Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1927 2161

December 31, 1927
PROGRESS OF MUSIC
MERCHANTS' ASS'N
PRESTO-TIMES
TRY THIS ON YOUR MEMORY
Satisfactory Condition of National Organiza-
tion and Increasing Interest in Purposes
of the Movement Result in a Steady
Increase in Membership.
RADIO AND PIANOS
Relation of One to the Other Now So Well Under-
stood That Question Is No Longer Considered
a Problem
By C. J. ROBERTS,
President National Association of Music Merchants.
It is a source of great pleasure to me that the
National Association of Music Merchants is making
such splendid progress. A deeper interest in the or-
ganization and its purposes is apparent in the trade
throughout the country. It is a practical interest,
too, that constantly increases the memhership. Our
state commissioners and our good friends among the
piano travelers aid in a most effective way in mak'ng
the association stronger numerically.
Tribute to Secretary Loomis.
The organization is fortunate in possessing such
an active and enthusiastic executive secretary as Mr.
Delbert L. Loomis, who has a most comprehensive
knowledge of the needs of our trade and of our asso-
ciation and is doing some splendid work. Necessar-
ily considerable time is consumed in planning activi-
ties that will also require time to be worked out.
Mr. Loomis is going to make a record in his position
that I am sure will delight everyone who is inter-
ested in the work of the association.
Radio and Pianos.
There are a great many problems confronting the
National Association of Music Merchants but the
attention of the association will solve them in time.
The relation of the music trade to radio used to be
considered in the nature of a problem. Radio in the
music store is no longer a matter for disturbing
thought to officials of the national association of the
music trade. But the music merchants are alert in
watching conditions as they develop. I myself have
diligently tried to ascertain from music merchants
what they most desire at the hands of the radio
manufacturers. And I have been equally interested
in learning the wishes of the radio manufacturers in
their relations to the music trade.
In an address December 16 before a meeting of the
Radio Manufacturers' Association I pointed out that
many prominent merchants appear to feel that job-
bers in the radio field are superfluous, reasoning that
the direct responsibility of the manufacturer to the
merchant and the merchant to the manufacturer is
logical and that such an arrangement will promote
the best interests of both and of the public. Of this,
personally, I am not at all sure, for I realize that
there are problems of primary distribution that the
retailer is not familiar with.
Jobber Who Retails
I think, however, that there is no difference of
opinion among merchants about the jobber-retailer.
This combination, so far as 1 have been able to learn,
is universally condemned. The fact that one leading
talking-machine manufacturer abolished that arrange-
ment because of the great dissatisfaction that it
caused when it existed is pointed to as an outstanding
example.
Radio Helps Piano.
The piano business, in recent years, has not ad-
vanced as rapidly as has some other businesses or
industries. The main cause of this is very clear to
anyone giving the matter any consideration. The
home life of American people has changed very rad-
ically. Automobiles, picture shows and other forms
of amusement taking people away from their homes
have made it less necessary to provide for home en-
tertainment. The piano has always been the center
of home entertainment. My point is that radio is
doing more right now than almost any other agency
to re-establish American home life. People do not
go out on lonely country lanes, nor to the city, to
hear radio concerts—they remain at home and invite
their friends to visit them for that purpose.
Home Entertainment Habit
When people again acquire the home entertainment
habit, then will more pianos be purchased. A radio
/ am still open-minded as to the sales value of
a contest among children in piano playing. As a
publicity getter or a stunt, it is splendid. But
whether it will sell a lot of pianos is still a ques-
tion in my mind.—E. C. Boykin, Piano Promo-
tion Committee.
Here is a historic picture snapped one day during
a convention of the National Piano Manufacturers'
Association. Perhaps a clue to the year may be
conveyed by the car, wh : ch has all the marks of a
remote period, speaking in the motor car sense. Col.
Edward S. Payson, at the wheel, looks as if he could
meet any thrilling incident of the drive with equanim-
ity. And right to his hand are the brakes and the
reliable squawk bulb.
His passengers, too, look calm, full of trust, and
unperturbed at the possibility of being rushed through
the streets and boulevards at a demoniacal speed of
20 miles an hour. The late Maj. Jonas M. Cleland
(first, counting from the left) seems to feel as secure
and composed as if seated in his easy desk chair at the
offices of The Cable Company, Chicago. Even H.
Paul Mehlin (sixth, counting from the left) seems
eager to step from the sidewalk to the car as soon
as the picture is taken.
Now you know the identity of three in the picture.
Think back and supply the names of the others. The
odd architecture of the building at the back may be
familiar enough for you to name it and the city in
which it still stands. To a great many the model of
the car w T i!l aid in fixing the year of a notable con-
vention of the National Piano Manufacturers' Asso-
ciation.
Try your memory in naming the year in which
this convention was held, the city where it was held,
and the place where this photograph was taken.
does not take the place of a piano and neither does a
piano take the place of a radio. As long as the
human hand, with its five fingers, retains its form; as
long as the natural musical scale, which never has
and never can be improved upon, appeals to the ear,
and as long as the keyboard invented to accommo-
date these creations of the Almighty exists, pianos
will be made. Thank God, there is no "static" in a
good piano, though some of the poor ones, or the
very old ones, when played upon emit sounds fright-
fully suggestive of the performances of a poor radio
set under most unfavorable conditions.
Both piano and radio are needed in American
homes and all manufacturers of musical instruments,
and merchants dealing in them, should cooperate in
re-establishing the American home life through mak-
ing it more attractive—mainly through music.
GOOD HOLIDAY MUSIC
TRADE IN BALTIMORE
GOOD WORDS FROM C. G. CHENEY.
The epigram from C. G. Cheney of Comstock,
Cheney & Co.. Ivoryton, Conn., which appears in
this issue of Presto-Times under the head of "Wise
Sayings," carries a prognostication worthy of notice
when he says the "return to normal will be slow but
sure." Mr. Cheney is a conservative man, careful
in all his statements, and his simple statement that
things are coming around again for new prosperity
is very encouraging.
E. W. FURBUSH RESIGNS.
E, W. Furbush has resigned his position as whole-
sale representative of the lladdorff Piano Company
at Chicago, his resignation to take effect at the close
of the year, December 31. Mr. Furbush has no plans
for the future to give the public at this writing, but
his headquarters will continue to be in the Fine Arts
Building, 410 South Michigan avenue, Chicago, where
lie may be addressed. He has been with the Had-
dorff Piano Company about eight years.
Originally the down state dealers felt that they
could get along without the Chicago trade, but
they have since found out that their interests are
the same and that better zvork can be accomplished
by the entire state working together as one unit.
—E. E. Hanger, ex-president of Illinois Music
Merchants' Association.
Big Percentage of Home-Owners in Maryland City
an Influence Favoring Sales.
Good holiday business in radios is reported by
Baltimore music stores and other stores which oper-
ate musical instrument departments as well as the
exclusive radio shops. Some of these musical ma-
chines are being purchased for gift purposes, others
represent Christmas-tide home investments. The
fact that all musical instrument shops and piano
stores, practically all the leading department stores
and a number of radio shops are featuring these
instruments, means that a large number of them are
being placed in the homes, sometimes to replace
older models.
Baltimore merchants have a good opportunity of
placing radios or other musical instruments in the
homes of Baltimoreans because of the fact that more
than 62 per cent of the occupants of upwards of
200,000 homes, own their own homes. A home owner
wants all the comforts he can possibly have and wants
to furnish it with cheerful and beautiful furniture,
and what is more beautiful and cheerful in a home
than a musical instrument of some kind, be it radio
or piano?
The special prices of good radio sets is helping
sales. The new electric models are being shown pref-
erence by those who care and can invest more than
•A hundred dollars in a radio. The lower priced tleKl
is not being neglected.
The Hobart M. Cable Company has obtained
prospects by sending a chart to school teachers
to fill in names of pupils and parents who are
without pianos. Here is a suggestion for a little
pep and go-getting on the part of dealers who are
making themselves miserable by the constant
iteration that the piano business has gone to hell
and pianos can not be sold any more because Tom
Jones got Honolulu on a radio last month.—How-
ard B. M or onus, LaPorte, Ind.
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P R E S T 0-T I M E S
The American Music Trade Weekly
Published Every Saturday at 417 South Dearborn
Street, Chicago, Illinois.
PRESTO P U B L I S H I N G CO., Publishers.
Editor
F R A N K D. A B B O T T
- - - - - - - - -
(C. A. DAN I ELL—1904-1927.)
J. FERGUS O'RYAN
_ _ _ _ _ Managing Editor
Telephones, Local and Long Distance, Harrison 0234.
Private Phones to all Departments. Cable Address (Com-
mercial Cable Co.'s Code), "PRESTO," Chicago.
Entered as second-class matter Jan. 29, 1896, at the
Post Office, Chicago, 111., under Act of March 3, 1879.
Subscription, $2 a year; 6 months, $1.25; Foreign, $4.
Payable rn advance. No extra charge in United States
possessions, Cuba and Mexico. Rates for advertising- on
application.
Items of news and other matter are solicited and if of
general interest to the music trade will be paid for at
space rates. Usually piano merchants or salesmen in the
smaller cities are the best occasional correspondents, and
their assistance is invited.
Payment is not accepted for matter printed in the edi-
torial or news columns of Presto-Times.
"Where half-tones are made the actual cost of produc-
tion will be charged if of commercial character or other
than strictly news interest.
When electrotypes are sent for publication it is re-
quested that their subjects and senders be carefully indi-
cated.
Forms close at noon on Thursday. Late news matter
should be in not later than 11 o'clock on that day. Ad-
vertising copy should be in hand before Tuesday, 5 p. m.,
to insure preferred position. Full page display copy
should be in hand by Tuesday noon preceding publication
day. Want advertisements for current week, to insure
classification, should be in by Wednesday noon.
Address all communications for the editorial or business
departments to PRESTO PUBLISHING CO., 417 South
Dearborn Street, Chicago, III.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1927.
ART IN PIANO DESIGNS
As a rule the piano customer today is keenly
interested 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 qualities and the character
for endurance in the piano he considers most
desirable, but it depends upon himself 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 in-
cludes period designs in his line. Some of the
makers are distinguished by the extent of their
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 dis-
criminating 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
in increased interest of the public in period
models and the ability to differentiate between
one and the other. And the dealers and sales-
men in the music trade are in consequence
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 ?.re
not versed in the beautiful forms.
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.
furniture were continued from year to year.
The first jolt to their equanimity came when
the furniture industry formed trade associa-
tions and met annually to compare notes. When
inspired speakers impressed the necessity for
a closer association with art in furniture mak-
ing, they were considered unpractically "high-
brow" by the unprogressive ones. Then fol-
lowed the separation of the regenerated from
the mossbacks in the furniture 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. Educa-
tion of the furniture buyer became a more im-
portant part in selling methods and, thanks to
the effectiveness of the furniture makers'
propaganda, the piano buyer has a greater ap-
preciation of the beautiful and artistic in piano
design.
The true and artistic period designs elevate
the tone of the piano but the makeshifts for
period designs are really detrimental. The
plan to simplify production is too often sub-
servient to artistic ambition. Giving a piano
the mere semblance to a period model is fall-
ing short of a purpose. Producing a period de-
sign 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.
GUARDING A REPUTATION
Eternal vigilance is the price of reputation.
The words paraphrase a sacred epigram, but
no offense to its originator is meant. Take a
reputation for making good pianos or selling
them, for instance. Once secured, reputation
must be safeguarded so that it does not steal
away.
Just as soon as the maker of the reputable
piano sits down in supreme contemplation of
the fruits of his efforts, just so soon is he in
danger of losing that elusive thing, reputation.
Just as soon as the dealer with the reputation
for honest and efficient service lies back in
hookwormy ease and loses pride in the char-
acter he has achieved, just so soon will his
reputation start growing wings for ultimate
flight.
With many men in the piano trade reputa-
tion was the chief asset at the start. They
vigilantly safeguarded it even after they ac-
quired the more tangible assets shown on
books and computed in the casting up of an-
nual statements. Their reputation was an in-
December 31, 1927
tangible thing. They did not buy it nor could
they sell it or ever pass it by succession so it
would stay put. But they fully recognized its
value and its importance in gaining and keep-
ing the other and tangible asset.
It is the very intangibility; the great illu-
siveness of reputation that makes men so
vigilant in keeping it. Reputation is so per-
sonal in its nature that neither he who sells nor
he who buys or succeeds to it can be assured
that it will remain a part of the business that
has held it hitherto.
The piano trade is full of instances that
show the vanisHing quality of reputation.
Piano titles, firm names, factory names are
there in plenty that have not the same sig-
nificance they once possessed. Somebody has
said that reputation in manufacturing was the
influence of a particular mind upon work. He
talked wisely, whoever he was. He might have
added that reputation was also the reciprocal
influence of work upon mind.
Anybody familiar with the history of the
piano trade can conjure up pianos and piano
houses the reputations of which depended upon
certain reputation-creating qualities in the
men creating them. The sad thing about it is
calling to mind the fact that the reputations
in many instances exhibited their character
for illusiveness and flew.
The heading to a feature in this issue reads,
"Try This on Your Memory." It is an oppor-
tunity for the men whose memories go back
to an interesting and comparatively remote
trade convention and recalls the persons and
incidents that helped make it worth remem-
bering. As originally set up the text with the
picture offered a year's subscription to Presto-
Times to those naming the occupants of the
automobile, the city where the convention was
held and the place where the photograph was
taken. Owing to post office regulations which
preserves our morals, the guessing proposition
had to be deleted. You can send in your guess,
but blame the post office department for for-
bidding the reward proposition.
* * *
An advantage enjoyed by the music dealers
of Baltimore, Md., is due to the pleasant fact
that sixty-two per cent of the people living in
homes are owners. It is an interesting cir-
cumstance pointed out by the Presto-Times
correspondent there and which, he says, is ac-
countable for the satisfactory holiday busi-
ness. No insistent house-owner or his agent
grabs the equivalent of a first piano payment
from the happy piano prospect who owns his
own home.
Greeting!
:PreSto=Ql4meS extents its toisljes for a fjappp anb prosperous*
J e a r to tije iftlusic Crabe in all its pfjases.
3t is> an opportunity for tfje paper to express its appreciation of tfte
abbertising enterprise of tfje manufacturers tofro fjabe Jjelpeb to sustain
it ant> to boice its goob toisijes for tfje reabers bp tofjose encouragement
tlje American ifflusic Crabe PJeefelp fjas groton in influence tljrougf)
fortp=tfjree pears.
But, as the general run of furniture makers
were indifferent to the growing artistic taste
of the people, the old, nondescript numbers in
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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