Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1927 2114

MUSICAL
TIMES
PRESTO
Established
1881
Established
1884
THE AMERICAN MUSIC TRADE WEEKLY
CHICAGO, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1927
10 Cents a Copy
CHICKERING PIANO
SEVENTY YEARS AGO
Copy of Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper,
Dated April 16, 1859, Tells Long Ago
Facts of Piano Manufacturing of
Chickering & Sons, Boston.
JONAS CHICKERING'S PART
Genius, Energy and Rigid Probity of Founder
Formed Firm Basis of Fine Century-
Old Policies.
A copy of the April L6, 1859, issue of "Frank
Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper," which has just been
secured by Chickering & Sons for its historical
library, contains some very interesting information
on the early days of American piano manufacture.
A good idea of the universal appeal of pianos and
the status of the industry in America at that time
may be gathered from the following extract:
"The importance of this branch of manufacture in
the United States can hardly be estimated. Those
who live in our large cities can arrive at some ap-
name became a sort of household word throughout
the United States.
Pictures Great Factory.
"For thirty-seven years the vast business built up
and sustained by the energy and integrity of Jonas
Chickering has gone on increasing, until now it is
literally the mammoth establishment of America, and
with but few equals in any part of the world. The
Chickering factory has always been a model of order,
regularity and harmony, but vast as was the estab-
lishment up to the few last years, the new building
which we illustrate this day throws it, as it does all
manufactories of a similar nature on this continent,
into the shade. It eclipses in vastness and perfection
of detail anything of the kind yet attempted in
America."
Many old-fashioned wood cut illustrations used
throughout, depicting the various steps of piano
manufacture and the Chickering factory, which was
then the largest factory under one roof in America,
give an added touch of historical flavor.
To Jonas Chickering and his sons the following
tribute was paid:
What Founder Transmitted.
"The late Mr. Jonas Chickering enjoyed an en-
viable reputation not only for business talent, energy
and rigid probity, but for generous and active sym-
pathy with his fellow men. To the musical profession
he was princely in his munificence, and though many
may have forgotten the hand whose uninquiring
liberality smoothed many an early difficulty in their
A Visit to Chicjtering's Pianoforte Manufactory, Tremont Street, Boston, Jffass.
CHICKERING FACTORY IN 1859.
proximate estimate, for he sees in every house he
visits a pianoforte. But if he travels from state to
state he becomes thoroughly impressed with the
magnitude of the traffic in this branch of industry,
for in the citizen's brick house, in the squatter's log
cabin, in the newly-settled village, and in the heart
of the wildest districts, the pleasant tone and the
consolation of the piano will alike be found. In
their manufacture millions of dollars are invested,
and lens of thousands of hands employed; these re-
ceive good living wages, and are among the most
respectable of our mechanics."
Chickering Development.
A history of the development of the piano from
the Greek psalterion, or typanum, which was merely
a box with strings stretched across it, up to the time
Jonas Chickering started manufacturing pianos is
then given. The article goes on to say:
"It is only within the last quarter of a century that
America has taken any rank among the nations in
the manufacturing of pianofortes. The movement
in this direction certainly received its most direct
and powerful impulse from the perseverance, energy,
and skill of the late widely esteemed Jonas Chicker-
ing of Boston. Jonas Chickering commenced bus-
iness somewhere about the year of 1820, and so suc-
cessful was he in producing the sweetest toned and
pleasantest actioned piano that in a few years his
way, there are hundreds who now gladly testify to
the noble qualities and disinterested kindness of the
thoughtful friend, who, after a useful and well-spent
life, now sleeps in his honored grave.
"The firm of Chicktring & Sons is now repre-
sented by the sons of the elder Chickering—Colonel
Thomas Chickering, who watches over the interest
of the vast establishment in . Boston, and Frank
Chickering, who fosters the widely spread influence
and the still increasing business of the firm in New
York. Though we may with propriety speak well of
the dead, it might be deemed in questionable taste if
we spoke all we thought of the living.
"To say that the Messrs. Chickering are thorough
business men is no compliment, for the enormous
business which they control and which we illustrate
this day speaks louder in their favor in that respect
than anything we could utter. In their hands the
character and popularity of the house has lost none
of its prestige, but with the tongue of good report
in their favor, and with hosts of friends inherited
from their father, and held fast by their own social
and moral worth, they may view with pardonable
pride the enormous property entrusted to 'their care,
increasing in value and growing in prosperity."
