Presto

Issue: 1925 2016

PRESTO
DEATH TAKES EXPERT
PIANO SUPERINTENDENT
Mechanical Head of Williams Piano Com-
pany's Factory, Chicago, for Twenty-two
Years, Was Well Known in Trade.
John Lindhammer, superintendent of the Williams
Piano Co.'s factory, 125 Fullerton avenue, Chicago,
died at his home, 3653 Sheffield avenue, last week
Thursday, March 5th.
Mr. Lindhammer has had a remarkable career, de-
voting the greater part of his life to making and im-
proving pianos. He was born in 1871, in East
held the formal opening of its new store room in
the Wright bank building.
The Peoria, 111., store of the John Church Co.'s
Chain O' Piano Stores is featuring a player outfit,
many sales of which we reported.
"My Radio Rose" is the title of a new song com-
posed by M. U. Bates, writer of outing and hunting
stories.
J. M. Kluck has opened a store at 606 Jefferson
street. Waterloo, Iowa.
PROGRESSIVE AUSTIN, TEX.
GENERAL MUSIC HOUSE
Continuous Growth Marks the J. R. Reed Music
Company in Busy Texas City.
The J. R. Reed Music Co., Austin, Tex., has seven
distinct departments, among which there is a keen
and healthy rivalry to show the proofs of success.
John S. Caldwell, the general manager, enjoys the
responsibility for the growth and profitable operation
of the piano, player and reproducing piano section.
Other able department heads are S. B. Parsons,
with three lines of talking machines; J. R. Reed, Jr.,
enthusiastic manager of the growing band instrument
and musical merchandise lines; Miss Aileen Wilson,
records and rolls, and Miss Gertie Moses, sheet music.
A department of tuning and repairing is under the
able management of Ernest Wilde.
HENRY F. MILLER STORE
ENLARGES RADIO SECTION
Boston Warercoms of Continental Piano Co. Division
Finds Thermiodyne Outfit Sells Well.
JOHN LINDHAMMER.
Prussia, Germany, and came to America when he was
eighteen years of age. After his arrival in this coun-
try he for a time followed the trade of his father,
who was a cabinet maker of distinction in Germany.
He rapidly developed his knowledge of piano con-
struction and soon became a skilled artisan. His first
connection in this capacity was with the Bush &
Gerts Piano Company in Chicago. Later he was
employed by the Sweetland Piano Co. and The Con-
over Co., all of Chicago. He went to the Williams
Piano Company in 1903 as factory superintendent,
where he has given a service of unparalleled loyalty
and usefulness.
Mr. Lindhammer was prominent in social circles in
his locality, and devoted a greater part of his spare
time to the upbuilding of the community in which he
lived. He held important positions in high-minded
organizations and his character commanded the re-
spect and esteem of all with whom he came in con-
tact. In a warm tribute to the late piano expert,
Vice-President and Treasurer Carl Williams ex-
pressed deep sorrow at Mr. Lindhammer's death, say-
ing that he was at a loss to know how the late
superintendent's place could be filled. "He was faith-
ful, industrious, ambitious and dependable, and a
Christian gentleman," said Mr. Williams. And what
tribute could be higher?
SOME LATE DOINGS IN
THE RETAIL TRADE
Items of General News Value from
Throughout the Country.
the
Field
The Arthur P. Griggs Piano Co., Moline, 111., ad-
vertises a player outfit consisting of player, bench,
roll cabinet and fifty rolls with a ten-year guarantee
on the player.
The Emerson Piano House, Decatur, 111., is featur-
ing the Gulbransen Registering Piano in a forceful
way.
The line of pianos, talking machines and records
of the Starr Piano Co , formerly handled in the com-
pany's branch, 423 South Wabash avenue, is now car-
ried by the Davidson Talking Machine Shop, 234
South Wabash avenue.
The W. W. Kimball Co. opened a branch music
store in Cameron, Mo., recently.
Elvis Holmes announces that he will open a music
store in Marion, 111.
The A. L. & R. Piano Co., Bellevue, O., recently
W. E. Titcomb, of North Milwaukee, assistant
treasurer of the Continental Piano Company, is visit-
ing the Boston offices for a few days.
The Henry F. Miller Store, 395 Boylston street,
has found it necessary to increase its radio display
department. The partitions that formerly separated
the department are being torn out in order that the
whole radio line and supplies can be shown together.
The sales for the last few weeks show a remarkable
increase, they being the largest on the Thermiodyne
outfits.
ACTIVE OAKLAND, CALIF., FIRM.
The Girard Piano Co., which occupies upstairs
salesrooms at 517-519 Fourteenth street, Oakland,
Calif., is doing some spirited advertising in the
newspapers. It impresses the fact that no outside
salesmen are employed and the advantages of its
sales system are dwelt upon. The firm was estab-
lished in 1873.
EXPANDS IN FLORIDA.
The B. & B. Music Shop recently formed by G. D.
Bogue and L. R. Bigewet in Palatka, Fla , has pur-
chased the music stock carried by the Shearouse
Music Co. A store at Lemon and Fourth streets has
been leased where plans have been made to carry a
larger stock of music goods than that carried by the
Shearouse store.
TO MOVE IN ALLIANCE, O.
The J. H. Johnson's Sons Co., Alliance, O., piano
dealers, for many years located in East Main street,
will move soon to the new three-story building, being
erected in a choice location in the shopping district.
In its new quarters the store will have a much larger
space for pianos', talking machines and records.
MAIL ORDER DEPARTMENT.
The Busy Bungalow Music House, Taylorville, 111.,
has put in a mail order department. On all kinds of
small instruments, records, rolls and sheet music the
company is distributing monthly catalogues. The
motto is: "Quality merchandise at a popular price
and trade in Taylorville, the city where civic pride is
justified."
SNODGRASS WITH BRUNSWICK.
Harry Suodgrass, "King of the Ivories," has staged
another success. He has accepted a contract to re-
cord for Brunswick records. The first record of
Snodgrass is "King of the Ivories" which is a repro-
duction of the broadcasting so many have heard
nightly from station WOS.
NEW PONTIAC STATION.
Another high power broadcasting station is being
planned by the Jew r ett Radio and Phonograph Com-
pany at Pontiac, Mich. H. E. Campbell, formerly
chief radio engineer at WWJ, Detroit, will be in
charge of broadcasting at this station.
March 14, 1925.
VIEWS OF R. A. BURKE
ON SOUTHERN TRADE
Story & Clark Traveler Returns from Tour of
That Section Full of Faith in Future
Trade Outlook.
R. A. Burke, popular traveler of the Story & Clark
Piano Co, 315 South Wabash avenue, Chicago, re-
turned early this week from a tour of the Southeast,
where the prospects for a good spring and summer
trade are exceedingly bright.
Mr. Burke, who is a close observer of trade con-
ditions, was in an enthusiastic mood upon arrival at
headquarters and described the southern outlook in
the following words:
"Having just returned from a three weeks' trip
through Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina,
and several other southern states, one cannot help
but feel that business is improving.
"Of all the states I visited, Florida is the most
prosperous at the present time. Prices in all lines
there are soaring and real estate is jumping in value
from day to day so that the present real estate boom
down there is much like an oil boom in a newly devel-
oped field. Some interesting stories are told about
how profitably deals are made, but being a piano
man the one that impressed me most was how a
friend of mine down there traded a few grand pianos
fifteen years ago for 80 acres of timber land, consid-
ered worthless by its holder at that time. My friend
lias just been offered a fortune for the tract, but he
is holding on as prices are still on the upward trend
and its value is increasing daily.
"The piano business there has profited also and the
whole outlook looks very rosy indeed.
"Figures show that 50 per cent more tourists visited
Florida this winter than last and 25 per cent more
were there last year than any previous year, so the
tourist business has done its share to help boost
things along.
"Story & Clark instruments are very popular there
for they are built to withstand the climate in addition
to enjoying a world renowned reputation for tone,
touch and lasting qualities."
NOTABLE SHOWING OF
STEINWAY PERIOD MODEL
Fine Illustration of Louis XV Period Style Is
Attractive and Enlightening Feature in
Lyon & Healy Display.
A Steinway grand in a Louis XV period art model
was shown in a cut which provided a choice bit of
decoration for a page in the Chicago newspapers of
Thursday of this week. It was an illustration in a
Lyon & Healy advertisement, which also advised the
prospective customers of high grade grands that the
Steinway was also produced in the following period
styles: Louis XIV, Louis XV, Louis XVI, Adam,
Sheraton, Georgian, Chippendale, Colonial, English.
In the text that accompanied the beautiful picture,
the customs of the French Court during the reign
of Louis XV were briefly reviewed in their relation to
the development of furniture styles. Alluding to the
Louis XV period model this was said:
"The social life of the period is reflected in a style
of furniture which is elaborate in detail, profuse in
curved lines, whimsical and capricious in pattern. It
is a style highly popular today among those cultured
in architectural and decorative art. It has innumer-
able possibilities in pianoforte case design. Steinway
pianos modeled from the best of this period may be
secured in walnut, mahogany or other woods. The
instruments may also be enameled and painted to
show the dainty pastoral and romantic scenes of
Wajteau, so much in favor with Louis XV and
Madame Pompadour. A special service in the de-
signing of period and art model Stcinways is at the
disposal of those desiring to possess in one instru-
ment the supreme forms of piano construction and
decorative art."
BUYS TEXAS STORE.
The Phonograph Shop, Wichita Falls, Tex., was
recently sold to L. L. Dixon, who has had a long and
successful experience in the sale of musical instru-
ments. The business was established seven years ago
by George Flemings. C. G. Coffee, who has been
named manager, has ambitious plans for the expan-
sion of the business.
NEW COLUMBUS STORE.
A new store at 4 East Long street, Atlas Building,
Columbus, Ohio, is known as The Music Box, and
carries a complete line of Victrolas, records and radio
sets.
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/
PRESTO
March 14, 1925.
Recognition
Precedes
Success
SEEBURG
DEALERS
HAVE DISCOVERED
THE KEY TO
POSITIVE
PROFITS
There are many styles
in the
COMPLETE
SEEBURG LINE
to interest you
RELIABLE REPRE-
SENTATION INVITED
WRITE
J. P. SEEBURG
PIANO CO.
"Leaders in the
Automatic Field"
1508-1514 Dayton St.
CHICAGO
STRAIGHT PIANO
FAVOR CONTINUES
Grand Output Grows in Extent and Ratio of
Upright Sales in Totals Is Significant
of a Very Pleasant Trade
Fact.
gree. In fact truths similar to those shown in the
facts quoted from the report of the Vallejo store were
discovered by E. A. Kieselhorst, head of the Kiesel-
horst Piano Co , St. Louis, when he analyzed the 1924
sales figures of his house. The pleasant facts about
the continuance of the claims of the piano of good
character were made the basis of an instructive
address by him in a recent talk to salesmen.
Evidence from Omaha.
Faith in the continued demand for the fine piano is
felt by William Schmoller, president of the Schmoller
& Mueller Piano Co., Omaha, Neb., and the same
is expressed in the action of the company in almost
doubling the sales force in the piano department.
Mr. Schmoller sees the wonderful opportunities for
the grand piano but he also sees greater possibilities
Cheap Instrument Hurt by Radio but Sales Facts than ever for the upright of fine character.
Show Meritorious Ones Continue to Draw
The claims of the piano, upright and grand, to a
Big Money.
foremost place in the homes of the people of musical
taste are well acknowledged in all the new publicity
The attention of the public at times diverted to this planned for its dealers by the Jesse French & Sons
and that means to musical enjoyment, may affect
Piano Co., New Castle, Ind. In fact the new publi-
sales in particular lines but it is a satisfactory condi- cations in the booklet line may be called a home
tion pointed out by observant piano men that sales
series. In one, "The Homes of the Jesse French &
of upright pianos preserve a certain ratio of the com- Sons Grands," the association of the fine piano with
bined sales of straight and player pianos year in and
the refined home is clearly shown.
year out. The phonograph had the effect of divert-
ing money from piano purchases and it is now ad-
mitted that the phonograph in turn is hurt by radio.
But it is not strange that the straight upright piano
has gone on the even tenor of its way and kept, and
still keeps up, its old proportion in the number of
sales of all instruments by piano dealers.
The continuance of this happy condition has not
been due to any special efforts in the way of advertis- Head of Cable-Nelson Piano Co. Will Call on
Progressive Music Dealers and Friends
ing. The straight upright has been consistently feat-
ured in what you might call a tranquil manner, the
During Three Weeks' Stay.
distinctive methods being bestowed on the players
John Parnham, president of the Cable-Nelson
and the reproducing pianos. Nor has the preserva-
Piano Co., Chicago, with factories in South Haven,
tion of the ratio for the upright pianos been accom-
Mich., started on a journey to the Pacific Coast last
plished by stimulation of the alluring price kind. In
week, where friends in the music trade will be visited.
fact it is generally noted all over the country that
Mr. Parnham was enthusiastic as he left the Chi-
the price inducement is conspicuous by its absence
cago offices of the company at 306 South Wabash
from the scheme of sales in piano stores.
avenue, California-bound and with the satisfaction of
Uprights Win on Merit.
