Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
SEPTEMBER 13, 1919
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
PITTSBURGH PIANO DEALERS READY FOR FALL TRADE
Local Merchants Anticipate an Excellent Business During Coming Season—Cleaning Up Stocks
of Used Pianos—Mellor Co.'s Clearance Sale Progressing Nicely—Other News
PITTSBURGH, PA., September 8.—With the com-
ing of September the piano merchants of this
city are preparing for what they anticipate
will be a very brisk fall and winter season.
That an organized effort will be made to dis-
pose of all used pianos (and they are not so
numerous) is evident by the liberal newspaper
space that was used yesterday (Sunday) by
some of the leading piano dealers in directing
the attention of the public to clearance sales.
The T. M. Hoffman Co. announced that space
was needed for the placing of new shipments of
Sohmer, Behning and Gulbransen pianos from
the factory. Theodore Hoffman stated that
the sale opened very auspiciously and that the
indications pointed to a very brisk trade.
"Our annual clearance sale which is now un-
der way has demonstrated that there are many
persons who still are desirous of obtaining a
good used piano at a moderate price," said
H. H. Fleer, sales manager of the piano de-
partment of the C. C. Mellor Co. Mr. Fleer
pointed out the fact that while the used and
exchanged pianos were always in demand, the
call for the regular lines carried by the Mellor
Co., such as the Steinway, Krakauer, Weber and
other leading makes of pianos was still quite
pronounced. Mr. Fleer stated that a notable
feature was the strong demand for grand pianos.
E. G. Hays & Co. announced a clean-up sale
in used pianos as well as used talking machines.
C. H. Wilt, manager of the piano sales depart-
ment, said that the talking machines were
taken in as part payment on Lester player-
pianos. He stated that the outlook for trade
this fall was most encouraging.
G. W. Watkins, sales manager of the piano
department of the W. F. Frederick Piano Co.,
utilized some very catchy advertising material
in giving publicity to the clearance sale that is
now under way.
C. J. Roberts, manager of the local offices
and salesrooms of Chas. M. Stieff, Inc., stated
that sales of the Stieff grand pianos and Stieff
player-pianos were continuing at a very satis-
factory rate. Mr. Roberts pointed out the fact
that the demand for the Stieff instruments in
the Pittsburgh district was steady the year
round and that no attempt was made to hold
special sales.
W. C. Dierks, general manager of the C. C.
Mellor Co., is spending several days at the
horse shows at Lexington and Louisville, Ky.
Prior to going to Kentucky Mr. Dierks, ac-
companied by Mrs. Dierks and Mr. and Mrs.
H. H. Fleer, motored to Wheeling and took
in the West Virginia State Fair. F. H. Groves
"ESTEY SERVICE" FEATURED
Striking Series of Folders Issued by the Estey
Piano Co. Shows What That Concern Is
Doing for Dealers Handling Its Line—Well
Illustrated and Forceful Publicity
That the term "Estey Service" is not a mere
catch-phrase, or abstract term, but describes a
definite department delivering solid, practical,
of the Groves Piano Co., accompanied by his
family, has returned from a delightful vacation
trip to Atlantic City.
The Schroeder Piano Co. reports a good
market for the Kurtzmann grand pianos. Espe-
cial stress was placed the past week on the
Style B grand, which, it was stated, was a
very popular instrument.
the country, etc., and each bears the caption:
"Speeding Up."
The text inside each folder is appropriately
patterned on the design employed on the cover
and is in each case a direct and forceful appeal
to the dealer to "speed up" his business by
availing himself of the helps afforded by "Estey
Service." He is invited to make full and free
use of the many publicity devices and sales-
promoting ideas contained in the service de-
The "Speed Series" of Folders Issued by the Estey Piano Co.
helpful service to the dealers who handle Estey partment of the Estey Co., such as stuffers,
goods, is one of the points emphasized in a strik- circulars, dealers' ads, cuts, matrices, electros,
ing series of folders just issued by the Estey show cards, window display designs, selling
plans, etc., or to call upon the Estey service
Piano Co.
The folders, which have been termed the department for material to aid in carrying out
"Speed Series," consist of six striking designs his own plans.
A footnote appended to the text in each of
in brilliant color, each depicting some modern
example of high speed. One shows an aero- the folders says: "The 'Estey Service' is a dis-
plane darting through the clouds, another a tinct and definite department, designed and func-
motor car racing with two wheels in the air, a tioning exclusively for the benefit and conve-
third pictures an express train thundering across nience of Estey dealers. It contains materials,
means and methods of real practical value in
promoting retail sales. We urge that you avail
yourself of this service without stint and with-
out delay. Apply it to your own uses. Per-
haps it contains the very things to carry out
what you are planning. Write us today what
you have in mind."
In addition, the folders contain a series of
brief reminders of the extraordinary conditions
now existing in the music trade; of the fact
that the increased demand for musical instru-
ments has brought now competitive conditions
in the trade; of the desirability in face of these
facts of "speeding up" sales methods all along
the line, and of the advantages derived from
handling the goods produced by a concern that
has the will, the energy and the means of aid-
ing its dealers to "speed up" their business to a
profit-winning pace.
Both from an artistic and a commercial view-
point the "speed series" is noteworthy, and
coming on the heels of his now familiar "Never
Go Back" series, it further emphasizes the spirit
of Estey energy and enthusiasm that Treasurer
"Go Ahead" Gittins has infused into the
methods of this company.
Robert Rogers, seventy-eight years of age,
a retired hand hardwood carver, and well
known in piano manufacturing circles, died on
Labor Day at his home in Norwood, O., near
Cincinnati.