PRESTO
December 23, 1922.
OUR MARKETS IN
FOREIGN LANDS
American Musical Instruments Find Increas-
ing Sale in Many Countries, in Some of
Which the Demand Is Supplied Prin-
cipally by Our Manufacturers.
Reports from consuls in many foreign countries,
some of which have already been published in Presto,
show that the demand for American musical instru-
ments is growing. In Cuba the sales are principally
of instruments from the United States. In fact, most
of the southern countries look to us for their music.
The latest Commerce Reports contain the following
facts:
Cuban Demand.
There is a fairly steady demand in this district of
Cuba for musical instruments, such as phonographs,
pianos, orchestral instruments, etc., the demand be-
ing supplied chiefly by wholesale dealers located at
Habana and Santiago. The bulk of musical instru-
ments in use are of American manufacture.
Pianos in Western Mexico.
German pianos are being sold in Mazatlan, Mexico,
at prices said to average about 30 per cent less than
the American instrument of equal quality. German
piano factories are quoting prices in American dol-
lars, f.o.b. German ports, and are demanding cash
with order.
About three months are usually required to get de-
liveries. American piano factories sell to dealers in
Mazatlan on a four-payment system, running over a
period of six months—one-fourth being paid at time
of shipment and one-fourth at two, four and six
months, respectively.
Some American dealers are said to be demanding
cash against documents, but Mazatlan dealers state
that it is impossible for them to purchase on this
basis, as all pianos in this district are sold on the
instalment plan, only one-third of the payment being
received at the time of delivery.
Talking Machine Market in Chile.
The United States has practically a monopoly of
the talking machine business in Chile. A few Ger-
man phonographs are in use here, but the business is
negligible.
The northern region of Chile has been a good mar-
ket for musical merchandise, especially talking ma-
chines, records, and sheet music, and dealers have had
a profitable business with the population of the min-
ing towns in the interior of this province.
This trade has now decreased considerably on ac-
count of the exchange rate, the increase of customs
duties, and the emigration of the people of the min-
ing camps and towns, who were the chief buyers of
gramophone music.
Australian Market.
Notwithstanding the development of the piano in-
dustry in Australia, importation of American-made
pianos has increased regularly and will, it is believed,
continue to do so.
American playerpianos are very popular in this
country. One factory in Sydney and another in
Melbourne produce between 3,500 and 4,000 instru-
ments annually. Australian pianos do not. and will
LUEBTOW'S
not for some time, enjoy the same popularity as the
American pianos.
The military band and orchestral instrument trade
is chiefly in the hands of the British manufacturers
because the majority of the musicians in the local or-
ganizations are trained in Great Britain. However,
the United States is improving its position in this
special line, as well as in all other lines, except
organs.
In miscellaneous instruments, such as ukuleles,
guitars, and banjos, the manufacturers of the United"
States have developed a steady and growing business
in this market.
(A New One Every Week.)
By The Presto Poick.
HANGEN'S MUSIC HOUSE
OPENS ANNEX WAREROOMS
Enlarged and Renovated Quarters Add to Fine Piano
Establishment at Reading, Pa.
The formal opening of the new annex to Hangen's
Music House at Reading, Pa., was fittingly cele-
brated on Thursday, December 7th. The three hand-
somely appointed show rooms that have been added
by this progressive firm to their establishment form
a perfect setting in keeping with the high character
of instruments that they handle, and give consider-
ably more space in which to conduct their ever-in-
creasing business.
Hangen's Music House was founded over fifty
years ago by H. W. Hangen and the business is now
conducted by his sons, Edgar, Paul and Ralph
Hangen, who have shown themselves to be among
the most progressive merchants of their city, always
keeping pace with the times and holding their posi-
tion, which has been attained through fifty years of
painstaking care of their public's wants and desires.
Many floral tributes, expressions of good will were
received, added materially to the occasion—and were
evidence of the high regard in which this old firm is
held. Among those present were W. H. Bowles,
representing the Autopiano Co., and Edward Vidaud,
of the Brambach Piano Co. They were enthusiastic
in their praises of the new annex and pronounced it
to be one of the handsomest stores in Pennsylvania.
