Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1928 2171

P R E S T 0-T I M E S
that favored climate. Mr. Grebe was met by Presto-
Times' eastern representative on Monday of this week
and the well-known piano man, who has been with
Kranich & Bach for 31 years, expressed himself as
confident that piano trade is on the upturn in many
places.
Edward Lyman Bill Marries.
Edward Lyman Bill, described in society reports
in New York as "millionaire publisher" of the Music
Trade Review, and Miss Dorothy Smart were united
in marriage at 4 p. m. Tuesday of this week in Hitch-
cock Memorial Church, Scarsdale, N. Y. The bride
was the loveliest of five American beauties chosen by
Jean Patou to model his gowns in his Paris atelier.
Laffargue Company Finds Business Good.
"Business with us has been good since the begin-
ning of the year," said Max J. de Rochemont, vice-
president and treasurer of The Laffargue Company,
this week. He said art was the leading feature in
external designs in pianos today, and the average
person is better educated in tonal qualities of instru-
ments than they were a few years ago. President
Joseph Oktavec, who has charge of production at the
factory, is more particular than ever about having all
pianos made just right in the plant.
Hy. Eilers' New York Enterprise.
Hy. Eilers, who at one time had 45 branch stores
running on the Pacific Coast as auxiliaries of his
bigger store in San Francisco, was among the guests
at the New York piano merchants' dinner on Tues-
day night this week. He has started the Associated
Piano Manufacturers at 130 West 42nd street; his
telephone number is Wisconsin 6194. The business
so far has been wholesaling with some retailing, but
Mr. Eilers is organizing for larger development. In
recalling former acquaintance with this writer he
reminded him of incidents in Fort Wayne, Ind., when
Eilers wrote all the advertising for A. A. Fisher,
general salesman for W. W. Kimball Co., and they all
lived in the Arcade Building in Fort Wayne, including
Bud Fisher, then a small boy, and who made his
fortune later creating Mutt and Jeff. Mr. Eilers
knows the originals of Mutt and Jeff—one is dead,
the other w ? orth more than $100,000, so it would not
be fair to mention either of them here.
Old Instruments Used at Concert.
Rodman Wanamaker entertained friends from
Philadelphia and elsewhere Wednesday evening this
week at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York,
where instruments from the Wanamaker collection
of old Italian instruments were played at the con-
cert. In the party were Mr. and Mrs. George Whar-
ton Pepper, Mr. and Mrs. Henriques Crawford, Mr.
and Mrs. Charles Louis Borie, Jr., Mrs. William B.
Elliott, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel L. Hutchinson, Jr.
Kranich & Bach at Loeser's.
Over at Loeser's department store in Brooklyn,
where Loeser's 67th anniversary sale is in progress,
and where E. Paul Hamilton is once more in charge
of the piano department, the instrument in the lime-
light is the Kranich & Bach two-tone exclusive early
American Period model grand, which the ads say "has
never been shown to the public before this anni-
versary."
Wm. Knabe & Co. Move.
William Knabe & Co. moved at midnight on Feb-
ruary 29 from their temporary quarters at Fifth ave-
nue and 52nd street to the new Ampico Tower Build-
ing at Fifth avenue and 42nd street, New York. The
new home of the company is 33 stories high and was
designed by Warren, & Wetmore.
Presto-Times
correspondent found Advertising Manager Byrne on
the ninth floor, but the other officials of the company
will be located mostly upon the third floor.
At Kindler & Collins Headquarters.
A call was made this week at the office of Kindler
& Collins, 520 to 524 West 48th street, New York,
by a Presto-Times eastern representative, where he
found William P. Collins, vice-president and treas-
urer, in charge. The concern is still handling pianos
from former stocks and is buying some instruments,
but has ceased to manufacture for a time. After they
get their warerooms cleared out somewhat Mr. Col-
lins intimated they will very likely re-engage in man-
ufacturing pianos.
Buying Thrills at New Place.
'"W T hat a thrill to select the piano of your dreams in
the new Knabe salons!" is the manner in which the
advertising of the opening sales in the Ampico Tower
Building at 47th street and 5th avenue, New York,
is worded. "Hundreds of new instruments, as beauti-
ful in finish as they are in tone—worthy of the music-
loving homes into which they will go. Every piano
we sell bears the full Knabe guarantee.."
Krakauer Traveler in Ohio;
A. S. Zeisler, general traveler for Krakauer Bros.,
Cypress avenue at East 136th street, New York, is
making a successful trip in Ohio at present. Arthur
Hahn, treasurer of the company, said that the best
business at present is coining in from California and
March 10, 1928
H. EDGAR FRENCH SELECTS PIANO
JESSE FRENCH & SONS' SPANISH RENAISSANCE GRAND IN HI-OTED WALXUT
The president of a piano factory must have a dis-
tracting time when lie picks a new instrument for
his home. 11. Edgar French, of the Jesse French &
Sons Piano Company, New Castle, Ind., looked over
the twenty-odd styles in his line and decided on the
new Spanish Renaissance Grand in Hi-lited walnut.
