Scan 30
Musical Courier 1893-07-01: Vol 27 Iss 695, 1893
103 lines. Read by computer on 23 September 2026. Printed page 27. See the scan on archive.org.
1hue, with the usual cemetery chains connecting them. The ensemble reminded one forcibly of a monument to some departed musician, in which were stored the implements of his trade. The graveyard has been demolished, the case removed to quarters more in keeping with the surroundings; wherefore we say to the sepulchre, Requiescat in pace.
3Many of the subscribers to THE MUSICAL COURIER are angry at the postal misarrangements of the Fair. In a great many instances the paper subscribed and paid for by a salesman does not reach him at all, and after a few days he finds it in a neighboring booth, where the careless carrier has laid it. This matter will be rectified by correspondence with the Government.
5We can readily see how the carriers have become so careless. The mails have been flooded with circulars and advertising dodgers, both third and second class, addressed to every man and his brother in Section I. This naturally makes the carrier careless, for he knows that one is addressed to each booth, so he merely walks up and throws one in until he has gone the rounds. Now THE MUSICAL COURIER has a subscription list; a great many people pay four hard dollars a year for this paper. We do not send our paper to Tom, Dick and Harry; therefore we propose to protect those people who pay for it. This nuisance will be removed as fast as subscribers send in complaints.
7The gentlemen in the Liberal Arts Department of Germany, which is located in the gallery, were suffering the first part of last week from excessive heat. Their space is so arranged that they are practically cooped up, and the air soon becomes oppressive when the sun approaches the zenith. Shades have been spread under the glass roofs which in a measure diminish the Sahara blast that is blighting everything. There are windows opposite each section, but they do not all open. The Exposition authorities' attention has been called to this, and they promise relief. They move so slowly, however, that much suffering will be gone through with before relief comes. In the meantime the weatherman has cooled the atmosphere to a point bearable.
9A great many of the nuisances around the Exposition can be removed rapidly and effectually if one goes at the matter in the right way. As an instance, there was a freight elevator opposite the booth of Julius Bauer & Co. that Dame Rumor said would stay there all summer. Mr. Adam Schneider, manager of the house of Julius Bauer & Co., simply waited on Doctor Peabody, stated that the elevator was a detriment to his exhibit on account of its blocking the passage way and the dirt occasioned by sending the things up into the gallery, and the Doctor ordered it down. Moral, when you want anything done, go to the fountain head.
11The playing regulations are not meeting with general satisfaction, nor are they entirely obeyed. Many of the exhibitors have but indifferent pianists, while some have none at all; therefore those in the neighborhood of exhibitors not using pianos during their allotted time are cribbing many moments. At odd times any pianist on the grounds will show off pianos for visitors.
13Mr. Melville Clark has connected the organs in the booth of the Story & Clark Organ Company by electricity, so that they can be played simultaneously. The bellowless large organ is attracting a great deal of attention.
15The Automaton Piano Company are having much attention paid their exhibit, and will doubtless find the Exposition a good place for the exploitation of their goods.
17Nothing is attracting more attention in Section I than the autoharp exhibit. This novel little instrument is being played daily by Mr. Singleton, and crowds gather around him constantly.
19Mr. J. S. Gorham, who has been representing the A. B. Chase Company on the Fair grounds in connection with Mr. Eager, has been transferred to the A. B. Chase Company's down town headquarters in the warerooms of Lyon, Potter & Co. All of Mr. Gorham's friends should call at his new quarters.
21Hallet & Davis Company's big book is filling rapidly with names, and Mr. A. G. Clemmer is serenely happy. His house is having great crowds of visitors daily.
23Mr. Ross, representing the firm of S. S. Stewart, Philadelphia, has suffered bereavement in the death of his father. He has been home some time, but is now back.
25Behr Brothers Company's exhibition souvenirs have made their appearance. They are very artistically designed and elegantly printed.
