PRESTO-TIMES
uted space to aid the objects of the promoters. It is
gratifying, too, to consider how eagerly the pro-
gressive dealers have cooperated in the use of the
admirable copy provided for the campaign. Consid-
ering the comprehensive character of the promotion
movement, it 's surprising how far funds have been
made to go in carrying out the scheme.
Show Sales Increase.
Piano sales have been notably increased by the
operations of the piano promotion plan. But for its
potent influence they would have been considerably
fewer in the past year. It is a big task and the sur-
prise is that so much has been accomplished within
such a short time. If persisted in and properly sup-
ported there is every reason to believe it will become
a great and permanent success.
The necessity for the promotion plan is obvious;
its claim to the support of every piano manufacturer
plain, and its need of support by music merchants a
fact acknowledged by every forward-looking man. I
have no doubt that the piano promotion plan will
become a source of pride and satisfaction to the en-
tire music trade and a cause for emulation by other
trades.
Looking Ahead.
Looking ahead to 1928, I see the National Piano
Manufacturers' Association extending and expanding
its scheme for the promotion of piano sales. Doing
so will be the main activitv of the organization. And
everything promises to aid our efforts. Leading econ-
omists foresee active conditions for the coming year
for commerce generally. Everything points to the
piano business as a sharer fn the desirable conditions.
But for the best results it will need courage and en-
ergy in every phase of the trade.
BEST YEAR FOR SCHILLER
PIANO CO. IN ITS HISTORY
Oregon, 111., Industry Has Won a High Place
for Itself with Future Prospects
Still Brighter.
INTERESTING
STEINWAY FAMILY
FRONT R O W - L E F T TO RIGHT: PAUL H. SCHMIDT, WM. FREDERICK VIETOR, HENRY ZIEGL.ER,
FREDERICK STEINWAY, THEODORE E. STEINWAY, CARL WM. VIETOR, WM. R. STEINWAY.
SECOND ROW—LEFT TO RIGHT: THEODORE CASSEBEER, THEODORE DAVIS STEINWAY, CHARLES F.
M. STEINWAY, HENRY ZIEGLER STETNWAY, F. A. VIETOR, CHARLES FREDERICK STEINWAY, JOHN
HOWLAND STEINWAY.
NOW PREPARING FOR
SAN FRANCISCO CONTEST
To say that the piano is in danger of being
superseded by the radio or by any other musical
instrument is but idle talk. We all know that the
piano is the basic musical instrument, and as such,
is destined to live and flourish as long as there is
any desire for music in the hearts of the people.
—John J. Glynn, president New York Music
Merchants' Association.
GROUP
Steinways of Today and Tomorrow Shown in the Group of Fourteen Descen=
dents of Henry Engelhard Steinway, Founder of the Famous House
Piano trade history is made more interesting by the
achievements of the Steinway family, and the piano
"The year 1927 has been one of the most success- trade and the musical world generally pleasurably
ful years in the history of our company," said Frank receive any information about the members of the
M. Hood of the Schiller Piano Company at the Chi- family today, as well as facts relating to the Stein-
cago offices of the concern when asked this week ways of tomorrow. In the group picture printed
for a resume of the year's activities.
herewith are fourteen descendants of Henry Engle-
'"This success has been won out especially with hard Steinway, founder of the House of Steinway,
our high grade Period designs in grand pianos—styles seven of which are actively contributing to the suc-
that take with both dealers and the public. Some cess of the house.
of the largest and most progressive retail piano
Seven have similar opportunities ahead of them.
houses in the country have taken on our line and To these bright looking boys will ultimately fall the
are pushing for business with it most successfully.
perpetuation of the Steinway piano fame; the continu-
"The Bauer construction in our grands makes them ation of the policies and methods which have been in
very desirable instruments for tone and durability. operation since 1850 with such satisfactory results.
The development of the Steinway industry is a
The call this year was more for grands than for up-
rights. When I say call, I mean that people are
calling for our pianos now—writing in and demanding
them. After a dealer has found such fine success took place in connection with the city's 1927 Music
with our line he naturally wants to continue on the Week.
highway that leads to prosperity and respect.
Action was taken at a luncheon meeting held in
"Our business is getting on such a solid founda- the Palace Hotel by the piano dealers of San Fran-
tion that a greater future is assured. The production cisco. The object of the meeting was explained by
of the factory being more on grands than on up- Shirley Walker, president of the Music Trades Asso-
rights for the year is another feature for the com- ciation of Northern California, who told the dealers
pany's self-congratulation, as at the present time the necessity tor the contest and pointed out the
there are thousands of families that are well able financial requirements. The piano dealers present
to purchase the best and most satisfying instru- underwrote the contest for $3,500, which is the
budget requirement, and preparations will be made
ments."
immediately for the contest.
The first announcement regarding San Francisco's
piano-playing contest will be made to the public
about February 1. The finals will take place at some
time during Music Week, May 6 to 12, 1928.
Dealers of City Have Subscribed the Necessary
Funds to Make Event a Success.
San Francisco is to have a piano playing contest
in connection with the Music Week of 1928, and the
event promises to be characterized by the spirit
which makes all musical events in that city of an
uncommon kind. Plans are already formulated, and
the active preparations will be begun February 1.
Music Week is set for M'iy 6 to 12, and the finals of
the contest will be made prominent features of the
busy days. This is the second annual contest to be
held in San Francisco, which was the first city on the
Pacific Coast to hold a piano-playing contest. It
December 31, 1927
STAR BUYS A FISCHER.
New York Knabe Warerooms, 52nd street and
Fifth avenue, report the sale of a Fischer Ampico
grand to Frank Craven, popular Broadway star, for
use in his town apartment in New York City. Mr.
Craven, who is at present starring in "The Nine-
teenth Hole," made an established reputation for him-
self in "The First Year" which he not only wrote and
produced, but in which he played the leading role.
OTTO SCHULZ GIVES BOOK.
Otto Schulz, president of the M. Schulz Company,
Chicago, following his annual custom, sent a book
to his friends at Christmas. This year he gave "Ben-
jamin Franklin, the First Civilized American," of
which Philip Russell is author.
fascinating story that includes the honor and credit
of many men whose names are familiar to the piano
trade.
The Board of Trustees or directors of Steinway &
Sons consists of five members, four of which are
members of the Steinway family, viz: Theodore E.
Steinway and Henry Ziegler, third generation; Theo-
dore Cassebeer and Paul H. Schmidt, fourth genera-
tion.
The fifth member of the board is F.
Reidemeister, who has been connected with the Stein-
way family all his life.
William R. Steinway is the general manager of the
European houses of Steinway & Sons; F. A. Vietor
is assistant manager of the manufacturing depart-
ment, and Charles F. M. Steinway is secretary of
the corporation.
MARK CAMPBELL'S VIEWS
ON PIANO INDUSTRY
Brambach President Advises Advertising and
Concentrating on Keeping the Market
as Active as Possible.
Mark P. Campbell, president of the Brambach
Piano Company, does some clear thinking about trade
conditions, and his opinions are highly regarded by
the piano men. He recently declared that a piano
is a necessity from the standpoint of completing a
home, because that instrument of music is the hearth-
stone of the soul.
He says that if we would just recognize our own
market and its limitations and concentrate on keeping
that market as active as possible, we would be using
our power to its greatest advantage. He advocates
the elimination from the market by the dealers of all
pianos made prior to 1897, unless they are of excep-
tional make and in very good condition. "They are
a parasite on our industry, sucking the profits and
killing what should be profitable prospects," Mr.
Campbell said.
"It is my idea that the retail dealers in this coun-
try should plan to sell 400,000 pianos a year, 225,000
of which would be uprights and players, 75,000 grands
and 100,000 used pianos. Of the uprights and play-
ers, 80 per cent will be the so-called 'commercial';
at least 50,000 will be made by five large manufac-
turers, leaving 110,000 to be made by all others."
Radio is helping the music industry; that is, it
is teachinq the American public to appreciate
music better, so I contend that the music industry
There is no one commodity sold today for
should zvork unth and not against radio.—W. which the public receives as high a trade-in value
Otto Micssner, president Wisconsin Music Mer- as the piano—not even diamonds.—C. Alfred
chants' Association.
Wagner, A r ew York.
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