But when you note the beauties of design and con-
struction of the piano in the accompanying cut you
will realize the greater charms that made it a prefer-
ence over the other nineteen.
The Spanish Renaissance, one of the three new
Jesse French Period grands which have caused such
a sensation in the industry, is a thing of exquisite
beauty. Delicate panels decorate the sides of the
case. Beautifully designed mouldings form the base
of the key bed and are repeated on the music rack
and on the capitols which surmount the legs. The
legs, which are triple, are of two designs, each group
consisting of two of the fluted design with a spiral
between. Intricately carved medallions decorate the
centers of the panels, the upper corners of the music
rack and the ends of the case at each side of the key
board. The lyre and pedal box are of hand-carved
solid walnut. The design is very pleasing and has
been pronounced authentic of the period.
right around New York. Mr. Hahn says there will
always be piano business for the people who are en-
terprising enough to get out and find it.
On Pennsylvania Trip.
Gottlieb Heller, vice-president of Winter & Co.,
849-863 East 141st street, New York, is on a successful
Irip in Pennsylvania, while his son, William G. Heller,
president of the company, is at the main offices taking
care of the orders that come in by mail and otherwise.
"Our best trade just now is coming from California,"
said Mr. William Heller to the Presto-Times repre-
sentative on Friday. "Fads and fancies come and go
among the young people of today, but 1 am glad to
see that the girls are taking to the piano more and
more lately. We have an enormous number of young
people in New York City who understand a great deal
about the best in music; they can play; they under-
stand much about musical authorship and musical
productions—far more than some of the piano manu-
facturers of the last generation could have told them,
so we are sure that the piano business, so far from
dying down, as some pessimists would have us think,
is just catching its breath for a longer and better race
than ever before."
OLD WISCONSIN FIRM
OCCUPIES FINE NEW STORE
A Call at Ricca & Sons.
It is always a pleasure to meet Hugo F. Ricca,
president of Ricca & Son, 89-99 Southern boulevard,
New York. Presto-Times man had a chat with him
on Friday of last week. Mr. Ricca said that while
he could do more business, he was finding some trade
by sending out letters direct to his customers and
he had five men on the road, all of whom were doing
fairly we'l. He declares that the piano business is
bound to get better before long.
Good Bureau Report.
Interesting replies have been received by the Na-
tional Bureau for the Advancement of Music in re-
sponse to its questionnaire on the operation of school
piano classes recently sent to twenty citie^
Among the eighteen cities w r hich have .i'ready re-
plied are Evanston, 111., Racine, Wis., Birmingham,
Ala, and Kansas City, Mo. From Evanston comes
the information that there are two class lessons per
(Continued on Page 12)
Paulus Music Co., Manitowoc, Founded by Herman
C. Paulus, Celebrates Thirty-second Year.
The Paulus Music Company, Manitowoc, Wis.,
the oldest concern of its kind in the city, held a
formal opening in its new quarters at 912 South
Eighth street, just tw T o doors south of the old location
in the Wood Block last week. There was a special
display of pianos, radios and phonographs and the
day was devoted to giving the customers an oppor-
tunity to make an inspection of the new home which
provides larger display rooms for all of the depart-
ments.
The company, which is owned and managed by
Herman C. Paulus, has been in business in this city
for thirty-two years and the greater portion of that
time has been located on Eighth street. It has quar-
ters in the Wood Block at Eighth and Franklin
streets from the time the building was completed
twenty years ago until three weeks ago when the
removal to the new quarters was made. The new
quarters were remodelled to meet the special needs
of an up-to-date music store, provides a repair depart-
ment in the basement and boasts a second floor which
is to be eventually fitted out as a special radio dem-
onstration room. For the present the front end of
the store is devoted to the display of pianos, the
sheet music and record stock with a cabinet contain-
ing musical instruments and accessories. Spec:al
booths are provided where the customers can try out
the new arrival in records with a special department
devoted to the display of phonographs and radios.
The office is at the extreme rear of the building.
CANADIAN COMPANY MEETS.
Orme, Ltd., at 175 Sparks street, Ottawa, Ont.,
held its annual general meeting for 1928 recently, and
Frank L. Orme was re-elected president, Matthew
Orme, a member of the original Orme firm, was re-
elected director.
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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March 10, 1928
PRESTO-TIMES
KREITER
The Leading and Most Popular
Pianos and Players
Grands, Players, Uprights and
Reproducing Pianos
The Results of Over Forty Years'
of Experience.
Kreiter Pianos Cover the Entire Line
and no Piano Dealer who trie* these in-
struments would supplant them by any
others. A trial will convince.
