Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1927 2144

Page 3 Text:

MUSICAL
TIMES
PRESTO
Established
1881
Established
1884
THE AMERICAN MUSIC TRADE WEEKLY
10 Cents a Copy
CHICAGO, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1927
NEWS OF THE TRADE
ON PACIFIC COAST
New Season Interests Music Merchants in All
Sections of California and Excellent An-
ticipations of Improved Business Are
Heard from Dealers in All Sections.
SIGNIFICANT PREPARATIONS
Enlarged Piano Facilities and Rearranged and Newly
Decorated Warerooms Show Dealers' Faith in
Piano Sales Expectations This Fall.
A change in allocating several departments of
Sherman, Clay & Co., San Francisco, has been an-
nounced. The growth in importance of Period
models in pianos has prompted an extension of the
piano department on the fifth floor. The showrooms
are to be remodeled and special provision made for
the presentation of the artistic styles with charac-
teristic surroundings.
Other important changes are to be made in the
Duo-Art department on the eighth tioor where the
decorators have been assigned an artistic icT..
For Fair Exhibit.
M. P. Thompson, manager of the Pacific Coast in-
terests of the Baldwin Piano Co., with headquarters
in San Francisco, is preparing a comprehensive dis-
play of pianos, players and reproducing pianos for the
Lake County Fair, one of the important fall events
in that section. Lake county is without any large
cities but its communities are composed of prospec-
tive piano buyers of a highly desirable kind. The
Baldwin exhibit there in previous years has always
resulted in very satisfactory sales.
New Sales Manager.
Harald Pracht. the new sales manager of the retail
piano department of Sherman, Clay & Co., San
Francisco,' is widely known in trade and art circles
throughout California. He is a proficient pianist and
possessor of a beautiful baritone voice, which makes
him a desirable aid in music movements. He is a
foremost member of the Olympic Club and other
prominent social and artistic organizations.
Mr. Pracht entered the music trade field as sales-
man for Kohler & Chase and four years later became
sa!es manager for the Wi'ey B. Allen Co., where he
remained until the beginning of this year, when he
joined the piano department of Sherman, Clay & Co.
Theodore Strong, a prominent organist of San
Francisco, has been made manager of the Aeolian
pipe organ section of Sherman, Clay & Co., in that
city.
Two Steinway pianos, Style B Grand, were re-
cently bought by Sherman, Clay & Co., for the
studios of the National Broadcasting Company, 111
Sutter street, which occupy the twenty-second floor
and which are remarkable for the completeness of
their equipment.
The M. Schulz Line.
I'rank 15. Long, representing, the M. Schulz Co.,
Chicago, has opened new offices and showrooms at
973 Market street. The fine showing of pianos, play-
ers and reproducing pianos, brought by R. K. May-
nard, special Pacific Coast representative of the M.
Schulz Co. for exhibition at the recent convention of
the Western Music Trades Association, has been
added to the stock already shipped from the M.
Schulz Co.'s factory in Chicago. A showing of Wer-
ner pianos is included in the presentations of Mr.
Long.
A new store front has been designed for the Sher-
man, Clay & Co.'s store in San Jose, Calif., accord-
ing to the manager, L. F. Galliani. Other improve-
ments to the store include a separate entrance to the
music studios on the second floor. The new show
window will have special lighting arrangements to
add to the attractiveness of the exhibits at night.
Old Firm Moves.
H. L. Whitehead, piano dealer, San Francisco,
who has been located at 1282 Market street for many
years, has moved to 1226 Market, corner of Fell
street. More space and a better location has been
secured by Mr. Whitehead in the move.
The approaching opening of the schools has stimu-
lated the music dealers to take action towards sales
of piano and band instruments to the schools. The
Conn San Francisco Co. and Sherman, Clay & Co ,
both have well developed schemes for interesting
school heads and pupils.
Change of Policy.
An importaant change in policy is to be put into
effect by the Martin Music Company throughout the
territory covered from its headquarters in Los An-
geles. It is said the company has decided to con-
centrate all of its efforts on the sale of pianos, retail
and wholesale. The phonograph and radio depart-
ments as well as the band and orchestra instrument
and sheet music departments will be discontinued,
unless they are rented out as concessions. It is
understood that the Gulbransen line will be carried
exclusively on the Boors and distributed on the
wholesale basis to music dealers in southern Cali-
fornia by the Martin Music Company.
