Music Trade Review
Issue: 1916 Vol. 62 N. 21 - Page 4
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
REVIEW
PUBLISHED BY THE ESTATE OF EDWARD LYMAN BILL
(C. L. BILL, Executrix.)
J. B. SPILLANE, Editor
J. RAYMOND BILL, Associate Editor
AUGUST J. TIMPE
Business Manager
Executive and Reportorial Staff:
B BRITTAIN WILSON
CARLETON CHACE,
L. M. ROBINSON,
GLAD HENDERSON,
A. J. NICKLIN,
W I I . B. WHITE,
WILSON D. BUSH,
L. E. BOWERS,
D. G. AUGUR
BOSTON O F F I C E t
JOHN H. WILSON, 324 Washington St.
Telephone, Main 6950.
v
CHICAGO OFFICE*
E. P. VAN HARLINGEN Consumers' Building.
2S0 So. State Street. Telephone, Wabash 5774.
HENRY S. KINGWILL, Associate.
LONDON, ENGLAND: 1 Gresham Buildings, Basinghall St., E. C.
NEWS SERVICE IS SUPPLIED W E E K L Y BY OUR CORRESPONDENTS
LOCATED IN T H E LEADING CITIES THROUGHOUT AMERICA.
Published Every Saturday at 373 Fourth Avenue, New York
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Class Matter.
SUBSCRIPTION (including postage), United States and Mexico, $2.00 per year;
Canada, $3.50; all other countries, $5.00.
ADVERTISEMENTS, $3.50 per inch, single column, per insertion. On quarterly or
yearly contracts a special discount is allowed. Advertising pages, $no.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency forms, should be made payable to the Estate of
Edward Lyman Bill.
• ! • , , - „ DSOBIA a n i l
Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques-
• lojCr-rloIIU dllU
tions of a technical nature relating to the tuning, regu-
T A n h n i o a l flan
i c U I U I L a l U t . p d l l l l l c U O . dealt with, will be found in another section of this
paper. We also publish a number of reliable technical works, information concerning
which will be cheerfully given upon request.
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
Grand Prix
Paris Exposition, 1900
Silver Medal. . .Charleston Exposition, 1902
Diploma. . . . l'an-Ainerican Exposition, 1901
Gold Medal. . . . .St. Louis Exposition, 1904
Gold Medal. .Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1905.
£ONO DISTANCE TELEPHONES—NUMBERS 5982—5983 MADISON SQ.
Connecting- all Departments
Cable address: "Elbill, New Yorlt."
NEW YORK,
M A Y 2 0, 1 9 1 6 .
Why, therefore, should any sensible customer expect to get
his music at before-the-war prices?
The dealer who is awake to arguments need only show the
customer the copper-covered strings and the copper market
reports in the newspaper, or show him the rise in steel or the
many printed reports of the scarcity of fine hardwoods to prove
to him that the piano man has been hard hit in purchasing his
supplies.
Fortunately the broad-minded dealers have realized just
what their trade is up against and have prepared themselves
accordingly. Some dealers, and they are wise, have already
raised the prices throughout their entire line, and told the public
through advertisements just why it was necessary. One thing
that the retailer must realize sooner or later is that the increased
prices on pianos cannot be dodged any more than taxes or death
can be evaded.
of the most significant trends in the retailing department
O NE of the
music trade industry is the tremendous demand for
grand pianos reported by traveling men, who recently returned
from extended road trips. This may be attributed to the increased
musical culture among the masses of the American people, or it
may be attributed to the greater diffusion of money due to the
increased activity in manufacturing and wage earning circles,
but whatever the reason, the fact stands out most pleasingly
that grand pianos, particularly those of the small and parlor
grand types, are having a demand that is absolutely unprece-
dented in this country. And these purchases are not confined to
instruments of medium price, but the calls are for instruments of
national reputation, and of high price. The reports from leading
manufacturers all tell of a demand for grands that one would
have deemed impossible of realization some few years ago.
HE observations on the need of better financing methods in
T
the piano trade as set forth in The Review last week by Elmon
Armstrong are worthy of more than casual interest on the part of
the retailer, even though some of the assertions may not be
pleasant to listen to. The fact remains, however, that a proper
understanding of the financial end of the business would serve to
EDITORIAL
save many trusting piano men from the rocks of failure, if they
would but give the matter conscientious consideration.
ROM reports now available the coming conventions at the
Despite the efforts of manufacturers and others interested in
Hotel Astor during the week of June 19-24 should prove
the trade to educate the average dealer regarding proper financial
unusually successful not only from the point of attendance, but
methods, there are still too many piano stores conducted on a hit
also in the various features offered for the consideration of the or miss principle. The dealer may be honest, may mean well and
delegates, one of the most important being the report of the actually believe that he is breaking even, if not making money,
Research Committee of the National Piano Manufacturers' Asso-
but suddenly there comes a last analysis, and he is caught in
ciation, and in which it is expected there will be offered practical
what is colloquially known as a "jam," and his business tomb-
and valuable suggestions looking towards the advancement of
stone bears the common epitaph: "lie thought he was making
the piano and kindred products in the estimation of the public
money but he wasn't."
through general press work, as well as by other methods.
