Presto Buyers' Guide
Analyzes and Classifies
All American Pianos
and in Detail Tells of
Their Makers.
PRESTO
M A W /«M
THE AMERICAN MUSIC TRADE WEEKLY
Presto Trade Lbb
Three Uniform Book-
lets, the Only Complete
Directories of the Music
Industries.
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CHICAGO, SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 1923
WINNERS IN THE RETAIL
ADVERTISING CONTEST
First Award in Class "A" Won by The Cable Piano
Company, Chicago.
dering his selection on the centrally located Premier.
The tops of the instruments were left down, giving
the large audience present an opportunity to see nine-
teen nationally known composers playing at the
same time.
This was an aggregation of talent rarely seen in
one assemblage, and it is most significant that these
well-known composers and pianists selected the Pre-
mier for the novel musical features of the Song
Writers' Show.
The winners in the 1923 Retail Advertising Contest
for members National Association of Music Mer-
chants conducted by the Music Industries Chamber
of Commerce are as follows:
CLASS "A" (Cities Over 20,000).
First Award in Class "A"—The Cable Piano Co.,
Chicago, 111.
Honor Award in Class "A"—Sherman, Clay & Co.,
San Francisco, Cal.; Knabe Warerooms, New York Much Discussion Awakened by Proposition to Market
City; the Aeolian Co., New York City; G. A. Bar-
Instruments Bearing Old Boston Name.
low's Son Co., Trenton, N. J.; Otto Grau Piano Co.,
Cincinnati, O.; M. Steinert & Sons Co., Boston,
A short time ago E. P. Mason sent out a letter to
Mass.; Chickering Warerooms, Boston, Mass.; The the trade, telling of his plan to market a small grand
J. L. Hudson Co., Detroit, Mich.; Griffith Piano Co., piano under his name. Mason is a name so thor-
Newark, N. J.; the Meiklejohn Co., Providence, R. I. oughly associated with fine pianos, and especially
CLASS "B" (Towns Under 20,000).
with the Boston industry, that the proposition proved
First Award in Class "B"—The Tusting Piano Co., of more concern than otherwise might have been
Asbury Park, N. J.
possible.
No honor awards in Class "B."
It has been said that one of the trade papers
promptly criticised Mr. Mason for presenting the
plan of a piano to bear the name of Mason and threat-
ened to devote discussion to the ethics of such a
movement. The instrument was said to issue from
one of the most exemplary industries of the East—
and the conduct of which is in itself a guarantee of
correct principles and reliable products.
One of the Week's Most Pleasureable Events
But, as a matter of fact, no arrangements have
been made for the production of such instruments
Brought Forth Compliments for Chicago.
as have been discussed, so that any speculation, so
At the last of the "Get-together" luncheons, far as any particular industry is at this time con-
Thursday, which was "Eastern Day," Jas. T. Bristol cerned, is entirely out of order.
named the newly elected president of the Piano Man-
ufacturers' Association, Mark P. Campbell, chair-
man of the day. He called on J. W. Stevens, of the
SOME EFFECTS OF THE SHOW.
Mathusek Piano Co., who gave an interesting talk.
And now that the meeting is ended
Mr. Stevens was president of the New York Piano
And all the excitement is done,
Club and is an ex-mayor of Mt. Vernon, N. Y.
There's no one can feel he's offended
R. VV. Lawrence gave a good talk. He spoke of
Because the big Show Sale's begun;
the hearty welcome given by the Chicago people and
"This beautiful Grand we are selling
said that the city by the "unsalted sea" would ever
At a price that is terribly low
have a warm spot in the hearts of the Easterners.
Because"—so the salesmen are telling—
Mr. Lawrence closed with a reference to Chicago
"We had it on show at the Show!"
which aroused enthusiasm by the saying that the city
is "at the heart of the greatest country of the world."
The ads in the papers are shouting
At the table were these "Easterners": Col. E. P.
Some news that must make people glad,
Payson, Mark P. Campbell, Charles Jacob, "Jack"
In language that few can be doubting,
Bliss, J. W. Stevens, R. W. Lawrence, C. A. Errics-
And surely can make no one sad;
son. A. W. Perry, Albert Jacob, G. W. Pound, Albert
They're naming such terms and low prices
Behning and E. P. Bogart.
As give competition a blow,
A beautiful American flag was raised on the speak-
And cutting from profits big slices
ers' table, the gift from the New York Piano Manu-
On instruments shown at the Show.
facturers' Association to the Piano Club of Chicago.
References in speeches, and talks at the tables, as to
this year being the greatest so far of the conventions
Why marvel that one week of seeing
received with the affirmative applause, and the event
Should have such a bargain effect
was voted one of the delights of a delightful week.
On instruments all are agreeing
Are fine as the best could expect?
But then 'tis a general blessing
That no one would care to forego,
And prospects may give up all guessing
And buy what was shown at the Show.
E. P. MASON'S PLANS FOR
NEW SMALL GRAND PIANOS
THURSDAY'S "GET=TOGETHER"
LUNCHEON OF EASTERNERS
PREMIER GRAND WAS STAR
AT THE SONG WRITERS' SHOW
Unique Event in New York Gave Prominence to the
Famous Little Instrument.
The Premier baby grand, manufactured by the
Premier Grand Piano Corporation, 510-532 West 23rd
street, New York, was a prominent feature of the
recent Song Writers' Show, held at the Century
Theater, New York City. The song writers of big
musical hits—such well known composers as Victor
Herbert, George M. Cohan, Irving Berlin, Albert Von
Tilzer and a score of others almost equally as well
known were introduced one by one at this show, and
played on the Premier baby grand, which was in the
center of the stage surrounded by nine other Premier
small grands.
Each individual composer played one of his famous
compositions on the Premier in the center of the
stage, while at every one of the nine other Premier
baby grands two prominent song writers were seated
who played simultaneously with the composer, ren-
NEW OAKLAND STORE.
The new Oakland store of the Wiley B. Allen Co.,
San Francisco, was formally opened recently, the
event being one to draw branch managers from many
points. E. P. Tucker and J. H. Cooley, managers,
respectively, of the Los Angeles and San Diego
branch stores of the Wiley B. Allen Co., were present.
This new establishment is considered one of the very
finest on the Pacific Coast, and the manager, Arthur
B. Laurilliard, was highly complimented for his
efforts.
CHANGE IN HARRISON, ARK.
The Martin Bros. Piano Co. of Springfield, Mo.,
has succeeded the Arkansas M'usic Co. of Harrison,
Ark., with a branch house of its own name and with
Vance R. Holt as manager. In addition to pianos
and players a line of Edison phonographs and records
is carried.
PIANO MERCHANTS' DINNER
BRILLIANT AFFAIR
Largest Gathering in History of Social Func-
tions of the Music Trade Was at Drake
Wednesday Night.
The annual banquet of the National Association of
Music Merchants, held at the Drake Hotel Wednes-
day evening, was a colorful and interesting event,
and perhaps the largest dinner ever held by the
organization. Beautiful music and beautiful women,
splendid speeches and fine food, all contributed to
create an event that will be long remembered by
thos.e fortunate enough to be present.
During the banquet, which was presided over by
J. Edwin Butler, band music of a very high char-
acter was supplied and there was hot a hitch in the
plans which had been perfected by the entertainment
committee. First on the list of special entertainers
was Colin O'Moore, singing a group of delightful
Irish songs which were warmly received. Prof.
Peter W. Dykema, from the University of Wiscon-
sin, led the big assemblage in the singing of "Amer-
ica"; a short intermission and Claire Dux, prominent
concert and operatic soprano appeared, singing a
number of opera arias and concert songs in her usual
splendid manner.
Cyrena Van Gordon, prima-donna contralto of the
Chicago Civic Opera Company, next sang two opera
arias, and was insistently recalled, finally responding
with two shorter songs. Miss Van Gordon's lovely
voice was the cause of considerable favorable com-
ment, and later she was much in evidence on the
ball-room floor. It is refreshing to see a singer of
such prominence as Miss Van Gordon who is so
democratically American and "human" as to mingle
with a crowd on the ball-room floor.
Following the singing of Miss Van Gordon, Mr.
Butler introduced the president for the coming year,
Robt. N. Watkin. The guest of the evening, Hon.
James Hamilton Lewis, was next presented. Begin-
ning in a half-humorous vein, Mr. Lewis soon de-
veloped his speech into an earnest plea for better
Americanism, bringing home his points in his cus-
tomary forceful manner. Just before Dick Bradley,
the "merchant tailor of Peoria," interrupted the
ceremonies with a speech that made everyone's
funny-bone ache. Col. F. H. B. Hollenberg, in a
short and gracious speech, presented the retiring
president, Mr. Butler, with a beautiful gold emblem,
as a sign of the esteem in which the Association
holds the retiring president's work. As a sample
of the ready Irish wit which characterized Mr. Brad-
ley's talk, he said that there are only two Irishmen
who have ever attained any prominence on the opera
stage—John McCormick and Al McGluck.
Dancing in the ball-room followed, with music by
Frank Westphal and his Rainbo Garden Orchestra,
and this continued into the wee sma' hours.
It was estimated by veteran piano men present that
the Wednesday night banquet was the largest in num-
bers of any since the merchants' association was or-
ganized. There were 160 tables, each seating ten
guests, and practically all were occupied to capacity.
There were brilliant flashes of oratory, and the music
sparkled to the close of an evening's enjoyment, the
memory of which will linger in the memories of
everyone who was present to see the close of the
most notable convention that the combined associa-
tion of the music trades has ever known.
The following letter from President Harding, in
reply to an invitation to the banquet of the National
Association of Music Merchants, was read by Presi-
dent Butler:
"I have received, and regret my inability to accept,
your invitation to the Annual Banquet of the National
Association of Music Merchants at Chicago June
sixth. In- extending my good wishes to the business
community of music, I cannot refrain from renewing
the expression of my hope, long entertained, that
every interest devoted to, and concerned in music,
may find reason to encourage the elevation of com-
munity standards in music, and of constantly better
appreciation of it. It is difficult to conceive a greater
service which an organization such as your own could
do, either to the community of culture or to its own
membership.
"Sincerely yours,
(Signed) "WARREN G. HARDING."
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