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OCTOBER 31,
1925
THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
Knabe Studios, Inc., Gives First of
Series of Concerts in City Schools
Events Attracting Wide Interest—William V. Sprinkle Loses Suit Against Charles Jacob—How-
ard Weber With Knabe Studios—E. Paul Hamilton, Inc., Now the Hamilton Co.
D A L T I M O R E , MD, October 26.—The piano
•t* business here generally is reported fairly
good, and the outlook for Winter and holiday
business is excellent, despite the enormous in-
crease in sale of radio outfits. Sales of pianos
have been mostly of the grand type, which seems
to be more popular with the buying public to-
day than the upright, and sales of player-pianos
have also taken a jump in Baltimore recently.
Business generally can be said to be better
than the trade anticipated some months ago,
and this, to a large extent, is attributed to
the unusually extensive advertising being done
by the trade as a whole. With but few excep-
tions, collections on instruments sold on the par-
tial payment plan are reported very good.
The music trade of Baltimore and Municipal
Director of Music Frederick R. Huber were
highly praised for their work in municipal con-
tests to bring out musical talent by George
Sim, Superintendent of Recreation of Sacra-
mento, Cal., who was here last week, making a
study of the Baltimore plan.
Mr. Sim considered unique the invitation given
local composers to write compositions for the
municipal orchestra, with the privilege of con-
ducting the orchestra in the presentation. He
expressed himself as pleased with the fact that
the talent of young soloists is recognized by the
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and expressed
great interest in the proposed plan for Summer
operas.
The Knabe Studios, Inc., gave the first of a
series of concerts by Knabe artists on the Am-
pico at a parent-teachers' meeting last week.
These concerts, which are given free at school
houses in the evening, are attracting interest in
music generally. The program last week was
as follows: Esther Cutchin, pianist, played the
Chopin '"Fantasie Impromptu," an etude in the
form of a waltz, and "The Nightingale," by
Liszt. Lorena Brodman, soprano, sang "Where
My Caravan Has Rested," by Lohr; "Carry Me
Back to Old Virginia" and other numbers,
while Arthur W. Morgan, Jr., played "Ro-
mance," from the Wieniawski second concerto,
and a canzonetta.
Word has just been received here that Wil-
liam V. Sprinkle, formerly engaged in the piano
business in Baltimore, lost the suit for $200,000
damages against Charles Jacob, New York
piano manufacturers, and others. The suit, which
was tried in the Circuit Court at Norfolk, Va.,
was the culmination of many legal procedures
in which the Sprinkle concern was involved and
which created widespread comment throughout
this section of the country. Sprinkle charged
that he was illegally forced out of the company.
Howard Weber, formerly in charge of the
Knabe studios in Chicago, has taken over the
active management of Knabe studios here. Mr.
Weber has associated with Arthur Mergott and
Joseph Osborn, both of whom were also con-
nected with the Chicago house. Mr. Weber,
who has just recently taken charge, reports
business as being very good, especially on sales
of the Ampico types.
The Chickering warerooms announce the ac-
quisition of Frank Old to the sales force, having
joined the staff on the first of the month. Man-
ager Aholt announces the first recital of the
season at the Maryland Country Club on No-
vember 1, at which the celebrated artist, Mau-
rice Dimesnel, will appear.
The house of E. Paul Hamilton, Inc., has
changed its name to the Hamilton Co.
Weydig Piano Corp.
Detroit Association
Reports a Good Demand
Endorses State Meeting
Styles M and N Player-Pianos Going Especially
Well With the Dealers, Says This Firm
Advertising literature being furnished to Wcy-
dig dealers is responsible for stimulated sales
of Weydig and Harding player-pianos, accord-
ing to William E. Weydig, president of the
Weydig Piano Corp., 133rd street and Brown
place, New York. At the present time blotters
are furnished monthly to the dealers for distri-
bution to customers and prospects. These are
attractively printed in colors, with the calendar
for the month. In addition to some striking
outdoor scene painted by a leading artist, each
bears a forceful maxim or inspirational saying.
For example, the October blotters bear the mot-
to, "When You Get to the End of Your Rope,
Tie a Knot in It and Hang On."
Two Weydig player-piano models that are
moving extremely well at the present time, ac-
cording to Mr. Weydig, are styles M and N.
These instruments are being featured in Wey-
dig advertising and sales promotion work with
excellent results. At the present time Mr.
Weydig is making a trip through northern New
York State, calling upon the trade.
Radio Show for Canton
CANTON, O., October 26.—The Canton Daily
News Radio Show, dates for which have been
advanced, opens in the City Auditorium next
Monday night. Practically every music store in
the city will have a booth at the show.
Retail music firms to be represented include
William R. Zollinger Co., George C. Willie Co.,
Custer Music House, Rhines Edison Shop,
Home Music Co., D. W. Lerch Co., as well as a
number of exclusive radio houses,
Detroit Organization to Attend Grand Rapids
Organization in Body and Is Working Ac-
tively
DKTROIT, MICH.. October 21.—The Detroit Music
Dealers' Association has gone on record to sup-
port the formation of the Michigan Music Mer-
chants' Association which is to take place on
November 2 and 3 at a special meeting to be
held at the Pantlind Hotel, Grand Rapids, Mich.
The Detroit delegation called a meeting Mon-
day evening, October 19, at the Union League
Club and the members discussed plans whereby
they could co-operate with the State dealers to
promote the movement for the organization of
the Michigan Merchants' Association. It was
decided that several legislative matters should
be brought up for discussion at Grand Rapids
as well as the proposal to introduce piano in-
struction into the curriculum of the public
schools. A number of committees were ap-
pointed to carry out the work to stimulate the
formation of the State association.
E. P. Andrew, manager of the J. L. Hudson
Co., volunteered to act as chairman of a special
Attendance Committee, which he proposes to
organize to promote enthusiasm among the
Michigan dealers by personal correspondence,
urging strongly the necessity of having a rep-
resentative attendance at the organization meet-
ing.
Walter Jenkins, manager of the Cable Piano
Co., and chairman of the Nominating Com-
mittee, expressed himself enthusiastically for
the Association, stating that he had held some
correspondence in regard to the officers to be
proposed.
Wm. H. Huttie, manager of the Starr i'iano
Co., expressed the intention of writing all the
9
Starr dealers in Michigan urging the importance
of this meeting and several other members are
doing the same thing.
Other members who will co-operate include
Phil Sadowski, chairman of the special Stunts
Committee, and S. E. Clark and W. H. Howes,
of Grinnell Bros., who assured the co-operation
of their large organization. Mr. Howes, chair-
man of the Speakers' Committee, announced
the presence of several men of national repu-
tation as well as the attendance of C. A. Grin-
nell, past president of the National Music Mer-
chants' Association.
Paul H. Cagle, manager of the Story & Clark
store, has some original ideas on decoration
stunts that he believes will prove attractive and
which he was encouraged to carry out with
the assistance of other members. B. O. Hallis,
manager of the Artonian Piano Co., expressed
the belief that the delegation should invite the
convention members to Detroit in June. He
was appointed on the entertainment committee
and his present plans provide that the Detroit
delegation should go to the meeting in a solid
body.
To Open Larger Store
COLUMBIA, PA., October 24.—Leo G. Emery,
local music dealer, has recently purchased the
brick property at 332 Locust street, which he
will occupy with his music store as soon as
alterations have been completed. At present
the first floor is occupied by T. Johnson Kro-
del's Music Store. Mr. Emery has been en-
gaged in the music business for years.
Consult the Universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge for men who desire positions.
Pratt Read
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