Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1920 1782

PRESTO
PRESTO
PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY AT 407 SOUTH DEAR-
BORN STREET, OLD COLONY BUILDING, CHICAGO, ILL.
Editors
C. A. DANIELL and FRANK D. ABBOTT
Telephones, Local and Long Distance, Harrison 234. Private Phones to all De-
partments. Cable Address (Commercial Cable Co.'s Code), "PRESTO," Chicago.
Entered as second-class matter Jan. 29, 1896, at the Post Office, Chicago, Illinois,
under Act of March 3, 1879.
Subscription, $2 a year; 6 months, $1; Foreign, $4. Payable in advance. No extra
charge in U. S. possessions, Canada, Cuba and Mexico.
Address all communications for the editorial or business departments to PRESTO
PUBLISHING CO., 407 So. Dearborn Street, Chicago, III.
Advertising Rates:—Five dollars per inch (13 ems pica) for single insertions.
Complete schedule of rates for standing cards and special displays will be furnished
on request. The Presto does not sell its editorial space. Payment is not accepted for
articles of descriptive character or other matter appearing in the news columns. Busi-
ness notices will be indicated by the word "advertisement" in accordance with the
Act of August 24, 1912.
Rates for advertising in Presto Year Book Issue and Export Supplements of
Presto will be made known upon application. Presto Year Book and Export issues
have the most extensive circulation of any periodicals devoted to the musical in-
strument trades and industries in all parts of the world, and reach completely and
effectually all the houses handling musical instruments of both the Eastern and West-
ern hemispheres.
Presto Buyers' Guide is the only reliable index to the American Pianos and
Player-Pianos, it analyzes all instruments, classifies them, gives accurate estimates
of their value and contains a directory of their manufacturers.
Items of news and other matter of general interest to the music trades are in-
vited and when accepted will be paid for. All communications should be addressed to
Presto Publishing Co., 407 So. Dearborn Street, Chicago, III.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1920.
TO CORRESPONDENTS.
PRESTO IS ALWAYS GLAD TO RECEIVE NEWS OF THE
TRADE—ALL KINDS OF NEWS EXCEPT PERSONAL SLANDER
AND STORIES OF PETTY MISDEEDS BY INDIVIDUALS. PRESTO
WILL PRINT THE NAMES OF CORRESPONDENTS WHO SEND IN
"GOOD STUFF" OR ARE ON THE REGULAR STAFF. DON'T SEND
ANY PRETTY SKETCHES, LITERARY ARTICLES OR "PEN-PIC-
TURES." JUST PLAIN NEWS ABOUT THE TRADE—NOT ABOUT
CONCERTS OR AMATEUR MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENTS, BUT
ABOUT THE MEN WHO MAKE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND
THOSE WHO SELL THEM. REPORTS OF NEW STORES AND
THE MEN WHO MAKE RECORDS AS SALESMEN ARE GOOD. OF-
TEN THE PIANO SALESMEN ARE THE BEST CORRESPONDENTS
BECAUSE THEY KNOW WHAT THEY LIKE TO READ AND HAVE
THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FINDING OUT WHAT IS "DOING" IN
THE TRADE IN THEIR VICINITY. SEND IN THE N E W S -
ALL YOU CAN GET OF IT—ESPECIALLY ABOUT YOUR OWN
BUSINESS.
METAL PIANO CASES
A group of piano men were discussing the possibility of some
substitute for wood in piano cases. One of them told of a plan, sug-
gested by a Mid-west scientist, for making cases of pressed paper. He
seemed to think that the anticipated objection, that paper fibre would
be lacking in the essential of resonance, was not much of an argument.
"We do not get much tone quality from the case," he argued, "and
the degree of added tone volume is not appreciable. It is the sound-
board that is sensitive and amplifies the tone, and not the bulk of the
wooden sides or back posts."
He pointed to the fact that we have pianos of splendid power
and quality that have no wooden back posts, but are strengthened by
metal, and others that have no perpendicular supports at all. He also
recalled the piano displayed in New York, years ago, the case of
which was covered with heavy plush. And he asked how much the
wooden case thus smothered by wool or silk could have had to do
with augmenting the piano's volume.
And then another member of the group sprang a suggestion that
brought to mind a piano case long since forgotten. He wanted to
know why a cast iron case was not feasible. And the question recalled
the fact that, many years ago, there was a metal piano case introduced
with considerable success. It was the square piano of Robt. McCam-
mon at the time manufacturing in Albany, N. Y. The McCammon
metal rim extended about half the width or depth of the case. It
was a slender but strong casting, and it was finished to represent
mahogany. The piano was of seven octaves and its tone was in every
way satisfactory. In appearance the McCammon metal rim case was
even more attractive than the average built-up round corners of that
time.
The McCammon piano, with its traditions and the influence of
its fine old name, are now the property of William Tonk & Bro., Inc.,
of New York City. That fact is alone enough to imply that the Mc-
Cammon is still an instrument of superior quality. But whether Mr.
William Tonk would consider the possibilities of applying the metal
September 18, 1920.
case idea to the uprights is very doubtful. But, in any event, the
suggestion of the piano man that metal cases might be introduced
did not possess the merit of extreme novelty, as we have shown.
It is interesting, furthermore, to consider that at the time of the
McCammon metal rim case, the piano was fairly reveling in its period
of invention and experimentation. The "Cycloid," of the late Henry
Lindeman, had appeared. J. W. Brackett, of Boston, had brought
out his pedal piano. George M. Guild had completed his eccentric
tuning pin device, and the Mathushek "Calibre" had come out of
New Haven, Conn. It was a period of piano industrial novelty
amounting almost to excitement.
And today, when lumber is becoming scarce, and in consequence
very expensive, it is not strange that even papier mache is considered
as a possible substitute. The idea of pressed piano cases seems almost
fascinating. We have paper railway rails, paper clothing and paper
other things, large and small. In fact, it is difficult to side-step the
temptation to say something about the fact that even the sale of
pianos has for many years been very largely a matter of "paper." But
it is certain that, if ever the metal piano case again appears, it will
not be without precedent and the name of McCammon will eventually
become the center of reminiscent discussion.
THE GERMAN INDUSTRY
Have the German music industries shared the fate of the ex-
Kaiser and shut up shop, or retired to some resort with high fences
around them to be heard of no more? Or have they issued again from
the caves of their country's defeat and hung out their signs higher
and bigger than ever? These questions may not seem so very im-
portant to us, on this side the water, just yet, but they may become
of significance later along.
Of course you all remember how deep were our anathemas dnly
a few short years, even months, ago, whenever any suggestion of Ger-
many's return to the arena of industrial music in a world of reason
was uttered. You recall how our English cousins met together and
in solemn tones declared that German music, and especially German
musical instruments, should nevermore invade the smug little isles.
And they meant it. Things seemed to look bad for Germania and her
songs were for a time missing and her piano factories almost silent.
But what about it today?
A copy of the Leipzig "Zeitschrift Fur Instrumentenbau" of Aug.
15 may give us a good moving picture of the piano, and other musical
instrument activities, of the land of heavy debts. The paper is the
same that has been put forth through calm and storm, by Mr. Paul
DeWit, for forty years. And this particular copy of the Leipzig trade
paper is for some reason designated the "Gute Ausgabe," or "Quality
Edition." But as an index to what the Germans are doing in musical
instrument manufacture the advertising pages of the "Zeitschrift Fur
Instrumentenbau" present a perfect illustration. And if there were
any in the industry on this side who thought that defeat at arms
would crush the energies of the piano makers of Berlin, Leipsic,
Barmen and Dresden, the fact that the Leipsic trade paper of the
date named carried 411 aggressive display advertisements is enough
to reverse the judgment as to what the Teutonic music makers are
doing.
There is no other people so deeply in earnest in matters musical
as the Germans. They have returned from the fields of battle as
eager to hear music, and as earnest to make the instruments that
produce it, as ever they were, and seemingly more so. And there is a
special interest in the fact that among the advertised names in the
Leipsic paper are several that are supposed to belong over on this
side. There is, for instance, the "Pianola" advertised as if a Berlin
product; and the "Autopiano" is announced in big type as the ex-
clusive pride of Kastner & Co.—but the Autopiano is a trade factor
the world over. There are, too, a number of novelties which seem to
have been developed since the war. The "Moon Guitar" is an in-
strument designed to represent the moon, the twin sound-holes repre-
senting the eyes, another the nose, and the string pegs of white form-
ing the row of teeth. Of course the body of the guitar is as round as
the full moon. There is a novel piano stool with a double seat, one
of which is raised by a saw-buck device, for the use of children. A
Berlin piano-maker advertises a new "oval soundboard," and there
is a large industry devoted to the production of coin-in-the-slot de-
vices designed for the general piano industry. The familiar Soss
hinge appears with the name of "Peres" as the producer in Berlin.
But about the most significant feature of the very active Leipsic
music trade paper is the number of advertisements calling for ex-
clusive agencies of German instruments by English representatives
and established houses. Considering that it is but a short time ago
that the English piano associations met and inscribed "nevermore"
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).
