Music Trade Review

Issue: 1929 Vol. 88 N. 1

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
The Music Trade Review
Phillips & Crew Piano Co. Occupies
Fine New Quarters in Atlanta, Ga.
Old-Established Music House Now Has Commodious Four-Story Building Which Has
Been Entirely Remodeled to Meet Its Needs
A TLANTA, GA., December 31.—The Phil-
^ lips & Crew Piano Co. recently held a
formal opening of its new store at 235 Peach-
tree street, this city, declared to be one of the
finest establishments in the South devoted to
the retailing of musical instruments. The
business of the company occupies the four
floors of the building, which has a frontage of
twenty-five feet on the ground floor, and fifty
feet on the three upper floors.
The interior of the building has been entirely
remodeled and re-decorated. The reception
room on the main floor has walls covered with
travertine, the floor laid with a rubber product
that serves to deaden sound, and covered with
a large Chinese rug. The walls are hung with
Predicts Big Phonograph Sales
MILWAUKEE, WIS., December 31.—An outlook
for a good phonograph business for 1929 is
voiced by George J. Schneider, manager of the
phonograph department at Gimbel Bros, store
here.
"We are going to sell a lot of automatic
Orthophonic Victrolas," declared Mr. Schneider,
"Not the combination Victrolas, but the Ortho-
phonic. The men in direct contact with the
customer have reports which indicate that
about 90 per cent of the buying of Orthophonics
recently has been from people who already own
a radio.
"We have also sold a good number of Ortho-
phonics which were not automatic," Mr.
Schneider observed. "We expect some worth-
while activity on Victrolas and on the new auto-
matic Orthophonics."
Mr. Schneider also reported a very big record
business in his department for the year, and a
very good gain on sales over the preceding
vear.
Wood & Brooks Get
Substantial Tax Refund
BUFFALO, N. Y., December 31.—The firm of
Wood & Brooks, manufacturers of piano keys
and actions, has received as a New Year gift
one of the largest refunds of Federal income
taxes ever given in the Buffalo taxation dis-
trict. Two refunds for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1928, have been announced by the
federal authorities in favor of this company.
One is for $119,533 and the other for $101,104
Opens Grand Piano Parlors
Columbia Issues New
Masterworks Catalog
All Masterworks Sets Up to Number 97 Are In-
cluded in the Convenient New Volume, To-
gether With Numerous Individual Records
The Columbia Masterworks Series, which is
two large tapestries depicting musical scenes now approaching its first century mark (Set No.
and are also decorated with plaques of famous 100 to be issued in January), has just been pre-
artists including Rachmaninoff and Paderewski. sented to the public in a new and most attrac-
In the rear of the first floor there has been tive catalog listing all sets to No. 97, inclusive,
installed a group of ten sound-proof demon- together with the many Masterworks Series
stration rooms for the record department, each Records not enclosed in albums.
booth being provided with modern ventilating
The catalog, which is of convenient pocket
apparatus. Facing the booths is the band size, combines artistic appearance with the ut-
instrument and musical merchandise depart- most in compactness and utility. Its first sec-
ment, and in the rear are all the offices of the tion is devoted to a listing of all recordings in
company officials and the general offices.
detail under composers' names, the latter
The second floor is devoted to a display of arranged in alphabetical order. Following this
pianos, the front section being given over to is a twenty-page section presenting in the most
Duo-Art instruments, and a special parlor being succinct form possible a treatise on the elements
set aside for the Steinway & Sons instruments of musical form, thumb-nail sketches of the
for which the company has long been local master composers, features of melodic interest
representative. Grands of various other makes in the works recorded and a condensed pro-
are also found on this floor, together with up- nouncing dictionary giving a complete list of
rights, Victrolas, Brunswick Panatropes, fine musical terms.
radios and other instruments of that type. The
third floor will also be used for the display of
stock, while on the fourth floor is to be found
a complete repair and service department
capable of taking care of instruments of all
types. The used piano stock is also on this
BUFFALO, N. Y. December 31.—The will of the
floor. In the basement is the radio service de-
partment where several radio experts are em- late Frederick Erion, founder of two of Buf-
falo's largest musical instrument stores, has
ployed.
