April 5, 1924.
PRESTO
PUTTING QUALITY IN
THE STARR PIANOS
How Spirit of Loyalty and Highest Manufac-
turing Skill Is Created in Permanent
Workmen in Richmond, Ind., Plant.
A LIFETIME MAKING STARRS
Interesting Family Groups Encountered in Starr Fac-
tory Represent Three Generations of Artisans.
The Reputation
of the
LESTER
SMALL
GRAND
PIANO
is growing by leaps and
bounds.
It is the lowest priced
high grade Grand made.
Built To Endure.
Full particulars on request.
LESTER PIANO CO.
1306 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia
A tine commodious factory, the best and most mod-
ern machinery and equipment generally are essen-
tial to the manufacture of good pianos in the quan-
tities that mean better prices for the dealers, which in
turn mean more advantageous prices for the ultimate
consumer. But there is something else required in
the making of the instruments that puts the mark of
quality on them. It is the character of the men who
construct the pianos and their bearing toward the
product and the house. It is the spirit of the factory
force; that feeling that differentiates the transient
from the permanent man.
Among the American piano factories that of the
Starr Piano Co., Richmond, Iud., stands out as an
example of a plant where the instruments are pro-
duced under ideal conditions. But the ideal is not
effected by a great building and perfect equipment,
but by the spirit of the expert workmen and the
skill that expresses the spirit. This condition is ad-
mirably pointed out in a new folder of the Starr Piano
Co. designed for distribution by dealers to prospec-
tive customers. This is said:
The excellence of Starr-made musical instruments
is not only attributed to the high standard of construc-
tion or to the high-grade material used, but, in addi-
tion, to the expert workmanship. The workmen are
master craftsmen, artisans in their chosen work and
have devoted a lifetime to their art. They are in-
spired by their love of piano and phonograph build-
ing and are conscientious, painstaking craftsmen per-
fecting each detail as only a master can. It is not
surprising that Starr-made instruments are known as
the standard of value. Many of the first Starr-made
pianos are in use today, for they arc built to endure.
One interesting group comprising three generations
of workmen all in the same family represents the per-
manence of Starr Piano Co.'s employees. It is made
up of the plant's veteran mill room superintendent,
who has seen 44 years' continuous service; his son,
who has been at the plant 31 years, and his grandson,
who is just learning the piano maker's trade. The
other groups shown in the pictures illustrating the
new bit of publicity are those who have seen 29 years'
service, 34 years and 39 years. The booklet continues:
The workmanship of Starr-made instruments is
therefore perfect. In a plant where a true under-
standing of basic principles underlies the conscien-
tious endeavor of the workmen, love of their work
follows as a matter of course and each workman
becomes a master of his craft. It is thus in Starr
factories. Every instrument is as perfect as human
endeavor can make it. Hence the highest guarantee
of excellence which accompanies each and every
Starr-made instrument—a guarantee exemplified in
the Starr mark of quality for almost half a century.
good piano display is enhanced by suitable surround-
ings. To effect these, it has begun its comprehensive
plan of store improvement and decoration.
To start with a fine white oak hardwood floor has
been laid in the store. It is a beautiful piece of work,
nicely sanded and waxed, and adds much to the ap-
pearance of the room, to say nothing of its value in
service. This is just the beginning of their contem-
plated improvements. The wareroom is to be newly
finished in white, and new electric fixtures, new large
glass front, portable wall cases for the care of violins
and other small musical instruments, and musical
merchandise will be added.
PADEREWSKI PLAYED
STEINWAY IN PORTLAND
Other Music Trade News of An Interesting Kind
From the Oregon City.
Paderewski appeared in concert in Portland, Ore.,
March 20, and was greeted by the largest audience
that ever turned out in Portland to a piano recital.
He was very gracious in his encores and after the
program was finished in response to insistant de-
mands played five additional numbers. He used a
Steinway Concert Grand which he carries with him
for all his concerts and the tone of the beautiful in-
strument was exquisite.
The Harold S. Gilbert Piano Co. of Portland, Ore.,
was visited recently by Charles Tracy, the Pacific
coast representative of the Estey Piano Co., who was
on his way to New York to confer with his firm.
Mr. Gilbert was recently appointed the Portland rep-
resentative of the Estey.
The Harold S. Gilbert Piano Co. was also visited
last week by Max J. de Rochemont, vice-president of
the Laffargue Piano Co., New York. The company
has carried the Laffargue for a number of years and
Mr. Gilbert reports a good demand for this line. In
speaking of business conditions Mr. Gilbert says they
have materially improved and many are calling at the
store to investigate who finally buy. Prospects of
this kind are usually interested by means of adver-
tising.
CONVENIENCE OF STRAUBE
FOR ACCOMPANIMENTS
Admirable Feature of Player of Straube Piano Co.
Described in Convincing Magazine Ad.
"A Perfect Accompaniment with the Straube" is
the caption to the artistic illustration adorning the
advertisement of the Straube Piano Co., Hammond,
Ind., in the Saturday Evening Post of March 29. The
convenience in providing a desirable means for accom-
paniment is a quality impressed in the display.
Readers are reminded that "your dealer will gladly
demonstrate the exclusive features which make the
Straube so easy to play." They are advised to ask
about the Melo-Harp and the Pendulum valve in
particular. This is printed in the ad:
Think of the convenience and the added pleasure it
will give you to have always at hand a perfect accom-
paniment for the voice, or for other instruments! For
informal musicale, or even for the more formal recital,
the Straube fills this role admirably.
Besides, it is always ready to provide the accom-
paniment for a good old-fashioned "sing" when "all
join in the chorus." This, then, is an added joy
which the Straube brings. It is the instrument which
gives you the kind of music you want, when you
want it.
Napa, Iowa, Dealer Believes New Location Has Ex-
When desired, of course, the Straube may be
adapted instantly for hand playing. Its tone and
cellent Opportunities for Piano Sales.
touch will delight the most discriminating musician.
The Belknap Piano Co., Tama, la., has opened a
Its beautiful design and finish impart distinction in
branch store in Vinton, in the same state, and in
the most refined surroundings.
which flourishing city a spacious store in the most
desirable location has been leased by F. O. Belknap,
MOVES IN ST. JOSEPH, MICH.
the owner of the business.
The St. Joseph Music House, St. Joseph, Mich.,
Mr. Belknap established his firm in Tania three which is also known as "The Store of Harmony," of
3 r ears ago and made it successful from the start. He which F. A. Schoenberg is proprietor, publishes the
believes that Vinton offers a propitious field for a following announcement in the newspapers: "We are
business of the same character.
now located in our new quarters, 421 State street
The company last week received a load of Schiller
(one door south of Caldwell Theater) and we shall
pianos, both grands and uprights, and the purpose is be highly pleased to greet all our old friends and
to handle other makes. In addition to pianos, talk- customers and invite new ones."
ing machines are also handled.
BELKNAP PIANO CO. OPENS
BRANCH IN VINTON, IA.
PROGRESSIVE ILLINOIS FIRM
BEGINS STORE IMPROVEMENTS
BUYS PORTSMOUTH, VA., STOCK.
The stock and business of Caulfield, Inc., dealers in
pianos, phonographs and Victrolas, at the corner of
Granby and Bute streets, Portsmouth, Va,., was
bought recently by the Sprinkle Piano Company, Inc.,
Good Pianos Require Handsome Surroundings Is Be- which operates a chain pf stores in Norfolk, Rich-
mond, Greensboro and Winston-Salem.
lief of W. W. Fisher & Co., Murphysboro.
W. W. Fisher & Co., music dealers, Murphysboro,
111., has begun a series of improvements in the hand-
some store on the east side of the Square which when
completed will make the store second to no music
store in southern Illinois. The enterprising Mur-
physboro firm believes that the effectiveness of a
PRENDERGAST STORE DOING WELL.
John J. Prendergast, who opened the Avalon Music
Shop at 1551 East Seventy-ninth street, Chicago,
last July, is doing very well. Mr. Prendergast is
selling the Vocalion phonographs and records and
radio sets.
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