The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-16
LARGEST SALES
IN STORES HISTORY
THE JESSE FRENCH PIANO AND
ORGAN COMPANY BREAKS ITS
RECORD IN SALE OF CHRISTMAS
PIANOS AND PIANO PLAYERS.

That this years Christmas trade in
Birmingham will surpass that of any
previous season is evident to any OBJ
server who is acquainted With the re-
tail trade of the city. Reports gathered
by a representative of The Age-Herald
yesterday show that In all the lines OF
trade the merchants are doing record
breaking business A visit to the Jesse
French Piano & Organ Co.'S establish
ment brought out particularly one fact,
that not only is there a tremendous To-
cal business but that Birmingham IS
becoming the great retail center OF Ala
bama, Mississippi and parts OF other
adjoining states. Advance sales TO out
of-town points have been unusually large.
Yesterday a Knabe- Angelus,. piano
player selling for $1,000, was shipped to
Talladega; a Starr-Cecilian to Boaz; a
Richmond piano to Coal City; three
Knabe's in Easonyille, Ala, and Starr
piano to Pell City. During the last Few
days large shipments of pianos ana piano
players. purchased especially Tor christ
mas presents, have been made to Column
bus, Meridian, Oklahoma, Aberdeen BEL
zoni Jackson, Columbia ana olher polhls
in Mississippi.
Other instruments have been shipped to
Blocton, Florence, the Decaturs, Athens
and other towns near and far People
have bought earlier this year than pre-
viously in order to insure prompt SNIP
ment. The shipping department OF the
Jesse French company has had 10 DC ~
creased and every day presents busy
scene. From now till Christmas eve 1t will
have its hands full. taking care of city
and out-of-town orders.
The Age-Herald representative was as
tonished when shown yesterday over the
display parlors and warerooms at Jesse
French's. In addition to the instruments
IL ha ST.
twenty-five Steinway Grands, consisting
of miniature parlor and concert styles,
and an enormous stock of Steinway up
rights in both ebony and mahogany
styles.
Never before" said Manager Hol-
combe. ''have we had such demand for
high-price instruments. 1t indicates that
the public is being educated into giving
really valuable and useful Christmas gifts.
of course everyone appreciates the fact
that there Is nothing more appropriate
and acceptable as a gift than Steinway
piano"
There are on display also number Of
I<nabe Mignon Grands and score of
Knabe uprights. Six Knabe-Angelus piano
players complete the Knabe display. These
players are of the most recent interior
build and are without doubt the finest
instruments of the kind ever put on
the market.
The Jesse French company also car
ries large line of Emerson-Angelus
players which sell at $3.50. The Starr
Cecilian and Starr players popular priced
Instruments. are handled exclusively in
Birmingham by this company. In addition
to the above mentioned goods. the Jesse
French people handle the Starr, Jesse
French, Richmond and Remington pianos,
n large line of each style being shown for
the Christmas season.
In order to accommodate the enormous
line of pianos now kept always on hand.
it has been necessary for this company
to secure additional warerooms. and for
this purpose the third story of another
building facing on Third avenue was
leased and Is connected with the main
building by an alley arcade.
The Jesse French company is now con-
Quoting Christmas sale. Special offer
ings being made on everything in stock.
They have on hand also about forty
upright pianos of different makes which
have been sold by competitors and ae-
eepted by the Jesse French company as
part payment. These will be sold at spe-
cial prices. ranging from sl10 to s225
The Jesse French Piano and Organ
company has been in Birmingham for
years and has prospered wonderfully. But
never before has the concern enjoyed
the remarkable Christmas business that
management of Mr. J. r. Holcombe the
sales both local and out of town have
increased month by month until today
and organ house in the southern states.