June 7, 1924.
PRESTO
PETER D. STRAUCH
DIED ON SUNDAY
Passing of the Founder of the Famous Piano
Action Industry at His Home in Tucka-
hoo, New York, at Age of Eighty-
eight.
The founder of the
distinguished Ameri-
can piano action in-
dustry of Strauch
Bros, died last Sun-
day at his home iu
Tuckahoo, a suburb
of New York City.
He had reached the
age of eighty-eight,
and, until a short
time back, had main-
tained more than the
average vigor and
enjoyment in life.
His passing w a s
peaceful and he was
t h e same genial,
philosophic gentle-
man who was for
many years one of
the most familiar
m e m b e r s of the
piano industry.
PETER D. STRAUCH.
Peter D. Strauch came to this country about the
year 1851, when but fifteen years of age. He was
early apprenticed to the first piano action maker in
this country, to whose business he eventually suc-
ceeded Thus the industry of Strauch Bros is, in fact,
the first of its kind in this country. But Mr. Strauch
was not only an expert in piano actions, but an all-
round piano manufacturer, as well. That enabled him
to understand just what was most required in the
development of the completed instrument.
Moves to New York.
In 1861 Mr. Straucli disposed of his interests in
the industry which was located in a small city, and
removed to New York City There he resumed his
work as a piano maker but soon embarked in the
manufacture of actions, beginning with a small shop
on Twenty-fifth street. He was instantly successful.
At that time the old English upright action was in
The Best Yet
Graceful lines, rugged construc-
tion, moderately priced. It's the
very best commercial piano from
every standpoint.
use. Mr. Strauch saw opportunities of improvement
and set to work to create a real American piano ac-
tion. After overcoming the usual disappointments,
which beset all innovators, he won recognition by
foremost piano manufacturers and before long was
established in a new and larger factory on Fifteenth
street. When the upright came in, Mr. Strauch
again saw his opportunity and at the time of the Cen-
tennial Exposition of 1876, he was enabled to prove
the superiority of his actions over the foreign instru-
ments which were displayed at the great Philadelphia
fair.
Sons Join Him.
When Mr. Strauch's two sons, Albert T. and Wil-
liam E. entered the firm of Strauch Bros., there were
added two young men who were fired with ambition
and skilled in the work they were to do. They had
been schooled in the best New York piano factories
and, taking their father's ideas for a foundation, they
steadily improved the product of the factory and in
the year 1883, the Strauch Bros, factory was removed
to Tenth avenue, near Thirteenth street, where it
remained until two years ago, when it was again
transplanted to its present place on Walton place,
The Bronx.
Mr. Strauch had long since' retired from the
Strauch Bros, industry, which is conducted by his two
sons, but the memory of the geniality which endeared
him to all of his friends still remains. He was one
of the best posted members of the music industry,
in international as well as national affairs, and he was
always an approachable, warm-hearted gentleman.
His going even at the ripe age of eighty-eight causes
sorrow that is widespread, but his place in the pro-
gressive career of American music will endure.
WESER
Pianos and Players
Sell Readily—Stay Sold
Send to-day for catalogue, prices and
details of our liberal financing plan
Weser Bros., Inc.
520 to 528 W . 43rd St., New York
Question of Freights, Too, Among the Most
Important Topics for July Convention
in San Francisco.
Plans are about completed for the first Western
Music Trade Convention to be held in San Francisco,
July 22, 23 and 24. George R. Hughes, of the Wiley
B. Allen Co., San Francisco, is convention chair-
man, and the following compose the program com-
mittee: E. P. Tucker, Los Angeles, manager for the
Wiley B. Allen Co.; Shirley Walker, Sherman, Clay
& Co., San Francisco; George Chase, Kohler &
("base, San Francisco; A. D. Lamotte, Thearle Music
NEW WESER BROS. STYLE
PROVES BIG SUCCESS
Style "E" Upright Has Merits of Tone and Proved
Structural Qualities.
The new Weser Bros, upright player is achiev-
ing quick sales for dealers representing the line of
Weser Bros., New York.
This new four feet four inch model sells readily
and has great profit possibilities. The new style is
a great number for building good will.
Apart from the merits of tone, structural qualities
and price advantages found in Weser Bros, pianos,
the new style is remarkable for its handsome case
construction. It is another tribute to Weser Bros.,
Inc., for its artistic taste in designing cases for its
pianos and players.
The dealers handling the Weser Bros, line are pro-
vided with effective selling aids besides those com-
prised in the big and varied array of pianos and play-
ers. By a generous co-operative arrangement the
dealer is helped by effective advrtising planned to
interest the piano and player prospect in the Weser
Bros, instruments. The well-written publicity makes
it clear that the customer in buying a Weser Bros,
instrument gets more than the full value of his in-
vestment. The new catalog and price list of Weser
Bros., Inc., is filled with information suggestive of
profit opportunities for the piano dealer.
M. SCHULZ COMPANY NOTES
CHANGE IN CONDITIONS
Style 32—4 ft. 4 in.
TRANSPORTATION IN
WESTERN BUSINESS
GEORGE R. HUGHES.
Co., San Diego; C. Hyatt, Hyatt Talking Machine
Co., Portland, and E. Kelly, Hopper-Kelly Co.,
Seattle.
The question of freights is a most important one
with the western music merchant, and it is a question
that is best attended to by an organization with a
membership composed of dealers in that territory.
That is why the Transportation Committee of the
Western Music Trades Convention, to be held in San
Francisco in July, are evoking the interest of western
music merchants in freights and transportation. Here
is the questionnaire mailed out to dealers by the
committee, the chairman of which is Morley P.
Thompson, Pacific Coast representative of the Bald-
win Piano Co.:
1. Give us a memorandum of any freight rates you
consider excessive.
2. Name any condition in the present bill of lad-
ing which you consider unfair or unsatisfactory.
3. How many pianos a year do you receive from
the East in less than carload lots?
4. Give the names of shipping points east of Kan-
sas City from which you receive pianos.
Wholesale and Retail Departments Report Satisfac-
tory Gain During Latter Part of May.
William Taylor Son & Co., Cleveleand, O., sold
Renewed activity on the part of many of the deal- many Victrolas during the "50—4" anniversary sale
ers, has had a noticeable effect in the wholesale de- of this department store. Special inducements were
partment of M. Schulz Co., 711 Milwaukee Ave., Chi- made to buyers of machines and records.
cago, which reports that orders received during the
latter half of May exceeded all expectations, and that
the production department is increasing its output in
anticipation of a big month in June.
M. Schulz Co.'s dealers have made sound the theory
that business is largely what one makes it and in spite
of the presidential year reverses and other conditions,
they have pushed sales that have brought most grati-
fying results.
The M. Schulz line is popular the country over, and
dealers find in making sales that resistance is reduced
almost to a minimum when an M. Schulz instrument
Manufactured by
is presented to the prospect.
KURTZMANN
Grands—Players
NEW CALIFORNIA FIRM.
J. Reynolds Van Vleck, Monterey, Cal., and C. E.
Roberts, jeweler, have opened a music store known
as the Roberts-Van Vleck Music Shoppe, at 418
Alvarado street. Mr. Roberts formerly conducted a
jewelry establishment in Monterey for several years.
Mr. Van Vleck has had a wide experience in the
music business. The new firm carries pianos, phono-
graphs, records, band and string instruments, and
sheet music and player rolls.
C. KURTZMANN & CO.
Factories and General Offices
526-536 Niagara Street
BUFFALO, N. Y.
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