Music Trade Review
Issue: 1929 Vol. 88 N. 5 - Page 5
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
FEBRUARY 2, 1929
The Music Trade Review
Falling Off in New
Zealand Piano Trade
Sharp Decline in Imparts of Pianos Reported
by U. S. Trade Commissioner—Heavy Duties
Discourage Imports from United States
WASHINGTON, D. C, January 26.—Assistant
Trade Commissioner, Chas. F. Kunkel at Well-
ington, New Zealand, has sent the Department
of Commerce the following report regarding
conditions in the piano market in New Zealand:
Imports of Pianos into New Zealand
192. r )
l'tl'fi
1927
1 928
Country of
origin
No.
Value
No.
United
£
3,483 165,771 2,488
Kingdom
216 13 ,42ft 453
Canada
I6,s 11,770
1X8
jermanv
498 30 ,772 497
United States
Other
36 1 ,10L
52
countries
Total
Valae
No.
£
Value
No.
£
108 ,35fi 1,12', 54 ,461
24 ,68i 543 27 ,631
11 ,470 130 8 ,942
27 ,628 321 19,379
2,711
31
2 .62;:
Value
£
70'.
37.
7
15.
. « ,307
18,646
5 ,.'72
9,: 56
1
1 ,033
4,392 223 ,83t 3 678 I75,85C 2 ,154 113 0 : 1 ,31
69,914
The piano market in New Zealand is de-
cidedly unsatisfactory a,t present. Sales of
player pianos have fallen off considerably, sales
of American makes being practically negligible.
Trade is somewhat brighter in the South Island,
although it is far from being satisfactory. The
player-piano trade holds a stronger position in
the south, and at the same time its outlook ap-
pears to be much brighter.
There is a general feeling of sound optimism
as regards its future prospects.
Imports of pianos, including players and auto-
matic pianos, from foreign countries fell off
during the years 1925, 1926, and 1927. Canada
alone maintained a,n increasing trade with new
Zealand. Canada has the advantage of the
British preferential tariff of 20 per cent as com-
pared with the general rate of 40 per cent which
imports from America must meet.
Imports for the 10 months ended October 31,
1928, indicate the extent to which the trade of
all foreign countries has fallen off during re-
cent months. The above table shows New
Zealand's imports of pianos, including player
pianos and automatic players, during the years
1925, 1926 and 1927, and the first ten months
of 1928. It is impossible to segregate the sta-
tistics of the various types of pianos.
Retail prices vary between £75 and £400 for
all types. Practically all the models may be
considered popular types.
Piano advertising is carried on to a large
extent in the various daily papers, and weekly
and monthly periodicals. Because of the nature
of the New Zealand periodicals, it is impossible
to reach all of the outlying rural communities
and towns through this one medium. One im-
portant distributor of pianos suggests that the
only satisfactory method of reaching outlying
districts is by direct advertising and that the ex-
pense or at least a portion of it should be borne
by the manufacturer.
Baldwin Go. Sales Show
Increase During 1928
CINCINNATI, O., January 27.—The total volume
of piano business done by the Baldwin Piano
Co. during 1928 amounted to $13,312,972, and
the profits for the year were $422,477.18, accord-
ing to a report just made by the company.
More straight grands and uprights were sold
by the company than in any previous year in
its history, although there was a marked fall-
ing off in the sale and production of player-
pianos.
Arthur E. Winter, the well-known head of the
Winter Music House, Altoona, Pa., has been
elected vice-president of the Blair-Bedford
County Boy Scout Council.
Chamber Directors, Meeting in New
York, Approve 1929 Convention Plans
Unusually Large Attendance at Executive Conference—Decision Made to Be Repre-
sented in Washington at Tariff Hearings
HPHE Board of Directors of the Music Indus-
tries Chamber of Commerce met in the
offices of the Chamber, New York City, on
January 29. President Irion presided, and
there was an unusually large attendance.
The Board approved the convention plans
recommended by the Executive Committee.
There will be the usual Chamber luncheon to
open the convention on Monday, June 3. The
only change from the last year or two will be
a conference of all the branches of the music
industry, together with delegates of the various
radio associations, on Tuesday morning of con-
vention week in the Grand Ball Room of the
Hotel Drake, Chicago. President Irion of the
Chamber will preside. The conference will be
devoted to a discussion of problems in con-
nection with promoting the sale of musical
instruments and radio. A detailed program
will be announced later.
The secretary and general manager was
instructed to appear before the Ways and
Music Supervisors Note
Growing Interest in Music
BOSTON, MASS., January 29.—Here was the joy-
ous note sounded at the sixth annual conference
of music supervisors, held at the Hotel Statler,
this city, yesterday: "There never were so many
persons interested in music as to-day," a state-
ment made by Frank W. Wright, chairman of
the conference. John F. Scully, superintendent
of schools in Brockton, speaking on "A Grow-
ing Appreciation of Music in the Public
Schools," declared that "music is essentially a
vocational subject and presented as such
would get even greater support." The confer-
ence, an all-day affair, closed with a meeting
of the New England Music Festival Associa-
tion, in which Mrs. William Arms Fisher, wife
of Mr. Fisher of the Oliver Ditson Co., is a
leading factor.
New Factory Building for
Charles Freshman Go.
The Charles Freshman Co., well-known radio
manufacturer, has leased a new factory at Cliff-
ton, N. J., twelve miles from New York, and
close to the labor markets of Newark, Paterson
and Passaic. The new plant haiS over six acres
of floor space on one floor, with saw-toothed
roof construction, and is directly on the Erie
Railroad.
John Hessian Now Manager
of J. Ralph Wilson Store
PHILADELPHIA, PA., January 28.—John Hessian,
who formerly was head of the talking machine
department of the F. A. North Co., is now man-
ager of the -J. Ralph Wilson Co. store at 1710
Chestnut street, having taken up his new duties
with the new year. He will supervise the talk-
ing machine and radio departments. He is well
known in the British Isles, where he was con-
nected with the talking machine industry. His
assistant, associated with the record department,
is Mrs. Lucia Carmine, until the first of the year
manager of the record section of the Straw-
bridge & Clothier department store and pre-
viously head of the record department of Gim-
bel Bros. The store at the Chestnut street
address is one of the chain of the J. R. Wilson
Co., which recently changed hands into new
management and ownership.
Means Committee during the tariff hearings
and to argue for such changes in tariff rates
as the various associations comprising the
Chamber might desire, except that no stand
should be taken in the case of any rate upon
which there is a disagreement between two
member associations.
The following directors were in attendance
i t the meeting: C. D. Bond, Mark P. Campbell,
M. V. DeForeest, H. C. Dickinson, E. Paul
Hamilton, William J. Haussler, Roy S. Hibsh-
man, Hermann Irion, Richard W. Lawrence,
H. C. Lomb, W. A. Mennie, C. J. Roberts, Max
J. deRochemont, Herbert Simpson, Arthur L.
Wessell and Charles H. Yahrling.
Piano Manufacturers' Ass'n
Holds Executive Meeting
The Executive Committee of the National
Piano Manufacturers' Association met in the
offices of the Music Industries Chamber of
Commerce, New York City, on Tuesday morn-
ing January 29.
The chief subject of discussion was tariff
revision affecting pianos. After a thorough
discussion of the question from all standpoints,
it was decided that the present tariff of 40%
is adequate and it was voted to request the
Music Industries Chamber of Commerce to
appear before the Ways and Means Committee
at the tariff hearings in Washington to argue
for maintenance of the present rate, but not
to ask for an increase.
Supply Ass'n Meets
The Board of Directors of the Musical Sup-
ply Association of America held a meeting fol-
lowing dinner at the Canadian Club, New York
City, on Monday evening, January 28. Presi-
dent Roy S. Hibshman, David A. Smith, W. A.
Mennie, Charles L. McHugh, Philip G. O-etting,
Arthur L. Wessell, M. DeAngelis and Alfred
L. Smith were in attendance.
Nine Months' Statement
of American Piano Go.
The American Piano Co. reports for the nine
months ended December 31, 1928, net income
of $128,186 after charges, as compared with
$513,211 in the same period a year ago. This is
equal to $2.08 a share on the 7 per cent pre-
ferred stock. December quarter net was $184,-
458 or $3.07 a share, on preferred, against
$360,036, or $1.13 a share, on common, after
allowance for preferred dividend in the 1927
quarter.
Alexander Steinert on
Visit to Pacific Coast
BOSTON, MASS., January 29.—Alexander Stein-
ert, of M. Steinert & Sons, in this city, has
gone to the Pacific Coast with Mrs. Steinert
for a few weeks' vacation. Another of the
trade who is starting away for a foreign cruise
is Clarence Pond, of Ivers & Pond, who will
soon be en route to Paris, where for a time
he will visit his brother.
The store and stock of the Garicci Furniture
& Music Co., Detroit, Mich., was destroyed by
fire recently believed to be the result of a bomb
explosion. A thorough investigation into the
explosion is to be made.
