Music Trade Review

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14
THE
MUSIC
TRADE
MATHUSHEK SPINETCRAND N O W
AVAILABLE IN FINE PERIOD CASES
W
HEN the Mathushek SpinetGrand
was first introduced to the general
trade a little over a year ago it nat-
urally aroused wide interest and was most
favorably received, although there were
those who frankly regarded it as a novelty
of the moment rather than of permanence.
During the year, however, it has been
clearly indicated that the SpinetGrand repre-
sents a very substantial development, or it
may be better termed, perhaps, revival, in
sound piano construction with the result
that the manufacturers have been encouraged
to go ahead energetically in their efforts
to improve the instrument in every possible
way.
As was noted at the time of its introduc-
tion, the scale of the SpinetGrand is the same
as that designed by Frederick Mathushek some
half century ago, and although his general
structural designs in matters of action, plate
and sounding-board were followed in the
present instrument, constant experimenting
and a thorough study have developed numer-
ous new improvements that have materially
increased the value of the piano from a mu-
sical standpoint. In the matter of the action
alone, for instance, a new and modern type
of damper has been perfected at considerable
expense, that in itself has done much to mod-
ernize the instrument.
New or old, however, dealers were quick
to appreciate the advertising and sales value
of the SpinetGrand and one dealer remarked
that regardless of its sales value, which has
been well proven, the instrument itself was
worth many pages of newspaper advertising
as an attention-attracting window display.
been sufficient to keep a department of the
Mathushek factory busy constantly and it is
a noteworthy fact that many of the orders
received came from dealers who sell other
lines of instruments as a regular thing, but
were impressed with the particular display
and sales appeal of the SpinetGrand. It has
found its way into some of the finest homes
in the country, particularly where there was
a flair for the colonial, and has also made
a strong appeal to those in apartments and
homes with limited floor space. As has al-
ready been reported in THE REVIEW, Spinet-
Grands were selected as distinctly representa-
tive of the period when the Washington Bi-
Centennial Commission of New York City
decided upon the furnishings of the replica
of Mount Vernon in Brooklyn and the re-
production of Federal Hall in New York.
At the outset the SpinetGrand was offered
in straight Colonial style, but it was not
long before dealers began to appeal for mod-
els of other decorative designs more in keep-
ing with the furnishings of prospects' homes.
As a result of this demand prominent de-
signers w r ere called into consultation with
the Mathushek art department and several
It is significant that whenever one is shown
in a store window many passersby take the
time and trouble of entering the warerooms
to inquire about it, an interest that is rarely
developed by an ordinary display of grands
and uprights.
Since the time of its introduction the de-
mand from dealers for the SpinetGrand has
period cases evolved. Particularly effective
and one that has attracted unusual atten-
tion is the Duncan Phyfe model, which fol-
lows with great exactness the characteristics
of this prominent designer's work. There
were also developed other special period
cases including a late Jacobean and a typical
Spanish model. Although brought to the
REVIEW,
August-September,
1932
attention of dealers generally only recently
there have already been booked a number
of orders for these special models, most of
them coming from dealers who have become
fully aware of the sales possibilities of the
SpinetGrand.
It is believed that with the fall buying sea-
son the demand for these instruments will
show a marked increase. As one dealer re-
marked, every retailer of pianos should have
at least one of them on his wareroom floor
or preferably in his show windows for at-
tention-attracting purposes, where he would
then find that sales came almost auto-
matically.
NUMEROUS PIANO PROSPECTS
REPORTED IN IOWA
Business in Iowa piano circles is getting
better, and a number of Iowa dealers in
touch with Chicago makers say the outlook
is very encouraging. One of the most con-
servative dealers in Iowa, in telephoning an
order for immediate shipment to the Cable
Company, told Sales Manager C. E. Jackson,
"I am not guessing at or hoping, but I now
have on my books, and will convert into
actual sales within the next sixty days, more
piano prospects who really mean business
than I have had at any time within the last
SPINETSRAND
PERIOD MODELS
Top, Jacobean; Below,
left, Spanish; right Dun-
can Phyfe
ten years." Mr. Jackson made the comment
that many other dealers had practically the
same encouraging future ahead of them, for
they were only thinking of the people who
they were certain would buy. This is par-
ticularly true of the North, East and West
sections of the country and should mean an
active fall business.
STARR PIANOS
STARR ELECTRIC REFRIGERATORS
CHAMPION and GENNETT RECORDS
ELECTRICAL TRANSCRIPTIONS for RADIO BROADCASTING
THE STARR PIANO COMPANY
ESTABLISHED 1872
RICHMOND, INDIANA