Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1927 2122

MUSICAL
TIMES
PRESTO
Established
1881
Established
1884
THE AMERICAN MUSIC TRADE WEEKLY
10 Cents a Copy
CHICAGO, SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 1927
TESTIMONIAL CONCERT TO
POPULAR WM. L. BUSH
Institution Founded by Universally-Known
Piano Man Plans Brilliant Event for
April 30 at Kimball Hall, Chicago.
As a token of appreciation of his many years of
labor in the cause of music, in all of its phases,
William L. Bush, popular member of the piano in-
dustry and trade, is to be tendered a concert by the
Bush Conservatory. The event is arranged to take
place on April 30, at Kimball Hall, Chicago, and
without doubt it will prove one of the star features
of the closing musical season.
Musical Chicago, and especially members of the
piano trade, the profession, and all others concerned
in the practical promotion of music, will be eager
to participate in such manner as to make the Bush
testimonial the success that the work of the benefi-
ciary suggests. Some of 'the foremost members of
the profession will participate in the program and,
of course, the faculty of the Bush Conservatory will
take a prominent part.
Plans for the concert are being made on a broad
scale, and it is certain that the testimonial to Mr.
Bush will be an event in which members of the trade
will be glad of the opportunity to demonstrate their
appreciation of the loyal and liberal spirit which Mr.
Bush has displayed during so many years past.
LATEST TRADE ITEMS
FROM SALT LAKE CITY
Music House Announces Piano Contest;
French Pianist Plays on the Famous
Chopin-Chickering Instrument.
Announcement has been made by the Glen
Brothers Roberts Piano Company, of Salt Lake City,
that they are making preparations for their second
annual Piano Student Contest, which will be con-
cluded some time during November.
Teachers
throughout this territory will now commence prepa-
rations for this contest which offers as a prize a
Checkering Style 1 Grand Piano, valued at $1,750,
which is the second piano of the same make and
value offered by this firm. A third will be offered
in 1928.
The great French pianist, Maurice Dumesnil, is to
personally present the original Chopin piano in this
city this spring through the cooperation of Professor
Thomas Giles of *-he University of Utah and the
Ogden Tabernacle Choir. This celebrated instrument
is to figure in two concerts in Utah. One in Salt
Lake City, at the Tabernacle, under the auspices of
the University of Utah, and the other at the Ogden
Tabernacle, under the auspices of the Ogden Taber-
nacle Choir.
The O'Laughlin Music Company of Salt Lake City
is being remodeled this week and two new demon-
stration booths being added. The small instrument
department is being eliminated from this store.
TRADE NEWS FROM THE
INDIANA STATE CAPITAL
Travelers from Piano Factories Arrive in
Numbers and Business Shows Signs
of Improving Rapidly.
William G. Frederick, of the Wm. Knabe & Co.,
spent a day in Indianapolis this week. Mr. Frederick
finds that business conditions in the cities he has vis-
ited show a marked improvement, with the demand
for high grade instruments better than ever before.
Last Sunday the Knabe grand was used in con-
cert at the hall of the Knights of Columbus by Mrs.
J. W. Stark, a local artist.
Mrs. J. M. Herrington, formerly with the Chris-
i tena-Teague Company, has joined the sales force of
Rapp & Lennox.
The Pearson Piano Company report activity in the
Steinway department, and the results have been
very gratifying. J. Dunlap,, representing the H. C.
Bay Company, of Chicago, will join the sales force of
the Pearson Piano Company.
Ted Perkins, of the Gulbransen Company, was in
the city and reported business conditions in the terri-
tory covered recently very much improved.
Ben Traub, one of the well-known piano salesmen
in the city and for some years employed at the Chris-
tena-Teague Piano Company, has resigned and will
enter a new field. Mr. Traub has for the past thirty
years been engaged in the piano and music business
in Indianapolis.
The Starr Piano Company has just received one
of the new Starr phonographs with the improved
acoustical horn, an invention by Dr. Foley of the
Indiana University. The instrument is one of the
first completed, and declared a success by Mr. Hook,
manager of the local house.
A FEW TRADE ITEMS
FROM CLEVELAND, OHIO
One More Wurlitzer Store; Steinway Piano for
Tuners' Display; Other Local Matters.
The Wurlitzer Co. opened another store in Cleve-
land last week at 14900 St. Clair avenue and have
placed A. Anetzberger in charge.
The Dreher Piano Co. has loaned one of their big
show windows to the Cleveland piano tuners' organ-
ization to make an exhibit of player actions. The
Dreher Co. furnished a Steinway piano for the dis-
play.
Music store windows are nearly all trimmed up to
boost sales of Beethoven records and music rolls this
week. Business is reported very good on this com-
poser's works.
GULBRANSEN PROSPERITY.
The Gulbransen Company, Chicago, declared a
dividend of 2 per cent on outstanding common stock,
payable March 31. A marked upturn in .the busi-
ness of the company and its dealer-organization dur-
ing the past three weeks is reported by A. G. Gul-
bransen, president. Indications are for good demand
during the next quarter, particularly as the company
swings into full production of the new models of
grand pianos, which have been sixty to ninety days
behind orders.
MILWAUKEE PLAYER SALES.
"The merchant who sells the idea of the advan-
tages to be gained by the whole family by owning
a playerpiano makes sales," said Elmer G. Netzow, of
the Milwaukee Piano Co, "whereas the merchant who
is going out to sell steel and wood, price and terms,
in the playerpiano game, will drop by the wayside."
Mr. Netzow stated that the sales of the Waltham
player have been steadily increasing in Milwaukee,
and that the manufacturers have no cause for com-
plaint.
MANAGER BECOMES OWNER
Olen H. Dawson, formerly manager of the Davis,
Burkham & Tyler store, East Fifth street. East Liver-
pool, Ohio,, for about ten years, last week opened a
music store in the Brookes building, West Fifth
street. The Davis, Burkham & Tyler Company re-
cently closed its East Liverpood store. The interior
of the Dawson store room has been remodeled and
redecorated.
BALDWIN IN NORTHWEST.
The Northwest territory, comprising the states of
North and South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin,
has shown a decided increase in business for the
Baldwin line, is the report of the Baldwin Chicago
headquarters, 323 South Wabash avenue. Roads
which a mouth ago w r ere impassable are now in fair
shape and dealers are after their share of spring
business is the report of Baldwin travelers.
The Williams-Breedlove Music Store, Macon, Ga.,
is featuring grand pianos of which he has a fine line.
For the coming year, Robert Williams, the manager,
predicts a large sale of grand pianos in and about
Macon.
$2 The Year
FRITZ REINER DIRECTS
ARTISTIC RECORDINGS
Noted Conductor Became Interested Through
Friendly Visit and Took Charge of Welte-
Mignon Licensee Recordings.
Last fall W. C. Heaton, president of the Auto
Pneumatic Action Co., received a call from Fritz
Reiner, conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Or-
chestra. Mr. Heaton automatically launched into an
enthusiastic description of some new recordings
which had been made for the Welte-Mignon Licensee
record library. Mr. Reiner did not at once show the
warmth which Mr. Heaton thought due the sub-
ject who rose abruptly and said, "Come into the
studio and hear some of these new things."
Mr. Reiner was much interested in the manner in
which the recording was done. After the artists had
left he heard several of the selections Mr. Heaton
had spoken about played on the Welte-Mignon
Licensee and when he heard the Andante with Five
Variations, recorded by Maier and Pattison, he was
so impressed with the fidelity of the record to the
playing of 'the artists, that he suggested the recording
of a number of symphonies.
After a discussion of the educational benefits of
properly executed classics, and the expounding of
Mr. Reiner's ideas upon the subject, Mr. Heaton asked
the conductor if he would personally take charge of
and direct the recordings of a number of symphonies.
The result is that Welte-Mignon Licensee owners
may now hear 'the Beethoven Symphony No. 1,
Hayden Symphony No. 6, Mozart's Symphony No. 5
executed by the noted concert pianists, Richard Singer
and Samuel Reichmann, under the personal direction of
this famous musical director.
The above mentioned symphonies form the first
group of a series of twelve which will be issued in
the Welte-Mignon Licensee catalog of artist recorded
records.
THE NECESSITY OF
CREATING NEW BUSINESS
Head of House of Harger & Blish Tells How
to Employ Missionary Work in
Selling the Goods.
The old house of Harger & Blish, of Des Moines,
Iowa, has a house organ of specially attractive appear-
ance. It is devoted to the radio branch of the busi-
ness and in the latest number is the following useful
article by H. H. Blish, Sr., on a subject of importance
also to the piano business.
In a recent issue of "Forbes" I was much inter-
ested in an article concerning an Oakland, Cal., bank
on methods they employ in creating new business.
It was not especially original, but it worked. It
not only helped the bank but developed the commu-
nity. Possibly not many radio dealers could employ
the same methods, but the essential thing was the
necessity of doing something to create new business.
During the past season we were repeatedly impor-
tuned by a few dealers for an additional agency in the
next town, saying that they had their own town fully
covered. How did they know? They had no data.
The probabilities are that the demand for Atwater
Kent could be doubled, maybe tripled, when a careful
survey of the field is made. Every home in town and
every farm house in the county is a potential prospect
if it has not already installed in it an efficient and
satisfactory set.
It is evidently very clear that we, each of vis, must
do a certain amount of missionary work for a time
that may not produce the fullest measure of success,
but not a day should close without new prospects
being added to our list for further development. The
accessory business can and should equal in dollars
and cents, your set business—and every owner of a
radio set, no matter what the make, is a potential
buyer.
If you haven't them for a customer "there's a rea-
son." It goes without saying that every firm, in time,
loses customers. It therefore follows that new cus-
tomers in at least equal amount must be found to
make up for those we lose. The dealer that loses
twenty old customers and adds ten new ones is
headed for the "he used to heres" in short order.
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-TIMES
April 2, 1927..
enthusiastic receptions and assurance of complete
co-operation.
Rabbi Franklin has given his endorsement and a
committee is to appear before the Protestant Pastors'
Union. Since the recent unanimous endorsement of
the Federation of Women's Clubs, the matter is being
presented to all affiliated women's clubs of the city. The Straight Upright Piano Shows Consid-
erable Increase and the Reed Organ Dis-
New Means of Cooperation Between Pro- In view of this unexampled cooperation, a definite
plan of publicity is being mapped out by Director
plays a Great Comeback.
moters, School Heads and Contestants, Dis-
Roy A. Maypole, covering the nearly three months
of
daily
newspaper
articles,
with
the
end
in
view
of
The Canadian musical instrument industry as a
covered and Effectively Brought Into
selling the piano to the community on a big scale.
whole showed a slight increase in the total value of
Play for Second Annual Event.
products for 1925 as compared with 1924, according
Contest headquarters are located in the sixth floor
hall of the Union League Club, through the generos- to the annual report of the Musical Instrument Indus-
try for the calendar year 1925, issued by the Cana-
ity of its board of directors.
dian Census of Industry. The number of reporting
establishments was reduced from 50 to 48, but the
value of products increased $229,262.
Interlocking Interest Between Cities I s Seen in the
Musical instruments represented $6,504,995 of the
Spread of the Piano Contest Idea Which Is In-
total value of $8,958,140 for all musical instrument
dorsed by Many Leading Newspapers.
products for 1925. Compared with 1924 there were
Twenty thousand entries and the sale of one thou- Shirley Walker of Sherman, Clay & Co., San Fran- decreases in the value of musical instruments of
$116,816 and in all other musical products of $147,-
cisco, Heads Active Trade Organization.
sand pianos is the goal of the Detroit Music Trades
980. On the other hand, musical instrument mate-
Association in the Second Annual Greater Detroit
At the recent meeting of the Music Trade Associa-
Piano Playing Contest. While the last year's plan tion of Northern California, held in the Hotel Stew- rials and radio sets and accessories showed increases
in value of production of $214,001 and $280,057, re-
has been proven correct, nevertheless, with the pres- art, San Francisco, Shirley Walker of Sherman, Clay
tige and familiarity as a decided asset, much higher & Co., was elected president. Other officers elected spectively.
efficiency and many new avenues of cooperation are were James J. Black, Wiley B. Allen Co., San Fran-
Ontario the Manufacturing Center
being developed, and preparations are much further cisco, first vice-president; William Cross, Jackson
The center of the musical instrument industry is
advanced than at the same time last year.
Furniture Co., Oakland, second vice-president; in Ontario, where more than 68 per cent of the total
The schedule of contests has been developed with George Q. Chase, Kohler & Chase, San Francisco, output is manufactured. Out of the 48 establish-
ments reporting, 35 are located in that Province, 11
the end in view of producing greater rivalry and lead- treasurer.
in Quebec, 1 in Nova Scotia, and 1 in British
ing up to a Grand Finale in August that will excite
In addition to the officers named the new board of
this spirit to the greatest degree, thereby being of the directors is composed of Beeman P. Sibley, H. C. Columbia.
most public interest. It is a matter of keen pride that
The number of establishments engaged in manu-
Hanson, Lee S. Roberts, C. P. McGregor, A. J.
the Piano Playing Contest is easily sold to the com- Shrade, and Russell Franck.
facturing each class of products in 1925 was as fol-
munity as an altruistic movement for the public good,
Philip T. Clay gave a very enlightening talk on lows:
and the Detroit Times and the Detroit Music Trade "The Talking Machine and Its Future—A Predic- Pianos, organs, etc., only
30
Association are making the most of this prestige.
6
tion," in which he advised music merchants to watch Phonographs and records only
3
the course of events in that field. He pointed to the Phonographs, radios and parts
Interest Is National.
8
suggestive fact that unit sales in talking machines are Musical instrument materials, etc., only
The interlocking interest between cities can be ap- now much higher than in former years.
Musical instrument materials, radios and p a r t s . . . 1
preciated from the letter just received at contest
The annual report read by Mr. Walker showed the
Piano Manufacture Increased.
headquarters from a Mrs. Caroline McElroy, 3322
active
character of the organization and the schedule
19th street., N. W., Washington, D. C , whose hus-
The
number
of pianos produced increased from
band, a traveling man, sent her a Detroit clipping, for the present year suggested no diminution in its 16,168 valued at $3,889,645 in 1924 to 17,392 valued at
energies.
in which it was stated that Baltimore contemplated a
$4,080,409 manufactured in 1925. There was a large
contest. She states that her daughter attends the
gain recorded in the production of the upright stand-
Sacred Heart Academy in Baltimore and wishes her
ard piano which increased from 13,060 instruments
entered.
valued at $2,732,788 to 13,757 valued at $2,771,067.
Organs show a gain in production, reed organs in
A. C. Pulfrey, of the University Music Store of
particular increasing almost 17 per cent during the
Ann Arbor, Mich., made a special trip this week to
year. Phonographs decreased in both quantity and
Detroit to gain details for a contest in his city, stat- New and Old Concerns Secure Charters in Various
value and records decreased in value but increased
ing that the Scripps-Booth string of papers are much
Places.
in quantity.
interested and assuring him of strong local support.
John Aimer, publisher of the Baltimore American, is
The W. H. Stowe Piano Co., Akron, Ohio; $10,000;
Imports Decrease and Exports Increase.
urging Mr. Bayley and Mr. Maypole to visit Balti- Joseph Dudrick, H. Dudrick, Leo McGarry and
The value of imports fell from $2,038,417 in 1924
more next week and assist them in laying out a others.
to $1,673',218 in 1925, a decrease of $365,199. Imports
contest for them. It is anticipated that delegations
The Sporleder Music House, St. Louis; $10,000; from the United Kingdom were about average, those
from Philadelphia and other nearby cities will be in Paul Sporleder, Joseph Gustat and B. Nicholas
from the United States decreased by $404,980, but im-
attendance.
Gustat.
ports from other countries increased by $39,900. Can-
Dealers Generally Concerned.
The Charles Schulz & Sons Co., 4243 West Madi- ada imported musical instruments from Germany
Many letters of inquiry are constantly coming to son street, Chicago; $30,000.
valued at $124,368.
Detroit from dealers all over the country, interested
Harry Currie, Inc., Louisville, Ky.; to deal in band
The principal United States losses were sustained
in the contest movement, which is keeping Mr. instruments; $20,000.
in the piano and phonograph classes. Although im-
Bayley busy answering, however, his advice now is
The Ackerman Music House, 3148 West Sixty- ports from the United States show a decrease as a
to prepare to come to the Michigan merchants' con- third street, Chicago; $20,000.
whole, American band instruments increased more
vention August 15-18 and study the Detroit contest
than 20 per cent. The total increase in imports of
The Shaw Piano Co. and the Bennett-Bretz Piano band instruments and bagpipes amounted to $50,512,
first-hand.
The Detroit Piano Tuners Association received Co., Baltimore, Md., both operated by Charles M. or about 28 per cent.
