Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1923 1938

PRESTO
September 15, 1923
the Anglo-London-Paris National Bank; C. B. Las-
treto, president of Lastreto & Co., importers and ex-
porters; Frederic Sherman, vice-president of Sher-
man, Clay & Co.; George F. Dedrick, president of the
Sacramento Northern R. R. Co.; L. P. Grunbaum,
Popular Piano Man and Salesman Will Call on East- formerly connected with the American Photo Player
Co., and Louis L. Brownstone, attorney, all of San Sterling and Dependable Character of St.
ern Trade for Milwaukee Industry.
Francisco, and Benjamin Platt, the Los Angeles
Louis Piano Man Extolled in Letter From
Gust. Ad. Anderson, one of the most popular of the music dealer.
William L. Bush of Dallas.
piano salesmen on the road, has joined the forces of
Following the appointment of directors the follow-
the Waltham Piano Company and will act as general ing officers were elected: President, George F. Ded-
traveler in the eastern territory. He is already in the rick; vice-president, Benjamin Platt, treasurer; Fred
FOUNDED FINE BUSINESS
field and making good connections for the Milwaukee
C. Ouer, secretary, and general manager, James A. G.
industry.
Schiller. Mr. Schiller, who has managed the Ameri-
Few piano men can boast of so many friends in
can Photo Player business of Sherman, Clay & Co. Erection of Kleekamp Building Important Event in
the trade as Mr. Anderson. He has been calling
since the beginning, will sell the product of the new
Succession of Big Achievements.
upon the principal dealers for a good many years and
company on the Pacific Coast.
his practical knowledge of piano-making enables him
John Kleekamp, formerly head of the Kleekamp
Bros. Piano Company, St. Louis, died last week. The
business was founded by John Kleekamp, his brother
Edward and sister Minnie about thirty years ago, in
a store facing Lafayette Park. The company was
among the sufferers in the dreadful cyclone which
devastated the city in the late nineties.
Polzin Music Company Occupies Larger and Better
Five years ago Edward retired and went to Cali-
Quarters at 4409 North Avenue.
fornia to live, leaving sole ownership' of the business
_. The Polzin Music Co. moved this week from 2904
to John Kleekamp and his sister. About a year ago
Lisbon avenue, Milwaukee, Wis., to larger and better
they sold their interests and retired.
located quarters at 4409 North avenue. The Poole
A warm tribute to John Kleekamp is contained in
piano is ably featured by the company, which has
letter frdm Dallas, Tex., dated September 6 from W.
built up a big business in that section for the pianos
L. Bush Piano Co., of Texas, in which Mr. Bush
and players of the Poole Piano Co., Boston.
says:
"I have just received a great shock from a tele-
Harry Polzin, the owner and manager of the busi-
graphic notice of the death of John Kleekamp, the
ness, is an ardent admirer of the Poole pianos, and
when he speaks about them to the customer he dis- well-known head of the house of Kleekamp Music
Company, St. Louis. For thirty years I have had
cusses them from the viewpoint of a tuner and prac-
close personal friendship and business relationship
tical piano factory man. He has spent intere'sting
with John Kleekamp and remember when he and his
years in building pianos, busy years tuning them and
recently hopeful years in selling good ones in order brother and sister first opened up the music parlors
in their home facing Lafayette Park in St. Louis, and
to build up a permanent trade.
Mr. Polzin backs the Poole piano with all the en- also recall their first misfortune and calamity during
thusiasm of his experience. He tells his customers the awful cyclone that struck the city of St. Louis
that the Poole piano is "durable, musical, desirable back in the late 1890s.
"From that beginning, which was founded upon an
and thoroughly reliable," and in his character of prac-
tical piano builder he tells them the reasons for his experience and practical knowledge of piano con-
struction and several years spent in tuning and re-
beliefs.
GUST. AD. ANDERSON.
pair work, backed up by a liberal extension of credit
on the part of our company, which was never abused
to be of very special usefulness in the selection of
and always regarded as one of the best accounts on
suitable instruments, and in suggesting methods of
our books, the first year's business amounting prob-
business. For Mr. Anderson is not only a salesman
ably to $25,000 or $30,000. The progress continued
but an observer who is never without the latest de-
and the growth was steady and substantial until 1910
tails of factory, wholesale and even the retail angles
Prominent Indiana Dealer and Late President of Na- with a record of success that enabled the Kleekamp
of the business.
Brothers to erect the Kleekamp building in St. Louis
tional Association Shows His Artistic Abilities.
With a good line to sell, and a reliable industry be-
with studios and music halls and stores on the ground
hind him, Mr. Anderson's work will be of the kind to
A notable window display of the Brambach Baby floor.
interest the trade wherever he may go.
"The selection of location was fortunate both in
Grand was recently produced by the Butler Music
Co., Brambach dealers in Marion, Ind. The window regard to bringing about an increase of business and
was a striking example of the effectiveness of re- a decided appreciation of real estate values, and there
strained, rich simplicity. No adornment was per- was not a music house or an organization that en-
mitted to distract attention from the central feature joyed better credit and such a substantial and de-
of the display, the piano, yet the window seemed to pendable and profitable volume of business in what
be richly adorned. The piano and the name Bram- was considered an outlying neighborhood store. The
Manufacture of Robert Morton Organs Also to Be
bach are framed in a circle of light, which is intensi- backbone of this institution was John Kleekamp, ably
Continued by Photo Player Co., San Francisco.
fied by the rich black draperies and dark ferns on assisted by his brother Ed and his sister Minnie, who
continued the business until they sold out and retired
each
side.
The Photo Player Co. is a new organization formed
about a year ago.
The
window
was
arranged
by
Edwin
Butler,
head
to take over the interests of the American Photo
"John Kleekamp was a sterling, dependable man of
Player Co., San Francisco, recently reported in finan- of the firm and late president of the National Asso- integrity and character, who was always a credit to
ciation
of
Music
Merchants,
who
evidently
feels
that
cial trouble. At a meeting of the new company last
the Brambach Baby Grand amply repays extensive our trade and for whom I have maintained the warm-
week steps were taken to operate the factories and
est measure of friendship and esteem and cannot re-
exploitation.
conduct business generally in the interests of the
frain from expressing through the volumns of your
creditors. The concern has been incorporated with
excellent paper these words of tribute to the memory
a capital of $600,000.
Geo. B. Dow, Englewood, 111., announces that until of a man, with whom I was so exceptionally well ac-
At the recent meeting the following board of direc- his new music store is completed he has taken offices quainted and with whose business life and social life
tors was named. Fred C. Ouer, assistant cashier of
in the Cozy Music Shop at 359 W. 63rd street.
I had so frequently come in contact."
JOHN KLEEKAMP'S DEATH
EVOKES WARM TRIBUTE
GUST. AD. ANDERSON JOINS
WALTHAM TRAVELING STAFF
ACTIVE POOLE DEALER
MOVES IN MILWAUKEE
EDWIN BUTLER DESIGNS
NOTABLE WINDOW DISPLAY
NEW COMPANY ORGANIZED
TO MAKE FOTOPLAYERS
BRINGS PIANO and PROSPECT TOGETHER
All Sales Plans, Schemes, Aids, Etc., simmer down in their last analysis to one essential thing,—that is to bring
the prospect and piano together.
That's just what the BOWEN LOADER does, with all frills left off.
Price, including set of relief springs for reinforcing the Ford Spring, and a special moving cover, $110.00.
BOWEN PIANO LOADER CO.,
Winston-Salem, N. C.
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
September IS, 1923
CHRISTMAN
Reproducing Grand
ANNUAL SURVEY OF
MUSIC CONDITIONS
Music Industries Chamber of Commerce in
Report Indicates Probable Shortage of
Pianos Late This Fall Greater Than
That Experienced Last Fall.
A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
Piano and Phonograph Manufacturers Provide In-
formation in Response to Widely Distributed
Questionnaire Covering All Phases of Trade.
Equipped with the
Action
The most famous of all Electrically
operated reproducing Grands, exempli-
fying the highest achievement in the
piano maker's Art.
Its touch, tone, and artistic qualities
are superlative and will surely appeal
to the true Musician, claims which can
be verified by a personal trial.
CHRISTMAN
Studio Grand
Only 5 Feet Long
It was the CHRISTMAN GRAND that
first demonstrated the truth that size has
nothing to do with the depth and resonance
of a Grand Piano's tone.
Built with a careful eye to the exacting
requirements of the space at the command
of city dwellers and owners of small houses,
the CHRISTMAN GRAND combines every
essential that wins for the grand piano first
consideration in the mind of the artist.
HEARING IS BELIEVING
It lacks nothing save bulk, and in this
saving of valuable space, it places within
reach of every true musician, however lim-
ited his room, an instrument that measures
up to the most exacting requirements as to
range, richness and tonal qualities.
The First Touch
Tells"
Reg. U. S. Pat. Off.
Christman Piano Co.
597 East 137th St.
New York
The second annual survey of business conditions
which has just been conducted and made available
for publication by the Music Industries Chamber of
Commerce, indicates a probable shortage of pianos in
the late fall equal to, if not greater than that of last
year. In the phonograph field a marked improve-
ment in sales as compared with last year is expected.
The information on which the Chamber's report is
based was secured by means of questionnaires sent
by it to all members of the National Piano Manufac-
turers' Association and the National Association of
Music Merchants. The questionnaires were sent out
about August 1.
The complete report which has just been issued
by the Chamber reads as follows:
The Report.
If retail business generally is as good this fall as
fundamental business conditions indicate, and if the
retail music business proves to be as anticipated by
music merchants in their own localities, it appears in-
evitable that there will be nearly as great, if not a
somewhat greater shortage of pianos about the
month of November than there was last year. In the
phonograph field, moreover, the improvement in sales
should be particularly marked, as compared with a
year ago.
A study of the reports received in answer to ques-
tionnaires sent by the Music Industries Chamber of
Commerce to music merchants and piano manufac-
turers all over the country discloses a number of im-
portant facts.
An Analysis.
In general, unfilled orders of piano manufacturers
for delivery prior to the holidays are heavier than
last year by 25 per cent or a little less. In excep-
tional cases only, as is shown by a detailed study of
the returns, are unfilled orders smaller than last year.
Production plans generally call for at least 25 per cent
heavier shipments this year than last. It is particu-
larly noticeable that there are comparatively few
manufacturers who are not making plans for in-
creased production to some extent as compared with
this period last year.
Compared to last summer, the business of the past
few months has been very satisfactory, according to
the manufacturers of pianos. Shipments during June
and July were 50 per cent heavier than last year,
roughly speaking, and the replies to the question-
naires in this respect are corroborated by other
sources of information available to the Chamber.
Those plants which have shipped fewer pianos this
summer than last year have for the most part been
working under exceptional conditions, as for instance
in one case, where changes were being made in the
plant. It is likewise apparent that production during
the summer would have been heavier in a large num-
ber of plants if it had not been for a shortage of
labor.
Inventories Satisfactory.
Inventories of completed goods still in the plants
of manufacturers are generally somewhat smaller
than at this time last year. Apparently the industry
increased production during the summer without
piling up inventories of finished goods. It is inter-
esting to note that in a number of cases where there
has been an increase in inventory over last year, the
manufacturer has likewise enjoyed heavier ship-
ments to merchants than last year, and the increase
in inventory has been due to deliberate stocking up
in anticipation of a fall shortage of pianos. In the
retail end of the business, the decrease in inventories
of repossessed pianos is a sign of a much more heal-
thy condition than that which prevailed last year.
The Retail Returns.
The returns from the music merchants show only
slight increases in inventories of new pianos, in spite
of the substantially heavier purchases made during
the summer. In this connection is is to be remem-
bered that at this time last year merchants had for
the most part been successful in liquidating the
heavy inventories on hand at the beginning of the
business depression. The present satisfactory condi-
tion reflects the greatly improved retail business con-
ditions which have prevailed during the past few
months as compared with the same period during re-
cent years. The present state of piano inventories of
merchants is readily understood in view of the fact
that retail sales generally during the summer have
been at least 25 per cent heavier than last year. It
is also gratifying to note that this improved business
has been shared by practically all the merchants, as
is shown by the fact that over two-thirds of them
increased their piano sales during the summer, and
of those who reported no increase more than two-
thirds managed to keep them about the same as last
year.
Comparative Figures.
Merchants have placed orders for an even smaller
percentage of anticipated requirements for pianos
than at this time last year. Over a third have not
ordered any of their anticipated requirements yet, and
less than half have ordered over 25 per cent of their
anticipated requirements.
With respect to phonographs, a far healthier coiir
dition is shown to exist than last year. Retail stocks
are generally considerably smaller and there has ap-
parently been a healthy liquidation of stocks during
the year. This also applies to inventories of re-
possessed phonographs. The failure of merchants to
anticipate their fall and holiday requirements of pho-
nographs is even more noticeable than in the case of
pianos. Nearly half the merchants have not yet
placed orders for any of their holiday requirements,
which is even more than at this time last year when
merchants were not particularly optimistic about fall
and holiday business in phonographs.
Something to Study.
In order that any one interested in business condi-
tions in the music industry may study the replies to
the questionnaire and come to his own decision in
the matter, the following analysis is presented:
Replies of piano manufacturers on orders for pre-
holiday delivery compared with last year: Over
50 per cent increase, 8 per cent; 25 to 50 percent in-
crease, 20 per cent; up to 25 per cent increase, 36 per
cent. About the same, 28 per cent. Up to 25 per
cent decrease, 25 to 50 per cent decrease, and over
50 per cent decrease, 8 per cent.
Manufacturing plans for 1923 compared with last
year: Over 50 per cent increase, 5 per cent; 25 to
50 per cent increase, 31 per cent; up to 25 per cent
increase, 42 per cent; about the same, 11 per cent; up
to 25 per cent decrease, 8 per cent; 25 to 50 per cent
decrease, 3 per cent; over 50 per cent decrease, 10
per cent.
Shipments since June first compared with last
year: Over 50 per cent increase, 22 per cent; 25 to
50 per cent increase, 15 per cent; up to 25 per cent
increase, 31 per cent; about the same, 13 per cent;
up to 25 per cent decrease, 11 per cent; 25 to 50 per
cent decrease, 8 per cent; over 50 per cent, decrease.
Inventory Figures.
Inventory of unsold pianos compared with last
year: Over 50 per cent increase, 3 per cent; 25 to 50
per cent increase, 10 per cent; up to 25 per cent in-
crease, 18 per cent; about the same, 31 per cent; up
to 25 per cent decrease, 8 per cent; 25 to 50 per cent
decrease, 20 per cent; over 50 per cent decrease, 10
per cent.
Figures From Retailers.
The replies from the retail music merchants con-
veyed in the questionnaires returned were as follows:
Inventory of new pianos compared with last year:
Over 50 per cent increase, 7 per cent; 25 to 50 per
cent increase, 11 per cent; up to 25 per cent increase,
27 per cent; about the same, 40 per cent; up to 25
per cent decrease, 11 per cent; 25 to 50 per cent de-
crease, 4 per cent; over 50 per cent decrease,
Inventory of new phonographs compared with last
year: Over 50 per cent increase, 3 per cent; 25 to
50 per cent increase, 9 per cent; up to 25 per cent in-
crease, 16 per cent; about the same, 32 per cent; up
to 25 per cent decrease, 23 per cent; 25 to 50 per
cent decrease, 12 per cent; over 50 per cent decrease,
5 per cent.
Repossession Figures.
Stock of repossessed pianos compared with last
year: Over 50 per cent increase, no returns; 25 to
50 per cent increase, 2 per cent; up to 25 per cent in-
crease, 11 per cent; about the same, 37 per cent; up
to 25 per cent decrease, 18 per cent; 25 to 50 per
cent decrease, 14 per cent; over 50 per cent decrease,
18 per cent.
Stock of repossessed phonographs compared with
last year: Over 50 per cent increase, 1 per cent; 25
to 50 per cent increase, 1 per cent; up to 25 per cent
increase, 6 per cent; about the same, 37 per cent; up
to 25 per cent decrease, 20 per cent; 25 to 50 per cent
decrease, 9 per cent; over 50 per cent decrease, 26
per cent.
Percentage of additional requirements up to Janu-
ary 1, 1924, for which orders have been placed—(a)
(Continued on Page 10.)
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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