Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1928 2173

Page 4 Text:

PRESTO-TIMES
ESTEY PIANO CORP.
IS ORGANIZED
Fine Old Instrument Taken Out of Welte
Company Is Restored to Former Status
as an Independent Unit Under Most
Promising Conditions.
THE PERSONNEL
New Organization Headed by B. K. Settergren, Prac-
tical Piano Maker, Who Has W. C. Hess and
Bennett E. Fox as Associates.
The following telegram, dated New York city
March 19, 1928, has been received from the Estey
Piano Corp.:
TELEGRAM.
Estey Grand manufacturing restored to former
status as independent business using original scales,
patterns and Period models four feet eleven, also five
business, independent of association with the repro-
ducing action and pipe organ business.
Estey Piano Standing.
In other words, the fine old Estey piano, restored
to its rightful position of independence and prom-
inence, will be the medium of expanded manufacturing
and merchandising operations. As ample capital is
provided, the financial standing of "Estey" is un-
questionable.
The new address of the Estey Piano Corporation,
with authorized capital of $250,000, is 127 West 43rd
street, New York city.
According to the statement of Mr. Settergren, the
new corporation will immediately begin the manu-
facture of Estey pianos and the effort w 7 ill be to
restore the fine old Estey piano to its old position of
prominence in the American piano field. The new
corporation will be a medium of merchandising, as
well as of manufacturing, and the ample capital an-
nounced assures proper exploitation of the product.
The Estey piano, which was established in 1845, has
been associated with a high standard of quality and
has won a splendid reputation with the public and
the trade. For many years it has been handled by
representative dealers who appreciate the merits of
a wide line of uprights and grands.
Mr. Settergren, who will head the new corporation,
is widely known throughout the piano industry as a
practical piano maker, and will personally supervise
the manufacture and marketing of the Estey Piano
Corporation's products.
Mr. Hess is also well known in the industry, and
for many years was vice-president and general man-
ager of the American Piano Supply Co., New York.
He is noted for his abilities in organization and his
general knowledge of the industry will help to develop
the new corporation along ambitious lines.
Mr. Fox has been for many years a familiar figure
in the piano industry. He is remarkable for his sales
ability and has the advantage of a wide acquaintance
among the retail piano trade.
THE PACKARD PIANO CO'S
SALES PROMOTION PLAN
Progressive Fort Wayne Industry Gives An-
other Evidence of Its Activity in Making
Piano Lessons More Popular.
The Packard Piano Co., Ft. Wayne, Ind., last
week staged another of its piano promotion recitals at
Columbus City, Ind., at which over seven hundred
adults heard the performances of the children on the
Packard pianos. The new Curtis system of group
piano instruction as taught in the Columbus schools
by Miss Mildred Balow r of the Packard Piano Co.,
B. K. SETTERGREX.
was demonstrated.
feet two and six feet.. Estey name one of oldest.
In talking of the system and Miss Balow's efforts,
Only one Estey dealer in each city regardless of size. C. E. Beck, superintendent of schools, said:
If interested in agency telegraph our expense. Our
"The work of Miss Mildred Balow in her giving
office 127 West 43rd street, New York.
of group instruction in piano has been a revelation
ESTEY PIANO CORP.
to the parents whose children have had the privilege
The Estey piano manufacturing business has been of taking the class work. The children have been
taken out of the Welte Company and restored to its interested and are enthusiastic about the work.
"They have been able to transpose, to compose
former status as an independent unit, manufacturing
original melodies and have an appreciation of music
that usually comes with only years of study and
experience."
Results in Sales.
"We have made several sales from each recital
and a goodly number of real prospects," said F. V.
Kelly of the sales department of the Packard Piano
Co. "Nnt only that, but it has materially assisted us
in making collections and in increasing in some in-
stances as high as 25 per cent our other depart-
ments, such as Victor records, sheet music and musi-
cal merchandise in general.
"After twenty-five years of experience in piano mer-
chandising there has never come anything under my
personal observation that comes within anywheres
near to equal the music lesson idea. We feel, and
in fact we are in a position to prove that we have it
developed to a point where we really can say that
we know what we can expect up to as high as 80
per cent of what sales will be made in a given
territor\r.
A Comparison.
"Under the old method of giving the lessons over
a period of eleven months, the average sale ran in the
neighborhood gross of $300. Under the Packard
system in twenty-one days in February we did 50
per cent as much business gross with an average price
W. C. HESS.
of $520 for each instrument, as we had previously
and selling Estey pianos with, of course, the old-time done in eleven months with but 20 per cent of the
Estey scales, patterns and quality.
expense on the ratio of month against month. Fur-
This has been accomplished by the outright pur- ther, our cash and quality paper was 60 per cent
chase of the Estey unit, including the full line of
better than the eleven months previous."
original Period models, with the good-will, equip-
ment, scales, patterns, etc., by a group of experienced
piano men headed by 15. K. Settergren, W. C. Hess
Hoffman's Music Co. has been established at 26
and Bennett E. Fox.
