Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1925 2018

Presto Buyers' Guide
Analyzes and Classifies
All American P i a n o s
and in Detail Tells of
Their Makers.
PRESTO
E«*bu.h*d i»$4. THE AMERICAN MUSIC TRADE WEEKLY
Presto Year Book
The Only Complete
Annual Review of the
American Music In-
dustries and Trades.
10 cent, } $t.oo . Year
CHICAGO, SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1925
WITH THE MUSIC
MEN OF MANHATTAN
Notes of the Industry and Trade Picked Up in
the Offices and Warerooms of New York
from Fourteenth Street to the Bronx
During the Past Week or Two.
POSSESSION AND REPOSSESSION
An Instructive Reminder of the Shoninger Failure;
a French Action Maker's Visit; Louis Bach
Reminiscent; A Scrap Heat; News Items.
To possess anything, a piano for instance, is, in
legal verbiage, to have and to hold as property.
There are no complications if the person possessing
the piano has a perfect right to it. But repossessing
the piano, which may even have voluntarily left your
possession, is often a proceeding filled with complexi-
ties, intricacies and entanglements, a fact which any
piano dealer can tell you about in an excusably dolor-
ous way. Sometimes the manufacturers do not real-
ize the vexations and trials of the retailers. Even a
very shrewd attorney who bought a lot of paper
assets of the B. Shoninger Co. now knows it is one
thing to find a piano and "something else again" to
get possession of it.
In the winding up of the affairs of the B. Shonin-
ger Co. at New Haven, Conn., a lot of lease paper,
chattel mortgages, and so forth, which the company
or the assignee of the business found itself possessed
of, was sold, as the story goes, in a "lump" to an
attorney-at-law who bought the entire outfit on
"spec," as he put it. A Mr. Miles, who for years was
an employe of the old-time Waterloo Organ Co. and
the successor of that reed organ concern, the Mal-
colm Love Piano Co., at Waterloo, N. Y., was
engaged to clean up and "cash in" on the paper.
The makers of the notes, and the pianos they rep-
resented, were scattered far and wide throughout the
country where dealers had turned over the paper
as payment or as security.
Mr. Miles has now just about completed his job
and the story of his experiences and exploits in col-
lecting as related to a Presto representative in New
York last week, was interesting. A piano is a promi-
nent object in the store, but when it leaves there, fol-
lowing an installment sale, it is amazing how low
its visibility may become and how elusive its time-
payment owners may seem to the person seeking to
repossess it.
Mr. Miles has learned that it is one thing to find
a piano and another thing to get possession of it,
even if one does have legal right to seizure. How-
ever, all appearances indicate that the buyer of the
paper pocketed a snug profit, even after leaving
numerous pianos behind as doubtful of repossession.
* * *
Jacques Herrburger a Visitor.
Jacques Herrburger, son of Joseph Herrburger,
present head of the great piano action house of Herr-
burger-Schwander, Paris, France, who has been in
this country for several months past studying our
ways of business, and of work in American piano
factories, is now on a tour of the piano manufactur-
ing centers in this country and Canada in the inter-
ests of the French action.
At one time, a dozen or more years ago, the busi-
ness of Herrburger-Schwander on this side of the
water was quite a large item, running up toward
$100,000 a year in volume, and there are still a few
piano manufacturers who continue to use the
Schwander actions in more or less limited quantities.
For some months past Mr. Herrburger has been
engaged in various ways in the Knabe factory at
Baltimore. He was in New York City a few days
last week, accompanied by Mr. Rouvet, an expert in
Schwander action construction and who will become
the American representative of the House of Herr-
burger-Schwander, with headquarters in New York.
Mr. Herrburger plans to sail for home March 28 on
a French line steamer.
Remember Mac's Voice?
To radio listeners, and radio fans in particular, the
voice of Graham McNamee is familiar as the an-
nouncer of the Democratic and the Republican na-
tional conventions last year, and of various important
events that have occurred in the radio field since then.
For instance, the speeches of acceptance of both the
candidates for the presidency and the ceremonies in-
cident to the inauguration of President-elect Cool-
idge at Washington on the fourth of this month, on
which occasion Mr. McNamee preceded the regular
ceremonies by his own preliminary remarks by way
of the introduction of the various speakers. These
announcements were broadcast to all parts of the
country by relay and were heard simultaneously at
more stations than the words of any other announcer
of this country.
It is not generally known in the trade, however,
that Mr. McNamee is an excellent baritone singer and
a pianist of rare abilities. In New York City he has
many friends in the music trade, and has sung in
several church choirs there. His earliest studies in
music began at St. Paul, Minnesota, where he at-
tended of conservatory of music. Later he sang and
played in numerous cities of the west and finally set-
tled in New York, where he became the announcer
for station WEAF. He has appeared in concert at
Carnegie Hall and Aeolian Hall and is rather well
known by its habitues.
Louis Bach's Memories.
Louis Bach in a reminiscent mood, tells of the
piano manufacturing houses gone out of existence,
and points to the few who now occupy the same fac-
tories in which they started, as in the case of Kranich
& Bach, who remain today just where they were at
the beginning.
Mr. Bach came into the business of Kranich &
Bach forty years ago. He attended the school that
still adjoins the Kranich & Bach factory, immediately
at the west, and when he was graduated from the
grammar grades he went to high school and in time
was graduated from New York College. Then he
came into the Kranich & Bach factory and worked
three or four years at the bench, through all depart-
ments and then entered the office.
* * *
See Many Changes.
How many other Eastern manufacturers are now
occupying the same building in which they were
housed when Mr. Bach entered the famous old fac-
tory at Third avenue and Twenty-third street? Of
course, Steinway & Sons, at Steinway Hall, in Four-
teenth street, from which the move will be made
June 1. But these two changes have taken place.
Are there any more of the "old landmarks in the
piano industry"? Outside of New York there are a
few in the smaller cities, but progress is everywhere
and the piano industry is far from the last of the pro-
cession.
And how few of the firms have kept intact, or prac-
tically so, or in the active management or control of
the founders or their descendants. Their names
come instantly to mind—perhaps because they are so
few: Sohmer, Steinway, Weser Bros., Cable & Sons,
Christman, Decker & Son; Doll, Gabler; Hardman,
Peck & Co.; Jacob Bros.; Mehlin, Newby & Evans;
Pease, Radle, Schubert; Stutz & Bauer. Are there
any more—in New York City? There are others in
Boston—notable ones—and some even in the newer
west where piano manufacture, as we know it today,
dates back just about forty years. It's a changing in-
dustry, this of piano making, but, thank God, pro-
gressive.
Sensibly Junked.
Returning to the railway station in an Indiana town-
there appeared a vacant lot on which had been piled
in a heap half a dozen or more discarded automobiles;
one or two Oaklands, an Oldsmobile and, of course,
several Fords. They were all less than six years
old, the Oakland and Oldsmobile being six cylinder
cars. These cars were junked.
The moral is that if conditions which obtain in the
automobile business were existent in the piano busi-
ness we would have a boom in piano selling. Is
there any way to "get shut"—as they say in Indiana—
(Continued on Page 4.)
COL. WICKHAM'S DEATH
REMOVED A VETERAN
Former President of the A. B. Chase Company
Passed Away at Norwalk, Ohio, on
March Eighteenth.
The death of Col. Charles P. Wickham, who died
in Norwalk, Ohio, on March 18th, removed one of
the veterans of the western piano industry.
Colonel Wickham was for many years president of
the A. B. Chase Piano Company at Norwalk. At the
time of his death he was in his eighty-ninth year, and
at his last birthday he expressed pride in the fact that
he had lived all of his life in the same house and slept
in the same bed in which he was born. He was an
officer in the Union Army during the Civil War, and
locally he, early in life, attained an enviable reputa-
tion as an attorney.
The funeral services were held at the Presbyterian
Church, Norwalk, on March 18th. It was conducted
by the Rev. A. J. Funnell, and the Grand Army took
their customary part of the patriotic service. The
American Legion Post attended in a body, and mem-
bers of the bar, reinforced by half a score of judges
and barristers from surrounding cities, also attended.
Prior to the funeral services, the bar held a formal
session in the Court House, adopted resolutions and
heard eulogies from Judge King and other members.
During his funeral all business activities in Norwalk
ceased for fifteen minutes.
Colonel Wickham retained an active interest in the
affairs of the A. B. Chase Piano Company to the end.
PIANO CLUB OF CHICAGO
TO AID APOLLO CLUB
The Trade Organization Will Supply Money From
the Promotion of Music Fund.
The Piano Club of Chicago voted to offer financial
support to the Apollo Club during the coming year.
The funds will be supplied from the Promotion
of Music fund of the Piano Club. The Apollo is
Chicago's largest male chorus and its singing will
be one of the special features of Music Trades Con-
vention in June.
The Piano Club, of Chicago, through its Promotion
of Music Committee, awarded the following cash
prizes to music students in the contest recently held
by the Illinois Federation of Music Clubs: William
Beller, Piano, $37.50; Catherine Wade, Violin,
$37.50; Kathryn Witwer, Soprano, $37.50; Russell
Bolternstern, Baritone, $37.50.
TRAVELING REPRESENTATIVE
FOR MASON & HAMLIN CO.
Forbes-Meagher Co., of Madison, Secures Agency
for That Section of Wisconsin.
D. Stuart Pope has just been appointed by Henry
L. Mason, wholesale representative on the road for
the Mason & Hamlin Co. Mr. Pope is now making
a trip in the interests of the famous Boston pianos.
The Forbes-Meagher Music Co., Madison, Wis.,
has been given the agency in that section of the
Mason & Hamlin piano and the Mason & Hamlin
Ampico.
DENVER MUSIC WEEK.
Denver's annual Music Week will be one day
longer than the time set by the National Music Week,
and will extend from May 3 to 10. It has been de-
cided to present the opera "Erminie" under the direc-
tion of John C. Kendall, supervisor of music in Den-
vers' public schools. A Denver civic opera has been
made a part of the Community Player movement
under the leadership of Wilberforce J. Whiteman, a
name known internationally both through his own
work and that of his son, Paul Whiteman.
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/
March 28, 1925.
PRESTO
WHERE DOUBTS ARE DISPELLED
Under This Head Presto Will Answer Any Question Pertaining to Pianos, or
Other Subjects of Direct Interest to the Trade and Musical Public
Inquiries must bear the signature and address of
writer in order to receive attention. Answers thought
to be of general trade interest will be published. If an
answer is not of general interest it will be mailed pro-
vided stamp is inclosed.
SELL FINE LINE.
El Dorado, Ark., March 19, 1925.
Editor Presto: Six copies of Presto, issue of the
7th, received and I'm making use of them and it sure
helps. Placed another $965 "Vose" grand yesterday.
Of course ours is a wonderful line and it isn't strange
that we do the business.
I wish a book that contains names of pianos and
players and names of makers. Does the "Presto
Buyers' Guide" cover what is wanted?
I. D. O'NEILL.
What you say about trade is gratifying. We be-
lieve that Presto Buyers' Guide is the very book
you want, for it contains the names of all pianos
and playerpianos, and in Part 3 there is descriptive
mention of most of the manufacturers. It is a great
help to salesmen.
* * *
A "KOHLMANN" GRAND.
Milton, Pa., March 20, 1925.
Editor Presto: Will you please tell me the name
of the company which makes the Kohlmann Baby
Grand piano. I will thank you very much for this
information.
J. CLYDE BOSTIAN.
price of each and any other comparative information
between the two pianos. Understand we are asking
for no trade secrets nor selling helps for either. We
simply desire what might be termed public informa-
tion about the two pianos. Are they in about the
same class and valued about the same, or is there
a difference and approximately how much?
DR. D. B. K L I N E T O B .
A number of years ago pianos bearing that name
were made by a New York industry. It is prob-
ably now employed by some New York manufac-
turer on popular pianos, but not knowing the origin
of the instrument at this time we can not pass upon
its merits. If you. can ascertain by whom the instru-
ment is made and will let us know we can tell you
just about what it is. It may be a thoroughly good
one—depends upon the character of the makers.
About the Livingston piano there can be no ques-
tion, for that instrument is the product of the Weaver
Piano Co., of York, Pa. The Weaver Piano Co. is
an industry of unquestioned stability, whose instru-
ments have won a good place in the musical world.
As to the retail price of either of the pianos which
you name; we regret to say we can not impart that
information because it is a rule with this publica-
tion never to discuss prices, largely because that is
a matter between the retail buyer and the dealer
with whom he deals. If you buy a reliable instru-
ment, of an established piano dealer, you will get
full value for whatever you may invest. As to a com-
parison of the two pianos which you name, as al-
ready stated, there is no way to judge a piano's
character unless we know who makes it.
About the "Kohlmann" piano, in order to answer
your question with any assurance, it will be neces-
sary to know whether the instrument is an old or a
new one. Instruments bearing- that name were at one
time manufactured by the Ward Piano Co., in New
York, but that concern has long been out of ex-
istence.
In all probability the instrument about which you Several of the Industries at the Hub Report
ask, if a new one, is what is ordinarily termed a
Unwonted Activities and the Retailers
"stencil." Of course that may not necessarily mean
Do Not Complain.
it is not a good instrument, but there is no way of
locating its manufacturer by the name only and con-
Boston is moving along serenely, as Boston al-
sequently impossible for us to judge its character.
ways does. At the piano factories there are signs
* * *
of activity and some of them declare that more
CHURCH ORGANS.
business could not be taken care of. Considering
some other statements, this sounds almost fabulous,
Sisseton, S. D., March 16, 1925.
Editor Presto: Will you please give us the name but the evidence is apparent.
The annual meeting of the Hallet & Davis Com-
of some manufacturer that makes some good church
pany was in progress on Monday of this week. C. C.
organs. We are in the market for one.
Conway was over from New York to attend.
STAVIG BROS.
Alva Poole, president of the Poole Piano Co., said
There are many fine church organ industries. We that trade is fair, with every indication of improving.
suggest any of the following, for such information
The factory of Vose & Sons is very busy, the
as you may want:
Estey Organ Co., Brattleboro, V t , an admirable call for Grands being more than the average at this
old industry whose instruments are beyond question; season.
John Anderson, of the Checkering factory, re-
W. W. Kimball Co., 300 So. Wabash Ave., Chicago;
Schuelke Organ Co., 522 16th St., Milwaukee, Wis.
turned from Chicago, where he attended the meet-
There are, of course, many other makers of church ing of the committee on pitch, last week. Mr.
organs in this country and a complete list may be Anderson is the technician of the Chickering factory
found in Presto Trade Lists No. 3.
and his son is the regular factory superintendent.
* * *
The Boston retailers are not boasting, but most
THE "VOIGHT" PIANO.
of them are doing business steadily, and it is usually
the better instruments that they sell.
Bartlett, Tex., March 18, 1925.
Editor Presto: Will you please let us have infor-
mation as to the manufacturers of the "Voight" piano,
made by some Chicago firm. Information concerning
same will be greatly appreciated.
T. M. RANDOLPH.
While we have a record of the piano which bears Sales Manager of The Cable Company, Chicago, Re-
the stencil "Voight," we cannot tell now just what
ports Widespread Activity of Cable Dealers.
factory is producing it. It has been our understand-
ing that the name is one which has been used by
C. E. Jackson, sales manager of The Cable Co.,
various industries for the use of the retail trade.
Jackson and Wabash, Chicago, has expressed his
Some time back it was made by a Chicago manu- satisfaction of the present trend of the piano trade.
facturer who is now out of business, but from where
"Conditions point to a spring and summer of steady
it emanates at present we have been unable to dis-
cover, though we have asked a number of the larger activity, as dealers are making a successful effort to
manufacturers. Of course, not knowing the origin increase sales at the beginning of spring. Good
weather and roads have reflected materially on the
of the "Voight," we cannot pass upon its quality.
piano trade in rural communities.
* * *
"Dealers selling the Cable line have taken this as
THE "KOHLMAN" AGAIN.
an incentive to push for trade, and, as a result, our
Milton, Pa., March 20, 1925.
Editor Presto: You are referred to us as the wholesale department is very busy filling- require-
ments" said Mr. Jackson to a Presto representative
proper place to obtain the following information:
Who makes the Kohlman piano and what is the this week.
popular retail price to consumer? Particularly the
Kohlman Baby Grand, size about 4 feet \\ l A inches.
ACTIVE BRANCH MANAGER.
Any information as to the quality of the above
B. L. Barnhouse, formerly sales manager for
piano, its reputation or standing, or the class it is Thomas Goggan & Bro., Waco, Tex., has been made
in, as well as the history of its manufacturers, will manager of the branch store of Kohler & Chase,
be greatly appreciated.
maintained in the Mission district, San Francisco'.
We would also appreciate the above information Under Mr. Barnhouse's active management this
about the Livingston Baby Grand.
branch is steadily gaining in importance and is be-
If we have asked too much, we will be pleased if coming a splendid outlet for the regular lines of mer-
you will send us by return mail, the suggested retail chandise.
BRIEF NOTES FROM
BOSTON PIANO CIRCLES
C. E. JACKSON IS OPTIMISTIC
AS SPRING TRADE INCREASES
WITH THE MUSIC
MEN OF MANHATTAN
(Continued from page 3.)
of our old pianos? Can't we send them to Hayti or
Borneo, or to Hades or somewhere?
At any rate it is plain to be seen how the auto-
mobile trade and output can continue to boom or be
kept lively.
*
•
*
Gus Behning is now at the head of the Behning
Piano Co., and of course will confine his labors more
to the factory and offices, although he will visit the
trade from time to time. Mr. Spanier, who was
with the Behning Piano Co some years ago. has
again joined the traveling staff of the house.
* * *
New York manufacturers are holding back on
preparations for exhibiting at the Chicago convention.
Not all have yet decided fully as to their intentions,
but the list of intending exhibitors published contains
quite a good representation from Manhattan and the
east generally.
* * *
Even the Radio trade shows a tendency to slow up.
This is the report in eastern cities. Some of the
piano men also are "listening in" trying to get a
valid reason why trade lags. But all agree that there
will be recovery as suddenly as the set back started.
Tonks for Export.
At the factory of William Tonk & Bro., Inc., on
Tenth avenue, there are evidences of the activity re-
quired to prepare urgent shipments. In the shipping
department the eagerness to send the goods on their
way was more particularly noticeable. The regular
shipments for Australia were being put into shape
for the long journey and a shipment to Cuba was
an added reason for activity.
* * *
A. W. Johnston, of the Cornwall & Patterson Mfg.
Co., Bridgeport, Conn., manufacturers of piano and
organ hardware, was visiting the trade in New York
last week and meeting him was a stimulation. Of
course one usually associates optimism with Mr.
Johnston, for it is a pleasure to him to explain the
causes of his sanguinity. When he talks he does it
so convincingly, with facts in shape of orders booked
that the energetic supply travelers' statements have
significance for the dealers, because the "supply man"
can be better equipped with the information to enable
it to judge in advance the business in pianos than the
rest of us.
* * *
Among the eastern men enjoying a winter vacation
are J. W. Stevens, of the Mathushek Piano Manufac-
turing Company, who is in the south and not expected
home for some three weeks or more; Julius Breck-
woldt and William A. Breckwoldt of Julius Breck-
woldt & Son, Inc., Dolgeville, N. Y., who are both in
Florida to remain there until about April 1. F. E.
Edgar, manager wholesale, Aeolian Co., is on a
Pacific coast trip and will not return for three weeks.
He is combining business with the pleasures of a
well earned vacation.
* * *
The many old-time friends and later acquaintances
of Herman Leonard, who for years represented the
house of Alfred Dolge among the piano manufac-
turers, will be pleased to know that he is happy and
contented, living the life of a well-to-do bachelor in
the high class district of New York City. Mr.
Leonard's home there is at No. 121 East Seventy-
Eighth street.
* * *
A. L. Bretzfelder, treasurer of Krakauer Bros., and
son of I. E. Bretzfelder, president of that house,
sailed for Europe last Saturday. Mr. Bretzfelder will
be away for some time and will study piano condi-
tions abroad.
GEORGE J. DOWLING RETURNS.
George J. Dowling, president of The Cable Co.,
Chicago, returned this week from an extended tour
of the Pacific Coast states. Mr. Dowling spent the
greater part of his time in California, among his
friends in the trade. One of the pleasant things en-
countered by Mr. Dowling was the optimism and pro-
gressive spirit of the Pacific Coast dealers, many of
whom are representing the Cable line.
TOMPKINS WITH CHICKERING.
Lionel Tompkins, late with The Cable Co., at the
Chicago store, has joined the house of Chickering &
Sons, at New York, as assistant manager to C. Alfred
Wagner, the president and general manager of Chick-
ering & Sons. Much of Mr. Tompkins' time will be
at the new Chickering Hall in West Fifty-seventh
street, New York.
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/

Download Page 3: PDF File | Image

Download Page 4 PDF File | Image

Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).

Pro Tip: You can flip pages on the issue easily by using the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard.