Scan 15
Musical Courier 1891-08-19: Vol 23 Iss 600, 1891
157 lines. Read by computer on 19 September 2026. Printed page 188. See the scan on archive.org.
1FALL TRADE.
3Predictions from All Sections.
5A GENERAL ANTICIPATION OF GOOD PROSPECTS.
7It is not possible for any one manufacturer to gain an expression of opinion from all sections of the country from such a large number of dealers as are included in the appended list. Communications with his own representatives will of necessity be limited in number and restricted in scope, and replies will be tinged with the reflection of the exact state of relations then existing between the two parties.
9Therefore the letters which are here given will be of special interest to all piano and organ makers, as covering every State in the Union where there is any trade worth speaking of and as having the prognostications of men who handle all makes of instruments.
11It is interesting to note that the general tone of our replies indicates a quiet confidence in the prospects. Crops are good, money is comparatively easy and all hands look forward to a business running from fair to a boom. It will also be noticed that much complaint is made of the system of selling on small payments and long time, and it is significant that these opinions are expressed by leading houses doing large business and controlling hundreds of thousands of dollars in capital. We are glad to find this sentiment so universal, because it needs to be generally felt to bring about a complete reaction in the trade, an abandoning of the pernicious competition engendered by the long time system and a healthier state of affairs in every branch.
13We trust that the manufacturers will feel encouraged after reading the opinions that are here presented; we trust that the dealers in various sections will feel encouraged by the hopeful feeling in other sections, and we trust that all will bear in mind that this is the time of the year to advertise, that this is the time to subscribe, that THE MUSICAL COURIER has the largest circulation of any music trade paper and the subscription price is but $4 per year.
15PROSPECTS IN THE EAST.
17Editors Musical Courier:
18BUFFALO, N. Y., August 10, 1891.
19GENTLEMEN—In reply to your inquiry we beg to state that we are no prophets; our diagnosis of the condition of the piano and music trade in the coming fall would be about as reliable as Wiggins' prognostications of the weather.
21We can tell all about the past and something about the present, but beyond this we cannot go, except by putting this and that together, and then giving a good big guess, with a corresponding hope for an immense fall trade.
23In May last, it will be remembered, we were pretty effectually fired out, washed out and cleared out of house and home; purified, ransacked and renovated by the elements.
25Our pianos, violins and guitars gave out heartrending and side splitting airs; even the songs on our shelves were eloquent with burning words; "Mollie Graem," "Nancy Lee," and "Annie Rooney" joined in with the "Friar of Orders Gray" in singing "Listen to My Tale of Woe," but all in vain; their "Amber Tresses Tied in Blue" were no protection, and they all went up in smoke.
27For just forty minutes our first and second floors were like a roaring furnace, and when—thanks to the deluge of water poured in by the firemen—it became possible to enter upon an investigation it seemed as if "fifty thousand demons" and "fire phantoms" had been turning order into chaos and harmony into discord. Guitars, violins and other wood instruments were entirely gone; brass instruments melted and twisted out of shape; sheet music and books either totally destroyed or saturated with water, pianos in all stages of cremation, and organs that were organs no longer. In short, not to use too strong an expression, it was discouraging.
29We, however, gathered ourselves together, found a vacant store in the suburbs and attempted to do a little business. Through the kindness of our business friends, which we duly appreciate and acknowledge, we were soon supplied with everything pertaining to a first-class music concern.
31We sold 27 damaged pianos to Mr. Scanlan, of the New England Piano Company, repaired the rest of the damaged stock and sold it off in job lots. We have now removed back to our renovated quarters on Main street with a large stock of Steinway, Steck, Fischer and other pianos; we have purchased the entire sheet music and book stock of the Newhall & Evans Music Company, of Cincinnati, also the sheet music stock of Lee & Walker, of Philadelphia, and are again prepared to supply our friends, the public, with everything from an ocarina to a grand piano.
33Naturally our business has suffered considerably from hasty removals and from all the inconveniences attending a destructive fire; yet we are gratified to find that our sales up to August 1 are in excess of those for the corresponding period last year. Our collections are fair and the proportion of cash sales is somewhat larger than last year. All this has no direct bearing on the fall trade, but indirectly it has, for the future is a product of the past; furthermore, we find that the commercial agencies make favorable reports in regard to the crops, and there are no epidemics, wars or rumors of wars. Politicians are cudgeling each other, of course; but it would seem to those who are neither officeholders nor office seekers that whatever may be the fate of the McKinley bill, whether we have a Democratic or Republican President, even whether prohibition prohibits or not, there will be a constant and increasing demand for pianos and other musical instruments; and this is due in a great measure to the progress being made in the education and refinement of the people through the medium and influence of our public schools.
