Pretto Buyers' Guide
Analyzes and Classifies
All American Pianos
and in Detail Tells of
Their Makers.
PRESTO
Presto Trade Lists
Three Uniform Book-
lets, the Only Complete
Directories of the Music
Industries.
THE AMERICAN MUSIC TRADE WEEKLY /» c*.««« tu» « w
CHICAGO, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1923
Active Members of the Business Discuss Im-
portant Matters Associated with Items of
News or Comment Which Have
Appeared in Presto.
P. Davis, formerly with Julius Bauer and Newman
Bros.?
Some of the trade here are getting back to the old
$10.00 down and a promise a month, but that's noth-
ing. So are other trades doing the same thing. I am
just as great an enthusiast as ever about the "Buy
at Home" proposition.
I hope this finds all the Presto force healthy and
happy and with sincere good wishes to everybody in
the music trades, I am, as ever,
Cordially yours,
HARRY E. PEARSON.
BEST OF TRADE READING
SMALL SCHOOL PIANOS
World's Fair Piano, Oil Wells, Home Sickness, the
Hamilton Piano and Buescher Band Instruments
Are the Topics.
Beautiful Little "Hamilton" Was Overlooked in Their
Recent Discussion in Presto.
Cincinnati, O., October 18, 1923.
Editor Presto: May we call attention to the first
page of your issue of the 13th of October, in which
you mention small school pianos?
We would particularly like to have you familiar
with our Hamilton piano, which has been such a
tremendous success with the public schools all over
the country, and enclose a couple of small circulars in
regard to this instrument.
We sincerely hope that the next time such an in-
quiry is answered in your paper, you will be able to
mention our instrument also.
Yours very truly,
THE BALDWIN PIANO COMPANY.
INSIDE VIEWS OF
TRADE EVENTS
GREAT WORLD'S FAIR EXHIBIT
Will L. Bush Reminds Presto of the Fine Display
of 'His House in Section I.
Dallas, Texas, October 16, 1923.
Editor Presto: Upon my return to Dallas I found
a copy of your last issue on my desk and have been
looking it over, knowing that I was absorbing the
very latest news and up-to-date information obtain-
able regarding our industry and its ramifications and
activities. I was especially attracted by an article
on page IS headed "Reminiscence of a Happy Six
Months," and read this over very carefully and was
more than surprised to find omitted from the list of
exhibits the very elaborate and extensive exhibit that
was made by our company in Chicago. No doubt
you will recall the fact that we had on exhibition
not only a complete line of our entire list of styles
and finishes, but exhibited three remarkable speci-
mens of the designer's and carver's art in Renais-
sance, Colonial and Grecian architecture.
Our exhibit occupied booths Nos. 39 and 40, and
was under my direct supervision, although I had a
very able assistant and fine pianist, Miss Fanchon
Barrow, constantly in attendance, and E. S. Robbins,
one of our old salesmen who has since passed on,
and W. S. Miller, our well-known General Manager
and Vice-President, alternating with me in attendance
during the entire six months. I can truthfully say
that no period in my life ever contained so much
worth remembering as those happy days within the
beautiful grounds and building occupied by that great-
est of all world's expositions. I also distinctly re-
member the publication of the Daily Presto and the
later publication of the "Awards Souvenir."
As you will no doubt remember, our special exhibit
models each received a medal, and we took the only
medal for the first transposing keyboard piano ever
shown. This piano is now on exhibit at the State
Fair here at Dallas, Texas, which opened last Satur-
day. It is in the Fine Arts building, with most ap-
propriate environment, and is attracting the attention
of all visitors.
Yours sincerely,
W. L. RUSH.
FORMER MUSIC MAN HOMESICK
H. E. Pearson, Who Entered the Building Industry,
Recalls Old Friends in Piano Trade.
Washington, D. C, October 16, 1923.
Editor Presto: The best compliment I can pay
you is I am lonesome to see you. Since I left the
road some two years ago I have been in the building
game here in Washington, D. C, but I do get awfully
lonesome for my friends in the music trade.
I have just come across one of my old letters on
the playerpiano, and if anything you can use' do so,
and if not throw in the waste paper basket.
I hope to visit old "Chi." again some time about
the first of the year and will surely call on you.
I often think of the many good times and warm
welcomes Mrs. Pearson and I always received from
all branches of the music trades, and we have very
kindly feelings for all.
Can you advise me of the present address of W. M.
NEW YORK MUSIC WEEK
Plans and Programs Which Music Men May Have
by Addressing This Correspondent.
October 18, 1923.
Editor Presto: Under separate cover we are send-
ing you copy of the syllabus announcing our pro-
gram of music contests which are being inaugurated
this month. Contests will be held in each of the
forty-eight school districts of Greater New York be-
tween now and Music Week next May, when the
borough winners will compete for the interborough
awards.
We shall appreciate your co-operation in this im-
portant program of musical education.
Very sincerely yours,
ISABEL LOWDEN, Director.
MANAGER KING'S OIL WELL
Head of the Southern Piano Exchange Reports Prog-
ress of His Rush for Riches.
El Dorado, Ark., October 19, 1923.
Editor Presto: I notice in October 6th issue of
Presto that you printed a copy of the circular letter
that I mailed to the members of the National Asso-
ciation of Music Merchants under date of October
1st, in which I offered for sale 150 partnership inter-
ests in my oil proposition, and I wish to advise you
that it came out too late to" do me but little good,
and no harm at all, as I only mailed out two thou-
sand of those letters, and before they had reached
their destination I had received all the money that I
needed to complete the well.
Among those that bought the largest interest were
those that knew me best. I have no apologies to
offer the members of the N. A. M. M., nor the Music
Industries Chamber of Commerce, for asking them
to take an interest in my plan to drill an oil well;
and, while the Music Industries Chamber of Com-
merce went so far as to mail out a card of warning
to its members, it did me no material harm and did
not in the least hinder my progress toward drill-
ing an oil well. As I stated in the circular letter,
the average music men with whom I had come in
contact during the last 25 years were men of average
business ability and able to look after their business
satisfactorily to themselves.
As stated above, I received ample funds to com-
plete the well and am down 1,800 feet and will test
it out within 10 or 15 days, and will take pleasure in
reporting to you as to my success, for the benefit of
those interested and those that tried to "knock." I
MUSIC MERCHANTS HOLD
CONVENTION IN PEORIA
Illinois State Association in Third Annual
Meeting at Hotel Jefferson Enjoy Two
Days of Business and Social Pleasures.
ELECTION HELD TUESDAY
Fred P. Watson, Mount Vernon, Named New Presi-
dent at Close of Interesting Business Session.
The third annual convention of the Illinois Music
Merchants' Association was opened on Monday of
this week at the Jefferson Hotel, Peoria. The morn-
ing was spent in registration and reception of dele-
gates and the first business session begun after an in-
formal luncheon in the headquarters. Automobile
sightseeing trips in Peoria and vicinity were scheduled
for the afternoon, when visitors were taken for an
automobile drive over the city. Points of scenic
beauty and civic pride were included in the route,
with an inspection trip for the guests at the Holt
plant in East Peoria, and entertainment at the Coun-
try Club.
At the conclusion of the drive the guests were
taken to the Automobile Club, where an entertain-
ment and dinner was given. W. H. Collins, manager
of the retail piano department of the Lyon & Healy
company, who is well known in Peoria, told some of
his famous stories, and E. J. Fishbaugh, superintend-
ent of the Lyon & Healy factory made the principal
address, which is printed elsewhere. Ferrol Brad-
ford, baritone, and William Beller, pianist, furnished
the musical program.
Tuesday was given over to two business sessions,
with the election of officers in the afternoon, a
luncheon at the Jefferson Hotel, and the annual ban-
quet of the association in the evening. The Piano
Club of Chicago sent two artists to Peoria for the
banquet, Miss Violet Ehrmann, soprano, and Janice
Clarkson, pianist.
A banquet Tuesday night, at which "Tom" Pletcher,
president of the Q R S Music Roll Company, was the
principal speaker, concluded the convention of the
Illinois Music Merchants' Association.
Mr. Pletcher, one of the largest manufacturers in
the music industry, gave an interesting description of
his rise in the music business, starting with the enter-
tainment of the public from a corner soap box to the
(Continued on page 6.)
will thank you to give this the same publicity as you
did my circular letter in the Presto under date of
October 6th.
The well will be completed without mailing the
second letter, and will not need further financial aid.
Those that have bought interest with me are satisfied,
so there is no use to "rock the boat," as I am too
near landing for it to make me "shaky."
Hoping to report to you again within 10 or 15 days
with a good oil well—and I feel sure I will get it—
Yours truly,
J. E. KING,
Manager Southern Piano Exchange.
USES BUESCHER INSTRUMENTS
Correspondent in Baltimore Seems to Have Been Mis-
informed Concerning Garden Society Orchestra.
Baltimore, Md., October 22, 1923.
Editor Presto: You made an error in stating that
the Garden Society Orchestra, of Baltimore, Md.,
is using Martin's instruments. The statement mis-
represents us, causing embarrassment.
So kindly correct this error in your next issue, as
the Garden Society Orchestra uses Buescher True-
Tone instruments exclusively. And no member ever
used a Martin instrument.
Sincerely,
CHAS. L. APPLER,
Director Garden Society Orchestra.
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