Music Trade Review
Issue: 1915 Vol. 60 N. 12 - Page 11
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS SHOULD GET TOGETHER
Says Henry Dreher, and Take Concerted Action to Protect Their Industry by Preaching the
Gospel of High Grade Mgsic Roll Business—Timely Words from Cleveland Dealer.
Recently Henry Dreher, president of B. Dreher's
Sons 'Co., Cleveland, O., divulged the fact that he
has some well defined ideas in connection with the
music roll side of the player-piano industry and
was free in his expression of them. The B.
Dreher's Sons Co. being among the first to special-
ize in player-pianos, renders Mr. Dreher particu-
larly well qualified to discuss this important sub-
ject from the dealer's point of view.
In the course of his remarks Mr. Dreher stated
Henry Dreher.
that it was beyond his comprehension as to why
any dealer should so far forget his best interests
and jeopardize a very important and growing part
of his business by using music rolls of other than
reliable quality. He stated it had been his experi-
ence that even the best of rolls are none too good
for the exacting requirements made upon them by
the player-piano, and without doubt the sale of
many a player has been lost by the bad perform-
ance of a roll.
A Player with Patented Features
That Will Get the Money;
Billings & Sons
Player-Piano
Equipped with
6j
Billings Metal Frame and Brass
Flange Action, Billings Invisible
Music Roll Compartment, Music
Rolls changed while seated. No
change in Case Design.
A SNAP FOR LIVE DEALERS
A number of these Flayers have been
sold alongside of other good makes and
proven the best sellers.
Write for prices and exclusive territory.
BILLINGS & SONS
504 Grand Ave.
MILWAUKEE, WIS.
"There can be no question," continued Mr.
Dreher, "but that the present invasion of the cheap,
and by that I mean, inaccurately manufactured
rolls, is a serious menace to the entire player in-
dustry, and it is my hope that the piano trade will
not encourage the continued production of these
rolls by patronizing their manufacturers.
"Please understand," continued Mr. Dreher,
"that I am not befriending the roll industry so
much as I am the player-piano part of our trade,
which will be the ultimate sufferer of this inferior
roll invasion. Considering the profit in the player-
piano end of the business, and the importance of
the music roll in connection with it, it would seem
to me that any intelligent dealer could readily see
the advantage in paying a little more for the bet-
ter roll and in so doing preserve his own best in-
terests. Then, too, the inferior rolls that sell at a
low price are a reflection on the entire player-
piano and roll industry in that they create in the
minds of the public a cheapness of the whole player
proposition.
"Of course, 1 appreciate this subject is a very
broad one, and that there are some sections of the
country where the menace does not apply. It is
certain, however, that when once started, if en-
couraged, it will rapidly grow and the ultimate
result will be a very much disorganized business,
both as to rolls and player-pianos. I think that an
ideal way of handling it might be to localize the
subject, i.e., in the various cities where the dealers
have formed an association, let them get together
and adopt a standard according to which all music
rolls handled by them must favorably compare.
In this manner, and if such a standard were ad-
hered to, the grave danger to their player trade
would be minimized, if not entirely eradicated.
"I am happy to say that Cleveland dealers have
not as yet debauched our industry by featuring in-
ferior rolls, and it is my hope that this attitude on
their part will be continued. As for our house, we
certainly would do nothing to jeopardize our best
interests, and under no circumstances would we
consider the use of a roll, unless it measured up
to a standard that we have set in our mind as be-
ing absolutely necessary for the best interests of
our business.
"It seems to me it is high time that the player-
piano manufacturers, and dealers as well, get to-
gether and in concerted action protect their indus-
try by preaching the gospel of high-grade music
roll business. You must understand that I am out
to purchase merchandise as cheaply as the next
man, but I will not not sacrifice quality for price.
I hope that this subject will be further agitated
through the medium of the trade papers, and that
various dealers throughout the country will give
an expression of their opinion and experience, all
tending toward the elemination of what I consid-
er to be a positive menace to our business."
In the
Dark Ages
of the automatic instru-
ment fear of grief and
trouble that was supposed
to go with them, fright-
ened away many piano
merchants. In many cases
men outside the piano busi-
ness took up the automatic
piano and the quick profits
that went with them.
These Are
Enlightened
Ages
The Automatic has come
into its own. The SEE-
BURG piano—the SEE-
BURG orchestrion—the
SEEBURG motion-picture
player require no more at-
tention than any player-
piano, they are easily set
up, they bring a larger
profit and a quicker one.
LivelToday,
JAMES & HOLMSTROM PLEASES.
Not in
Mrs. Hathaway, Who Recently Secured the
Agency, Writes Interesting Letter Express-
Ing His Satisfaction with the Instruments.
The Dark Ages
Mrs. F. P. Hathaway, Collins, N. Y., the veteran
woman piano dealer of New York State, has re-
cently taken the agency for the James & Holm-
strom piano and, referring to the first piano which
arrived at her store a few days ago, wrote James
& Holmstrom as follows:
"The piano arrived in fine condition, and when
received a big rejoicing came with it. Everything
is just right. The art finish pleases everybody and
it will sell others. I began to sell pianos in 1867
and since that time have handled various standard
makes, for which I have a genuine love, but I may
say that the James & Holmstrom equals anything
T have ever seen. I acknowledge myself wonder-
fully well pleased. The tone is fine and the action
is unsurpassed."
Kelly's Music Store, Brookings, S. D., has been
closed, out,
J. P. Seeburg Piano Co.
209 S. State Street
CHICAGO, ILL.