North Main street, Miami, Okla., with a complete
This assures sound expansion of the Estey piano line of musical instruments.
March 24, 1928
Hardman, Yeck & Co.
make
a Fine Piano
for every pocketbook
All exquisite instruments
offering unique tone beauty
and durability. All made
and g u a r a n t e e d by t h e
makers of the Hardman, the
world's most durable piano.
Your choice of models priced
to consumers from $375 to
$5000.
55 Years of Fine Piano Making
of pianos
Made and guaranteed by
Hardman, Peck<&fCa
433 Fifth Avenue, New York
Fine Pianos
Makers oj the world's most
durable piano—the Hardman
Schumann
PIANOS and PLAYER PIANOS
GRANDS and UPRIGHTS
Have no superiors in appearance, tone
power or other essentials of strictly
leaders in the trade.
Warning to Infringers
Pfano- Q
This Trade Mark Is cast
In the plate and also ap-
pears upon the fall board
of all genuine Schumann
Pianos, and all Infrlngers
will be prosecuted. Beware
of Imitations such as Schu-
mann & Company, Schu-
mann 4k Son, and also
Shuman, as all stencil
shops, dealers and users of
pianos bearing a name in
Imitation of the name
Schumann with the Inten-
tion of deceiving the public
will be prosecuted to the
fullest extent of the law.
New Catalogue on Request.
Schumann Piano Co.
W. N. VAN MATRE, President
Rockford, 111.
W. P. Haines & Co.
Manufacturers or
BRADBURY. WEBSTER
and
W. P. HAINES & CO.
Grand, Upright and Reproducing
Pianos
138th Street and Walton Avenue
NEW YORK
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 5 Text:

PRESTO-TIMES
March 24, 1928
Announcing a New Grand
Heppelwhite.
Mums
The New Packard Grand—
Hepfc&lwhite Model, Style R
4 ft. 7 in. long. Mahogany.
Bench, to match.
by a 7{ealSalesPlan/
1928 is the year of opportunity for Packard dealers. The Packard organization, old
in reputation but youthful in spirit, has kept in contact with dealers' problems in a
way that is enabling Packard to produce new designs in Packard instruments that
will sell most readily and to supply the selling assistance dealers need.
1 he Heppelwhite Grand shown at the right is the newest Packard value—a splendid
instrument in an exquisite case at a surprisingly low price. It's true Packard quality
in every line with the rich full rounded tone Packard Grands are noted for. Get the
Packard plan behind you—get Packard values on your floors. Write us now!
THE PACKARD PIANO COMPANY
3335 Packard Avenue
Fort Wayne, Indiana
CHANGING THE PIANO MAPS
Chickeriug, Marshall-Wendell and Brewster instru-
ments.
The National Piano Co. is now offering the stock,
together with other stock, at substantial reductions for
quick disposal. The attractive price concession at
which the National was able to purchase the entire
stock was due to the desire of the Hamilton Company
In Indianapolis, Louisville, Cincinnati and Bal- to dispose of its entire stock of pianos, so as to be
able to formally open its new line of business after
timore Changes in Agencies Affect the
April 1. The National is one of the most active piano
Chickering, Knabe, and Other Pianos—
concerns in this city.
Placing of the Instruments in Chicago
In Chicago.
Yet Unannounced.
Interest in the disposition of the American Piano
Company's lines in Chicago is naturally deep, a feel-
Who will represent the American Piano Company
line in Indianapolis is still a question, with rumors ing evoked both by the importance of the instru-
coining so thick and fast that it seems impossible to ments involved and the identity of the houses which
trace their origin. The two companies representing have carried them for many years. One fact seems
the line in Indianapolis at present have no informa- to be accepted—the grouping of all the pianos of
tion to offer, but there is no question but what the the American Piano Company, with one distributor,
with one possible exception, at least for some months
matter will be settled in the very near future.
to come.
Louisville and Cincinnati.
Talk of the location of the American Piano Com-
In Louisville the Stewart Dry Goods Company pany's lines in Chicago is mostly conjectural and
will have the entire line in Louisville, Ky., and nothing of an official character in that respect was
George P. Gross will be the Cincinnati, O., repre- given out this week. But Presto-Times is assured by
sentative. It is said that the representatives of the its New York correspondent that full particulars
American Piano Company will carry only that com- about the plans for the American Piano Company's
pany's line and this would mean that some very pop- line will be forthcoming possibly next week, or at
ular lines will find themselves - homeless in the three least at an early date.
cities. This is not yet confirmed, but it would seem
Of the buildings that have been spoken about, the
very likely that any house carrying the complete line
two
used and occupied by music houses, cannot
manufactured by the American Piano Company would
have little room for any other make of pianos. The probably be secured. At least not unless the occu-
situation, regardless of what happens, will change the pants can replace them with suitable building for
their business. One that may be considered as a
entire situation in the three cities.
