Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1923 1921

Presto Buyers' Guide
Analyzes and Classifies
All American Pianos
and in Detail Tells of
Their Makers.
PRESTO
THE AMERICAN MUSIC TRADE WEEKLY
nc*nt»ti*
Presto Trade Lists
Three Uniform Book-
lets, the Only Complete
Directories of the Music
Industries.
*r~
CHICAGO, SATURDAY, MAY 19, 1923
SHEET MUSIC AT
THE CONVENTION
Important Division of the Music Industries
Issues Letters of Particulars of Its
Participation in the Events of
June 4-7.
The officers of the National Association of Sheet
Music Dealers have prepared an attractive program
for its members, and the following letter of advance
plans has been forwarded to members. It is expected
that the sheet music interests this year will exceed
anything in the past history of the organization:
The National Association of Sheet Music Dealers
will hold its tenth annual convention at the same time
.md place as the Music Industries Chamber of Com-
merce and most of its affiliated associations—the week
of June 4th, 1923, at the Drake Hotel, Chicago. An
attendance of between fifteen hundred and two thou-
sand is expected at this meeting of representatives of
the entire industry. This convention will mark the
end of our first year as a division member of the
Music Industries Chamber of Commerce. It is hoped
that the retail sheet music branch of the industry will
make a good showing,
Monday, June the 4th, wijl be registration day. All
members of the National Association of Sheet Music
Dealers who register will receive a badge which will
admit them to its meetings and to the meetings of
any other of the affiliated associations.
On Monday there will be a noonday luncheon of
the entire Music Industries Chamber of Commerce,
immediately following which Mr. R. W. Lawrence,
president of the Chamber, will open the first session
of the convention. This session will deal with general
business conditions. Mr. George E. Roberts, vice-
president of the City National Bank of Chicago, a
widely-known economist, will be the principal
speaker.
On Tuesday the National Association of Sheet
Music Dealers is invited to the meetings of the Na-
tional Association of Music Merchants.
On Wednesday the National Association of Sheet
Music Dealers will begin its sessions. The following
and other important topics will be discussed on that
day and on Thursday:
1. Advertising.
(a) Advertising matter and the distribution of the
same. The desirability of having a uniform size for
catalogs and publishers' bulletins.
(b) How dealers can take advantage fo publishers'
special price offers. The advertising value of the
same.
2. Business Methods.
U) Request to publishers that new issues be not
sent, complimentary or otherwise, to the public before
being sent to dealers. New issues as a means of
keeping in closer contact with customers.
(b) Established retailers the best means of dis-
tribution to the public. The advantage to publishers
of having a good representation of their publications
in every city.
(c) How to keep the popular music business in
music stores.
3. Trade Abuses and Their Remedies.
(a) Music senton sale, for examination, exchanged,
long-time credits, etc.
(b) The filling of dealers' orders promptly and in-
formation concerning missing items.
4. Association Work.
(a) Standing and special committees and how to
make them function.
(b) How to take the fullest advantage of trade
papers.
(c) A periodical or bulletin to be sent at intervals
to all members. The educational value of it to sales-
men. Publishers' advertisements in it.
(d) How to take the fullest advantage of the Music
Industries Chamber of Commerce and its Better Busi-
ness Bureau, Trade Service Bureau and National
Bureau for the Advancement of Music.
(e) Sheet music groups in local music associations.
Reduced railroad rates have been secured for the
convention. The certificate plan will be used, by
which a return ticket may be purchased at one-half
the regular fare.
Accommodations at the Drake Hotel and other
hotels have been reserved for members of the Music
Industries Chamber of Commerce. For information
on transportation and hotel accommodations watch
the bulletins of the Music Industries Chamber of
Commerce.
The prospects for the future of the sheet music
business are brighter than they have been for many
years. It will always be the earnest endeavor of the
National Association of Sheet Music Dealers and the
Music Industries Chamber of Commerce to exert
every effort for the advancement of the great cause
of music and the welfare of the music business.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF S H E E T
MUSIC DEALERS.
THOMAS J. DONLAN, Secretary-Treasurer.
