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Wilking Music Co. to Occupy
52,000 Square Feet in New Building
Frank 0. Wilking, president of the
Wilking Music Co., Indianapolis, and a
member of the Board of Governors of
the National Association of Music
Merchants has announced that his
company has leased the Vajen Build-
ing, 114 to 126 North Pennsylvania St.,
Indiapapolis, and postwar plans include
making this one of the largest music
centers in the country.
The transaction involved considera-
tion of more than half a million dollars
and the company's plans were viewed
as furthering development of that part
of the downtown section.
Complete modernization of the build-
ing, to cost approximately $40,000, will
start Jan. 1, Mr: Wilking said.
With 52,000 feet of floor space, the
building has a frontage of 107 feet
on Pennsylvania Street and a depth
of 120 feet.
the various musical instruments and
radios handled by the company will
open off a large foyer to the center of
the second floor. Plans also call for
location of an art salon, contemplated
as a permanent home for work of prom-
inent Indiana artists.
Mr. Wilking is known nationally in
music circles for having originated and
conducted many mass piano festivals.
The music company expects to oc-
cupy the building by April 1st.
FRANK O. WILKING
Modernization Plans
Modern street-level display windows
will add to the attractiveness of the
building's Victorian facade, Mr. Wil-
king said. Entrance from the street
will be into a large, oval reception room
leading to a piano exhibition salon.
A complete phonograph record depart-
ment with individual booths also well
be located on the first floor.
General and executive offices of the
firm will be located on the mezzanine.
Individual display rooms for each of
The third floor will be r^cupied by
one of the largest piano and lAost com-
plete display rooms in the Midwest,
modern in every detail. Another fea-
ture will be soundproof studios manned
by a score of instructors who will have
headquarters there for teaching the
nationally known Wilking Piano Me-
thod for beginning music students.
The Wilking Company represents the
Steinway, Everett and Wurlitzer pi-
anos, the Wurlitzer Orgatron, and
Capehart radio combinations, RCA and
Zenith radios. Victor, Decca and Col-
umbia records will also be featui'ed.
Founded in 1922
Founded in 1922, the firm started
in a small room at 211 Massachusetts
Avenue and at that time there were
but two employes. The firm expanded
until it occupied the entire building.
Now the firm has 55 employes.
Mr. Wilking first came into national
prominence in 1935 when he originated
and conducted the first piano festival
in which 200 pianos and 1,500 partici-
pants were heard by an audience of
28,000. He conducted a Detroit (Mich.)
piano festival and also the largest
festival of that kind ever held when
50,000 persons heard mass piano music
at the New York World's Fair. Knowl-
edge of the festivals became world wide.
He is one of the original directors of
the Indianapolis Symphony Society.
Official Status of the Company
In addition to serving as president,
Mr. Wilking also is the company's
treasurer. Other officers are Julia M.
Wilking, vice-president; Frank R. Wil-
king, vice-president, and Miss Hazel
Gastineau, secretary. F. Richard Wil-
king, a son of Frank O. Wilking now
in the service, will be associated with
the firm upon his return to civilian life.
K. L. McCormick is the company's
sales manager. Department heads in-
clude Jack Daugherty, radio division;
Mrs. Blanche Mitchell, record depart-
ment; Ralph Clairmont, organ depart-
ment, and Frank C. Field, vice-presi-
dent, in charge of manufacturing whose
assistant is Mrs. Mary Davis. Herbert
Stamp is in charge of finishing, Edwin
Mitchell is in charge of grand regula-
tion in the factory and Paul Mclntyre
is in charge of cabinets. Miss Ada B.
Rerr is secretary to Mr. Wilking. The
auditor is A. H. Humphrey.
Mis. Marth Cassell, an authority on
interior decoration, will assist in piano
sales w<>rk. Humphrey Knighton and
Ardell O»oss will head the tuning de-
partment * n d Edward A. Gagen is in
chargfe of r a dio service.
Charles Jq C ob Feted;
50 Years lank Official
WILKING MUSIC CQ
The building which will be occupied by the Wilking Music Co.. Indianapolis, about April 1st.
20
Charles J&cob, manufacturer, now
retired and being- i n Florida, who was
formerly head o f Jacob Bros., New
York and who w a s a charter trustee
of the Roosevelt Savings Bank, Brook-
lyn, N. Y., was-honored recently for a
half-century of Service with the bank
at a hotel dinn* r observing the insti-
tution's 50th anniversary.
Mr. Jacob who .^ approaching his 90th
birthday, was Presented with a solid
gold pen and Bencil set by the bank
president.
•
Mr. Jacob \Mas born in Brooklyn,
Aug. 17, 1857. H e retired in 1932.
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, JANUARY, 1946