Presto Buyers' Guide
Analyzes and Classifies
All American Pianos
and in Detail Tells of
Their Makers.
PRESTO
THE AMERICAN MUSIC TRADE WEEKLY
Presto Trade Lists
Three Uniform Book-
lets, the Only Complete
Directories of the Music
Industries.
f c.nt., sixo . r~»
CHICAGO, SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1923
J. P. SEEBURG WINS
SWEDISH HONORS
Chicago Piano Manufacturer Is Awarded
Knighthood in Order of Vasa, Conferred by
King of Sweden for Distinguished At-
tainments in America.
J. P. Secburg, founder and president of the J. P.
Seeburg Piano Co., Chicago, has won an added recog-
nition of the career which has raised him to a lead-
ing place in the automatic and player pianos industry.
His progress has been heard of not only throughout
the United States, but abroad, including his native
land of Sweden.
Mr. Seeburg has been knighted by the King of
Sweden, who has conferred upon him the Order of
migrated to America, where he has made his home
ever since. Practically all of the years following his
removal to America have been spent in the piano
business, and most of this time has been in the per-
fection and manufacture of automatic instruments.
His career as a manufacturer with his own factory in
Chicago began seventeen years ago, he said. In that
time he has greatly improved the manufacture and
sale of the automatic piano, both in popularizing its
use, and in developing the case designs to make them
attractive in appearance as well as capable of efficient
service. The factory is now turning out playerpianos,
electric pianos and orchestrions, pipe organ orches-
tras and unit pipe organs. The growth of the busi-
ness has been almost phenomenal, and the J. P. See-
burg productions are giving ever-increasing satisfac-
tion.
Will Visit Sweden.
It is expected that some form of presentation cere-
mony will be conducted when Mr. Seeburg visits
Sweden this spring, to take part in the big tricenten-
nial anniversary exposition in the city of Gothen-
burg. The ceremonies of formally presenting the
Order of Vasa are usually conducted at a public din-
ner for the recipient of the knighthood, but no plans
have been made for such a function, and it is under-
stood that some other form of presentation may be
arranged at the request of Mr. Seeburg.
Mr. Seeburg leaves in May for Gothenburg, to par-
ticipate in the exposition; where he will exhibit a
large picture of his factory as a display. This will
be placed in a separate building of exhibits demon-
strating the accomplishments of Swedes in countries
foreign to Sweden. Lack of space prohibits the ex-
hibition of models so a fitting photograph display will
show the visitors the work of Mr. Seeburg.
The purpose of the Gothenburg exposition is to
celebrate the founding of the city, three hundred
years ago. Since this city is the birthplace of Mr.
Seeburg, he is making special preparations to be
present and have a part. The exposition will not be
confined to history of Gothenburg, however, but will
illustrate the accomplishments of Swedes from all
parts of the country.
ACTIVE STEGER DEALER.
One of the most enthusiastic exponents of Steger
piano merits in the Southwest is the East Tennessee
Music Co., Knoxville, Tenn., representative there of
the line of pianos and players of the Steger & Sons
Piano Mfg. Co., Chicago. This is how the Knoxville
firm speaks of the goods in the newspapers: "If it's
a Steger it's the most valuable piano in the world.
Steger pianos and playerpianos of beautiful tone,
artistic excellence and guaranteed reliability are rec-
ommended and sold on terms to suit your con-
venience."
J. P. SEEBURG.
Vasa, an order won only by natives of Sweden who
accomplish great things in their own country, or by
those in other countries for attainments which add to
the reputation %and good name of Sweden, such as
Mr. Seeburg has done in America. The order, es-
tablished a number of years ago by King Gustaf III.,
has been awarded previously to several American
Swedes, but it has been several years since the last
conferment of the title was made.
Recognize for Merits.
Such recognition of services to the native country
has been the aspiration of worthy men in- Sweden,
and for one in a foreign .country to win it is a mark
of unusual distinction. The notification that Mr. See-
burg had been deemed worthy for the knighthood in
the Order of Vasa reached Chicago late last week.
Mr. Seeburg was one of the founders, and is one
of the largest stockholders in the Swedish-American
steamship line, which is creating commerce and
facilitating intercourse between the two countries.
This has been considered in Sweden and in America
as an unusually deserving and productive enterprise,
and the fact of Mr. Seeburg's aid in organizing it has
probably helped to bring him into the notice of the
government of the land of his birth.
Career of Work.
Mr. Seeburg was born and raised in the city of
Gothenburg, Sweden, and at the age of sixteen years
ASSOCIATION FOR NORFOLK.
