A man by the name of Ben. Abelsted has been representing himself as an agent of The Etude, having taken subscriptions and never turned them over to us. We would warn any one from having business relations with him. He operated in Iowa chiefly, and was last heard from in Denver, Colo.
*****
Do not overlook the fact that for only four new subscriptions, we will renew your own for one year; if you wish a few sample copies to assist you in gaining these subscriptions, we will send them to you free. Perhaps you may be able to get more; our premium list will be sent you in that case, showing our many and valuable premiums.
*****
We trust that all our readers make it a point to examine the subjects advertised under “New Publications of Interest” on inside of back cover of each issue. Only the best works are noted, and from the variety of subjects set forth, we are confident that all will find something that will interest, and which they may possibly stand in need of.
*****
Two positively new Operettas have just been placed in stock, “Mountain Nymphs” and “Dobbs’ Farm,” both by G. W. Stratton. The first is a companion work to the Operetta “Laila,” by this author, and written in reply to numerous calls for another work not more difficult than that popular Operetta. The story is pure, and well adapted for Sunday Schools, Concerts, etc. The second is adapted for Academies, Schools, Singing Classes, etc.; the music is not difficult, and it requires but the simplest scenery. Both of these works are for Female Voices only. Price, each, $1 00.
*****
“The Minor Chord,” by J. M. Chappell, is the title of a new musical novel; it is charmingly written, and we understand it is a disguised presentation of the life of Madame Nordica, who has obtained such an enviable reputation in the operatic world. Sir Arthur Sullivan and Jean de Reszke, the famous tenor, are also discovered in this cleverly written romance. Altogether, it is one of the best musical novels published for some time, and to those of our patrons interested in this class of reading we heartily recommend it. Price, Cloth, $1.25.
*****
To those teachers who have classes of small children, and are wondering what to use at Commencement that will interest, and be sure of proving a success, we would suggest a “Children’s Symphony;” either Haydn’s or Romberg’s would be found satisfactory, and as the instruments can be purchased much cheaper than formerly, the expense need not be large; the novelty of using the instruments will appeal at once to the children, and will be the means of holding their attention throughout. To those who are sufficiently interested and desire further particulars, we shall be pleased to furnish lists and prices of instruments required for each Symphony.
*****
We have recently published four additional Fugues, edited by Bern. Boekelman, making twelve Fugues in all, that have been brought out in Mr. Boekelman’s form of colored notes. The advantage which these editions have over all the others is that the themes stand out in different colors; by this means the form is brought out very prominently. For educational purposes no other edition can approach this one; besides each Fugue is published separate. The Bach Study is indispensable to every musical education. Any of our patrons having pupils who have attained to the level of the Bach Fugues, nothing better can be procured for educational material than the Boekelman edition.
*****
Any of our patrons who are thinking of purchasing a piano would do well to communicate with us, as we have several most desirable instruments—both square and upright—which we would like to dispose of either for cash or on easy terms.
*****
Occasionally we like to depart from our beaten track, whenever we see anything that is particularly attractive to our patrons. This time it is in the form of something that has nothing whatever to do with music. We recently came across an edition of “The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table,” by Oliver Wendell Holmes; we purchased one of these for private use. The edition is so superior, and the price so small, that among our own people in our business, twenty (20) copies were demanded at once. The edition contains a beautiful portrait; it has bevelled edge, gilt top, on the best paper and finest printing, and is beautifully bound in cloth. The book usually sells for $1.50; we have purchased one hundred (100) copies, and will dispose of them at 50 cts. each and postage. The postage is 10 cts. Those having accounts with us can have the book charged. We will not undertake to supply orders at this price after our one hundred is exhausted. Send in your orders early. Too much praise cannot be given this notable American work. The book is, perhaps, one of the finest pieces of American literature.
*****
The volume of Beethoven, which we announced in our “Special Offer” in last issue, will be continued through this month. We are anxious to make this volume one of the choicest we have ever published. The greatest care is bestowed upon it. We are only placing in this volume his most notable pianoforte compositions. At this writing we cannot state how large a book it will be, but we want it to contain the cream of Beethoven’s writing. It will be arranged in progressive order, so that a pupil can drop it at any time and take it up at a future time. It will contain a portrait and biography, and a preface. The price we have made is 30 cts. each postpaid, or four for $1.00, for advance orders. Our patrons know from the past what these special offers mean. After the book is on the market the offer is withdrawn. We hope to book hundreds of subscriptions during the next month. Write your order for this work on a separate piece of paper in order to insure safe entry.
*****
We are convinced that the teachers do not use The Etude to advantage in their classes. It is used year in and year out by quite a number, which tests its value beyond a doubt. In every case it is not only to the teacher’s advantage, but to the scholar’s benefit, to get subscriptions. The reading matter is of the utmost value in keeping alive the interest and enthusiasm in study, without which a mantle of black covers the whole of the activity of music. The teacher’s work is wasted, the scholar disheartened and the parents discouraged. One of the main things in a teacher’s work is to inspire enthusiasm and to create a love for the study. This is also the work of The Etude. If you cannot get the subscription, it is often an advantage to buy for only the music, charging them a nominal sum for it, and directing their attention to the articles and any hints that might be found in the Journal. Very often one sentence will make an impression that will produce the greatest results. We are willing to send a limited number of samples to teachers who desire to gain subscriptions; these samples can be distributed among the pupils. We also make a liberal deduction when two or more subscriptions are sent in. These subscriptions can be charged on account if the party sending them has an account with us. We will also be willing to send back numbers at 75 cts. per dozen, we making the selection. Last year’s issues are just as valuable as this year’s, as The Etude does not deal with current news.
*****
We desire to call attention to Busts of Musicians, to which we have been paying some attention of late. Wherever they have gone they have given entire satisfaction. Nothing is more appropriate for a studio than an ornament of this kind. The prices are exceedingly low. We will quote a few of them: Bach, 17 inches, $3.50; Beethoven, 21 inches, $5.00; Mendelssohn, 20½ inches, $4 00; Mozart, 16½ inches, $3.00; Wagner, 23 inches, $5.00, and corresponding prices for all the rest of the composers. We intend to issue soon, a catalogue of these. They are in antique bronze. This we consider the best finish for general purposes, although they can be had in plain white, and other finishes if desired. Brackets and Pedestals can also be had. Prices will be quoted on application. The most desirable ones are those in Agatine, a cream white, ivory-bisque material. The prices of these are just double those just given, and all do not come in this form. We will quote a few that can be had in this form: Beethoven, Liszt, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Haydn, and Wagner, 11½ inches at $2 50 each. This is the size most desired. These can also be had in larger sizes: Beethoven, 21 inches, $10 00; Liszt, 14 inches, $4 00; Mendelssohn, 21 inches, $10 00; Mozart, 21 inches, and Wagner, 23 inches, $10.00. No charge for packing. These goods are shipped from the factory near Chicago, the freight to be paid by the purchaser.
*****
We have, during the past month, purchased the entire stock of the H. B. Stevens Co., of Boston. This stock is composed of the best music of recent date; in all about one hundred feet. This makes our stock much more complete than it has ever been. The H. B. Stevens Company will devote their entire attention to their own publications in the future and deal in nothing else. In the stock of Stevens Company we received one hundred copies of a compilation of Songs and Ballads, which we wish to dispose of. The volume contains 129 pages of the best songs of recent issue. Among the authors are Cowen, Denza, Böhm, Trotre, Thomas, Chaminade, Blumenthal, Tosti, etc. The songs are for medium voice, and are the best songs of the best song writers. We will send the volume, which is neatly bound, for 75 cts. postpaid.
