Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1925 2030

Page 8 Text:

PRESTO
presto
THE AMERICAN MUSIC TRADE WEEKLY.
Published Every Saturday at 417 South Dearborn
Street, Chicago, Illinois.
C. A. DANIELL and FRANK D. ABBOTT
- Editors
Telephones, Local and Long Distance, Harrison 234
Private Phones to all Departments. Cable Address (Com-
mercial Came Co.'s Code), "PRESTO," Chicago.
Entered as second-class matter Jan. 29, 1896, at the
Post Office, Chicago, Illinois, under Act of March 3, 1879.
Subscription, $2 a year; 6 months, $1; Foreign, f4.
Payable in advance, No extra charge In United States
possessions, Cuba and Mexico, Rates for advertising on
application.
Items of news and other matter are solicited and if
of general interest to the music trade will be paid for
at space rates. Usually piano merchants or salesmen
in the smaller cities .are the best occasional corre-
spondents, and their assistance is invited.
Forms close at noon every Thursday. News mat-
ter should be in not later than eleven o'clock on the
same day. Advertising copy should be in hand before
Tuesday, five p. m., to insure preferred position. Full
page display copy should be in hand by Monday noon
preceding publication day. Want advs. for current
week, to insure classification, must not be later than
Wednesday noon.
Address all communications for the editorial or business
departments to PRESTO PUBLISHING CO., 417 South
Dearborn Street, Chicago, III.
SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 1925.
A CHEERFUL CONVENTION
It was a cheerful convention. It is good
cheer that overcomes the world.
Musical instrument manufacturers and deal-
ers as a class substitute help for hindrance.
They regard any fight for freedom as their
fight, too. They have the gift of sympathy.
The color of their thoughts is tone color. They
recognize the need for tolerance, the power of
idealism, the reality of imagination, the mo-
tives that cause revolt from routine.
At last week's convention were some ex-
cellent talkers, clear thinkers, ready debaters,
and, doubtless, several competent doers.
PLANS AND PLACES
A topic of discussion with not a few piano
men in Chicago last week had to do with the
present convention plan of alternating head-
quarters at New York and Chicago. There
seems to be a feeling with some that the older
way of choosing a different city every year is
better.
Of course, there may be reason in this.
Some manufacturers in other places may
think that their comrades of the two large
cities have an advantage in the gathering of
so many dealers who naturally make of the
annual meeting an opportunity to investigate
local industries and so may become attached
to the instruments made in one or both the
convention cities, with little reference to the
products of other factories. It may be a small
matter and the many displays at the Drake
last week show that the industries outside of
Chicago do not suffer much because their
sources" of production are not accessible.
But it is an expense not insignificant to make
the annual displays, far from home, for a pe-
riod of only a few days. If the conventions,
were, as formerly, movable, the other piano-
making centers might have their innings also.
Boston, Cincinnati, Buffalo, Milwaukee — all
piano producing cities—would like a conven-
tion, probably. They have said so. And per-
haps the dealers sometimes get the idea that,
having become familiar with Broadway and
Michigan boulevard, they would just as soon
"take a shot" at Main street and the other
busy places of some smaller cities and towns
where, even with less to see, they might have
a change and be close to still other factories,
for study and investigation.
This is not a suggestion at all. It is only an
echo of what might have been heard during
the week's big meeting in and around the
Drake in Chicago. Nor is it probable that
many would consider any retrogressive steps,
nor does Presto see enough advantages to the
smaller-city industries to commend any change
from the present plan.
HOW PRESTO HELPS ALL
In its long career of usefulness (watch our
blushes), Presto has encouraged many a be-
ginner to keep up heart through his darkest
days. We have been with them as they were
pushing a policy of pluck to the utmost; ad-
vised with them as they held aloof from pre-
mature action; recognized in them men who
had the future in their hearts; helped them to
avoid the pitfalls of misguided enthusiasts.
Later we have had satisfaction in watching
their achievements that called not for gold or
brawn, but for infinite tact, finesse, patience,
far-sightedness, judgment and poise. In most
cases such friends became friends, staunch
ones. A few of them paid us chiefly in pretty
compliments. They are all all right.
A MUSIC BUILDING
The notion that "advertising music" might
stimulate the sale of musical instruments,
especially pianos, has faded out. Naturally,
music is the greatest of advertisers. In it-
self it has been advertising everything worth
having, or worth doing, from the dawn of the
well-known morning stars that sang together.
