Presto Buyers' Guide
Analyzes and Classifies
All American P i a n o s
and in Detail Tells of
Fheir Makers.
PRESTO
Established ISM.
THE AMERICAN MUSIC TRADE WEEKLY
Presto Year Book
The Only Complete
Annual Review of the
American Music In-
dustries and Trades.
to cent*-, n.oo a Year
CHICAGO, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1924
the Story & Clark New York store with a discretion
and a good taste, combined with a practical business
sense, which are wholly admirable. Splendid results
are being obtained, both direct and indirect, as the
sales reports show.
The weekly musicales are largely devoted to the
admirable plan of affording opportunity to young
Expert Sails Next Month to Take Part in Re- American artists to display their talents upon an ade-
quate stage. Usually two or more singers of talent
organization of Production Plans of
appear, with one pianist or violinist and sometimes
Gaveau Factory.
a string trio or quartet. At the seventh weekly Mu-
sicale, held on October 16th, the members of the
The fact was recently told, in Presto, that Charles English Grand Opera Company supplied the entire
Stanley, the widely known expert in piano manufac- program, drawing upon the vast treasury of Wag-
ture, has been engaged by the great French industry nerian music for their selections and upon the artistry
of Gaveau & Co., of Paris, to "Americanize" the fac- of Mr. Emanuel Balaban, associate conductor of the
ory of that industry. Mr. Stanley will sail next, company, for their piano accompaniments.
month and expects to remain abroad about six
months. In order to fill this engagement, Mr. Stan-
ley secured a leave of absence from the Story &
Clark Piano Co. in the service of whose great Grand
RLES STANLEY'S
PARIS ENGAGEMENT
PREMIER GRAND SELECTED
FOR EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE
' • • • • • • • 1
^
VWj
4
Messrs. Richard, Gaveau and Stanley.
Haven, Mich., factories he has been busy for a long
time past.
Accompanying this item is a photograph taken at
irand Haven two years ago during the visit of the
unior member of the Gaveau house and the Paris
actory superintendent, Mr. Richard. Friends of Mr.
Stanley will recognize that gentleman in the figure
it right of the group. In the center is Andre Gaveau,
vith Mr. Richard at the left. The picture was taken
m the lawn at Mr. Stanley's home in Grand Haven.
Mr. Stanley will not be accompanied by his wife
luring the sojourn in Paris, though she will go over
ater, or in time to accompany her husband on his
lomeward trip, as well as to enjoy a brief experience
the French capital. No one will doubt the good
|hat Mr. Stanley will do for the famous industry of
iaveau and, on his return, he will resume his place
,ith the Story & Clark Piano Co.
iTORY & CLARK RECITALS
BUILD PRESTIGE FOR GRAND
Article in Latest Issue of Story Book Suggests Ac-
tivities of New York Branch.
The popularity of the musical programs given by
Story & Clark Co.'s New York branch, at 33 W.
Jth St., has brought gratification to the Story &
(lark Co. in the fact that it is an excellent oppor-
]mity to display the musical merits of the line of
tory & Clark pianos.
j In a recent issue of the "Story Book," official house
rgan of the Story & Clark Piano Co., an interesting
[ticle appeared describing the fine programs given
the New York house, in which this is said:
Really wonderful promotional work on the Story &
ark Little Grand, with repercussions of course
on the whole Story & Clark line, is being done at
New York store through the winter Musicales
lich are being held there on Thursday afternoon of
ch week, by invitation. The efforts of Mr. Schoen-
ild in building up Story & Clark prestige are hav-
r most successful results, with which he is very
r\\]y pleased.
ligh class musical demonstration in the form of
ptimate concerts and recitals is beyond a doubt
fine and effective a method for building prestige
sales as can be conceived. It is being handled in
Meeting of Educators in New York City This Month
Will Feature Commercial Displays.
The Premier Baby Grand will be a feature of the
American Education Conference and Exposition
which will be held at the Ninth Regiment Armory—
6th Av. and 14th Street, New York. November 14th
to November 22nd. The Premier Model A will be
displayed on the stage, with gold lettering on the
side. It will also be exhibited in the Grand Opera
Society's Booth at the Exposition, and Models R and
A will be further displayed in the special Premier
Exhibit during the conference.
This Conference and Exposition is America's first
public education Exposition covering all branches of
educational activities—public and private schools and
colleges. There will be numerous conferences of na-
tionally known educators during the week, with also
a full display covering all branches of music. Notable
exhibits, lectures, conferences, competitions and dem-
onstrations are announced for the eight days of the
Exposition. A number of scholarships and other
awards will be distributed to boys and girls of the
Metropolitan District, and a prize poster contest of
the New York High Schools conducted at the same
time.
That the Premier Baby Grand is selected by the
committee for the musical features of the program
and for special exhibits besides, is most gratifying
to the Premier Grand Piano Corporation officials.
This is the latest indication wherein the Premier
Small Grand has demonstrated its popularity and na-
tional fame.
A TIMELY REMINDER.
A Weaver reproducing piano made by the Weaver
Piano Co., Inc., York, Pa., was used for broadcasting
purposes at the recent Radio Show in Baltimore, Md.
The fact suggested the wording of a window card
designed to increase the prestige of the Weaver line
and sent to dealers by the Yord industry, which read:
"Tune in on Station WEAR any evening, October
18 to 25, and hear the official piano of the radio show
at Baltimore, Md. It is the Weaver Reproducing
Piano," etc., etc.
DETROIT MUSIC FIRMS
AFTER CHRISTMAS SALES
Condition in Growing Michigan City Encour-
aging and Lively Ones Anticipating Bigger
Business Prepared in Wise Manner.
The Cable Piano Co., Detroit, Mich., is enjoying
the advantage of more space and greater facilities for
a lively Christmas business in its new store. The
vigorous advertising methods of the company directed
to stimulating the public to do its Christmas shopping
early are producing results. The large number of
pianos and players bought for delivery at the glad-
some time assures a strenuous time on Christmas
Eve and Christmas morning for the delivery force.
The arrangement of the new store is considered
very convenient for all departments. The main floor
of the new store is devoted to talking machines,
while the upper floors are for pianos, players, etc.
Grinncll Bros, is another Detroit firm fortunate in
providing greater facilities for the holiday rush. The
remodeling plans in the main store on Woodward
avenue have moved the collection department to the
sixth floor. The alterations on the first floor have
caused both the small goods department and the
i-heet music department to be extended to the rear,
thus increasing the size of each department at least
100 per cent. These departments have long ago out-
grown their quarters and the change will enable a
belter display of merchandise, as well as space for
more stock.
(•rinnell Bros., Victor wholesalers in Detroit, has
purchased the business of the Toledo Talking Ma-
chine Co , of Toledo, O., also a wholesaler.
The Steinway piano is .being given great promi-
nence in the Christm.'is advertising of Grinnell Bros.
In a window display last week two Steinway grands
were exhibited. One was manufactured in 1863' and
the other was the 1924 model.
The greatest optimism prevails in Detroit and man-
ufacturers of various lines, including the automobile,
believe that production is approaching a normal basis.
The improvement continues, which is a healthy state
of affairs. Even jobbers of all grades of mercsan-
dise say they notice a marked improvement in orders
and retailers also are noting better business.
Owners and department managers for small goods
say that musicians are buying new instruments, and
the schools show more interest in music, and indus-
trial plant orchestras, which directly help the small
goods business, have begun their winter activities.
There is no denying that all these things have stimu-
lated the sale of music rolls and talking machine
records, and incidentally pianos and players, as well
as musical merchandise.
CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES IN
CLEVELAND PIANO STO FE
Anticipations for Big Holiday Business in Fine Pianos
Well Marked in Warerooms.
THE PULLMAN SURCHARGE CASE.
Activities at the Starr Piano Co., Cleveland, O.,
D. H. Clink, Washington, D. C, chairman of the are an indication of the approach of Christmas. More
railroad committee of the International Federation of salesmen, to cultivate the outside territory, have been
Commercial Travelers, has filed a brief before the added and some additions have been made in the
Interstate Commerce Commission in a reopening of wareroom force. Heretofore player demand at the
the Pullman surcharge case. Nothing developed that Starr Piano Co. has comprised about 75 per cent of
would justify a deviation or modification, was stated the gross, but lately this has run about 50 per cent,
by Examiner J. B. Keeler in a report of his findings the rest of the business being absorbed by the better
to the Commission.
grade of straight grands and reproducing pianos. It
is the opinion of the retail sales mananer that the re-
THE BRUCE FAILURE.
producing demand, from present indications, will run
The failure of the Bruce Piano Co., of Spring- ahead of the sales of the holiday season of last year.
Steinway business with the Dreher Piano Co. is of
field, 111., proves to have been a bad one for the cred-
itors. The promise is that not much more will be an unusually good kind and the piano figures largely
realized, and several of the piano manufacturers who in the scheme of Christmas presentations. The
shipped to the Peoria concern are out nearly the Steinway has always been a favored instrument in
entire amount of their claims. One Chicago indus- the holiday activities in the Dreher Piano Co. so that
the pleasantly numerous inquiries just now do not
try was hit to the tune of a good many dollars.
surprise the management.
Warren A. Erwin, former manager of the Lipman-
Wolf piano department, Portland, Ore., has gone into
Theodore Placek and Daniel Haight have opened
partnership with J. J. Collins, of the Collins Piano a new mu.sic store at Westford avenue and. Curtis
Company, in that city.
street, Stafford Springs,. Conn. .
, •
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