In reply to Ed Gaida's question, I have the 1925 edition of the
Purchaser's Guide to the Music Industries.  Many other issues are
in the Library of Congress.  It was first published in 1897 and called
the "Piano and Organ Purchaser's Guide."  This was one of my sources
for the Reed Organ Atlas.

Regarding the puffery, it even applied to the editor's view of his
publication as stated in the Preface to the 1925 edition:

  "In its original form the book was intended to protect the purchasing
   public, and, for that purpose, it endeavored to present an earnest
   and conscientious argument in favor of the honest manufacturer and
   the honest dealer who represented him, when in competition with
   unscrupulous competitors.  This purpose has been rigidly and
   conscientiously adhered to and explains its success."

Fritz Gellerman