Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1920 1761

PRESTO
April 24, 1920.
time to bewail the chaotic condition into which the world has be-
come entangled. The repeated cry to our own country is a question
as to "how is it to end?" The notion that things are bad and growing
worse has overshadowed the truth that, in a fundamental sense, things
are really better. When men who work find also the way by which
to rest and recreate themselves, the industries must prosper and busi-
ness of all kinds—all good kinds—develop. It is a matter of evolution,
not destruction. It is a change, and most changes create temporary
shocks and cause surprise. But a little time settles the disturbance
and the new world goes right on, better and more beautiful than the
old world ever was.
It is a matter of education. It breaks away social barriers and
levels the hills of prejudice. But it need not destroy anything of
value. When old Isaiah saw the threatened judgment of Jerusalem
he told of the vision of "a book that is sealed, which men deliver to
one that is learned, saying: Read this, I pray thee; and he saith I
cannot, for it is sealed. Another book is delivered to him that is not
learned, saying: Read this, I pray thee; and he saith, I am not
learned."
He was enforcing the need of education, and the world has been
full of his prophecy ever since. To piano men it is as easy as any-
where else to measure what it may mean to the world of industry.
Trade is good. Only a lack of production prevents us from a period
of prosperity beyond anything in the past. Prices are better than
before since pianos became articles of real commerce. The public is
buying. The people who heretofore could not afford to buy now
have the means. The workers are getting a larger share in the results
of their work. When things settle down again the world will have
new views of the equality of man, and what Abraham Lincoln said
on that subject will have a larger meaning. There may come the
upheaval so confidently promised by the prophets of evil—and rea-
son, also. But the piano industry and trade will survive, will be
better and stronger than ever.
The house organs are doing their share to lift up the workers.
They are helping the factory toilers to find expression. They con-
tribute to the contentment of the ones who "produce the goods."
Therefore the house organs are good things.
ASSERTING THEMSELVES
Every reader of the trade papers has noticed the great change
that has taken place in the methods of publicity employed by some
of the foremost piano industries. A few weeks ago Mr. Robert
Howard, of New York, told of the beginning of the "full page dis-
plays" in the trade papers. He dated the beginning of that kind of
printer's ink enterprise at about the year 1882. At that time it was
a very rare circumstance to find a piano advertisement occupying
more than a few inches of space in the trade papers. And in the
newspapers it was just as uncommon to find a piano advertisement
of more than an inch space. During the Civil war days Harper's
Weekly carried just two piano cards. One was that of the Steinway
and the other of the now extinct Dunham & Son pianos. Each of the
advertisements occupied one inch of space, and both carried a few
lines of type with small cuts of square pianos. See how different
today!
In every city's newspapers the piano houses use as much adver-
tising space as any other line of business, except the big department
stores. And usually the piano advertisements are dignified, clean and
free from any of the objectionable characteristics for the correction
of which the Better Business Bureau was largely organized.
And the trade papers of today fairly set the pace for advertisers
in many other lines of large business. In evidence we offer this issue
of Presto It would be impossible to find a mere attractive lot of
"full pages" than this paper contains. Nowhere is there better evi-
dence of careful publicity work, of forceful commercial art, or of
greater general attractiveness. Beginning with the artistic page of
the Rythmodik to the equally fine Apollo-phone page, the Ampico
pictorial, the gracefully designed and forceful Simplex page, and the
clean-cut page of the Cable-Nelson Piano Co., we do not see how a
better appeal could be made in any industry.
The contrast afforded by this week's Presto advertising and the
publicity work of the piano manufacturers a few years back, is the
best possible proof of progress. It tells of the development, from
comparatively small things to the unfolding of what was once
regarded as a non-essential, to the importance of an indispensable
adjunct of the intelligent life of today. The printed page is accepted
everywhere as the mirror of progress in any business. And the large-
ness of the piano advertising has become a sign of enterprise befitting
the emulation of other departments of industry and trade.
To some of us, who have known the piano in its industrial aspects
for a long time, it isn't easy to realize that in the present-day activi-
ties of the publicity departments there is a new development in one
of the oldest of the industries. And to many who know the piano only
by what it is now doing, and has been growing up to during the past
quarter-century, it still seems that it is the basis of an almost new
business. And in its later phases of development, the piano business
really is a new one. In fact, it dates back only about twenty years.
And in the next ten years it will make more progress than ever before
in the nearly-a-century since it had birth in this country. Printer's
ink will do it. And the full page display will play a larger part in
what printer's ink will do.
Unlike some other things, pianos have been sold so much too
low that the public expects an increase and pays it cheerfully. Things
of common consumption, the prices of which are subjects of every day
discussion, find it more difficult to rise to the point made necessary
by conditions. They suggest substitutes and depreciation. That is not
possible with pianos, nor is it of course desirable from the standpoint
of either manufacturer or consumer.
* * *
Remarkable acknowledgment of good enterprise in printer's ink
is shown in the article this week on the Dictaphone advertisement, the
basis of which is the Q R S Music Roll Company and its activities.
The advertisement has appeared in thirty of the large newspapers, in
every one of which has been illustrated the factory of the great music
roll industry. That is a form of indirect advertising, the power of
which must be instantly recognized.
* * *
A bright advertisement of the Grinnell Bros.' Pontiac store starts
with: "This Spring a Steinway or other high grade piano." And it
ends with: "Don't put off giving the sunshine and cheer of music a
place in your home longer than this spring." We call that timely
advertising, and so suggestive of the season that it must start the
longing for companionship with the birds and music. It should also
sell pianos.
* # *
It would be difficult to present more conclusive proof of the kind
of trade paper influence that tells of its purpose-or popularity than
Presto's "Where Doubts Are Dispelled" department. We have had
letters from as many as twenty states in a single issue. Not half of
the inquiries received every week are published because many of
them are either "confidential" or lack general interest.
There is a shortage of piano tuners. Every issue of Presto shows
it in the want advertisements. The tuning schools should be over-
crowded with pupils. But they aren't. Why? Don't the young men
know a good thing when it is shown to them? Let your young sales-
man equip himself to be more useful to you. Write to Mr. C. C. Polk,
Valparaiso, Ind., about it.
Twenty, or even ten—perhaps five—years ago, it seemed neces-
sary to admonish the retail piano dealers to "collect, collect" and then
collect some more. Today there is not so much trouble under that
head. Most piano buyers today are either paying the cash or making
settlements which obviate the necessity of the everlasting dun. Busi-
ness is better.
* * *
Well, if the workers who are worrying about better wages get
what they too often unreasonably demand, there will be a lot of new
prospects for the piano dealers. It isn't all evil that's in the world.
In time things will settle down again and we'll all be happy—if we
can hold out that long.
* * *
The metropolitan newspapers are conducting a campaign of
print-paper economy. If some of the trade papers would follow suit
it might be a good idea. Fewer well-filled pages are better than more
padded ones, in the opinion of the trade generally.
Piano merchants throughout the country took hold of the Player-
piano week with enthusiasm. In a number of cities the dealers made
the week the basis of their local advertising. No doubt many sales
resulted.
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/
PRC8TO
BIRDMAN'S PICTURE OF PIANO LOCATION
—
April 24, 1920.
STARTLING SUCCESS
OF GULBRANSEN BABY
Dealers to the Number of 207 Now Using the
Device Showing the Baby-at-the-Pedals
in Their Windows.
The photograph from which the accompanying cut
was made was taken from an aeroplane. The bird-
man's view shows the VVardman Park Hotel, the
largest .hostelry in Washington, D. C, which caters
to a fine class of visitors. The hotel is equipped
exclusively with Brambach baby grand pianos. In
its auditorium is a Brambach grand piano and many
of the suites are enhanced in their dignity by the
installation of the appealing Brambach baby grand
piano. One of these suites has been set aside for
the use of Thomas B. Marshall, vice-president of the
United States. The equipment for the Wardman
Park Hotel of Washington was placed by the
Brambach representatives in that city, E. F. Droop
& Sons.
SHERMAN, CLAY & CO.
IN NEW SPOKANE STORE
done to the used instruments has been done by ex-
perts.
Several delayed deliveries of Lagonda player-
pianos were made last w.eek by the Hoffman Piano
Co.. Buffalo. Lagonda playerpianos sales have been
frequent in the Buffalo store for the past month but
the shipments of the players have not been equal to
the calls for delivery. A recent big shipment of the
instruments, however, has enabled the firm to catch
up and fill the orders for this popular product of the
Jesse French & Sons Piano Co., New Castle, lnd.
Company Formally Opens Spacious Warerooms in
Remodeled Building in Washington City.
The new headquarters of Sherman, Clay & Co.,
in Spokane, was formally dedicated with a fine mu-
sical program last week. The second floor of the
building held an appreciative throng of Washington
friends of the big Pacific Coast house. In the four
remodeled floors of the Sherman, Clay & Co.'s
structure are presented the most approved modern
methods and equipments for the exhibition and sale
of music goods.
Spokane people of a musical turn are interested
in the demonstrations of Sherman, Clay & Co.'s
sheet music publications in the sheet music depart-
ment of the Spokane branch of the company. "Hold
Me" and "Do You Know?" both publications of
Sherman, Clay & Co., are among the best sellers in
songs in Spokane,
EXTENDING THE KNOWLEDGE
OF BUFFALO INDUSTRIES
"Boost for Buffalo" Drive and Other Incidents of
Last Week in Which Pianos Are Concerned.
The C. Kurtzmann & Co. piano was given its share
o<" publicity which was part of the "Boost Buffalo"
campaign carried on last week. Considerably more
people know things about products of Buffalo, N.
Y., including its pianos and players, this week
than they did before the advertising drive
was launched, April 12. Movie films, pictures,
printed matter, and word-of-mouth information were
used in explaining the city's importance as a manu-
facturing center. Even the Buffalo school children
took their pens in hand to carry on and do a bit
on boosting week.
A big sale of used pianos by Denton, Cottier &
Daniels, Buffalo, now in full swing, has all the dig-
nity of a special sale of new goods. Perhaps it is
because the house has built up a reputation for good
values that gives a new meaning to the word "used"
when it appears in a sale announcement in its news-
paper space. There are various shades of meaning
in the word, but Buffalo has come to understand the
Denton, Collier & Daniels' meaning when applied to
used pianos or playerpianos. It is hardly necessary
for the firm to assure the prospects that every in-
strument put on sale has been overhauled in the re-
pair shop of the house or that whatever has been
STARR PIANO CO.'S PLANT
LARGEST IN RICHMOND, IND.
Piano Industry Covers Greatest Space and Employs
Largest Working Force in City.
Actual operation in the new six-story building of
the Starr Piano Company, Richmond, lnd., will
probably be begun within the next 30 days. Con-
struction has been practically completed and only
finishing, touches remain. Machinery and equip-
ment are already being installed.
The building will be used entirely in the manufac-
ture of pianos. Only parts will be made there, how-
ever, as even the six-story building does not con-
tain enough space for the complete piano produc-
tion of the company. The new building added to
the Starr Piano Company's factory makes it the
largest plant in the city. This honor was held by
the Gaar-Scott Company, but with its dissolution
(he A. S. M. took the lead. The Starr also has the
greatest number of employes.
SUCCESSFUL WITH LEXINGTON.
The Koenig Piano Co., Buffalo, N. Y., does not
make a specialty of its business with theaters but
points to its success in selling pianos to the show
houses as a satisfactory set of coincidences. The
Lexington piano, made in the factory of the Con-
way Co., Boston, presented by the Koenig Piano
Co. is the instrument so much favored by the "Buf-
falo managers. The latest deals with theaters by
the Koenig Piano Co. were for Lexington pianos
for the Majestic Theater on East Ferry street and
the Lvric Theater.
FROM JEWELRY TO MUSIC GOODS.
H. E. Prouty, a Napa, Cal., jeweler who recently
added talking machines, will enlarge that department
end extend his musical merchandise to pianos and
Q R S music rolls. Mr. Prouty is closing out his
jewelry stock, preparatory to devoting his entire
space to music goods.
When the Gulbransen-Dickinson Company got
out their Moving Model of the Baby-at-the-Pedals
of a Gulbransen Playerpiano for window display,
they little realized that it would turn out to be
such a startling success as it has proved to be.
Gulbransen dealers all over the country are featur-
ing this display. The actual number of dealers
using the device up to Monday of this week was
207. Not only are they advertising it, but in a num-
ber of instances the display attracts so much at-
tention that it becomes a source of local comment
with the result that newspapers find in it consider-
able news value and are writing it up accordingly.
In conjunction with the display that appears in
the window of The Harmony Music Company, Gul-
bransen distributors at Fairmont, Minn., it is inter-
esting to read the write-up about it that was run
in The Sentinel, the local Fairmont, Minn., paper
a few days ago:
"AN ENERGETIC BABY."
"Human interest" is necessary in a window dis-
play if it is to attract any noteworthy attention.
Also, it is well to have something moving in the
window, if this is possible. If you don't believe
these statements just stop in front of the Harmony
Music Company window in the evening between
seven and ten. You won't get lonesome because it
has been the usual thing for past three evenings to
see a crowd in front of the window.
A GULBRANSEN (the Nationally Advertised
playerpiano) is on exhibition. As you remember,
the GULBRANSEN trade-mark is a baby pushing
the pedal, only ONE pedal, mind you, demonstrat-
ing the ease with which the GULBRANSEN may
be played. Said the people at the music store:
"We've GOT to show a baby playing that player
with one hand, and it has to do it in reality, too,
or the display won't attract any attention. Whose
baby can we get?"
The matter was taken up with the factory and a
display worked out that does the work to a "T."
The baby continues its work every evening; the
roll is running just as it should run and is actually
playing "A Perfect Day." The wording on the roll
calls attention to the great variety of music which
may be had for the GULBRANSEN, opera,
children's rolls, Mother Goose rolls, sacred and
secular music, novelty, dance, and, in fact, every
conceivable kind of music. As a matter of fact, the
same variety of music can now be had for the
playerpiano as for the phonograph. Attention is
also called to the moderate price of the GUL-
BRANSEN, $550, $625 and $725.
The Harmony Music Store management felt a
little uneasy as to whether the baby would be able
to run the roll back so it could be repeated, played
and rerolled, all evening, but the baby does its part
to perfection. The display demonstrates beyond
a shadow of a doubt that the GULBRANSEN is
"Easy-to-Play," that the playerpiano has come to
a place where it's everybody's instrument and the
price within reach of all.
CAPTURING PIANO CABINET MEN.
"1 have discovered where the missing cabinet
makers from the piano factories are being picked
up," said a prominent man in Chicago to a Presto
representative on Saturday morning. "These de-
serters from the ranks of the piano industry are
nearly all working now for automobile body manu-
facturers, and they claim that they can make 40 per
cent better wages in their new field, so that there
is no hope of getting them back. I made this dis-
covery through extensive correspondence last
week in aii effort to hire one cabinet man; and the
position is still open. Up to this time T had be-
lieved that the shortage of cabinet makers was due
to many of them having been killed in the world's
war. I learned that comparatively few of them had
been killed; that the great majority are at work for
auto body establishments, under long contracts."
CITES QUALITY PRODUCTION.
But while it is true that normally the American
buys liberally in other markets and will continue
to do so, it is also true that he is an enthusiast on
the subject of exporting, writes William C. Redfield.
Secretary of Commerce. Thanks to the enormous
home market and to his genius for organization, he
has developed quantity production of standardized
goods to a point that the older manufacturers never
dreamed of, and he finds it a comparatively simple
matter when he catches up with the home demand,
to go a little further and supply other markets.
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/

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