FEBRUARY 2, 1929
The Music Trade Review
Falling Off in New
Zealand Piano Trade
Sharp Decline in Imparts of Pianos Reported
by U. S. Trade Commissioner—Heavy Duties
Discourage Imports from United States
WASHINGTON, D. C, January 26.—Assistant
Trade Commissioner, Chas. F. Kunkel at Well-
ington, New Zealand, has sent the Department
of Commerce the following report regarding
conditions in the piano market in New Zealand:
Imports of Pianos into New Zealand
192. r )
l'tl'fi
1927
1 928
Country of
origin
No.
Value
No.
United
£
3,483 165,771 2,488
Kingdom
216 13 ,42ft 453
Canada
I6,s 11,770
1X8
jermanv
498 30 ,772 497
United States
Other
36 1 ,10L
52
countries
Total
Valae
No.
£
Value
No.
£
108 ,35fi 1,12', 54 ,461
24 ,68i 543 27 ,631
11 ,470 130 8 ,942
27 ,628 321 19,379
2,711
31
2 .62;:
Value
£
70'.
37.
7
15.
. « ,307
18,646
5 ,.'72
9,: 56
1
1 ,033
4,392 223 ,83t 3 678 I75,85C 2 ,154 113 0 : 1 ,31
69,914
The piano market in New Zealand is de-
cidedly unsatisfactory a,t present. Sales of
player pianos have fallen off considerably, sales
of American makes being practically negligible.
Trade is somewhat brighter in the South Island,
although it is far from being satisfactory. The
player-piano trade holds a stronger position in
the south, and at the same time its outlook ap-
pears to be much brighter.
There is a general feeling of sound optimism
as regards its future prospects.
Imports of pianos, including players and auto-
matic pianos, from foreign countries fell off
during the years 1925, 1926, and 1927. Canada
alone maintained a,n increasing trade with new
Zealand. Canada has the advantage of the
British preferential tariff of 20 per cent as com-
pared with the general rate of 40 per cent which
imports from America must meet.
Imports for the 10 months ended October 31,
1928, indicate the extent to which the trade of
all foreign countries has fallen off during re-
cent months. The above table shows New
Zealand's imports of pianos, including player
pianos and automatic players, during the years
1925, 1926 and 1927, and the first ten months
of 1928. It is impossible to segregate the sta-
tistics of the various types of pianos.
Retail prices vary between £75 and £400 for
all types. Practically all the models may be
considered popular types.
Piano advertising is carried on to a large
extent in the various daily papers, and weekly
and monthly periodicals. Because of the nature
of the New Zealand periodicals, it is impossible
to reach all of the outlying rural communities
and towns through this one medium. One im-
portant distributor of pianos suggests that the
only satisfactory method of reaching outlying
districts is by direct advertising and that the ex-
pense or at least a portion of it should be borne
by the manufacturer.
Baldwin Go. Sales Show
Increase During 1928
CINCINNATI, O., January 27.—The total volume
of piano business done by the Baldwin Piano
Co. during 1928 amounted to $13,312,972, and
the profits for the year were $422,477.18, accord-
ing to a report just made by the company.
More straight grands and uprights were sold
by the company than in any previous year in
its history, although there was a marked fall-
ing off in the sale and production of player-
pianos.
Arthur E. Winter, the well-known head of the
Winter Music House, Altoona, Pa., has been
elected vice-president of the Blair-Bedford
County Boy Scout Council.
Chamber Directors, Meeting in New
York, Approve 1929 Convention Plans
Unusually Large Attendance at Executive Conference—Decision Made to Be Repre-
sented in Washington at Tariff Hearings
HPHE Board of Directors of the Music Indus-
tries Chamber of Commerce met in the
offices of the Chamber, New York City, on
January 29. President Irion presided, and
there was an unusually large attendance.
The Board approved the convention plans
recommended by the Executive Committee.
There will be the usual Chamber luncheon to
open the convention on Monday, June 3. The
only change from the last year or two will be
a conference of all the branches of the music
industry, together with delegates of the various
radio associations, on Tuesday morning of con-
vention week in the Grand Ball Room of the
Hotel Drake, Chicago. President Irion of the
Chamber will preside. The conference will be
devoted to a discussion of problems in con-
nection with promoting the sale of musical
instruments and radio. A detailed program
will be announced later.
The secretary and general manager was
instructed to appear before the Ways and
Music Supervisors Note
Growing Interest in Music
BOSTON, MASS., January 29.—Here was the joy-
ous note sounded at the sixth annual conference
of music supervisors, held at the Hotel Statler,
this city, yesterday: "There never were so many
persons interested in music as to-day," a state-
ment made by Frank W. Wright, chairman of
the conference. John F. Scully, superintendent
of schools in Brockton, speaking on "A Grow-
ing Appreciation of Music in the Public
Schools," declared that "music is essentially a
vocational subject and presented as such
would get even greater support." The confer-
ence, an all-day affair, closed with a meeting
of the New England Music Festival Associa-
tion, in which Mrs. William Arms Fisher, wife
of Mr. Fisher of the Oliver Ditson Co., is a
leading factor.
New Factory Building for
Charles Freshman Go.
The Charles Freshman Co., well-known radio
manufacturer, has leased a new factory at Cliff-
ton, N. J., twelve miles from New York, and
close to the labor markets of Newark, Paterson
and Passaic. The new plant haiS over six acres
of floor space on one floor, with saw-toothed
roof construction, and is directly on the Erie
Railroad.
John Hessian Now Manager
of J. Ralph Wilson Store
PHILADELPHIA, PA., January 28.—John Hessian,
who formerly was head of the talking machine
department of the F. A. North Co., is now man-
ager of the -J. Ralph Wilson Co. store at 1710
Chestnut street, having taken up his new duties
with the new year. He will supervise the talk-
ing machine and radio departments. He is well
known in the British Isles, where he was con-
nected with the talking machine industry. His
assistant, associated with the record department,
is Mrs. Lucia Carmine, until the first of the year
manager of the record section of the Straw-
bridge & Clothier department store and pre-
viously head of the record department of Gim-
bel Bros. The store at the Chestnut street
address is one of the chain of the J. R. Wilson
Co., which recently changed hands into new
management and ownership.
Means Committee during the tariff hearings
and to argue for such changes in tariff rates
as the various associations comprising the
Chamber might desire, except that no stand
should be taken in the case of any rate upon
which there is a disagreement between two
member associations.
The following directors were in attendance
i t the meeting: C. D. Bond, Mark P. Campbell,
M. V. DeForeest, H. C. Dickinson, E. Paul
Hamilton, William J. Haussler, Roy S. Hibsh-
man, Hermann Irion, Richard W. Lawrence,
H. C. Lomb, W. A. Mennie, C. J. Roberts, Max
J. deRochemont, Herbert Simpson, Arthur L.
Wessell and Charles H. Yahrling.
Piano Manufacturers' Ass'n
Holds Executive Meeting
The Executive Committee of the National
Piano Manufacturers' Association met in the
offices of the Music Industries Chamber of
Commerce, New York City, on Tuesday morn-
ing January 29.
The chief subject of discussion was tariff
revision affecting pianos. After a thorough
discussion of the question from all standpoints,
it was decided that the present tariff of 40%
is adequate and it was voted to request the
Music Industries Chamber of Commerce to
appear before the Ways and Means Committee
at the tariff hearings in Washington to argue
for maintenance of the present rate, but not
to ask for an increase.
Supply Ass'n Meets
The Board of Directors of the Musical Sup-
ply Association of America held a meeting fol-
lowing dinner at the Canadian Club, New York
City, on Monday evening, January 28. Presi-
dent Roy S. Hibshman, David A. Smith, W. A.
Mennie, Charles L. McHugh, Philip G. O-etting,
Arthur L. Wessell, M. DeAngelis and Alfred
L. Smith were in attendance.
Nine Months' Statement
of American Piano Go.
The American Piano Co. reports for the nine
months ended December 31, 1928, net income
of $128,186 after charges, as compared with
$513,211 in the same period a year ago. This is
equal to $2.08 a share on the 7 per cent pre-
ferred stock. December quarter net was $184,-
458 or $3.07 a share, on preferred, against
$360,036, or $1.13 a share, on common, after
allowance for preferred dividend in the 1927
quarter.
Alexander Steinert on
Visit to Pacific Coast
BOSTON, MASS., January 29.—Alexander Stein-
ert, of M. Steinert & Sons, in this city, has
gone to the Pacific Coast with Mrs. Steinert
for a few weeks' vacation. Another of the
trade who is starting away for a foreign cruise
is Clarence Pond, of Ivers & Pond, who will
soon be en route to Paris, where for a time
he will visit his brother.
The store and stock of the Garicci Furniture
& Music Co., Detroit, Mich., was destroyed by
fire recently believed to be the result of a bomb
explosion. A thorough investigation into the
explosion is to be made.
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).