Music Trade Review

Issue: 1928 Vol. 87 N. 7

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
The Music Trade Review
10
Dr. Frank Crane Pays High Tribute
to the Value of the Piano in the Home
Well-known Syndicate Writer, Whose Work Appears in Hundreds of Newspapers,
States Piano is Most Important Musical Instrument in the World
1~"\R. FRANK CRANE, the prominent writer,
*~^ whose daily articles are syndicated
throughout the country, and appear in hun-
dreds of newspapers and magazines, recently
devoted the space allotted to him to an un-
usually fine article on the piano. In the article
Dr. Crane pays high tribute to the value of the
piano in the home, saying in part:
"If you were limited to one book you might
want the dictionary. Some people would want
the Bible. If you were limited to one piece of
furniture in the house, your choice should be
the piano.
"The piano is easily the most important in-
strument in the world.
"It is the greatest common denominator of
all musical instruments.
"Most music that is written for an orchestra
or a banjo, a saxophone or the human voice,
is reducible to a piano score, and usually is
first composed on the piano.
"The piano is the best door to the knowledge
of music. Almost everybody enters into the
field' of music by that door.
"The piano is the .heart of the home. About
it naturally groups all the family. A silent
house is essentially a desolate one.
"The piano is the life of every social gather-
ing.
"If anyone can play the piano, even manage
so-so with ' accompaniments, a group gathers
about him and the house is enlivened by the
voices of the young, or partners are chosen for
dancing.
"Almost every child can learn music if he is
taught young enough. Modern methods of in-
struction are so simple that even the dullest
can understand. It is a deprivation for a child
not to know the piano."
President C. J. Roberts, of the National
Association of Music Merchants, was particu-
larly enthusiastic regarding the article, which
he regarded as one of the finest pieces of pub-
licity that has yet appeared regarding the piano.
It is his plan to have the article reprinted and
distributed generally among association mem-
bers.
Badger Brand Plates
are far more than
merely good plates.
They are built cor-
rectly of the best
material and finish,
and are specified by builders of quality
pianos.
American Piano Plate Co.
Manufacturers BADGER BRAND Grand and
Upright Piano Plates
In a letter to Dr. Crane, Mr. Roberts said:
"Musicians, music lovers, musical instrument
manufacturers and music merchants all over
our country will appreciate your syndicated
article on 'The Piano,' that appeared in to-day's
papers. As your articles cover such a vast
number of subjects on which you are fully in-
formed, I feel that you may also know that
various organizations in the music industry
have recently concentrated their efforts upon
increasing the popularity of the piano, and
you have said in a comparatively few words in
such a manner as could no one else writing
for the American public today, what has been
said in lengthy speeches, articles and books.
"I am sending a copy of the article to each
of our trade papers, and would like permission
to use it otherwise, with full credit, in an effort
to see that it is put in the hands of all mem-
bers of our trade associations and their subor-
dinates.
"The work of the trade associations in pro-
moting the piano has not been entirely along
commercial lines by any means, those having
charge of the work feeling that if certain altru-
istic aims are accomplished, material benefits
will be justified and will naturally follow.
"Please permit me on behalf of our organiza-
tion to thank you for the article."
Four Aeolian Dealers
Visit Steck Factory
Among the recent visitors to the executive
offices of the Aeolian Co., New York, were
R. C. F. Ahlf, sales manager of Sherman, Clay
& Co., San Francisco, Jay Grinnell, of Grinnell
Bros., Detroit, and Herman H. H. Fleer, of
Lyon & Healy, Inc., Chicago. These gentle-
men with T. M. Griffith, of the Griffith Piano
Co., Newark, N. J., made a tour of inspection
through the new Steck piano factory at Nepon-
sit, and were accompanied by C. Alfred Wag-
ner, vice-president of the Aeolian Co., and Paul
Fink, general manager of sales.
Heppe Brings the Product
to the Prospect's Home
PHILADF.LPHIA, PA., August 13.—A unique
method of bringing the musical instrument di-
rectly to the door of the customer has been
adopted by the C. J. Heppe & Son Co., 1117
Chestnut street, piano dealer and retailer of
radio and talking machines. A special corps of
workers, including women canvassers and
salesmen to close, the deal, have been sent into
various high-class residential sections accom-
panied with a truck bearing portable instru-
AUGUST 18, 1928
ments in radio, small pianos, talking machines
and records. These were trie* out in the
homes after the canvasser secured the interest
of the customer and, where a sale was closed,
left with the resident of the home. Two trucks
accompanied each corps of workers with six or
more instruments on each. This new method
of bringing musical wares to the doorway of
the prospect has been successfully worked out
and will be continued for the remainder of
the Summer.
Full Sonora Line
Shortly to Be Ready
Will Include Radio Receivers, Electrical and
Acoustical Phonographs, Combinations, Loud
Speakers, Records, Tubes, Etc.
"After several months of development and
preparatory work the Sonora Phonograph Co.,
Inc., has started production of its new line of
phonographs, radios and combination instru-
ments that arc expected to set a new standard
in the industry," states P. L. Deutsch, presi-
dent of the Acoustic Products Co. and the
Sonora Phonograph Co.
The Sonora Co. is headed by men who have
been closely allied with highly successful con-
cerns in the past and its research facilities are
such that the highest type of product will be
produced. The line to be manufactured for the
Fall trade includes radio receiving sets, elec-
trical and acoustical phonographs, combination
radio and record-playing instruments, dynamic
loud speakers, tubes and records.
Manufacturing operations will be largely cen-
tered in the Saginaw plant, though some of
the production will be in the company's plants
in the East. The cabinets for all instruments
will be produced at Saginaw, where most of
the assembly of phonographs and radios will
be made. The electrical apparatus will be
manufactured at the Acoustic Products Manu-
facturing Co's. plant at Stamford, Conn.
The Sonora sales organization is getting un-
der way for an energetic sales campaign and
an extensive advertising schedule in various
high-class mediums is being undertaken. The
appeal will be on a strict quality basis, both
as to the performance and cabinet design of
the instruments.
New Federal Distributor
MILWAUKEE, WIS., August 11.—The Morley-
Murphy Co., 454 Milwaukee street, has been
appointed Wisconsin distributor for Federal
radios. The concern also distributes Balkite
and Ever Ready receivers.
American
PIANO WIRE
"Perfected"
American Steel & Wire
Chicago-*New York
Direct Manufacturers of
BOARDMAN & GRAY
"Crown"
Company
George W. BraunsdorS, Inc.
Racine, Wisconsin
WHEN CHANGING AGENCIES
Consider the Old Reliable

