Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1923 1910

PHEStO
March 3, 1923
music-rolls who know just what is needed, seem to possess oppor-
tunities to piano stores where things are kept moving along up-to-
date lines.
WORKERS WHO DREAM
factories. And to them, and their realized ideals, we owe the splendid
instruments that are kept before the practical men who sell by the
printed prose-powers of the expert advertising men.
And the advertising men, too, are in a sense, idealists. They
interpret the dreams which have been realized by the expert piano
makers and inventors. The competent advertising man must be in a
sense, an idealist. He must possess the dreamer's vision, by which
to see the effect of his words and to give to his instrument the intro-
duction by which less eloquent readers are made to want the things
advertised. Say to an expert advertising man that he is not all prac-
ticability, that somewhere he has the dreamer's vision, and the ideal-
ism of the poet, and he will want to throw you out of his office. But
look at his desk and at the walls of his rooms. You will see there,
very often, artistic sketches, drawings, verses, or other insignia of his
work. The chips will again tell of the kind of his work. And no one
can successfully deal in nouns, verbs and adjectives, and be wholly
lacking in dreams. No one can successfully challenge other minds
and still be lacking in the intangible visions of the idealist.
Nor is it fair to say that even the salesmen who sell pianos by
carload lots or one at a time, are altogether bound to the practical-
ities. That wouldn't be right. We all know that they will protest
that they are "in it" for results. That is true. But no successful man
whose life is wrapped up in the things of music can escape being in-
some degree an idealist.
It isn't an idle charge that music and sentiment are indissolubly
bound together. We don't always like to admit it, but why that should
be no one knows. Sentiment doesn't imply anything discreditable.
Quite the contrary. But we're "business men." And we don't like
to be considered as other than adamantine, like the people of Dickens
"who might as well have been born caterpillars."
The piano salesmen are largely idealists! If you don't think so
listen to one of them selling a piano. Hear the description of the in-
strument's construction and of the tone-quality, as compared with
any other piano! All the poetry in the world is often spun into the
web of the eloquence of the piano salesman. He couldn't be altogether
"practical" and "clean up" $10,000 or $15,000 a year selling pianos!
And so the purpose of this editorial is to extend congratulations
to the dreamers and idealists of the music industry and trade. It is
to wish them bigger success during this year than ever before! It
is to greet to the inventors and workers in factory and office; to ad-
vertising men by word or picture; to the traveling men who breeze
into the little piano stores and the big ones; and to the retailers who
welcome the "drop in" or bow themselves into the people's homes,
with the mission of more happiness for the dwellers therein.
In this world of materialism, where the practical side of things
has first call, it is a pleasure to pay tribute to the other side of
it. For there are workers who, while having in view the prac-
tical end, like to call to their aid the idealistic influences and often
indulge in dreams.
The ideals of the piano belong principally to the men in the
factories who create—the draughtsmen who strive to make the tone
still better; the designers who produce even finer cases and others
who bring about better working conditions and quicker results.
Those workers must not, of course, be the kind that Pope tells of,
who "eat in dreams the custard of the day." They are the kind that
realize the "Visions of a busy brain," whose dreams come true, be-
cause of the practical call of duty and progress.
And that is the kind of dreamers we find in the American piano.
The piano industry—all music industries—and the music loving
public, no less, must be interested in the reports of official nature con-
cerning the growing scarcity of hardwoods. An instructive editorial
from the well-informed Chicago Evening Post appears on another
page this week.
* * *
It is a rare event for a piano man of any country to be the object
of special royal favor. That is the distinction bestowed upon Mr.
J. P. Seeburg of the progressive Chicago industry which bears that
gentleman's name. An account of the honor, which reflects credit-
ably upon the whole music business, appears on another page this
week.
WIDE OPEN
There are a few American piano factories that are just running. It
is possible that even their owners are not certain which way they are
running. They ship a few instruments and they study hard to create
the impossible. The impossible, in their cases, is that elusive thing,
"the best piano in the world."
Are these particular manufacturers doing anything worth while ?
They are never, according to their own assurance, so situated finan-
cially that they can afford the essential force of advertising. They
seem to be on the verge of getting ahead, but their very aspirations
hold them back. Such piano manufacturers are struggling, at a great
sacrifice, to fill a place for which they are not equipped. •
One of the mistakes in any industry is to persist along lines that
seem to inflexibly oppose effort. There must be something wrong in
the application of industrial struggles which, after long trial, get no-
where. The same thing applies to the commercial world and to the
piano business generally.
