Music Trade Review
Issue: 1915 Vol. 60 N. 21 - Page 7
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THE
MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE GROWTH IN DEMAND FOR HIGH-GRADE PIANOS.
One of the Noteworthy Features of the Trade at the Present Time Discussed and Analyzed by
George M. Burdue of the A. B. Chase Co.— Serves to Lessen Number of Repossessions,
As noted editorially in The Review last week,
one of the most noteworthy features of the retail
piano trade these days is the increasing demand
for high-grade pianos of national reputation. This
is borne out by the reports of manufacturers
and dealers in various parts of the country.
In the course of a chat recently with George M.
Burdue, advertising manager of the A. B. Chase
Co., Nor walk, O., he said:
"We have noticed by the trade papers and by
our correspondence of late that there has been a
decided change of opinion and policy throughout
the trade in reference to the marketing of pianos.
There seems to be a feeling nowadays among the
better classes of dealers at least (and the other
trade is rapidly falling in line) that it pays to
push the better grades of pianos wherever pos-
sible to do so. In other words, the dealers
throughout the country seem to be discriminating
more than ever before as to the character of busi-
ness they will accept.
"A good many dealers have told the writer per-
sonally that they are seeking only the highest
grade trade, and are simply taking what they
please of the rest of it that naturally comes along
in the wake of high-grade business.
"Under date of April 3 we received a letter from
our representative at Augusta, Ga., L. A. Russell,
of the L. A. Russell Piano Co., in which he makes
this significant statement:
" 'We have 'had very heavy repossessions. We
have repossessed them, however, and taken the
loss, and we are now endeavoring to resell them
to people who can pay for them. But, while we
have had to repossess several of every other make
we sell, we have not repossessed a single A. B.
Chase piano this year, and never have had to re-
possess but one out of all that we have sold, which
goes to show that it pays to handle the better class
of goods, for with them you are able to get and
sell the better class of trade.'
"We though this was so good that we got out
a letter and sent this information to a good many
of our dealers throughout the country. We have
received very favorable responses to it, one com-
ing from our dealers at Oklahoma City, Okla.,
from which we .make the following extract:
" 'Your letter of the 10th received in reference
to a letter you had received from L. A. Russell, of
Augusta, Ga., in reference to repossessions of
pianos. We have had the same identical experi-
ence as he with our better class of pianos, and it
is evident that it is the only trade to push, and
have started the first of the year to push only the
best and better trade and have turned down many
sales that heretofore were usually considered ac-
ceptable in a piano trade. While naturally the
cheaper pianos the past few years have been prin-
cipally sold, we are placing our cheaper pianos
now on terms of larger payments down and larger
payments per month; in fact, all of our pianos,
sufficiently at least to reasonably believe that it
will stay out. These small payments down and
small payments per month, as has been practised
RUDOLF
PIANOS
are conscientiously made,
good instruments; in other
words, the sweetest things out.
in the past, have been the ruination of the piano
business. People haven't got enough in it, within
the next few months after their purchase, to en-
thuse them to continue should conditions change
a little with them.'
''The Ditzell Music Co. and Mr. Russell are not
the only ones who have seen the wisdom of mak-
ing a special effort to place high-grade business,
but scores of dealers throughout the country can
testify to a similar experience.
"During the past eighteen months losses by re-
possessions and poor collections have been ap-
palling, especially in certain sections of the coun-
try, and these losses have almost invariably come
irom the sale of cheaper pianos.
"It is with a great deal of gratification on our
part that we notice the trend of the trade toward
better things. The net profits on the sale of good
pianos are sure, because they are sold to people
who not only want the best but are able to pay
for what they want.
"We appreciate the work that the trade papers
have been doing in the line of putting the piano
business on a better and safer and saner basis.
We believe that the mor^ really good pianos that
are sold the better it will be for the trade gen-
erally, and we believe that tha time is coming
when there will be fewer of the cheap and un-
worthy class marketed, with a corresponding in-
crease of th> better grades."
Incidentally it may be said that the A. B. Chase
business for the first four months of the present
year is 30 per cent, ahead of the business trans-
acted during the same months of 1914. This is a
straw which shows how the wind blows—pleasing
testimony, indeed, that pianos of artistic worth
and acknowledged merit are winning that share of
recognition from the public to which they are
entitled.
f 2 East Urtb St.
NEW YORK
(Special to The Review.)
WORCESTER, MASS., May 17.—Francis Augustus
Leland, one of Worcester's best-known business
men and for a great many years prominent in the
music trade, died on Wednesday at his home, 653
Main street, from heart disease. Mr. Leland's ill-
ness dates back five weeks, at which time he suf-
fered an attack of hiccoughs, which brought on
exhaustion.
Mr. Leland was iborn in Worcester sixty-nine
years ago. He was the son of the late Samuel
Reeves Leland and Mary (Draper) Leland. He
was educated at the old Highland Military Acad-
emy on Salisbury street, and after graduation en-
HENRY L. MASON HONORED.
Elected
President of the Cecilia Society of
Boston at Recent Meeting.
At the annual meeting of the Cecilia Society of
Boston, held May 14, Henry Lowell Mason, chair-
man of the board of directors of the Mason &
Hamlin Co., was unanimously elected president of
that society. Like his forebears, Mr. Mason is
keenly interested in musical progress, not only in
Boston but throughout the country. He is a pianist
of distinction and a composer of many meritorious
musical numbers. In electing Mr. Mason president
the Cecilia Society does credit to its organization.
TO OPEN EXCLUSIVE PIANO STORE.
J. R. Smith, the well-known music dealer of
Shamokin, Pa., who recently sold his stock of
small goods and sheet music, has secured quarters
in the rear of the Masonic Temple at Eighth and
Commerce streets and will open exclusive piano
warerooms there.
E N G A G E M E N T ^ ANNOUNCED.
A n^w romance of the trade has been brought
to light by the announcement of the engagement
of M. J. Slason, the well-known piano dealer, of
Malone, N. Y., to Miss Natalie Metz, long con-
nected with the New York warerooms of the
Everett Piano Co. The wedding will take place
in June.
FIRE CAUSESJVUJCH DAMAGE.
A large number of musical instruments stored
on an upper floor of Hall's music store, Youngs-
town, O., were destroyed or badly damaged by
fire recently. The flames broke out in a case filled
with excelsior and had reached a stock of violins
before they were discovered.
THOS. GOGGAN & BROS. TO MOVE.
RUDOLF PIANO CO.
DEATH OF FRANCIS A. LELAND.
Prominent Piano Merchant of Worcester, Maa«. r
Succumbs from Effect of Attack of Hic-
coughs—Head of Old Established Business.
Thos. Goggan & Bros., Dallas, Tex., have leased
the lower floor of the Studebaker Bros. Co. build-
ing at 1405 Elm street and will remove on June 1.
Francis H. Leland.
tered the business of S. R. Leland & Son, which
had been established in 1835.
His father, S. R. Leland, was the pioneer music
dealer in Worcester, establishing a business on
Front street about eighty years ago and the busi-
ness has been carried on continuously since. The
store at the present time is located in the Knowles
building and was under the management of the
late Mr. Leland.
Mr. Leland was prominent in Masonic circles in
this city, and was a member of the Blue Lodge,
the Shriners and Aleppo Temple, of Boston. He
was a member of the Luther Burbank Society of
Boston, Sons of the Revolution, an honorary mem-
ber of George H. Ward Post 10, G. A. R., and for
many years had held membership in the National
Association of Piano Merchants.
He is survived by one daughter, Miss H. May
Leland.
The funeral was held Friday afternoon from the
home, and was conducted by Rev. Dr. Lewis G.
Morris, rector of All Saints' Church. The inter-
ment was in Rural Cemetery.
The Davis, Burkham & Tyler Co., the well-
known piano dealers of Wheeling, W. Va., have
opened a branch store at 725-727 Main street,
Wellsburg, W. Va. .
TINDALE
Music Cabinets
mean good sales and good profits.
For Sheet Music, Flayer-piano
Rolls and Phonograph Records.
Afford perfect protection and
instant accessibility. Made in a
variety of styles and beautiful fin-
ishes.
Write to-day for Illustrated
Catalog and Trade Prices
Tindale Cabinet Company
Style E.
THE
MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE GROWTH IN DEMAND FOR HIGH-GRADE PIANOS.
One of the Noteworthy Features of the Trade at the Present Time Discussed and Analyzed by
George M. Burdue of the A. B. Chase Co.— Serves to Lessen Number of Repossessions,
As noted editorially in The Review last week,
one of the most noteworthy features of the retail
piano trade these days is the increasing demand
for high-grade pianos of national reputation. This
is borne out by the reports of manufacturers
and dealers in various parts of the country.
In the course of a chat recently with George M.
Burdue, advertising manager of the A. B. Chase
Co., Nor walk, O., he said:
"We have noticed by the trade papers and by
our correspondence of late that there has been a
decided change of opinion and policy throughout
the trade in reference to the marketing of pianos.
There seems to be a feeling nowadays among the
better classes of dealers at least (and the other
trade is rapidly falling in line) that it pays to
push the better grades of pianos wherever pos-
sible to do so. In other words, the dealers
throughout the country seem to be discriminating
more than ever before as to the character of busi-
ness they will accept.
"A good many dealers have told the writer per-
sonally that they are seeking only the highest
grade trade, and are simply taking what they
please of the rest of it that naturally comes along
in the wake of high-grade business.
"Under date of April 3 we received a letter from
our representative at Augusta, Ga., L. A. Russell,
of the L. A. Russell Piano Co., in which he makes
this significant statement:
" 'We have 'had very heavy repossessions. We
have repossessed them, however, and taken the
loss, and we are now endeavoring to resell them
to people who can pay for them. But, while we
have had to repossess several of every other make
we sell, we have not repossessed a single A. B.
Chase piano this year, and never have had to re-
possess but one out of all that we have sold, which
goes to show that it pays to handle the better class
of goods, for with them you are able to get and
sell the better class of trade.'
"We though this was so good that we got out
a letter and sent this information to a good many
of our dealers throughout the country. We have
received very favorable responses to it, one com-
ing from our dealers at Oklahoma City, Okla.,
from which we .make the following extract:
" 'Your letter of the 10th received in reference
to a letter you had received from L. A. Russell, of
Augusta, Ga., in reference to repossessions of
pianos. We have had the same identical experi-
ence as he with our better class of pianos, and it
is evident that it is the only trade to push, and
have started the first of the year to push only the
best and better trade and have turned down many
sales that heretofore were usually considered ac-
ceptable in a piano trade. While naturally the
cheaper pianos the past few years have been prin-
cipally sold, we are placing our cheaper pianos
now on terms of larger payments down and larger
payments per month; in fact, all of our pianos,
sufficiently at least to reasonably believe that it
will stay out. These small payments down and
small payments per month, as has been practised
RUDOLF
PIANOS
are conscientiously made,
good instruments; in other
words, the sweetest things out.
in the past, have been the ruination of the piano
business. People haven't got enough in it, within
the next few months after their purchase, to en-
thuse them to continue should conditions change
a little with them.'
''The Ditzell Music Co. and Mr. Russell are not
the only ones who have seen the wisdom of mak-
ing a special effort to place high-grade business,
but scores of dealers throughout the country can
testify to a similar experience.
"During the past eighteen months losses by re-
possessions and poor collections have been ap-
palling, especially in certain sections of the coun-
try, and these losses have almost invariably come
irom the sale of cheaper pianos.
"It is with a great deal of gratification on our
part that we notice the trend of the trade toward
better things. The net profits on the sale of good
pianos are sure, because they are sold to people
who not only want the best but are able to pay
for what they want.
"We appreciate the work that the trade papers
have been doing in the line of putting the piano
business on a better and safer and saner basis.
We believe that the mor^ really good pianos that
are sold the better it will be for the trade gen-
erally, and we believe that tha time is coming
when there will be fewer of the cheap and un-
worthy class marketed, with a corresponding in-
crease of th> better grades."
Incidentally it may be said that the A. B. Chase
business for the first four months of the present
year is 30 per cent, ahead of the business trans-
acted during the same months of 1914. This is a
straw which shows how the wind blows—pleasing
testimony, indeed, that pianos of artistic worth
and acknowledged merit are winning that share of
recognition from the public to which they are
entitled.
f 2 East Urtb St.
