Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
JANUARY 7, 1928
Cincinnati Dealers Report
Fair Holiday Piano Sales
General Consensus of Opinion Among Retail Dealers in City Is
That Fair Volume of Instruments Was Sold — Optimism
Prevailing Spirit in the Music Stores
/ C I N C I N N A T I , O., December 29.— At piano houses it is reported that while the holiday de-
^ ^ mand for pianos was not quite as large as hoped for, it was better than fair, and in view
of the fact that practically every other line of business had a loss of sales, it is thought that the
piano trade did very well to hold its own. Dealers are optimistic as to the business of the coin-
ing year, due to the fact that general business conditions are improving.
On the other hand, it is reported that there was an excellent holiday demand for talking
machines, especially in the more expensive
models, including radio combinations.
The sales campaign, fully determined to make a
demand for records was very large, it is stated, gain. Our piano sales during the holidays did
and favorite numbers gave out in some in- not quite reach the mark we had set—but per-
stances. Radio sales, it is said, were larger haps we set the figures too high, forgetting to
than ever before, with a marked preference on take into consideration the fact that general
the part of buyers to choose the more expen- conditions were not very good. With talking
sive models. Small goods dealers report a sat- machines and radio, I am glad to be able to say,
it was different, and our sales in these depart-
isfactory demand for everything in their line.
At the store of the Otto Grau Piano Co. it ments were very satisfactory. As I see it, pros-
was reported that while the holiday demand pects for the coming year are very bright, so I
for pianos was not as large as had been hoped shall forget the difficulties of the past year and
for, the sales were at a very good level. There get right down to 'brass tacks' with the future."
"While we had a very fair volume of sales
was a fine demand for talking machines, espe-
during
the holidays, there were not many that
cially in the more expensive models. "While
our books have not yet been closed," explained could be truly called 'holiday' sales," said
Mr. Grati, "I feel confident that we have made William Graul, of the W. R. Graul Piano Co.
some gain this year." Asked as to his opinion "By that I mean that the pianos bought did
of the business prospects for the coming year, not seem to be specially intended for Christ-
Mr. Grau stated that he is optimistic, due to mas presents, but they were just bought in the
the fact that general business is getting better, regular way. In other years the delivery was
and this is bound to be reflected in the music to be made the day before Christmas, but this
year there has been no request of this kind and
trade.
At the store of the George P. Gross Co., it the instrument has been delivered in the regu-
lar course of business."
was reported that while there was not as good
a demand for pianos during the holidays as
had been hoped for, it was better than fair, and
taking everything into consideration sales were
regarded as satisfactory. There was a splendid
demand for talking machines and records, it
was stated, and likewise there was a fine de-
mand for radio and for small goods. Mr. Gross
expressed the opinion that after the usual post-
holiday lull the demand for all goods in the
music trades lines will become better.
The fine display of oil paintings placed in
the store of the Starr Piano Co., which is now
occupied by the Cincinnati Art Center, an organ-
ization of artists, formed to promote art in all
its branches, attracted a large number of visi-
tors during the holidays. "As a natural con-
sequence," explained G. E. Hunt, retail man-
ager, "we made a great many incidental sales,
and the business of our record department and
our roll department was especially stimulated.
Taking general conditions into consideration,
our volume of holiday sales was very satisfac-
tory. We are now getting ready for the new
year, and my forecast is that it will be better
from a sales standpoint than the year that has
passed." A recent yisitor at the Starr store
was Roy Woodruff, of Nashville, Tenn., who is
company representative there. He spent the
holidays in this city, after which he went to
Richmond, Ind., to take up business matters at
headquarters. Another visitor at the Starr store
was W. M. Purnell, former manager of whole-
sale sales in this territory, but now a district
representative for the Brunswick-Balke-Col-
lender Co. After spending the holidays here
with his family he departed on his first business
tour of the year.
"The new year is here, and we are ready to
'start to shoot,' if I may express it that way,"
said E. M. Abbott, head of the E. M. Abbott
Piano Co. "By this I mean that we are not
goinc to lose anv time in starting our 1928
19
The Music Trade Review
Noted Opera Composer
Praises the Baldwin
W. Frank Harling, the noted American com-
poser, who is responsible for the scores of
the operas: "A Light From St. Agues," and
"Deep River," the former being produced by
the Chicago Civic Opera Co. last evening with
Rosa Raisa in the title role, is an enthusiast
regarding the Baldwin piano, as is his wife,
Garda Maire, a lyric soprano of wide reputation,
who has sung in opera on numerous occasions.
In a letter to the Baldwin Piano Co. Mr. Har-
ling writes:
"If a composer's endorsement of your won-
derful pianos means anything to you, here's one
right from the heart. In writing my operas 'A
Light From St. Agnes' and 'Deep River' 1
sometimes wondered if my faithful Baldwin
didn't contribute a large measure of the inspira-
tion. I hope so! And may I extend to you
this unsolicited appreciation of its help—even to
a composer!"
Appealing Window Display
of Lester Piano Products
Particularly Attractive Holiday Showing in
Warerooms of F. A. North & Co., Phila-
delphia—New Model 80 Featured
I'llII.AI>KI.HII IA. PA., January 3.—Christmas at-
mosphere gave to the window display of the
Lester pianos a picturesque appeal at the store
of the F. A. North Co., 1306 Chestnut street. The
window scene depicted an interior home display
with a glowing electrically lighted Christmas
tree in one corner and an Italian Renaissance
Lester grand piano in the foreground, while
through an archway could be seen the Victor
Orthophonic instrument and also a radio. Be-
neath the holly, floral and gold garlands of
Christmas there was displayed in the store the
new 1928 line of Lester pianos including the new
Model 80 with its case of African mahogany in
dull finish constructed after the Italian and
Spanish periods and the Louis 15th designs. The
entire window trim was got up at considerable
cost and was one of the most artistic piano win-
dows shown in this citv.
M. & M. Shop Moves
DrRAN(.o, CAI-., December 24.—The M. & M.
Music Shop, which had been located in the
Hunter Piano Co. building, has moved to the
Maytag building in this city. Mr. Hunter will
use the whole of his own building for the dis-
1'lav of pianos and other musical instruments.
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