been
filed for probate. A nominal value of
The Phillips & Crew Piano Co. was
established in 1865, by H. T. Phillips and B. B. $35,000 and upwards had been placed on the
Crew, who had the courage to launch the estate pending an inventory. He leaves an
venture before the effects of the visit of Sher- equal interest in the two stores to his four
man and his army had been obliterated. From sons, all of whom were associated with him
small quarters on Marietta street, the business in the operation of these enterprises. Pro-
was moved to Peachtree street, in 1888, where vision also is made for the two daughters from
it remained until 1911. New quarters were other property of the deceased.
again found essential in 1921 and the business
continued to grow to a point where it was
found necessary to procure the quarters just
occupied.
The Force Music House, which for many
Harvey P. Phillips, son of the founder, is years has operated a successful music house in
president of the company, after having taken Vandalia, 111., has opened a new branch store
active control upon the death of B. B. Crew in at 213 South Locust street, Centralia, 111., carry-
1915. Robert P. McDavid is vice-president, ing a full line of pianos, players, rolls, phono-
Manly D. Robinson, secretary, and Alex C. graphs, radios, musical merchandise and sheet
King, Jr., treasurer.
music.
Fred'k Erion's Will Leaves
Business to Four Sons
New Branch in Gentralia
Contract for Bringing Pianos to
Coast by Water Renewed for Year
All Water Route Much Favored by Pacific Coast Piano Men Because of Freight Sav-
ings—L. F. Goelzlin Recovers From Illness—Radio Lines Being Featured
CAN FRANCISCO, CAL., December 29.—
The contract with the Intercoastal steam-
ship lines, plying through the Panama Canal
has been renewed for pianos for the coming
year, on the terms at present prevailing. Frank
PITTSBURGH, PA., December 29.—The Ixchncr & Bates, traffic expert for Sherman, Clay & Co.,
Schoenberger Co., music merchants, received a who made this announcement to-day also said
refund from the United States Government of that the rates on pianos are very satisfactory,
$1,274, income tax erroneously collected for the- on the canal route. Renewal of the contract
year ending June 30 last.
on the same terms means that most of the
The Henricks Piano Co., now out of business, pianos from the East will continue to come to
was given a refund of $3,598.
the Pacific Coast by the ocean-canal route.
Goelzlin Recovers From Long Illness
After a serious illness, L. F. Goelzlin, pro-
prietor of the Pacific Music Co., is back at his
Beard's Temple of Music, Paragould, Ark , office and is beginning to call on the trade. He-
recently opened a large new room to be set had a severe attack of pneumonia and was in
aside especially for the showing of the baby the hospital for weeks. The business was in
grand piano. The new quarters have been at- capable hands during Mr. Goelzlin's illness and
tractively decorated and have aroused much in- now he is able to pick up the reins again and
resume active work. The Mathusheck Piano
terest locally.
Mfg. Co., is a line for which the Pacific Music
The Edgar Music Co., Tulsa, Okla., will on Co. is Coast distributor.
Baldwin House Doing Well With Radio
January 15 move to new and larger quarters
Charles G. Malone, well known in this city in
at 702 South Main street, that city.
Pittsburgh Music Houses
Get Revenue Tax Returns
JANUARY 5, 1929
connection with radio, is now in charge of the
new radio department of the Baldwin Piano
House here. The department was installed on
account of the heavy demand this year for
radio sets, and Mr. Malone reports a very good
holiday trade in radio, the lines being Columbia-
Kolster, Atwate. - Kent and Sonora receiving
sets and speakers.
Lee S. Roberts Featuring Radio Lines
The new Lee S. Roberts store on Post street
is extensively advertising its radio lines, espe-
cially Zenith. This store has just become a
Sonora dealer and has advertised the fact very
extensively, telling the merits of the Sonora.
The description this music house now gives
itself is: "Specialists in Home Entertainment."
Illness Comes in Holiday Rush
Harald Pracht, manager of the retail piano
department for Sherman, Clay & Co., is in the
hospital at present on account of a tonsil opera-
tion. The need for the operation arose, follow-
ing an attack of flu. It is unfortunate that this
should have come in the thick of the holiday
rush, but Mr. Pracht will probably be out in a
few days.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
JANUARY 5, 1929
Merchants' Membership Drive
Continues to Bring Results
New Enrollments Still Being Received at Ex-
ecutive Headquarters in New York—Southern
Good Will Trip Planned
There has been no let-up in the membership
campaign of the National Association of Music
Merchants. It will be carried on most inten-
sively during the next few months, and in fact
right up to the annual convention next June in
Chicago. This week Parham Werlein, one of
the vice-presidents of the Association, and an
official of Philip Werlein, Ltd., of New Orleans,
sent in his second new member, George A.
Stocker, vice-president of the Junius Hart Piano
House of New Orleans. Previously, Mr. Wer-
lein had secured the membership of Bob Ham
of Maison Blanche of New Orleans.
President C J. Roberts, who was in New
York Friday, December 27, on personal busi-
ness, spent several hours at the executive office.
He expressed himself as greatly pleased with
the results which are being obtained in the vari-
ous Association activities. Mr. Roberts dis-
cussed with Mr. Loomis, the executive secre-
tary, a number of projects which are in mind,
including a business trip shortly after the first
of the year to cities in Virginia, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. If this
trip is undertaken, it will be for the purpose of
informing the merchants in these sections by
personal interview, just exactly what work is
being undertaken by the National Association
of Music Merchants and how the Association
can be of greater assistance to the merchants.
Mr. Werlein is very much interested in the
membership work and promotional activities of
the executive office, and has expressed himself
as being in favor of a business trip being
arranged by the executive secretary to certain
places in the mid-south and possibly the south-
west which would be somewhat similar to that
undertaken last Fall which took the executive
secretary to the west coast. Definite plans have
not been made, but it is possible that some such
trip will be made in the early Spring.
G. W. P. Jones Music Go.
Celebrates Anniversary
Washington, Pa., Concern Was Established
Twenty-seven Years Ago—Handles Excellent
Line of Musical Instruments
WASHINGTON, PA., December 29.—The G. W. P.
Jones Music Co. is celebrating the 27th anni-
versary of the founding of the business by G.
W. P. Jones, one of the best-known music mer-
chants in southwestern Pennsylvania. The busi-
ness was established in 1901, and since its incep-
tion there has been a marked increase in sales
annually.
The firm handles the Steinway, Ivers & Pond,
Gulbransen, Bush & Lane, Brinkerhoff and
Becker Bros, pianos.
In the radio department there are on display
the Sparton, Edison, Brunswick, Majestic, At-
water Kent and Bush & Lane and the Victrola-
Radiola combinations.
The talking machine department is well
stocked with a fine assortment of Orthophonic
Victrolas, the Brunswick, the Columbia, and the
New Edisonic. The Martin "Handcraft" band
instruments are also sold.
The G. W. P. Jones Music House is located
at 56 North Main street, and is one of the com-
manding business houses of the city. Mr. Jones
stated that the anniversary sale was meeting
with gratifying success.
The Congress Music Co., Cleveland, O., has
been incorporated by Monroe A. Looser, A.
Cressey and Parker K. Fulton. This concern
will deal in a complete line of musical instru-
ments.
The Music Trade Review
Radio Manufacturers Plan Important
Conference to Discuss 1929 Plans
Meeting of Directorate Will Be Held at Briarcliffe Lodge, N. Y., on January 11-12—
Broadcasting Problems and Other Vital Matters to Come Up
' I V HE first important meeting of the Radio
Manufacturers' Association, composed of
nearly 300 or virtually all makers of radio
products, has been scheduled for January 11
and 12 at Briarcliffe Lodge, Briarcliffe, N. Y.
The call for this meeting of the RMA directors
was issued by President Herbert H. Frost.
Following an epochal radio year, with record-
breaking sales and wider use of radio, plans
for 1929 radio, including improved radio prod-
ucts and broadcasting, will be discussed. Many
problems of the industry and the future of radio
will be considered at this meeting.
"No revolutionary changes in receiving set
construction are in immediate prospect," said
President Frost, "but marked improvements, in-
cluding those of design, loud speakers and other
progressive developments, are assured. Broad-
casting, programs and transmission for the
Radio Business Grows
and Aids Record Sales
MILWAUKEE, WIS., December 29.—;Radio business
has been a decisive factor in raising selling
records in Milwaukee music departments, and
interest in radios received impetus during the
week prior to Christmas. Stores were particu-
larly selling radios on immediate order, and giv-
ing quick installations during the pre-holiday
period, and rainy weather added to the difficul-
ties during the early part of the month. With
the development of more seasonable tempera-
tures, however, there was a big increase in the
call for radios, and less installation problems to
meet, and houses were running on a fairly sat-
isfactory basis.
Hugh M. Holmes, sales manager of the J. B.
Bradford Co. reported that radios experienced
a highly stimulated demand during the week
before the holidays. There had been a slight
lull in comparison with November selling, Mr.
Holmes said, but the last few days before
Christmas brought peak loads of business, and
many sales which had been started out were
closed.
At the Flanner-Hafsoos Music House, Inc.,
A. F. Matthies, manager of the band instrument
department, reported that there was a genuine
holiday rush, and that the year on radios will
close with a highly satisfactory sales record.
W. A. Armstrong, manager of the radio and
phonograph department of the Boston Store,
stated that each month has shown a. heavy gain
in radio sales over the preceding year, and that
while October was a peak month, the sales for
November and December have been very big.
Ghas. Dundore Now Resides
in Santa Monica, Gal.
Charles Dundore, Western representative of
the Haddorff Piano Co., has made his home in
Santa Monica, Cal. He states that after living
for some time in the Northwest he had managed
to organize things in such a way that he was
able to come to southern California and be
closer to a number of his representatives in this
territory. He reports business for this year as
very satisfactory with a substantial increase-
over the previous year, admitting, at the same
time, that it was a little more difficult to obtain.
The Hart Music Stores, Inc., 2611 Indiana
avenue, Chicago, has been incorporated with
capital stock of $30,000 to deal in musical in-
struments, cameras, sporting goods, etc. The
incorporators are Edward Graff, Ida Silverman
and Murray Miller.
radio public also will be broadened and im-
proved."
Broadcasting problems, including the new re-
allocations and future legislation, will have a
prominent place on the RMA directors' docket.
The RMA Legislative Committee, headed by
Chairman C. C. Colby, of Boston, Mass., will
present an extensive report on the broadcast
reallocation, including results of the nation-
wide survey of the RMA among its nearly 300
manufacturers regarding the reallocation results
and improvements possible in broadcasting.
Further contribution by the RMA and its mem-
bers in furnishing high-class broadcast pro-
grams to the public also will be planned.
Development of radio export trade, reduction
of freight rates on radio products, instalment
sales, and many merchandising and manufactur-
ing developments of the industry will be con-
sidered by the RMA board.
Radio industry events of 1929 will be headed
by the annual RMA trade show at Chicago dur-
ing the week of June 3, when the music in-
dustry also will hold its trade show. The RMA
show and convention, which drew about 25,000
radio trade visitors to Chicago last year, is the
largest industrial gathering in the United States.
The RMA board will also complete plans for
the two outstanding public shows next Fall in
the Madison Square Garden at New York and
the Chicago Coliseum.
Pratt Read
Products
keys actions
players
are shipped on time.
When we make a
promise you can
count on it.
When you want
quick service you
can get it.
We have over
200,000 sq. ft.
of manufacturing
space to back you
up with.
Write us at the
first opportunity.
PRATT, READ & CO.
Established in 1806
The PRATT READ PLAYER ACTION CO.
Deep River, Conn.

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