Kreiter Mfg. Co., Inc.
310-312 W, Water St., Milwaukee, Wis.
Factory: Marinette, Wis.
E. Leins Piano Co.
Makers of Pianos and
Player Pianos That Are
Established L e a d e r s
Correspondence from Reliable
Dealers Invited
Factory and Offices, 304 W. 42nd St
NEW YORK
The Heppe, Marcellus and Edouard Jules Piano
manufactured by the
HEPPE PIANO COMPANY
are the only pianos In the world with
Three Sounding Boards.
Patented in the United States, Great Britain,
Prance, Germany and Canada.
Liberal arrangements to responsible agents only.
Main Office. 1117 Chestnut St.
PHILADELPHIA, PA.
The LEADING LINE
WEAVER PIANOS
Qrand*, Uprights and Pleyen
Finest and most artistic
piano in design, tone and
construction that can be
made.
YORK PIANOS
Uprlfhta ard Player Pianos
A high grade piano of great
value and with charming tone quality.
Livingston PUnos— Uprifhts and Playar Planoi
A popular r»iauo at a popular price.
Ovor 70.00b instruments made by thu company are line-
ing their own praises in all parts of the civilised world.
Write 1 oi catalogues and state on what terms you would
like to deal, and we will make you a proposition it yon are
located in open territory.
WEAVER PIANO CO.. Inc.
Faetery: TORK. » V
Established 1870
CHRISTMAN
UPRIGHTS, GRANDS, PLAYERS
AND REPRODUCING PIANOS
THE FAMOUS "STUDIO GRAND"
"The First Touch Tells"
(Rog. U. S. Pat Off.)
The Original Horr.e of Studio Pianos,
Upright, Players and Grands.
CHRISTMAN PIANO CO., Inc.
597 East 137th Street,
NEW YORK
Urquhart, president of the American Piano Company,
in discussing the new policy said in part:
Discusses Policy.
'The plan has been decided upon after careful
consideration and exhaustive examination of the dealer
structure throughout the country. It has been ap-
with complete confidence that the measure
Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago Are proached
is one which will greatly advance our business,
Cities Particularly Affected by the
through the larger opportunity it provides for greater
and more profitable sales volume for our dealers. The
Working Out of Represen-
lively enthusiasm for the new project shown by rep-
tation Plans.
resentatives from many widely separated sections of
Three cities in particular, Los Angeles, San Fran- the country, who have been here for consultation, in-
cisco and Chicago stand out prominently as topics creases our own conviction that the plan provides for
for a wide range of comment on the changes and the most successful merchandising of our products.
"In almost every instance the dealers chosen to
transfers of agencies of the American Piano Com-
pany's line of pianos. Three of the pianos manufac- market our instruments are those who have repre-
tured and controlled hy this great concern, the Chick- sented us for many years in larger cities. There are a
ering, the, Knabe and the Mason & Hamlin are the few, however, for which the dealer has not yet been
agencies most involved: the Haines Bros., the J. & C. determined and there are several in the smaller com-
Fischer, Foster-Armstrong, Marshall & Wendell, do munities yet to be appointed."
From New York.
not count to any great extent, but the loss of the
Knabe to the Fitzgerald Music Co. and of the Mason
Further particulars concerning the "Workings" of
& Hamlin to the Wiley B. Allen Co. in Los Angeles the American Piano Co. is contained in a telegram
will, we would suppose, be keenly felt by them.
from Xew York to the Los Angeles daily press which,
in part, is as follows:
Los Angeles Changes.
"Inauguration of a national sales policy is designed
The Southern California Music House, Los Ange- to simplify handling of the piano products, cut costs
les, which has had the Chickering for many years in three of the major makes and drop more than a
and during that time spent hundreds of thou- thousand dealers throughout the United States is
sands of dollars in advertising and general publicity announced by officials of the American Piano Com-
promotion of that instrument throughout Southern pany, Fifth avenue and 52nd street, Xew York city.
California, now.has control of the Baldwin piano, and
"Under the new policy, inaugurated by the con-
with the entire Baldwin line in its territory, a fact
which easily minimizes any loss the company may solidation of the agencies for the Knabe, the Chick-
feel by reason of the passing of the Chickering from ering and the Mason & Hamlin pianos under the ex-
clusive handling by the Platt Music Company of Los
its hands.
Angeles, one dealer in each of the important music
In the Wiley B. Allen Co. of Los Angeles perhaps centers of the United States will handle all three of
important changes may take place soon: in fact, it these makes of pianos.
has been said that the Sherman, Clay & Co. deal for
"Tt was estimated by Berthold Neuer, vice-president
the.Wiley B, Allen stores in San Francisco and other of the American Piano Company, that there are now
Northern California points may finally include the more than 1,500 individual dealers handling these
absorption of the Los Angeles house, or possibly a makes of pianos, and that there will be approximately
combination of two Los Angeles houses with the 500 dealers handling them when the proposed
great Pacific Coast house of Sherman, Clay & Co. changes have been completed."