JEKKD
New
tUpi Style
Also — Felts and
Cloths, Furnished
in Any Quantity
Punchings
Washers
BRIDLE STRAPS
5814-37th Ave.
TUNERS' TRADE SOLICITED
Woodside, L. I., N. Y.
PIANOS FOR YOUR LEADER
Strictly First Class Since 18S7
Full Protection
Given Agentt
Albany, N. Y.
PIANO TECHNICIANS SCHOOL
(Under
Y. M. C. A. Auspices)
Practical Shop School Tuning:, General Repairs,
Rebuilding
GRANDS—UPRIGHTS—PLAYERS
Send for catalog
The Y. M. C. A. Piano Technicians School
52nd and Sansom Streets.
Philadelphia, Pa.
L U
D W I G
Grands—Uprights—Player Pianos—Reproducing Pianos
of the Highest Quality in Straight and Period Models
Ludwig & Co., 136th St. and Willow Ave., New York
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
New Warerooms of Aeolian Co. of Missouri
Exterior of New Warerooms
RCA Radiola, Victor and Brunswick Display Rooms
Duo-Art Display Rooms
Duo-Art Salon Period Room
\ y H E N fire destroyed the building at 1004
* * Olive street, St. Louis, Mo., occupied by
the Aeolian Co. of Mo., some months ago, it
appeared at first in the light of a catastrophe.
Later developments, however, would seem to
indicate that the fire was really a most bene-
ficial happening for it helped in a large measure
to solve alteration problems for the company
and make possible work of restoration that has
resulted in one of the finest music houses in
the Middle West.
The rebuilt home of the Aeolian Co. of Mo.
is a strictly modern seven-story building posses-
sing many distinctive and attractive features
that provide unusually fine settings for the in-
struments displayed and at the same time take
into consideration the comfort and convenience
of patrons.
The front is distinctly in a modern manner,
with a large show window framed in black
and gold marble and giving a full view of the
elaborate interior. The first floor is in the
Empire style, with exquisite plastic ornamenta-
tions in blue, white and gold on walls of dull-
finished fawn. Vaulted ceilings and six large
paneled mirrors give an unusual air of spacious-
ness. The floors are of marble in green and
cream, and a wide marble staircase leads to
the mezzanine floor where the Duo-Art music
library and the Victor and Brunswick record
stocks are located. Here are also demonstra-
tion booths for the rolls and records. The
booths, located in the front of the mezzanine,
are provided with panels which may be opened
so that the music from the booths may be
heard throughout the first floor of the store.
On the first floor is located the main display
room where straight grands, Duo-Arts, Radi-
olas, and phonographs and radio-phonograph
combinations are displayed. The offices of the
cashier and the ticket offices are conveniently
located beneath the stairway, while opposite
them are placed the desks of the sales manager
and the salesmen. President W. P. Chrisler
has his office in the rear of the floor.
The second floor is given over to Radiolas,
Orthophonic Victrolas and Brunswick Pana-
tropes, and is attractively arranged and deco-
rated. Special equipment has been installed so
that each individual instrument may be demon-
strated without delay or confusion.
The
wholesale RCA department and the company's
promotion department have offices on this
floor.
On the third floor are two beautiful Duo-Art
salons while in the rear is the artists' room
equipped with a Steinway concert grand and a
large Steinway Duo-Art grand. The room is
designed for the use of local musicians and
.visiting artists and is particularly designed for
practice purposes.
Small grands, uprights and other instruments
are displayed on the fourth floor. The fifth
floor is given over to the wholesale RCA Radi-
ola division with its stock and service depart-
ments, the sixth floor to Steinway grand pianos,
and the seventh floor to a most completely
equipped work shop.
The elevator equipment and the heating, ven-
tilating and lighting systems are all of the
11
latest model. The building was designed by
Maritz & Young, Inc., St. Louis architects, and
constructed by W. H. & Nelson Cunliff. The
accompanying views give some general idea of
the attractiveness of the new quarters.
G. J. Heppe & Son Give
Two Pianos to Hospital
Instruments Donated to Pennsylvania Hospital
to Be Used in the Treatment of Mental Cases
—Gift Much Appreciated
PHILADELPHIA, PA., August 13.—C. J. Heppe
& Son, in the name of the Heppe Memorial
Fund, recently presented two pianos to the De-
partment of Mental and Nervous Diseases of
the Pennsylvania Hospital, where, under the di-
rection of Earl B. Bond, M.D., Physician-in-
Chief and Administrator, there is being de-
veloped a special music treatment for mental
patients. Dr. Bond in acknowledging the re-
ceipt of the two pianos was enthusiastic over
the generosity of the House of Heppe.
Gimbel Bros. Remodels
MILWAUKEE, WIS., August 11.—The remodeling
of the music department of Gimbel Brothers
store here has practically been completed. The
change in the department provides for about
three times as much space and allows for con-
siderably more display room. Pillars on the
floor have all been tiffanved.

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