When Adam discovered shrinking Eve in the
vernal framework of Eden he broke into song.
At least that is the way Milton pictures the
scene and, in Rubinstein's wonderful "Paradise
Lost" the composer causes the first man to
sing out aloud, in unconventional questioning:
"What is it?" And the reply comes quickly,
also according to Milton, "Eve! O most glori-
ous work of nature!"
But that music advertises all things, and is
therefore a force beyond power of measure-
ment, no one will question. Even the word
itself standing alone suggests sweet sounds.
In Chicago there is a shoemaker whose name
is Music, and also a tailor whose sign an-
nounces that Mr. Musick attends to rents and
tears within. No one can go to those shops
without thinking in some way of the joys of
life—at least one of them that permeates all
things and every place. And that makes it
interesting to know that other cities than New
York are to have Music Buildings.
The eastern city, we believe, has already a
Music Building, and a good one. The proposi-
tion was described in the press a long time
back and, presumably, New York's Music
Building is by this time a busy and melodious
city center. So, too, Chicago is preparing to
have the same kind of a treasure-house—a
big building wherein artists will perform, and
teachers will teach, and music dealers will
deal, and music trade papers, and other liter-
ature of ennobling order, will be written.
We have the assurance from a gentleman
active in affairs of art that Chicago's new
Music Building will soon become a reality. In
fact it is so far along, on paper, that tenants
June 20, 1925.
have been asked to consider signing leases.
Happy, too, the landlord, for he is working
along the correct real estate lines.
The trade everywhere will be interested in
the announcement of a book by Mr. William
Tonk, head and founder of the fine New York
piano industry that bears his name. Mr. Tonk
has been engaged in the music business from
boyhood, and no one will doubt that his writ-
ings will shed light upon many points of prog-
ress in the work with which he is so familiar.
Of course, all live paino men will want a copy
of the book.
* * *
There is a suspicion that Mr. Frank Bill-
ings, inventor of the famous brass flange, has
another piano improvement with which to sur-
prise the trade. He can tell how he knows
that music is better than dewdrops with
which to bathe the morning glories. Mr. Bill-
ings did, in short, demonstrate at the June
convention the blooming effect of fine tuning
upon spring flowers.
* * *
In the radio field of disputed invention, Mr.
Lee De Forest seems to be paralleling the late
John McTammany's fight for recognition. Mr.
De Forest is having almost as hard a time
trying to prove that he discovered the regen-
erative principle in radio reception as McTam-
many did to show that he made the first pneu-
matic player action.
* * *
Never stop to worry if the prospect gets
away. Just watch for the next one to turn the
corner, for in trade, as elsewhere, they come
in pairs.
30 YEARS AGO IN THE TRADE
From the Files of Presto
(June 20, 1895.)
A well-known Boston piano manufacturer will in-
troduce still another novel stringing device for next
winter's trade.
Speculation will soon give place to actual facts re-
garding the forthcoming Story & Clark piano as with-
in a short time the instrument will be ready for the
public and for critical examination.
Happened to call at Hardman, Peck & Co.'s just
as Mr. W. D. Dutton was looking over the orders on
Saturday. Among them was one from "Darkest
Africa" for two "Hardman" and three "Standard"
pianos. At that rate it will not long be very dark in
Africa.
Mr. J. F. Bowers, of the firm of Lyon & Healy,
who has recently been elected president of the Music
Publishers' Association of the United States, is in
some respects one of the most prominent music trade
men in the country. Mr. Bowers is one of the oldest
and most valued employes of the world-renowned
Lyon & Healy house; he entered that establishment
as an errand boy about a week after the fire.
20 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK
(From Presto, June 22, 1905.)
There was a refreshing sense of trade paper ap-
preciation evinced in the Put-In-Bay convention
speeches. Now is the time to subscribe.
The fourth annual convention of the National Pi-
ano Dealers of America at Put-In-Bay this week was
marked by an enthusiasm unusual even in the piano
dealers' convention.
In the death of Henry Behning, Sr., the piano trade
of New York has lost one of its oldest and most hon-
ored members. Although he retired from active busi-
ness about ten or eleven years ago he considered him-
self to his death a member of the great guild of which
for years he was such a foremost figure.
Certain citizens of Atlantic City, N. J., who pleaded
and clamored for one of the square pianos holocausted
at the big bonfire of the convention of the joint asso-
ciation last year would be perplexed if they read a
certain item in the city newspapers last week. The
action was an announcement of piano purchases by
the Board of Education of Greater New York which
recorded $6,250 as the price paid for twenty-five
square pianos.
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/

Page 9 Text:

June 20, 1925.
PRESTO
MORE OF LAST WEEK'S SPECIAL EXHIBITS
Manufacturers' Showing of New Styles Proved
to Be One of the Most Interesting Fea-
tures of Last Week's Convention in
Chicago.
pianos in various finishes. John H. Parnham, pres-
ident of the company; J. L, Barron, vice-president
and superintendent; W. A. Carlson, sales manager;
O. C. Stone, advertising manager, and the following
sales representatives: Cliff David, Bob Johnson, W.
W. Radcliffe and J. Gormly attended at the exhibit.
INTEREST DEALERS
BIG STRAUBE DISPLAY.
Dealers from All Parts of the Country Show Un-
usual Interest in Convention Activities and
Exhibits.
An interesting feature that added to the spirit of
the 28th annual convention of the National Associa-
tion of Music Merchants at the Drake Hotel, Chi-
cago, last week, was the exhibition of musical mer-
chandise which ranged from the smallest accessory to
the largest concert grand, and represented 133 firms.
Seventy-five Piano Exhibits.
Of the 133' exhibits, 75 were piano exhibits, and
every size, style and design was shown. Piano man-
ufacturers occupied elaborate suites, from the ninth
floor to the mezzanine. In some instances there were
as many as ten instruments shown by one manufac-
turer. The trend of the displays, however, was to-
wards the period design. Many manufacturers ar-
ranged their display rooms to effect a good showing
of some period design. Among the designs noted
at the convention were the Louis V, Louis VI, Queen
Ann, Italian Renaissance, Gothic. These period de-
signs created as much of a sensation as the leaders
of different manufacturers.
List of Exhibitors.
The following is a list of piano, phonograph, radio,
band instruments and supplies, as a matter of record:
Aeolian Co., Autopiano Company, Adler Mfg. Co.,
Auto Pneumatic Action Co., Apollo Grand Piano Co.
George P. Bent Co , The Baldwin Co., H. C. Bay
Co., Brambach Piano Co., Brinkerhoff Piano Co.,
Brunswick-Balke Collander Co., Buegeleisen & Ja-
cobson Co., Buescher Band Instrument Co., Bush &
Lane Piano Co., Bush & Gertz Piano Co., Behr Bros.
Co., Bacon Banjo Co.
Cable-Nelson Piano Co., Chase-Hackley Piano Co.,
Chicago Musical Instrument Co., Cole & Dumas,
C. G. Conn, Co., Inc., Consolidated Talking Machine
Co., Continental Music Co., Continental Piano Co.,
Christman Piano Co., Conway Securities, Hobart M.
Cable Co , Cleo Violin Strings.
Davenport & Treacy Co., De Kalb Piano Co., Ja-
cob Doll & Sons.
Estey Piano Co., J. B. Ferguson, Inc., Jesse French
& Sons Piano Co., Gibson, Inc., Geib & Schaefer,
Gretsch Mfg. Co., Gulbransen Co., Gretsch & Pren-
ner, General Phonograph Corp., William Gotsch &
Co.
Haddorf Piano Co., Hallet & Davis Co., Hazelton
Bros, Holland Piano Co., Holton & Co., W. P.
Haines Co.
Illinois Musical Supply Co., Ivers & Pond Piano
Co., H. G. Johnson Co., E. P. Johnson Piano Co.,
Jewett Piano Co., W. W. Kimball Co., Kohler &
Campbell Co., Kurtzrnan Piano Co.
Ludwig & Co., Leinge, W. L., Leedy Mfg. Co.,
Lester Piano Co, Lyon & Healy, Ludwig & Ludwig
Co., McPhail Piano Co., Martin Band Instrument
Co., Meissner Piano Co., P. G. Mehlin & Sons.
Nordland Grand Piano Co., Nelson-Wiggen Co.,
New York Band Instrument Co., Pan American Band
Instrument Co., Packard Piano Co., Pratt-Reed Play-
er Action Co., Premier Grand Piano Corp., Peerless
Pneumatic Action Co., Poole Piano Co., Ricca &
Sons.
Schaff Bros., Schumann Co., Schiller Piano Co., J.
P. Seeburg Co., Settergren Piano Co., Shoninger Pi-
ano Co., Sonora Co., Sigler Player Action Co., Chas.
F. Stein Co., Steger Bros. Piano Mfg. Co., Sigler
Cabinet Co., Schubert Piano Co., Steinert & Sons
Co., Straube Piano Co., Standard Pneumatic Action
Co., Story & Clark Piano Co, Strauch Pneumatic
Action Co., Simplex Action Co., Starr Piano Co.
Thermiodyne Radio Corp., United Piano Corp,
Waltham Piano Co., Weaver Piano Co., Western
Electric Piano Co., H. N. White Co., Wurlitzer Co.,
Winter Piano Co., Welte Mignon Corp., Zenith Ra-
dio Corp.
Most of the displays were described in earlier is-
sues of Presto. Following are references to some
others of the more important exhibits which added to
last week's interest at the Drake Hotel.
CABLE-NELSON EXHIBIT.
The Cable-Nelson Piano Co. of South Haven,
Mich., had an exhibit at Room M-H, where a com-
plete line of Cable-Nelson instruments was displayed
and demonstrated. The line included grands in ma-
hogany finish, reproducing grands in fancy walnut
finish, as well as a representative exhibit of upright
The Straube Piano Co. of Hammond, Ind., occu-
pied Suite 324, 325 and 326 at the Drake Hotel dur-
ing the convention with a display consisting of
Straube grands, player-pianos and uprights, as well
as the celebrated Hammond and Gilmore pianos and
player-pianos. The Straube Artronome player action
was on exhibition. The Straube exhibit was in charge
of E. R. Jacobson, president; C. H. J. Thorby, vice-
president; A. T. Schuldes, treasurer; J. R. Adams,
advertising manager, and W. G. Betz, general super-
intendent. Salesmen who were present were J. N.
England, James A. Terry, D. L. Sterling and Luther
Barnett.
ADAM SCHAAF IN WAREROOMS.
Adam Schaaf, Inc., Chicago, showed at the ware-
rooms, 319 to 321 S. Wabash avenue, a complete line,
including a new Grand, the Authentic Queen Anne
model. The force of wholesale travelers of the com-
pany who have successfully exploited the fine Adam
Schaaf line, were present at the company's ware-
rooms during the convention. Ira P. Nelson, I. M.
Douthit, George D. Field, Harry T. Sipe, Henry D.
Gearmen met old friends in the trade.
A SCHUMANN DISPLAY.
The Schumann Piano Co., Rockford, 111., had an
interesting display at the Drake Hotel, including
three styles of grands, one player-piano and two
upright instruments in mahogany, walnut and two-
tone finish. W. N. Van Matre, Jr., president of the
company; Charles B. Mclntosh, vice-president, and
Victor Hrdlicka were there to greet visitors.
BRINKERHOFF SHOWS.
The Brinkerhoff Piano Co., Chicago, featured its
new reproducing five-foot grand, as well as other
instruments, in Rooms 211-212 and 214 at the Drake
Hotel. W. T. Brinkerhoff, president and general
manager, assisted by W. J. Olson and W. Shanz,
greeted visitors. The company's warerooms on the
tenth floor of the Republic building also contained
special displays for convention work.
SCHAEFFER & CARLETON.
The Schaeffer Piano Mfg. Co., Suite 610 the Re-
public Building, displayed its various lines in its
warerooms, where pleasant facilities for showing
the goods made the showing more effective. Player-
pianos, grands and uprights were shown. The line
includes the Schaeffer and Carleton pianos and play-
er-pianos. W. B. Price and B. J. Heing were on hand
to greet visitors.
NEW WALTHAM PLAYERS SHOWN.
The Waltham Piano Co. of Milwaukee, Wis., ex-
hibited its new styles of Waltham player-pianos,
Waltham Harpenola, the Waltham Tone Resonator
and the new Waltham Ivorlith keyboard, in Suite 135
and 136 at the Drake Hotel during the convention.
In addition to these displays the company had on
exhibition eight Waltham player-pianos in new styles.
Paul F. Netzow is president of the company.
SCHILLER SUPER-GRAND.
Schiller Super-Grand piano in Gothic period design
was a feature of the elaborate display made
by the Schiller Piano Co. of Oregon, 111., and Chi-
cago during the week of the convention. Edgar B.
Jones, president of the company; Frank M. Hood,
vice-president, and Frank Jordan, sales manager, were
at the display rooms, Suite 854-855, the Drake, to
receive visitors. In addition the company kept open
house at its Chicago warerooms, 932 Republic Build-
ing, where the complete line was shown.
FIFTY-FIFTY FOR MATHUSHEK.
At the noon-day luncheon Wednesday, J. W. Stevens,
of the Mathushek Piano Manufacturing Company,
glancing along the line of faces at the speakers' table,
observed that of the dozen or so gentlemen occupying
this place of honor six were Mathushek representatives
—that is, six of the number at the speakers' table were
sellers of the Mathushek piano. "Fifty-fifty is some
proportion," remarked Mr. Stevens, and there was no
dissent.
JESSE FRENCH AND SON.
A good deal of regret was expressed around the
Drake this week that Jesse French and his son, H.
Edgar, of the piano industry at New Castle, Ind , could
not be present at the convention. Mr. French, Sr., has
been ill and could not leave his St. Louis home though
he is improving. H. Edgar French could not arrange
to get his complete removal from- his winter home
in Bourne, Tex., in time, though he had tried hard
to do so. It is expected that both gentlemen will be
back in New Castle in the near future.
JULIUS BRECKWOLDT IN CHICAGO.
One of the prominent supply men in attendance at
the convention is Julius Breckwoldt, head of the great
sounding board, and other wood supplies, at Dolgeville,
N. Y. Mr. Breckwoldt was greeted constantly by
friends and customers in the piano industry, and he was
a very busy guest a greater part of the time. He said
that the signs were pointing to a busy fall for the
piano manufacturers—and naturally, also, for the
dealers.
ELABORATE DISPLAY OF
THE M. SCHULZ CO. LINE
Bardini Italian Renaissance Reproducing Grand Was
a Center of Attraction at the Drake.
The M. Schulz Co., 711 Milwaukee avenue, Chicago,
displayed its extensive line of pianos, including grands,
uprights and players, in Suite M-15. At all times dur-
ing the convention the M. Schulz showroom was the
center of interest, and much enthusiasm was shown by
dealers who viewed the instruments on display.
A feature of the exhibit was the Bardini Italian
Renaissance reproducing grand, with the Aria Divina
reproducing action. This instrument, which has a length
of five feet, of burl walnut and finished in lacquer an-
tique, was a sensation. It received the praise of all who
inspected it and heard its tone.
NELSON =WIGGEN CO. STYLES
WERE SHOWN TO DEALERS
Oscar Nelson, President, and Lee Jones, Sales-Man-
ager, Explain Many Merits of Line.
The Nelson-Wiggen Co., Chicago, did not overlook
the opportunity to display the finest in its line of
automatics in Room 608 at the Drake last week. The
fact that three new styles were included in the exhibit
made it one of the best attended at the convention.
Dealers who have been in the automatic business for
a number of years expressed their interest in the new
styles, which are the latest achievement of the big
Chicago industry.
Lee Jones, sales manager, expressed his satisfaction
of the result of the exhibit and can see great possi-
bilities for the Nelson-Wiggen line in the trade.
BALDWIN LINE MADE
NEW FRIENDS AT DRAKE
Wide Line of the Cincinnati Industry and Pleasant
Reception Pleases Convention Visitors.
The Baldwin Piano Co., Cincinnati, chose an admir-
able location for the exhibition of its line at the Drake
Hotel last week. Instruments that exemplify the fine
construction and tone of the Baldwin were shown in a
well appointed suite on the mezzanine floor. The
exhibit ranged from the small school piano, in an
upright model, to a handsome reproducing grand in
period design.
A large electric sign Hashing the word Baldwin was
plainly visible from the mezzanine floor and the lobby
below.
Accompanying the exhibit were officials of the home
offices of the Baldwin Piano Co., and also from the
Baldwin Chicago branch.
EXHIBIT SWELLED LIST
OF WESTERN ELECTRIC
A. F. Larson and P. C. Waters Well Pleased with
Results of Convention Exhibit.
An immediate expansion of the line of automatic
instruments of the Western Electric Co., Chicago,
is assured by the fine results obtained during the con-
vention last week. Dealers who inspected the gen-
eral construction and finish of the three different
styles on display were convinced that the claim of the
company of producing the latest and finest in auto-
matic pianos was justified.
Knowing that its line contained novel features, the
Chicago industry anticipated a great deal of interest
on the part of visiting merchants. However, the
number of music merchants who were favorably im-
pressed with the line were far greater than expected.
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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