35These being our views we are inclined to look cheerfully to the future, and if our fall trade does not verify our hopes and predictions we shall take it philosophically and look more confidently than ever for a good spring trade.
37Truly yours,
38DENTON, COTTIER & DANIELS.
40PEEKSKILL, N. Y. August 10, 1891.
42Editors Musical Courier:
43GENTLEMEN—Yours regarding fall trade received.
44Judging from the present I shall be satisfied with a fair average trade. I do not think there will be an increase in last year's results.
45Respectfully,
46C. W. WADSWORTH.
48PETERBORO, N. Y., August 10, 1891.
50Editors Musical Courier:
51GENTLEMEN—At the date of this writing trade in all lines of business in this locality is quiet, much more so than at this time last year. The music trade is affected by this local and, we trust, temporary depression, though I have succeeded in placing more first-class goods than during the summer months of last season. The outlook for the fall trade is fair, but probably the trade will be lighter than during the fall of 1890.
52Very truly yours
53M. L. DENISON.
55OLEAN, N. Y., August 10, 1891.
57Editors Musical Courier:
58GENTLEMEN—While trade is dull and collections slow at present we anticipate a good trade this fall. The crops in this vicinity are good, which, of course, will help us a little; but the heft of our trade is among the people who live in the lumber regions and crude oil districts of Pennsylvania, and the prospects are quite bright for both the last named interests. The amount of business done by us in 1890 was fifty-two thousand ($52,000) dollars. We hope to do at least $60,000 in 1891. We are subscribers to three musical publications. We think you deserve the patronage and the support of every music dealer in the land for the way that you have warred against the stencils.
60Hoping that success will crown your efforts in this direction as well as others, we remain,
61Respectfully yours,
62WEAVER & WILLIAMS.
64BUFFALO, N. Y., August 10, 1891.
66Editors Musical Courier:
67GENTLEMEN—I am pleased to reply to yours of the 7th inst. at hand.
68Everything in this section encourages the expectation of a good fall and winter trade, but of course some caution will prevail until more confidence in the money market is established.
69Yours truly,
70C. H. UTLEY.
72ROCHESTER, N. Y., August 8, 1891.
74Editors Musical Courier:
75GENTLEMEN—In answer to yours of the 7th inst. would say in this section every indication is favorable for a good solid and large volume of business in our line. The crops are much over the average and the prospects of good prices make all feel buoyant and hopeful. This of itself is a powerful and fertile section, and goes wonderfully to help the business and trade. We have fine fertile valleys around us, and the agricultural people are prosperous, our manufacturers are busy and we predict a larger fall trade this year than for the past four, yet, while it is healthy and encouraging, families can use but one piano, and any forcing process but lowers the price and standard and ruins the dealer's trade. A second piano will bring but half price, and the ruinous system of long time, trials, &c., have wrecked scores of dealers and manufacturers. A healthy living trade is better, safer and less expensive for all concerned.
76Yours respectfully,
77MACKIE P. AND O. and MUSIC COMPANY.
79ROME, N. Y., August 18, 1891.
81Editors Musical Courier:
82GENTLEMEN—Yours of the 7th inst. is at hand and contents noted. I think the prospects for fall trade are fair, from all I can learn. The crops are good in this locality.
83Yours respectfully,
84W. J. LASHER.
86ROCHESTER, N. Y., August 13, 1891.
88Editors Musical Courier:
89GENTLEMEN—Your favor of 7th inst. asking us our views on coming fall trade is at hand.
90We are sorry we cannot say there is every encouragement for a good trade. We do not look for any great improvement in the piano trade until another season's crops are in.
91Yours truly,
92GIBBONS & STONE.
94BINGHAMTON, N. Y., August 13, 1891.
96Editors Musical Courier:
97GENTLEMEN—Referring to yours of the 7th we are disposed to say that we are quite satisfied with the business of 1891 up to the present, and our faith in a liberal fall trade may be best expressed when I tell you that we are doubling the capacity of our warerooms and repair shops, increasing our stock, and shall build a limited number of new pianos for our retail trade and renting stock. The disposition on the part of the laboring classes who have purchased instruments on instalments to join the lottery thieving schemes of so-called life insurance, thus using the funds which should have gone to meet prior obligations, has caused great inconvenience to themselves.
