Music Trade Review
Issue: 1917 Vol. 64 N. 1 - Page 7
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
GOVERNMENT CENSORING PIANO ADVERTISING IN MAILS KNABE & CO. ANNOUNCE PRICE RAISE
Post Office Department Watching Piano Dealers Who Use the Mails for Scattering Broadcast
Advertising of a Questionable Nature— Contests and Prize Schemes Criticised
WASHINGTON, D. C, January 4.—The Post Of- it in a report just transmitted to Congress.
fice Department has the fake piano merchants Says the head of "the biggest business institu-
and special sale artists on the run. This is the tion in the world" on this score: "One partic-
welcome news that comes from Uncle Sam's ular kind of prize swindle against which many
postal headquarters at the end of the liveliest complaints were received was a plan by which
year since the Government began its censor- itinerant piano sellers disposed of their infe-
ship of piano advertising in the mails. Most rior instruments at excessive prices by what is
encouraging of all is the assurance given to commonly known as the fake contest and prize
The Music Trade Review by the officials of the credit voucher method. In an effort to close
Department that inasmuch as the courts are the mails to such enterprises criminal proceed-
holding up the hands of the Federal postal po- ings were instituted in a number of these cases,
licemen in their effort to "clean up" the musical and thus far the courts have declared the plan
field, it will be the policy for 1917 to enlarge of business to be fraudulent."
That downright fraud as well as an objec-
rather than diminish the scope of the crusade
against itinerant piano merchants who use ques- tionable lottery feature or element of chance
is present in the average prize swindle in the
tionable methods of getting business.
Of course, our readers will understand that piano trade is the expressed conviction of not
the only hold the Post Office Department has only Postmaster General Burleson, but likewise
upon these thorns in the flesh of the piano Judge W. H. Lamar, the Solicitor of the Post
trade is obtainable when the slippery piano men Office Department—that is, head of its legal
make use of the mails. However, that suffices. department. Judge Lamar is the official who
The deceitful piano sellers cannot send their determines the legality of each suspicious new
wares by mail, but much of their advertising scheme that raises its head in the piano trade,
has to go by that route. If the advertising has and he declared recently that he was amazed at
no place in the columns of newspapers that the number and ingenuity of the subterfuges that
are circulated by mail there is at least the di- are adopted in an effort to evade the law. In-
rect-by-mail advertising such as circulars, cards, cidently, the Solicitor took occasion to give
pamphlets, catalogs, etc.—not forgetting the credit and bestow praise upon the piano mer-
fake re'bus printed matter.
That is where chants and advertising men who, as individuals
or as associations, have co-operated with the
Uncle Sam "gets them."
Fake contests and fraudulent prize credit Post Office Department during the past twelve
vouchers—these are the pests of the music months by calling attention to unethical piano
trade toward which the wrath of the Post Office advertising and by furnishing, in not a few in-
Department is just now specially directed. The stances, the evidence that enabled the posta.1 au-
Postmaster General deems the subject of such thorities to shut down on the operation of the
fake schemes.
importance that he makes special mention of
New Price Schedule to Become Effective on
February 1—Applies to Both Uprights and
Grands and Ranges from $50 to $100
SOHMER CUPID GRAND TO COST MORE
MORRIS W. VELSEY'S NEW POST
Retail Price of Popular Instrument Increased
$25—Justified by Intrinsic Value
Becomes Head of Outside Sales Staff of Chick-
ering Warerooms at Lord & Taylor Store
Under the Direction of W. H. Gomes
TORONTO, ONT., December 30.—The trade in
Canada has received with regret the news of the
death of Thomas A. Eagan, superintendent of
the factory of Heintzman & Co., Ltd., who
passed away at his home here after an illness
of six weeks. Mr. Eagan was 62 years old and
commenced his career in the music trade 46
years ago. His first employment was with the
late T. A. Heintzman and continued in the em-
ploy of that gentleman and his successors, and
when the present house of Heintzman & Co.,
Ltd., was chartered he was one of the incor-
porators. He is survived by a widow, two young
daughters, a brother, and three sisters, one of
the latter being the wife of D. M. Best, piano
hammer and string manufacturer of Toronto.
Sohmer & Co., New York, announced this
week that the retail price of the Sohmer Cupid
Grand has now been advanced $25, from $675
to $700.
Commenting on the subject H. J. Sohmer,
president of the company, said: "The Cupid
grand has always been under-priced due to local
competitive conditions. The decision to advance
the price, therefore, is not a sudden one. The
intrinsic value of the piano has at all times
justified the $700 price, and we determined some
time ago to make the price commensurate with
the quality beginning January first.
