20 THE CUBA REVIEW 



MARKET FOR LOW-PRICED AMERICAN FURNITURE 



It has become a problem in Havana to secure serviceable furniture at a price 

 within reach of the working classes. Much fine furniture is attractively displayed 

 in Havana, but the prices are almost prohibitive to the family of small means. For 

 example, small sets of wicker furniture of good, but not extraordinary, quality are 

 offered at $875 and other sets of seven pieces of perhaps better grade at $1,100. A 

 medium-sized, veneered, mahogany davenport costs $175, and a set consisting of a 

 small table, cane-seated sofa, four chairs, and a lamp stand, cheaply painted, is 

 marked $300. 



Especially fine grades of furniture of original designs are likely to command 

 a high price regardless of the actual cost of manufacture and this sort finds a 

 ready sale in Cuba. What seems to be lacking, however, in the Cuban market are 

 cheap sets of parlor, dining room, and bedroom furniture. Full sets and pieces of 

 oak furniture, such as are sold at low prices by American wholesale and mail-order 

 houses, would probably be popular in Cuba. 



UNITED STATES CHIEF SOURCE OF SUPPLY FOR STAND ARD-GRADE 



FURNITURE 



Eighty per cent, or more of the very fine furniture used in Havana is said to be 

 manufactured in this country by Spanish cabinet makers, the designs of the furniture 

 corresponding to the special liking of the customer. Imports of the standard furniture 

 are largely from the United States. In 1007. 00 per cent, of the better-grade furni- 

 ture imported came from the United States, amounting to 74,240 tons in. weight and 

 comprising the larger part of this class used on the island. 



White enamel and gold furniture are popular and sell at an average price of 

 $450 for a bedroom sot. Birch wood is usually employed, is attractive, and well suited 

 to the climate. So far, little solid oak furniture has been introduced, although it 

 appears that the markot could be developed to a considerable extent, especially if 

 the furniture could be offered at practically American prices plus custom duties and 

 the additional cost of transportation, variously estimated between 33 and 50 per 

 cent. 



With bedroom furniture, wardrobes should, as a rule, be Included, as closets are 

 not ordinarily built in the Cuban houses. 



Native furniture dealers sometimes state that American woods will not resist 

 the attacks of insects found in Cuba, but it seems to have been sufficiently proven 

 that good American hardwood furniture is practically immune, and gives as good 

 service as that made from the native woods. 



CAREFUL ATTENTION TO DETAILS OF SHIPPING NECESSARY— CREDIT 



TERMS 



It is of much importance that sets of furniture be shipped complete and that 

 they be carefully inspected before packing. Delayed shipments, missing parts, im- 

 perfect upholstering and improper finishing cause dissatisfaction and retard this 

 branch of trade. 



The packing should be done in a way to take up as little space as possible, each 

 box or case being numbered, the invoice showing the contents of the boxes, so it 

 will not be necessary for the importer to open each one to ascertain what it contains. 

 This is particularly important in Havana, owing to the limited storage space of 

 manv of the importers. 



Correct Cuban consular invoices should be provided for each shipment, and under- 

 valuations should in all cases be provided against as likely to result in the confiscation 

 of shipments or other serious trouble to the importer. 



