Presto

Presto Buyers' Guide
Analyzes and Classifies
All American P i a n o s
and in Detail Tells of
Their Makers.
PRESTO
E«abu.hed 1884. THE AMERICAN MUSIC TRADE WEEKLY
Presto Year Book
The Only Complete
Annual Review of the
American Music In-
dustries and Trades.
to c,nt. : $2.00 a Y W
CHICAGO, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1925
NEW PLANS OF
LEE ^ROBERTS
When Composer-Pianist Resigns as Vice-
President of Q R S Music Co. April 1, He
Will Be Associated with Reproducing
Piano and Radio Business.
BACK TO FRISCO
Return to Retail Field in That City, the Realization
of a Long-Cherished Ambition of the
Famous Song Writer.
The resignation of Lee S. Roberts as vice-presi-
dent of the Q R S Music Co. is one of the interest-
ing items of trade news this week. That Mr. Roberts
•*£•
I.RE S. ROBERTS.
purp6ses entering the retail piano, reproducing piano
and radio field is an added bit of news of great sig-
nificance. It is understood he will retain his seat
on the directorate of the Q R S Music Co. and con-
tinue to render valuable service to the industry
with which he has been associated for so many years.
The date set for his resignation is April 1.
Mr. Roberts is well equipped from every angle to
make a success in any phase of the music business.
His first association with the music business was
with the Pianola department of Kohler & Chase in
his native city, San Francisco, and later he joined the
sales staff of Benjamin Curtaz & Son there. From
the start he contributed to the success of the player
industry, so it seems natural to learn of his return
to direct association with the instruments in a busi-
ness with which he will be actively connected. .His
contribution to the progress of the player industry
has been generous indeed. He was the first to
^originate and successfully use the comparison
method of player and manual exploitation. He also
played and produced the first Q R S hand played roll
for use on the foot pedal player, same being his own
composition, "Valse Parisienne," which he laughingly
states, "is still among the best sellers."
Known to Fame.
Of course, it is not necessary to enlarge upon Mr.
Roberts' prominence as a composer and pianist.
Many of his hits such as "Smiles," "Patches," "A
Little Birch Canoe," "After All," "Lonesome, That's
All," and many others are known wherever good
songs are appreciated. In addition to deserved rec-
ognition as an executive many in the trade remember
his success as manager of Wurlitzer's piano depart-
ment in Chicago, as wholesale representative of the
Melville-Clark Piano Co., and his unique handling
and demonstration of the Apollo.
Mr. Roberts Speaks.
"My retirement from an active interest in Q R S
affairs," said Mr. Roberts, "is made with the kindli-
est feelings on my own part and that of my Q R S
associates. It is the culmination of a long-cher-
ished ambition to return not only to my native city,
but also the retail field. At Tom Pletcher's request,
I shall retain my seat on the company's board of
directors and hope to find myself in frequent at-
tendance at its meetings. I also anticipate an occa-
sional opportunity to make additional records for
the Q R S Library and to continue contributing to
my present fund of original compositions and ar-
rangements.
"And be it said right here," continued Mr. Rob-
erts, "that I hold in highest esteem and gratitude
the willingness with which the trade and the public
have accepted my humble efforts. What success I
have had has been made possible by the co-operation
of the public and the player salesmen, as well as
'The Girl in the Roll Department,' to whom my
sincere thanks are here registered, for I am deeply
grateful.
Life Equipped Him.
"I feel that my player roll experience bringing
me as it has into intimate touch with the dealer and
his perplexities, the public and its whimsicalities, has
equipped me to possibly touch new angles in my
chosen field that may benefit the trade in general.
"Regarding the radio, it most certainly has a per-
manent and important place, if for no other reasons
than that it is a vehicle of education and entertain-
ment; it is practically foolproof, and most important
of all I believe, because it saves time. Such gigantic
industries as the telephone, motion pictures, automo-
bile and talking machine became so because primar-
ily they contain these same elements. I am of the
opinion a great mistake is made in looking at the
radio as something that must be sold cheap. While
we used to see a motion picture for 10 cents, we now
think nothing of spending $1.00; also compare the
prices of playerpianos a few years back as against
the fine reproducing pianos of today. It is my firm
belief that there will always be a good market for
high priced radios and that great numbers of radios
at even $1,000 will be sold in the future.
Studied Radio.
"I have given it intensive study both mechanically
and psychologically. Its ultimate position in the field
of musical production is assured. That the music
trade did not sense its importance to them in the be-
ginning is, of course, a thing to be deplored. But
why cry over spilt milk? Radios of real musical
quality are rapidly gravitating to the music dealer's
warerooms. It is reasonable that the public should
seek the music dealer for all things musical and who
is better able to appreciate-' aad. successfully exploit
radio than the dealer in musical merchandise?
