Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1924 1956

PRESTO
January 19, 1924.
PIANO CLUB OP CHICAGO
HEARS TALK ON TAXES
pany's exclusive Detroit real estate representative.
"This building will afford The Cable Piano Com-
pany's Detroit store facilities for expansian, impos-
sible in the present quarters which it has outgrown."
ARTHUR L WESSELL'S
VIEWS ON GRANDS
After Which Howard Preston Joyed Up the Party
with Baritone Songs.
LAST WEEK'S VISITORS
TO CHICAGO'S OFFICES
Vice-President of Wessell, Nickel & Gross,
New York, Anticipates Another Wonder-
ful Year of Grand Production.
Representatives of Prominent Music Houses Provide
for Requirements for Spring Campaign.
The year 1924 will be a good one for the good
pianos. That is the cheering belief expressed by
Arthur L. Wessell, vice-president of Wessell, Nickel
& Gross, piano action manufacturers, New York.
What Mr. Wessell says is in the nature of an assur-
ance. The interest of the company is in good pianos.
Nothing dry, technical or stereotyped but rather
interesting, instructive and interspersed with humor
was the message John F. Riordan, attorney and tax
specialist, brought to the Piano Club of Chicago at
the weekly luncheon on Monday. As a subject quite
appropriate at this time he discussed the Mellon plan
and tax reduction legislation.
Music, too, was an attraction. Howard Preston,
well-known Chicago baritone, favored the members
with several selections in his own splendid style.
The club will identify itself with the scheme to
make the music contest among pupils of the Illinois
Schools an.annual affair. Osbourne McConathy, who
was re-elected president of the Illinois Music Teach-
ers' Association, complimented the Piano Club of
Chicago on its share in the exceptional success of the
recent contest.
HUNTINGTON, IND., FIRM
EXTENDS MUSIC DEPARTMENT
The Barnhart Book Store Leases Suitable Space for
Expanding Its Business.
W. H. Barnhart and Allan Barnhart, of the Barn-
hart Book Store, Huntington, Ind., announced last
week that in the near future they will start an exclu-
sive music store in a suitable space on North Jeffer-
son street. The pianos, phonographs and other music
stock now in the store on East Market street will be
moved to the new location and other stock carried in
a music store will be added.
The new music wareroom will be separate in every
way from the present store, and will be in charge of
W. H. Barnhart, Allan Barnhart remaining in the
present store and in charge of it.
The Barnhart firm, started more than seventeen
years ago, acquires the additional room to meet in-
creasing requirements of the expanding business.
CABLE PIANO COMPANY'S
NEW DETROIT STORE
Three-story Building at 1264 to 1270 Library Avenue
Leased for Long Term.
Negotiations have been closed by which the Cable
Piano Company, Detroit, Mich., acquires a lease for a
long term of years of the three-story mercantile build-
ing at 1264-70 Library avenue, adjoining the building
of the L. B. King Company and having frontage of
50 feet with depth of 100 feet.
The building is to be extensively remodeled and is
to be ready for occupancy about May 1, when the
company will occupy a ground floor space 30x100
feet and the two floors above. The first floor will be
given over to phonographs and small instruments and
the upper floors will be salesrooms for pianos of the
Cable and the Mason & Hamlin line.
"We have taken this location for our clients, who
will give up their store at 1420 Woodward avenue,
because this building is in a district that is now prac-
tically a center of musical instrument trade," says
Frederic C. Collins, president of the Merchants Realty
Company, who arranged the lease and is the com-
Last week saw a good many visiting dealers in
Chicago, and more will continue to arrive, as those
who experienced an active holiday business will be
filling their requirements for the spring and summer
campaign.
A. B. Smith, of Akron, Ohio, and J. F. Thomas, of
Republican City, Nebraska, called at the offices of the
H. G. Johnson Piano Mfg. Co., in the Great Northern
Building, and reported a good live business in their
respective territories.
R. D. Gaston, of the Gaston Music & Furniture
Co., Hasting, Nebr., and Mr. Uhen, of the Uhen
Music Co., Kenosha, Wis., were visitors to the Brin-
kerhoff Piano Co., Republic Building. The trade in
their cities was reported in good shape by the visiting
dealers.
D. J. Maher, of Maher Bros., Jackson, Mich., was
another visitor who enlivened things in the show-
rooms of Chicago piano houses. Mr. Maher's firm
handles the Brinkerhoff Piano Co.'s line and one of
the purposes of his visit was to see the new Brinker-
hoff reproducing piano now shown in the warerooms
of the Brinkerhoff Piano Co. in the Republic Building.
Mr. Maher placed an order for some of the new re-
producing pianos which are listed as Style 68.
PAGE ORGAN COMPANY'S
BIG EXPANSION PLANS
New Two-Story Factory with Necessary Equipment
Added by Defiance, O., Industry.
