Music Trade Review

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nothing seems to be much worthwhile. We can look back
over the years with considerable satisfaction, because we
have made many, many sincere friends among some of the
iinest business executives found in any business. We have
also derived considerable satisfaction from many of the
things that The Review has done over the period of years
in which we have been identified with it. In the old
days, The Review was a weekly publication. That was be-
fore the depression. At that time it carried advertising
from all branches of the industry but although we super-
vised the business department we devoted our personal
efforts to the piano industry. It was during that period
that we had the satisfaction of securing the largest one
time advertisement, 91 pages in 2 colors, in one issue,
January 25, 1925 from the Standard Pneumatic Action Co.
then a part of the Kohler Industries. This was the larg-
est one time insertion by one firm ever contracted for in
any music trade paper and as far as we have been able
to ascertain in any paper in any other industry. We have
also had considerable satisfaction in having been instru-
mental in starting piano promotion in the newspapers
back when the daily papers were endeavoring to bury the
piano. We have had the satisfaction of publishing ar-
ticles which have stirred the retail industry into action
which has improved its national association. Not only
have we had considerable satisfaction in the fact that
THE REVIEW has always been doing constructive work
in more ways than one toward the betterment of the in-
dustry but because through our efforts the National Pi-
ano Travelers Association was revived and is again a
dynamic force in the industry and that we have had the
privilege of continuing the Year End Luncheon of the
New York Piano Trade known nationally as one of the
most popular annual functions in the industry.
Believe It Or Not—It
Happened
13EL1EVE it or not, in the early days of our experi-
•^* ences, we used to see 300 player pianos shipped out
in one day from more than one of the retail warerooms
here in New York City. Those were the days when they
were selling players for $5.00 down and $5.00 per month,
and the player piano business was booming along and
everybody thought the piano business had the world by
the tail. Unfortunately, 1926 the tail commenced to wag
the trade and suddenly the industry realized it had been
teaching people not to play with their hands, and the
player piano proved itself to be a fad. But, those were
the days that we used to spend two or three days each
week calling on the trade in the Bronx. We had the Pi-
ano Club of New York, then a luncheon club created by
the late I. E. Bretzfelder, due to the unsavory condition
of competition in the Bronx at that time between various
manufacturers, where competitors eyed each other with
suspicion. That little club, while it lasted did more to
weld the friendship of piano manufacturers in that bor-
ough than anything that was ever done in the metropoli-
tan area. In those days, the outings were looked forward
to with enthusiasm. It was there that the manufacturers'
ball team would play the supply men's team and while
the proverbial keg of beer would be resting on third
base, competition to see whose name would be engraved
on the Review cup would be very keen. Winnings were
fairly even and the cup which rested in the club for
many years became a veritable bone of contention. Then
th^re was always the annual beefsteak dinner, goings on
which created the friendliest of feeling which lasted as
long as the Bronx was a vital center for the piano indus-
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, MARCH, 1954
try. How many remember the old days when the New
York Piano Manufacturers Association when the National
Convention came to New York would entertain the deal-
ers by taking them up the Hudson to West Point on one
of the Daylight line steamers? That was always a gala
day, too, because the cadets would put on a dress pa-
rade for the members of the industry. Dealers always
looked forward to that traditional entertainment, which
wound up the convention. Then, while we are reminisc-
ing, we cannot pass by without mention of the various
fishing parties, beefsteak dinners and other functions
which used to be held by the piano manufacturers in
the east. There was considerable effort made at that time
to get as much spirit of cooperation among the employees
as was possible, and in the summer months one was kept
pretty busy following up these various outings and social
functions to which practically all the trade paper men
were invited at that time. Then at convention time there
was always the annual Jamboree of the National Piano
Travelers Association, which has now been revived and
which is always looked forward to by the dealers who
come to the convention. At that time, the travelers were
numerous. The Association had over 350 members, and it
was always one of the most active in the industry as it
is today. The boys used to put on a pretty good show,
in those days and they generally last long and late. In
fact, we have always looked upon the revival of that as-
sociation with a great deal of satisfaction, because we
were instrumental in bringing it to life again in 1938,
and as Executive Secretary since that time we have taken
considerable pride in noting the continued growth in the
spirit of cooperation among the boys who are on the road.
Congratulations to Those Who Are Carrying On
N other page of this issue, there are thumb nail his-
torical sketches regarding many of the pianos which
are being produced today and which have been produced
for 75 years or longer. In some instances, the descend-
ants of the founders of these pianos are still conducting
the business on the same high plane which was estab-
lished by those who started making pianos over 75 years
ago. There are few if any industries which can point to
the continuation of products in the same traditional man-
ner manifested by the piano industry. We certainly wish
to congratulate all of these firms who have continued
these names for such a long period. It has been our priv-
ilege to have known some of the founders as well as
those who have carried on since the founders have passed
beyond. A finer group of gentlemen does not exist in
any industry. To have been privileged to know these
executives is just one more reason for the satisfaction
which we have found in being affiliated with the piano
industry. Not only do we appreciate their friendship but
also the confidence which they have many times placed
in us, as well as their support over these many years.
To have been able to have served the music industry
for 45 years and had the privilege of representing the
oldest and most constructive publication in that field to
the point of publishing its 75tb Anniversary number is,
in our estimation, satisfaction which cannot be measured
in monetary value.
Editor