Stieff, Inc., have been incorporated. The capital
some nice publicity in an article this week. It stated
that this organization had undertaken the job of see- stock of each is 250 shares of common, par value $100.
TO CLOSE ALL BRANCHES.
Nail-Robertson Piano Company, Kansas City, Mo.,
ing that all school pianos were in first class tune,
The
Hollenberg
Music Co., Little Rock, Ark., has
since this is so important to the progress of a child in $6,000; to manufacture, buy, sell and deal in pianos,
phonographs, and musical instruments; W. G. Robert- announced the closing of all its stores in Arkansas
its music.
son, Arthur B. Nail, J. P. Compton. Attorneys, Gar- with the exception of the Little Rock store, which
Effect on Piano Sales.
will be operated in the future purely as a retail store.
rett & Ruark, Kansas City.
The announcement appearing in the trade press that
The Lawrence Music Co., Lewiston, Me., to deal The reason assigned for the discontinuance of the
the 1927 Greater Detroit Piano Playing Contest in musical instruments; 1,000 shares of common stock branches is the poor physical condition of F. B. T.
Hollenberg, Jr., who has been directly supervising
would result in the eventual direct sale of one thou- of no par value.
sand pianos has attracted widespread attention. The
The Rex Melody Shop, New York; $5,000; M. that phase of the business.
Detroit dealers, however, are looking wise and main- Thompson, M. Simonin and E. J. Hoffman.
taining an air of confidence. It is pointed out that
KAHN SUCCEEDS MARSHALL.
The Mel-O-Art Player Roll Manufacturing Co.,
the whole city appears to be united in the movement
Baltimore, Md.; $20,000; office address, 665 West
Arthur C. Kahn, long with Krakauer Bros., New
which is looked upon as a civic affair for the benefit Saratoga street.
York, has taken the place vacated by Mr. Marshall,
of the child, the home and the community.
Cameo Record Corp., Wilmington, Del., talking who also was with the same house. Mr. Marshall,
The Detroit Times takes the stand that the encour- machine supply; $10,000; T. L. Crotcan.
as already noted, is now in the sales department of
Alba Music Shops, New York, $15,000; A. Falsetti, the Packard Piano Co., of Fort Wayne, Ind. Both
agement of all the children to play the piano, the
basic instrument, is for the public good and that the and F. Tripodia.
are expert piano men who will do good work in
Detroit Music Trades Association is a public bene-
their respective positions with the two famous indus-
factor.
tries.
IN CHINA'S WAR ZONE.
It is a matter of surprise and gratification to note
Julian Arnold, who is instrumental in securing a
the agility with which civic, social and musical leaders fund for the relief of Americans, and European na-
NEW ENGLANDERS TO DINE.
are hastening to place their stamp of approval upon tionalities as well, in the war zones in China, will
The
New England Music Trades Association will
the movement, and when the sponsors and Advisory be remembered by members of the Piano Club of
hold
its
annual banquet April 11 at the new Statler
Committee names are announced it will disclose a Chicago, as the distinguished gentleman who gave a
Hotel, which was formally opened last week with
most unusual list of these leaders.
noon-day talk to the club some five or six weeks ago. ceremonies in which music formed an important part.
Individual Workers
The event will be for members only, according to
the announcement this week of William F. Merrill,
IN BANKRUPTCY.
Phil Sadowski, assisted by Mr. Glendenning, of
Involuntary petition in bankruptcy has been filed secretary of the association.
Bush & Lane Piano Co., and Paul Schilling, consti-
tuting the parochial school committee, are following against Harry Brazen at 3541 West Roosevelt Road,
up a letter sent from Bishop Gallagher to all the Chicago, doing business as Brazen Piano Co., by Uni-
A. P. Willis was re-elected president of Willis & |
pastors of the diocese, by a personal visit, and report versal Battery Company and others; claims $5,000.
Co., Montreal, at a recent meeting of the company.
DETROIT SETS
CONTEST GOAL
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
INDUSTRY OF CANADA
NEW PLANS INTRODUCED
NEW OFFICERS ELECTED BY
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSN.
NEW INCORPORATIONS
IN MUSIC QOODS TRADE
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/

Download Page 3: PDF File | Image

Download Page 4 PDF File | Image

Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).

Pro Tip: You can flip pages on the issue easily by using the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard.