Presto

Issue: 1923 1939

PRESTO
September 22, 1923
A HOST OF INTERESTED
STARR PIANO CO. GUESTS
EXPERIENCES IN SOUTH AMERICA
H. C. Niles, Pittsburgh Distributor of the
Products of Big Industry at Richmond,
Ind., Heads Enthusiastic Delegation.
Piano Manufacturer from the Land of Uncle Sam Tells of What He Saw
in Uruguay and Brazil, with a Visit to the Expo=
sition at Rio de Janeiro.
AN INSTRUCTIVE DAY
Some of the Wonder-Scenes of Mountain Ranges and Undulating Plains,
with a Trip by Eirie Cable to Lofty Heights.
Visitors Inspect Factory Processes, View the Beauti-
ful "Quaker City" and Attend Evening Barbecue.
By JESSE FRENCH
Ideal weather, together with the high spirits and
enthusiasm of the visitors, made the trip of the dele-
gation of dealers headed by H. C. Niles of the Starr
Phonograph Company, Pittsburgh, to the factories
of the Starr Piano Company, in Richmond, Ind., a
most happy occasion on Tuesday of last week. H. C.
Niles, formerly advertising manager of the Starr
Piano Company, is distributor of that organization's
products for Pennsylvania, West Virginia and East-
ern Ohio. The trip w r as the occasion for a general
inspection of the great Starr factories and its prod-
ucts. Visitors from the company's Chicago, Indian-
apolis, Cincinnati and Richmond branches, with deal-
ers, were also in attendance.
The day started with a breakfast at the Arlington
Hotel, followed by a thorough trip through the Starr
factories, where every department was visited and all
operations of production observed. All visitors, offi-
cers of the company, heads of departments and fac-
tory foremen wore badges bearing their names and
information as to company connections, which added
greatly to the get-together spirit.
At noon a lunch was served, buffet style, in the
phonograph inspection department. At the end of
this room, amid fall decorations, were exhibited Starr
pianos, Starr phonographs, and the latest Gennett
records, which were admired and created much inter-
est. The styles were demonstrated continuously
throughout the day.
Late in the afternoon phonograph records were
made by the party at the factory recording room, a
feature which was enjoyed on account of its novelty.
The visitors motored, at the close of the day, to
the farm of the Starr Piano Company, west of Rich-
mond, where a barbecue of beef, lamb, pork and all
the trimmings, occupied their attention until train
time. Among the guests of the company were:
A. O. Lechner, Lechner & Schoenberger, Pitts-
burgh; Win. Cooper, Cooper Bros., New Kensington,
Pa.; R. E. Stone, R. E. Stone Co., McKeesport, Pa.;
H. C. Millemen, Millemen Piano Company, Elwood
City, Pa.; John Cooper, Cooper Bros., New Kensing-
ton, Pa.; Paul Mechling, Dawson Bros. Piano Co.,
Pittsburgh; R. R. Myers, Spear & Co., Pittsburgh;
C. W. Books, Pioneer Music Co., Indiana, Pa.; I. D.
Walker, Faller Bros. Furn. Store, Donora, Pa.; J. W.
Gonaware, Latrobe, Pa.; Ira D. Menoher, Ligonier,
Pa.; F. A. Faller, Faller Bros. Furn. Stores, Wil-
merding, Turtle Creek and Donora, Pa.; H. C. Niles,
Starr Phonograph Co., Pittsburgh; Oscar Decoster,
Decoster Bros., Jeanette, Pa.; B. S. Lyde, Spear &
Co., Pittsburgh; L. C. Milheim, Butler, Pa.; Richard
Winter, Robert Winter Music Co., Irwin, Pa.
The Indianapolis visitors were: H. G. Hook, A. J.
Apple, Russell Dierdorf, Mrs. Ruth Troup, Miss
Johanna Gilday, all of the Indianapolis Starr store;
also W. G. Wilson, VVidener Grafanola Shop; Minnie
As this is a city of 2,000,000 inhabitants, and is
the commercial metropolis of South America, we
stayed here about two weeks, sight seeing, and felt
well repaid. Any person not having seen New York
harbor would be most apt to say that there is nothing
to surpass Buenos Aires, as it is lined up for miles
with vessels from all parts of the globe. In some
places the shipping vessels were so thick you won-
dered how the vessels could get in, unload and get out
again. Everything was congested. The govern-
ment, however, is building a new dock, to cost many
millions, which, when completed, will equal if not
out rival, the capacity of our own boasted metropolis.
