Music Trade Review
Issue: 1924 Vol. 78 N. 7 - Page 13
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
FEBRUARY 16, 1924
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Lull in Philadelphia Demand Is Not
Expected to Last Long, Say the Dealers
Consider Present Conditions in the Trade as Merely Temporary—Heppe Memorial Funds and
the Fine Work They Do—S. Jacobs & Son to Erect New Building
PHILADELPHIA, PA., February 11 —
Weather of the past week was most unsea-
sonable for February, but most enjoyable for
humanity, since it was generally warm and
pleasant, but the influence on the trade was
quite a varied one. A majority of the piano
dealers admitted rather regretfully that with
every reason to warrant continuation of the
activity which had set in earlier in the year
there undoubtedly had been experienced for the
last fortnight a quietness as unexpected as it
was unpleasant. It is not to be assumed, they
say, that business is stagnant; every day brings
its orders and progress is being made, but their
diagnosis is that there is in the buying none of
the spontaneity which they believed would ex-
ist, and that unceasing efforts and very close
application is necessary to keep things moving.
A minority, but not a very small one—and not
made up of extravagant optimists, either—says
that it is more than satisfied with what Febru-
ary has brought and its books tell a story with
absolute conviction of a very decided improve-
ment this year in comparison with the similar
period of last year. Realists, however, join the
optimists—a tour of the trade found no pes-
simism anywhere—in the opinion that Febru-
ary conditions are unusual and transient and
that there is every reason to look forward into
the future with entire confidence, as all admit
that so much of the past has been due to the
year's beginning that it can, in all fairness, be
looked on with complete satisfaction.
Heppe Memorial Fund
Serious illness of Mrs. William Rebscher,
wife of one of the veteran employes of C. J.
Heppe & Son, who is enjoying the benefits of
the Heppe Memorial Fund, established by Flor-
ence J. Heppe on April 16, 1915, as a memorial
to his parents, Christopher J. Heppe and Emma
Louisa Heppe, on the anniversary of her death
and on the fiftieth anniversary of the establish-
ment of the firm, brings that great benefaction
to the forefront. At the time of its establish-
ment there was set aside $50,000 to be invested
in legal securities and the income of which was
to be used perpetually and irrevocably for "the
relief of the needy poor in Philadelphia, by
providing the necessities of life, preference first
to be given to persons who at any time have
been employed by C. J. Heppe & Son, allowing
assistance of money in aid of former employes
or their widows."
In connection with the fund for personal aid
there is associated with it another of the same
name which had been in existence some years
before, also founded by Florence J. Heppe as
a memorial to his father, Christopher J. Heppe,
founder of C. J. Heppe & Son. Under it free
distribution of musical instruments is made
under two classifications, known as plan No. 1
and plan No. 2. Plan No. 1 becomes available
annually during the anniversary week which
falls at the close of April, and at this time fifty
instruments are distributed to worthy poor fam-
ilies of Philadelphia and vicinity. Applications
for the benefaction under the fund are now
being received. Any poor family may apply,
but each application must be accompanied by
three letters from responsible persons recom-
mending the applicant as worthy of musical
need, and financially unable to buy a piano.
The thousands of applications are placed in
blank envelopes and fifty are picked by chance.
Each piano is thoroughly overhauled and re-
paired before leaving the store. Plan No. 2 is
available any time during the year and under it
any charitable institution or organization in any
part of the world may apply for a square piano
or organ merely for the actual cost of repairing.
During the week the Heppe Co. placed one
of its Duo-Art pianos in the auditorium of the
George W. Childs public school, arrangements
for its acquisition having been made through
a school fund contributed by teachers, pupils
and parents.
Coryell a Visitor
Frederick Coryell, secretary of the Laffargue
Co., spent some time during the week in the
city on a combined business and social trip, Mrs.
Coryell accompanying him. He is a former res-
ident of Philadelphia, being at that time, how-
ever, engaged in another line of business and
is widely acquainted here. He said that Vice-
president De Rochemont, of the Laffargue Co.,
who also is well known in this city, is preparing
to set out shortly on a trip to the Pacific Coast.
Keach & Green, 1624 Market street, of which
George M. Keach and Joseph Green are pro-
prietors, have recently developed an improved
model of the Snap-Kap, their own patented de-
vice for the protection of reeds on musical in-
struments, and are now ready for placing it on the
market and planning an extensive advertising
campaign for its introduction to the trade. The
Snap-Kap shortly will be produced in large
quantities in preparation for the drive on it.
Under the new improved type, which has been
produced at a lower cost, the market price will
receive the benefit of the low cost of manufac-
ture at the reduction in price to $2.75. The dis-
tribution of the Snap-Kap will be under the
direction of the J. Schwartz Music Co., Inc.,
225 West Forty-sixth street, New York, which
has been appointed exclusive wholesale distrib-
utor for the reed protector. An initial distri-
bution by the Schwartz Co. made within the
past few days practically cleaned up the first
allotment made to the company and as a result
the repeat orders will necessitate a greatly in-
creased production at the factory in this city.
It is expected to have the new allotment ready
for distribution by the first of the month.
Increases Production
The Schomaker Piano Co., Twenty-third and
Chestnut streets, manufacturer of the Scho-
maker uprights and grands, is planning the
expansion of production through the employ-
ment of an increased force of workers during
the coming year and there will be installed
much additional equipment under the extension
plans. The Schomaker is now manufactured in
eight styles of high-class pianos, such as grands,
uprights and reproductions, chiefly distributed
in grand styles. The Wanamakejr stores in
Philadelphia and New York are th'dwcclusive
distributors for these pianos. President W. C.
Schwamb is well satisfied with the first month
of the year's business, which presages, in his
opinion, a twelve-month prosperity that will in
every way justify the expansion plans.
Plans for the erection of a new four-story
13
home of S. Jacobs & Son, 820 West Columbia
avenue, have been completed and it is expected
that building operations will become effective
by the first of May.
Witlin Back
Ben Witlin, head of the Witlin Musical In-
strument Co., 904 Walnut street, has just re-
turned to headquarters after a successful week's
trip through the upper part of the State, where
the early 1924 needs of Starr pianos were given
his attention for distributors in the anthracite
regions.
Moore Music Go. Chartered
BURLINGTON, N. C, February 11.—Papers of in-
corporation have been filed here recently for
the Moore Music Co., which will have an au-
thorized capital of $100,000. This concern has
been established for a considerable period,
handling musical instruments. The officers of
the company are J. S. Moore, Greensboro, presi-
dent; W. P. Moore, Burlington, secretary and
treasurer.
To Open New Music Store
WILKKS-BARRE, PA., February 12.—The corner
store of the St. Charles Building here has just
been rented by Charles G. Herr, who will open
a music store. Mr. Herr plans to carry a line
of Cunningham pianos and expects to take pos-
session of the premises this week.
August Williams, conducting the Wurlitzer
store in Greensburg, Pa., has just been ap-
pointed manager of that district for the Rudolph
Wurlitzer Co.
R. This
Have
S. Will
Been
H Help
Sold
O You
W Sell
In
A Many
Your
R More
Locality
D
PIANOS
Many
HOWARD STOWERS CO., Inc.
Manufacturers
132nd St. and Brown PL, New York
Peerless
I
Player Actions
CHALLENGE DAMPNESS!
Grands
Uprights
Electric Expression
Built to stand up under all climatic conditions
Of tremendous merchandising value to manufacturers and
dealers. Standardised construction assures prompt delivery.
PEERLESS PNEUMATIC ACTION CO.
TOLBERT F. CHEEK, President
469-485 East 133rd Street, New York
"Simplified to the point of perfection"
FEBRUARY 16, 1924
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Lull in Philadelphia Demand Is Not
Expected to Last Long, Say the Dealers
Consider Present Conditions in the Trade as Merely Temporary—Heppe Memorial Funds and
the Fine Work They Do—S. Jacobs & Son to Erect New Building
PHILADELPHIA, PA., February 11 —
Weather of the past week was most unsea-
sonable for February, but most enjoyable for
humanity, since it was generally warm and
pleasant, but the influence on the trade was
quite a varied one. A majority of the piano
dealers admitted rather regretfully that with
every reason to warrant continuation of the
activity which had set in earlier in the year
there undoubtedly had been experienced for the
last fortnight a quietness as unexpected as it
was unpleasant. It is not to be assumed, they
say, that business is stagnant; every day brings
its orders and progress is being made, but their
diagnosis is that there is in the buying none of
the spontaneity which they believed would ex-
ist, and that unceasing efforts and very close
application is necessary to keep things moving.
A minority, but not a very small one—and not
made up of extravagant optimists, either—says
that it is more than satisfied with what Febru-
ary has brought and its books tell a story with
absolute conviction of a very decided improve-
ment this year in comparison with the similar
period of last year. Realists, however, join the
optimists—a tour of the trade found no pes-
simism anywhere—in the opinion that Febru-
ary conditions are unusual and transient and
that there is every reason to look forward into
the future with entire confidence, as all admit
that so much of the past has been due to the
year's beginning that it can, in all fairness, be
looked on with complete satisfaction.
Heppe Memorial Fund
Serious illness of Mrs. William Rebscher,
wife of one of the veteran employes of C. J.
Heppe & Son, who is enjoying the benefits of
the Heppe Memorial Fund, established by Flor-
ence J. Heppe on April 16, 1915, as a memorial
to his parents, Christopher J. Heppe and Emma
Louisa Heppe, on the anniversary of her death
and on the fiftieth anniversary of the establish-
ment of the firm, brings that great benefaction
to the forefront. At the time of its establish-
ment there was set aside $50,000 to be invested
in legal securities and the income of which was
to be used perpetually and irrevocably for "the
relief of the needy poor in Philadelphia, by
providing the necessities of life, preference first
to be given to persons who at any time have
been employed by C. J. Heppe & Son, allowing
assistance of money in aid of former employes
or their widows."
In connection with the fund for personal aid
there is associated with it another of the same
name which had been in existence some years
before, also founded by Florence J. Heppe as
a memorial to his father, Christopher J. Heppe,
founder of C. J. Heppe & Son. Under it free
distribution of musical instruments is made
under two classifications, known as plan No. 1
and plan No. 2. Plan No. 1 becomes available
annually during the anniversary week which
falls at the close of April, and at this time fifty
instruments are distributed to worthy poor fam-
ilies of Philadelphia and vicinity. Applications
for the benefaction under the fund are now
being received. Any poor family may apply,
but each application must be accompanied by
three letters from responsible persons recom-
mending the applicant as worthy of musical
need, and financially unable to buy a piano.
The thousands of applications are placed in
blank envelopes and fifty are picked by chance.
Each piano is thoroughly overhauled and re-
paired before leaving the store. Plan No. 2 is
available any time during the year and under it
any charitable institution or organization in any
part of the world may apply for a square piano
or organ merely for the actual cost of repairing.
During the week the Heppe Co. placed one
of its Duo-Art pianos in the auditorium of the
George W. Childs public school, arrangements
for its acquisition having been made through
a school fund contributed by teachers, pupils
and parents.
Coryell a Visitor
Frederick Coryell, secretary of the Laffargue
Co., spent some time during the week in the
city on a combined business and social trip, Mrs.
Coryell accompanying him. He is a former res-
ident of Philadelphia, being at that time, how-
ever, engaged in another line of business and
is widely acquainted here. He said that Vice-
president De Rochemont, of the Laffargue Co.,
who also is well known in this city, is preparing
to set out shortly on a trip to the Pacific Coast.
Keach & Green, 1624 Market street, of which
George M. Keach and Joseph Green are pro-
prietors, have recently developed an improved
model of the Snap-Kap, their own patented de-
vice for the protection of reeds on musical in-
struments, and are now ready for placing it on the
market and planning an extensive advertising
campaign for its introduction to the trade. The
Snap-Kap shortly will be produced in large
quantities in preparation for the drive on it.
Under the new improved type, which has been
produced at a lower cost, the market price will
receive the benefit of the low cost of manufac-
ture at the reduction in price to $2.75. The dis-
tribution of the Snap-Kap will be under the
direction of the J. Schwartz Music Co., Inc.,
225 West Forty-sixth street, New York, which
has been appointed exclusive wholesale distrib-
utor for the reed protector. An initial distri-
bution by the Schwartz Co. made within the
past few days practically cleaned up the first
allotment made to the company and as a result
the repeat orders will necessitate a greatly in-
creased production at the factory in this city.
It is expected to have the new allotment ready
for distribution by the first of the month.
Increases Production
The Schomaker Piano Co., Twenty-third and
Chestnut streets, manufacturer of the Scho-
maker uprights and grands, is planning the
expansion of production through the employ-
ment of an increased force of workers during
the coming year and there will be installed
much additional equipment under the extension
plans. The Schomaker is now manufactured in
eight styles of high-class pianos, such as grands,
uprights and reproductions, chiefly distributed
in grand styles. The Wanamakejr stores in
Philadelphia and New York are th'dwcclusive
distributors for these pianos. President W. C.
Schwamb is well satisfied with the first month
of the year's business, which presages, in his
opinion, a twelve-month prosperity that will in
every way justify the expansion plans.
Plans for the erection of a new four-story
13
home of S. Jacobs & Son, 820 West Columbia
avenue, have been completed and it is expected
that building operations will become effective
by the first of May.
Witlin Back
Ben Witlin, head of the Witlin Musical In-
strument Co., 904 Walnut street, has just re-
turned to headquarters after a successful week's
trip through the upper part of the State, where
the early 1924 needs of Starr pianos were given
his attention for distributors in the anthracite
regions.
Moore Music Go. Chartered
BURLINGTON, N. C, February 11.—Papers of in-
corporation have been filed here recently for
the Moore Music Co., which will have an au-
thorized capital of $100,000. This concern has
been established for a considerable period,
handling musical instruments. The officers of
the company are J. S. Moore, Greensboro, presi-
dent; W. P. Moore, Burlington, secretary and
treasurer.
To Open New Music Store
WILKKS-BARRE, PA., February 12.—The corner
store of the St. Charles Building here has just
been rented by Charles G. Herr, who will open
a music store. Mr. Herr plans to carry a line
of Cunningham pianos and expects to take pos-
session of the premises this week.
August Williams, conducting the Wurlitzer
store in Greensburg, Pa., has just been ap-
pointed manager of that district for the Rudolph
Wurlitzer Co.
R. This
Have
S. Will
Been
H Help
Sold
O You
W Sell
In
A Many
Your
R More
Locality
D
PIANOS
Many
HOWARD STOWERS CO., Inc.
Manufacturers
132nd St. and Brown PL, New York
Peerless
I
Player Actions
CHALLENGE DAMPNESS!
Grands
Uprights
Electric Expression
Built to stand up under all climatic conditions
Of tremendous merchandising value to manufacturers and
dealers. Standardised construction assures prompt delivery.
PEERLESS PNEUMATIC ACTION CO.
TOLBERT F. CHEEK, President
469-485 East 133rd Street, New York
"Simplified to the point of perfection"
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).