Presto

Issue: 1924 1999

November 15, 1924.
PRESTO
DEALER AND THE
UNTUNED PIANO
Responsibilities of the Music Merchant for the
Tunelessness of Instruments in the Homes
Cannot Be Evaded, and No Excuse
Exonerates Him.
KEEP PIANOS IN TUNE
Propaganda for Impressing Piano Owners with Im-
rcrtance of Periodic Expert Attention to Their
Instruments Is Good Publicity.
By A. G. GULBRANSEN,
President, The Gulbransen Co., Chicago.
If it is important that
the piano in the home be
kept in tune for the sake
I of the instrument itself and
those who hear it, it is a
great deal more important
that the piano in a public
or semi-public place be
kept in tune.
Such a piano, upon a
single hearing, can dis-
gust a whole roomful of
people. Not one family
and a few neighbors, as in
the case of a piano in the
home, but many families.
And yet the majority of
pianos in public places are
neglected.
Whose fault is it? The
owner's? In a measure,
A. (i. (U'LRRAN'SEX. yes, but it is a greater
fault of the dealer who
sold it. When he closed the sale he must have real-
ized that the instrument would be either a good or
bad influence for his business, depending solely on
how it sounds to those who hear it.
Follow Up the Sales!
It is the dealer's business to follow up • such sales,
to tune and adjust the instrument periodically. Not
only is it his duty, but it is to his best interests to do
so. It will help him make more sales and prove to
be one of the most potent forces in building up his
business.
If the piano had a sign on it reading, "I am badly
out of tune. I am a Blank Piano, sold by the Blank
Music Shop," the owner, manufacturer and dealer
would all feel deeply humiliated. Yet, in another
way, the piano is saying that very thing every time
it is played.
Manufacturers do feel humiliated when they hear
their product or any other make of piano, out of
tune, but there is not much that they can do, except
to stir up the dealer. They have no way of knowing
where instruments have been sold by the dealers.
It is the dealer's job to follow up his sales, whether
to homes or public places, and see to it that they are
kept in good shape.
It seems to me that in the case of sales to public
places, the plan which the Wilks people use in Aus-
tralia could be adopted to very good advantage: Im-
press on the buyer at the time the sale is made, the
necessity of tuning every six months. Then notify
the owner every six months that a tuner will be there
on a certain day unless you are notified to the con-
trary. It is, in most cases, a thoughtful service that
the owner appreciates, a source of profit for the
dealer and a method of assuring a piano being an
advertisement for, not against, those who own, sold
and made it.
A Case in Point.
Just last week we came across a piano in a promi-
nent health resort in Wisconsin, visited by people
from all over the slate and adjoining states. It had
been sold by the retail store of a manufacturer. Yet
it was in very poor shape and apparently the manu-
facturer did not think or care about the impression
his piano was making on the thousands of people
who heard it every year.
Another one, of our own make, was noticed in a
combination res'.aurant and lodge hall, in Chicago
the other day. It was in good adjustment, but out
of tune. Hundreds of people crowd this place every
evening, and it is unfair to the Gulbransen to have
it judged by this out-of-tune instrument. We asked
the owner who sold it to him and next morning
called up the dealer and suggested that he could get
a tuning order from one of his customers whom he
had neglected.
With places such as these, it is not a matter of
the tuning charge being a burden. Business men and
women want to maintain their equipment at a proper
standard. It is simply a matter of neglect in most
cases, which it is the dealer's business to take care
of, thereby helping his business, giving the customer
better service and making an additional money profit
for himself.
SELLS BALDWIN PIANO TO
HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
Activities of H. G. Benson, Stamford, Tex., Dealer,
Suggest Possibilities of Big Field.
UNFORTUNATE DECLINE
OF AN OLD HOUSE
Succession of Changes by Which the Fine
Piano Business of Grosvenor & Lapham,
Chicago, Was Eliminated.
After nearly thirty years of .substantial business in
a single location, the Grosvenor & Lapham Company,
Chicago, seems to have faded out. It seems to pre-
sent an unusual instance of the result of "changing
horses in the middle of the stream" as the great Lin-
coln put it with reference to a more momentous inci-
dent. For it was largely because of a series of
changes in the pianos handled that led to the extinc-
tion of a valuable firm name.
The famous piano house which, for so many years,
occupied good space on the sixth floor of the Fine
Arts Building, Michigan avenue, Chicago, was formed
in 1896 by two young men who had been salesmen
with the Lyon, Potter & Co., afler a career with
the house of Lyon & Healy. When Mr. Potter
decided to withdraw from the piano business, the late
Calvin Whitney, of the A. B. Chase Company, want-
ing a Chicago representation for the instruments
from Xorwalk, proposed to "back" the two sales-
men. They opened tip in good style and made a
place for the A. B. Chase in the Chicago trade.
When Mr. Whitney died, the A. B. Chase piano
was in the uncertainties which follow such an event,
and Grosvenor & Lapham tried other instruments.
They finally were induced to take on the Mehlin, and
with it the traveling representative, Mr. Houston.
That gentleman gained control of the business and.
after a year or two, it was changed by the purchase
of the Fenton Music Stores, in outlying districts.
Mr. Houston did not seem to make it a go, and the
two original owners resigned. Finally, the last
scene, so far as concerns the old Fine Arts piano
business, is that the Fenton Music Co. has in turn
changed hands. Olin Bell, who is in charge of it, is
in Muncie, Ind., on matters of the late Bell Bros.
Company of that city. Mr. Lapham is in the bond
business, and Mr. Grosvenor is preparing to re-
enter the piano trade.
Bauer's Music & Variety Store, 2619 Gravois ave-
nue, St. Louis, has been remodeled.
Among the recent sales of H. G. Benson, repre-
sentative of the Baldwin line of pianos in Stamford,
Tex., was a handsome Baldwin grand piano sold to
the senior class of the Stamford High School. The
instrument arrived last week and was installed in the
new .High School Auditorium. A silver plate with
the inscription "Seniors '25," has been affixed to the
front of the piano.
The possibilities of similar sales are suggested by
the activities of Air. Benson. This class has fifty-
seven members, and they raised $250 between the
time he wired for the piano and its arrival in Stam-
ford.
v
NEW STORE AT DOTHAN, ALA.
J. H. Cumbus, one of the sales representatives of
the Jesse French & Sons Piano Co., announces that he
will open a piano and music store in Dothan, Ala.,
just as soon as arrangements for a building are com-
pleted. A complete line of small instruments, popular
and classical sheet music and supplies will be, carried
as well as pianos, phonographs and records Mr. Cum-
bus believes that the quality of a Jesse French piano
insures success. Mr. Cumbus goes to Dothan with a
thorough knowledge of the piano and music business,
having followed this line the greatest part of his life.
He has moved his family to the Alabama town and
intends to stav there.
T e
" tjiardman
The ^J-/ardman Jzine
is a complete line
It comprises a range of artisti-
cally w o r t h y 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 that in-
builtdurabilitythatcharacterizes
all Hardman-made instruments;
the wonderful Hardman Repro-
ducing Piano; the Hardman
Autotone (the perfect player-
piano); and the popular Playo-
tone.
UPSTAIRS STORE SUCCEEDS.
GRAND PIANO
M Inches Long
The best exponent of the present Baby Grand Age.
I|s tone — its lines—its reatrtcted space requirement and
attractive price—
MAKE IT THE PREMIER AGENCY
Get full details of this valuable Belling franchise NOW
The J. J. Collins Piano Co., Portland, Ore., which
recently moved from 386 Morrison street in the Hyatt
talking machine store to larger quarters in the Ungar
Building, 205 Morrison street, has had very pleasing
results. Mr. Collins has taken Warren A. Erwin as
partner, and the new firm is known as Collins &
Erwin, "Upstairs Piano Store." Mr. Collins was for
many years vice-president of the Reed-French Piano
Co., and is well and favorably known in the music
business. Mr. Erwin was formerly manager of the
piano department of Lipman, Wolfe & Co., and is
prominent in musical circles.
Premier Grand Piano Corporation
NEW OWNER ACTIVE.
Largest Institution in the World Building Grand
Pianos Exclusively
A spirited drive for holiday sales is being made by
the Archie L. Hamilton Co., which recently took over
the store of the Baldwin Piano Co., First and Main
streets, Dayton, O. Mr. Hamilton, head of the new
concern, is an experienced piano man, well known
in that section. Associated with him in the business
is his siter, Mrs. Ada W. Dunlap, who is one of the
stockholders.
WALTER C. H E r P E R U
Pr«tid«al
JUSTUS DATTEMER
Vic*-Pr* 510-532 West ilxA Slreel
NEW YORK
J k ond tiring*
c
L
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/
Nuvcmk-r 15. 192-1.
