Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1924 1987

P R E S TO
August 23, 1924.
CHRISTMAN
"The First Touch Tells"
WINNING WAYS OF
MILWAUKEE TRADE
Billboard Advertising a Favorite Method
Among Others in the Extensive Publicity
Program of Retail and Wholesale
Establishments in Wisconsin City.
DEALERS ACTIVE
Piano, Radio and Phonograph Sales Have Made a
Noticeable Increase During the First Half of
August.
PIANO DEALERS
who are posted in their business know that
The
CHRISTMAN
Reproducing Grand
has attained to a place preeminent be-
cause of its absolute dependability,
precise reproduction of the playing of
the world's artists and beauty of con-
struction.
If you have sold this instrument you
prefer to sell it to all others. And you
know, too, that
The Famous
Studio Grand
(only 5 ft. long)
has won its fame by its unique chal-
lenge of all larger Grands in tone vol-
ume, richness of quality and beauty
of case outline.
No Other Small Grand
has attained to equal distinction or
won better demand by dealers who
value permanency above temporary
profit.
No ambitious Piano Merchant can
be sure that he has the best, most
profitable and satisfactory Line until
he has examined the Christman and
compared it with whatever competitor
may be winning local trade.
"The First Touch Tells"
Re*.
U S. ?»t. Off.
Christman Piano Co.
597 East 137th St.
New York
The music merchants of Milwaukee, Wis., have
no cause to worry about trade conditions at the
present time or in the near future, inasmuch as stocks
are moving faster than at any time during the sum-
mer. The jump, however, was not spasmodic but a
gradual increase over a period of thirty days. This
is considered a good omen as to the standing of the
fall business by the music dealers in the cream city.
Billboard Advertising.
The Milwaukee merchants have found much truth
in the statement that "'business is what you make it,"
and have determined to make it good. The ques-
tion of advertising and the psychological effect it has
on the public is considered of great importance by
the sellers of musical instruments. In addition to ad-
vertising it\ local papers, some of the houses have
kept their name prominently displayed through bill-
board advertising.
The Bradford Piano Co., 411 Broadway, uses this
effective method of informing the public of the fine
pianos it sells. Two signs approximately fifty feet
in length are located in conspicuous positions on one
of Milwaukee's busiest driveways and are seen by
hundreds of motorists daily. The signs are well
lighted at night and are visible from a good dis-
tance.
Waltham Piano Company.
Another sign along the beautiful driveway that
catches the eye is that of the Waltham Piano Com-
pany, Inc., whose large factory is one of the center
attractions in the Wisconsin metropolis. A beautiful
girl is seated at her Waltham piano and the follow-
ing words accompany the picture:
"The Waltham Piano has made Milwaukee Musi-
cal."
The Waltham factory, which is practically
new, is one of the most modern in the country. The
interior of the factory is spacious and orderly and
the production is taken care of by an efficient force
of technicians which has given character to the Mil-
waukee instruments.
Music Houses Busy.
The slack summer season has not dismayed music
dealers who are now in the midst of a selling cam-
paign which has such a success that gratification is
expressed at the prospects obtained and the sales
made. The Kreiter Manufacturing Company, Inc.,
has employed sixteen efficient salesmen on a house
to house canvas campaign and is well pleased with
the results obtained. H. G. Kreiter, general manager
of retail warerooms at 310 West Water street, re-
ported to a Presto representative last week that the
piano trade was as good as he had expected and
that this fall would be a good one.
The Smith Piano Co., 274 Water street, is showing
through a well arranged window display, the prod-
ucts of the Smith, Barnes & Strohber Co., now a divi-
sion of the Continental Piano Company.
The Milwaukee Piano House on the same street
is featuring the Waltham products with words to the
effect that the Waltham piano is Milwaukee's home
instrument.
IVERS & POND CHANGES
LOCATION IN BOSTON
Old Piano Company Now in New Building at 258
Boylston Street, Opposite Public Garden.
The Ivers & Pond Piano Company, Boston, for
29 years located at 114 Boylston street, is now estab-
lished in its new building at 258 Boylston street, fac-
ing the Public Garden. The four floors of what is
now the Pond Building are occupied by the company
and three of the floors are devoted to displaying
pianos.
The main floor salesroom is painted French gray.