evading the chill March breezes of Chicago and
Michigan. He was also in high spirits at the pros-
Most dealers have discovered that price advertising
is the selling of a price; that the process contributes pects of again visiting the progressive music dealers
no asset to the goodwill considerations. For years of the Pacific Coast, many of whom are vigorous
dealers have been advertising numerals with the representatives of the Cable-Nelson line with the
dollar mark in front and the more or less expensive proof that a good line of instruments will attract a
good trade regardless of seasonal spurts and re-
custom had only an ephemeral effect on the minds of
the readers of the ads. When dealers advertised a lapses.
certain piano at a certain price using type figures of
The itinerary of Mr. Parnham includes the prin-
large size and blackness that hit the readers in the cipal trade centers of the coast states, with Los An-
eye, they were really advertising the figures and geles as headquarters. His plans call for a three
not the piano. When advertising is understood as weeks' trip with two weeks in the Southern California
the building up of a character asset for a piano and citv.
incidentally of the advertiser, the custom of advertis-
ing figures is seen to be all wrong.
The piano trade generally has discarded the old
bad habit of advertising prices and when this is con-
sidered the preservation of the ratio of sales for the
straight upright seems particularly complimentary
Traveler Sees Good Business for Automatic Instru-
to that type of instrument.
ments in This Territory.
Enlightening Figures.
Lee S. Jones, sales manager of the Nelson-Wiggen
Very interesting figures on piano and player sales
have been compiled by the manager of the branch Co., 1731 Belmont avenue, Chicago, recently departed
store at Vallejo, Cal , of Sherman, Clay & Co., San for the sunny Carolinas and neighboring states, where
he will visit regular Nelson-Wiggen dealers and in-
Francisco. In 1924, which had a disturbing period
of drought and other drawbacks, the sales of all in- troduce the line and its profit-making possibilities to
struments were only a few in number less than in the those who have not yet availed themselves of this
admittedly good year of 1923. In the total of sales class of merchandise.
The Nelson-Wiggen Co.. manufacturers of coin-
by the Vallejo store fifty-eight and a half per cent
were upright pianos, thirty per cent were players and operated electric and automatic instruments, has an
seven per cent were grands. Organs maintained their extensive line for the trade. A new model distinctive
in case design and features is now ready for dealers
old percentage of four and a half per cent.
But the gratifying thing for the enthusiastic pro- and its possibilities for the summer trade is unlimited.
Dance halls, ice cream parlors and amusement cen-
ponents of the upright was that the upright gained
over the playerpianos and in that way the showing ters of all kinds are possible places for a sale of an
in the Vallejo store is significant. No campaigns automatic or coin-operated instrument.
Mr. Jones, who recently returned from a success-
on the price basis were made for either pianos or
ful trip in the East, wisely chose the southern tour,
players. The results are presented by the manager
as the evidence of an opportunity that exists every- as dealers are now giving thought to their summer
trade and the line best adapted to their class of
where.
customers.
Cheap Piano Sales Hurt.
The opportunity that radio or any other distrac-
A NEW YORK FAILURE.
tion cannot minimize is in the sale of standard up-
The University Music Shop, Inc., at 66 East Burn-
rights of merit and of price in accordance with worth.
The cheap piano has been injured in sales by radio. side avenue, New York, assigned this week. Liabili-
ties, $7,838; assets, $6,494, main items being accounts,
That is an admitted fact. Ernest Urchs, of Steinway
& Sons, pointed out the condition in an interview $3,244; stock, $3,000. Elizabeth Read was appointed
receiver, under $1,000 bond by Judge Knox. The
in Memphis last week when he said the sale of cheap
New York Talking Machine Co. is the principal
pianos was being damaged by radio for the reason
creditor on a claim for $1,348.
that people who would buy a cheap piano if there
was no radio, now had a choice. But as they can't
buy both, said Mr. Urchs, they buy the latest thing
LESTER FOR CONCERT.
that everybody is talking about.
A Lester grand piano was used at the High School
Other Dealer Facts.
Auditorium, Wichita, Kans., recently when the
The fine piano, whether upright or grand, will con-
Petrone Male Singers and the De La Mora Saxo-
tinue a standard requirement as long as musical
phone Orchestra were attractions at the Three Arts
taste exists in American families. The playerpiano
Ensemble Concert. The Lester piano was furnished
has encouraged the love of piano music in a great de- by J. W. Jenkins Sons' Music Co.
GOOD PIANO A WINNER
JOHN PARNHAM VISITS
PACIFIC COAST TRADE
LEE S. JONES GOES SOUTH
FOR NELSON-WIGGEN CO.
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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