Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1927 2151

Page 5 Text:

October 22, 1927
PRESTO-TIMES
able impression with this popular piano at its
spacious 7th street warerooms. The Stieff upright
and grand pianos are used by several prominent musi-
cians and movie actresses in Hollywood.
Fred Christianer, the very efficient ambassador of
the Story & Clark Piano Co, has returned from a
trip to San Diego and the southern part of the state.
Walker's Fifth Street Department Store Mr. Christianer reports a large fall order sheet and
that the Story & Clark factory is running full
Completes Personnel of Music Depart-
capacity.
ment Force and Gives the M. Schulz
J. J. Lilly, who is widely and favorably known
Line as Leader.
throughout Missouri and Kansas, where he was for
many years occupying important positions with the
Olney Music Co. and J. G. Early, of Fort Dodge,
Kans., is conducting special sales for the Fitzgerald
Music Company.
Music Trades Association of Southern California
Victor Anderson, popular piano salesman, late of
the Fitzgerald Music Co., has resigned his position to
Invites All Dealers in Its Territory to Participate
represent the W. W. Kimball Piano Co. as general
in Big Celebration in Spring
traveler in southern California and the coast.
By GILBERT BRETON.
Good Maynard Report
Los Angeles still continues to occupy the center
R. K. Maynard, Pacific coast representative of the
of the stage as far as Pacific coast piano news is con- M. Schulz Co., reports a veritable boom in Schulz
cerned from the fact that various radical changes, grands and studio uprights, and says his arm is now
new combinations, new personnel and new piano trade fully recovered from the strain of writing orders since
promotions are reported. As predicted in these the San Francisco exhibit.
columns several weeks ago, Walker's Fifth Street De-
The Barker Bros. Building Co. is offering a flota-
partment Store is now opened and equipped with a tion of bonds to the amount of $2,500,000, which will
new piano department, and the Presto-Times is now be used in its new building expansions.
able to announce the fall particulars of the enterprise,
Music Dealers Plan Pageant
the entire personnel of its management and assistant
Next year is to be Los Angeles' greatest in point of
office force:
appreciation of music.
The management of the piano department has been
Members of the Music Trades Association were
entrusted to J. P. Kapler, late of J. P. Hospe, Jr.,
of Omaha, Neb. Mr. Kapler has called to his assist- unanimous in this forecast at their annual dinner last
week when plans were made for a musical pageant
ance W. Dell Turner, who is widely and favorably
and
a piano contest to be held in the spring. The
known throughout California and Utah, where he
occupied responsible positions as stockholder and dinner also served for the annual election and induc-
director of the Daynes-Beebe Music Co. C. A. tion of officers.
The musical pageant will take the form of a gigantic
Palmer has accepted the position of salesman in the
exposition
much on the order of the recent radio
radio and piano department, lately resigning his posi-
tion at the Wurlitzer warerooms. D. Shirley will show and will be participated in collectively by all
manage the musical instrument department, while music establishments of the city.
All southern California communities will be invited
Miss Pauline Daggett will head the sheet music and
to participate in the piano contest, primarily in devel-
radio departments.
oping the victor of their own contests and then enter-
The line of pianos handled by this store is com- ing the individual in the final competition in Los
prised of the M. Schulz line of uprights and grands Angeles. Waldo S. Tupper will handle both the piano
together with the associate instruments controlled by contest and musical pageant, it was agreed by vote.
this enterprising house. Mr. Kapler stated to your
W. H. Richardson was elected president; C. H.
representative that he was very much pleased with
Mansfield
was re-elected vice-president; Don C. Pres-
the outlook in Los Angeles and would give the de-
partment hi spersonal attention, and no doubt his ton, second vice-president, and F. L. Grannis and A.
efforts will be crowned with success owing to his G. Farquharson, incumbents, re-elected treasurer and
secretary, respectively. L. E. Fontron, retiring presi-
long experience and efficient sales ability.
dent, held the office for two terms. W. H. Richard-
Rudolph Wurlitzer, vice-president and general man- son was the retiring second vice-president. Fontron
ager of the Wurlitzer Music Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, is was elected a member of the board of directors.
making an extended tour of the various agencies in
The members were also advised of the Western
southern California with a view of adding several im- Music Trades Convention, which will be held, with
portant improvements and changes which will enable the local association as host; next June. The dinner
them to handle their extensive musical enterprises on was held in the Mary Louise.
a larger scale.
Waltham Pianos Attract Attention.
The elaborate advertisement of the Waltham Piano
Co. in last week's issue of the Presto-Times has
attracted wide attention by prominent members of
the trade, and it is certain ere long an important
agency will be secured for this popular piano. It is Spirited Piano Selling by the Wilking Music Co.
reported that a prominent dealer in San Diego is
Adds to Optimism of Dealers.
interested in the matter.
