New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-24
THE PIANO TRADE.
NEW YORK rs AN IMPORTANT CENTRE-THE
INDUSTRY IS NOW ON THE RAPID
ROAD TO A RECOVERY FROM
THE STJrMP OF 1899


During the last two years the manufacturers
of pianos have been giving close attention to
the development of trade. and as result there
has been marked increase in the annual trans
actions While the exceptionable years of 1889
and 1890 have by no means fully returned WIN
the prosperity ushered in by the election OF
Mckinley and his sound money and protection
policy. yet the piano men have every reason to
congratulate themselves upon the trend OF pusi-
ness as it is being conducted at the present
time In no section Of the country has there
been such IA renewed activity as in the West.
The farmers, who for several years had been
hanging on by the ragged edge. witnessed I'M
precedented crop returns and good prices Wheat
sold way above the dollar mark. and trade In
the West Immediately began to blossom like the
flowers after rain The uxuries which the
Westerners had long denied themselves were
once more within their reach. After paying OIL
the mortgages and interest on their farms, they
took some of their large additional surplus and
invested it in fitting up their homes. Pianos
found a. ready sale. In the hard times many
had been obliged to let their pianos go in order
TO Droyide for the necessares OF life. when
good times returned the first thing sought Tor
wos a new piano to replace the one which had
been sold While of course the Western trade
does not call for the best grades, the business
as n whole is of a good character. and the maxi
ers Of medium grade goods received many SVEN
orders The manufacturers of recognized lead
ing makes came in for their share and all toa
1t has given a stimulus 10 the "uuo'i' "'N"
was much needed 49,. 1000 j..
But to return to the good times from 1888 10
1872 Those were years which the manuiact-
urars Of the present time look back upon with
fond remembrance. Not only were there more
pianos organs and musical instruments maze
during that period than for any corresponding
time but the quality and grade Oh the outpu.
we're also of an unusually high order. Good
nrjees we're easily obtained and collections were
easy IL was i'm 1898 that the decline began
which was followed by two or three years OF
danreesing trade in which business grew harder
and harder This slump resulted in notice
able falling off in the number OF INSTRUMENTS.
and more particularly in the quaiity ana hhls'
of the product. 1T is safe to state that from
1892 10 1897 there more attention given
TO the manufacture Of cheap pianos than az any
other time in the history of the trade II IS wei,
known that here is no class or manufactures
nroducts for which New-York Is centre IN
which competition clashes on closer lines than
IN the sale of pianos. Even after having turnea
ont an article of low price. it was not the easiest
thing in the world to sell the goods In view OF
the hard times which prevailed The system OF
instament payments was worked as IL never
had been before Instances were known where
pianos were sold without cash payment down
and for a monthly lnsalment of only -, Inc
nstalment plan Lad been introduced along III tne
opine business as no other scheme before devised
had accomplished But over such low basis
of payments the more conservative manufact.
urers shook their heads. On the other hand. II
was argued that IL sales were to be made at all
big concessions were necessary.
While these conditions have not yet been FUZZY
eliminated from the present situation, there ~
more strength and stability to the market Inc
manufacturers of the better grades nave ielt the
impulse Of awakened activity. From last sum
mer when tne war with Spain was concluded.
there have been indisputabe signs OIL reai
boom In all branches or commerce. me eiec-
lions in November tended to restrict operations
I'm a limited manner on account OF the eau
lest the free silver forces should be victorious
Rut with the results in support OF the Admins
trotion of the present Government things ne
gan TO hum and the piano dealers are looking
ahead to prosperous and profitable times
One of the leading manufacturers or TINS city
in discussing the situation said that when there
| was q falling off in the demand for pianos ara
other musical instruments. and sheet music anu
general musical merchandise, 1t was rehectoh
of the financial condition or the great Ihiuue
| class NJ the country from which came the ch'et
| sunport for the piano market. He SAID thar IN"
| middle class was the one which spent its income
| freely and to which music had almost peconie
| n Necessity More musical instruments per
| everv one hundred OF the population were sofa
! In ,his country than in any other in the world
! New York has within its limits seVerai Oh the
| most important piano factories IN the country
and the trade involves millions OF capita', Win
an enormous annual output 80 ~. ''
Greater New York has been educated to a love
| Cor music such as few cities in tho New World
have eyer aspifed TO. with the grand opera
1 IA ,uhhrous theatres and irunrireds on nu car
! organiZations the metropolis Is certainly the
Mecca for musicians; me retan plano s' n7,
| handsome and they are the peer or those OF
| anv other city The business Of selling plan ~
| right in Greater New-York foots up into Una