Lowenstein's Department Store, Memphis, Tenn.,
has added a piano section under the management of
R. J. Winters.
$2 The Year
ENCOURAGING THE
ARTISTIC DESIGNS
An Important Part in the National Piano Pro-
motion Scheme Are Dealers' Efforts to
Further Sales of Handsome Period
and Other Models.
PROGRESSIVE MAKERS
Many Manufacturers Now Distinguished by Produc-
tion of Highly Artistic Instruments Which Raise
the Tone of the Retail Trade.
As a rule the piano customer today is keenly inter-
ested in the outward form of his piano purchase, as
well as its merits of construction. The name of the
manufacturer assures him of the desired tonal qual-
ities and the character for endurance in the piano
he considers most desirable, but it depends upon him-
self to add to these his ideal of case beauty. And
never before have the refinements and elegancies of
art entered so much into the construction of pianos.
Nearly every piano manufacturer now includes
period designs in his line. Some of the makers are
distinguished by the extent of the period models and
truth to types is pointed out as a feature to be proud
of. The selection of the forms involved keen study
of the furniture of the various periods, the services
of the best designers and the most expert carvers.
The result is that the piano customer of discriminat-
ing taste in the furnishing of a house finds every
phase of period history represented in the fine piano
warerooms.
The piano manufacturers who feature the period
models among their lines really have much to thank
the furniture manufacturers for the increased interest
of the public in period models and the ability to
differentiate between one and the other. And the
dealers and salesmen in the music trade are in con-
sequence familiar._with the peculiarities of the various
periods and are more effectively equipped to meet
customers possessed of the knowledge of period types
and to instruct those who are not versed in the beau-
tiful forms.
A Bit of History.
The turn towards perfection in period types in
furniture suggests a consideration of the progress
observed in the furniture industry. It is not so very
long ago that the designer of furniture was a law
unto himself. In too many instances he was lawless
from the artistic point of view.
But, as the general run of furniture makers were
indifferent to the growing artistic taste of the people,
the old, nondescript numbers in furniture were corr-
tinued from year to year. The first jolt to their
equanimity came when the furniture industry formed
trade associations and met annually to compare notes.
When inspired speakers impressed the necessity for
a closer association with art in furniture making,
they were considered impractically "highbrow" by the
unprogressive ones. Then followed the separation
of the regenerated from the mossbacks in the furni-
ture industry. The transition of the furniture field
within a few decades has been indicative of the
ambition to walk, step by step, with the growth of
artistic taste. Beauty and quality took the place of
price as incentives in manufacturing. Education of
•the furniture buyer became a more important part in
selling methods and, thanks to the effectiveness of
the furniture makers' propaganda, the piano buyer
has a greater appreciation of the beautiful and artistic
in piano design.
Add Tone to Trade.
The true and artistic period designs elevate the
tone of the piano trade but the makeshifts for period
designs are really detrimental. The plan to simplify
production is too often subservient to artistic ambition.
Giving a piano the mere semblance to a period model
is falling short of a purpose. Producing a period
design is something more than adding fancy legs
and carved curlicues to an original model of the
Calvin Coolidge era. Piano dealers may help the
piano promotion plan by encouraging the purchase of
the artistic models put forth by the ambitious piano
manufacturers
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).
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PRESTO-TIMES
completely remodeled their store on account of the
moving in of Louis Mack with his sheet music de-
partment. Mr. Mack's department has been placed
.on the main floor which made additional space neces-
sary for the display of pianos and phonographs. This
was accomplished by extending the mezzanine floor
Beautiful Little Instrument Is Unusual in and attractive display rooms have been installed there
for the display of the Kimball grands and the talking
Its Case Effects and Artistry
machine stock. H. H. Princehouse, vice president of
Throughout.
the company, who recently opened up a phonograph
Unique in decorative effects, and no less unusual department in the Bee Hive department store in
in its musical qualities, is the Baby Ampico, in Chi- Astoria, Ore., has placed George McCormick in
nese style, which-is here illustrated. This beautiful charge there.