During the past week the sales recorded at the
Ben Platt in New York.
Wilking Music Company, Indianapolis, were the
Ben Platt, president of the Platt Music Co., was in largest in number since the opening of the business.
New York the past week arriving there from Chicago. Eighteen pianos with good down payments and short
He will spend a few days in New York replenishing time paper were sold. The Wurlitzer line headed the
list, and among the number of that make were five
his fall stock, which has been very heavily depleted
reproducing grand instruments. One of the outstand-
during his very successful birthday sale.
ing sales was one of the Wurlitzer Treasure Chest at
The May Co.
Sullivan, Indiana. Mr. Wilking also reports some
Harry Marcus, who, it will be remembered, was for
excellent business with the Jesse French & Sons' in-
several years manager of the piano department at the struments. The spurt was probably due to prizes
Emporium, San Francisco, received that effi- that were offered to the salesman closing the largest
cient department store training during his engage- number of sales during the week and securing the
ment there which has contributed in no small degree largest down payments on instruments sold.
to his remarkable success in conducting the May Co.
Frank Wilking, president of the Wilking Music
piano department. He has made many unique addi-
tions to his selling force, which have served to in- Company, spent a day in Chicago last week, and from
crease their already extensive piano and radio there went to the Wurlitzer factories at North Tona-
wanda, N. Y., where he spent several days looking
business.
over the mammoth industries of the company. Mr.
The Pioneer Music Co.
Wilking was very much impressed with the method
The Pioneer Music Co. is now established in its of manufacturing Wurlitzer pianos and returned filled
new quarters, 942 South Hill street, and is doing a with enthusiasm.
very satisfactory business in the Story & Clark grands
John Pearson, of the Pearson Piano Company, was
and uprights. H. L. Nettler, general manager of this unable to attend the Indiana Music Merchants' Con-
company, told the Presto-Times correspondent that vention last week on account of a slight cold, but was
it was highly pleased with its new location, which found in his office today feeling somewhat better.
would enable it to accommodate its fast-increasing Mr. Pearson reports business very good considering
trade.
the season of the year.
Henry Gennett, who has been sojourning in Los
On October the 26th the first meeting of the execu-
Angeles the past two weeks, returned Saturday. Mr. tive board of the Indiana Music Merchants' Associa-
Gennett and family have been enjoying the beautiful tion will be held in Indianapolis.
cl'.mate of California and the many beach and moun-
tain attractions, thereby combining business with
Harry T. Sipe, general traveler for Adam Schaaf,
pleasure.
Inc., Chicago, has been making a trip through the
The Robinson Music Co., which represents the South. On the 17th inst. he called on the trade in
Stieff Piano Co., Baltimore, is creating a very favor- Augusta, Ga.
LATE TRADE NEWS
FROM LOS ANGELES
PAGEANT IS PLANNED
CHEERFUL TRADE ITEMS
FROM INDIANAPOLIS, IND.
PIANO CLUB OF CHICAGO
GREETS ITS NEW PRESIDENT
Harry Bibb Presides at Luncheon at Which Noted
Critic Gives Talk.
Monday's meeting of the Piano Club of Chicago,
the inaugural of the new officers in their first exer-
cise of the powers conferred upon them by their
recent election, was also graced with smoothness
and wit. Harry Bibb, whose picture accompanies
this report, was as happy and cheerful as the cut
indicates. Previous to his arrival one of his joking
friends said: "Bibb is waiting to come in late so
HARRY 131BB.
that he may gather lots of applause." True or not,
the reception of spontaneous applause when he did
arrive, was generous and hearty.
There was a good attendance and an interesting
and instructive talk on the drama by Mr. Hamilton,
one of the well-known critics for a daily paper in
New York.
All-in-all, it was a meeting peculiar to the Piano
Club of Chicago, which has done more things with
distinct and individual quality in the last few years
than almost any other organization in Chicago, and
all looking toward the progress and good cheer of
its members and guests.
BOWEN PIANO LOADER
BEST DELIVERY AID
Its Advantages in Enabling the Piano Mer-
chant to Find His Customers and
Convince Them Are Obvious.
Every ambitious music dealer sees in the piano
promotion efforts now so general an opportunity to
achieve more sales and their consequent profits. And
it is an obvious fact that the easiest and quickest way
to get in touch with the piano prospect is by means
of the automobile equipment which includes the
Bowen Piano Loader and Carrier made by the Bowen
Piano Loader Co, Winston-Salem, N. C.
The progressive piano dealer does not calmly wait
for opportunity to knock at his door, but equipped
with his sample on a Bowen Piano Loader, seeks his
customers over the highways and the byways. In-
stead of waiting for the customer to come to the
store, he practically brings the store to the customer.
Every live piano dealer has his force of salesmen
equipped with the Bowen Loader to show the goods.
The Bowen Piano Loader is a means to sales and
a means to quick delivery as well. In fact, the Bowen
Loader is the only safe method of piano delivery;
something that makes the piano merchant disregard
the disadvantages of poor roads or the inclemencies
of the weather. The Bowen Loader is the best de-
livery system for dealers either in the city or country.
GOLDSMITH EXPECTS GOOD TRADE.
"The fall and winter trade in pianos promises to
be good," said A. Goldsmith, president of the Gold-
smith Piano Company, 1223 Miller street, Chicago,
to a Presto-Times representative who called upon him
on Tuesday of this week. Mr. Goldsmith has a
busy representative, who generally travels in South-
ern Texas for the house, in the person of Charles
Phelan. "Mr. Phelan has been busy in Dallas this
week," said Mr. Goldsmith.
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/

Page 6 Text:

PRESTO-TIMES
October 22, 1927
to improve the musical tastes of a community
may be employed by the music dealer with
The piano playing" contests are spreading
benefit to himself and the public. But when
and it is a fact that they stir up the kind of
The American Music Trade Weekly
a music house or its owner individually does
interest that insures activitv in the piano in-
Published Every Saturday at 417 South Dearborn dustry and trade. Whether or not many pianos something unusual that entails considerable
Street, Chicago, Illinois.
expense an admirable form of progressiveness
are sold, as a result of the contest, in any com-
is presented. In a news story in this issue a
PRESTO P U B L I S H I N G CO., Publishers.
munity, it is positively true that eventually
plan
of Mr. Frank Corley, head of the Corley
Editor
F R A N K D. A B B O T T
- - - - - - - - -
the effect must be to stimulate the people to
(C. A. D A N I ELL—1904-1927.)
Co., Richmond, Va., in association with the
buy pianos. The seed must be planted before
J. FERGUS O ' R Y A N
_ _ _ - _ Managing Editor
News Leader of that city to provide a week
the harvest can be expected. It may require
Telephones, Local and Long Distance, Harrison 0234.
of grand opera for Richmond is told in detail.
Private Phones to all Departments. Cable Address ( C o m -
some waiting, but as sure as the sun shines
mercial Cable Co.'s Code), " P R E S T O , " Chicago.
In underwriting the cost of nine performances
the crop will develop.
by
the San Carlos Opera Company, Mr. Corley
Entered as second-class matter Jan 29, 1896, at the
Pianos have never been promoted in the
Tost Office, Chicago, LI., under Act of March 3, 1879.
sets a fine example of progressiveness by do-
same sense that other things have been pushed
Subscription, $2 a year; 6 months, $1.25; Foreign, $4.
ing real work in promoting a higher musical
Payable in advance. No extra charge in United States
forward. The real need of pianos has never
possessions, Cuba and Mexico. Rates for advertising on
appreciation in his city and adjacent com-
application.
been made a part of the public consciousness.
munities.
Items of news and other matter are solicited and if of
The piano has been permitted to make its ap-
* * *
general interest to the music trade will be paid for at
peal through the urge of family pride, and
space rates. Usually piano merchants or salesmen in the
Notwithstanding efforts of trade and na-
smaller cities are the best occasional correspondents, and
because of its place in the social attainments,
their assistance is invited.
tional associations to remove or ameliorate it,
rather than because it is an essential in edu-
Payment H not accepted for matter printed in the edi-
the trade-in evil continues a distressingly
torial or news columns of Presto-Times.
cation
and the mental development of the
Where half-tones are made the actual cost of produc-
prominent one. It is one that the piano dealer
tion will be charged if of commercial character of other
young. That it is not only a sign of refine-
than strictly news interest.
has
endured for a good many years and which
When electrotypes are sent for publication it is re-
ment but a necessary part of the educational
quested that their subjects and senders be carefully indi-
now
also worries the phonograph dealer and
cated.
equipment has never until now been given
decreases his profits.
Ridiculous trade-in
Forms close at noon on Thursday. Late news matter
great emphasis. The contests are doing this,
should be in not later than 11 o'clock on that day. Ad-
values on obsolete phonographs that obtain
vertising- copy should be in hand before Tuesday, 5 p. m.,
and doing it effectively.
to insure preferred position. Full page display copy
nearly everywhere leave no profit in deals ex-
should be in hand by Tuesday noon preceding publication
And the playing contest has developed into
day. Want advertisements for current week, to insure
cept for the buyers. The trade-in problem is
classification, should be in by Wednesday noon.
other realms than that of the piano. It has
one which can be solved by the local music
taken hold of the other instruments of music.
Address all communications for the editorial or business
trade associations and it is cheering to see that
departments to PRESTO PUBLISHING CO., 417 South
Bands are now forming into classes and meet-
it is being handled in a vigorous manner by
Dearborn Street, Chicago, III.
ing in competition. Study of the band instru-
several trade bodies.
ments is becoming almost a regular feature in
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1927
the music life of many cities and towns and
The necessity for well-supported organiza-
The last form of Presto-Times goes to press prominent men in community life are taking tions of the music trade was pointed out by
at 11 a. m. Thursday. Any news transpiring personal interest in the practical side of music.
after that hour cannot be expected in the cur- Which means the spread of the demand and W. W. Kerr at the convention last week, when
he talked on "State Legislation," with particu-
rent issue. Nothing received at the office that sale of musical instruments of all kinds.
is not strictly news of importance can have
lar reference to the work of lawmakers at
attention after 9 a. m. on Thursday. If they
Springfield, 111. He went over the ground of
concern the interests of manufacturers or
THE PLAYER ROLL STOCK
wire-pulling, lobbying, and told how difficult it
dealers such items will appear the week follow-
Attention to roll buying by the dealer is an was to get good laws on the books and how
ing. Copy for advertising designed for the
current issue must reach the office not later unavoidable accompaniment to interest in easy it was to get defective legislation
playerpiano output. And attention to roll buy- enacted. He advised the dealers to exercise
than Wednesday noon of each week.
ing naturally involves activity in roll selling. their power in electing good men and then
Sales of player rolls in any month are greater pushing hard for the measures that would
CREATING PIANO DESIRE
for push in presenting than for the mere in- give them a square deal.
Raven-like prophecies of a decade ago said vitation to buy.
* * *
that mechanical pianos would destroy all de-
Despite the best judgment in selection and
Mr. H. W. Otto Miessner, at the convention
sire in people for manual playing' and prac- utmost vigilance on the part of the retailer a in Chicago last week, gave the percentage of
tically halt the advance of musical culture. But certain percentage of numbers in the monthly school children who had taken up the Melody
mechanics has done the reverse of what the bulletin are slow in selling. Each month adds Way of learning to play the piano. It differed
croakers of ten or fifteen years ago said it to the accumulation of stock. All the slow in different cities, he said. In Minneapolis it
would do.
ones are not "dead ones" either. Many are ran about 50 per cent; in Philadelphia, only
classics
that are always alive and always pos- 20 per cent. Asked as to the percentage that
The player music roll has aided the advance-
sible
of
stimulation.
ment of cultural impulse in a most important
failed to complete the course, he said, "We do
way and the reproducing piano in its perfect
The old remedy for indigestion, "fast for a not lose, usually, more than ten or fifteen per
rendering- of the playing" of great artists is a spell," is an instance of where the cure is cent."
wonderful incentive to music students to de- worse than the disease. The problem of over-
* * *
velop the hest that is in them.
loaded shelves of accumulated rolls calls for
Building up a piano business on means that
Other mechanical appliances like the phono- more efficacious action than stopping off the are actually contrary to the laws is a foolish
graph and the radio have proved to he inspira- new supplies. Dealers are no longer distract- job which develops everything reprehensible
tional. The phonograph did not hinder the ed with excessively large issues of roll titles in a man's nature. It is really the hardest way
sale of manual musical instruments, it encour- each month.
to profits. Building up a piano business on
aged it. Today radio makes people want to
the
solid structure of truth concerning the in-
The clean roll stock; the one with the small
struments
and applying ethical ways in sell-
play a musical instrument themselves.
percentage of stickers, is in the store of the
ing
them
is easy in comparison. But the
The first essential for making more piano man who cured his case of music roll indiges-
wrong
way,
which may be temporarily profit-
sales is the spontaneous desire in the people tion by beneficent exercise. He is the man
able,
is
hurtful
to individuals in the trade who
to play the piano. The promotion plans for who surprised himself with the discovery that
steer
an
honest
course and, of course, has
the encouragement of piano lessons for the he could sell the most tenacious clinger by
harmful
effects
on
the music trade at large.
young are all based on the ability of piano seriously trying to. There should be no de-
* * *
playing to make one a more desirable mem- bilitating fast in new roll buying. The rule of
ber of society and to increase the power of the health in the music roll stock is to use the
The puzzle contest and credit check schemes
proficient pianist to make his or her family utmost effort to sell sparsely featured numbers have reappeared in the music trade and plans
happier. The propaganda that creates the while the well featured hot populars "sell to vigorously fight these forms of an old piano
trade evil have been formulated by the Music
piano playing desire is of various kinds, but it themselves."
Industries Chamber of Commerce. Executive
all works to the advantage of the piano dealer.
The thought created by a piano player's per- • The encouragement of music in any way, di- Secretary C. L. Dennis, at the convention of
formance over radio may be converted into rectly or indirectly, leads to the sale of pianos the Ohio state association in Cleveland re-
action by some alert piano salesman.
and other musical instruments. So any means cently, prompted decisive action by that body.
PIANO CONTESTS SPREAD
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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