Each person engaged in the business of selling, renting or delivering pianos, organs, small musical instruments or all such articles in this state, either in person or by agent, consignee or broker, shall pay $50 as a license tax to the state for each county in which he has an established place of business, and such license shall permit him to solicit business anywhere in the state; provided, that where such dealer does not have an established place of business in the state but merely sells or solicits the sale of such articles, he shall pay as a state license tax $25 in each county. The provisions of this section shall not apply to general merchants selling as a part of their stock in trade small musical instruments, the selling price of which does not exceed $10; provided, that the license tax on general merchants selling small musical instruments, the selling price of which exceeds $10, but who do not sell pianos or organs, shall be as follows: In counties having a population of 35,000 inhabitants or less, $5; in counties having a population of over 35,000 inhabitants and not exceeding 50,000 inhabitants, $10; in counties having a population of over 50,000 inhabitants and not exceeding 100,000 inhabitants, $15; and in counties having a population of over 100,000 inhabitants, $20. This shall not be construed to entitle a licensee to maintain branch establishments or stores without payment of the regular license tax of each branch or store, both state and county, required under this section.