"The question of price is purely relative with
us. We measure our instruments by the degree
of quality perfection we are able to attain, and
fix the price on the cost of production and sell-
ing, plus a reasonable profit. We have not
sought to make a piano at a price, but have
always been actuated by the principle of mak-
ing the best piano our skill and musicianship
could produce, and then to fix the price as
above indicated."
NEW KNABE & CO^AGENTS IN KANSAS
William Knabe & Co., New York, announced
this week the consummation of arrangements
whereby the A. N. Pickerell Music House,
Cherryville, Kans. will handle the complete
Knabe line in its territory. This concern ex-
pects to feature the Knabe as its leader, and
according to present plans, will give this line
an aggressive, high-class representation.
GEO. W. ROJBINSON WEDS
Geo. W. Robinson, piano dealer of Nez Perces,
Idaho, was married recently to Miss Ada Ran-
dall, daughter of a well-known rancher.
William Knabe & Co., New York, announced
this week that beginning February 1, the prices
of Knabe pianos will be advanced; Knabe up-
rights being advanced $50 each and Knabe
grands $50 to $100 each. This announcement
has already appeared in the local newspapers,
and will also be used generally by Knabe dealers
throughout the country.
In this announcement, William Knabe & Co.
said in part:
"Manufacturing and managerial efficiency in
every phase of piano making and selling is the
bed rock on which the fame of the Knabe piano
has been built. This was clearly demonstrated
at the beginning of the European war by the
foresight of the managerial forces of the Knabe
in buying for future needs large quantities of
the materials used in the making of fine piano-
fortes, thus enabling us to offer our clientele in-
struments of the highest quality without an
advance of price up to this time.
"To-day these materials have doubled and
trebled in cost. Labor has advanced greatly.
In fairness to prospective customers we, there-
fore, wish to give notice that on February 1,
1917, Knabe upright pianos will be advanced
$50 each and Knabe grand pianos will be ad-
vanced $50 to $100 each. This advance only
covers the increased cost of production."
DEATH OF TH0S. A. EAGAN
Factory Superintendent of Heintzman & Co.,
Ltd., Toronto, Passes Away in 62nd Year
W. H. Gomes, manager of the Chickering
warerooms at the Lord & Taylor store, New
York, announced this week the appointment of
Morris W. Velsey as head of the department's
outside sales staff. Mr. Velsey will assume his
new duties the first of next week.
M. W. Velsey is one of the best-known mem-
bers of the local retail trade, having been as
sociated with the piano industry for fifteen years.
For the past year he has been head of the out-
side staff of Frederick Loeser & Co.'s. piano
department, where, he achieved very pleasing
results. Prior to this connection he was asso-
W. E. HALL WITH MATHUSHEK
ciated with the Aeolian Co's. wholesale division,
W. E. Hall, formerly traveler for Jacob Doll
and is generally regarded as being thoroughly
familiar with all phases of piano merchandising. & Sons, is now connected with the Mathushek
Piano Mfg. Co., and will start very shortly on
G. W. D. PILCHERJVITH GRUNEWALD his initial trip as a representative of the Mathu-
NEW ORLEANS, LA., January 2.—Announcement shek piano. Mr. Hall is well-known to the
was made last week that Geo. W. D. Pilcher piano dealers throughout the country, having
is now a member of the L. Grunewald Co., Inc., travelled as a piano salesman for many years.
staff. Mr. Picher was one of the organizers of
the original Collins-Pilcher Piano Co., now
known as the Collins Piano Co., and he severed
his connection with that firm during the past
year to join the sales force of Philip Werlein.
He has had many years' experience in the piano
line and is exceedingly well-known in this sec-
tion of the country.
KOHLER BEEFSTEAK ON JANUARY 6
CALENDAR HAS HOLIDAY GREETINGS
A wall calendar of an elaborate design and
bearing in a center panel a peaceful pastoral
scene brings the New Year greetings of Jacob
Doll & Son, Inc., New York, to the trade friends
of the company. The calendar will be found
an ornament to the office, as well as a con-
venience.
The annual beefsteak dinner oILthe Kohler In-
PIANO SALESMAN BANKRUPT
dustries will be held at the new"Kohler Indus-
tries Restaurant, 611 West Fifty-first street, New
George Roy Pattison, a piano salesman o*f
York, to-night (Saturday, January 6). A large 1160 Flatbush avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y., filed a
number of guests have been invited, and the voluntary petition in bankruptcy last week with
usual jollification is anticipated.
liabilties $1,983 and assets $250.
WINTER & CO.