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS SHOULD GET TOGETHER
Says Henry Dreher, and Take Concerted Action to Protect Their Industry by Preaching the
Gospel of High Grade Mgsic Roll Business—Timely Words from Cleveland Dealer.
Recently Henry Dreher, president of B. Dreher's
Sons 'Co., Cleveland, O., divulged the fact that he
has some well defined ideas in connection with the
music roll side of the player-piano industry and
was free in his expression of them. The B.
Dreher's Sons Co. being among the first to special-
ize in player-pianos, renders Mr. Dreher particu-
larly well qualified to discuss this important sub-
ject from the dealer's point of view.
In the course of his remarks Mr. Dreher stated
Henry Dreher.
that it was beyond his comprehension as to why
any dealer should so far forget his best interests
and jeopardize a very important and growing part
of his business by using music rolls of other than
reliable quality. He stated it had been his experi-
ence that even the best of rolls are none too good
for the exacting requirements made upon them by
the player-piano, and without doubt the sale of
many a player has been lost by the bad perform-
ance of a roll.
A Player with Patented Features
That Will Get the Money;
Billings & Sons
Player-Piano
Equipped with
6j
Billings Metal Frame and Brass
Flange Action, Billings Invisible
Music Roll Compartment, Music
Rolls changed while seated. No
change in Case Design.
A SNAP FOR LIVE DEALERS
A number of these Flayers have been
sold alongside of other good makes and
proven the best sellers.
Write for prices and exclusive territory.
BILLINGS & SONS
504 Grand Ave.
MILWAUKEE, WIS.
"There can be no question," continued Mr.
Dreher, "but that the present invasion of the cheap,
and by that I mean, inaccurately manufactured
rolls, is a serious menace to the entire player in-
dustry, and it is my hope that the piano trade will
not encourage the continued production of these
rolls by patronizing their manufacturers.
"Please understand," continued Mr. Dreher,
"that I am not befriending the roll industry so
much as I am the player-piano part of our trade,
which will be the ultimate sufferer of this inferior
roll invasion. Considering the profit in the player-
piano end of the business, and the importance of
the music roll in connection with it, it would seem
to me that any intelligent dealer could readily see
the advantage in paying a little more for the bet-
ter roll and in so doing preserve his own best in-
terests. Then, too, the inferior rolls that sell at a
low price are a reflection on the entire player-
piano and roll industry in that they create in the
minds of the public a cheapness of the whole player
proposition.
"Of course, 1 appreciate this subject is a very
broad one, and that there are some sections of the
country where the menace does not apply. It is
certain, however, that when once started, if en-
couraged, it will rapidly grow and the ultimate
result will be a very much disorganized business,
both as to rolls and player-pianos. I think that an
ideal way of handling it might be to localize the
subject, i.e., in the various cities where the dealers
have formed an association, let them get together
and adopt a standard according to which all music
rolls handled by them must favorably compare.
In this manner, and if such a standard were ad-
hered to, the grave danger to their player trade
would be minimized, if not entirely eradicated.
"I am happy to say that Cleveland dealers have
not as yet debauched our industry by featuring in-
ferior rolls, and it is my hope that this attitude on
their part will be continued. As for our house, we
certainly would do nothing to jeopardize our best
interests, and under no circumstances would we
consider the use of a roll, unless it measured up
to a standard that we have set in our mind as be-
ing absolutely necessary for the best interests of
our business.
"It seems to me it is high time that the player-
piano manufacturers, and dealers as well, get to-
gether and in concerted action protect their indus-
try by preaching the gospel of high-grade music
roll business. You must understand that I am out
to purchase merchandise as cheaply as the next
man, but I will not not sacrifice quality for price.
I hope that this subject will be further agitated
through the medium of the trade papers, and that
various dealers throughout the country will give
an expression of their opinion and experience, all
tending toward the elemination of what I consid-
er to be a positive menace to our business."
In the
Dark Ages
of the automatic instru-
ment fear of grief and
trouble that was supposed
to go with them, fright-
ened away many piano
merchants. In many cases
men outside the piano busi-
ness took up the automatic
piano and the quick profits
that went with them.
These Are
Enlightened
Ages
The Automatic has come
into its own. The SEE-
BURG piano—the SEE-
BURG orchestrion—the
SEEBURG motion-picture
player require no more at-
tention than any player-
piano, they are easily set
up, they bring a larger
profit and a quicker one.
LivelToday,
JAMES & HOLMSTROM PLEASES.
Not in
Mrs. Hathaway, Who Recently Secured the
Agency, Writes Interesting Letter Express-
Ing His Satisfaction with the Instruments.
The Dark Ages
Mrs. F. P. Hathaway, Collins, N. Y., the veteran
woman piano dealer of New York State, has re-
cently taken the agency for the James & Holm-
strom piano and, referring to the first piano which
arrived at her store a few days ago, wrote James
& Holmstrom as follows:
"The piano arrived in fine condition, and when
received a big rejoicing came with it. Everything
is just right. The art finish pleases everybody and
it will sell others. I began to sell pianos in 1867
and since that time have handled various standard
makes, for which I have a genuine love, but I may
say that the James & Holmstrom equals anything
T have ever seen. I acknowledge myself wonder-
fully well pleased. The tone is fine and the action
is unsurpassed."
Kelly's Music Store, Brookings, S. D., has been
closed, out,
J. P. Seeburg Piano Co.
209 S. State Street
CHICAGO, ILL.
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