Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-06
Pittsburg People Have the Money
and Are Buying Presents in
All Lines of Business.
NOVELTIES IN TOYS AND JEWELRY
Railroads Are Enjoying the Benefits That
Christmas and New Years
Always Bring.
NoLtRGEsUMso OF MONEY GOING ABROAD
Cheap Labrador Seals Being Sold to Deceive Buyer.
About the Price

This is the time of the wear when the
tradesmen and shop keepers revei in busi-
ness, and lay away shekels for the winter.
The holiday trade has commenced with
vengeance, and the stores are crowded.
Money m ay have been tight during the
summer and fall, but there is plenty of it
now. People will buy holiday presents,
no matter how dull the times. Busi-
ness men have had a prosperous year, and
Christmas and New Years trade promises
to be larger than ever
In general the demand is for better goods,
and the cheap and trashy stuff is not wanted
This is considered an encouraging sign.
Presents for the children claim the atten-
zion of fathers and mothers first There are
no striking novelties in toys, but the stores
are full of bright and pretty things for the
little folks In speaking of the toy busi-
ness yesterday, James w. Grove said: 'The
trade so far has been excellent 1t was q
little slow in the wholesale line last month,
but had figured on good holiday business
and am not disappointed.
Some Oddities in Toys.
"The tastes of the people are developing
and thev want the best. Already our
cellars and warehouses are packed with
purchased goods that are to be shipped or
delivered at certain time. We have a
large number of orders for New York. This
summer 1 sent man to Europe to buy a
better class of TOYS. The cheaper trade
begins about December Is. The demand
for pretty doll carriages has increased
so per cent in the last five
years. The Germans are chasing
the French in making dolls, and they
have already outstripped them. The Ger
man gets better expression in his work,
and the dolls are cheaper than the French.
The call for music boxes is good. There is
good feeling among the people, and they
are well supplied with money. l 1suppose
spend SO, 0G0 for toys and goods in Germany
where L now put up s., GOO in France. No
particular toy has a wonderful run like
some of the puzzles, but original ideas are
not lacking. Something new is always being
designed TO interest children"
5. F. Roberts talked for the jewellers. He
thinks the holiday business will be ahead of
last year; if not the heaviest in the history
Of the trade. The tastes of the people this
fall are running to bow knots and fancy
combinations in rings. In the latter line
there is demand for diamonds used in con-
nection with colored stones like the emer-
aid ruby or sapphire.
Bow-Knots Are All the Go.
The bow-knot makes very pretty pres
ent, and is made up extensively. into stick |
pins :or the ladies' They are OF different |
shapes and Styles some being plain gold |
bands twisted into a solid bow, but |
the most popular are studded with |
little diamonds, pearls, or some other at
tractive store. thought the edge had been
taken of the souvenir spoon business last
hu W. l
when the craze commenced. The demand
for fine piano and banquet lamps keeps up
also. The people want expensive and |
f1rst-class goods. Cheap articles are not |
called Tor TO any extent. Diamond lockets |
make nice presents for men, and we are |
selling great many. Occasionally there |
is call for bronze statuary, but |
bronze has not been in favor for several |
years. Marble busts are in demand, and |
have been all summer. 1 find that many |
people who are not wealthy save their money
during the fall, and at Christmas time |
spend from $50 to 500 buving presents
for their friends. The rich can get what |
they want at any time. Those in medium
circumstances have good taste, and nothing
cheap will satisfy them. In the last four
days the increase in business has been very
perceptible. Money is not scarce, and
buyers are numerous and in good humor."
Heavy Demand for Drygoods.
In drygoods and notions the same pros
porous state of affairs exists: Joseph Horne
& Co. said business was good in every de-
partment, and they report what other store
keepers do, that the call is for the best of
everything. This year brass beds have
struck the popular fancy, and those who
can afford it take pleasure in presenting
them to friends They are light and don't
take up much room. A great many are be-
ing sold for young housekeepers. The de-
mand for cloaks and dress goods, from the
coarsest to the best, is good. During the
holidays the wealthy often give dresses as
presents to their house servants. They are
not particular about the material,
but Immediately after the holidays the
drygoods men put on large force of men to
make alterations in garments. People guess
at the sizes, and when the presents have
been made they are changed to fit the body
1t is surprising how many blankets are sold
for presents during the holidays Thev are
q desirable gift for married people, and this
class must not be forgotten. On the whole,
the local storekeepers expect to do a rush.
ing business between now and January