Dispatches to Presto-Times have also intimated as
In this telegram Mr. Neuer is reported to have said:
much.
"We are sure that when this plan has been completed
The Wiley B. Allen Co. at Los Angeles is the rep- and the consolidation of the agencies effected, there
resentative of The Cable Co.'s line there which in- will be such a material cut in the costs of handling
cludes the Conover and thus gives the house a re- our products that these three major grades of pianos
markable instrument standing in the front rank of can each be sold at a cost below that which at present
pianos.
obtains.
"This change in policy also affects the Ampico
The Fitzgerald Company has the Mehlin and the
reproducing piano, heretofore handled in the same
Behr Bros, on which it has had a very good trade.
threefold manner. By this means we hope to increase
In San Francisco.
our own profit, and at the same time make more pos-
With the American Piano Co. line in the hands of
sible national enjoyment of works by such composers
Kohler & Chase at San Francisco, as formally an- as Rachmaninoff, Rosenthal, Godowsky and Orloff,
nounced last week, there does not seem to be so much all of whom are Ampico artists.
interest in agency changes as in Southern California.
"As an example of the speed and celerity with
which the changes are being made, we have already
In Chicago.
In Chicago rumor has followed rumor as to the closed the contract with the Platt Music Company of
probable opening of a western branch of the Ameri- Los Angeles, and have several others ready for imme-
can Piano Co. in that city. These rumors have had it diate confirmation."
that a building had already been secured in "Piano
BUYS OUT HIS PARTNER.
Row" on Wabash avenue. Two buildings now occu-
pied by piano houses are among the "already selected"
Eugene Shalk, partner of Ralph Eliaser in the
locations.
Modern Music House and School of Music, at 34
The Bissell-Weisert Co. has on its floors at 26 South Golden Gate avenue, San Francisco, has bought out
Michigan avenue a great array of Chickering pianos, the interests of Mr. Eliaser. who is now devoting his
which instrument has been its leader practically entire time to teaching. Mr. Shalk was formerly
from the start of the business of the firm. Probably with Barbee's Music Emporium, and is a salesman of
no other house in the west has a more complete stock experience in musical merchandise. The Modern
of Chickerings than is found at the Bissell-Weisert
Music House is essentially a string-fretted instrument
Co. Henry Weisert returned this week from Florida house, and carries a number of lines of banjos, gui-
and (Jeorge J. Dowling. president of The Cable Piano tars, ukuleles and other stringed instruments. The
Co., is expected to reach Chicago today (Saturday)
store also has a sheet music section.
from a three weeks' trip to the Pacific Coast.
Facts From Headquarters.
CHANGE EFFECTS ECONOMY.
Presto-Times correspondent in New York inter-
viewed an official of the American Piano Co. on Ben Platt, as well as George Eppstein, vice-presi-
Wednesday, who said that there was not, at that dent of the Platt Music Co., told the Presto-Times
time, "anything to be announced or given out about correspondent in Los Angeles that the concentration
Chicago, as the matter of Chicago representation is of the Chickering, Knabe and Mason & Hamlin under
under consideration but not ready to be announced." one roof will not cause a "corner" in the music busi-
At this same interview the Presto-Times correspond- ness or in these particular instruments, but will
ent secured the following statement by President effect economy and consequently better service.
George Urquhart, the new distributing and merchan-
dising policy which the American Piano Co.'s Board
INTERESTS BALDWIN DEALERS.
of Directors has recently adopted and which is now
Notwithstanding the arrangements for Baldwin
being put in effect throughout the country:
representation by the Southern California Music Co..
The new plan brings the complete line of the com- Mr. Griffith of the wholesale department of the Bald-
pany's instruments under the control of a single win Piano Co. states that country dealers in many
dealer in a territory, who will feature the Mason & parts of Southern California can be supplied from
Hamlin, the Knabe, and the Chickering, together with headquarters with pianos.
the J. & C. Fischer and pianos of the Foster-Arm-
strong line completely covering the whole range of
PIANO FOR MRS. FORD.
prices and marketable styles. The Franchise, of
The T. L. Hudson Music Store, Detroit, Mich., re-
course, includes the Ampico.
ports the sale of two of the small Kohler & Camp-
Arrangements in pursuance of the new plan have bell " B " scale pianos to Mrs. Henry Ford, wife of
already been concluded in several cities, the first being the motor magnate. So compact and co'orful are
the appointment of Kohler & Chase as sole distribu- these tiny instruments that they may be carried easily
tor for San Francisco, announced last week. George
in one of the new Ford models.
AGENCY CHANGES OF
AMERICAN PIANO CO.
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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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