Over Thirty Years in the Music Business
"A leader for over thirty years," yes,
you have seen that Seeburg slogan time
and time again. But in these days of catchy
and fancy slogans, perhaps few have given
thought and realization to the real meaning
of over thirty years of Seeburg leadership.
The history of the See burg Organization
naturally evolves around its founder and
beloved leader 1. P. Seeourg, affectionally
known as "J.P." by his employees and
legion of acquaintances in the automatic
field.
1. P. Seeburg was born in the tradition·
ally historic town of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Upon his graduation from Chalmers Tech·
nical Institute in 1887 he came to the
United States. He served his. apprentice·
ship with the old Smith Barnes Piano Com·
pany and the Bush and Gertz Company.
Fortified with this background of experi·
ence and knowledge of piano manufactur·
ing, "J. P." was appointed superintendent
of the internationally famous Cable Piano
Company plant. In 1904, after spending
many years with the Cable firm, Mr. See·
burg organized the Kurtz Seeburg Action
Company, the largest piano action factory
in the world, which was sold to Woods and
Brooks (now Thayer Action Company),
manufacturers of piano and organ supplies.
"J. Po's" succeeding business was the
formation of the Marquette Piano Com·
pany, manufacturers of electric pianos.
The 1. P. Seeburg Piano Company was
organized in 1904, manufacturing elec·
trically coin operated pianos for their own
operations. The business was incorporated
in 1907. Several years later, the name was
changed to the J. P. Seeburg Corporation.
The Company's present knowledge of the
operating end of the business was gained
in this initial operation when eventually
500 automatic pianos were operated by
the Company. Later on Mr. Seeburg sold
his operating business and from then on
manufactured exclusively for the operator.
Up until the inception of the amplified
phonograph, the. Company was recognized
by the trade as being the largest manu·
facturer of coin controlled pianos in the
world. Even today, these pianos, manu·
factured thirty years ago, are still doing
service in the field. It is a notewonhy fact
that every piece of equipment manufac·
tured by the J. P. Seeburg Corporation can
be serviced today from the factory.
The See burg Corporation also manufac·
tured organs for the theater and the home.
Many thousands of these instruments are
still in service in all parts of the world.
With the inception of radio, and the de·
velopments in modern amplification, the
Seeb urg Corporation engaged in the manu·
facture of phonographs. As with player
pianos, "Simplicity" was the Seeburg
watchword.
"Born and reared in the music business,"
applies to the entire Seeburg personnel,
from its founder to the skilled workers.
The new 1936 High Fidelity Selectophone
and the new 1936 High Fidelity Symphon·
ola, are indicative of the thorough knowl·
edge and practical musical experience of
the Seeburg organization.
N. Marshall Seeburg, vice·president and
trea surer of the 1. P. Seeburg Corporation,
received his preparatory and college edu·
ca tion both here and abroad. During the
World War he served with the navy. At
the conclusion of the World War, Marshall
became an active member of the Seeburg
Corporation. Marshall probably enjoys one
of the largest friendships in the coin rna·
chine business. He is intimately acquainted
with practically every leading coin machine
man in Europe as well as North America.
Upon his return from trips to England
and central Europe, Marshall has brought
back new ideas and inventions which have
henefited the entire industry. Marshall
Seeburg is vice·president of the National
Association of Coin Machine Manufac·
turers.
E. C. (Ed) Johnson, general manager
and vice· president of the J. P. Seeburg Cor·
poration was formerly president of the
Schaaf Piano String Company. This firm,
under Mr. Johnson, did over ninety per cent
of all the piano string business in the
country. That gives you an idea of his
sales ability. Ed, as he is known by his
host or friends, knows practically every
individual in the music and coin machine
business. He joined the Seeburg organiza·
tion in October, 1933. His natural sales
ability and outstanding executive qualifica.
tions were responsible for the meteoric rise
he can boast of from salesman to official.
Always fair and equitable in his dealings
with the trade, Ed Johnson is one of the
most popular men in the automatic music
field. The "Magic Carpet" has nothing on
the /!:enial Seeburg executive. In 1935 he
traveled over forty thousand miles by
plane. Innumerable cross country trips, clio
maxed by a plane trip from Chicago to
Mexico City and thence to South America
gives you an idea of Mr. JohnsPn's activity.
Earl Holland, sales manager of the
Phonograph division of the 1. P. Seeburg
Corporation, has spent his entire business
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THE REVIEW
J ANUARY,
193 6
life in the music field. Mr. Holland was
for many years sales manager and vice·
president of .the famous Q.R.S. Company.
Before ascending to his present executive
position with the Seeburg organization,
Earl's "happy hunting ground" was the
southeastern United States. As a J. P. See·
burg represen tative in this territory he
established a record second to none. Earl's
many customers, most of whom are his
friends of many years standing, constantly
look to this "music veteran" for construc·
tive advice and sound business guidance.
Herman Fleer recently came to the See·
burg organization in charge of a new
division to be announced at a later date.
Mr. Fleer, who is an accomplished musi·
cian, learned the piano business from the
bench up. A peek at his record as vice·'
president of Lyon & Healy in Chicago and
as general manager of the C. C. Miller Co.
of Pittsburgh is conclusive proof of Mr.
Fleer's ability. A likeable personality, Her·
man Fleer brings to the Seeburg firm a
fund of practical knowledge.
J ames Barron is another See burg execu·
tive with a sterling "Life Is a Song" back·
ground. Previous to becoming affiliated
with the J. P. Seeburg Corporation, Mr.
Barron was vice·president and general sup·
erintendent of the vast Cable·N elson Piano
Co. Mr. Barron is general manager in
charge of production at the large J . P .
Seeburg Corporation plant.
Trained and thoroughly schooled in the
Seeburg policy of conducting business, the
entire sales personnel co·operates with their
customers far beyond the ordinary expec·
tation of completing a sale.
Ed. Stern travels the southwestern terri·
tory. Reed Crawford and Frank Merkle
represent the Seeburg Corporation through.
out the middle west. Gerry Semmes takes
care of New York state while Sam Mendel·
sohn is selling Seeburg phonographs in
Metropolitan New York. Spencer Otis
makes Seeburg sales climb in the West and
Harry Berlin (no relation to Irving) is
doing a remarkable job in Chicago.
The entire office and factory personnel is
made up of people exceptionally well
versed in the coin operated phonograph
business. Many of these employees have
been with the Company since 'its very in·
ception.
Thus, at the conclusion of this resume
of one of the best known firms in the
music business, it is purely evident that
everyone who plays an important part in
the manufacture of Seeburg instruments
has been music conscious over a period of
a great many years.
(N OTE: This is the first of a series of
intimate sketches to be printed by THE
REVIEW from tim~ to time bringing before
our readers the men who are responsible
for the products you operate.)
Of all the places by the name of Paris,
the S & W Amusement Co. prefers the
one in Tennessee.
Baltimoah, Md., checks in via Operator
S. Hoffman.
This page reserved for Operator T . E.
Walker of Savannah, Ga.
How is everything in Council Bluffs"
Operator Don McCrae?
How's for a line from Herb Geiger in
Milwaukee?
COl N
MA CHI N E
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