Music Trade Review
Issue: 1911 Vol. 53 N. 20 - Page 10
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
10
THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
Business in Quaker City Uneven—Wholesale Trade Excellent Showing That Out-of-Town Deal-
ers Are Doing Well—Some Inquiries About the Philadelphia Piano Trade Association—
1
Piano Advertising in Daily Papers Without Blemish—What Leading Houses Report.
(Special to The Review.)
Philadelphia, Pa., Nov. 14, 1911.
There are varied opinions as to the condition of
the piano business in Philadelphia at present. Some
of the firms unhesitatingly say that their business
is very good, while others speak with more re-
serve. One big piano man this week told me that
his business thus far this year was not within
20 per cent, of what it was last year, and probably
this is a very fair statement. He added: "Unless
business picks up very considerably here within
the next two months it is a pretty safe assertion
to make that business for the year is not going
to be as good as it was in 1910."
As a matter of fact retail business generally in
Philadelphia is not up to the standard. It is not
much better now than it was during the summer,
and everyone seems to be playing the waiting game,
wondering what is going to develop.
This may or may not be the condition elsewhere,
and it would seem that it is not, judging from the
reports made by local manufacturers, who are very
free to affirm, and are able to show you evidences
of it, that they are working their factories to the
limit, and have little or no stock on hand.
Doing Well with the Everett.
James Bellak's Sons are one of the local firms
who are reporting an excellent business at present.
They are very nearly cleaned up on pianos, and
they are expecting this week to receive about forty
new instruments. They have been doing very well
with the Everett, and they have recently been sell-
ing quite a number of Melville Clark Apollo player-
pianos.
Christmas Club Popular.
Florence Heppe says that the general business at
his house this year has not been as good as last
and that it will take some tall hustling to bring it
up to last year's figures. They have been doing
a little better with their Christmas Club than last
I
"THE HIGHEST
SCIENTIFIC
DEVELOPMENT"
That is the term which a celebrated piano
manufacturer used recently when referring
to a product which has won a high position
in the piano world.
We refer to the brands of piano wire
known as the
"PERFECTED"
AND
" CROWN "
Steadily these products have advanced in
the estimation of the most critical.
They are used by some of the most cele-
brated piano makers in the world.
Now, what is good enough for the lead-
ers of an industry should interest the rank
and file!
American Steel & Wire Co.
Chicago
New York
Worcester
Denver
San Francisco
United States Steel Products Go.
Export Representative
30 Churcfc St., NEW YORK
year, but generally business has been a little slack
on some of the high-grade goods.
Cne of Miller & Sons' Best Sellers.
G. Dunhar Shewell, of the Henry F. Miller
branch, is having a big call for Lyric grands. They
have been advertising these instruments heavily and
are fighting for trade as hard as possible. They
have received a number of new pianos within the
week, particularly of their No. 77 Colonial, which
is their best seller in upright pianos.
Ludwig Improvements Completed.
Ludwig & Co. are this week displaying in their
window a handsome new Circassian walnut style A
piano, one of the slickest-looking instruments, so
far as case work is concerned, in their line. These
art instruments are beautifully designed. All
the improvements at the Ludwig house have been
completed with the exception of getting rugs for
their floors. These have been ordered and will
conform with the general decorations. The second
floor of the Ludwig house is decorated to corre-
spond with the first floor, and when entirely fin-
ished it will be one of the most, if not the most,
attractive piano stores in this city.
Herzberg Stocking Up.
Gustave Herzberg & Son have been getting in
a number of new instruments within the past ten
days, both from the Kranich & Bach and the
Mehlin factories. They have on hand a large
stock of the Straube and also of the Behning
players, regarding the merits of which Mr. Herz-
berg is very enthusiastic.
Reports Much Better Business.
Mr. Drew, the local representative of the Stieff
piano, with warerooms at Eleventh and Walnut
streets, informs me that he has been having a much
better business this year on the Stieff piano than
he had last. He does not carry a very large stock
of pianos, for he also deals extensively in sheet
music and musical merchandise.
Clean Advertising Methods.
Philadelphia is to be congratulated for the clean
advertising that the piano men have been doing this
fall. There has not been one ad. printed all fall
to which a competitor could take the slightest ex-
ception, and in a measure the general feeling at
present among the "brethren" is most cordial.
What About t h e Association?
What has become of the Philadelphia Piano
Trade Association? It took me some time to
remember that Cassius Ramsdell was elected last
spring the president for the current year. While
I keep in very close touch with the trade, so far
as I can learn Mr. Ramsdell has* only called one
meeting since he was elected to office. Probably
it is better thus, for there does not seem to be a
thing in the piano horizon in Philadelphia to be
adjusted at present—except that it might be the
desire for more customers. This the association
could not remedy, but they have certainly done
wonderful work and ought to get together every
now and then, if nothing more than to congratu-
late themselves that this association has existed
and worked in the past.
STEINWAY PUBLICITY
In the Local Papers Is as Usual Couched Along
Dignified Lines.