Radio and Phonograph.
"It is my opinion that the."radio and talking ma-
chine ensemble form an. ideal combination, the for-
mer for its versatility in providing the things of the
present, and the latter for. the, marvelous catalogs
perpetuating the world's greatest vocalists and in-
strumentalists at their best. ,
"I shall look forward to seeing my trade friends in
my new business homeland leave the East with a
regret that is genuine."
J ,
HENRY Q. JOHNSON M
AGAIN IN FULL SWING
Bellevue Piano Industry Occupies Its New
Factory and Will Push Forward with
Even Greater Vigor than Ever.
The Henry G. Johnson Piano Mfg. Co., of Belle-
vue, Iowa, is all set for greater progress than before
the disastrous fire which checked progress last sum-
mer. Mr. Johnson has added a strong staff to the
working forces and is now establishing contact with
experienced traveling salesmen, who will cover the
entire country for the purpose of keeping in touch
with the trade.
At a recent meeting of the Bellevue company the
following officers were elected: President, Henry
G. Johnson; secretary and treasurer, Miss Vera Lud-
wig; financial representative, Maurice Leahy. The
directors are: Henry G. Johnson, Vera Ludwig,
Joseph Reed, Maurice Leahy and Arthur Kuechman.
A small grand piano will be added to the Henry
G. Johnson Piano Co.'s line, and an increased force of
skilled workers will be put into that department. The
new baby grand will sell at an attractive price and
will present the selling qualities the dealers like.
JESSE FRENCH & SONS CO.
BUYS CASTINGS CO.
Piano Industry at New Castle, Ind., Will Continue
to Make Own Plates.
The Jesse French & Sons Piano Company, New
Castle, Ind., has again broadened its scope and has
purchased the New Castle Castings Company from
H. A. Steinbrink. The consideration was said to run
into the thousands.
The foundry was organized in New Castle by Mr.
Steinbrink about five years ago, and since that time
has done a thriving business. The piano plates used
at the piano factory were manufactured at this foun-
dry since it was started. The piano company has
been making experiments at the foundry with these
plates for some time, and in order to make more ex-
tensive experiments, purchased the factory.
Mr. Steinbrink will go to Montpelier, Ind., where
he will take charge of the Montpelier Foundry Com-
pany. The Jesse French & Sons Co. factory will con-
tinue to manufacture the plates at their own foun-
drv.
PIANO CLUB HONORS
MME. BLOOMFIELD ZEISLER
Chicago's Great Musician Guest at Luncheon at
Illinois Athletic Club.
The fiftieth anniversary of Fannie Rloomfield
Zeisler was celebrated last Monday at a luncheon
by the Piano Club of Chicago at which Mme. Zeisler
was the honored guest.
In appreciation of Mme. Zeisler's contribution to
our national musical life the stars of "Blossom
Time," the opera based on the life of Franz Schubert,
participated in honoring Mme. Zeisler through the
courtesy of Patrick Henry. The guests of honor
included Arthur Burckly, Townsend A hern, George
Paul Ber, Frank Npyes, Edith Thayer,
HOBART M. CABLE IN TERRE HAUTE. Hackett,
Laura Arnold, Alma Keller, Fern Newell, Miss Dan-
Jack O'Connor, representing .the Hobart M. Cable forth. Geo. Van and Joe Schenck represented
Piano- Company, >: of Lapor-.te, - Ind., has established vaudeville in this tribute to Mme. Zeisler.
quarters at 1218 Wabash avenue, Terre Haute, Ind.,
whehe he has a room for display and office purposes.
HONORS FOR JOHN BORGERDING.
Mr. O'Connor is affording Terre Haute citizens an
-
John
Borgerding, vice-president of the S. Hamilton
opportunity to examine the Hobart M. Cable pianos,
Co., Pittsburgh, Pa., and head of the talking machine
and he reports that it is meeting with much favon
and record department, was honored by his associates
at a surprise dinner recently on the occasion of his
T. C. MERCER'S ADDRESS.
thirtieth anniversary as a member of the sales staff
T. J. Mercer, long time in advertising department of the company. Wm. C. Hamilton made a brief ad-
of the Gulbransen Company, Chicago, is now resi- dress reviewing the career of Mr. Borgerding and
dent in California. His permanent address is, as then presented him with a handsome gold watch and
chain.
we understand it, Box 298, Route 2, Glendale, Cal.
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