PRESTO
November 6, 1920.
27
SHEET MUSIC CONDITIONS
Observing Traveling Man Notes Many Trade Cir-
cumstances to Render Dealers Highly Optimistic.
A MUSIC SHOW
The book publishers have been successful in
holding what liave become known among lovers
of literature of all shades, from yellow to spot-
less white, as Book Shows. The plan is to have
some prominent retail establishment—book store
or book department—in some large general
business house gather together the latest publi-
cations of as many reputable publishers as pos-
sible, adding to the modern collection a rare
display of old prints, manuscripts and other ex-
hibits of curious interest, and invite the public
to attend., Usually the book shows continue for
a week or more, and they attract large crowds
and result in stimulating the demand for litera-
ture, of all degrees of merit, as well as the dis-
cussion of special subjects.
Why couldn't the same thing be made to apply
to the rnCisfc"trade? There: are enough of the
high-class music publishers to make such an en-
terprise interesting, and there are enough local
sheet music houses left to form the basis of such
displays. Furthermore, there are enough of the
rare prints in the older stores,, and among music
lovers, to make a splendid display of the old-
time song and instrumental successes as well as
of original compositions of the days long gone.
There are manuscripts of the songs of Geo. F.
Root, Stephen C. Foster, J. P. Webster, Henry
C. Tucker,—all of the old-time favorites, and
not a few of the veteran composers themselves
still survive.
The Book Show custom is to have the writers
present in person, a day being allotted to each
of them, and they talk of their writings or give
readings. In the Music Show the" composers
might sing or play their latest successes. W'hy
not? ' It's only a matter of whether the music
publishers have the enterprise and the ambition
to do it. The local merchants would enter heart-
ily into the plan. What about a series of Music
Shows, after the manner of the book shows?
has been greeted with a flood of orders for the song
and the demand for the music rolls and records in-
dicates that it is just beginning to sweep into wide-
spread recognition.
SHEET MUSIC IN PORTLAND
Among the Events in the Trade Is the Removal of
Louis W. Mack to New Location.
Louis W. Mack, sheet music dealer, Portland,
Ore., is getting ready to move into the Bush & Lane
Piano Co.'s store on Broadway where he will have
a fine location on the main floor of the handsome
building. He will carry musical merchandise as well
as sheet music in his new location. He has been
with the McDougal company for a couple of years,
but as they are moving their store to Tenth street,
where they intend to carry a larger stock, Mr. Mack
was obliged to look for a new location. Mr. Mack is
receiving the congratulations of his friends this week
on the arrival at his home of a bouncing baby boy.
"Sweet September," "I Passed by Your Window,"
'I Never Knew," "Baby" and "Love Nest" are popu-
lar songs in the sheet music department of the
Seiberling-Lucas Co. Some songs specially featured
are "A Vacant Chair at Home Sweet Home," "In
Old Manila" and "Amorita."
"ARIZONA" IS DOING WELL.
Phoenix, Ariz., Oct. 16, 1920.
Editor Presto: I am under obligations to you
for your kind mention of my waltz, "Arizona." It
goes to show that Presto knows how to do things.
Through your valuable paper I have a contract
with a music roll company for the "Arizona Moon-
light."
My sheet music sale in Phoenix alone is 1,000
copies of "Arizona" in only a short time, besides
big sales in other States.
1 have a very good song I just sent to the Ray-
ner, Dalheim Co. to make plates and print for me.
The title is "Love in a Cottage for Two." My
numbers are surely making a hit.
Yours truly,
T. DUNSTON COLLINS.
CHANGES IN CHICO TRADE.
Chico, Calif., Oct. 19, 1920.
Editor Presto: We have just received Presto
Trade Lists No. 2 and notice that you have our firm
name spelled incorrectly. It should be Schell Music
Co. We also notice that you list Cora Smith as a
dealer. This lady has been out of business for
some time.
Yours truly,
SCHELL MUSIC CO.
'I-LOVE-YOU SUNDAY" A HIT
Dealers
Receive Flood of Orders for Charley
Straight's Popular Dance Sensation.
Numerous window displays projecting the song hit,
"I Love You Sunday" are being used by sheet music
stores throughout the country. Since this popular
number has been announced by various phonograph
and music roll companies, successful merchandisers
have been quick to take advantage of its increasing-
popularity and are giving it the benefit of widespread
publicity.