There are many pianos securely fixed in the list of leaders. They
have grown powerful by reason of great merit promoted by adequate
financial facilities. But their power does not lessen the demand for
other pianos of smaller creative force. Often the progress of the in-
dustries grows and largely feeds upon the better instruments.
When Mr. Henry Ford began to make his "flivvers" he made no
pretense of cars better than all others. He merely gave the public
something to ride in that cost little, worked well and gave no trouble.
Why is it that pianos are not put forth along that line ? How does it
happen that piano manufacturers seem to think that there is some-
thing disreputable in openly avowing that they aim to produce instru-
ments at as low prices as possible and yet have them do good work?
We do not recall a piano industry of the kind suggested since that
of J. P. Hale. That "Yankee crockery merchant," as Alfred Dolge
characterized him, openly announced that he was making the lowest-
priced pianos possible. But he was never known to call his product
"cheap." Mr. Ford never refers to his "tin can" as being "cheap,"
either. If we must have low-priced pianos, as we must, why any
assumption of anything else? Why the stereotyped promise of a su-
preme creation at "unheard-of" prices? Why not a change of tactics
in this line of trade promotion?
DECREASE OF "GYP" SALES
NOTICEABLE IN ST. LOUIS
Ordinance Passed by City Council Has Put Curb on
House Sales.
An ordinance passed by the St. Louis City Council
last December and which became effective January
4 is an effective curb on the "gyp" dealers. The
effects of the bar to unethical piano selling is already
pleasantly apparent in the Missouri City.
By the terms of the ordinance it is unlawful for any
person, firm, partnership, co-operation, association,
trust, or any employes engaged in the business of sell-
ing of its merchandise, securities, service or real
estate to advertise the sale of the same unless it shall
be stated in the advertisement of such sale, clearly
and unequivocally, that advertiser of the sale is a
dealer in the same, provided, however, that the adver-
tisement of the sale is in such form as to make it
plainly apparent that the person advertising is actu-
ally engaged in the business of selling the goods as a
business, shall be deemed a sufficient compliance with
the terms of this ordinance.
Any person violating the provision of this ordinance
shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon
conviction shall be punished by a fine of not less than
twenty dollars nor more than five hundred dollars for
each offense.
The purpose of the ordinance is to protect legiti-
mate business against the unfair competition of those
who do business out of residences and advertise under
the guise of individuals. Prior to the enactment of
this ordinance there was no practical way of reaching
such.
MR. CAMERON MAKES CALL.
A. S. Cameron, from Marquette, Mich., a city in
the northern part of the state, was a visitor in Chi-
cago this week, calling especially on the Chase-
Hackley branch, as he is Chase-Hackley representa-
tive in Marquette. Part of his visit with H. H. Brad-
ley, manager of the Chicago branch of this com-
pany, was spent in a trip to the Chase-Hackley Piano
Co. factory at Muskegon, Mich.
ANDERSON BUYS DAYTON
BRANCH OF AEOLIAN CO.
Prominent Music House Purchases Long Established
Branch and Adds It to Regular Line.
Another branch of the Aeolian Co., of New York,
was given up on March 1 when the Dayton office and
store was taken over by the Anderson Piano Co.,
which purchased the branch a short time ago. The
business of the Aeolian branch will be handled by
this company in addition to its regular trade already
established. The stock and offices will be consoli-
dated in one building, according to present plans.
Rodney Anderson, president of the company which
took over the Dayton Aeolian branch, was manager
of that branch for a long time, before going into busi-
ness for himself so that the Aeolian will be well repre-
sented in Dayton, even though the active branch is
given up. Mr. Anderson was in Chicago this week,
placing orders for other pianos which his store
handles.
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/
March 3, 1923
PRESTO
TODAY'S BIG FIELD
IN MUSIC TRADE
The Business in Mechanical Instruments of All
Kinds and at All Prices Provides Great-
est Opportunity for Energetic
Music Dealers.
The growth of importance of music in the movie
shows has resulted in the application of new architec-
tural rules for the theater interiors. Up to a com-
parative^ short time ago the architects had been dis-
regarding the musical features of the moving picture
show. Now, however, the orchestra, orchestrion,
electric piano, playerpiano or old reliable manual
piano gets an acoustical square deal from the men
who design the moving picture theaters.
The instance is cited merely to show the disad-
vantages under which the instruments once labored
through the ignorance or indifference of the archi-
tects. When the organ manufacturers first began to
sell organs to the movie houses already built they
found a general plan of architecture which created
new problems in pipe arrangement. Roofs were too
low, so the organ music was all rumble and echo.
The acoustic properties of most houses would not
stand deep tones or tremulous effects. In one Chi-
cago theater of the old type equipped with a big
organ the organist can play tricks on the audience
by "forcing the tone." He can cause the men to
laugh foolishly and the women to giggle hysterically
with the excessive use of a powerful tremulant.
Opportunity for Dealers.
Today in the moving picture theaters of the am-
bitious kind, the music is as important as the films,
and the theater where music is neglected has a con-
stant void in the box-office no matter how good the
screen part of the show may be.
That is why the growth in the demand for good
theater instruments of all kinds is one of the amaz-
ing things in the music trade. It is amazing because
it has developed in a short space of time to the won-
derful proportions it presents today. And the busi-
ness continues to grow. Theater owners realize they
are taking hazardous chances of going without
patrons when they neglect the musical feature of
their entertainments.
All Year 'Round Business.
The moving picture theater field provides a con-
stantly growing opportunity for the music dealer with
vision and energy. The business is governed by no
influence of seasons. Spring, summer, autumn and
winter are equally good for the theater instrument
sale. Dealers visiting the factory of the J. P. See-
burg Piano Co., the Operators Piano Co., or the
Nelson-Wiggen Piano Co:, Chicago, see in the activi-
ties there incentives for effort on their own part in
selling instruments to theaters. The field is not a
circumscribed one. It is as wide and as long as the
country, but it is big or little according to the indus-
try of the individual dealer.
The Manufacturers' Help.
The moving picture instrument business is proceed-
ing along the right lines, and today is unaffected by
the foolishness of the earlier theater designers. The
manufacturers of the theater instruments have ex-
pended effort profitably in a mechanical, commercial
and musical way. The manufacturers have the goods
for any kind of an order. The dealer is sure to get
something reliable in the biggest organ, serviceable
orchestrion or smaller mechanical piano that his cus-
tomer may require. The highly developed instru-
ments are finding a ready market without regard to
price limitations. There are theaters being built to
fit every size of town and there are instruments avail-
able for show houses of all sizes and musical
requirements.
WOLFE MUSIC COMPANY
REMODELS ARCADE STORE
Progressive Firm on Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, Se-
cures Increased Space in Fine Location.
Next week will see the completion of the remodel-
ing plans of the Wolfe Music Co., Cleveland, O., and
the company will begin a new era in Taylor Arcade,
where it has been located for many years. It is the
only music firm on Prospect avenue.
The remodeling plans involve double the space oc-
cupied heretofore. The company will have three
windows by the new arrangements, one large one in
the Arcade and two on Prospect avenue. The space
in the windows is adequate for very pretentious dis-
'p.Jays. As many as, fifteen pianos or players can be
exhibited in the Arcade window.
The lower floor will be given over to the display of
the company's fine line of pianos and players which
include Story & Clark and Cable-Nelson instruments,
and Kohler & Campbell players and reproducing
pianos (licensed under Welte-Mignon patents). On
this floor will also be found the talking machine sales
department and the booths for the demonstration of
the machines and records.
Five salons for the display and demonstrations of
Welte-Mignon reproducing" instruments have been
provided on the second floor. A date for the formal
opening of the remodeled warerooms has not yet
been set.
THE REED ORGAN TRADE
IS SUSTAINED IN SOUTH
Demand Is Good in Southern States Where Dealers
Say Only Best Instruments Sell.
D. E. Swan, president and treasurer of S. N. Swan
& Sons, of Freeport, 111., returned on Tuesday from
an extended trip through the southern states. He
found a good demand in some states for reed organs.
His industry is now one of four still in existence in
this country. Especially in Mississippi, Mr. Swan
took large orders for the Swan organs. The colored
people of the South are buying the instruments which,
as "parlor organs," were once in such great demand,
and the southern music dealers want good instru-
ments—the best to be had.
The industry of S. N. Swan & Sons has kept going
through all the years since the piano began to drive
the reed instrument out. And the Freeport factory
has been busy most of the time. Mr. Swan contem-
plates a trip to his native land of Sweden in the
near future, during which he will investigate the
prospects of a near-future export trade in his line
of products.
THE ITEM OF "GOOD WILL"
AS A BUSINESS ASSET
It Is a Substantial Consideration in the Manufacture
of All Great Pianos.
Some financial executives are inclined to the belief
that the item of "good-will" soon will disappear from
corporation reports. The item is flexible, not capable
of accurate appraisement and has been used in the
past, and no doubt is being used now, to offset accrued
revenue which corporation officials want to plow
hack into the business.
Good-will is worth a great deal in the case of corp-
orations which have direct and amicable relations
with the public, but it is difficult to say just how
this should be measured in dollars and cents.