NEW YORK
(Special to The Review.)
WORCESTER, MASS., May 17.—Francis Augustus
Leland, one of Worcester's best-known business
men and for a great many years prominent in the
music trade, died on Wednesday at his home, 653
Main street, from heart disease. Mr. Leland's ill-
ness dates back five weeks, at which time he suf-
fered an attack of hiccoughs, which brought on
exhaustion.
Mr. Leland was iborn in Worcester sixty-nine
years ago. He was the son of the late Samuel
Reeves Leland and Mary (Draper) Leland. He
was educated at the old Highland Military Acad-
emy on Salisbury street, and after graduation en-
HENRY L. MASON HONORED.
Elected
President of the Cecilia Society of
Boston at Recent Meeting.
At the annual meeting of the Cecilia Society of
Boston, held May 14, Henry Lowell Mason, chair-
man of the board of directors of the Mason &
Hamlin Co., was unanimously elected president of
that society. Like his forebears, Mr. Mason is
keenly interested in musical progress, not only in
Boston but throughout the country. He is a pianist
of distinction and a composer of many meritorious
musical numbers. In electing Mr. Mason president
the Cecilia Society does credit to its organization.
TO OPEN EXCLUSIVE PIANO STORE.
J. R. Smith, the well-known music dealer of
Shamokin, Pa., who recently sold his stock of
small goods and sheet music, has secured quarters
in the rear of the Masonic Temple at Eighth and
Commerce streets and will open exclusive piano
warerooms there.
E N G A G E M E N T ^ ANNOUNCED.
A n^w romance of the trade has been brought
to light by the announcement of the engagement
of M. J. Slason, the well-known piano dealer, of
Malone, N. Y., to Miss Natalie Metz, long con-
nected with the New York warerooms of the
Everett Piano Co. The wedding will take place
in June.
FIRE CAUSESJVUJCH DAMAGE.
A large number of musical instruments stored
on an upper floor of Hall's music store, Youngs-
town, O., were destroyed or badly damaged by
fire recently. The flames broke out in a case filled
with excelsior and had reached a stock of violins
before they were discovered.
THOS. GOGGAN & BROS. TO MOVE.
RUDOLF PIANO CO.
DEATH OF FRANCIS A. LELAND.
Prominent Piano Merchant of Worcester, Maa«. r
Succumbs from Effect of Attack of Hic-
coughs—Head of Old Established Business.
Thos. Goggan & Bros., Dallas, Tex., have leased
the lower floor of the Studebaker Bros. Co. build-
ing at 1405 Elm street and will remove on June 1.
Francis H. Leland.
tered the business of S. R. Leland & Son, which
had been established in 1835.
His father, S. R. Leland, was the pioneer music
dealer in Worcester, establishing a business on
Front street about eighty years ago and the busi-
ness has been carried on continuously since. The
store at the present time is located in the Knowles
building and was under the management of the
late Mr. Leland.
Mr. Leland was prominent in Masonic circles in
this city, and was a member of the Blue Lodge,
the Shriners and Aleppo Temple, of Boston. He
was a member of the Luther Burbank Society of
Boston, Sons of the Revolution, an honorary mem-
ber of George H. Ward Post 10, G. A. R., and for
many years had held membership in the National
Association of Piano Merchants.
He is survived by one daughter, Miss H. May
Leland.
The funeral was held Friday afternoon from the
home, and was conducted by Rev. Dr. Lewis G.
Morris, rector of All Saints' Church. The inter-
ment was in Rural Cemetery.
The Davis, Burkham & Tyler Co., the well-
known piano dealers of Wheeling, W. Va., have
opened a branch store at 725-727 Main street,
Wellsburg, W. Va. .
TINDALE
Music Cabinets
mean good sales and good profits.
For Sheet Music, Flayer-piano
Rolls and Phonograph Records.
Afford perfect protection and
instant accessibility. Made in a
variety of styles and beautiful fin-
ishes.
Write to-day for Illustrated
Catalog and Trade Prices
Tindale Cabinet Company
Style E.
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