Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1925 2040

PRESTO
The Starr Piano Co., Cincinnati; Wm. F. Graul,
Cincinnati; Hotel Sinton, Cincinnati.
T H E PROGRAM.
Tuesday, September 15.
The convention opens at 11:30 a. m., Cincinnati
time, with a luncheon Tuesday, September IS. En-
tertainment by the Otto Grau Trio, Messrs. Water-
worth, Hafford and E. Ball, compliments of Otto
Grau, president of the Music Merchants' Association
of Ohio. Following is the complete program of
events:
1. Address of Welcome, by Hon. J. T. Carroll,
Mayor of Cincinnati.
2. Response by President Otto Grau of the Asso-
ciation.
Afternoon: Opening business session, 1 p. m., Tea
Room, Hotel Sinton.
3. Meeting called to order by President Grau.
4. Roll Call will be dispensed with because of reg-
istration.
5. Reading of minutes of previous meetings.
6. Report of President.
7. Report of Treasurer.
8. Report of Secretary.
9. Report of Council.
10. J. Fred Van Court, of Cincinnati, will lead a
discussion of the subject, "Overhead Compared to
Volume."
11. "Financing of the Music Business," discussed
under the leadership of Charles H. Yahrling, of
Youngstown. It is estimated that Mr. Yahrling has
under consideration for presentation to the associa-
tion a plan of financing similar to the mutual insur-
ance which he installed when president of the asso-
ciation.
12. Appointment of Resolutions Committee. Ad-
journment will be at 3 p. m. sharp and all unfinished
business will go over to the next session.
At 3 p. m. everybody will make the trip to Cod's
farm, fifteen miles on the Dixie Highway, in the
hills of Kentucky. Transportation will be furnished
those who do not have machines upon notification to
the Secretary's desk. At 4 p. m. arrive Cody's farm
and drink "Burgoo," for which the resort is famous.
Outdoors sports follow. At 6:30 p. m. chicken din-
ner at Cody's farm. Dancing and entertainment.
Music by "Ye Old Time Orchestra."
Wednesday, September 16.
The second business session convenes at 9:30 a. m.
and events continuing in regular sequence as indi-
cated, following:
13. Report of Mutual Insurance Committees.
Charles H. Yahrling, Chairman.
14. "Bait Advertising," a discussion to be led by
C. L. Dennis, of New York, manager of Merchan-
dising Service Department of Music Industries Cham-
ber of Commerce.
15. Report regarding current rulings, with refer-
ence to Federal Income Tax on installment sales.
16. "The Carrying Charge"; discussion to be led
by O. H. Boyd, of Marion.
17. Report of Carrying Charge Committee, Wm.
R. Graul, chairman.
Adjournment will take place at l l a . m. 12 o'clock
noon luncheon will be served in French Ball Room,
Sinton Hotel, 2 p. m. Official photograph of con-
vention, roof of Hotel Sinton. Final session con-
venes at 3 p. m.
18. Report of Advancement of Music Commit-
tee; F. B. Beinkamp, chairman.
19. "How to Create and Secure Trained Piano and
Phonograph Salesmen"; discussion led by Robert E.
Taylor, of Cleveland.
20. "Future of the Phonograph"; J. E. Henderson,
of Cincinnati, will present the viewpoint of the manu-
facturer. C. C. Baker, of Columbus, will present the
view of the retail music merchant. General discus-
sion by all members.
21. Unfinished business.
22. New Business. Report of Resolutions Com-
mittee.
23. Report of Membership Committee, C. M. Al-
ford, chairman.
24. Admission of new members.
25. Election of officers.
26. Adjournment.
At 7 p. m. an informal dinner and frolic will be
held in the French ball room of the Hotel Sinton.
President Grau will be toastmaster. Program:
1. "Make America Musical"; Alex McDonald,
of New York City.
2. "The National Association," a message from
Henry Weisert, president of the National Association
of music merchants.
3. Installation of new officers.
4. Dancing and frolic.
The Exhibitors.
There will be a considerable display of musical in-
struments and accessories at the Cincinnati Conven-
tion. Notable will be the exhibition of a number of
piano industries and music rolls. The list of ex-
hibitors thus far completed is as follows:
Auto Pneumatic Action Co., New York, room 358.
Geo. P. Bent Co., Louisville, Ky., rooms 350, 352.
Cleveland Talking Machine Co., Cleveland, room 355.
Hallet & Davis Co., Boston, rooms 614, 616, 618.
B. K. Settergren Co., Bluffton, Ind., room 363.
Straube Piano Co., Hammond, Ind., room 462.
M. Schulz Co., Chicago, room 356A and 356B.
Vocalstyle Music Co., Cincinnati, room 354.
Winter & Co., New York, room 426 and 428.
Buel Distributing Co., Cleveland, room 360.
Sterling Roll Co., Cincinnati, room 360.
The Art Novelty Co., Goshen, Ind., room 361.
The United Piano Corp., Norwalk, room 362.
Cleveland Radio Reproducer, Cleveland, room 357.
The Starr Piano Co., Richmond, Ind., room 351.
The Milton Piano Co., New York, room 353.
Conway Securities Co., Boston, room 614.
The Convention City.
Cincinnati is proverbially a hospitable city. It is
a musical city. At one time Cincinnati vied with
Boston as the real music center of the nation. It
was when the late John Church was active in the
music trade and had been largely instrumental in
having Theodore Thomas brought there, for the pur-
pose of establishing the Cincinnati College of Music.
The largest organ in the country, at that time, was
installed in Music Hall, on Elm street, and shortly
thereafter the famous May Music Festivals were in-
augurated.
Cincinnati is the home of several piano factories,
and her Symphony Orchestra ranks with those of
any other cities of the world. It may interest the
trade also, to know that the second of the music
trade papers was established in Cincinnati, and that
the first daily music journal in the world had its birth
there, with offices on Race street, the Emery Arcade.
At one time Cincinnati was the largest producer of
the little Gospel Hymn Books, and the house of the
foremost music publishers was the center for gather-
ings of the most widely known writers of popular
music the world has known. Headed by the late
Dr. Geo. F. Root, the staff of John Church Co. writ-
ers embraced all of the following: P. P. Bliss, H. R.
Palmer, J. A. Butterfield, W. F. Sherwin, Geo. W.
Persley, H. P. Danks, Harrison Millard, Thos. P.
Westendorff, J. R. Murray, Jas. McGrannahan, H. P.
Wyman, Will S. Hays, C. C. Case, and a host of
others.
The great houses of the Baldwin Company, the
Wurlitzer Company, the Werner Industries, the Vo-
calstyle Company, the Crosley Radio Corporation,
and a number more, have their headquarters in Cin-
cinnati.
Cincinnati is, in addition, an interesting city, unique
in its age and in its situation. The old hilltop re-
sorts, for music lovers, may not be so much alive,
August 29, 1925.
LATEST SMALL GRAND
OF THE PREMIER CORP'N
Model "R" Is Attractive Addition to Line of
the Progressive New York Small
Grand Piano Industry.
The Premier Model R—4 feet 10 inches long-—
followed by the Aristocrat—5 foot 3 inch model—and
the popular priced authentic Period Styles—the
Jacobean, William and Mary, and Queen Anne—have
all made a powerful appeal to the trade. Concen-
tration, specialization and standardization have ac-
NEW PREMIER MODEL R.
complished much in maintaining the quality, with
price combinaton that has typficd the Premer year
after year.
The latest Premer Small Grand has all the fea-
tures found in many higher priced Grands. Its spe-
cific features have, naturaly, been important sales
arguments. They have frequently, in themselves,
consummated a sale for the salesman on the floor
or in the field. And now the Premier Grand Piano
Corporation is especially glad to announce that
every one of the desirable features is now a part of
every Premier Baby Grand being made.
The Premier Model R, the mellow tone and dainty
attractive lines of which commended it to the trade
from the very first, has had its appearance addi-
tionally beautified by the brass ferrules at the base
of each leg. Also a neat moulding extending around
lower part of entire case or outside rim—greatly
enhancing the beauty of the appearance and adding to
the general attractiveness of this model.
but they are still there, and the first of the great
suspension bridges still spans the Ohio river to the
city of Covington, Kentucky. And the beauties of
the Eden Park and the suburban homes compare
with those in any other American city. So that con-
vention visitors will find their interests fully em-
ployed, and most of them will linger after the two
days' meetings are over.
SUMMER andlAUTUMN
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 29, 1925.
CHRISTMAN
"The First Touch Tells"
BUSINESS IS PICKING UP
And You Will Find a Ready
Sale for the Famous
Studio Grand
HOW VICTOR LAWSON
BOUGHT A PIANO
Chapter from Experiences of Piano Salesman
Who Has Devoted His Life to Satisfying
Preferences of Music Lovers in Selec-
tion of Instruments.
MARSHALL FIELD'S STEINWAY
Remembrances of Days When George B. Grosvenor
Had Charge of Warerooms of the One-Time
Famous House of Lyon, Potter & Co.
One of the best known retail piano salesmen in the
country, and certainly a foremost retailer of high-
class instruments in Chicago, is George B. Grosvenor,
until recently senior member of the house of Grosve-
nor, Lapham & Company. In his long experience
in the trade, Mr. Grosvenor has accumulated a rich
fund of memories and many chapters in his life
would make good reading for all whose interest is
associated with pianos.
Mr. Grosvenor began his business life in the piano
department of Lyon & Healy, Chicago. When the
late Geo. W. Lyon severed his connection with Mr.
(only 5 ft. long)
This little Grand has no superior and it
presents the very qualities that win the
prospect and makes the sale.
If you have a trade for Reproducing
Grands we ask your particular
notice to the
CLEVELAND PIANO HOUSE
WON'T HANDLE RADIO
CHRISTMAN
Reproducing Grand
The "Musical Kid," of the Ohio City, Again
Gets Into Trouble; Other Items of
Trade Interest.
GEORGTC B.
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.
"The First Touch Tells"
Rag. U. 8. Pat. Off.
Christman Piano Co.
597 East 137th St.
New York
at the store and, after a few preliminary remarks,
said he wanted a concert grand Steinway, adding that
he already had one in his home, on Prairie avenue.
He quickly selected the instrument he wanted and
asked Mr. Grosvenor if he would call at his home and
estimate the old piano's value, as the thought was
to "turn it in" as part payment for the new one.
Of course Mr. Grosvenor called, with the piano
salesman's accustomed alacrity. He found that Mr.
Field's piano was the identical Steinway grand that
had been used by the great Anton Rubinstein in his
tour of the United States. It was still a valuable in-
strument but displayed the effects of hard use and
time.
According to promise, Mr. Field called at the piano
house on the following morning. It was early, for
it was the merchant's habit to drive down before
most people were on the move. Mr. Grosvenor was
on hand to meet him. The condition of Mr. Field's
piano was explained to him, and a valuation placed
upon it. Mr. Field merely responded with—"Better
make that $50 more," and arranged for the new
Steinway's delivery. It was, of course, a splendid
and very high-priced piano—a full concert grand
similar to the old Rubinstein Steinway when that
was new.
Then the Settlement.
Mr. Field also exacted that Mr. Grosnevor should
bring the bill for the piano to his office the day fol-
lowing the piano's delivery. And that was done.
When the salesman called and presented the bill,
the credit for the old instrument was there in the fig-
ures which he had named, ignoring Mr. Field's sug-
gestion about "better make it $50 more." And the
merchant instructed his secretary to fill out a check
for the price which had been quoted—less the fifty
dollars. He said not a word, and Mr. Grosvenor,
making no protest, but with the traditional urbanity
of the seasoned piano man, thanked his customer and
bowed himself out.
GROSVENOR.
Healy and established the firm of Lyon, Potter &
Co., with warerooms originally on Wabash avenue,
near Madison street, Mr. Grosvenor followed his
friend and employer. That was a good many years
ago, and the recent death of Victor Lawson, million-
aire editor of the Chicago Daily News, caused Mr.
Grosvenor's mind to run back to the days when he
liad charge of the Lyon, Potter & Co. warerooms,
and before that time.
Two Famous Men.
For among the customers whose personalities had
impressed themselves indelibly upon the piano sales-
man's memory none stood forth more prominently
than those of two of Chicago's great citizens—men
whose lives are inseparable from the city's growth
and development, one of whom was Victor Lawson,
and the other Marshall Field.
Unconscious that he was saying anything which
might find its way into print, Mr. Grosvenor told
under what circumstances he sold pianos to both of
those leaders in Chicago's history. He told how Mr.
Lawson came to the store and quietly said that he
desired to have a Steinway piano placed in his home.
He preferred a grand, and "of course," a Steinway.
Mr. Grosvenor was not slow in drawing his cus-
tomer's attention to a fine instrument, and then to
a still more costly one. Both pleased the customer,
and he asked the prices. No sooner had Mr. Grosve-
nor named the figures than Mr. Lawson, with no
more hesitation than as if he were buying a new
straw hat, said:
"You may send that one to my home," pointing to
the most expensive instrument in the stock, to which
his attention had been directed. And the salesman
was no more surprised to learn the identity of his
cash customer than he was with the understanding
promptness of his discrimination.
The sale to Mr. Field was but little more compli-
cated in its consummation. The great merchant called
By A. E. DIHM.
C. M. Ott, of the Ott Piano Co., Nineteenth and
Euclid avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, has the distinction
of being a piano dealer who does not handle radio.
Mr. Ott is the agent for the Hardman piano and is
well pleased with the way that fine instrument is
taking with Clevelanders. He is planning an exten-
sive newspaper campaign and has closed a contract
with the Plain Dealer for a large amount of space.
Mr. Ott has placed the management of his new
branch store, at Sixty-first and Euclid avenue, in the
hands of W. T. Blue, of Lima.
H. R. Valentine, vice-president of the Dreher Piano
Co., is taking a few weeks off from business and is
vacationing at points of interest in Ohio.
"The Musical Kid" is once more in the toils of the
police. He is a specialist in petty thefts from music
stores. His real name is Earl Brooks, age twenty-
four, residence 3117 Cedar avenue. Police arrested
him for stealing a phonograph reproducer from the
store of Herman Lehr, of 7510 Lake avenue, while
trying out some records. He has been arrested twice
before for stealing records, and was convicted.
GERMAN TRADE IN JAPAN.
Great interest prevails in German musical instru-
ments in the Japanese market, according to a German
trade paper, which says it is chiefly stringed instru-
ments that are asked for there. German violins pre-
vail over English and Italian products in the ratio of
3 to 1 and 5 to 2 respectively in the trade in the three
southern islands of Japan. Many of the orchestras
formed for the modern cafes announce that they only
play on German instruments. Generally the Ger-
man musical instrument is an article of active com-
mercial interest for overseas exportation.
OPEN STORE IN GREENWICH, OHIO.
On Saturday evening of last week a music store
was opened in Greenwich, Ohio, by the Mansfield
Music Company, and under the management of H. H.
Chesrown, who is assisted by Mr. McQuillen. Mr.
Chesrown was located in Mansfield, Ohio, for a num-
ber of years before moving to Greenwich.
The entire sales force of the Butler Music Store at
Marion, Ind., recently attended a sales meeting pre-
sided over by H. M. Reynolds, Brunswick represen-
tative for that territory.
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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