Scan 29
Musical Courier 1891-05-13: Vol 22 Iss 586, 1891
85 lines. Read by computer on 19 September 2026. Printed page 496. See the scan on archive.org.
1MR. NAHUM STETSON, with wife and child, will leave New York for Southampton on July 4 on the steamship Ems. Mr. Fred. T. Steinway is going on the same steamer. Mr. Stetson will go direct to London and will subsequently spend the summer in Germany to enjoy a well earned vacation. No doubt a considerable number of dealers expect to meet Mr. Stetson here on business during August. We would suggest to those who are speculating upon such a contingency that they had better see him before his departure.
3Trade Notes.
4—Professor Galpin has opened a new music store at Carbondale, Pa.
5—The Klunk heirs, piano and organ house, Tyrone, Pa., lost $350 by a fire on Sunday.
6—The Love Music Company, of Waco, Tex., have opened a branch house at Corsicana, Walter Penn manager.
7—B. Dreher's Sons' Company, of Cleveland, announce in the Cleveland papers of May 5, "We sold 18 pianos this week."
8—C. C. Hall, of Dover, Me., is about starting a piano case factory, and is said to be backed by Dyer & Hughes, of Foxcroft.
9—The Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor has been conferred on Professor Helmholtz, the famous master of acoustics.
10—J. H. Hickok, of Poughkeepsie, who has a branch house at Newburgh, has removed the same to larger quarters at 25 Golden street.
11—Mr. David T. Peek, founder of the house of Peek & Son, who has been dangerously ill, is now rapidly recovering, and it is hoped that he will soon be about again.
12—On recently purchased ground at the northwest corner of Twentieth and Clearfield streets the Lester Piano Company will put up a factory at an early date, says the Philadelphia "Inquirer."
13—John J. Shea has conveyed to the Albany County Bank, Albany, the property on the east side of Broadway and north side of North Ferry street, formerly the McCannon Piano Manufactory, for $24,000.
14—Mr. Frank W. Thomas of Albany, N. Y., was in town last week and tells us that his new store will be enlarged so as to extend through the block from Pearl street to James street, making one of the largest stores in the Capitol City and one of the handsomest piano warerooms in the State.
15—A firm from Boston contemplate settling at Alten, providing the town will exempt them from taxes for a term of years. They will engage in the manufacture of piano stools, occupying half of the building now used by Tomboy & Dore as a piano manufactory. The firm will employ from 25 to 50 men. —Manchester "Union."
16—Patents granted April 28, 1891:
17Organ ……………………. J. R. Hessler ………. No. 451,125
18Organ, stop action combination …. G. S. Hutchings ……. No. 451,380
19Piano lamp, support for ………. W. Anderson ………. No. 451,251
20—Elwood Easman, for a year or two past with Gould, local music dealer, goes next week to Newburgh to enter upon an engagement with Hickok, the well-known dealer in musical instruments, of Poughkeepsie. Mr. Easman is an enterprising and successful salesman and quite a skillful player upon a number of instruments. We wish him success.—Ellenville "Journal."
21—The Boston correspondent of the St. Louis "Globe-Democrat" writes that "it may surprise you to learn that the number of original pieces of music published in one year in the United States runs up into the thousands, and it will surprise you more to learn that far and away the largest percentage of this number are contributions of Boston composers of music. Only a very slight percentage of the whole number of publications find anything like a remunerative market so far as the authors are concerned. But Boston, in proportion to its population, furnishes something like 75 per cent. of the whole mass of music publications. The business of musical composition is crowded almost as much as the literary profession."
22—After the good old-fashioned way, when piano makers were makers of pianos and not of some one part thereof, Mr. Charles H. Mehlin has been brought up. He is a son of Paul G. Mehlin and is said to inherit much of his father's mechanical genius. Three years ago he was sent abroad to perfect his knowledge of piano construction and to study European methods, and he is expected home next month after finishing his apprenticeship with J. A. Pfeiffer & Co., of Stuttgart. After a short visit with his brother, Paul H. Mehlin, in charge of the factory here, he will go at once to Minneapolis, where he will join his father in the factory there.
23—The funeral of Charles A. Morris, who died Monday night, after a long illness, at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. A. T. Hurst, 456 Greene avenue, Brooklyn, will take place this afternoon. Mr. Morris was a member of the firm of Stoddart & Morris, piano manufacturers, and had lived in Brooklyn for over half a century. He was born in this city 74 years ago and was perhaps the oldest practical piano maker in the country. His principal warerooms were at the corner of Broadway and Great Jones street for 40 years. Louis and Robert Morris, the great-grandfather and great-granduncle of the deceased, were signers of the Declaration of Independence. A widow and five children survive him.—"Recorder," May 6.
24—The Little Falls "Evening Times" contains an extended account of the reception given on the occasion of the opening of the new factory of Messrs. Roth & Engelhardt on May 1. In telling the story of the firm it says: "Two years ago this hustling, wide awake firm secured possession of an old cow pasture in St. Johnsville, speedily transformed it into a manufacturing site, and erected thereon a large brick building for a piano action manufactory. This building was opened September 6, 1889, and soon gave employment to 115 hands, making an establishment whose magnitude confounded the conservative people of the village. The business soon outgrew its quarters, and it became necessary to erect another brick building 125×38, which will employ at least 75 hands more. Mr. Engelhardt has no doubt that by 1893 still another building will be opened to keep these company."
25WANTED—A sheet music house in a large Western city wants a sheet music clerk. Address "Sheets," care of this paper.
26I WILL PAY—I will pay 10 cents for each name and proper address of piano salesmen, piano tuners and clerks in sheet music houses. Anyone sending in names will receive pay in postage stamps as quickly as I can get at it—in less than a week. Don't want the names of firms at all; employees only. Address J. Kirk, care of THE MUSICAL COURIER, 25 East Fourteenth street, New York.
27WANTED—A young man (20) who has had 10 years' experience in charge of sheet music and small goods department desires to go West in same line, with object of having an interest in this branch. Has some cash, willing to work and well posted in buying. Address, "Elmer," care of THE MUSICAL COURIER.
28N. B.—No one answered unless he is a subscriber of THE MUSICAL COURIER.
30Bridgeport Trade.
31THE music trade of this city for some time past has been booming, so say the dealers.
32M. Steinert & Sons say that during the time stated they have been unable to supply the demand. "We do a large renting and instalment business," said Mr. Wm. Haesche, the manager.
33Treat & Shepard Company were equally satisfied; trade is prosperous and collections are good.
34Mr. E. Morgan, the secretary of the Keller Piano Company, informed the writer that "just at present we are having a slack off in business, but we anticipate always such a falling off as the season of hot weather advances."
35The writer made a call on Messrs. Keller Brothers & Blight. In conversation with Mr. Blight that gentleman said: "Our trade has increased 10 per cent. this year so far. We have just now on our books orders for over 100 pianos. We are compelled to work overtime.
36"We are making great headway with our small six octave pianos. In that special department we intend to push the trade. Dealers from the South say they are having a great demand for the Keller Brothers & Blight's six octave."
37Through the courtesy and kindness of Mr. Pattison, of the Bridgeport Organ Company, the representative of THE MUSICAL COURIER had a birds-eye view of the well managed concern. Mr. Pattison said they are now turning out about 200 instruments a week, and their foreign trade has increased wonderfully.
39Reaching Out After More Trade.
40DAVID C. WHITEHILL, owner and proprietor of Whitehill's music houses, in the Whitehall buildings, Brookville and Reynoldsville, is still branching out after more trade. His latest move is to secure a fine wareroom at 148 Third avenue (opposite the new post office and second door off Smithfield street), Pittsburgh, Pa., and he will be ready for the grand opening of a new piano and organ house in that lively city about May 1, 1891.
41In his Pittsburgh store he will carry a complete stock of pianos, organs and musical merchandise, including parlor grands and upright grand pianos in walnut, ebony, ash, oak and mahogany cases of all styles, and he will be prepared to invite the most critical comparison of his instruments and prices with those of any other music house in the city.
42His Brookville and Reynoldsville stores will continue under his personal supervision as heretofore, and customers at all of his houses will be treated fairly.
43Mr. Whitehill's energy and push have brought him remarkable success in business, and it is but reasonable to expect that his new venture will be no exception. If the old-established music houses of the city don't find in Mr. Whitehill a lively competitor we will miss our guess.—Brookville, Pa., "Republican."
45Trade in Springfield, Mass.
46SPRINGFIELD can boast of her many veteran music dealers, who have for years been an honor to the piano trade, and have grown up with their beautiful city.
47One, who for years has been a dealer in pianos and also in all kinds of musical instruments, is the venerable Mr. L. M. Pierce, whose store is situated on Main street, where can be found pianos manufactured by many of the prominent makers.
48Mr. Pierce's stock comprises the Hardman, Braumüller, Chickerling, Sohmer, Mason & Hamlin, Ivers & Pond, Schubert, Sterling, &c. He also carries a stock of the Mason & Hamlin, Story & Clark, Smith American and Packard organs. Mr. Pierce informed the representative of THE MUSICAL COURIER that his renting and instalment department were never in such a prosperous condition.
49One of the oldest firms of piano dealers of the busy city of Springfield is that of C. N. Stimpson & Co., 396 Main street, who have a record of nearly 30 years in the piano trade. In addition to pianos and organs, musical instruments of all descriptions are to be found in stock, also sheet music, &c.
50Mr. Stimpson's experience in the trade extends over nearly 40 years, his Springfield store is centrally located and in the warerooms are to be found pianos of many prominent makers, Behr Brothers being the leader.
51Stimpson & Co. do a large renting and instalment trade and have branch establishments at Holyoke, Westfield, Greenfield and Northampton.
52The firm of J. W. Steere & Sons, builders of church organs, is one of the oldest in this country, and is composed of Mr. J. W. Steere, John S. Steere and Frank J. Steere. The trade, it seems, has descended from father to sons. They have a large factory with all modern appliances required in the trade, and throughout the year give steady employment to 50 mechanics and turn out during that time nearly 40 instruments. While the writer was at the factory Messrs. Steere were shipping two large organs, one to Minneapolis and one to Connecticut.
53While THE MUSICAL COURIER was rambling through the stores of the piano dealers of Springfield he casually met Brother Lewis, of Pynchon street, and as Mr. Lewis is very prominent in Masonic circles in Springfield the scribe and Brother Lewis were soon close friends.
54"It is now nearly 40 years since I left my native country and made Yankeeeland my future home," said he, "the best portion of which has been spent in this rising city. I sell the matchless Wilcox & White organs, which I consider the best."
55"In the line of pianos I sell Decker & Son, the Prescott—in fact, I have built up a lasting trade through strict attention and fair business dealings. I have one of the best of assistants in my store, who looks after the sheet music and musical instrument department (outside of pianos); the party I mean is my wife, who takes great pleasure in disposing of guitars and guitar and violin strings, in which branch of the music trade I have a large and increasing business. Springfield in my earliest remembrance had but very few music dealers; now, with its 40,000 inhabitants, more than a dozen are to be found."
56Owing to a severe cold Mr. Taylor, of Taylor's Music House, was compelled to be away from his business; however he was faithfully represented by Mr. F. S. Howe, who kindly gave us all information required. The store is very handsomely fitted up in oak; in fact it reflects great credit on the proprietor.
57Mr. Howe said: "Our trade at present is excellent; we make leaders of Haines Brothers; we also keep in stock the pianos of Hallet & Davis and Kroeger & Sons." A description of Taylor's new store recently appeared in these columns.
58The Steinert & Sons Company was started some 35 years ago by Mr. Morris Steinert, then a violincelloist and musician at New Haven. About 15 years ago they opened a large wareroom in Providence, R. I., and have since then conducted a most successful business. Upon urgent request by some of Boston's best musicians they then opened in Boston, and have for the last nine years carried on business at Steinert Hall, 100 to 108 Tremont street.
59The Steinert & Sons Company are now conducting and doing the largest retail business of any piano concern in this country, having warerooms in New Haven, Providence, Boston, Bridgeport, Portland, Me., Newport, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and have just opened large and elegant warerooms at 422 Main street, Springfield, where they now have on hand a complete stock of the Steinway and Gabler pianos. The various places are conducted by Mr. Steinert's sons, seven in number, all able business men and musicians of considerable note, being able to perform upon piano and violin, and all having a business education.
60We also wish to call our readers' attention to the fact that each and every piano sold by the M. Steinert & Sons Company is carefully selected in the factory or wareroom of the maker by Mr. Steinert, Sr.
62Meriden Trade.
63DURING a short visit to Meriden the writer casually called on the Wilcox & White Organ Company. Their factory, covering thousands of square feet, is a five story brick structure, with all modern improvements, such as electricity and steam power. The Wilcox & White Company is composed of Mr. H. K. White, manufacturing superintendent; H. C. Wilcox, president; Howard White, superintendent, and J. H. White, secretary and treasurer. The members of the firm are all practical men, and consequently are all the better qualified to manage such an extensive business. The company give employment to some 200 men during the year; no laying off for want of trade. Just at present they are compelled to run the factory overtime. To such an extent has their trade increased that they contemplate enlarging and increasing their facilities. In place of a 75 horse power engine now they are having a 200 horse power placed in position. They require the use of four large drying houses. This is not to be wondered at when we take into consideration the Wilcox & White Company are now turning out over 100 organs and some 25 to 30 self playing instruments per week. Every inch of space is made use of. In addition to all this the company have a side track of the New York and New England Railroad Company to facilitate the unloading of lumber and dispatch of their merchandise.
64The organs manufactured by the Wilcox & White Company are made and constructed of the best materials and workmanship, all under the personal superintendence of the members of the firm.
65In connection with the factory is a very handsome showroom for the better exhibition of their organs. The New York warerooms are at 12 Union square, where the interests of the firm are looked after by Mr. William Mylius.
66A Springfield dealer says: "I am happy to say I sell the matchless organs of Wilcox & White, which I consider to be the best on the market."
68Recent Important Decisions.
69From "Bradstreet's."
70Where a policy of fire insurance provides "that if the interest of the assured in the property be other than the entire, unconditional and sole ownership thereof for the use and benefit of the assured the policy shall be void," a lien upon the property created by the voluntary act of the parties will invalidate the policy, according to the decision of the Kentucky Superior Court in the case of the Home Insurance Company et v. Allen.
72The Superior Court of Kentucky held, in the case of Lewis et al. v. Deposit Bank of Glasgow, that when a partnership firm becomes insolvent, having partnership property and partnership creditors and also individual property and individual creditors, and the partnership creditors exhaust the partnership property, the individual creditors have a priority of right to receive an equal percentage of their claims out of the individual assets, and if anything remains it is to be distributed among both classes pari passu.
74Where it did not appear that when a contractor, mechanic or material man quit the work he engaged to do the other party had failed or refused any payment when due, the Supreme Court of Georgia held (Rome Hotel Company v. Warlick) that such stopping of the work before compliance with the contract upon a mere apprehension or fear that he would not be paid at the time for payment was unauthorized and defeated a claim of lien.
76The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania held, in the case of Glennon v. Lebanon Manufacturing Company, that an employer when sued by an employee for wages may set off the loss caused by the employee's unskilful work, even though the loss exceeds the amount of wages earned by the employee during the time he did such unskilful work. The Court said: "The plaintiff is a machinist and was employed in defendant's machine shop to do certain mechanical work for a compensation agreed upon. From this contract the law implies faithful service on the part of the employee and an amount of care and skill proportioned to the character of the work which he was engaged to perform. If he performs it negligently and unskilfully it is a breach of contract, and when the employer is sued for wages earned under the contract he can defend by showing a failure on the part of the servant to properly perform his part, in consequence of which he has sustained damages."
78WANTED—A complete list of musicians, amateur and professional, in the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn. Teachers, choir singers, organists and prominent chorus singers especially wanted. List must contain full name, address and vocation of each individual. Address, stating terms, "Musico," care of THE MUSICAL COURIER.
79NOTICE—A reliable and experienced piano man, single and a hustler, would like to go on the road for manufacturer of a first-class or a good medium grade piano. Large territory preferred. Can furnish best of references and will guarantee satisfaction. For full particulars address "O. K.," No. 92 West Fourth street, Cincinnati, Ohio.
80TUNER of many years' experience in concert work, both in New York and on the road, wishes to change his position with the sole object of increasing his salary. Can give unexceptionable references and can demonstrate that he can tune "fine" and "solid." Address "C. C.," care THE MUSICAL COURIER.
81WANTED—Tuners and repairers of pianos and organs who will send their full name and address to me will receive information of importance to them free of charge. Address, "Information," care of THE MUSICAL COURIER.
82TUNER AND REPAIRER WANTED—A first-class piano tuner and repairer is wanted to do mostly outside work. Must be sober and industrious and understand regulating. State age, whether married, where employed, how long and how many pianos are an average day's work; also salary wanted. F. W. Baumer & Co., Wheeling, W. Va.
83A FIRST-CLASS piano tuner and repairer, who also understands action and tone regulating, desires a situation in Chicago or New York. Address Tuner, 169 Fourth avenue, New York city.
84SITUATION WANTED—By a piano tuner to represent some medium priced piano to the retail trade. Acquainted with the trade throughout Kansas and Nebraska and part of Missouri. Best reference. Address T. U. V., care of MUSICAL COURIER.
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