The woman's protective bureau of Portland, Ore.,
little instrument was shown in a recent issue of
pulled a good advertising stunt for the sheet music
dealers of that city when they announced in the
Morning Oregonian that they were waging a cam-
paign against a certain song. This was announced
on the front page of the paper, and while no song
was named, the people flocked to the music stores to
find out the song and to pass individual judgment
on it. The song was Jack Mills "Little Red Riding
Hood," which the Q R S Company refused to add
to its list of music rolls.
William Marshall, traveling representative of the
Krakauer Piano Company, spent several days in
Portland, Ore., visiting the trade. He made his
headquarters at the Sherman, Clay & Co. store.
W. H. Lawton, Pacific Northwest representative of
the Columbia Phonograph Company, with headquar-
ters in Seattle, accompanied W. C. Fuhri, general
sales manager and vice-president of the Columbia
Phonograph Company to Portland, Ore., during a
recent visit to that city.
BABY AMPICO WITH
CHINESE DECORATIONS
BABY AMPICO, CHINESE STYLE.
Presto-Times as a fine specimen of out-of-the-ordi-
nary decorative case, but without reference to its
origin or makers.
It is an Ampico in either the Haines Bros., Mar-
shall & Wendell or J. & C. Fischer piano. This
design may be had in any of the famous instruments
named. It is so rare in its case decorations that it
must add greatly to the assortment in any wareroom,
as only a glance at the illustration must suggest.
STARR PIANO COMPANY'S
CHICAGO BRANCH MOVES
Closes Deal in Which Gennett Records Are
Transferred to Cole & Dumas, Jobbers,
430 South Wabash Avenue.
The announcement is made this week by the Chi-
cago branch of the Starr Piano Co., Richmond, Ind.,
of its removal from 230 South Wabash avenue to the
Trayser Piano Co.'s building, 1538 West Chicago ave-
nue, where the complete Starr line will be carried in
a retail and wholesale way. The territory allotted to
the Chicago branch covers the northwest side, a sec-
tion containing many progressive music establish-
ments and in which the Starr piano is accorded an
excellent trade.
The Chicago branch will no longer represent the
Gennett and Champion talking machine record lines,
which it is announced will be handled by the Cole
& Dumas Music Co., jobbers located at 430 South
Wabash avenue. All Gennett dealers are cordially
invited by the Cole & Dumas Co. to visit its record
wareroom and make it their headquarters while in
Chicago.
OREGON BILL THREATENS
INSTALLMENT BUSINESS
Portland, Ore., Sends Some Newsy Items
About the Trede, Including Late Per-
sonal and Store Notes.
The Oregon legislature which is now in session
has again in its hopper a bill against installment
buying. The bill is the same that the Oregon Music
Trades Association assisted in killing last biennial
session. The bill provides for the recording of all
conditional sales and leases of personal property and
provides for the right of repossession on account of
non-payment of the purchase price, which can be
exercised only by an action at law or a suit in equity.
Music dealers, furniture stores, jewelers, agents of
electrical household appliances and many other lines
would be affected by the proposed law, and all of
these interests have joined forces against its passage,
as it is the consensus of opinion that it would abso-
lutely kill installment buying. The Oregon Music
Trades Association passed a resolution against the
bill and are - work : ng against it. It has been post-
poned indefinitely.
The McCormick Music Co. of Portland, Ore., have
February 5, 1927.
DEATH OF GEORGE P. BOYD
CAUSES DEEP REGRET
Manager of F. A. North Co., of Philadelphia,
Passed Away Last Week at His Home
in Norristown.
George P. Boyd, general sales manager of the F.
A. North Co, Philadelphia, died Wednesday night,
January 26, after an illness of 36 hours, of flu pneu-
monia. His sudden death was a great shock to his
business associates and his many friends. Mr. Boyd
was in his 35th year, having been born in Phila-
delphia June 14, 1892. He received his education in
the Philadelphia public schools and at the age of 18
years entered the employ of the F. A. North Co. in
1910, being assigned the position of clerk in the
Reading, Pa., store of that organization.
In October, 1912, he was transferred to the main
Philadelphia store, at 1306 Chestnut street, as a
collector. His next assignment was as a corre-
spondent in the collection department. Later he was
made collection manager. After mastering the duties
of this position he was made an outside salesman and
RECENT EXPORT PIANO
ITEM IS HERE CORRECTED
Presto-Times Had Been Misinformed Concerning
Purposes of Ackerman & Lowe Incorporation.
