Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1922 1891

PRESTO
The American Music Trade Weekly
PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY AT 407 SOUTH DEAR-
BORN STREET, OLD COLONY BUILDING, CHICAGO, ILL.
Editors
C. A. DAN I ELL 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 United States possessions, 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- card.* 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.
Photographs of general trade interest are always welcome, and when used. If of
special concern, a charge will be made to cover cost of the engravings.
Rates for advertising in Presto Year Book Issue and Export Supplements of
Presto will be made known upon application. Presto Tear 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
»f their value and contains a directory of their manufacturers.
Items of news and other matter of general interest to the music trades are in-
rited and when accepted will be paid for. All communications should be addressed to
Presto Publishing Co.. 407 So. Dearborn Street. Chicago, III.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1922.
PRESTO CORRESPONDENCE
IT IS NOT CUSTOMARY WITH THIS PAPER TO PUBLISH REGU-
LAR CORRESPONDENCE FROM ANY POINTS. WE, HOWEVER,
HAVE RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVES IN NEW YORK, BOSTON,
SAN FRANCISCO, PORTLAND, CINCINNATI, INDIANAPOLIS, MIL-
WAUKEE AND OTHER LEADING MUSIC TRADE CENTERS, WHO
KEEP THIS PAPER INFORMED OF TRADE EVENTS AS THEY HAP-
PEN. AND PRESTO IS ALWAYS GLAD TO RECEIVE REAL NEWS
OF THE TRADE FROM WHATEVER SOURCES ANYWHERE AND
MATTER FROM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS, IF USED, WILL BE
PAID FOR AT SPACE RATES. USUALLY P.TANO MERCHANTS OR
SALESMEN IN THE SMALLER CITIES, ARE THE BEST OCCA-
SIONAL CORRESPONDENTS. AND THEIR ASSISTANCE IS INVITED.
ADVERTISING INFORMATION
Forms close promptly at noon every Thursday. News matter for
publication should be in not later than eleven o'clock on the same
day. Advertising copy should be in hand before Tuesday, five p. m.,
to insure preferred position. Full page display copy should be in
hand by Monday noon preceding publication day. Want advs. for cur-
rent week, to insure classification, must be at office of publication not
later than Wednesday noon.
LIVE PROSPECTS
One of the best things that the Music Industries Chamber of
Commerce has done was to- ally itself with the Better Homes Move-
ment. And the nation-wide observance of the week devoted to bet-
ter homes was one of the best and broadest of all the combined social
and industrial propaganda.
If Samuel Smiles was right when he said that "home makes the
man," then better homes must make better men. And, if it is true—
as it certainly is—that "home and heaven are joined by music," then
no happy home can be without an instrument of music.
That is where the association of the Music Industries Chamber
of Commerce and the Better Homes Movement found its suggestion,
or impulse. The piano dealers and their salesmen, who caught the
spirit of the week must know that there was a powerful argument
and influence in the widespread appeal for more beautiful and bet-
ter equipped homes, for the people find it necessary to conserve their
earnings and to make every dollar go as far as possible.
The people who have homes in which their owners take pride are
the people who buy pianos and pay for them. They are the support
of the industry of music in all of its departments. For the people of
that kind value their opportunities and hold as treasures the things
that make life worth living.
No doubt hundreds of piano dealers took advantage of the Better
Homes drive and closed sales by it. No other class of trade suggests
October 21, 1922.
better opportunities wherever communities caught the spirit of the
movement and brought it conspicuously to the attention of citizens,
The co-operation of the local merchants, whose business it is to
furnish the homes, must work to the good of all, and in every home
where betterment becomes operative there must be prospects of a
piano delivery. If not it is the fault of the dealer and his salesmen.
It is the home-love and the serious desires of parents who believe,
with J. G. Holland that "home is the great object of life," that keeps
the piano trade alive and impels people to invest money in teaching
the youngsters music and piano playing. It is to that kind of home
builders, a fine thing to have the playerpiano by which to interpret
the great master-compositions, and the reproducing piano, by which
to listen to the actual playing of phenomenal performers. And it is
the same kind of home-people who want to hear and see their youth
actually playing the piano.
The old-fashioned piano—the so-called "straight" piano—which
will ever be as new as when it first came, is "coming back," the manu-
facturers say. It is because the homes need it. The young people
need its educational influences, and the pride of the parents demand it
because they want to see the young ones grow in their facilities of
musical expression. It is along the same line of thought to which the
immortal Tasso, nearly five hundred years ago, declared that "to get
some seely home I had desire, loath still to warm me at another's
fire."
There we have, brought to us through more than four centuries,
the love and longing for a home and for the exclusiveness of personal
attainment. "Too warm me at another's fire" was not enough. . It
didn't satisfy the heart of pride. To see the children "warming"
themselves with the music of another's skill doesn't quite satisfy the
home-pride of today. That alone will keep the piano alive and a
part of the home life. And every "Better Home" week will help to
sustain the piano and to encourage music and the music trade. That's
why we say the adoption of the idea by the Music Industries Cham-
ber of Commerce was one of the best things that organization has
done.
TRADE-KILLERS
In business the joy-killer is the man who trots around telling how
terribly "dead" live things are. Business is never dead. It couldn't
be and still have the joy-killer talking about it. He wouldn't have
enough life left in him to permit of his pessimism. And just now the
trade joy-killer is particularly non-essential. At a recent meeting, in
Cincinnati, of the National Traveling Salesmen's Association a tele-
gram from Rodger Babson was read, saying that the "country was
cursed by a bumper crop of pessimists." He added that the "economic
tide had turned," but that there may still be found business men so
deeply submerged in "the gloom of 1921 that they can't see the sun-
shine of 1922."
If there is any class of business men who can't afford to belong
to the tribe of trade joy-killers, it is the piano men. They need their
enthusiasm. Selling pianos, whether at wholesale or retail, is largely
a matter of enthusiasm—enthusiasm in the pianos they are making
and selling and enthusiasm in the piano business itself. The retailer
must be enthusiastic in his line and filled with confidence in his com-
munity and the people who are his possible "prospects." The piano
salesman who hasn't enthusiasm is lacking in the oil of success, and
he won't "make his car go" very far.
Just now it isn't easy to find a piano manufacturer who isn't
sure that there is a period of activity ahead. Some of the piano fac-
tories have made preparations, and a few have accumulated stock
which will move rapidly from now forward, unless something unfore-
seen happens to interfere. Presto is informed of some almost re-
markable efforts which are to be made to capture liberal shares of
the prosperity which appears to be just ahead for the piano business.
But the thought just how is that there is unanimity of opinion
concerning the change in business affairs. If the industrial world
generally is so optimistic, why may not the piano manufacturers be
equally sanguine. They are, and they will be. Only the non-pro-
gressive will fail to share in the increased possibilities of trade im-
provement which is making itself felt. It would, of course, be folly
to advise the industry to go to extremes in making provision for in-
creased productiveness. But there is no place for the trade joy-killer
at such a time as this. He should be discouraged, and we believe that
the trade paper is here for the purpose of such discouragement.
There is no better barometer of trade than the traveling sales-
men. And the travelers are coming back from their trips filled with
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/
October 21, 1922.
PRESTO
the assurances of good things. They say that merchants are buying
liberally—far more so than a year ago. And they are almost unani-
mous in saying that the business "pick-up" is general. So far as the
piano retailers are concerned, the advise is always the same. Get out
after the prospects. Things are never so active in this business but
that energy is needed and the quality of everlastingly sticking to it
essential. In saying what we have there is no thought of overlooking
the other side of trade opinion. We do not fail to observe that, in a
recent address, the head of a credit association gave "warning" that
the promised "business boom" is not real. He suggests that it is
largely a point of view, and "warns" against too much optimism.
Still we advise piano men not to give much heed to the trade joy-
killers.. Probably the credit association secretary has been finding
collections slow.
Mr. C. C. Chickering is right in his correction of an item which
appeared in last week's Presto. And his letter on another page of
this issue will be read with interest. We have had many comments
upon Mr. Chickering's recent address before the Chicago Piano Club,
usually complimentary. There is one point to which Mr. Chickering,
very naturally, did not refer. It is that he himself has furnished one
of the exceptions to his rule that no large piano industries have been
"organized and built up in a single generation of men who were prac-
tical in the piano line." For if the piano industry which Mr. Chicker-
ing has organized and built up is not yet one of the largest, in the ma-
terial sense, it has attained to a large place in the kind of instruments
produced. He has worked a miracle, in that he chose a piano name
wholly new to the industry, thus breaking a new path, and he has
succeeded in building an artistic piano and creating a demand for it.
In that the maker of the Acoustigrande has won a large success.
* * *
It is said that the Paint Manufacturers' Association places a val-
uation of "more than a million dollars a word" on the co-operative
slogan, "Save the surface." What does the Music Industries Chamber
of Commerce consider the slogan, "Give a Little Thought to Music"
worth? And how much more would it be worth had it been made to
read "Give Some thought to Pianos"?
Are you reading Presto's "Where Doubts Are Dispelled"? If so
has it occurred to you that no other music trade journal could present
such indisputable proof of circulation and authoritative influence?
AMPICO FOR THE VANDERBILT
AND KNABE FOR THE ACTRESS
Another Large New York Hotel and Famous Actress
Select Distinguished Instruments.
Add to the list of hotels in New York City which
already have Ampicos the Vanderbilt Hotel. The
management of the Vanderbilt recently purchased
two Knabe Ampico Grands, style 61, one of which
will be used in the Delia Robbia Room for the enter-
tainment of guests.
Ethel Barrymore, the famous actress, has bought a
Knabe piano for her new home. She called at the
Knabe Warerooms, in New York, on September 26th
and chose a style 21 Knabe, Walnut Grand.
GREAT PIANO INDUSTRY
AS EDUCATIONAL INFLUENCE
Schools of Northern Indiana Visit Plant of Straube
Piano Co. at Hammond.
Pointing out that the concern has come to be an
integral part of the community, and that its activities
in northern Indiana have meant much in the way of
civic happiness and prosperity, the Lake County
Times, in a recent editorial on the Straube Piano
Company, congratulated that organization on its pros-
perity, in the name of the paper's subscribers. The
immediate inspiration for the editorial was the eigh-
teenth anniversary celebration being held throughout
October at the Straube retail store, Hammond, Ind.
Delegations of school children from northern In-
diana have been visiting the Straube factory at Ham-
mond for the purpose of getting some idea of mod-
ern manufacturing, as well as to foster their sym-
pathy for good music. The children are shown
through the factory in personal charge of W. G. Betz,
general superintendent of the plant. E. R. Jacobson,
president of the company, is offering cash prizes for
the best essay on the subject, "What I Saw in a Piano
We have published inquiries about pianos from as many as twenty
states in a single issue.
* * *
There are three "Weber" piano industries in Germany. One of
them antedates the American instrument of the same trade mark and
is advertising its establishment as of the year 1860. The German
piano industry displays a remarkable resurrection from the effects of
the war.
* * *
A few years ago the piano men of London were swearing by all
the gods, ancient and modern, that they would never look a German
piano in the ribs again! But already there are more pianos from
Berlin in the London stores than Britain can assemble in a winter's
work.
* * *
A little more energy, a little more perseverance, a little more de-
termination to do things, and the piano retailers will proceed as
seldom before in years. And when the retailers proceed, the manu-
facturers begin to advertise for more skilled workers.
* * *
The Dry Goods Association proposes to form a national code for
better business ethics and practices. Aren't you glad no such proce-
dure is necessary in the piano trade ? How badly conducted some
lines of business seem to be!
* * *
The belated assurance now appears in the New York newspapers
that there is an export demand for American pianos. We have been
repeating it for many years, but few of the industries have seemed to
care to hear.
* * *
It has been necessary to nearly double Presto's advertising rates.
The contracts or arrangements already existing will not be disturbed,
but new accounts will be subject to a substantial increase.
* * *
Is it necessary to sell cheap pianos to Mexico, or none ? The
answer is that the most famous piano in the world is being shipped
into the neighbor republic in carload lots, and many of them.
* * *
The immediate future promises to be a poor season for pessimists
in the piano trade. They'll be too busy dodging prosperity to do
much kicking.
Factory," written by any boy or girl going through
the plant.
With additional orders coming in daily, the
Straube factory is being operated overtime in an ef-
fort to supply the needs of Straube dealers. In ex-
plaining to the employees why it is necessary to work
overtime, Mr. Jacobson has pointed out that the rush
in getting orders must not be allowed to interfere
with Straube quality.
ONE LESS'PIANO INDUSTRY
IN CHICAGO'S ACTIVITIES
Fuehr & Stemmer to Cease Operations and Its Owner
Will Take Life Easy.
CHANGE IN MANKATO, MINN.
The fine industry of Fuehr & Stemmer will soon
retire from piano manufacturing. Chas. Stemmer,
who has long been the sole proprietor, has accumu-
lated a snug fortune during the twenty years of his
enterprise, and he proposes to get what he can out
of life while he is still young enough to enjoy it.
The firm of Fuehr & Stemmer was formed about
twenty years ago, with offices in the Auditorium
building, Chicago, and factory at Belvidere, 111. It
was successful from the very first, its management
being of the conservative, yet progressive, order.
All the trade paper advertising ever done by Feuhr &
Stemmer was in Presto and its auxiliary publications.
The class of trade attracted was of the kind that sus-
tains fine instruments. And that is the kind Fuehr
& Stemmer have produced.
Mr. Fuehr died within a few years after the start
of the industry, and Charles Stemmer took sole con-
trol. He has proved a straightforward, earnest piano
manufacturer, and his decision to withdraw will be
learned with regret by many dealers who have sold
the Fuehr & Stemmer pianos. The factory at Wells
and 27th streets is an unusually well located and
equipped plant. Mr. Stemmer will divide his time be-
tween Florida, where he has a fruit farm, and his
summer home in Wisconsin.
But the name of Fuehr & Stemmer will not become
extinct. A retail house will succeed to the title and
will open a well-stocked store shortly after the fac-
tory closes.
Gomer H. Jones, Mankato, Minn., has sold his in-
terests in the store at 312 South Front street, to the
Sandon-Anderson Music Co. R. C. and W. A. An-
derson, partners in the new company, are local busi-
ness men and O. N. Anderson, the third partner, is
leader of the Sandon Orchestra, and a clarinet solo-
ist of national fame.
The Ferraro Piano Co., Brooklyn, capitalized for
$20,000, is the latest in the music trade of Manhattan.
It was incorporated last week by T. Ferraro, S.
Cavalieri, G. Nifosi. (Attorneys. Raimo, Grugnoli,
Russo & Dicrocco, 299 Broadway.)
NEW KNABE AGENCIES.
Several Knabe agencies have been placed within
the last few weeks covering additional territory in
the south and middle west. F. A. Leatherman le-
ceived the agency for Atlanta and surrounding terri-
tory. Carl Latenser will now feature the Knabe at
Atchison, Kans., and in Alexandria, La., Pincus &
Murphey Music House will carry the Knabe as
leader, W. L. Eshelman at St. Joseph, Mo., and
Frank S. Botefuhr at Pittsburg, Kans. In all these
instances the Knabe with the Ampico in both grands
and uprights will be carried in stock and exploited to
the full capacity of the activities of the various
houses.
PACKARD IN KANSAS CITY.
The Edison Shop, Kansas City, Mo., one of the
liveliest firms carrying an exclusive line of talking
machines, has added another incentive to activity in
the line of pianos and playerpianos of the Packard
Co., Fort Wayne, Ind. The enthusiasm which dis-
tinguished the house in its presentation of the Edison
phonograph will be extended to the fine line of pianos
and players from the Fort Wayne industry. All ar-
rangements of the deal were made by Al. Buenning.
LATEST NEW YORK PIANO CO.
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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