27Sohmer & Co.'s concert grand piano is attracting much attention. Well it may, for it is a beauty in tone, touch and general workmanship.
29People at the Fair.
30A GRAVE SUBJECT OF STUDY FOR SALESMEN—ALERTNESS THE BOOTH ATTENDANT'S MOTO.
32All sorts, sizes and conditions of people are at the Fair. From the multi-millionaire to the humble railroad track laborer, the half dollars that pay admission are coming. Inside the grounds the man dressed in broadcloth jostles him who wears linsey woolsey. This commingling of prince and peasant is a triumph of the democratic ideas of this nineteenth century. The poor man has as many rights as the rich, and they are as impartially recognized. From the man of affluence and substantial bank account to the humblest workman with his few savings, there come plaudits of appreciation. Not in the same degree of appreciativeness, but each man, according to his knowledge, views the wonders of the world's advancement and gives forth as heartily, in his sphere, applause for meritorious creations.
34Another has said that "knowledge simply increases a man's capacity for suffering." This is a pessimistic view of life, and although right from that standpoint, the optimistic view is equally correct, viz., knowledge increases man's capacity for enjoyment. It is a wise dispensation of Providence that to us all was not given the same sense of appreciation. Everyone would have desired the same thing. We would not have different grades of men and women, works of art and commercial commodities. Were we all cast in the same mold of correct valuation the inequalities of wealth would make us miserable. Then but the rich could acquire the works of art and of commercial commodities, for the works of lesser worth and mediocrity would be beneath contempt.
36Living as we do in an age where men differ in gifts of workmanship and skill, only the most skillful workers would give pleasure to mankind. The lesser works would fail of appreciation, while their creators would be beggars. It is well then that we have different grades of appreciators. The man of wealth and knowledge can enjoy the higher degrees of artistic and commercial commodities, while those of insufficient wealth and immature knowledge can content themselves and enjoy the lesser perfection in life's necessities and luxuries. Apply this to pianos, and we have the rich who can purchase the higher grades, those not so fortune can acquire the lesser grades, while men and women of exceedingly limited income can own and enjoy the cheapest grade.
38All of these classes are on the Fair grounds, with their eyes opened not only to see wonders that bewilders them, but with a keen mind hunting for that which they may acquire for daily household use or enjoyment. These people are visiting Section I, and the salesman who is a physiognomist and judge of human character has a grave problem presented to him daily, and in proportion to his knowledge of the goods desired by each man or woman will be successful.
40The great majority of people that daily traverse Section I are interested in music and the instruments from which it is produced. Here is a chance for working with people that are interested in you and your goods. The Exposition is so vast that those things most interesting each man are looked over the closest. He wants to study there, and merely glance at the objects in other quarters, that merely amuse him. When he stops and looks at goods it betokens an interest; then is the opportunity for the salesman, which, being momentary, must be caught instantly, and by skillful handling turned into a closer inspection that will result ultimately in financial gain for "the house." Alertness must be the booth attendant's motto.
42These opportunities come at odd times, thus necessitating constant vigilance on the part of him who would do his house honest and substantial work. Too much stress cannot be put on this point by all exhibitors. They should caution their men about any relaxation of effort during working hours. Play is out of the question; downright hard work is the lot of all the men that are on the Fair grounds. Visitors and friends should not annoy them, for while entertaining they are liable to let slip an opportunity for showing their house's product to a man or woman, who receiving no attention will pass on, only to receive conviction from the alertness of the booth attendant next door. "Everlasting vigilance is the price of safety" and success.
44Many people call and inquire what hour a pianist will show the artistic side of goods. When that hour is far ahead the attendant, if he is smart, can so interest the caller that when the hour and the pianist arrive, one of the audience will be the interested party. Printed matter, handsomely designed and executed, is doing much good. People in all parts of the grounds can be seen with fine circulars and souvenirs of piano houses. The people are interested who take the pains to preserve these pieces of paper, and if the proper amount and quality of trade persuasion has been given them sales will result.