For at Buenos Aires they have room to expand.
I have seen nothing to surpass the beautiful boule-
vard drive at Palermo Park, liberally decorated by
costly monuments and beautiful statues, beautiful
shade trees and magnificent buildings. In my opinion
its opera house scarcely equals the one in Paris,
though it is said to be the second largest in the
world. On the second floor is a large room, said to
be a replica of the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, and
as in most Latin countries, the opera is well attended
and is supported by the municipalities.
Cemetary and Zoo.
In the United States we boast of our beautiful
cemeteries, magnificent trees, exquisite floral decora-
tions, etc., which I much prefer to those in the Ar-
gentine pity, which are so different and serve to
adorn what is really "a city of the dead."
The Recoletta cemetery presents a marvelous dis-
play of wealth and respect for the departed. Won-
derful mausoleums stretching immediately alongside
of each other, forming impressive rows fronting nar-
row streets, about twenty-five feet wide, running at
right angles. The visitor may readily get lost in the
labyrinths of tombs and statuary, while contemplat-
ing the wonderful display of wealth and art combined
to commemorate the virtues of the deceased. It cer-
tainly has few equals and no superiors. The one at
Lima, Peru, is of a similar character, but not on
Springer, Taylor Carpet Company; D. H. Craft, D. H.
Craft Co.; I. Seidel, Seidel Music Co.
The Chicago visitors were: William P. Krause;
Walter Melrose, music publisher; C. H. Buell,
Remick's department in Hillman's; S. J. Jein, Water-
son, Berlin & Snyder; Mr. Conover, Starr branch;
F. D. Wiggins, manager Chicago Starr branch.
From the Richmond retail store were: W. P.
Benner, manager; F. C. Templin. These were also
present: J. M. Wallace, Jr., of Wallace Music Com-
pany, Marion, Indiana; G. W. Duckwell, Palace De-
partment Store Co., Greenville, Ohio; E. I. Pauling,
manager Cincinnati Starr branch.
such a grand scale.
but as for me—
This may suit the people here,
"When my life's work here is done
And I sink to rest as the setting sun
Lay me down gently by the side
Of some flowing brook or ebbing tide.
And let their gentle murmurings be
The requiem to my memory."
Of course we visited the Zoological Gardens and
other points of interest. Through a favorable intro-
duction to public officials, we were furnished with a
launch and a guide, who took us all through the Emi-
grant station, an immense building, immaculately
clean, where every care and consideration was given
to the inmates. Then we sailed all around the harbor
and saw where the new harbor was to be, and far
beyond, extending some miles up the Platt river.
Sports and Mardi Gras.
Next day we took a launch and sailed around on
the deltas of the Platt. This was charming, as there
were many beautiful, narrow streams filled with
small pleasure boats and others bearing tropical fruits
from the jungles to the city market. To vary the
scene, there were many men in sculls racing and
practicing for the regattas. It was altogether a most
delightful trip. There is also a wonderful race track
here, and the jockey club is one of the richest and
largest, and the people generally are fond of the
sport. All the big races are held on Sunday.
We were fortunate to be here at the close of the
grand Mardi Gras Carnival. I had witnessed t h e
gala events in New Orleans, but I do not think they
equaled the one here. All along the line of parade the
city was ablaze with lights and magnificent electrical
displays. Everybody seemed to be in a jolly good
humor. Tons of confetti were thrown from the
carriages to bystanders, who repaid the senders with
interest. This festive scene was closed by a grand
ball. There was no disorder of any kind, and the
event was said to be the most orderly of all previous
demonstrations.
Best Governed Country.
On the evening of March 1st we left Buenos Aires
for Montevideo, capital of Uruguay, on steamer
"Cuidad," arriving in that city at 7 o'clock next morn-
ing. I fear I would weary my readers with a de-
tailed account of this lovely place. Here we met
again our good friend, Mr. Morgan, formerly of
Texas.
He was president of the American Club,
which gave him quite an ovation on his return. He
acknowledged the compliment in fine style, and
closed by saying he had met some fine travelers on
his return, among whom was "a live wire from New
Castle, Indiana, U. S. A." He added that he knew
the club would be glad to hear his "guest," etc. At
THE LOADER A GREAT HELP TO SALESMEN
"Normalcy" in the piano business will return when prices are reduced, when we have good crops or prospects of good crops, and
when Salesmen, (The men who actually sell the piano to the user), get to work.