probability—the Brentano-McClurg building—seems
The Mason & Hamlin.
to be favored by the American Piano Company. But
In Indianapolis the Mason & Hamlin piano is very this property having been purchased by the present
well known, and can be found in some of the very owner from the McClurg estate about two years ago,
best homes in the city. The instrument, which has a profit of a good size is a natural expectation.
been sold there for the past twenty-five years needs
no introduction, but will require salesmen of ability
to sell it.|
The same can be said of the Knabe piano, which
has long been a favorite instrument, and for many
Paul B. Klugh, vice-president and general manager
years was sold by the Starr Piano Company. The of the Zenith Radio Corporation of Chicago, who has
Chickering & Sons piano has been sold in Indianapolis just returned from an extended tour on the Pacific
for at least fifty years and has many admirers, and Coast, makes some observations of interest to the
can be .found in many public gathering places. In music and radio trades this week:
fact, many Chickering & Sons square pianos are still
"While music dealers are just becoming seriously
in 'use there. No matter what change takes place interested in radio in eastern United States, I find on
the three instruments will require a very high grade the Pacific Coast the largest radio outlets are through
sales force to put them over as they should be.
the music trade. Most of the piano dealers inter-
In Baltimore.
viewed were strong believers in the eventual come-
The National Piano Co., 322-24 North Howard back of the straight piano, but the consensus of opin-
ion was that while one may speculate upon the re-
street, Baltimore, Md., has purchased the entire stock
of upright and playerpianos of the Chickering Ware- vival of the piano business, there is no need for such
rooms, under which name the Hamilton Co., large speculation in connection with radio."
local retailers of pianos, has been trading at 309 North
REOPENS MUSIC STORE,
Charles street. As already noted in these pages, the
Hamilton Co. is retiring from the piano business,
C. V. Jones has returned to Philadelphia, Miss.,
April 1, and will continue its retail activities as a talk-
from Canton, Ohio, and reopened the Junius-Hart
ing machine and radio store. The company was ex- Piano House. The new location of the business is in
clusive retail distributor in the Baltimore territorv of
the Rush building just south of the Benwalt Hotel.
AMERICAN PIANO CO.
LINES SHIFTED
PAUL B. KLUGH RETURNS
INDIANAPOLIS, IND.,
MUSIC TRADE NEWS
Music Merchants Meet This Week to Complete
Plans for Music Week—Steinway Piano
in Mme. Yolando Mero's Notable
Concerts—Other News.
On Friday evening, March 23, at 8 o'clock, the
Indianapolis music merchants will meet at the Starr
Piano Company's warerooms to perfect the program
for Music Week, which decision was reached at to-
day's meeting held in the library of the Indianapolis
Board of Trade. At the meeting today the officers
for the coming year were elected as follows: Presi-
dent, H. G. Hook; first vice-president, Frank A.
Davis; second vice-president, A. L. Rapp; secretary,
L. H. McPheeters; treasurer, William Christena; ex-
ecutive committee, Ira Williams, Albert Saring and
C. O. Herdman.
Baldwin Featured at Birthday Party.
The Baldwin concert grand is being featured at the
birthday party of Charlie Davis, leader of the orches-
tra at the Indiana Theater all this week. Mr. Davis
appears in person at the Baldwin concert grand,
which is being given an unusual amount of good pub-
licity. Davis is what is known as a matinee idol and
his appearance at the piano is drawing big houses at
the Indiana, where several Baldwin instruments are
in use.
Concerts Featuring the Steinway & Sons.
During the past week hte Steinway concert grand
has been used at several well attended concerts in
which Mme. Yolando Mero appeared at the Acad-
emy of Music before a large and appreciative audience
on Sunday. The instrument was also used at a re-
cital given at Caleb Mills Hall by the pupils of the
Shortridge High School on last Wednesday evening.
Kimball Company Changes.
Ray Coverdill, manager of the Kimball Piano Com-
pany, announces some changes in the local ware-
rooms, which will be remodeled and redecorated.
About 50 feet additional floor space will be added to
the ground floor, which will give the company an
alley entrance for loading and unloading, and a bal-
cony will be built over the shipping room where the
office will be housed in a space about 15 feet deep
and the width of the store. The basement will be
finished and floored the full length of the store,
where new and used instrument rooms will be con-
structed, with sound proof walls. The phonograph
and record department will also be housed in the
basement, and will be reached by an elaborate stair-
way from the front of the store.
Mr. Coverdill reports the sale of one of the Louis
the XVI Kimball grands to the Seventh Christian
Church. The instrument is giving the congregation
complete satisfaction, according to a letter received
from the minister of the church.
Clifford Bros., Inc., has taken over the music store
conducted by I. G. Boyce at 502 Main street, Win-
sted, Conn.
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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