A $100,000 expansion of the Page Organ Company,
Defiance, O., embracing a new two-story factory
and new equipment, was announced last week by the
manager, D. M. Lamson, after notification from Presi-
dent H. P. Maus, Lima, that plans had been approved.
The expansion will mean the addition of at least
fifty more men to the factory force in 1924.
Orders for 100 mechanical pipe organs placed by
a syndicate which will put the instruments in theatres
for rental, and business on the books now make the
expansion project certain.
The additional building will embody a shop for
making pipes for organs and also a section for mak-
ing of magnets and other small electrical pieces used
in the construction of the patented control system
which features the Page organs.
THE JAPANESE TRADE.
The disastrous earthquake in Japan last year inter-
rupted a fast-growing interest in American music
there, according to Consul E. R. Dickover, at Kobe.
Of course the disaster interfered with the commerce
in pianos and playerpianos native and imported, he
continues. A few pianos are manufactured in Japan,
notably the playerpiano "Yamaha," which retails for
about 2,000 yen. The yen equals about 50 cents of
our money at normal exchange. Germany sends a
cheap grade of piano for about $300, but England
and the United States are also in the market, the latter
growing stronger since 1922.
ARTHUR K WESSELL,.
The piano actions Wessell, Nickel & Gross makes are
"of the highest grade and one grade only."
The quoted words, formed into a phrase, provide
the company with a slogan. Being limited to one
grade and that the highest, the actions of Wessell,
Nickel & Gross are destined for use in instruments
of the finest kind. Indeed the actions of the com-
pany are considered a guarantee of high grade qual-
ity in the piano in which they are found.
Mr. Wessell commented on another feature of the
business which is significant. That is the constantly
increasing demand for grand actions. This condition
has decided the company to provide greater facili-
ties for the grand action output for 1924. But no in-
crease in production will affect the high character of
the actions produced. "Highest Grade—One Grade
Only" will always be the truly descriptive motto.
HONORS FOR PIANO MAN.
W. B. Berry, assistant manager of the Glenn Bros.-
Roberts Piano Company, Salt Lake City, Utah, has
been elected commander of the Lieut. Clarence E.
Allen Post No. 409, Veterans of Foreign Wars. Mr.
Berry was in the United States Army for nine years
and retired with the rank of captain. During the
World War he served in France first with the infan-
try and later with the 105th Aero Squadron.
New Edition for 1924 Ready—Order Now
PRESTO BUYERS' GUIDE
It Contains Full Lists with Concise Classification and Description of all
American Pianos, Players and Reproducing Pianos, with Sketches of their
Makers. Edition for 1924 is now ready. Price 50 cents, post paid.
NO PIANO DEALER OR PROSPECT CAN AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT IT.
PRESTO PUBLISHING CO.,
417 S. Dearborn St., CHICAGO
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/
10
PRESTO
January 19, 1924.
THE IDEAL CHAPEL ORGAN
FIFTY-THREE YEARS WITH
SHERMAN, CLAY & COMPANY
The Operators Piano Company, Chicago, has pro- construction is most accurate, dependable and trouble-
vided the music dealers with the means to make big proof. The company guarantees against all defects
profits in a new field. The Reproduco pipe organ of workmanship, but time has proved the admirably
appeals on sight to progressive undertakers. It is reliable character of Reproduco construction.
the ideal pipe organ for the mortuary chapel.
'"The Reproduco Player Pipe Organ is constructed
Undertakers ambitious to become established in a with an organ manual immediately above the piano
secure way are ever alert for means to improve their manual, giving the musician the advantage of playing
service. The Reproduco pipe organ is designed for either the piano or pipe organ without changing his
that end by the Operators Piano Co. This is what position," says the handsome booklet about the Oper-
. ators Piano Co.'s line of organs just issued. "The
the company says in presenting the instrument;
"Heretofore the market has never offered an organ piano is constructed of the best material and work-
to fit the needs and requirements of the undertaker. manship. The blower operated by an electric motor
They have not only been high in price but have re- is installed in a separate "sound-proof cabinet. The
Lcander S. Sherman, Chairman of the Board of
Directors. Reviews Business of 1923.
Leander S. Sherman, chairman of the board of
directors of Sherman, Clay & Co., San Francisco,
last week celebrated the completion of his fifty-third
year with the well known house of which he is one
of the founders. Although Mr. Sherman relinquished
many of his duties three years ago when he resigned
the presidency in favor of Philip T. Clay, he still re-
tains an office on the main floor and regularly appears
there. As chairman of the board of directors he keeps
in close touch with activities of the house.
In reviewing the year just closed Mr. Sherman
said it was another period in the progress of the
house. "But the year 1923 was different in that it
produced the greatest year's business in the history
of the house.