220 SOUTHERN BOULEVARD, NEW YORK
Manufacturers of
Superior Pianos
and Player Pianos
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
GOVERNMENT CENSORING PIANO ADVERTISING IN MAILS KNABE & CO. ANNOUNCE PRICE RAISE
Post Office Department Watching Piano Dealers Who Use the Mails for Scattering Broadcast
Advertising of a Questionable Nature— Contests and Prize Schemes Criticised
WASHINGTON, D. C, January 4.—The Post Of- it in a report just transmitted to Congress.
fice Department has the fake piano merchants Says the head of "the biggest business institu-
and special sale artists on the run. This is the tion in the world" on this score: "One partic-
welcome news that comes from Uncle Sam's ular kind of prize swindle against which many
postal headquarters at the end of the liveliest complaints were received was a plan by which
year since the Government began its censor- itinerant piano sellers disposed of their infe-
ship of piano advertising in the mails. Most rior instruments at excessive prices by what is
encouraging of all is the assurance given to commonly known as the fake contest and prize
The Music Trade Review by the officials of the credit voucher method. In an effort to close
Department that inasmuch as the courts are the mails to such enterprises criminal proceed-
holding up the hands of the Federal postal po- ings were instituted in a number of these cases,
licemen in their effort to "clean up" the musical and thus far the courts have declared the plan
field, it will be the policy for 1917 to enlarge of business to be fraudulent."
That downright fraud as well as an objec-
rather than diminish the scope of the crusade
against itinerant piano merchants who use ques- tionable lottery feature or element of chance
is present in the average prize swindle in the
tionable methods of getting business.
Of course, our readers will understand that piano trade is the expressed conviction of not
the only hold the Post Office Department has only Postmaster General Burleson, but likewise
upon these thorns in the flesh of the piano Judge W. H. Lamar, the Solicitor of the Post
trade is obtainable when the slippery piano men Office Department—that is, head of its legal
make use of the mails. However, that suffices. department. Judge Lamar is the official who
The deceitful piano sellers cannot send their determines the legality of each suspicious new
wares by mail, but much of their advertising scheme that raises its head in the piano trade,
has to go by that route. If the advertising has and he declared recently that he was amazed at
no place in the columns of newspapers that the number and ingenuity of the subterfuges that
are circulated by mail there is at least the di- are adopted in an effort to evade the law. In-
rect-by-mail advertising such as circulars, cards, cidently, the Solicitor took occasion to give
pamphlets, catalogs, etc.—not forgetting the credit and bestow praise upon the piano mer-
fake re'bus printed matter.
That is where chants and advertising men who, as individuals
or as associations, have co-operated with the
Uncle Sam "gets them."
Fake contests and fraudulent prize credit Post Office Department during the past twelve
vouchers—these are the pests of the music months by calling attention to unethical piano
trade toward which the wrath of the Post Office advertising and by furnishing, in not a few in-
Department is just now specially directed. The stances, the evidence that enabled the posta.1 au-
Postmaster General deems the subject of such thorities to shut down on the operation of the
fake schemes.
importance that he makes special mention of
New Price Schedule to Become Effective on
February 1—Applies to Both Uprights and
Grands and Ranges from $50 to $100
SOHMER CUPID GRAND TO COST MORE
MORRIS W. VELSEY'S NEW POST
Retail Price of Popular Instrument Increased
$25—Justified by Intrinsic Value
Becomes Head of Outside Sales Staff of Chick-
ering Warerooms at Lord & Taylor Store
Under the Direction of W. H. Gomes
TORONTO, ONT., December 30.—The trade in
Canada has received with regret the news of the
death of Thomas A. Eagan, superintendent of
the factory of Heintzman & Co., Ltd., who
passed away at his home here after an illness
of six weeks. Mr. Eagan was 62 years old and
commenced his career in the music trade 46
years ago. His first employment was with the
late T. A. Heintzman and continued in the em-
ploy of that gentleman and his successors, and
when the present house of Heintzman & Co.,
Ltd., was chartered he was one of the incor-
porators. He is survived by a widow, two young
daughters, a brother, and three sisters, one of
the latter being the wife of D. M. Best, piano
hammer and string manufacturer of Toronto.
Sohmer & Co., New York, announced this
week that the retail price of the Sohmer Cupid
Grand has now been advanced $25, from $675
to $700.
Commenting on the subject H. J. Sohmer,
president of the company, said: "The Cupid
grand has always been under-priced due to local
competitive conditions. The decision to advance
the price, therefore, is not a sudden one. The
intrinsic value of the piano has at all times
justified the $700 price, and we determined some
time ago to make the price commensurate with
the quality beginning January first.
"The question of price is purely relative with
us. We measure our instruments by the degree
of quality perfection we are able to attain, and
fix the price on the cost of production and sell-
ing, plus a reasonable profit. We have not
sought to make a piano at a price, but have
always been actuated by the principle of mak-
ing the best piano our skill and musicianship
could produce, and then to fix the price as
above indicated."
NEW KNABE & CO^AGENTS IN KANSAS
William Knabe & Co., New York, announced
this week the consummation of arrangements
whereby the A. N. Pickerell Music House,
Cherryville, Kans. will handle the complete
Knabe line in its territory. This concern ex-
pects to feature the Knabe as its leader, and
according to present plans, will give this line
an aggressive, high-class representation.
GEO. W. ROJBINSON WEDS
Geo. W. Robinson, piano dealer of Nez Perces,
Idaho, was married recently to Miss Ada Ran-
dall, daughter of a well-known rancher.
William Knabe & Co., New York, announced
this week that beginning February 1, the prices
of Knabe pianos will be advanced; Knabe up-
rights being advanced $50 each and Knabe
grands $50 to $100 each. This announcement
has already appeared in the local newspapers,
and will also be used generally by Knabe dealers
throughout the country.
In this announcement, William Knabe & Co.
said in part:
"Manufacturing and managerial efficiency in
every phase of piano making and selling is the
bed rock on which the fame of the Knabe piano
has been built. This was clearly demonstrated
at the beginning of the European war by the
foresight of the managerial forces of the Knabe
in buying for future needs large quantities of
the materials used in the making of fine piano-
fortes, thus enabling us to offer our clientele in-
struments of the highest quality without an
advance of price up to this time.
"To-day these materials have doubled and
trebled in cost. Labor has advanced greatly.
In fairness to prospective customers we, there-
fore, wish to give notice that on February 1,
1917, Knabe upright pianos will be advanced
$50 each and Knabe grand pianos will be ad-
vanced $50 to $100 each. This advance only
covers the increased cost of production."
DEATH OF TH0S. A. EAGAN
Factory Superintendent of Heintzman & Co.,
Ltd., Toronto, Passes Away in 62nd Year
W. H. Gomes, manager of the Chickering
warerooms at the Lord & Taylor store, New
York, announced this week the appointment of
Morris W. Velsey as head of the department's
outside sales staff. Mr. Velsey will assume his
new duties the first of next week.
M. W. Velsey is one of the best-known mem-
bers of the local retail trade, having been as
sociated with the piano industry for fifteen years.
For the past year he has been head of the out-
side staff of Frederick Loeser & Co.'s. piano
department, where, he achieved very pleasing
results. Prior to this connection he was asso-
W. E. HALL WITH MATHUSHEK
ciated with the Aeolian Co's. wholesale division,
W. E. Hall, formerly traveler for Jacob Doll
and is generally regarded as being thoroughly
familiar with all phases of piano merchandising. & Sons, is now connected with the Mathushek
Piano Mfg. Co., and will start very shortly on
G. W. D. PILCHERJVITH GRUNEWALD his initial trip as a representative of the Mathu-
NEW ORLEANS, LA., January 2.—Announcement shek piano. Mr. Hall is well-known to the
was made last week that Geo. W. D. Pilcher piano dealers throughout the country, having
is now a member of the L. Grunewald Co., Inc., travelled as a piano salesman for many years.
staff. Mr. Picher was one of the organizers of
the original Collins-Pilcher Piano Co., now
known as the Collins Piano Co., and he severed
his connection with that firm during the past
year to join the sales force of Philip Werlein.
He has had many years' experience in the piano
line and is exceedingly well-known in this sec-
tion of the country.
KOHLER BEEFSTEAK ON JANUARY 6
CALENDAR HAS HOLIDAY GREETINGS
A wall calendar of an elaborate design and
bearing in a center panel a peaceful pastoral
scene brings the New Year greetings of Jacob
Doll & Son, Inc., New York, to the trade friends
of the company. The calendar will be found
an ornament to the office, as well as a con-
venience.
The annual beefsteak dinner oILthe Kohler In-
PIANO SALESMAN BANKRUPT
dustries will be held at the new"Kohler Indus-
tries Restaurant, 611 West Fifty-first street, New
George Roy Pattison, a piano salesman o*f
York, to-night (Saturday, January 6). A large 1160 Flatbush avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y., filed a
number of guests have been invited, and the voluntary petition in bankruptcy last week with
usual jollification is anticipated.
liabilties $1,983 and assets $250.
WINTER & CO.
220 SOUTHERN BOULEVARD, NEW YORK
Manufacturers of
Superior Pianos
and Player Pianos
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).