EDWARD P. L I T T L E . President.
BILL TO AMEND FLORIDA
REPLEVIN LAW WILL NOT PASS
Senator
MacWilliams, of Judiciary Committee,
Writes Piano Men Need Not Worry.
In Presto of May 5th an article appeared in which
was told the opposition of the piano trade of Florida
to the proposed amendment to the Replevin Statute
which was before the state legislature. Under date
of May 13th, A. C. Polk of the Arcadia Book &
Music Store, of Arcadia, Florida, writes to Presto
that "after seeing your article about this bill we took
the matter up with Senator MacWilliams and we
send you his reply. The letter by Senator MacWil-
liams reads as follows:
"Gentlemen:—Replying to your esteemed favor,
the Bill you mention will not pass the legislature:
you have nothing to apprehend on that score.
"'Very truly yours,
W. A. MacWilliams."
The Bill is one that the Music Industries Chamber
of Commerce protested because it would work hard-
ship to merchants who sold on the installment plan.
EFFICIENCY ASSURED IN
MASON & HAMLIN PLANT
Removal of Company to Boston Factory Almost
Completed—Convention Plans of Company.
The Mason & Hamlin Co. is moving by slow
degrees from Cambridge to the Boston plant, which
was bought a year ago and in which alterations,
additions, etc.. have been made, bringing the plant
up to the last minute in modern efficiency. The main
factory in Cambridge is pretty well emptied, all
machinery having been removed and installed in the
new plant, leaving only two or three departments
still in operation in the main building at Cambridge.
The two Cambridge annexes are still in full operation
and will continue so and undisturbed until nearly
July 1, when final moving will have been completed.
In 1854 the Mason & Hamlin factory was located
in Boston and for twenty succeeding years. A half
century ago the company moved to Cambridge and
now returns to Boston for future time.
The annual convention dinner given by the Mason
& Hamlin Co., Boston, in honor of its representatives
will take place at the Drake Hotel, Chicago, Tuesday
evening, June 5. Henry L. Mason, vice-president of
the company, who has been on a long trip on the
Pacific Coast, is on his way East and at the present
time in Kansas City. He is expected back in Boston
in the verv near future.
BUSINESS SESSIONS
OF MUSIC MERCHANTS
Program of Convention Days in Chicago June
4 to 7 Filled with Discussions and
Addresses of Vital Interest.
The program for business sessions of the National
Association of Music Merchants during convention
June 4th-7th, inclusive, is as follows, beginning with
registrations and applications on Monday, June 4:
Tuesday, June 5.
10 a. m.—Introductory remarks by President J.
Edwin Butler, reading of secretary's report, reading
of treasurer's report and committee reports.
11 a. m.—Prize awards in Membership Campaign.
11:15 a. m.—"Trade-In" problem, by Alfred C.
Wagner, American Piano Company, New York.
Noon—Luncheon.
2 p. m.—"Directing the Public Mind Toward Music
in the Home," R. W. Lyon, secretary-manager,
American Homes Bureau, Chicago.
3 p. m.—"Music—Why?' Answered by Martha
Scott and Hull House Chorus.
Wednesday, June 6.
10 a. m.—Announcement of awards in Retail Ad-
vertising contest, Thomas H. Fletcher, chairman
special committee, Music Industries Chamber of
Commerce.
10:10 a. m.—"Advertising and Selling," Charles
E. Byrne. Steger & Sons Manufacturing Company,
Chicago.
10:30 a. m.—"Radio from a Retail Standpoint,"
J. W. Boothe, Barker Bros., Los Angeles, Cal.
11 a.-m.—Accounting for Retail Music Stores,"
Prof. Archie M. Peisch, C. P. A., Hanover, N. H.
11:30 a. m.—"Service in Selling," J. T. Lange, A. \\ r .
Shaw Company, publishers of '"System" Magazine,
Chicago.
12:15 p. m.— Luncheon.
2 p. in.—"Promotion of Music Coupled with Play-
ground and Recreation Idea," Prof. Peter W. Dy-
kenia, Playground and Recreation Association of
America, New York City. Election of officers.
6:30 p. m.—Annual Banquet of National Associa-
tion of Music Merchants.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
OF PIANO MANUFACTURERS
Names Will Be Presented at Meeting at Convention
on June Fifth.
The Nominating "Committee have presented the
following nominations to be acted upon at the meet-
ing of this Association, Tuesday, June 5th:
For Secretary, A. G. Gulbransen; for treasurer.
Charles Jacob; for Membership /Committee: George
B. Norris, Columbus Healy, G. L. Miller, Walter C.
Hepperla, John J. Clark.
CHAMBER MEETINGS.
STAPLE BUSINESS REALIZED.
There will be only two sessions of the Music
Industries Chamber of Commerce at the forthcoming
convention at the Drake Hotel, Chicago, one at 12:30
p. m. on May 6, at which will be given a luncheon
followed by the opening session of the Chamber. The
speakers at this time will be R. W. Lawrence and
George E. Roberts, president of the National City
Bank, New York, whose subject will be "Business
Conditions." The second meeting is scheduled for
Thursday afternoon, May 7. This is a meeting of
delegates^ and the election of officers for the ensuing
year, followed by the first meeting of the new board.
A staple business for 1923 anticipated by Robert
O. Foster, president of the Foster & Waldo Co.,
Minneapolis, is being realized in the big, progressive
house. One pf its most admirable phases is the call
for the finer grands and for the reproducing pianos.
The favor for the grands includes the small models
and is a natural result of the growth of taste in the
furnishing of homes. Mr. Foster does not decry the
claim of the grand piano's tone, but other features
in the grand pianos are influencing the piano cus-
tomers. "The grand of the period type is a decora-
tive part in schemes of furnishing. The grands have
dignity, grace and simplicity," says Mr. Foster.
NEW BRIDGEPORT STORE.
The Piquette Piano Company, of Bridgeport, Conn.,
last week opened a new piano store in the Hunting-
ton Piano Company building, in that city, now con-
trolled by the Sterling Company. The new company
will also carry a full line of phonographs and records.
J. I. Taylor, formerly of the Sterling Company, is
manager.
LIVE NEBRASKA HOUSE.
The general merchandise firm of Anderson & Thor-
son, Wahoo, Nebraska, is enjoying an excellent piano
trade through the activities of F. W. Anderson, who
has charge of the piano department. Mr. Anderson
is known in that section as a live wire and a real
piano man.
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/
PRESTO
May 19, 1923
tisement. I have noticed several notable business-paper advertisements of this kind
in recent months.
The American Music Trade Weekly
PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY AT 407 SOUTH DEAR-
BORN STREET, OLD COLONY BUILDING, CHICAGO, ILL.
Editors
C. A. DANIELL 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 cards 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 Year 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-,
em 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
of their value and contains a directory of their manufacturers.
Items of news and other matter of general interest to the music trades are in-
cited and when accepted will be paid for. All communications should be addressed to
Presto Publishing Co., 407 So. Dearborn Street. Chicago, III.
SATURDAY, MAY 19, 1923
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 PIANO 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.
ADVERTISING ADVERTISING
Last week's Presto contained an illustrated advertisement of the
Gulbransen'-Dickinson Co., which was a fac-simile of a page display
in the Saturday Evening" Post. Not long" ago a page similarlarly
drawing attention to the advertising of the Q R S Music Co. appeared
in this paper. And there have been other instances of the same kind
of enterprise on the part of large music industries in their publicity
departments. And this phase of publicity enterprise was recently
discussed at length by a writer in Printers' Ink, in a way which must
interest the piano trade.
The Printers' Ink contributor was Mr. John Allen Murphy. And,
while his subject did not directly apply to pianos, it perfectly fits the
methods of the industries whose display pages have appeared in
Presto for the purpose of doing just what Mr. Murphy commends as
one of the most forceful plans for announcing a manufacturer's ad-
vertising campaign. An extract from the Printers' Ink article follows:
What is the best way for a manufacturer to present his advertising plan to his
dealers? With the number of advertisers constantly growing, this is a question of
steadily increasing importance.
Most assuredly consumer advertising should be promoted to the trade in some
way. An advertising campaign is handicapped unless it receives the co-operation
of distributors. The campaign itself is not completely rounded out if it is not built
up from the trade side also.
Business-paper copy, itself, is now widely used as a means of telling dealers about
the advertiser's consumer drive. As a matter of fact, this is probably the most in-
teresting development in the subject about which I am writing. Certainly there is
no more appropriate place for a dealer announcement than in a trade-paper adver-
The point to which Mr. Murphy's article gives emphasis is that
the publicity designed to appear in the consumer medium carries the
very suggestions needed by the trade for the purpose of influencing
local sales. And, still more, that the manufacturer who invests in
costly magazine publicity presents convincing evidence of the deter-
mination to help the retailers by building reputation for his products
from which the merchants everywhere must reap the benefits.
It is what the advertising manufacturer has actually done that
counts for the retailer, and not what he promises to do. If the page
displays in the trade papers are actual reproductions from the ad-
vertisements which have appeared in the consumer mediums, of great
circulation, there is the indisputable proof that the manufacturer is
working, and investing, for the further profit of his customers in the
trade. And this seems to apply with especial emphasis to the piano
trade.
General advertising campaigns entail large investments. Not a
great many of the musical instrument industries have embarked in
it. Still fewer have found that it paid as well as the plan of direct
helps to the local dealers. But as long as the public rests great faith
in the things that are of universal renown, and buys because of sus-
picion of the unknown, pianos must be advertised whether in a general
way, designed to build interest and demand, or by the enthusiasm
of the local dealers whose publicity efforts are largely by personal
introduction.
And the large advertisers gain both influences at once, because
they attract the great public by means of the consumer mediums, and
reinforce it by showing to the dealers what they are doing for them
by means of the trade paper reproductions of the fulfilled promises
which cannot be denied.
There can be no doubting Thomas among the distributors and
salesmen who see in the trade papers the fac-similes of page displays
which have appeared broadcast in the consumer mediums. It is a
modern development of the work of the publicity agencies, and a very
large one.
THE SHOW FEATURE
The promise is for a big convention. It is certain that the "com-
mercial" end of it will exceed anything in the history of past conven-
tions. And it is interesting to note that among the piano industries
which have entered for displays are some which have heretofore
seemed apathetic in such matters. And they, in a number of in-
stances, come from the East as if in a determined effort to capture, or
regain, lost momentum in the West. It is apparent that in the ag-
gregate the display of pianos will be larger than at any of the earlier
conventions.
In this matter of exhibitions, the music convention in Chicago
will show a peculiar contrast to the famous "no-commercialism"
meeting at Detroit a good many years back. At that time, the man-
agement went so far as to cause the Pontchartrain to forbid pianos
being brought into the hotel. The campaign against displays was so
strong that only a few manufacturers disregarded it, and they had
displays at smaller hotels and private rooms.
This time the piano manufacturers have engaged every foot of
space possible at the Drake Hotel, and a number of important indus-
tries have secured rooms in other places, the Great Northern Hotel
having some prominent ones. And the two hotels are a mile distant
one from the other.
A feature of the exhibits during the Chicago convention will be
the element of novelty. There will be a number of novelties in the
way of playerpiano invention, or improvement, and some entirely
new lines of pianos will be displayed.
Two of these will be at the Great Northern, where the Jesse
French & Sons Piano Co. will have its new "Dulcitone," and the Wal-
tham Piano Co. will introduce the new "Waverly" of Milwaukee
manufacture. The Schiller Piano Co. will have its new instrument,
based upon the Bauer method of acoustics and construction, at the
Drake.
The number of player actions shown during the convention will
also give character to that branch of the industry. The Sigler action
will be at the Great Northern and the "Adapto," of the Lindenberg
Piano Co., will also offer itself to trade attention. It would necessi-
tate a re-publication of the long list of exhibitors, which recently
appeared in Presto to give any adequate idea of the extent of the
"commercialism" which will mark the June convention.
The exhibits will be instructive to the dealers, and therefore will
be a very important part of the occasion. The only possible deterrent
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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