99Hoping you will use the influence of your valuable paper to stay the tide of money that has been flowing into the hands of these smooth tongued thieves, who promise something for nothing, and turn it into the legitimate channels of trade, and thereby help to fulfill our prediction that we are to have a large fall business, we are, very truly yours,
100BARRETT BROTHERS.
102PHILADELPHIA, Pa., August 8, 1891.
104Editors Musical Courier:
105GENTLEMEN—There has been a depression in business here in Philadelphia for the last eight or ten months and more especially in the last three months; the complaint is a general one among piano and organ dealers. There certainly must be a change soon, and if the outlook, as the prospects look now, matures there certainly will be a big fall trade.
106Yours truly,
107W. HARRIS SELTZER.
109PHILADELPHIA, Pa., August 10, 1891.
111Editors Musical Courier:
112GENTLEMEN—In reply to your kind favor of the 7th inst., asking for our views on the coming fall trade, we would say that never before in our business experience have we regarded an intelligent prediction so difficult to make. Our reluctance to express it is not because our business has not been good during the present summer, for, strange to say, it has been the best July that we have ever known, but on account of the very complicated condition of general business and finance, not only through the country, but throughout the world. As a rule we do not regard the stock market as a reliable thermometer in indicating the general business temperature, but the intensely depressed condition of railway securities at present has unquestionably a very great effect upon general business. Such enormous amounts are invested in them, the period of stagnation has been so long continued and the shrinkage in values has been so great that every department of manufacture and trade has been affected. This cause, together with the still more potent one of overproduction and demoralization resulting from the new conditions caused by the McKinley bill, has resulted in an unprecedented combination of affairs. We therefore do not feel anxious to pose as prophets. If what you wish is an expression of our opinion as to what our own business may be during the present autumn, we can only say that our prospects were never so good, but we attribute this fact largely to the specialty that we make of the piano with which we have been so successful during the past 15 years. Our other specialties, together with our absolute loyalty to the "one price system," have contributed greatly toward keeping our business good, and we do not hesitate to say that we anticipate an unusually busy season. Whether or not we shall be disappointed remains to be seen.
113In the meantime, gentlemen, accept our kind wishes and believe us, very truly,
114WM. D. DUTTON & Co.
116WILKESBARRE, Pa., August 10, 1891.
118Editors Musical Courier:
119GENTLEMEN—In reply to yours of August 7 we wish to say that we believe trade in this section will be good this coming fall; still it will all depend on how the coal trade is in our immediate vicinity. At present business is better with us than any August month we ever experienced. Our trade is principally in medium priced goods.
120We do no peddling of pianos and organs, and consequently our sales are to reliable people who are not so long winded. Yours very respectfully,
121PERRY BROTHERS.
123PHILADELPHIA, Pa., August 8, 1891.
125Editors Musical Courier:
126GENTLEMEN—Yours received, and in reply would say that we anticipate a first-class fall trade. Our agents all along the line are sending in first-class orders and seem to handle our goods with great confidence. As regards our Philadelphia trade we anticipate to keep up to the mark of former years and to perhaps pass it. Very respectfully yours,
127BLASIUS & SONS.
129WILLIAMSPORT, Pa., August 8, 1891.
131Editors Musical Courier:
132GENTLEMEN—Your kind favor of the 7th inst. received, and in answer we are under the impression that trade will be some better this fall, although we do not expect a boom by any means, but we see no reason why trade should not be reasonably good. Crops of all kinds in this section are elegant and there is a demand for all kinds of produce at good prices. We are hopeful at any rate.
133Yours respectfully,
134MITCHELL, YOUNG & Co.
136PITTSBURGH, Pa., August 11, 1891.
138Editors Musical Courier:
139GENTLEMEN—Your favor of the 7th inst., in which you ask us for our views on coming fall trade, is at hand.
140We certainly think there will be an improvement in the fall, yet to what extent we are not prepared to venture an opinion. At any rate we do not anticipate any boom.
141Yours very truly,
142LECHNER & SCHOENBERGER.
144HARRISBURG, Pa., August 8, 1891.
146Editors Musical Courier:
147GENTLEMEN—We have every reason to believe that the fall trade will be very good in our section, as most crops are good. However, our trade has been very good all summer and we expect an increase this fall.
148Yours truly,
149YOHN BROTHERS,
150Per E. W. Yohn.
152TITUSVILLE, Pa., August 13, 1891.
154Editors Musical Courier:
155GENTLEMEN—Your letter received asking my views on the coming fall trade.
156Will say in reply that trade has been quiet, not only in the music business, but trades in general, owing principally to the low price of oil and a general depression in the city trade. However, we are looking for an advance in
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