A progressive store in Detroit developed a clever,
simple and inexpensive plan of arousing the public
curiosity. In the center of a beautiful window a
large golden moon was placed, bearing the words,
"I Love You." Seven large blue stars were grouped
around the moon, each star bearing the name of a
day, as follows: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednes-
day, Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
Naturally, the thousands of passers-by wanted to
know what it was all about. Upon investigation,
they found that the store was selling- "I Love You
Sunday" in sheet music, on music rolls and phono-
graph records. . As a result the sales of the scintillat-
ing dance sensation, which is a reigning hit in all
of the dance palaces of the nation, were unusually
large.
Lyon & Healy, Chicago, recently displayed an
entire window of "I Love You Sunday" music rolls.
Forster, the publisher, 235 Wabash avenue, Chicago,
A National Song Hit
That finds its way into the Hearts of the
People is
"AMERICA! FIRST and FOREVER"
"Our Greatest Song of Praise"
Song Leaders and Supervisors of Music Laud
Its Power to Strengthen Americanism.
It is full of pep. 18 cents. Order Now.
Corinthian Music Co.
Hadley, Illinois
Copies may be secured thro' Lyon & Healy, Chicago, and
Plaza Music Co., New York.
"One of the most noticeable happenings in the
music trade is the pronounced increase in the prom-
inence of the sheet music department," said a piano
traveler this week. "A few years ago short-sighted
ones came to the conclusion that the playerpiano
music roll and the talking machine record would in
time so minimize the output of sheet music that the
trade in the latter would become negligible. But
the very reverse has come to pass. The importance
of the sheet music grows in equal ratio to that of
the rolls and records.
''The statement in the printed announcement of
the sheet music deaiers' convention this summer in
New York was no mere figure of speech when this
was said: "Sheet music is the foundation upon
which the whole music business rests, for if music
were not composed and published, there would not
be much need for instruments, or at least there
would not be such a large or profitable sale for them."
The conditions that every traveling man observes
verify that statement.
"Many sheet music dealers agree that circum-
stances distressing to trade generally have had rather
a beneficent effect on the sheet music trade. Paper
and printing costs, artists' salaries, royalties and
office overhead add to the publishing costs. But
these things have in a great measure eliminated
waste in selection so that there are fewer 'lemons'
for the bargain counters. In fact dealers who take
the proper interest in their sheet music department
are optimistic about the future of the sheet music
business. They are pleased, too, at the spirit of
co-operation existing between the dealers' and pub-
lishers' rational associations to place the sheet music
business on a higher commercial plane."
A NEW "MOTHER" SONG.
A pretty song entitled "Just Call Me Mother"
has been put forth by Callahan & Grace, 1865 Cass
Avc, St. Louis. It is one of the kind that will have
a sale because the sentiment is fine and the treat-
ment popular. The melody is conventional and the
piano accompaniment so easy that it will not worry
the novice. The song has a waltz refrain and car-
ries a picture title page.
"HENRY JACKSON JONES."
One of the latest "coon song hits" is put forth
by the August Music Co., of Savannah, Ga. It is
"Henry Jackson Jones" and, according to singers
who like "coon songs" it has the "go" in it that will
win popularity.
If you are not handling the
McKINLEY EDITION OF
10c MUSIC
Comprising Standard,
Classic and Teaching Music
you are losing an opportunity to make money
Dealers Realize
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teachers in the country — Students, Accom-
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Public in general.
It is conveniently handled; arranged in
compact form, and is labor saving in serving
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The dealer is supplied with catalogs bear-
ing the business imprint which serves to
bring more customers to the store than any
other advertising medium that could be em-
ployed.
WRITE US FOR SAMPLES AND PAR-
TICULARS TODAY
Our Jobbing Department is the largest and
most complete in the country. We can sup-
ply you with every want in the sheet music
line. We fill all orders the day they are
received.
ATTENTION MUSICIANS!
McKinley Music Company
Send for a copy of "Dixie Life Rag." Full of pep.
You'll like it. Price one dime.
The Largest Sheet Music Houtm
in the World
FRANK E. BROWN
Dept. F.
.
37 Burton Street, WALTON, NEW YORK
CHICAGO
1501-13 E. 55th St.
NEW YORK
145 W. 45th St.
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