Steinway & Sons' advertising in the daily papers
these days is along those dignified lines which have
ever been associated with the Steinway product.
Enclosed within a very artistic border, the corners
of which are illuminated by the Steinway trade-
mark, appears the following text, under the cap-
tion of Steinway:
"The Steinway name has not only become a
household word in every hamlet of the United
States, but its fame has circled the world. From
the royal palaces of the ruling sovereigns of the
Old World to the modest cabins of the farmers and
miners in the New World, wherever the taste and
longing for the purest and finest musical tone
exists, there rings the voice of the Steinway piano.
The investment by the public of over one hundred
and twenty million dollars in a hundred and fifty
thousand Steinway pianos speaks louder than
words of fulsome praise."
NEW BANKRUPTCY RULING.
Must Give Two Days' Notice Before Receiver-
ship Application, Court Says.
Judge Hough, of the United States District
Court, appointed receivers this week on four in-
voluntary bankruptcy cases under a new plan, by
which two days' notice must be given to. the
alleged bankrupts and creditors, by advertisement,
that application will be made for the appointment
of a receiver.
PEASE PLAYERS IN DEMAND.
Many Sales Reported by Manager Scofield—
Pease Factory Running Full Time.
At the warerooms of the Pease Piano Co., 128
West 42d street, Manager G. A. Scofield said sales
had multiplied rapidly during the past two weeks.
He also reported that half of their business was
on player-pianos and many of this style of instru-
ment had been sold to leading artists and New
York families. Mr. Scofield further reported that
the factory was running full time in every depart-
ment and that they expected to close a good fall
season, wholesale and retail.
JACKSON OPENS IN BOSTON.
M. A. Jackson, who has been in the retail piano
business for the past quarter-century, the greater
part of that time being located in Chelsea, Mass.,
recently opened warerooms at 172 Tremont street,
Boston, where he handles the Janssen and Becker
Bros, pianos as well as other makes.
An interesting series of articles zvill be inaugu-
rated in The Reviezv of November 25. We pro-
pose to give five dollars a week for a short, chatty
expression of views upon interesting topics. Con-
sult our special announcement elsewhere.
AUTER
A dealer who has been hand-
ling LAUTER
PIANOS for
about twelve months said this to
us lately :
"Your pianos have killed off the sale of
other high grade pianos I handle. On
merit they truly win, as they deserve to
win. I have no difficulty at all in selling
the Lauter Piano to anyone who appre-
ciates what a piano is. It is the one piano
that my quality-trade demands ".
Fullest details on request.
LAUTER CO.
NEWARK,
NEW
JERSEY
10
THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
Business in Quaker City Uneven—Wholesale Trade Excellent Showing That Out-of-Town Deal-
ers Are Doing Well—Some Inquiries About the Philadelphia Piano Trade Association—
1
Piano Advertising in Daily Papers Without Blemish—What Leading Houses Report.
(Special to The Review.)
Philadelphia, Pa., Nov. 14, 1911.
There are varied opinions as to the condition of
the piano business in Philadelphia at present. Some
of the firms unhesitatingly say that their business
is very good, while others speak with more re-
serve. One big piano man this week told me that
his business thus far this year was not within
20 per cent, of what it was last year, and probably
this is a very fair statement. He added: "Unless
business picks up very considerably here within
the next two months it is a pretty safe assertion
to make that business for the year is not going
to be as good as it was in 1910."
As a matter of fact retail business generally in
Philadelphia is not up to the standard. It is not
much better now than it was during the summer,
and everyone seems to be playing the waiting game,
wondering what is going to develop.
This may or may not be the condition elsewhere,
and it would seem that it is not, judging from the
reports made by local manufacturers, who are very
free to affirm, and are able to show you evidences
of it, that they are working their factories to the
limit, and have little or no stock on hand.
Doing Well with the Everett.
James Bellak's Sons are one of the local firms
who are reporting an excellent business at present.
They are very nearly cleaned up on pianos, and
they are expecting this week to receive about forty
new instruments. They have been doing very well
with the Everett, and they have recently been sell-
ing quite a number of Melville Clark Apollo player-
pianos.
Christmas Club Popular.
Florence Heppe says that the general business at
his house this year has not been as good as last
and that it will take some tall hustling to bring it
up to last year's figures. They have been doing
a little better with their Christmas Club than last
I
"THE HIGHEST
SCIENTIFIC
DEVELOPMENT"
That is the term which a celebrated piano
manufacturer used recently when referring
to a product which has won a high position
in the piano world.
We refer to the brands of piano wire
known as the
"PERFECTED"
AND
" CROWN "
Steadily these products have advanced in
the estimation of the most critical.
They are used by some of the most cele-
brated piano makers in the world.
Now, what is good enough for the lead-
ers of an industry should interest the rank
and file!
American Steel & Wire Co.
Chicago
New York
Worcester
Denver
San Francisco
United States Steel Products Go.
Export Representative
30 Churcfc St., NEW YORK
year, but generally business has been a little slack
on some of the high-grade goods.