The association spirit has become evident in Nor-
folk, Va.. and the proposition to establish a local
music trade organization for the mutual benefit of
members and the good and glory of the trade is
now being discussed. L. D. Gore, branch manager
in Norfolk for Charles M. StiefF, Inc., is actively lin-
ing up the eager ones for immediate action in form-
ing the Norfolk Music Trade Association.
ACCOUNTING COMMITTEE
CHAMBER HOLDS MEETING
Proposed Book for Retail Music Stores Is Being
Pushed Toward Completion for Publication.
The special committee working on the proposed
publication "Accounting for Retail Music Stores,"
through the Trade Service Bureau of the Music In-
dustries Chamber of Commerce met Monday after-
noon with Archie M. Piesch, certified public account-
ant, to the end of pushing the work ahead for early
completion.
It is expected that the proposed book will be
ready for distribution within two or three' months.
The committee meeting Monday was attended by
Joseph F. Meade of the American Piano Co.; W. B.
Williams, of the Haddorff Piano Co.; Herbert W.
Hill and John McMahon, of Herbert W. Hill & Co.;
A. L. Smith and C. L. Dennis, of the Chamber, and
Mr. Piesch. C. J. Roberts, of Chas. M. Stieff, Inc.,
Baltimore, chairman of the committee, and L. W.
Peterson, of the Gulbransen-Dickinson Co., were un-
able to attend.
TRADE WILL B E INTERESTED IN
JAMES & HOLSTROM FOLDER
Unusually Succinct and Useful Miniature Catalogue
of Famous New York Instruments.
A convenient folder, descriptive of the fine old
James & Holstrom pianos has just appeared. Six
styles are shown, including the "Little Player", which
is just 4-feet high, and is described as "Big enough
every way; not too big anyway." The "smallest
grand" is also shown and it is only 4 feet, 8 inches
long. The "Nilson" player is a beautiful instrument,
also, and is presented as the "biggest value as a
popular priced player in the trade." The Reproduc-
ing Grand shows up well. It has the Welte Mignon
action and is operated by electricity, reproduces the
exact playing of the world's greatest pianists.
The last page of the folder has this condensed
history of one of the famed American piano indus-
tries:
"The first James & Holmstrom piano was made in
1860. It was built for the artist, the critical and the
discriminating. That idea has guided this company
for over sixty years.
"The tone of the James & Holmstrom has been
admired and commended by the greatest musicians,
and it is a truism that no piano can be better than
its tone."
WEAVER PIANO CO., INC.
RE=ELECT ALL OFFICERS
W. S. Bond Again Named President by Directors,
Who Declare Semi-Annual Dividend of 3%%.
The Wilson Music Co., of Oshkosh, Wis., with a
branch house at Stevens Point, Wis., recently in-
creased its capital stock from $50,000 to $100,000.
The Wilson Music Co.'s branches are among the
largest and most prominent stores in central Wis-
consin. E. S. Wilson is president and Ralph E.
Wilson secretary and treasurer.
At the recent annual meeting of the Weaver Piano
Co., Inc., York, Pa., W. S. Bond was re-elected presi-
dent. Other re-elections were: Vice-president,
Charles F. Baer; secretary, Percy G. Mundorf; treas-
urer, Walter L. Bond; and superintendent, Chauncev
D. Bond.
At the meeting the following directors were also
re-elected: W. S. Bond., Charles F. Baer, Percy G.
Mundorf and Walter L. Bond.
In the cheering report read by the secretary great
satisfaction was expressed at the volume of business
for the months of 1923 already elapsed. According
to Mr. Mundorf the sales so far are practically
double those for the same period iast year.
A semi-annual dividend of 3 l / 2 per cent was de-
clared by the board of directors. The action re-
called the unfailing custom to pay a half-yearly divi-
dend observed since 1890. This has never been less
than 3 per cent and never over 3]/ 2 per cent, which
provides proof of the conservative policy of this
successful company.
A big event of a social kind is planned for April by
the New England Music Trades Association.
A new store was opened in Utica, N. Y., recently
by the Myers Music House. The firm formerly con-
ducted a store in Mount Morris, 111.
W. S. MILLER TAKING REST.
W. S. Miller, vice-president and general manager
of .the Bush & Gerts Piano Co., Chicago, is expected
to return to the office at Weed & Dayton streets,
some time next week, after a two week's rest at the
order of his physician. Mr. Miller has not been
seriously ill, but was^ incapable of attending to the
cares of the business.
GROWING IN WISCONSIN.
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