The Bowen Loader will greatly aid any energetic salesman. F o r Country work there's nothing like it,—for City work it's a help.
$110.00 for the Loader complete, including springs and cover.
Shipped on approval to responsible dealers.
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 22, 1923
CHRISTMAN
Reproducing Grand
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"
Re K . U S. Pat
Off.
Christman Piano Co.
597 East 137th St.
New York
this moment I yearned to be a Chauncey Depew, that
I might respond in a manner worthy the occasion
and introduction.
I, however, did the best I knew how and tried to
inspire the young men, so far from home, to remem-
ber their loved ones in America, who were watching
with pride their progress in that far-away country,
from which they would some day return, not as the
"prodigal son," but as well-rounded men of character
and experience, reminding them that, in striving to
do the best he can,
"The youth develops into the man,
And thus unfolds his immortal powers
Like buds when blossomed into flowers."
I learned that Uruguay was the best governed
nation of South America—less in debt and with
money of greater value.
Santos and San Paulos.
We left Montevideo on March 3rd on the palatial
steamer "Almanzora," with five decks and elevators,
for Santos, the nearest port for San Paulos, the great
coffee center of Brazil. The 4th being Sunday, church
services were held, conducted by the captain, from
Episcopalian prayerbook, as is usual on all British
vessels. We had a most delightful trip, arriving at
Santos at 9:15 a. m. March 6th.
This is quite a lively place; houses well kept, with
plenty of flowers. The water front is lined with
coffee warehouses and two-wheeled wagons, drawn
by small but well fed and groomed mules with ex-
pensive harness, many of them with bells on their
collars—all indicative of wealthy ownership. The
city streets are narrow, but outside there were some
fine residences and beautiful drives and lovely
scenery.
At 2 p. m. we took the train for San Paulos, in the
uplands. This is one of the best railroads I have
seen anywhere—part rail and part cable. No money,
it seems, had been spared to make it thoroughly safe,
and at places up the mountainside where there was a
possibility of a slide it was carefully built up the
sides for some distance with smooth-faced granite,
and the beds of mountain streamlets were all lined
with masonry. The scenery along the line is cer-
tainly grand all the way, reaching an elevation of
twenty-five hundred feet.
Chicago of South America.
This is also a lovely and prosperous city, spoken
of by many as the Chicago of South America, owing
to its rapid growth and wealth. This is the center
of the coffee industry, a great source of wealth. It
is also quite a manufacturing center.
Unlike Chicago, however, San Paulos is quite a
health resort, and is a much better climate than the
lowlands.
Like most Latin cities, the streets are
narrow and business somewhat congested; so much
so that on one or two of the main thoroughfares after
4 o'clock all vehicles are forbidden and the street is
lined with pedestrians, reminding one of the busy
scenes in some of our large cities around the Ex-
changes.
There are many magnificent private residences,
beautiful boulevards, public parks, adorned with
statues, flowers, shade trees, etc., all of which indi-
cated a love of the beautiful, and many of the public
buildings would be a credit to any city. They boast
of a snake farm, the only one extant except at Cal-
cutta. Here they have a school for students, hospital
for patients who have been bitten, and a stable for
horses used in experimenting. Extensive laboratories
and museums are situated ten miles from the city.
All this was interesting and instructive, but, as I
never liked snakes, I fear I could not do them justice.
I would not malign even a reptile, but it seems the
scientists are finding out something good in them, if
only to save us from their harmful bites.
Wonderful City of Rio.
While we were charmed with San Paulos we had to
move on. So on the morning of March 8th we left
for Rio de Janeiro.
The descent from these uplands was truly varied
and beautiful, passing many coffee plantations. In
vacant fields we saw many ant hills two to four feet
high. The cattle seen had long horns, and we saw
some white cows with humps on their shoulders, like
the sacred cows of India; passed some orange groves,
but few fine residences, the country being very hilly
and sparsely settled. But the scenery was lovely.
On approaching Rio the scene was similar to Switzer-
land without its beautiful lakes and charming villages
nestled on the hillsides and valleys.