46In conclusion, the booth attendant should be careful about telling that pianos have been purchased when a man simply inquires the price. Sales are not effected until contracts are signed and part cash paid. They are embryo sales, technically called "prospects," and for booth attendants to state that many sales have been perfected when they are only prospects, thus causing mention in the trade papers, is to injure himself with his house, as well as causing false information to be printed.
48Show goods to the people, sell if possible, but don't tell fairy tales to those who know better.
50New Exhibitors.
52Two more exhibitors are to be added to Section I in the Manufactures Building. These are Adam Schaaf, of Chicago, and an exhibit of the Haake piano, of Dresden, Germany, who are represented here by Mr. James Evetts, Jr. The space granted these two concerns is between the Miller & Sons Piano Company and the Vose & Sons Piano Company. This allotment is on a good, broad aisle, and will complete the section.
54The A. B. Chase Company's twin pianists, combined weight 330 pounds, played before the Missouri newspaper men last Tuesday afternoon in the Missouri Building. The twins are great drawing cards for the A. B. Chase people. One of them weighs 30 pounds, while the other breaks the scales at 300. Great combination!
56Russia's Musical Exhibit.
57SECTION I—MANUFACTURES BUILDING.
59The Russian piano exhibit is completed. Their instruments are beauties, both in the ornamentation of cases and in excellence of tone. A full list of them follows as well as a list of the music publishers:
61C. M. Schroeder……………………………………………..St. Petersburg
62T. Becker…………………………………………………….St. Petersburg
63Mühlbach…………………………………………………….St. Petersburg
64Reinhard…………………………………………………….St. Petersburg
65Olberg………………………………………………………..Moscow
66V. J. Hlavác……………………………………………….St. Petersburg
67Zimmerman……………………………………………….St. Petersburg
68Tindrišek…………………………………………………..Kiew
69Baron Pillar von Pilch………………………………….St. Petersburg
70Geisser………………………………………………………St. Petersburg
71Hübner………………………………………………………St. Petersburg
72Bessel & Co……………………………………………….St. Petersburg
73Bernard……………………………………………………..St. Petersburg
74Bielajew…………………………………………………….St. Petersburg
75Büttner………………………………………………………St. Petersburg
76Zimmermann……………………………………………..St. Petersburg
77Hlavác………………………………………………………St. Petersburg
78Gularmaintz……………………………………………..St. Petersburg
79Ziegert………………………………………………………St. Petersburg
80Gebethner & Wolff…………………………………….Warsaw
81Surgenson, M. M……………………………………….Moscow
82Guthiel……………………………………………………..Moscow
83Ryba………………………………………………………..Moscow
85MUSIC PUBLISHERS.
86Bessel & Co……………………………………………….St. Petersburg
87Bernard……………………………………………………..St. Petersburg
88Bielajew…………………………………………………….St. Petersburg
89Büttner………………………………………………………St. Petersburg
90Zimmermann……………………………………………..St. Petersburg
91Hlavác………………………………………………………St. Petersburg
92Gularmaintz……………………………………………..St. Petersburg
93Ziegert………………………………………………………St. Petersburg
94Gebethner & Wolff…………………………………….Warsaw
95Surgenson, M. M……………………………………….Moscow
96Guthiel……………………………………………………..Moscow
97Ryba………………………………………………………..Moscow
99Novelties Possessing Merit.
100THE AZMONIPIANO AND THE IMPROVED HARMONIUM—THE STORY & CLARK BABY ORGAN—MR. McCHESNEY'S "AMERICAN KEYBOARD"—M. F. RACHALS & CO.'S SECTIONAL PIANO.
102Novelties do not always have merit. The word novelty has been so much abused that the general public shrink from examination of anything that is dubbed novel. In the case of those enumerated below they all possess undoubted merit, and a careful
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