1916 - "EUROPEAN MARKETS FOR PIANOS AND PHONOGRAPHS. - SWITZERLAND.
[Consul Walter H. Schulz, Berne, June 15.]

The piano market of Switzerland is now virtually in the hands of Swiss manufacturers, a natural result of war conditions and the excellence of the Swiss product. Since the beginning of the war, the demand for pianos has been very limited, and this small demand is covered almost entirely by the domestic product. The few instruments now sold are chiefly stock goods.

Of the 12 piano factories in Switzerland, the leading three are in this consular district. These factories produce about 2,000 pianos annually. The total production of Switzerland is variously estimated as from 3,000 to 3,500. Swiss pianos are about 10 per cent higher than those from Germany. German pianos have been sold in the past because of their cheapness, and the heavy advertising campaigns of the Germans. But in quality the Swiss article is of the same standard. The principal German makes sold in this market are the Blüttner, Lipp & Son, and Zimmerman, of Leipzig, Saxony. Piano dealers' profits in Switzerland run from 20 to 35 per cent. Freight Charges Handicap American Pianos.

Local firms state that American pianos enjoy a good reputation here, but freight charges make the American article too expensive to compete successfully with the Swiss and German products.

The prices of German pianos range from $130 to $390; Swiss, from $160 to $310. A famous high-priced American piano also is on the market and is manufactured at a branch factory in Germany. Prices have gone up 10 to 15 per cent since the beginning of the war.

The trade prefers black and brown cases in natural-wood finishes. Highly-polished cases are seldom seen. Music teachers and clergymen usually receive 10 per cent commission on sales transacted at their instance. Swiss piano actions and keys are of German origin. The duty on pianos, according to the Swiss Customs Tariff No. 957, is $7.72 per 220 pounds." Daily Consular and Trade Reports, New Series, Volume 3, 1916, p. 1037