Presto Buyers' Guide
Analyzes and Classifies
All American Pianos
and in Detail Tells of
Their Makers.
PRESTO
e—**bw i«M
THE AMERICAN MUSIC TRADE WEEKLY
Presto Trade Lists
Three Uniform Booic-
lets, the Only Complete
Directories of the Mm
Industries.
/• cm., KM . r M
CHICAGO, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1923
J. H. PARNHAM BUYS
CABLE=NELSON CO.
Widely Known Piano Executive Secures the
Controlling Stock of Prosperous Chicago
Piano Manufacturing Company, with
Factory at South Haven, Mich.
statement shows its financial strength to be greater
than at any period in its history.
Policies to Be Maintained.
While, as stated, the Cable-Nelson Piano Co. began
about twenty years ago, its foundation was laid many
years before that time. When the late F. S. Cable
decided to embark in the industry for himself he cast
about for some going concern in which he could see
NO CHANGE IN PRODUCT
Policies and Standards of the Cable-Nelson Piano
Co. and Vigorous Selling Plans to Be
Maintained.
John H. Parnham, New York, has acquired control
of the Cable-Nelson Piano Company, Chicago,
through purchase by him of all the common stock
heretofore owned by Mrs. F. S. Cable, widow of the
founder of the business, which constituted a large
majority of the stock issued; all of the stock hereto-
fore owned by T. L. Powell, for several years presi-
CABLE-NELSON FACTORY.
prompt development of larger kind. He finally pur-
chased outright the factories of the late the Lakeside
Piano Co. and Sweetland Piano Co., both of Chi-
cago. He at first consolidated the two industries in
the plant of the latter industry on Fulton street.
Later he laid the foundation for the present great
factories at South Haven, Michigan. From the very
first, the industry of the Cable-Nelson Piano Co.
was a success, and it has grown steadily.
The line of the Cable-Nelson Piano Co. embraces
the instruments which bear the corporation name, and
the "Lakeside," and it is probable that another favor-
ite piano name will be added. The factory of the
company, at South Haven, Michigan, is a compara-
tively new structure of imposing dimensions, and up-
to-date in every particular. It is one of the factories
where beauty of surroundings lend inspiration to the
workers. From time to time the buildings have been
enlarged until today the Cable-Nelson factory is one
of the largest in the industry. It has a producing
capacity of approximately ten thousand instruments a
year, and that without any crowding or inconvenience
to the workers.
To a very large proportion of the trade the new
president needs no introduction. Mr. Parnham has
been conspicuous in executive capacities for a good
many years. He is a thoroughly posted "piano man"
with the energy and ambition to make the Cable-
Nelson Piano Co. even a stronger and greater repre-
sentative of American skill and productiveness than
ever, and it has maintained a prominent place from
its initiation.
The general policies leading to the success of the
business will of course be continued by Mr. Parnham.
Fundamental in these policies is the maintenance of
the high Cable-Nelson standard of quality in the
product. The business will move along with no in-
terruption because of the change in ownership of
nearly all of the capital stock.
WESTERN "HADDORFF" INTERESTS.
J. H. PARNHAM.
dent of the company; all of the stock of P. E.
Mason, E. S. Rauworth and relatives; all of the
stock in the Geo. W. Schultz estate and all other mis-
cellaneous holdings with a few minor exceptions.
Mr. Powell retires from the company, being suc-
ceeded by Mr. Parnham as president. The balance
of the manufacturing and sales organization remains
intact. James L. Barron continues as factory man-
ager of the plant at South Haven, Mich,
ager of the plant at South Haven, Mich. Mr. Mason
was the last of the retiring stockholders to dispose of
his holdings. It is understood that he is already con-
templating plans for continuing in the piano indus-
try, probably remaining in Chicago, where several
opportunities have been presented for his considera-
tion.
Cable-Nelson History.
The Cable-Nelson business was founded over
twenty years ago by the late F. S. Cable, who directed
it until his death early in 1920. Since that time Mr.
Powell has been its president and directing head. It
is noteworthy that the sale of the controlling stock
takes place when the company is in the most pros-
perous condition of its history. Sales this year are
larger than ever before, and the company's financial
Charles Dundore, Western representative of the
Haddorff Piano Co., with headquarters in Portland,
Ore., will visit his California district and then go east
to the factory of the company at Rockford, 111., in
order to confer with the officials of the company.
Mr, Dundore says that excellent conditions exist in
his territory, which extends as far east as Denver,
Colo.
ADDS NEW SHOWROOMS.
An additional storeroom has been fitted up in the
basement of the store of Adolph Winters, Richmond,
Cal., to accommodate an increased stock of pianos.
He is now getting shipments of pianos direct from
the factories he represents, in order to fill the un-
usual demand he has felt since moving into his new
store at Eleventh and Macdonald streets.
PIANOS AT FOOD SHOW.
Pianos and playerpianos were among the exhibits
at the Fifth Annual Food, Household and Electrical
Exposition held in the Municipal Auditorium, Mil-
waukee, this week. An amateur orchestra contest is
one of the features and a piano contest is another.
The Reed-French Piano Co., Portland, Ore., has
opened a branch store at Tillamook, Ore.
POOLE TREASURER ON
HIS FIRST TRIP WEST
E. C. Parkhurst, of the Active Boston Indus-
try, Makes His Premier Visit to
Mid West Cities.
A visitor in the Chicago trade this week was E. C.
Parkhurst of the Poole Piano Co., Boston. It was
Mr. Parkhurst's first visit to the second city in this
country, and he expressed surprise at some things he
saw. He had enjoyed the trip westward, but did not
exactly enjoy the way Chicago automobiles employ
the Boul. Mich, as a speedway. In that Mr. Park-
hurst doesn't differ at all from Chicago's best citizens
who value their lives.
In a business way, the treasurer of the Poole Piano
Co. expressed himself as perfectly satisfied. His pur-
pose in making the trip is not so much to take orders
from the dealers as to make the personal acquaintance
of many who are already representing the fine instru-
ments from the Hub.
Poole instruments have made almost remarkable
strides forward during the past few years. While,
from the first, the Poole has been recognized as a
piano of character and a favorite with many foremost
dealers, they have been steadily expanding their pop-
ularity. Mr. Parkhurst will not go further west than
Kansas City this trip, inasmuch as the regular trav-
elers of his house cover the field very thoroughly.
"I think it's a good idea for us all to get away from
the office at times," Mr. Parkhurst said, "even if we
are not particularly fond of change or travel."
NELLIE MELBA BUYS HER
SECOND MASON & HAMLIN
Henry L. Mason, on Visit to Montreal, Meets Great
Singer with Gratifying Results.
Vice-President Henry L. Mason, of the Mason &
Hamlin Co., Boston, recently returned from Mon-
treal, where he passed two days with Layton Bros.,
Limited, representatives of the famous Boston pianos
in that city, and a very interesting firm it is; two
brothers and two cousins, all working like as many
bees, and all under the head of their father and
uncle, respectively.
While in Montreal Mr. Mason had the great pleas-
ure of hearing Dame Nellie Melba sing a song recital,
at which she used, as ever, the Mason & Hamlin
piano.
Fully as interesting, Mr. Mason took the
great singer's order for a Mason & Hamlin grand,
which is being shipped to her Australian home. This
is the second Mason & Hamlin grand Dame Melba
has purchased, and thus is emphasized her original
statement that to her thinking "the preference on
the part of an individual for the Mason & Hamlin
piano is indicative of a superior musical nature on the
part of that individual."
PRICE & TEEPLE DEALERS
TELL OF GOOD BUSINESS
E. C. Burkham, of Wheeling, and Walter Dwyer, of
New Orleans Are the Visitors.
E. C. Burkham, of the •Burkham Piano Co., Wheel-
ing ,W. Va., called on Price & Teeple Piano Co.,
South Wabash avenue, Chicago, early this week and
reported a growing business for the Price & Teeple
instruments in his territory, especially the playerpiano,
which has increased its sales over last year by a
wide margin.
Walter Dwyer, of the Dwyer Piano Co., New Or-
leans, La ,.was also a visitor this week. Mr;i Dwyer
is on his way to New York, but will visit 'Chicago
again before he returns to his business ,in New
Orleans.
m j.
The Quality Music Shop is the name of a new
store at 116 S. Michigan street, South Bend, Ind. L.
Lemuel Kilmer is the manager and owner.
The
Adam Schaaf piano is carried.
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