MOVES IN PORTLAND.
The Seiberling-Lucas Music House, Portland, Ore.,
has taken a ten-year lease on the Greenfield Building,
1551 Fourth street, and will move there about Janu-
ary 1. The company has occupied its present quar-
ters, at 125 Fourth street, for about eight years.
The building to be occupied, for which remodeling
plans are now being carried out, is a four-story one
of reinforced concrete construction. The main floor
will be used for showrooms and offices and the re-
maining floors will be prepared for demonstration
parlors and special showrooms.
A STEINWAY ART ADV.
MacDowell, composing his "Woodland Sketches,"
furnished the inspiration for an exceptional Steinway
advertisement in which color painting was used. It
is a picture of woodland beauty. Says the copy:
"Blessed are those woodlands of New Hampshire
where Edward MacDowell met the wild rose; where
his spirit discoursed with the departed Indian; where
his soul 'overflowed with tenderness and caprice.' "
Imaginative copy that—and it was used in the cus-
tomary artistic manner of Steinway & Sons.
MILWAUKEE EXHIBIT "MILTON"
One of the outstanding ex-
hibits of the Annual Food Show
held recently at Milwaukee, Wis.,
was that of the Luebtow Music
Company, of that city. Featur-
ing the famous Matchless Mil-
ton Playerpiano, which is shown
in the center of the accompany-
ing picture, the exhibit of the
Luebtow Music Company was
one of the Food Show's hand-
somest attractions. The deli-
cate trellis work enhanced by
the clever arrangement of
autumnal leaves and the back-
ground of draperies served as a
novel setting for the beautiful in-
struments which the Luebtow
Music Company had on display.
The attractive display caused
many visitors of the Food Show
to evince an interest in the musi-
cal instruments.
WAREROOM WARBLES
A SUGGESTION FOR CRIS.
Say, Pop, I think that dear old Cris
Must be a little late
To ride around, in times like this,
In sleds all out of date;
I don't see why old Santa drives
His reindeers overhead,
When chimneys have gone out our lives
And wires are in instead.
I don't see how he takes enough
To pass around at all,
And then I think it must be tough—
The houses are so tall!
In days long past the bags of toys
Were fine for Christmas time,
But now the little girls and boys
Want something more sublime.
The sled could never bring today
The things most in demand—
Pianos that we all can play—
In upright and in grand;
To do the job in first-class style
Old Cris had better find
Some car to make the minute-mile
With Loader hitched behind!
He first should visit every store
Where music fills the air,
And leave an Atwood at the door,
Or put a Bowen there!
And then, with happy pealing bells,
That ring .out full and clear,
He'd motor on, 'mid joy that swells
With merry Christmas cheer!
KNABE IN RECITALS.
A series of short noonday recitals has been ar-
ranged by the Homer L. Kitt Co., Washington, D.
C, and the first event has given the musical public a
sample of the excellent programs laid out by Man-
ager Francis X. Regan. This was given by Mrs.
John J. Stahl, mezzo-soprano, and Elizabeth Winston,
pianist, with the Knabe Grand featured in a special
way. The company is planning a more commodious
recital hall on the third floor of its building in which
a pipe organ will add to the concert possibilities.
NEW STORE IN OREGON.
J. E. Berry has installed a complete music store at
Tillamook, Oregon. He will handle the Bush & Lane
l'ne of pianos, has a Victrola department, sheet music
department, and a small goods department, which
he will carry on consignment from the Bush & Lane
Portland house. He will carry Ludwig drums, Para-
mount banjos and a complete line of band instru-
ments.
WASHINGTON NAME CHANGED.
Speake & Spiggle is the new firm title of the music
business at 922 New York avenue, N. W., Washing-
ton, D. C, which formerly was known as Sanderson
& Speake. The extensive line of pianos, players, and
reproducing pianos made by the Chase-Hackley
Piano Co., Muskegon, Mich., is carried by the firm.
The house is widely known and is an active feature
in the music activities of the city.
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/