Presto

Issue: 1925 2036

August 1, 1925.
PRESTO
HONORS FOR POPULAR
PIANO MAN'S SON
Everett Lester Kochmann Receives the De-
gree of Master of Sciences from Massachu-
setts Institute of Technology.
OLD PIANO SELLING WAYS RECALLED
One of the country's most successful piano dealers
is Ben Reynolds, of Washington, Pa., who recently
celebrated his twenty-fifth anniversary. It recalled
the days of old-time piano selling methods when it
was possible for a young man to start business with
The celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of
his beginning as a dealer was the occasion of many
congratulatory messages and felicitations from his
many friends amongst his customers and business as-
sociates. Publicity was given to the event in the
hardly a cent in his pocket, and achieve success, pro-
vided, of course, there was behind his effort the deter-
mination to succeed.
The splendid business Ben Reynolds enjoys today
was built up from small beginnings. With a few
dollars capital, but large assets as to integrity and
credit, he started his business in Washington twenty-
five years ago this month in a small room 16 feet
wide. This, however, was soon abandoned for larger
quarters, which, with numerous extensions and addi-
tions in the same location in North Main street, is
occupied by this progressive house today.
newspapers, a feature being the unique photograph
from which this halftone was made. It is interesting
to compare the ornate upright piano of twenty-five
years ago, shrouded in its elaborate scarf, with the
beautifully designed instruments which are in vogue
today. The young man standing at the piano is none
other than Elmer Reynolds, son of the founder, who
has grown up with the business and is now the active
manager thereof. He began as a boy working in the
store after school hours and has been continuously
associated with his father ever since.
and to make the most beautiful and appropriate case
that it was in their power to construct.
The entire instrument is overlaid in gold. The
eagles with spread wings, each standing on square
pedestals with laurel wreaths, form the legs and sup-
port the case. Around the rim of the case are painted
the shields of the thirteen original states, between
which is entwined a graceful scroll of acanthus.
The painting on the underside of the top represents
the nine Muses being received by the young Ameri-
can republic.
There is a piano bench made in the same style as
the piano with the four leg supports replicas in
smaller proportion of the legs of the piano, all en-
crusted with gold. It still stands in the east room
of the executive mansion where the official musicales
are given.
Literally thousands of members of the piano in-
dustry and trade will congratulate Reinhard Koch-
mann and his wife on the success of their son, who
has attained to honors in the scientific world. The
following appeared in a recent issue of the Daily
Argus, of Mount Vernon, N. Y.:
Among the successful candidates for the degree
of master of science at the recent commencement of
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cam-
bridge, Mass., was Everett Lester Kochmann, only
son of Mr. and Mrs. Reinhard Kochmann. Everett
was born in Mount Vernon, N. Y., where his parents
still reside, and graduated from School 2 and Mount
Vernon High School. He received the degree of
bachelor of science at the M. I. T. a year ago. and.
through his talented handling of research problems,
especially those connected with the diphenic acid
series and bromination of ethyl aminocinnamatcs
earned scholarships for both the M. S. and Ph. D.
degrees.
Aside from filling the position of instructor of
organic chemistry he is now engaged upon important
research work in conjunction with his studies for the
Ph. D. degree. During the war he first served in the
navy as carpenter's mate, but eventually was pro-
moted to the rank of chief yeoman of tlve naval air
service at Pensacola, Fla.
THE STEINWAY GRAND
IN THE WHITE HOUSE
Hundred Thousandth Instrument, Presented
to Nation by Late Charles H. Steinway, Is
Notable Object in Executive Mansion.
During President Roosevelt's term of office the
record of pianos manufactured by Steinway & Sons
reached the 100,000 mark and it was suggested that
the instruments which would point to the interesting
achievement should be made not for an individual,
but for the American people—that it should be pre-
sented to the nation. President Roosevelt expressed
his approval of the plan and in January, 1903, one of
the most beautiful examples of the art of piano mak-
ers and decorators was brought to the white house
and presented to the nation by the late Charles H.
Steinway as president of the firm and accepted on
behalf of the nation by President Roosevelt.
Be it remembered that this notable instrument, this
One Hundred Thousandth Steinway piano, is in no
r
w ay superior to the 99,999 which have gone before or
of those which have been made since. A Steinway
is a Steinway. Whether it be a grand or an upright,
each instrument represents the very highest and best
that the piano-makers can produce.
But the case in which the immortal soul of this
one hundred thousandth Steinway is embodied prob-
ably is the most beautiful piano case ever produced
in the United States. The designs, models and deco-
rations were made under the supervision of noted
artists, sculptors, architects and designers. They
were instructed to proceed without regard to expense
Palmer Smith, who has been connected with the
vSeiberling, Lucas Music Co., of Portland, for some
time, has been promoted to the position of sales man-
ager of the firm.
SUMMER and AUTUMN
offer opportunities for the live piano salesman unequalled by any other season. With the Bowen Loader it is easy to get out into the
country, taking the piano along. Sales are sure, and with the Ford runabout and one-man Carrier you can demonstrate and do busi-
ness anywhere. Our latest fool-proof, indestructible Loader for only $95 affords an unusual opportunity. Satisfaction guaranteed.
BOWEN PIANO LOADER CO.,
Winston-Salem, N. C.
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
August 1, 1925.
CHRISTMAN
The First Touch Tells
Put New Life Into Your Trade
By Selling the Famous
Studio Grand
It will Fascinate any Discriminat-
ing Customer and Insure the Sale.
Have You Tried The
CHRISTMAN
Reproducing Grand
Equipped with
A marvel of tone and expressive
interpretation of all classes of com-
position, reproducing perfectly the
performances of the world's great-
est pianists.
ii
The First Touch Tells"
IU«. U. B. Pit. Off.
Christman Piano Co.
597 East 137th St.
New York
INTERESTING NEWS
FROM PORTLAND, ORE*
Trade and Personal Items Concerning Active
Piano Men and Interests in the Week's
Work Are Printed.
Collins & Erwin, of Portland, Ore., says that the
company is finding a good sale for the Straube
pianos, having recently placed several in the public
schools, among them one in the Oakley Green School
and one in the Beech School, of Portland.
Frank M. Case, manager of the Sherman, Clay &
Co. store of Portland, Ore., was visited recently by
John H. Parnham, president of the Cable-Nelson
Piano Co., of South Haven, Mich., who was enter-
tained by Mr. Case with an automobile ride around
the Mount Hood Loop via the Columbia Highway
and up to the Rainier National Park, where they
passed the night at Paradise Inn.
Collins & Erwin, of the "Upstairs Piano Co.," of
Portland, Ore., were visited recently by Roy C.
Burgess, special representative of the Continental
Piano Co., of Boston. Mr. Burgess reported a nice
order of Henry Miller uprights, grands and repro-
ducing grands from the firm and also said that he
was finding business much better than he anticipated
when he started on his trip.
W. P. Brassfield, of the Oakland, Cal., Wiley B.
Allen store, stopped off in Portland, Ore., to visit
his father, the Wiley B. Allen, manager of that city
and spent several days with him. Mr. Brassfield
went on up to Seattle and upon his return will spend
the balance of his vacation in Portland.
B. R. Brassfield, the Wiley B. Allen manager of
the Portland, Ore., store made a business trip re-
cently to the Weeks & Orr Music Co., of Medford,
Ore., the Wiley B, Allen representative of that place.
The Oregon Music Trades Association's executive
officers and committee chairmen met at a luncheon
at the Portland Hotel, Portland, Ore., July 22 and
held a business meeting, which was largely attended
and presided over by G. F. Johnson, president of the
association. At a round-table discussion various mat-
ters in relation to the music trade were discussed.
P. S. Wick, of the P. S. Wick Piano Co. of St. Paul,
was a guest of honor at the meeting and made a few
remarks, expressing his satisfaction at the interest
shown by the Portland dealers in their association.
The F. R. Austen Music Co., 311 Fine Arts Build-
ing. Portland, Ore., has been sold to George W. Chil-
son and will hereafter be known as the George W.
Chilson Music Co. The company handles sheet
music exclusively, featuring classical, choir music and
teachers' supplies. Mr. Chilson will be assisted by
his two daughters, who are musicians. Mr. Chilson is
a member of the Portland Symphony Orchestra and
has a large circle of acquaintances among profes-
sional musicians, having taken a large place in the
musical life of Portland for the past 19 years. Mr.
Austen leaves Portland for Olympia, where he will
represent the Wiley B. Allen Co., who are opening up
a new branch in the capital city of Washington state.
Paul Kuhl has returned to Portland, Ore., and en-
tered the piano department of the Bush & Lane Piano
Co., with which he was connected several years ago,
leaving for Olympia to join the Bush & Lane branch
in that city.
Anthony Stever, superintendent of the finishing de-
partment of the Starr Piano Co., of Richmond, Ind.,
is taking a three months' vacation and recently spent
three weeks in Portland, Ore., and vicinity. Mr.
Stever has been connected with the company for the
past 35 years and while in Portland was a guest of
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Soule, district manager of the
company.
Charles Soule, district manager of the Starr Piano
Co., accompanied by his wife, left Portland July 27
for a two weeks' trip, looking after the interests of
the firm in the Washington territory.
COLLEGE AT DAYTON, VA.,
BUYS MILTON PIANOS
Shenandoah College Places Order for New
York Pianos Through the Duke L.
Shaver Firm.
One of the indications of a piano's worth is the
opinion which academies, conservatories of music and
colleges have of it. Many leading halls of learning
have chosen the Milton piano for use in connection
with their courses in music.
Another instance of an educational institution
choosing the Milton is that the Shenandoah College,
Dayton, Va., has installed three additional Milton
pianos. The instruments were placed through the
agency of Duke L. Shaver, head of the firm of that
name, in Dayton. Mr. Shaver is negotiating to place
still more Miltons in the college and expects other
orders very shortly. E. G. Burton, of the Shaver
firm, spent several days in New York and visited the
Milton factory in connection with the transaction.
Mr. Shaver recommended the Milton as the most
satisfactory instrument for the college's requirements
and after comparison with other pianos three instru-
ments were ordered to fill their immediate needs.
This decision on the part of Shenandoah College adds
one more well known educational institution to the
long list which have chosen the Milton. Some of the
others are St. Anne's Academy, Fort Smith, Ark.;
Jasper College, Jasper, Ind.; Normal School, Bowie,
Md., and Newcomb College, New Orleans, La.
F. P. BASSETT'S VACATION
IN THE CATSKILLS
M. Schulz Co. Official and Family to Spend Greater
Part of Time at Mineveh on Susquehanna River.
After sticking regularly on the job for a year and
looking after important matters of the M. Schulz Co.
offices, at 711 Milwaukee avenue, Chicago, Fred P.
Bassett, secretary, and family left Chicago on Thurs-
day of this week for a month of rest and enjoyment
in the Catskill Mountains of New York state. Mr.
Bassett and wife and their four boys, who are at-
tending the Staunton Military Academy, Staunton,
Va., made the trip to Mineveh, N. Y., in four days via
automobile, making a few brief stops on the way.
Mineveh is located on the beautiful Susquehanna
River. Outdoor sports of every description are fea-
tures of this particular resort. Boating, bathing, fish-
ing, tennis and golf and other forms of sport make it
an ideal location. Mr. Bassett chose Mineveh prin-
cipally because the boys revel in outdoor sport and it
affords them an opportunity for real enjoyment.
OLD MUSIC STORES MERGE
IN TERRE HAUTE, IND.
The Falber Store and the Sterchi Music Store Join
Interest in Indiana City.
The Falber music store, 712 Wabash avenue, Terre
Haute, Ind., and the Sterchi Music Store, 330 Wabash
avenue, in the same city, have combined forces but
will continue to be run as separate stores. The com-
bination was made to enlarge the business, says Mr.
Falber, who will be in personal charge of the store at
712 Wabash avenue as in the past.
This store will carry a complete line of musical in-
struments, and special dance orchestrations—music
specially arranged for orchestras. It also will carry
all standard make piano rolls and the Gennett and
Brunswick records. Arrangements are now being
made to enlarge and rearrange the store to care for
its increased business.
SPANISH ORGAN BUILDER DIES.
The Zeitschrift fur Instrumentcnbau announces the
death of Herr Alberto Merklin, organ builder, in
Madrid, on March 22 last. He was particularly dis-
tinguished in his profession. He had made a special
study of Spain's old organ construction.
OPENS NEW BRANCH.
The Williams Music Company, Alton, 111., has
opened a branch store in Gillespie, 111., in a choice
location near the post office. In an announcement
the company offers inducements to prospective buy-
ers of musical goods. The opening took place Satur-
day of last week.
B. T. SAFFORD IN CHICAGO.
B. T. Safford, tuner for Harwood & Wilson, Gul-
bransen dealers at West Palm Beach, Fla., visited
the Gulbransen factory in Chicago last week. He is
visiting his son, who is a pharmacist and lives in
Chicago. In the course of his trip, Mr. SafFord
stopped at Jacksonville, Atlanta and Cleveland. Mr.
Safford is an old hand at piano tuning, having forty
odd years' experience.
THE LATE M. A. KUNKLE.
Presto regrets to record the death of M. A. Kunkle,
of Saltsburg, Penna., which occurred some time ago,
although the information did not reach this office
until recently. Mr. Kunkle was a respected citizen
of his community and was active in carrying on a
conservative and reliable music business. He had
been a subscriber to Presto for nearly twenty years.
CONTEST AT STATE FAIR.
Gold medals in piano, violin, saxophone and vocal
contests have been offered by the directors of the
Arkansas State Fair, to be held in Little Rock in
October. Henry Tovey, head of the music depart-
ment of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville,
has charge of the competition.
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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