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PRESTO
September 18, 1920.
on the turned down page of German imports, it seems strange to find,
in the "Zeitschrift Fur Instrumentenbau" such advertisements as this
-—of which there are several:
prised to read the Presto story of M. D. S. than that gentleman him-
self.
Agency for England. Well-Financed London firm seeks the English ex-
clusive representation of responsible German manufacturers. Highest bank-
ing references.
The death of Frederick Kranich makes another break in the
ranks of the practical members of New York's piano industry. Mr.
Kranich was a gentleman of quiet temperament who did his work
seriously and without display. And he had inherited his father's
ambition to do well whatever he undertook. His going is deeply
regretted by this paper, the editorial staff of which knew him well
and respected him highly.
* * *
As an indication of what the German piano manufacturers are
ambitious to do as quickly as possible this extract from an article by
Johannes Rehbock in a Leipzig trade paper is timely: "We face a
prodigious task. We can, will and must exert ourselves, within and
without, to return our industry to the place it formerly held; to that
end must each and every one of us produce a beautiful work of
artistry."
* * *
We believe that the finest group picture ever produced of a picnic
of piano people appears in this issue of Presto. The original photo-
graph is nearly three feet in length and the group, large as it is,
shows but a small part of the working forces of the M. Schulz Co.
of Chicago.
* * *
Evidently the music trade of Milwaukee is not satisfied with the
slogans created by the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce.
The Cream City dealers are seeking a new slogan of special fitness,
perhaps for the local trade. The story appears in this issue of Presto.
Automatic Manufacturing Co.,
52 Gray's Inn Road, London.
That is a good sample, but there are also others that seem to
prefer not to be so frank in the matter of their identity. For example
this one:
ENGLAND! Good, established house, handling only artistic products,
desires exclusive agency for pianos, grands, baby grands, and other music in-
struments of all kinds, violin bows, etc. Address S. O. B., care this paper.
But there is nothing remarkable in this. No one, probably not
even in London, really believed that the German piano invasion had
been permanently suppressed. "Good to forgive, best to forget," said
Robert Browning, a great Englishman. It is not possible to do either
save by the alchemy of time. But another English writer, Feltham,
has said that "business is the salt of life, which not only gives a grate-
ful smack to it, but dries up the cruelties that would offend, preserves
from putrefaction and drives off all those blowing flies that would
corrupt it."
Germany, defeated and half-drowned in the debt of her former
rulers, is still a great musical instrument making people. And it
will require ceaseless watchfulness and tireless energy on the part of
other musical instrument making nations to keep her from overrun-
ning the earth with cheap pianos, moon guitars, harmonicas, mouth-
harps and close imitations of the things of their own devising.
Seasoned picno men do not often get far away from the industry
and the interesting story in this issue about Mr. J. S. Holmes, now
deep in the phonograph end of the music business, will be read with
avidity. Mr. Holmes has as many friends in the piano stores as any
other representative of things musical. And no one will be more sur-
AL JOLSON TESTIFIES TO
MERITS OF TONK PIANO
World-Famed Singer and Comedian Writes Com-
plimentary Letter to William Tonk & Bro., Inc.
An unequivocal endorsement of the Tonk pianos,
made by William Tonk & Bro. (Inc.), New York,
has been penned by the world-renowned comedian
and singer, Al Jolson. The following are the opin-
ions of the piano as set down by Mr. Jolson in a
letter to the New York manufacturers dated from
the Biltmore, New York:
Messrs. Tonk & Bro., Inc., 452-4-6 Tenth Avenue,
New York.
Gentlemen: The Tonk piano which you were
kind enough to select for me, came in fine order. I
am in every way highly pleased. Its richness and
power of tone, together with perfect construction,
make it well suited for use in professional work.
My experience with your instruments in the past
has been the same, and I cannot but speak the high-
est praise for your product, which deserves every
success.
Very truly yours,
AL. JOLSON.
SOME BRIEF ITEMS
OF A PERSONAL KIND
Varied Activities of the Men Who Sell Pianoa Hero
and There Noted.
H. A. Stewart, of the Gulbransen-Dickinson Com-
pany, Chicago, is on a trip through the Northwest
in the interests of the house.
T. J. Mercer has just returned from a trip for the
Gulbransen-Dickinson Company, Chicago, which
took him through south central Illinois, Ohio, In-
diana and West Virginia. He says prospects are
immense in that territory.
Edward Martin, formerly for many years with the
Emerson Piano Company in Chicago, is now resid-
ing in Riverside, 111.
Harry Van Husen, formerly with the Emerson
Piano Company at Chicago, is now said to be
wealthy and resides in California, where he owns an
orange orchard.
James F. Broderick, former Chicago piano manu-
facturer, was taken to a sanitarium on Friday of
last week.
W. T. Brinkerhoff, president of the Brinkerholf
Piano Company, Chicago, arrived in Detroit th-;
If you are an up-to-date piano man you will find peculiar interest
in the advertisement of the Atwood Loader in this paper. The help
to sales and safe deliveries has been advertised before but did you
realize that it could be had for only $65? We didn't.
other day. He will travel in Michigan before re-
turning.
H. H. Bradley, manager at Chicago for the Chase-
Hackley Piano Company of Muskegon, Mich., ar-
rived home on Monday of this week from a trip to
Iowa. He was at Decorah, Iowa, and narrowly
escaped getting into the big storm which unroofed
buildings at Cresco, Iowa, and flattened the corn
in the fields. The corn was so far advanced, how-
ever, that the farmers say it will ripen, even though
lying down. Mr. Bradley says the Chase-Hackley
company is selling lots of instruments in Iowa.
There is much prosperity in sight in that state, he
says.
Otto Schulz, F. P. Bassett and H. D. Hewitt, of
the M. Schulz Company, Chicago, attended the
Ohio Piano Merchants' Association convention in
Youngstown this week. Mr. Schulz addressed the
meeting.
JOSEPH J. ASTON DIES.
Last rites for Joseph J. Aston, head of the
Standard Piano Bench and Manufacturing Company,
Chicago, were held Saturday at 2 o'clock in the
chapel at 2701 North Clark street. Mr. Aston died
Trerday in his home at 933 Margate terrace. He
was born in London, England, and came to Chicago
thirty years ago. Mr. Aston was a member of Me-
dinah Temple Mystic Shrine, Tyrian Council No. 78,
Columbia Commandery No. 63, Knights Templar,
York Chapter No. 148 and Siloam Lodge No. 780, A.
F. & A. M. He is survived by his widow, Joyce E.
Aston, and a son, Gordon L. interment was made
in Memorial Park cemetery.
A VETERAN CHICAGO SALESMAN.
A. J. Creighton, a nephew of the man for whom
Creighton University of Omaha was named, is now
one of the most active of the outside salesmen in
Chicago for the Smith, Barnes & Strohber interests,
working direct for the Smith Piano Company, 311
South Wabash avenue. He was with the Emerson
Piano Company in Chicago for 28 years, and worked
for John Northrop in the days of that gentleman's
prime.
F. D. D. HOLMES BACK.
After an absence of nearly three months, Fred-
erick D. D. Holmes, secretary and manager of the
Smith Piano Co., 274 West Water street, Milwaukee,
has resumed active duty and is again back at his
desk every day. On Sunday, Sept. 12, Mr. Holmes'
baby boy, born Aug. 8, was christened Charles John,
the patronymic of the president of the Smith Piano
Co., whose godson he is.
HENRY MEYER DIES
OF HEART FAILURE
Treasurer of Smith, Barnes & Strohber Co.
Missed by That Concern.
Is
Henry Meyer, treasurer of the Smith, Barnes &
Strohber Company, 1872 Clybourn avenue, Chicago,
is dead. He was one of the most active, industrious
and useful men in the company's forces, and, of
course, is greatly missed at headquarters where his
cheerful aid to the workers over him and under
him was always to be relied upon. Quick at figures,
with an eye to the good of the house, and always
playing the game fair to both house and customer,
he combined the qualities of efficiency which have
helped to make the name of the company famous
for its reliability.
Mr. Meyer was in the early fifties. He leaves a
widow and small son some 6 or 7 years old. He was
at home sick only ten days. Two weeks ago last
Sunday he spent some time in his basement clean-
ing it out. It was a very hot day, and the close air
in the basement was too much for him, so he col-
lapsed. He finally passed away from heart failure.
Mr. Meyer had been with the Smith, Barnes &
Strohber Company ever since the company took
over the Strohber concern, coming from the Stroh-
ber company where he had been doing good service..
The funeral took place on Monday.
PRESENTS THE STEINWAY
AS A MUSIC TRANSLATOR
Oklahoma City Branch of Big Western Firm Tells
Relation of Piano to Artist.
"Music's Master Translator" is what the J. W.
Jenkins Sons' Music Co., Oklahoma City, Okla.,
calls the Steinway piano this week. In a convinc-
ing display in the newspapers this is said:
"Steinway—the medium through which great
artists paint music pictures with sweeping stroke
and careful detail—the piano which faithfully trans-
lates each individual conception of the composer's
thought.
"To hear a masterpiece on the Steinway is to
hear it in the full bloom of beauty and depth of
meaning. And to portray one's individual emotions
on this superb pianoforte is to come to a full re-
alization that art has blended perfectly with the
manufactures."
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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