Cne of Miller & Sons' Best Sellers.
G. Dunhar Shewell, of the Henry F. Miller
branch, is having a big call for Lyric grands. They
have been advertising these instruments heavily and
are fighting for trade as hard as possible. They
have received a number of new pianos within the
week, particularly of their No. 77 Colonial, which
is their best seller in upright pianos.
Ludwig Improvements Completed.
Ludwig & Co. are this week displaying in their
window a handsome new Circassian walnut style A
piano, one of the slickest-looking instruments, so
far as case work is concerned, in their line. These
art instruments are beautifully designed. All
the improvements at the Ludwig house have been
completed with the exception of getting rugs for
their floors. These have been ordered and will
conform with the general decorations. The second
floor of the Ludwig house is decorated to corre-
spond with the first floor, and when entirely fin-
ished it will be one of the most, if not the most,
attractive piano stores in this city.
Herzberg Stocking Up.
Gustave Herzberg & Son have been getting in
a number of new instruments within the past ten
days, both from the Kranich & Bach and the
Mehlin factories. They have on hand a large
stock of the Straube and also of the Behning
players, regarding the merits of which Mr. Herz-
berg is very enthusiastic.
Reports Much Better Business.
Mr. Drew, the local representative of the Stieff
piano, with warerooms at Eleventh and Walnut
streets, informs me that he has been having a much
better business this year on the Stieff piano than
he had last. He does not carry a very large stock
of pianos, for he also deals extensively in sheet
music and musical merchandise.
Clean Advertising Methods.
Philadelphia is to be congratulated for the clean
advertising that the piano men have been doing this
fall. There has not been one ad. printed all fall
to which a competitor could take the slightest ex-
ception, and in a measure the general feeling at
present among the "brethren" is most cordial.
What About t h e Association?
What has become of the Philadelphia Piano
Trade Association? It took me some time to
remember that Cassius Ramsdell was elected last
spring the president for the current year. While
I keep in very close touch with the trade, so far
as I can learn Mr. Ramsdell has* only called one
meeting since he was elected to office. Probably
it is better thus, for there does not seem to be a
thing in the piano horizon in Philadelphia to be
adjusted at present—except that it might be the
desire for more customers. This the association
could not remedy, but they have certainly done
wonderful work and ought to get together every
now and then, if nothing more than to congratu-
late themselves that this association has existed
and worked in the past.
STEINWAY PUBLICITY
In the Local Papers Is as Usual Couched Along
Dignified Lines.
Steinway & Sons' advertising in the daily papers
these days is along those dignified lines which have
ever been associated with the Steinway product.
Enclosed within a very artistic border, the corners
of which are illuminated by the Steinway trade-
mark, appears the following text, under the cap-
tion of Steinway:
"The Steinway name has not only become a
household word in every hamlet of the United
States, but its fame has circled the world. From
the royal palaces of the ruling sovereigns of the
Old World to the modest cabins of the farmers and
miners in the New World, wherever the taste and
longing for the purest and finest musical tone
exists, there rings the voice of the Steinway piano.
The investment by the public of over one hundred
and twenty million dollars in a hundred and fifty
thousand Steinway pianos speaks louder than
words of fulsome praise."
NEW BANKRUPTCY RULING.
Must Give Two Days' Notice Before Receiver-
ship Application, Court Says.
Judge Hough, of the United States District
Court, appointed receivers this week on four in-
voluntary bankruptcy cases under a new plan, by
which two days' notice must be given to. the
alleged bankrupts and creditors, by advertisement,
that application will be made for the appointment
of a receiver.
PEASE PLAYERS IN DEMAND.
Many Sales Reported by Manager Scofield—
Pease Factory Running Full Time.
At the warerooms of the Pease Piano Co., 128
West 42d street, Manager G. A. Scofield said sales
had multiplied rapidly during the past two weeks.
He also reported that half of their business was
on player-pianos and many of this style of instru-
ment had been sold to leading artists and New
York families. Mr. Scofield further reported that
the factory was running full time in every depart-
ment and that they expected to close a good fall
season, wholesale and retail.
JACKSON OPENS IN BOSTON.
M. A. Jackson, who has been in the retail piano
business for the past quarter-century, the greater
part of that time being located in Chelsea, Mass.,
recently opened warerooms at 172 Tremont street,
Boston, where he handles the Janssen and Becker
Bros, pianos as well as other makes.
An interesting series of articles zvill be inaugu-
rated in The Reviezv of November 25. We pro-
pose to give five dollars a week for a short, chatty
expression of views upon interesting topics. Con-
sult our special announcement elsewhere.
AUTER
A dealer who has been hand-
ling LAUTER
PIANOS for
about twelve months said this to
us lately :
"Your pianos have killed off the sale of
other high grade pianos I handle. On
merit they truly win, as they deserve to
win. I have no difficulty at all in selling
the Lauter Piano to anyone who appre-
ciates what a piano is. It is the one piano
that my quality-trade demands ".
Fullest details on request.
LAUTER CO.
NEWARK,
NEW
JERSEY
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