WINNER IN CONTEST
PLAYS CABLE MIDGET
Vivian D'Arkos, Winner in Elementary Divi-
sion in Detroit Piano Playing Contest,
Prizes Her Little Piano.
The winner of the Detroit piano playing contest
in the elementary division, little nine-year-old Vivian
D'Arkos, did all of her practicing in preparation for
the contest on her Cable Midget upright, made by
The Cable Company, Chicago. Three years ago,
when Vivian was only six years old, a Cable Midget
was purchased for her and she has used it since in
all of her musical training.
For the young pianist the Cable Midget is an ideal
instrument. This small piano is designed in such a
manner that the music is directly in front of the child
VIVIAX D'AIIKOS AT 11Kit CABl.E Ml DC. ICT.
so that there is no strain on a child's eyes and back.
Because she can maintain a natural, comfortable pos-
ture, a child can practice with great ease and con-
centration at a Midget.
Although this is a small piano, the reduction has
been accomplished so skillfully that in tone and
action it is identical with the best standard-size
pianos and there is no strangeness in transferring
from the Cable Midget to a full-sized upright or
grand.
The Mason Music Shop was opened recently in
Eau Claire, Wis., by A. C. Mason of Chippewa Falls,
Wis. A general music store will be conducted.
$2 The Yea
TRADE ACTIVITIES
IN INDIANAPOLIS
Local Music Trade Association Holds First
Fall Meeting at Which the "Carrying
Charge" Was Discussed but no
Joint Action Taken by Body.
FALL PREPARATIONS
State Fair Exhibits Planned by Several Firms—
Other Interesting Events in City's Trade
Told by Correspondent.
The Indianapolis Music Merchants' Association
held its first fall meeting on Monday, August 29 at
the Columbia Club after the usual noon luncheon.
Owing to the absence of President Wert Mr. Wil-
liams, the vice-president of the association, conducted
the meeting.
One of the principal topics of the meeting was
the carrying charge, a subject discussed pro and con
with no definite results whatever. Dealers realize
that in order to conduct a profitable business they
must eventually adopt the carrying charge, but sev-
eral are still hesitating and giving in the meanwhile
their views on the subject. Some very good letters
were read showing cities that have adopted the
charge have been greatly benefited by it and approve
the method. One of the leading dealers attribu'es
the delay to weak-kneed salesmanship, declaring that
many of the salesmen are fearful of bad results, and
a cut in sales if the method is adopted. There is no
question about the new me'hod having its effect on
sales for a very short period, but in the long run it
will prove profitable, and by many is considered a
good thing to do.
A little time was devoted to the p'ans for the com-
ing of the state association convention, and the mat-
ter of appointing committees, but President Joe kyde
is busy preparing things and in the very near future
the committee will be appointed.
Harry W r ert, the manager of the Pearson Piano
Company, reports business much improved and the
outlook is very encouraging. C-eo. Pearson has just
returned from California, and was taking an active
part in the business on Monday.
Geo. Mansfield, secretary of the Everett Piano
Company of South Haven, Mich., was in Indianapolis
during the past week, calling on the Pearson Piano
Company, representatives of the Everett piano in
this city.
Jesse French Abroad.
Again Indianapolis is being convinced of the
popularity of the Jesse French & Sons pianos in
foreign countries. The Wilking Music Company is
displaying several hundred letters and envelopes from
all parts of the civilized world, where French pianos
are being sold. All during the day it is no unusual
sight to see a group of pedestrians standing in front
of the window gazing at the enve'opes, from coun-
tries perhaps they had never heard tell of. The en-
velopes are arranged on the sides of the window with
the center open, in order to get a good view of one of
the latest style French grands in the background.
Frank Wilking. head of the Wilking Music Co.,
has returned from his vacation and was well pleased
to find that business during his absence was very
good. Mr. Wilking says that he believes the coming
season wil be one of the best the piano business
will have experienced in many years, with the better
grades of instruments heading the list of sales.
Activities at Fair.
The Christena-Teague Piano Company will dis-
tribute three hundred toy balloons each day at the
Indiana State Fair, where the company will have a
very attractive booth. "Of course we don't expect to
sell many instruments direct," said Mr. Teague, "but
we do expect to get some good prospects, which will
develop into sales later." The company reports an
improvement in business conditions. Mr. Morse,
representing Chickering & Sons Piano Company, was
among the callers at the store during the past week.
The Starr Piano Company will have a very large
and attractive booth at the State Fair, where it will
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).
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Page 4 Text:

PRESTO-TIMES
show a complete line of the instruments manufac-
tured at the Richmond, Ind., plant. The latest mod-
els and styles will he the main attraction. Just
what will be given away as souvenirs has not as yet
been decided on.
H. G. Hook, manager of the Starr Piano Company,
was called to Johnsville, Ky., recently on account of
the dealh of a relative.
Roy Coverdill, manager of the Kimball Piano Com-
pany, will be represented at the State Fair with the
complete Kimball line of pianos and phonographs.
Business, according to Air. Coverdill, is very sat-
isfactory.
Rapp & Lennox have just completed the sign work
on its spacious windows which is very attractive,
giving the entire line they se'.l plenty of publicity.
Business is improving, especially the demand for high
grade instruments.
Ned Clay, sales manager of the Starr Piano Com-
pany, has promised to thrill the readers of Presto-
Times with a fish story which he expected to prove
by an actual photograph. It appears that from his
story that it was the biggest fish caught in Minne-
sota in years and the picture was to subs'autiate
his statement. However, it now comes to light that
Mrs. Clay, not being an expert photographer, took
the photograph and overlooked an obs'ruction be-
tween the camera and the fish, so when the nega-
tive was developed it showed some underbrush where
the fish should have been. Mr. Clay sincerely hopes
that none of the readers of Presto-Times will be
disappointed, and agrees to make his word good by
returning to the same place next .year and trying his
luck again, after giving his wife instructions in trick
photography during the coming winter.
PIANO CONTEST
FOR BALTIMORE
September 3, 1927
MUSIC SCHOOL BUYS BALDWIN
Views of the Building and Faculty of A
' 'eachers at the Metropolitan School of Music.
The Metropolitan School of Music, affiliated with
Butler University, shown in the accompanying cut
is the oldest school of music in the state of Indiana.
It was founded in 1895 and has so steadily grown,
that today it is the largest and most active music
school in Indiana.
The instructors all have years of successful ex-
perience and are capable of producing results with
their pupiis.
Board of Education Joins with Dealers and
Local Music Merchants' Association to
Make Event the Occasion of Great
Value to Music Education.
and that indications were business would continue
good for the remainder of the year. Mr. Roberts is
optimistic about the future of the business of the
company and of musical instruments in general, par-
ticularly in the piano, which is the main feature of
the business of Charles M. Stieff Company.
The headquarters of the Charles M. Stieff Com-
pany at 315 North Howard street are interesting
Governor of State, Mayor of City and Other Prom- in many respects—in the architecture of the building,
its musical atmosphere, in the type of musical instru-
inent Officials and Public Men to
ments housed thtre, including the Stiefl pianos in
Attend Exercises.
their many, interesting and attractive designs. The
C. R. Roberts, general manager of the Charles building is generally referred to in Baltimore as
M. Stieff Co., Baltimore, said this week he hoped Stieff Hall. The Stieff Hall has been the scene of
the piano playing contest to be staged in Baltimore many brilliant musicales, many of the world's famous
in September under the auspices of the Baltimore piano artists having made their local appearance
Music Trades Association would be great and suc- in it.
cessful. He saw no reason why it should not, as the
The opening of Lee's Music Shop at 625 West Lex-
local music instrument merchants are doing all in ington street makes another addition to the retail
their power to make it a successful event. The piano musical instrument field of Baltimore. Musical in-
playing contests are regarded by Mr. Roberts as the struments of various kinds are being featured.
most practical thing with which to repopularize the
piano.
A meeting will be held this week with the members
of the Baltimore Board of Education to arrange for
the use of school buildings for holding the various
neighborhood preliminary contests. A number of
well-known local musicians have agreed to officiate
as judges. Following the neighborhood tryouts, the Displayed Advertisement in All Chicago Dailies An-
district semi-finals will be held, in which the winners
nounce Important Fact in Chicago Trade.
of the preliminary neighborhood contests will par-
In a prominently displayed announcement in the
ticipate. After the semi-finals will come the grand
finals when the three city-wide champions will be Chicago daily newspapers of Wednesday of this
week, the H. C. Bay Company tells of the formal
chosen.
opening on Thursday of its new store at 305-307 S.
The Exercises.
Present plans ca'l for elaborate exercises for the Wabash avenue. The advertisement, which is made
holding of the finals. Albert C. Ritchie, governor of more attractive by a cut of Style A, Scale 90 Grand,
Maryland; William F. Broening, mayor of Baltimore, which is the culmination of years of continuous de-
and other state and civic leaders, as well as musicians velopment in manufacture.
