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JANUARY 26,
1924
THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
F. L. Stelker Elected President of
Cleveland Music Trade Association
H. H. Bruck Elected Vice-president and C. H. Randolph Secretary and Treasurer—Knabe Ware-
rooms Hold Ampico Comparison Recital—112 Steinways Used in Concert Thus Far
/CLEVELAND, O., January 21.—Perhaps the
^- i proverb about not counting chickens may
apply in this instance. Though many of the
piano merchants in town expected one member
of the trade to head the Cleveland Music Trade
Association for 1924, another member gets that
job. This was revealed at the annual meeting
of the organization when votes were counted.
It was, perhaps, that custom as much as
anything else was expected to be observed again
this year that M. O. Mattlin, head of the Knabt
Warerooms and Ampico Studios, was consid-
ered by many to be the logical president to
follow Harry R. Valentine, Dreher Piano Co.,
in that post, since Mr. Mattlin has been vice-
president during the last year. And, in addition,
it is well to note that Mr. Mattlin, as one of
the leading merchants in these parts to-day, is
decidedly popular, appealing alike through per-
sonality and unusual achievement in the few
years he has been in business.
On the other hand, the proof that one gets
what he wants by going after it was proved
in the case of F. I.. Stelker, Schulz Piano Co.,
who investigated the voting possibilities before
election night—and obtained plenty of the same
when the said votes were cast. Mr. Stelker
will take office, with other new Association ex-
ecutives, at the annual banquet to be held some
time in February.
For fifteen years Mr. Stelker has been identi-
fied with the piano trade here, being for many
years with the J. T. Wamelink & Sons Co.,
later with the M. Schulz Co. and still more
recently as head of the Schulz Piano Co. in
Cleveland. His establishment is located in the
old Goodman Piano Co. building in lower
Huron street. This location was taken by Mr.
Stelker's company after Mr. Stelker wound up
the business of the Goodman firm, for which
he was appointed receiver.
With him in official capacity during 1924 will
be H. B. Bruck, of the H. B. Bruck & Sons
Co., as vice-president, and C. H. Randolph,
Randolph House of Good Music, as secretary-
treasurer. Mr. Bruck is one of the most popu-
lar members of the trade here. He, too, has
risen in pianodom rapidly. Eleven years ago
he had a small uptown establishment. Two
years ago he moved down to Piano Row, ac-
quired the A. B. Chase line of pianos, has made
even more rapid progress in that period and
has gained still further in the esteem of the
trade by his goodfellowship.
Mr. Randolph coines in as an officer for the
second time, he having been president of the
Association not so many years ago.
At the banquet which will mark installation
of new officers President Stelker is expected to
present a program of' local activities for the
consideration of the members. Entertainment
will be a feature and this will be provided by a
committee, including J. L. DuBreuil, the Sonora
Phonograph Ohio Co.; Adolph Bruck, the H. B.
Bruck & Sons Co.; G. M. Ott, the G. M. Ott
Piano Mfg. Co.; Robert Jones, the Dreher Piano
Co., and Rexford C. Hyre. At this meeting
D. G. Free, sales manager, the Starr Piano Co.,
was admitted as a member.
Ampico in the Knabe Featured
The season at last is getting under way with
local piano merchants, following plans by many
to increase interest in music and musical mer-
chandise laid with the close of the active period
at the end of 1923. One of the first of public
events in which the merchant takes active part
was the musicale held in connection with the
meeting of the Congress of Mothers' Clubs and
Parent Teachers Associations. This affair fea-
tured the Ampico in the Knabe, supplied by
the Knabe Warerooms and Ampico Studios, in
which a repertoire of Ampico records, selected
by M. O. Mattlin, head of this firm, was played
In addition, two Cleveland artists of national
note, Miss Rex Haller and Charles de Harrick
sang and played, being accompanied by the
Ampico in vocal numbers. The unusual feature
of this entertainment, aside from its prospect-
creating possibilities, was that a considerable
admission fee was paid by the more than 1,000
members who attended the conference to hea»
this instrument and the artists supplied with it
A new instrument here, related to the player
division, finds its initial showing at the Muehl-
hauser Bros. Piano Co. It is the Welte-
Mignon cabinet player, designed especially for
those who desire to have the straight grand,
but at the same time wish to hear artists whoso
work they may not be able to approach. Tlu
cabinet, with a Mason & Hamlin grand, is being
demonstrated in one window at Muehlliauscr's.
Plans for Mid-year Meeting
At a conference here this week of President
Charles H. Yahrling, Youngstown, and Secre-
tary Rexford C. Hyre, of the Music Merchants'
Association of Ohio, plans were laid for the
mid-year meeting of the State body executive
committee and council, to be held at Columbus
in March. The chief topic that will come before
the officials will be the action the membership
will w r ant taken on mutual insurance. This is
a subject of vital importance to piano mer-
chants, according to Secretary Hyre, as it has
been to the lumbermen and others adopting
this protective measure. A questionnaire has
been sent out to all members and upon the in-
formation sent in by them the campaign will
be based. Other topics that found their in-
ception at the State convention in Cincinnati
last year also will be given consideration by
the council at its meeting.
Meanwhile plans for financing the entertain-
ment for this year's convention, in Cleveland,
are being developed. According to G. M. Ott,
head of the committee appointed for that pur-
pose, many houses have already subscribed and
several times the amount of money obtained
last year will be available for.entertainment this
year. It is Mr. Ott's ambition to beat Cincin-
nati in this connection and it is his prediction
that he will do it.
112 Steinways
So far this season 112 Steinway pianos have
been supplied for as many musical events and
an equal number are expected to be used before
the season is over, according to Harry R.
Valentine, vice-president, the Dreher Piano Co.,
Cleveland Steinway representative. This is a
marked gain over last year and appears to
prove the quickened interest in music in this
district.
Victrola No. 105
$180
Mahogany or walnut
Victor supremacy
is the supremacy
of performance
Victor history is one con-
tinuous s e r i e s of g r e a t
musical a c h i e v e m e n t s .
E a c h successive accom-
plishment marking another
step forward in the prog-
ress of dealers in Victor
products.
Victrola No. 260
$150
Mahogany or walnut
Other styles $ 2 5 to $ 1 5 0 0
Bacon in Community Hall
A Francis Bacon piano has recently been in-
stalled in the Community Hall in Sugarcreek,
O. The piano is a gift to the community from
the W. C. T. U., who are much pleased with the
beautiful walnut case and rich full tone of the
instrument, which is a Style 80. A musical pro-
gram was given by the Ladies' Rainbow Orches-
tra of Sugarcreek on the arrival of the instru-
ment.
"HIS MASTE R]S VOIC E "
Victrola
REG U.S.PAT OFF
Bland Go. Opens Branch
Look under the lid and on the labels
for these Victor trade -marks
WINSTON-SALEM, N. C, January 21.—A branch
store of the Bland Piano Co. has been opened
recently on West Fifth street, in the Huntley-
Hill-Stockton Co.'s Building. The present store
of the Bland concern on North Main street will
continue in operation and will in no way be
replaced by the new branch.
Victor Talking
Machine Co.
Camden, N. J.