19
PRESTO
July 4, 1925.
SMALL GOODS AND SUPPLIES
before a reputable jobbing house and followed a for-
mulated plan. The jobbers are experts in the line
and probably often know the dealer's needs better
than he does himself. Other piano, phonograph or
Suggestion Now Being Followed by Piano, sheet music dealers have followed a plan by which
they have acquired a knowledge of the musical in-
Phonograph, Sheet Music and Furniture
strument business with no financial risks. They have
Dealers Calls for Advice as to Best Method.
rented a portion of their stores to small goods men
How to go about establishing a musical merchan- to conduct a small goods department as a separate
dise department is a question often asked by the business. But the wisest thing for the dealer, con-
piano merchant, or the head of a sheet music or fur- vinced that musical merchandise would prove a prof-
niture business". It is a common question in this day itable addition to his business, is to start such a de-
of the acceptance of the general music store idea, partment himself.
and the way to carry out the general music store plan
A good rule for every dealer is to start in a small
is an important one for the man who believes in car- way and feel his way to bigger things. But even at
rying out his plans thoroughly.
the start the department must be representative. Be-
Of course there are men who need no suggestions ginning with the small goods, band instruments
for expanding their business. If they do not know should be added as soon as possible. And a rule to
what to buy, they know how to set about the estab- be followed is to co-operate as much as possible
lishing of the new department. Possibly the piano with teachers and professional musicians.
Of course there are policies to be adopted, and not
dealer with a big business would find a capable
expert in musical merchandise and place him in the least is that of credits. A big portion of the band
charge of the new section. It is a feasible and instrument business is done on a time payment basis,
but the down payment is usually high and the terms
sensible way.
short.
Ideal Man for Manager.
ITEM HELPS ROLL SALES
ADD SMALL GOODS
The ideal kind of man is the band or orchestra
musician who wishes to enter a business where his
professional abilities may be valuable. He knows in-
struments and their uses, and if he adds to this knowl-
edge the ability to buy and sell the musical instru-
ments, obviously he is the right man for the job.
The strength of appeal of the big musical merchan-
dise stores in the larger cities is in the fact that both
amateur and professional feel confidence in the judg-
ment of the salesmen in the various departments who
usually are expert players, and possibly members of
some local band or orchestra organization.
But it may be set down as a rule that no dealer
should embark in the musical merchandise business
except in a limited way until he has selected his man-
ager. And upon his choice may depend the success
or failure of his venture.
Many a piano, phonograph or sheet music dealer
has expanded his business by adding musical mer-
chandise without engaging a special manager and
made a success of it. Some have laid their problem
IVORY SALES REPORT.
Sales of ivory, including hippopotamus teeth, in
Antwerp, Belgium, amounted to 63,137 kilos and sales
of rhinocerous horns totaled 75 kilos at the second
quarterly ivory sale of the present year which was
held in Antwerp in May, according to a report from
Consul General G. S. Messersmith. The sale was
less active than the corresponding one held in 1924.
A complete statement showing the quality and quan-
tity of ivory sold is on file in the Specialties Division,
Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, Wash-
ington, and will be loaned to interested firms upon
their request. Refer to file No. 172900.
MUSICIAN JOINS SALES STAFF.
Harry Parsons is a valuable addition to the sales
staff of the musical merchandise department of the
Portland, Ore., branch of Sherman, Clay & Co. Mr.
Parsons is a proficient performer on several band in-
struments and prominent among the musicians of that
city.
WESSELL, NICKEL & GROSS
Statement of A. G. Gulbransen, President of the Gul-
bransen Co., Chicago, Reprinted by Newspapers.
A newspaper item which should prove very helpful
propaganda for the music business and that will assist
in getting out of the public mind the idea that music
played by roll need necessarily be mechanical, is the
following, quoting A. G. Gulbransen, president of the
Gulbransen Company:
"Improvement in music roll making as brought
about new artistic possibilities for roll-played pianos,
according to A. G. Gulbransen, piano manufacturer.
"Most artistic rolls now being made have the notes
out just as they are written for hand playing," said
Mr. Gulbransen, who is the largest piano manufac-
turer in the world, producing nearly one-tenth of all
the pianos made in the United States. "The earlier
theory of roll cutting was that using only the notes
as they would be played by hand would make music
that would sound 'thin' when played without the
shading and personal quality imparted by the fingers.
For this reason, the rolls were 'filled in' with many
additional notes, making scores that could not pos-
sibly have been played by ten fingers. Even the un-
trained ear could recognize the difference as far as
the music could be heard.
"Today it is impossible for the ear to distinguish
between hand playing and interpretation by a well-
played Registering piano. The necessity for 'filled
in' rolls has passed. The player has all the resources
of emotional control, personality and variety of tempo
and shading that make the difference between me-
chanical and creative playing. Therefore, the demand
is for 'two hand' rolls, cut exactly as a pianist would
play the score. After all a roll-played piano is an
instrument for producing music, and the requirement
is for rolls that make use of the artistic powers of
the instrument."
G. K. Purdy is the new manager of the music de-
partment in Yahr & Lange, Milwaukee, wholesalers
for Sonora in Wisconsin and Michigan, succeeding
E. Gessert, who is taking up another line of work
with this firm.
THE SELPO TRUCKS
FOR PIANO MOVERS
Manufacturers of
PIANO ACTIONS
HIGHEST GRADE
ONE GRADE ONLY
The Wessell, Nickel & Gross action is a
guarantee of the grade of the instrument
in which it is found.
FACTORIES:
45thSt., 10thAte. &W46lh.
I Wi\I\>
OFFICE:
4$7
Comstock, Cheney & Co.
Ivory Cutters and Manufacturers
Piano Keys, Actions and Hammers
The last word in END TRUCKS. Make your service the best.
These trucks are most complete and sturdy. The frame is cross
braced and riveted, so it can not rack.
The bail has been lengthened to increase its leverage. Also, Sill
Trucks, Piano Hoists, Covers and special made straps.
Manufactured by
SELF LIFTING PIANO TRUCK CO.
FINDLAY, OHIO
IVORY AND COMPOSITION-COVERED ORGAN KEYS
The only Company Furnishing the Kays, Actions, Hammers and Brackets Complete
Telegraph and R. R. Station: Essex, Conn.
[
Office and Factories: Ivoryton, Conn.
THE O S. KELLY CO.
Manufacturers
of
High
Oracle
PIANO PLATES
SPRINGFIELD
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OHIO
Factory and Offioc
DOLGEVILLE, N.Y
Mills
JULIUS BRECKWOLDT & SON, ING. Saw
Fulton Chain
Manufacturers of
and
Tuppcr Uk«
Piano Backs, Boards* Bridges, Bars,
Traplevers and Mouldings
SOLE AGENTS FOR RUDOLF GIESE WIRE
WESTERN REPRESENTATIVE:
CENTRAL STEEL & WIRE CO.,
119-127 N. Peorla Street,
J BRECKWOLDT, Pre«.
Chicago, Hi.
W. A. BREGKWOLDT, Sac * Tra .
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