In an item concerning the recently organized
Ackerman & Lowe Piano Co., of New Castle, Ind.,
the idea was conveyed that the new incorporation
was to handle the export business of the Jesse French
& Sons Piano Co., which is not at all the case.
The Export Department of the New Castle indus-
try has been functioning in a satisfactory manner
and there is no reason for any change, says General
Manager H. Edgar French. >; As owners, by, pur-
chase, of the name and good will of the Ackerman &-
Lowe Piano Co., and not being in a position to
handle it as it should be handled, and feeling that
there is room and business for the Ackerman & Lowe
Piano Co., both at home and abroad, the Jesse French
& Sons Piano Co. decided to sell the trade-mark,
good will and everything else to the Ackerman &
Lowe Piano Co., and the new corporation was or-
ganized to take over and go after the business as
they may see fit.
It is understood that when the organization is
completed, they will be on the market with a com-
plete new line of styles. Presto-Times regrets the
misunderstanding which led to error in the earlier
item.
GEO.
P. BOYD.
kept at this work until he had gained a valuable
experience. After four years in the main Phila-
delphia store, he was made manager of the Norris-
town, Pa., branch store in April, 1916. During the
three years he spent in this position he built up a
fine business and so endeared himself to -the people
of Norristown that he made it his permanent home.
In 1919 he was brought back to Philadelphia as
manager of the talking machine department and a
year later was made general sales manager for 1306
Chestnut and all of the branch stores of the F. A.
North Co., seventeen in number. This position he
held up to the time of his death. His sterling in-
tegrity and strong sense of fair play endeared him to
SALT LAKE WINDOW DISPLAYS.
every member of the F. A. North organization from
Several window tieups have been arranged in the highest executive to the office boys. His sunny
Salt Lake City, Utah, in connection with the appear-
disposition and keen diplomacy helped many a man
ance of- Ossip Gabilowitsch, the pianist of interna- and woman over the rough places encountered in
tional fame, who charmed a large audience during the
business and made him a great favorite'among all
evening of January 27. The Consolidated Music those with whom he came in contact.
Company had a window displaying the fact that
On Tuesday morning, January 25, he was at his
Gabilowitsch records exclusively for the Duo Art. desk
attending to his multitude of duties with his
The Beesley Music Company also arranged a window accustomed cheeriness and efficiency. At noon he
in this connection stating that the noted pianist en- felt ill and decided to go home. The following
dorses heartily the use of the Mason & Hamlin
night, shortly after midnight, he passed away, al-
grand piano.
though everything known to medical science was
done for him. In January, 1917, Mr. Boyd married
HOLDS ANNUAL DINNER DANCE.
Miss Gertude Howard of Philadelphia. Two children
The Employes Association of Sherman, Clay & were born to them, Howard, aged nine years, and
Co., San Francisco, held its annual dinner dance James, aged four years. He was a member of
in the concert room of the Palace Hotel this week. Charity Lodge, No. 190, F. and A. M., of Norris-
The annual birthday party included all the employes town, and of the Philadelphia Consistory. His
from all the branches in the Bay cities and some from funeral was held : last Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock
cities further away. As usual the officials of the from his late res dence in Norristown.
company were in attendance.
CHARTER FOR OREGON ASSN.
NEW INDIANA MANAGER.
Will M. Schoelch, for the past five years manager
A charter of membership in the National Associa- of the Pearson Piano Company's store in Shelbyville,
tion of Music Merchants was applied for by the Ind , who recently resigned, has been succeeded by
Oregon Music Trades Association at a meeting re- Charles P. Meredith, who for the past few years has
cently presided over by G. F. Johnson, president. At been connected with the firm at Indianapolis. Mr.
the meeting plans were discussed for more active par- Meredith took charge of his new duties last week.
ticipation in the national schemes for the betterment
of the piano trade.
NEW W. P. HAINES & CO. OFFICE.
The Marion Piano Co., Marion, Ind, has moved
In a special card mailed to the trade, W. P. Haines
to Fourth and Boots streets, where one large room is & Co., Inc., New York, announced the removal of
devoted to reproducing grand pianos. The firm han- the executive offices and warerooms on February 1
dles pianos, photographs and records, band instru- from the factory at East 138th street and Walton
ments, music rolls and sheet mus : c.
place to the new address at 396 Fifth avenue.
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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