The architecture is of Louis 16th style, and the com-
pany monograms are inscribed on wall borders. Light
is furnished by sunburst chandeliers. Rare tapes-
tries cover the walls and Persian rugs cover the
floors. In the rear of the main salesroom is a ter-
race with wrought iron railings around it. Pianos are
displayed upon the terrace.
Near the terrace is an oil painting of Handel Pond,
the founder of the company, painted by Dana Pond,
of New York and Paris, a brother of the present
owners. Dana Pond is the artist who executed the
portraits of General Pershing and Marshal Petain.
The same decorative scheme is carried out in the
salesrooms on the second and third floors. The
bookkeeping offices are also on the third floor and
the executive offices on the fourth floor. The build-
ing extends from Boylston street through to Provi-
dence street and was rebuilt before it was occupied
by the company and is so constructed that in the
event of great development in the vicinity of Park
square the main entrance could readily be placed
there.
In the show window last week an unusual upright
piano of severe Colonial design was displayed. It was
built to order for a prominent mahogany importer
and is made of South African mahogany, said to be
the finest figured wood to come into the port of
Boston for years.
BURLINGTON, IOWA, DEALER
MOVES TO NEW STORE
J. W. Pauly Finds More Spacious Quarters for His
Business at 404 Jefferson Street.
J. W. Pauly, Burlington, la., recently moved his
Music Shop from the old location on North Third
street to a larger store at 404 Jefferson street, and
has made his place a general music store in every
sense of the term. The new playerpiano department
is well equipped with facilities for providing demon-
strations for prospects. This phase of the business
is well featured, and Mr. Pauly has great pride in its
growth.
Considerably more space for the showing of talk-
ing machines has been provided in the new store
and the importance of the band instrument section
shows the extent of the business in the line. The
sheet music department, always a well patronized one
in the Music Shop, is doing more business than ever
before.
ILLINOIS MERCHANT QUITS
GROCERIES FOR MUSIC
James N. Brown Discontinues Business Established
Fifty Years Ago for New Venture.
J. H. Brown & Son, a Quincy,••111., grocery firm
of fifty-six years' standing, has discontinued and
James N. Brown, its owner, has entered the music
business with Odells, Inc., of which he has been
made treasurer. This announcement of Mr. Brown
is printed in Quincy newspapers:
"Having affiliated myself with Odells Incorporated,
I have decided to devote all my time to the jewelry
and music business, and shall discontinue the gro-
cery business of J. H. Brown & Son.
"In this connection I wish to thank the thousands
of customers (in some instances five generations)
who have permitted us to serve them, and trust that
I shall have the pleasure of serving them and others,
in a larger way for years to come."
AN OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION.
The Presidential and Vice-Presidential nominees
are not the only people to receive a belated notifica-
tion of gladsome facts. Matt J. Kennedy, secretary
of the National Association of Music Merchants,
believes that delay mellows the cheerful incident.
The Music Merchants' Association of Ohio was ad-
mitted to membership in the national body at the
annual convention in June. The matured fact was
officially conveyed to the Ohioans decorously later,
with this added by Mr. Kennedy: "We are mighty
glad to have your organization affiliated with us and
it is our purpose and desire to co-operate with you
on any matters that may arise, looking forward to
the success of your Association with the National."
LYON & HEALY CALLERS.
Walter Ryan, of the Ryan Piano Co., Belleville,
111., was a recent visitor at Lyon & Healy's, Chicago.
He spent a very pleasant visit with Mr. Adams in
the wholesale piano department. Among other visi-
tors reported by Mr. Adams are: P. J. Palmer, Mead-
ford, Ore.; F. Cohen, Crystal Falls, 111.; Mr. Ailing-
ton, Freeport, 111., and S. Weatherby, Bonham, Texas.
SCHOOL HELPS PIANO SALES.
Five classes of twenty each are receiving free les-
sons in piano playing in the new Miessner plan school
opened .in Salt Lake City, Utah, by the Glenn Bros.-
Roberts Piano Co. The school has wonderfully stimj-
ulated piano sales.
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).
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PRESTO
TO SALESMEN FROM A
PROPHET OF PROSPERITY
Something for the Despondent or Doubtful in
the Trade to Read and Inwardly
Digest.
Petersburg, Va., August 13, 1924.
Editor Presto: The American Music Trade Week-
ly is certainly a welcome visitor. It is not only
interesting, but instructive. I find benefit in reading
carefully the writings of those men of long experience
and judgment. It is not surprising that men like
Mr. Gulbransen have met with marked success when
we read the wonderful system he recently described
in the columns of Presto of recent date.
However, it is not the object of this communication
to comment on manufacturers, but to express my
views as a salesman to my fellow salesmen.
Fellows, you are all fully cognizant of the fact that
this is presidential election year; also this is the
season of the year when sales are far and few, caus-
ing many a salesman's very soul to droop into the
slough of despondency.
But, listen! Immediately you begin to look over
your life for the things that have disheartened you,
and made you fight the hard fight, you have a
depressed feeling. But, as you consider further the
situations that have arisen, and how you have met
them, there comes the glow of the generous ardor
and you feel like rising, to go out and fight over again
the battles you have had, glorying in the victories
won and assured that, could you try again, defeat
would be turned to victory in those you have lost.
The Salesman's Life.
A salesman's life is always mercurial. That is, it is
'way up or 'way down. There is no temperate zone
in true salesmanship. The main trouble is to find a
flame of enthusiasm that will burn brightly and
fiercely under water—under the cold dousing of ad-
verse criticisms or the slack direction of General
Apathy.
This last seems to be the commanding officer of
America's business regiments today. And of all hard
tacticians to beat in a sales game that old general
is the toughest.
One thing can beat him, and that is well-directed,
well considered, well balanced enthusiasm for the
country, for conditions in general, and for the particu-
lar product that you sell. There is no necessity to
dwell on the product that I sell. It is a fact well
known in America that the Weaver piano occupies a
prominent position on any salesroom floor.
But there are with some salesmen serious causes
for present discouragement. Some say "tight
money." Some say general conditions. Some say the
Federal Reserve Bank is sitting on our neck. And
so some say one thing, some another. But here is
my guess: I believe the American people, as a whole,
think that when times are good they are never going
to be worse, and when they get as they are today
they think times are never going to get any better.
That is mob psychology. But mob psychology is
usually based upon the wrong premises, and usually
proceeds from the wrong hypothesis.
Mutations of Trade.
Business conditions are never stationary. They are
always in a state of flux. Sometimes conditions are
more stable than at other times, but this only proves
the general rule of the constantly changing business
conditions.
Today the American mind has reached the lowest
ebb, with regard to general business conditions, that
is consistent with sound thinking. Further depres-
sion of the national consciousness could mean but
one thing—national bankruptcy, anarchy and ultimate
dissolution. Therefore the pendulum is bound to
swing upward.
America's resources are so vast, and its recupera-
tive powers so immense, that prosperity is only
gathering its resistless momentum to sweep up back
again on the high tide of national confidence, and
rational, conservative good times. We have all been
Becker Bros.
Manufacturer* of
HIGH GRADE PIANOS
and PLAYER PIANOS
Factory and Warerooma
767-769 Tenth Avenue, New York
bears on the commodity market long enough. Let's
be bulls for a while. The reason for my belief is
based largely on everyday, commonplace indications
together with the implicit faith that I have in the
common sense and courage of the great American
people.
My "Spizzeroinktum."
As to our own lives, there is one thing that will
help us to be an integral part in this great change,
which stands even now on the threshold of fulfill-
ment. That one thing is "Spizzeroinktum." Now
spizzeroinktum means stick-to-it-iveness—the ability
to persevere, and if a fellow puts a little grain of
spizzeroinktum in his brain, and some enthusiasm
for the things he sells, and a little bit of old fashioned
honest-to-goodness courage in his heart, everything is
going to be all right.
The new day is coming. It must come. The
witching hour of midnight is long past. The solemn
hush of morning twilight has been with us for some
time. So let's send out the word and have the watch-
ers up to witness the glory of the dawn! As Whit-
comb Riley sang it—
"Let us fold away our fears,
And put by our foolish tears
And thru all the coming years
Just be glad."
J. J. DANCY.
August 23, 1924.
ADMIRE MERITS OF
STRAUCH BROS. ACTIONS
Tuners Assembled at the Annual Convention
of National Association Admire the Merits
of the Fine Old Product.
Highly complimentary things were said about the
pneumatic actions of Strauch Bros., Inc., New York,
during the convention in Milwaukee last week of the
National Association of Piano Tuners. The Strauch
Bros, piano actions and pneumatic actions were
prominent exhibits at the Hotel Wisconsin. Old
tuners and younger ones whose experiences do not
extend back so far were alike enthusiastic in praising
the products of Strauch Bros., Inc.
The Strauch piano action has been an important
part of good pianos since 1867 and the veteran tuners
have recognized it as the mark of high piano quality
throughout their experiences. The younger tuners
who at the beginning of their tuning career accepted
Strauch action quality as a proven fact, have become
more impressed with the merits of the actions ac-
cepted as the best for over sixty years.
Now young and old know that a pneumatic action
BUTLER MUSIC CO. WINS
bearing the name Strauch Bros, is the guide to unfail-
quality. The general estimate of the assembled
PRIZE FOR WINDOW DISPLAY ing
tuners about Strauch Bros, pneumatic action merits
was particularly noteworthy coming from men
Marion, Ind., House Awarded First Honors in Conn acknowledged as experts in the functions of player-
piano parts. The accomplished tuner is above all a
Window Contest Just Concluded.
judge of materials and that fine materials are char-
The Butler Music Co., Marion, Ind., was declared acteristics of Strauch Bros, actions was a fact
the winner of the first prize in the Conn Better freely admitted by the men assembled in the Milwau-
Dressed Window Display Contest recently conducted kee hotel. But the most admirable fact about the
by C. G. Conn, Ltd., Elkhart, Ind. The competi- pneumatic actions of Strauch Bros., Inc. and that
tion, which was open to all Conn representatives most warmly commented upon, was the simplicity of
evoked considerable interest in the music trade and construction which goes with undoubted depend-
the number of photographs submitted made the task ability.
of judging a difficult one for Walter L. Neuman, of
Zeisel Bros, store, in Elkhart.
Construction of a three-story store, hall and office
The second prize in the contest was awarded to
Kaufman's Big Store, Pittsburgh, Pa., and the Pack- building for the Musicians' Union on Jones street,
ard Piano Co., Fort Wayne, Ind., was winner of the near Turk, San Francisco, has begun.
third. Honorable mention was made of displays by
Ludwig & Co., Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and the Consoli-
dated Music Co., Salt Lake City, Utah.
The instruments shown in the display by the Butler
Music Co. were valued at over $2,000 and the growth
of the band instrument business of the company re-
flects the .interest in band and orchestra music in
that section.
Jill Ondu ring*
RETIRES AFTER FIFTY-TWO
YEARS WITH THE STEINWAY
Fellow Employes of Veteran Piano Worker Gave
Him a Hearty Send-off.
"We're all sorry to see you go, Joe, and wish
you joy, prosperity and a long life," was the senti-
ment of the farewell salutation given by hundreds of
employes of Steinway & Sons piano factory, Ditmars
avenue, Astoria, on August 9, to Joseph Heissner, 72
years old, of 54 Payntar avenue, Long Island City.
For more than half a century, fifty-two years, to
be exact, Heissner had worked in the piano factory.
During all that time he seldom missed a day. He
was popular with all of his fellow employes.
The veteran piano maker, who served in nearly
every department of the factory, is going to live
in retirement at his home where he has lived for
forty years in the Dutch Kilis section of Long Island
City.
™' ^Hardman
The &/ardman J^ine
is a complete line
It comprises a range of artisti-
cally worthy instruments to
please practically every purse:
The Hardman, official piano of
the Metropolitan Opera House;
the Harrington and the Hensel
Pianos in which is found thatin-
builtdurabilitythatcharacterizes
all Hardman-made instruments;
the wonderful Hardman Repro-
ducing Piano; the Hardman
Autotone (the perfect player-
piano); and the popular Playo-
tone.
OPEN DOORS IN NEW
PIANO SELLING VENTURES
Opportunity Seen and Grasped by Vigorous Onef
in the Piano Selling Field.
Charles M. Stieff, Inc., is now located at its new
store, 414 East Grace street, Richmond, Va., where
the complete line of Stieff instruments is on view.
The Glen Bros.-Roberts Co., of Salt Lake City, re-
cently completed alterations to its store, having re-
duced it slightly in size, and leased part of the front.
J. C. Wilson will soon open a music store at 832
Massachusetts avenue, Indianapolis, Ind.
Clark Wise & Co., San Francisco, is prominently
featuring its new radio department and expresses
satisfaction with the sales results so far.
The Columbia Graphonola Shop, 1108 Grand ave-
nue, Kansas City, Mo., owned and managed by Otto
D. Standke, has moved to the third floor of the same
building temporarily due to changes which are to be
made in the renting of the building.
c
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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