The national organization of automobile manufacturers
The men who have this preparatory work in hand are B. H. has the right idea. It has adopted a fixed form of account-
Janssen, R. W. Lawrence and J. A. Coffin, and they have been
ing system for the dealer and he is obliged to keep his records
selected because they are particularly well qualified from experi-
according to that form. Such a system will not keep a dealer
ence to appreciate the value of publicity and they also know how from failing, but it will prevent him from conducting his business
to obtain and develop it. The committee report should throw
for an indefinite period at a loss and finally facing liabilities
some new light on the question of national piano advertising on
altogether out of proportion to the extent of his venture.
the basis of "all for one and one for all."
Some day the National Association of Piano Manufacturers,
in their commendable efforts toward trade betterment, may adopt
ESPITE the facts that have been presented in The Review
a similar uniform system under which retail piano accounts may
from time to time in connection with the tremendous
be kept. It will cut down the size of the creditors' accounts if
advance in the cost of materials utilized in piano manufacturing.
nothing else.
there are apparently still a number of dealers who are inclined
to question the natural necessity of a wholesale advance, either
HE best evidence of the present prosperity in the retail piano
on the selfish plea that the manufacturers should carry the
trade throughout the country is the numerous and frequent
burden, or because they doubt their ability to force the public
reports of the opening of new branch stores and the remodeling
to pay more for instruments at retail.
and enlarging of many of the stores at present doing business.
Were pianos the only articles advanced in price, the diffi-
All this proves that the piano man is not only doing a good
culties, as viewed by the dealer, would be real enough. As a business at the present time, but believes sufficiently in the
matter of fact, however, the general public has been trained for
future development of the retail trade to warrant him in expand-
the past year to expect these price advances, in both necessities
ing his facilities to take care of the business to come. Were
and luxuries.
this development confined to one section, such as the munition
The man who eats pays more for his food; the man who centers of New England, or the steel centers of Pennsylvania,
walks pays a stiff advance in the price of shoes; he who rides
it would probably occasion little comment, but the movement
must pay more for his tires and gasoline, and as the law demands
of expansion among retail houses is evidenced in all sections of
the wearing of clothing, a larger proportion of money must be
the country, which means that whatever prosperity exists is of a
devoted to this essential.
national character.
F
D
T
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
REVIEW
PUBLISHED BY THE ESTATE OF EDWARD LYMAN BILL
(C. L. BILL, Executrix.)
J. B. SPILLANE, Editor
J. RAYMOND BILL, Associate Editor
AUGUST J. TIMPE
Business Manager
Executive and Reportorial Staff:
B BRITTAIN WILSON
CARLETON CHACE,
L. M. ROBINSON,
GLAD HENDERSON,
A. J. NICKLIN,
W I I . B. WHITE,
WILSON D. BUSH,
L. E. BOWERS,
D. G. AUGUR
BOSTON O F F I C E t
JOHN H. WILSON, 324 Washington St.
Telephone, Main 6950.
v
CHICAGO OFFICE*
E. P. VAN HARLINGEN Consumers' Building.
2S0 So. State Street. Telephone, Wabash 5774.
HENRY S. KINGWILL, Associate.
LONDON, ENGLAND: 1 Gresham Buildings, Basinghall St., E. C.
NEWS SERVICE IS SUPPLIED W E E K L Y BY OUR CORRESPONDENTS
LOCATED IN T H E LEADING CITIES THROUGHOUT AMERICA.
Published Every Saturday at 373 Fourth Avenue, New York
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Class Matter.
SUBSCRIPTION (including postage), United States and Mexico, $2.00 per year;
Canada, $3.50; all other countries, $5.00.
ADVERTISEMENTS, $3.50 per inch, single column, per insertion. On quarterly or
yearly contracts a special discount is allowed. Advertising pages, $no.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency forms, should be made payable to the Estate of
Edward Lyman Bill.
• ! • , , - „ DSOBIA a n i l
Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques-
• lojCr-rloIIU dllU
tions of a technical nature relating to the tuning, regu-
T A n h n i o a l flan
i c U I U I L a l U t . p d l l l l l c U O . dealt with, will be found in another section of this
paper. We also publish a number of reliable technical works, information concerning
which will be cheerfully given upon request.
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
Grand Prix
Paris Exposition, 1900
Silver Medal. . .Charleston Exposition, 1902
Diploma. . . . l'an-Ainerican Exposition, 1901
Gold Medal. . . . .St. Louis Exposition, 1904
Gold Medal. .Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1905.
£ONO DISTANCE TELEPHONES—NUMBERS 5982—5983 MADISON SQ.
Connecting- all Departments
Cable address: "Elbill, New Yorlt."
NEW YORK,
M A Y 2 0, 1 9 1 6 .
Why, therefore, should any sensible customer expect to get
his music at before-the-war prices?
The dealer who is awake to arguments need only show the
customer the copper-covered strings and the copper market
reports in the newspaper, or show him the rise in steel or the
many printed reports of the scarcity of fine hardwoods to prove
to him that the piano man has been hard hit in purchasing his
supplies.
Fortunately the broad-minded dealers have realized just
what their trade is up against and have prepared themselves
accordingly. Some dealers, and they are wise, have already
raised the prices throughout their entire line, and told the public
through advertisements just why it was necessary. One thing
that the retailer must realize sooner or later is that the increased
prices on pianos cannot be dodged any more than taxes or death
can be evaded.
of the most significant trends in the retailing department
O NE of the
music trade industry is the tremendous demand for
grand pianos reported by traveling men, who recently returned
from extended road trips. This may be attributed to the increased
musical culture among the masses of the American people, or it
may be attributed to the greater diffusion of money due to the
increased activity in manufacturing and wage earning circles,
but whatever the reason, the fact stands out most pleasingly
that grand pianos, particularly those of the small and parlor
grand types, are having a demand that is absolutely unprece-
dented in this country. And these purchases are not confined to
instruments of medium price, but the calls are for instruments of
national reputation, and of high price. The reports from leading
manufacturers all tell of a demand for grands that one would
have deemed impossible of realization some few years ago.
HE observations on the need of better financing methods in
T
the piano trade as set forth in The Review last week by Elmon
Armstrong are worthy of more than casual interest on the part of
the retailer, even though some of the assertions may not be
pleasant to listen to. The fact remains, however, that a proper
understanding of the financial end of the business would serve to
EDITORIAL
save many trusting piano men from the rocks of failure, if they
would but give the matter conscientious consideration.
ROM reports now available the coming conventions at the
Despite the efforts of manufacturers and others interested in
Hotel Astor during the week of June 19-24 should prove
the trade to educate the average dealer regarding proper financial
unusually successful not only from the point of attendance, but
methods, there are still too many piano stores conducted on a hit
also in the various features offered for the consideration of the or miss principle. The dealer may be honest, may mean well and
delegates, one of the most important being the report of the actually believe that he is breaking even, if not making money,
Research Committee of the National Piano Manufacturers' Asso-
but suddenly there comes a last analysis, and he is caught in
ciation, and in which it is expected there will be offered practical
what is colloquially known as a "jam," and his business tomb-
and valuable suggestions looking towards the advancement of
stone bears the common epitaph: "lie thought he was making
the piano and kindred products in the estimation of the public
money but he wasn't."
through general press work, as well as by other methods.
The national organization of automobile manufacturers
The men who have this preparatory work in hand are B. H. has the right idea. It has adopted a fixed form of account-
Janssen, R. W. Lawrence and J. A. Coffin, and they have been
ing system for the dealer and he is obliged to keep his records
selected because they are particularly well qualified from experi-
according to that form. Such a system will not keep a dealer
ence to appreciate the value of publicity and they also know how from failing, but it will prevent him from conducting his business
to obtain and develop it. The committee report should throw
for an indefinite period at a loss and finally facing liabilities
some new light on the question of national piano advertising on
altogether out of proportion to the extent of his venture.
the basis of "all for one and one for all."
Some day the National Association of Piano Manufacturers,
in their commendable efforts toward trade betterment, may adopt
ESPITE the facts that have been presented in The Review
a similar uniform system under which retail piano accounts may
from time to time in connection with the tremendous
be kept. It will cut down the size of the creditors' accounts if
advance in the cost of materials utilized in piano manufacturing.
nothing else.
there are apparently still a number of dealers who are inclined
to question the natural necessity of a wholesale advance, either
HE best evidence of the present prosperity in the retail piano
on the selfish plea that the manufacturers should carry the
trade throughout the country is the numerous and frequent
burden, or because they doubt their ability to force the public
reports of the opening of new branch stores and the remodeling
to pay more for instruments at retail.
and enlarging of many of the stores at present doing business.
Were pianos the only articles advanced in price, the diffi-
All this proves that the piano man is not only doing a good
culties, as viewed by the dealer, would be real enough. As a business at the present time, but believes sufficiently in the
matter of fact, however, the general public has been trained for
future development of the retail trade to warrant him in expand-
the past year to expect these price advances, in both necessities
ing his facilities to take care of the business to come. Were
and luxuries.
this development confined to one section, such as the munition
The man who eats pays more for his food; the man who centers of New England, or the steel centers of Pennsylvania,
walks pays a stiff advance in the price of shoes; he who rides
it would probably occasion little comment, but the movement
must pay more for his tires and gasoline, and as the law demands
of expansion among retail houses is evidenced in all sections of
the wearing of clothing, a larger proportion of money must be
the country, which means that whatever prosperity exists is of a
devoted to this essential.
national character.
F
D
T
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