"For many years H. C. Bay Company have lim-
of prominence, piano merchants and musical instru-
ment dealers in general, are expected to be present. ited their activities to the wholesale trade only. The
The three champions will be chosen from the ele- largest and most representative dealers from coast
mentary, intermediate and senior high school grades. to coast are successfully retailing our pianos and are
There will be one champion from each division. ready to stamp their approval of guarantee as to the
This plan has been deemed fairer than if one cham- musical quality of these excellent instruments," is
pion were chosen, as children of the lower grades the statement which is followed by a list of dealers
could not be expected to compete successfully with of Chicago and surrounding towns who handle the
pupils of the intermediate or high school classes. H. C. Bay Company's lines.
Three prizes will be awarded, the firs .a $1,500 piano,
Murray M. Harrison, an experienced piano sales-
the second an $800 instrument and the third a $400 man, has been added to the sales force of the new
piano.
retail store.
Excellent Stieff Report.
The Charles M. Stieff Company, manufacturers and
H. H. FLEER SCORES.
retailers of the Stieff piano and the Shaw piano, as
well as retailers of other musical instruments, includ-
H. H. Fleer, manager of the piano department of
ing the Orthophonic Victrola. is experiencing a good Lvon & Healy, Chicago, got a score of 80 in answer-
demand for its various instruments, according to ing questions propounded by the Chicago American.
C. R. Roberts, general manager of the company. Mr. The newspaper selects some prominent man each
Roberts said the business of the company, to date, day for the test, which provides an interesting and in-
was ahead of that for the same period of last year structive feature for the paper.
NOTABLES AT FINALS
FORMAL OPENING OF
H. C. BAY COMPANY'S STORE
This school, recently equipped with Baldwin and
Ellington Pianos took the opportunity ot expressing
their pleasure and satisfaction with the instruments
by the following message 1o the House of Baldwin:
"I take great pleasure in saying that the twenty-
rive Baldwin and Ellington Pianos we purchased from
the Baldwin Piano Company are more than satisfac-
tory in every detail."
(Signed) EDWARD NELL,
President.
LATE NEWS OF THE
TRADE OF WISCONSIN
Interesting Items Gathered at Many Points Tell of
Activities of Firms and Individuals in Music Field.
The Uhen Music Company at Kenosha, Wis., will
move to new and larger quarters in the Bain building
this month, according to H. W. Uhen, manager of
the firm. The Uhen company has been in business in
Kenosha for a number of years, and is moving to
larger quarters to accommodate the growth of the
business.
Ellis Franklin Carroll, 60, who for ten years
conducted the Carroll Music store at Appleton, Wis.,
passed away last week following a paralytic stroke.
Mr. Carroll sold the business several years ago to
William Nolan who in turn sold it to Irving Zuehlke
who is operating it today as the Irving Zuehlke
Music Co. Mr. Carroll, who was survived by his
widow, was buried in Milwaukee.
Bruno Dalwig, former Manitowoc man, will be in
charge of the music at the Wisconsin State Fair,
according to Fred C. Borcherdt.
The Fifth Wisconsin Radio Music exposition, which
will be held at the Milwaukee Auditorium October
4 to 9, is making an innovation in that it is taking the
music dealers of the state into the show. Reports
to date are that the affair will be a tremendous suc-
cess since all of the space at the auditorium has
already been sold and twice as much as last year
has been sold. Leading music merchants from all
over the state will display the latest in pianos and
phonographs, co-operating with the radio dealers who
will show the latest in their lines.
CABLE COMPANY AT DETROIT
GETS BUSINESS WITH VIM
Its Watchword Is Service and Its Deals Make Addi-
tional Friends for House.
Walter S. Jenkins, head of the Cable Piano Co,
1264 Library avenue, Detroit, having just returned
from his vacation, is very busy this week getting
things into a business swing for early fall trade. He
said the men of his staff work hard for the business
they get, but they are faithfully plugging away. And
it is his expressed belief that no business worth while
is secured nowadays without going after it.
Those in his office work just as hard and as
earnestly as the men on the floors and in the field,
with the result that the Cable Piano Co. of Detroit
is landing its share of the business of that city, as
well as that of several other cities not far away. In
the Detroit house, as in all Cable stores throughout
the country, service to the customer is more than a
motto—it is a watchword.
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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