No particular department may be
cited," he said. "Ever}' phase of the business showed
wonderful results. But the growth of our house is
incidental to the wonderful progress of California and
indeed of the entire Pacific Coast."
The W. L. Hutchings Co. has opened a new music
store at 52 Main street, Gloucester, Mass. This firm
carries painos, piano benches, roll cabinets, Q R S
rolls and Imperial rolls and a varied assortment of
musical instruments.
Henry G. Johnson
Piano Mfg. Co.
Manufacturer*
of
High Grade Pianos
and Players
THE ORGAN IN PLACE.
quired a skilled organist to produce the proper music.
The services of such an organist are not always avail-
able, nor are they inexpensive.
"We have long felt the need of such an organ, and
after many years of research have designed and
brought forth the self-playing organ—the Reproduco.
The greatest advantage of the Reproduco is that it
may be played by roll or by hand. Either the piano
or the organ may be played by roll or by hand or both
may be played simultaneously by roll or by hand.
This enables one to obtain the beautiful effect of play-
ing a solo on the organ and the accompaniment on the
piano. The ordinary 88-note piano roll may also be
used with the piano keyboard."
The tonal qualities of the organ pipes are due to the
skill of the voicer. The tubular-pneumatic system of
quintadena, rlutc and stop diapason pipes together
with other accessories such as swell, tremolo, mando-
lin and coupler devices, etc., give the musician ample
range to express in music every feeling from the
heavy march to the plaintive song of the flute or sym-
pathetic violin.
"X'ot alone can the skillful musician operate it, but
automatically from the hand-played rolls it will Re-
produce the music of the great organ artists. Hence
the name Reproduco Player Pipe Organ. All this
may be done electrically; there is no pumping or
pushing; no squeaking of bellows, no unusual sounds,
but the reproductions of the 'masters' who have
played the 'original rolls.'
The Reproduco Player
Pipe Organ is especially adaptable to the theater,
church and lodge hall."
AIDS FOR Q R S DEALERS
INCREASES PLAYER SALES
with your address on makes it easier for them to
order. Do you agree?" the dealers are asked. "Every
six months we will also imprint the envelope so you
can check your mailing list for the dead ones."
Becker Bros.
EXPANDS IN BALTIMORE.
HIGH GRADE PIANOS
and PLAYER PIANOS
Additional Features of a Winning Kind Provided for
Sales Promoting "Go-Getter" Service.
The Q R S Music Co., Chicago, provides new aids
for the dealer with the February bulletin. One is
Q R S Idylls, a "go-getter" feature that adds attrac-
tion to the publicity. On the front cover of the
booklet space is left for the imprint of the dealer's
name and address. The company also furnishes re-
turn postal cards for customer to mail the dealer.
On reverse side of postal is a list of numbers feat-
ured in the Q R S Idylls which is changed each
month. These are all inserted and ready to be ad-
dressed, stamped and mailed.
These are delivered by the 25th of the month pre-
ceding date of issue. March Go-Getters can be in
the dealer's store February 25th. The cost to dealer
is nominal. Dealers are urged to get orders in early
and get more roll business besides keeping player
owners interested, and thereby selling more players.
Beginning with the April issue, the Q R S Music
Co., if present subscribers to the Go-Getter service
concur, put dealer's imprint on postal card and send
envelopes blank. "Your customers will more often
open a letter in a blank envelope, and the postal
The Peabody Piano Co.. Baltimore, is extending its
musical merchandise lines, but even greater energy
than usual will be devoted to pianos, players and
reproducing pianos during 1924. The company, of
which John Stengel, Jr., is proprietor, is installing a
complete line of radio receiving sets and parts in its
attractive store on Howard street. This week Mr.
Stengel expects to have a complete department opened
and ready for business. The radio .department will
be entirely separate from the other departments of
the store, where pianos, Victrolas and records are
handled.
BARBARA LA MARR LIKES ANGELUS.
Barbara La Marr. the film star of the recent notable
screen production "The Eternal City," has written a
letter to P. K. Van Yorx, musical director of the
Angelus Division of the Hallet & Davis Piano Co., in
which the admiration of the actress for the Angelus
piano is told. Music keeps up the spirit of the player
during their strenuous work and is also the means
towards relaxation at the end of the day. Miss La
Marr has arranged to have the Angelus placed in her
home in Los Angeles.
.
.
Factory and Offices
Bellevue, Iowa
Capacity
6,000 per Annum
Chicago Office
307 Great Northern Bldg.
Manufacturers
of
Factory and Warerooms
767-769 Tenth Avenue, New York
WILLIAMS
PIANOS
The policy of the Williams House is and always
hat been to depend upon excellence of product
instead of alluring price. Such a policy does not
attract bargain hunters. It does, however, win the
hearty approval and support of a very desirable
and substantial patronage.
.,
M.k.r. of WillUm. Pi.««..
Epworth PL.o. . . 4 Ori.n.
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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