PRESTO
HENRY Q. JOHNSON HAS
HIS NEW FACTORY UP
Quick Work of Energetic Piano Manufacturer
Will Insure Dealers Having the Popular
Instruments in Near Future.
every dealer
knew what
successful
SEEBURG
dealers know
about conduct-
ing and oper-
ating auto-
matic piano
businesses,
every dealer
would be en-
gaged in the
business!
J. P. SEEBURG
PIANO CO.
Quick work by Henry G. Johnson, head of the large
industry at Bellevue, Iowa, was moving ahead rapidly
when a disastrous fire swept away the larger part of
the factory last May. Already the "opening" of the en-
tirely new plant has taken place. It was on the last
day of October and the event was of much more than
local interest. Mr. Johnson is a man who "does things"
and he has been tireless in his determination to be ready-
when the era of new prosperity should dawn. And it
is now dawning and Mr. Johnson is nearly ready.
The new factory of the Henry G. Johnson Piano
Manufacturing Co., at Be'.levue, is larger than before,
and in some respects it is considered much better
adapted to the speedy production of durable instruments.
The consideration of production facilities is one which
cannot escape the modern piano manufacturer. It is
equipment, factory room, and the latest machinery and
methods that count. Mr. Johnson knows what that
means, and he has applied his long experience in large
piano factories to the task of so completing his plant
that nothing shall be found missing when the wheels
begin to turn full speed.
Piano dealers everywhere who have looked to Belle-
vue for supplies will soon have their wants attended
to with the promptness for which Mr. Johnson and his
industry have won a good name. The recent opening
was attended by a number of piano men. It consumed
one entire day, with a Hallowe'en party and dance in
the evening, at which a copious supper was served.
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY AT
OMAHA WAS BRIGHT EVENT
In Addition to Particulars Which Have Already Ap-
peared in Presto This Is Interesting.
The recent •"golden anniversary" of the house of A.
Hospe Company, at Omaha, Neb., was an event as un-
usual as it was unique. Piano houses that have passed
thei" fiftieth year in successful business are not plen-
tiful in this country. The Hospe house has not only
achieved that distinction, but it is still in control and
"personally conducted" by its founder, whose name it
bears.
The gathering of prominent members of the piano
industry who attended the Hospe celebration on October
23d included all of the following and more:
M. J. Kennedy, secretary, National Association of
Music Merchants, Chicago; H. D. Hewitt, M. Schulz
Co., Chicago; P. E. Mason, vice president, DeKalb
(111.) Piano Co.; T. J. Mercer, Gulbransen Co., Chica-
go; W. J. Eden, Kansas City, western representative of
Gulbransen Co.; L. W. Peterson, Gulbransen Co.; E. B.
Bartlett, W. W. Kimball Co., Chicago; George W.
Allen, president Milton Piano Co., New York City;
K. W. Curtis, manager, Kohler Industries, Chicago;
George L. Ames, vice president United States Music
Co., Chicago; P. A. Tonk, president, Tonk Manufac-
turing Co., Chicago; G. L. Laughead, Rudolph Wur-
litzer Co., North Tonawanda, N. Y.; C. B. Mclntosh,
vice president, Schumann Piano Co., Rock $sland, 111.;
Wm. F. Allen, Kohler Industries, Chicago; Fred Har-
lovv, Vose Piano Co., Boston; J. H. Parnham, president
Cable-Nelson Piano Co., South Haven, Mich.; Alex
McDonald, Sohmer Piano Co., New York; J. T. Bris-
tol, James T. Bristol Co., Chicago; G. Dunn, Q R S
Music Co., Chicago.
At the banquet a "golden glow of fifty candles"
lighted up the table, and a series of presentations, a
talk by E. B. Bartlett, vice president of the W. W.
Kimball Piano Company, who acted as toastmaster,
piano selections by Frederick Dixon, and a talk by Mr.
Hospe shed still further brightness upon the occasion.
OPEN DOORS IN NEW
PIANO SELLING VENTURES
CHICAGO
Opportunity Seen and Grasped by Vigorous One*
in the Piano Selling Field.
"Leaders in the
Automatic Line"
Harry Patterson and L. G. Gardner purchased an
interest in the piano and furniture business of the
A. L. Sisco Co., Glasgow, Ky.
Vangel Shishcoff has opened a music shop at 529
Indiana Avenue, Indianapolis.
The Sampson Music Co., with headquarters at
Boise, Idaho, recently opened a branch at Nampa,
Idaho, a growing railroad town.
The Morrison Music Co. recently opened show-
rooms in the Pantages Building, San Francisco.
A program of expansion has .been launched by the
General Offices: 1510 Dayton St.
Factory 1508-16 Dayton St.
Hollywood Music Co. at 6019 Hollywood Boulevard,
Hollywood, Los Angeles, Cal.
The Ashby Piano Co. recently opened a store at
3317 Adeline Street, Berkeley, Cal.
The New Mexico Piano Co, 116 North Second
Street, Albuquerque, \ T . M., held its formal opening
last week.
F. L. Klunzinger recently opened a music store at
Mount Pleasant, Mich., when he acquired the stock
of musical instruments formerly owned by George
Me Knight.
The Dugan Piano Co., New Orleans, is settled in
i'.s new home at 416 Baronne Street, where it moved
from 534 Baronne Street.
0. E. KLINGER NEW SALES
MANAGER OF STARR BRANCH
Widely Known Piano Man Succeeds D. G. Free as
Sales Head in Cleveland.
The new sales manager of the Cleveland branch of
the Starr Piano Co., Richmond, Ind , is O. E. Klingler,
who takes the post held by D. G. Free, who retires.
Mr. Klingler is widely known in the trade of Ohio.
For many years he was in the retail piano business in
Toledo, from which city he comes to Cleveland. Pre-
viously he was associated with the wholesale end of
of the piano industry, traveling extensively, and de-
veloping his wide circle of piano trade friends.
Mr. Free, the retiring sales manager, also enjoys a
wide circle of friends in the trade. He has not been
in the best of health for some time and recently decided
to take a long rest before again taking up his work as
a piano man. He has been sales manager in the Cleve-
land branch for about seven years.
NEW HARDMAN BOOKLET
HELPS HOLIDAY TRADE
Handsome Styles of Upright Grands and Players
Adorn Pages of Handsome Catalog.
The new booklet of pianos and playerpiono styles
of Hardman, Peck & Co., New York, is being used to
good purpose by dealers in presenting the line. Dealers
have received the new booklets in quantity lots for use
in interesting the holiday buyer. Notable among the
pianos shown are the Early English, William and
Mary and two-tone Colonial period models, adapted to
the Hardman Style V five foot grand. These styles
are strictly in keeping with the fine sense of taste and
accuracy which has characterized other Hardman art
cases.
Other Hardman styles shown in the booklet include
the Hardman concert grand, the style Y parlor grand,
style X baby grand, and the Louis XV five foot grand.
Two Hardman upright models, styles E and F, are also
shown and described at some length, the former being
the smallest of the Hardman uprights.
Admirable use of the portraits of notable opera
singers is made in the new booklet. Pictures of Caruso,
Tetarzzini, Gigli, Florence Easton and other Metdo-
politan Opera Co. stars, who endorse the Hardman
piano, are carried on the border of the first few pages
of the booklet, and the annual letter of G. Gatti-
Casazza, general manager of the Metropolitan Qprea
Co., for the use of the Hardman piano in the studios
of the operatic stars, is also reprinted in full.
KNOW THIS REPAIR SHOP?
Every day the circle of dealers who recognize the
advantage offered by the Piano Repair Shop, 435
South Wabash avenue, Chicago, is growing larger.
In a great number of cases the taking of an old piano
in exchange is part of -the deal for a new instrument
and to make the deal profitable the old piano must
eventually be sold. But selling most of the old in-
struments would be impossible without some over-
hauling. In a good many instances though the pianos
are worth the expenditure of a little money for re-
pairs and refinishing the cases. There is where the
usefulness of the Piano Repair Shop presents itself
to the alert dealer.
BUSY TENNESSEE FIRM.
C. H. Byrn & Son, Murfreesboro, Tenii., has just
concluded a special saie of pianos and piano players,
which lines were recently added to the general stock
of the company. The lines of pianos and players of
the Waltham Piano Manufacturing- Company, of
Milwaukee, Wis., are well featured in the new piano
department. Mr. Lamb will give particular attention
to the introduction of the line of Waltham pianos
and the new player of the company.
BUYS EUREKA, CAL., STORE.
Harry W. Allen is now sole proprietor of the II :m-
boldt Music House at 426 F street, Eureka, Cal. Mr.
Allen has been associated with the firm for some ' : e
and recently purchased the interest of T. W. S :i: !i,
the former owner, who has moved to San Francisco.
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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