cigars and banish our cock- when such music was sold at eighteen cents per
tails, but it occurs to only a few each January copy. Deep sighs are breathed and much fret
to see cause for a change in business habits. is fretted over the fact that now it is no use to
Judging by the "malicious animal magnetism" seek more than seven or eight cents per copy
and "mental assassination" that have been from the dealers, and maybe those same prices
wielded right up to the time that old 1909 took or a little less from the jobbers. But are the
his tired old ears into a solitude where the woes regrets real and the sighs heartfelt? Get ac-
of music publishers and dealers enter not, the quainted with some of the dealers and what
business men of the craft are sadly in need does one find? The dealer opens his mail and
of the effects of good resolutions that will be shows circulars from the very publishers who
kept. But that is a conclusion founded on the have been making the complaints. Here is John
premises mentioned as constituting the grounds Smith, in big type, saying, "These are hits! If
for judgment. If these be wrong, then it is you want real sellers, order any of the follow-
sophistry that has created the anguish of mind ing. They are going like hot cakes. Make your
from which publishers and dealers have been selections of the first half at eight dollars per
suffering. It would seem, too, chat the remedy hundred, and of the second half at seven cents
should be applied to the spot where the pain is.
THIS SONG HAS THOUSANDS OF KEYS.
To advertise a song that has been very suc-
cessful in the short time that has elapsed since
it was brought from London to New York by
the singer, a scheme that at least has the merit
of being distinctly novel has been adopted.
Some thousands of cards with the inscription,
"George Lashwood's 'My Latchkey,' " are being
given away, each having a key attached to it.
"My Latchkey" has won its way by virtue of
its own "taking" qualities and the ability of the
pinger, who has brought over something new
in the way of entertainment. The advertising
idea was evolved, it is understood, by George
M. Leventrltt, of the Morris circuit of theaters.
Teachers and students
of_ the piano will find in
this book an instructor
that not only will replace
the old methods by pre-
senting the elements of
music in a manner to
meet the conditions but
will do so in such a pleas-
ant way as to interest
even the most indifferent
student.
The little compositions
used as exercises through-
out the book is a new de-
parture that will act as
an incentive to the stu-
dent by making him feel
that he is progressing.
Price, 75 cents.
We are the publishers of the
music of
"THE CLIMAX"
The hit of the season
"Song of the Soul"
Chappell&Co.,Ltd., 37 .
per copy, in any quantity." A similar circular
comes from Tom Jones. Does it seem, there-
fore, that prices are so poor that no one will sell
music at prevailing rates? The men who com-
plained the loudest are found to be trying hard-
est to place their product. Such are the facts.
It is hard to believe, but there is a considerable
space of country outside of Manhattan. Travel
around in it for a while and one sees the need
of a few New Year resolutions on Broadway.
It is true that the eighteen-cent day has passed.
It is to-day that is the concern, whatever its
prices may be. Production music holds its price,
and as for popular music, if seven or eight cents
is too low a price why are necks broken trying
to obtain it? And, finally, if a song lacks merit
or is "dead" two cents or one cent is too high a
price for it.
Will Fix Own Prices if Permitted.
By and large (whatever that means), and
after all, it depends on the publishing house
concerned. The other day we saw an order that
had been sent to a certain publisher. It was for
a hundred copies of this and a hundred of that,
with the words, "Send above at five cents
ench." It is true that the business of selling
songs has become rather complicated when the
dealers name their own terms in advance. But
the publisher need not fill the order unless he
wishes. It is equally true that the dealers are
justified in fixing prices to suit themselves if
they can "get away with it." And, incidental-
ly, they come pretty near knowing with which
houses it is safe to "monkey," and those with
which the only thing to do is to pay "bill ren-
dered" without a murmur.
HINDS, NOBLE & ELDREDGE, 31-35 West 15th Street, New York
This Season's First Real Hits
NOW READY
M.WITMARK&SOHS/*^
New York
125 West 43d Street, Jaw fork fty
SHEET MUSIC
McKJNLEY MUSIC Co
NEW YORK
Chicago
London
Paris
JOBBERS
We Guarantee Filling Your Orders Complete
the Same Day Received.at Lowest Prices.
CHICAGO
The Musical Farce now playing at
the Herald Square Theatre, New
York, with phenomenal
success.
Score, Selection and all the Musical Numbers
HARRY VON 1 0 TILZER MUSIC PUBLISHING CO.
McKINLEY
"OLD~
DUTCH"
The Book, adapted from the German, is
by Edgar Smith; the Lyrics by
George V. Hobart
"The
Cubanola G l i d e " (,JEL)
lk
Oh, What I Know About You M , ,
111 " M y Southern Rose " «„„
"^S^tf-^fk
Another Victor Herbert Triumph
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).