I would advise my friends going to Rio not to
miss this beautiful trip to San Paulos. After a day's
most delightful ride we reached Rio at 6:45 p. m.,
and rejoined our party at the Palace Hotel in first
class condition for a good night's'rest.
So much has been written of Rio that I hesitate
to enlarge upon it. I have seen many large and
beautiful cities, but to me the setting of Rio, nestled
at the foot of the mountains, fronting the ocean, with
numerous islands and a fine harbor, with vessels
from all parts of the world, is the most lovely I have
ever seen.
(To be continued.)
THE. LARGEST LETTER
EVER IN THE MAILS
Mammoth Communication on Big Subject
Sent Out by Cable-Nelson
Piano Co.
Have you received a letter, typed in regulation
style, on paper 19 inches by 24? If you haven't you
have been overlooked. A good many dealers have
received it and wondered if novelty in the piano in-
dustry has no end. They probably also thought that
it was about the right size, considering that it came
from a very large piano industry.
The letter was sent out by the Cable-Nelson Piano
Co., of Chicago. It carried the regular letter-head
of that company, but enlarged to fit the mammoth
sheet, and it bore the facsimile signature of President
T. L. Powell. Here is the way the giant letter reads,
under date of September 1st:
To the Music Merchant Who Is Not in Business for
Fun Alone:
Maybe this is the biggest letter you ever got. Well,
it's about a big subject.
Suppose you handled a piano that was $50 better
than anything your competitor handled at the same
price wholesale.
You might sell it at the same price your com-
petitor sells his and make more sales, or you might
mark yours $50 higher—its real worth by compari-
son.
In either case you are going to make more money
than your competitor—you can't help it.
There is such a piano. It is made at South Haven,
Michigan, in the world's finest piano factory. It is
chock full of quality, class, genuine sales-making
value. It bears the name Cable-Nelson.
These are broad claims. They should interest you.
You can establish their truth when you see and hear
a Cable-Nelson—and know the price. You must be-
lieve the evidence of your own eyes and ears. We
may be able to tell you where you can examine a
Cable-Nelson in your vicinity, and we will glarly
give you the price. There are lots of good pianos,
but there is only one Cable-Nelson. A letter today
will enable you to determine quickly whether or not
it will definitely increase your profits.
Yours very truly.
CABLE-NELSON PIANO COMPANY.
T. L. Powell. President.
It's a safe wager that a lot of the piano dealers—
especially those who sell the Cable-Nelson line—
have that letter hanging up in their warerooms—and
what a window novelty it makes, too!
WILLIAM V. CROWE CO.,
OPENS IN COLUMBUS, 0 .
Progressive Firm Formerly at 80 East Town Street
Moves to 112 South High.
The William V. Crowe Piano Co. held the formal
opening recently of its new store at 112 South High
street. In the invitation printed in the newspapers
this cheery message was conveyed:
"We take justifiable delight in asking you to drop
in Saturday to view our new store. Time, effort and
expense have not been spared to create a music store
that would not only be satisfactory to us but would
meet the requirements of a discriminating public.
We think that you will approve of it. At any rate,
nothing would please us more than to have you come
and see."
Those interested in the William V. Crowe Piano
Co. are William V. Crowe, for 17 years engaged in
the piano business in Columbus and proprietor of his
own store, 80 E. Town street, for last seven and a
half years; Mrs. Wm. V. Crowe has been actively
associated with Mr. Crowe in their establishment at
80 E. Town street; and H. C. Hoeflich, a resident of
Columbus for 25 years, who has been connected with
one of Columbus' largest industrial plants, from
which he severed his connection to take an interest in
the Wm. V. Crowe Piano Co.
L. E. Shira, who has been identified for many years
with the music business in Columbus and elsewhere,
will serve the Wm. V. Crowe Piano Co. in the capac-
ity of salesman.
Walter Lynas, well known Columbus musician and
teacher, will have charge of the William V. Crowe
Company's small goods department.
Mrs. Win. V. Crowe will have charge of the floor
sales.
J. T. LEIMERT BACK.
Joseph T. Leimert, well known in the retail piano
trade of Chicago, announces his association with the
Baldwin Piano Company, specializing in the artistic
presentation of the Baldwin reproducing piano. Mr.
Leimert was a prominent factor in piano sales for
many years and was at one time manager of The
Cable Piano Company before he switched his activi-
ties to the retail automobile trade.
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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