Good-will of a piano industry depends upon the
quality of the instruments made. There are pianos
whose good-will is almost beyond possibility of
computation. In fact the corporations whose good
will is valuable must include the famous piano
industries.
LETTER FROM JESSE FRENCH.
Word was received on Wednesday of this week
from President Jesse French who, when he wrote,
was in Lima, Peru. He reported that he is having
a "grand time." He was much pleased with Lima,
and said that the representative there of the Jesse
French & Sons Piano Co. is doing a fine business
with the instruments from New Castle, Indiana. Mr.
French traveled down the west coast of South
America and will return by the East coast. He in-
closed a picture of the handsome hotel at which he
was stopping, in Lima, and also a good view of the
city front.
MIDDLE WEST REPRESENTATIVE.
W. J. Eden, representative of the Gulbransen-Dick-
inson Co., Chicago, in three middle western states,
traveling out of Kansas City, called at the Gulbran-
sen office in Chicago last week. Mr. Eden reported
that an encouraging volume of business is being done
through the state he "covers," and that dealers need
more pianos all the time.
NEEDS MORE INSTRUMENTS.
I). M. Groulx, piano dealer of Green Bay, Wis.,
was in Chicago this week, calling on piano manufac-
turers. Mr. Groulx has sold a large number of
pianos during the past few months, and is expecting
a prosperous time from now on, he told wholesalers
with whom he placed orders for a number of new in-
struments.
H. E. Dewsnip has opened a music store at 1547
Harvard avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah.
WAREROOM WARBLES
(A New One Every Week.)
By The Presto Poick.
THE KNOCKER.
When you think you're nearly down,
Almost hanging on the ropes,
When the whole world seems to frown
And big rents show in your hopes;
When the sun seems even hid,
And the stars are out of sight,
Who is this that comes unhid,
Adding gloom to your sad plight?
The Knocker.
Have you felt Misfortune's kick?
Has old Sorrow come your way?
Have you ever known the lick
That is someone's every day?
When Success, of some strange kind,
Meets at last your cherished plan,
Who is he, with bump behind,
Puts you back where you began?
The Knocker.
What has caused him to exist,
When the world needs joy and cheer?
Why has fate seemed to have missed
One good chance to help us here?
Why has Charon left behind
Such a passenger and, say,
Who is he, of all his kind
None would miss were he away?
The Knocker.
SCHUMANN REPRODUCING
PIANO SHOWN TO ADVANTAGE
Handsome Display Wareroom Provided for Instru-
ment in Reta'l Store in Rockford, 111.
In order to provide suitable surroundings in which
to display reproducing and playerpianos the Schu-
mann Piano Company, Rockford, 111., has redecorated
the basement of its retail warerooms at the corner of
West State and Wyman streets, and has transformed
the room into a beautiful room for showing and
demonstrating instruments.
A tile floor hao been laid, and the walls entirely
finished in white with mahogany woodwork. Artistic
stencil work adds an artistic touch to the walls. The
radiators are concealed behind two handsome and ex-
pensive oil paintings.
The company has equipped the display rooms with
comfortable and luxurious lounges, so that patrons
can enjoy the playing of master pianists in perfect
comfort and in an appropriate environment.
"The reproducing grand of the Schumann Piano
Co. is the latest and most highly perfected musical
instrument now on the market," said Manager Fred
Firestone this week. "It reproduces the music ex-
actly as the pianist played it with all the delicate
intonations and shading." Mr. Firestone has ar-
ranged a series of concerts and demonstrations in
the store.
FIXES PAGE AS ADVERTISING PROOF
Publishers can send only a page instead of the
whole newspaper or magazine, as at present, to ad-
vertisers as proof of advertisement under a bill
passed Wednesday by the Senate and sent to Presi-
dent Harding.
AN ALERT MANAGER.
Walter J. Prgybylski, who is manager of the music
department of the Branta-Richlicz Furniture Co., 581-
85 Lincoln avenue, Milwaukee, is one of the alert
managers who believe in the personal pursuit of the
piano prospect. The music department of this firm
was opened in November last, when the company
moved to its new store and is proving very success-
ful. The Hallet & Davis Virtuolo instruments and
Columbia Grafonolas and records are featured.
REALLY SO.
Rlohard—"Say, the trade seems stuck on our'
piano."
Critticuss—"They are stuck."
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/

Download Page 5: PDF File | Image

Download Page 6 PDF File | Image

Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).

Pro Tip: You can flip pages on the issue easily by using the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard.