Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1928 2184

Page 8 Text:

June 9, 1928
PRESTO-TIMES
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.
F R A N K D. A B B O T T
- - - - - - - - -
Editor
(C. A. D A N I ELL—1904-1927.)
J. FERGUS O ' R Y A N
- - - - -
Managing Editor
Telephones, Local and Long Distance, Harrison 0234.
Private Phones to all Departments. Cable Address (Com-
mercial Cable Co.'s Code), " P R E S T O , " Chicago.
music dealers of the diked States will com-
bine with the one object in view of selling
everything that will make the home more at-
tractive, the/ will educate the people to an
appreciation of what the home really is. When
the public is filled with such an appreciation,
the piano will again come into its own," was
the firm belief voiced bv Mr. Clav.
SOLACING THOUGHTS
One encouraging fact impressed on their
Entered as second-class matter Jan. 29, 1896, at the
hearers by convention speakers was that ap-
Post Office, Chicago, 111., under Act of March 3, 1879.
Subscription, $2 a year; 6 months, $1.25; Foreign, $4. preciation, interest and understanding; of music
Payable in advance. No extra charge in United States
in this country is increasing at a remarkable
possessions, Cuba and Mexico. Rates for advertising on
application.
rate. America is demanding not onlv more
Items of news and other matter are solicited and if of
general interest to the music trade will be paid for at music but better music. Indications every-
space rates. Usually piano merchants or salesmen in the
where are that music is taking its proper place
smaller cities are the best occasional correspondents, and
their assistance is invited.
with other educational subjects in the schools
Payment is not accepted for matter printed in the edi- and that piano class instruction in the schools
torial or news columns of Presto-Times.
Where half-tones are made the actual cost of produc- is becoming more of a rule than an exception.
tion will be charged if of commercial character or other
than strictly news interest.
So in considering the topic of sales depres-
When electrotypes are sent for publication it is re-
quested that their subjects and senders be carefully indi- sion a corrective to discouragement is that
cated.
musical appreciation in the last ten years has
Forms close at noon on Thursday. Late news matter
made more progress than in the preceding-
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 twenty and that it has made greater strides in
should be in hand by Tuesday noon preceding publication
day. Want advertisements for current week, to insure the last five years than in the preceding ten
classification, should be in by Wednesday noon.
years. In view of such undeniable facts the
Address all communications for the editorial or business
departments to PRESTO PUBLISHING CO., 417 South decrease in piano sales does not arise from a
Dearborn Street, Chicago, III.
lack of musical appreciation and understand-
ing in the American people.
SATURDAY, JUNE 9. 1928.
Rut a question officially and unofficially dis-
The last form of Presto-Times goes to press cussed during the convention this week was
at 11 a. m. Thursday. Any news transpiring what sources of music has adversely affected
after that hour cannot be expected in the cur- the demand for pianos? Has radio, the new
rent issue. Nothing received at the office that phonograph, increased interest in bands and
is not strictly news of importance can have
attention after 9 a. m. on Thursday. If they orchestras adversely affected consumer de-
concern the interests of manufacturers or mand for pianos? It was generally admitted
dealers such items will appear the week follow- that no single force is more important in the
ing. Copy for advertising designed for the realm of music today than the radio, and
current issue must reach the office not later man} dealers were free to admit that interest
in radio was directly the cause of a decrease in
their piano sales.
MR. CLAY'S ENLIGHTENING TALK
But there was solace in the belief expressed
by
a few that radio will enlarge the potential
The address of Mr. Philip T. Clay before the
Xational Association of Music Merchants dur- market of every music merchant because it
ing' the annual convention this week was en- daily increases the number of those interested
lightening' and applied to conditions in a par- in music. Instead of being a sinister influence
ticular way. in that the theme was suggested radio was pointed out as the ally of the piano
by the query which Mr. Clay says he finds merchant and that the piano man who sees it
rather a n n o y i n g 1 y frequent these days : otherwise has an inferiority complex.
"What's the matter with the music business?"
In his enlightening report to members, Mr.
He stated convincingly that "there's nothing
the matter with the music business any more Roy S. Hibschman, president of the Musical
than there is with any other business." The Supply Association of America said, in dis-
trouble in the majority of cases, he said, is with cussing piano trade conditions, that "We have
had too many merchandisers and not enough
the men at the head of the businesses.
The man who asks a question that raises piano nieti." He did not think it necessary to
doubt as to the profitable character of the draw any fine distinctions between the two,
music business, cites a case against himself. but he intimated they were well understood
It suggests his inability to understand his own when he added: "Manufacturers and dealers
position. Both manufacturers and dealers are are seeing a new light and, as a result, con-
found in that category, according to Mr. Clay. structive methods of presenting the piano to
The manufacturer who is forced to make the the public are being put into effect."
* * *
prices of his product too high because of a
crushing overhead is naturally detrimental to
Speaking before a convention of music mer-
retail trade in that he decreases the competi- chants in Philadelphia recently, Mr. Paul B.
tive power of his retailers.
Klugh frankly stated a trade fact that sug-
The music trade is not necessarily wrong gested a disappointment in expected results.
because some dealers and manufacturers are He said that fully six years ago the Zenith
blind to changed conditions in music goods de- Radio Corporation decided that music mer-
mands. "What's the matter with the music chants provided the proper outlet for radio
business?" is a natural question with the piano selling. This decision seemed to be well
dealer who is unable to differentiate between founded because music merchants were estab-
the obsolete methods of piano presentation and lished as sellers of high-grade musical prod-
"proper approach" essential today. Mr. Clav ucts going into the home. A strenuous effort
said the music store should be an emporium was made, therefore, to interest music dealers
for the sale of home entertainment. Jt is a in radio, but the results were meager. "We
necessitv arising' from the competition be- encountered, among music merchants, the
tween the home and the out-of-doors. "If feeling that radio was an interloper which
would interfere with the piano and phono-
graph business." he said. "After a persistent
effort to make progress with music merchants,
we were forced to abandon the idea and to
seek outlets which were in sympathy with the
radio business."
* * *
A man may be great while alive and be ac-
corded the rewards of success only after his
death. For the greater part of his lifetime
Schubert owned no piano, but was content to
play his works to a few friends at one of their
houses or at some hospitable "gasthaus." Now
thanks to the enterprise of the Columbia Com-
pany, his Sonata in G Major is performed in
thousands of homes. This sonata is probably
his greatest work for piano solo.
'WAY BACK IN PRESTO
(From issue of Presto of June 5, 1890)
I'nder the caption, "Quite Prosperous, Thank You."
Presto did a little "blowing its own horn" in the fol-
lowing reader and "proof of the pudding."
QUITE PROSPEROUS, THANK YOU!
The above words formed the reply by the editor
to an inquiring friend who wished to know how
Presto is progressing now-a-days. We added that
subscriptions continue to come in freely from all
parts of the country, and handing our friend a copy
of the paper, remarked that in the matter of adver-
tising patronage the paper speaks for itself; that our
advertisers hardly ever think of dropping off; on the
contrary, new support is being gained all the time.
The following are names copied from our subscription
books of new music trade subscribers to Presto received
during the month ending May L\S, IKilO.
A. Denison, Arcade, N. Y.; W. L. Reading, Akron,
Ohio; Lange & Minton, Burlington, La.; New York
Cheap Store, Bisbee, Ariz.; Dubois & Newell, Brad-
ford, Pa ; Dubois & Newell, Lima, Ohio; Brigham
City Music Co., Brigham City, Utah; G. F. Rosche
& Co., 178 State street, Chicago; F. S. Cable, secre-
tary Chicago Cottage Organ Co., Chicago; D. H.
Baldwin & Co., Cincinnati; Thos. Goggan & Bro.,
Galveston, Tex.; Solomon Dill & Co., Kalamazoo,
Mich.; Carl Hoggman, Leavenworth, Kan.; Wm.
Rohlfling & Sons, Milwaukee, Wis.; Max Meyer &
Bro., Omaha, Neb.; Hinners & Albertsen, Pekin, 111 ;
Chas. Whitmore, Plymouth, Ind.; Guernsey Bros.,
Scranton, Pa.; H. M. Dible, Verona, Pa.; Wm.
Vischer & Sons, Wellington, Pa.; Adam Schaaf, 176
West Madison street, Chicago; M. E. Converse, Joliet,
111.; David McKee, with Lyon & Healy, Chicago, 111.;
Ed. C. Smith, with W. W. Kimball Co., Chicago;
Geo. Schleiffarth, with B. Shoninger Co., Chicago;
Geo. Busse, 305 State street, Chicago; Edmund Gram,
Milwaukee, Wis.; Sanders & Stayman, Richmond, Va.;
E. Hunchendorf, Walnut, Iowa; E. A. Wilson & Co.,
Franklin, Pa.; J. Topping & Co., Calais, Me.; W.
P. Hanna, Sharon, Pa.; Alcott & Maynor, Dallas,
Tex.; P. Kramer, Ft. Jennings, Ohio; H. J. Hay-
more, Erie, Pa.
Mathushek & Son, now incorporated as a stock
company under the laws of the state of New York,
have capital and manufacturing facilities largely in-
creased.
Comrade Henry Behning, who has lately arrived
at his boyhood home, Hanover, Germany, will spend
the summer in Europe and reach New York about the
middle of September. Mr. Behning is accompanied
by his wife.
Mr. Edward P. Mason, son of the late Henry
Mason, will succeed his father as president and gen-
eral manager of the Mason & Hamlin Organ Co.
We have received No. 10, Vol. 1, of Peek & Sons'
paper, "The Opera." It is well gotten up typograph-
ically and contains interesting and useful reading
matter.
The well-known excellence of the Hardman, Peck
& Co. pianoforte, having steadily added to its glory
and prestige year by year, now ranks as one of the
leading American pianofortes.
One of the pianofortes, in fact we may say the
one in particular which the W. W. Kimball Co. has
pushed extensively, is the Hallet & Davis. They annu-
ally dispose of a large proportion of the output of
the Hallet & Davis factory in Boston. The excellent
and unique system of selling which characterizes
the Kimball Co. is one of the reasons for their suc-
cess with the Hallet & Davis pianofortes.
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 9 Text:

June 9, 1928
P R E S T 0-T I M E S
WILLIAM F. LAMB
DIES IN CAIRO, ILL.
Prominent Piano Merchant, with Interests in
Other States, Succumbed Suddenly on
Return from Tennessee Visit.
Win. F. Lamb, prominent piano merchant of Cairo,
111., died suddenly at his home, 324J/2 Ninth street,
Cairo, early last week. He and Mrs. Lamb had spent
the week end in Nashville, Tenn., and he was, to all
appearance, in the best of health when they returned.
Mr. Lamb was 53 years old, manager of the J. S.
Lamb T'ian Co., one of the oldest and best known
Cairo business institutions. Formerly he was presi-
dent of the W. F. Lamb Piano Co., Jackson, Tenn.,
Cairo, 111., and Meridian, Miss. He was also con-
nected with the Lamb Piano Co. of Nashville, Tenn.
For many years Mr. Lamb had been a leader and
active participant in civic affairs and was very popular
with his fellow townsfolk. He vftas born in Tennes-
see, and a member of a family prominent in the
history of that state.
Rev. I 1 . E. Mangers, pastor of the First Christian
Church, officiated at the funeral. The body was
shipped to Martin, Tenn., for interment.
Mr. Lamb is survived by his widow, two sons—
R. J. Lamb of Cairo. J. S. Lamb of Dickson, Tenn.—
and a daughter, Mrs. J. R. Joslyn of Cairo, 111. His
father, now in his 98th year, is still living at Puryear,
Tenn. He is also survived by a sister, Mrs. John Mc-
Ncilly of Amarillo, Tex., and the following grand-
children: Billy Joslyn of Cairo, 111., and Margaret
and J. S. Lamb, Jr., of Dickson, Tenn.
LATE NEWS OF THE
TRADE IN INDIANAPOLIS
Pearson Piano Co.'s Sales of Steinway Pianos
Ahead of Last Year—Other Interesting
Facts About Business.
John Pearson of the Pearson Piano Company,
Indianapolis, is rather optimistic over the future piano
business, and believes that the piano business has
passed the critical stage and is now emerging on a
sounder and more profitable basis. In going over re-
ports of a year ago the Pearson Piano Company has
found that its business has increased in both volume
and profit. The branch houses in the manufacturing
towns around Indianapolis are showing a steady in-
crease, and are benig operated on a conservative plan.
The sales of Steinway & Son's instruments are ahead
of last year, and more Steinway pianos are being sold
through the branch house over the state. Several
very good Steinway sales have been made during the
past week, according to the management. During the
conversation with Mr. Pearson he said: "The frame
of mind has a lot to do with the condition of busi-
ness, and it is necessary to keep the salesmen in the
best of spirits to make him successful. Talk good
business and think good business, and the results will
be good business."
Ned Clay, sales manager of the Starr Piano Com-
pany, reports business better and showing a little
more pep. Starr studio pianos are moving in good
shape, and business in the rural districts is very good.
Mr. Clay is rather optimistic over the coming season,
and expects a good business right along. One of
the outstanding features, according to Clay, is the
demand for the better made instruments, which is a
good indication of better conditions in the near future.
The Christena-Teague Piano Company reports the
sale of some Mason & Hamlin pianos. One of the
first instruments sold was a small grand style AA.
Mrs. Hcrrington is very much pleased with the in-
quiries for Mason & Hamlin pianos, and among them
arc some very live prospects.
William Christena returned from New York after
a very short stay, but business prevented him from
being absent very long.
Frank Wilking of the Wilking Music Company says
May was an exceptional month, and while the goal
the company set was not reached, the sale of grand
pianos was very good and all were desirable sales
with good down payments, and short time paper.
Miss Maude Kerr, who is ni charge of the office at
the Wilking Music Company, is spending her vaca-
tion in Albuquerque, N. M., hiking through the
mountains.
Ray Coverdill, manager of the Kimball Piano Com-
pany' store, says that the business is increasing every
month, but nothing other than eternal vigilance is
doing it. Sales today are being made under difficult
conditions," said Mr. Coverdill, "but we are getting
our share of the business through hard work."
Rapp & Lennox now has its line complete as fol-
lows: Charles Frederick Stein, Hazelton Bros., Stulz
& Bauer, and M. Schultz. Business conditions are
improving rapidly, says Mr. Rapp, and prospects are
very promising, and we expect to get our share of the
business. The company have taken on additional
floor space by annexing another room to the south
facing Meridian street.
JESSE FRENCH & SONS
PIANO CO.'S NEW BOOK
Handsome Catalog for Use by Dealers, Pro-
vided with Pocket Containing Advertising
Matter of Great Selling Force.
The new book of the Jesse French & Sons Piano
Co., New Castle, Ind.. is another tasteful addition to
the effective literature of the company. The book,
handsomely printed in red and black, is provided with
a pocket at the end which contains separate pieces
of advertising for the various Jesse French & Sons
styles and for Lagonda pianos in Art and Custom
styles.
The book gives a brief history of the company
from its founding by Jesse French to the present time.
It is splendidly illustrated with a portrait of the
founder and an office interior picture showing H.
Edgar French, president and general manager, and
Jesse F'rench, Jr., sales manager. Other pictures
show views of the factory, incidents in the manufac-
ture of the pianos and other interesting subjects.
The enclosures in the pocket are booklets and fold-
ers giving intimate facts about the popular instru-
ments of the line. The following are included:
"Jesse French & Sons Style A and AA"; "Jesse
French & Sons Styles S and Y"; "Jesse French &
Sons Styles B and BB"; "Jesse FVench & Sons Period
Grands"; "Jesse French & Sons Reproducing Pianos,"
and the booklet about Lagonda pianos.
AMERICAN PIANO CO.'S
EXPORTING BUSINESS
Company Announces That After June 1 That
Phase of Its Business Will Be Handled
by C. A. Richards, Inc.
The American Piano Company. New York, has
notified all its foreign trade that on and after June 1,
1928, all its export business will be handled by C. A.
Richards, Inc., 70 East 45th street, New York City.
C. A. Richards, Inc., was formed on January 1,
1924, with the idea of specializing in the exportation
of American musical instruments along lines different
from those employed by any exporter heretofore, and,
in addition to its handling of the Sonora Phonograph
Company's products, it has also been developing bus-
iness for the Bacon Banjo Company, the II. N. White
Company's King band instruments, and the H. R.
Stewart Co. of Chicago.
C. A. Price, who has been export manager of the
American Piano Company for many years, will be
associated with Mr. Richards in handling this business
and developing it further.
As a result of the increased personnel that this
business will require, Mr. Richards has moved from
100 to 70 East 45th street, Room 3037.
0. R. S. COMPANY MOVES
The Q. R. S. Company, Chicago, makers of music
rolls, cameras, Neon sign tubing, talking machines,
etc., has leased space for an undisclosed term in the
new 333 North Michigan building and moved its
general executive offices from the Kimball building
on June 1. The move was made because of expand-
ing business bringing about a need for larger quarters.
PIANO TRAVELERS'ASS'N
HOLDS ANNUAL ELECTION
Roadmen Give Dinner at National Republican
Club and Elect Atherton B. Furlong
President for New Term.
The election at the annual convention of National
Piano Travelers' Association Monday night resulted
as follows:
Atherton B. Furlong, of Ludwig & Co., president.
Ray Rriggs, formerly of the llriggs Piano Co., first
vice-president.
Henry D. Hewitt, of the M. Schulz Co., Chicago,
second vice-president.
Charles Burtzloff, Chicago representative of the
Kohler Industries, third vice-president.
George Bliss was re-elected treasurer upon the
nomination of William C. Heaton, of the Welte Mig-
non Corp.
Al. Behning was unanimously re-elected secretary.
Two vacancies in the executive committee were
filled by the election of W. B. Williams, of New York,
and Fred Harlow, of Boston.
W. E. Guylee, of Chicago, and C. J. Roberts, of
Baltimore, were made honorary members.
The meeting had been announced as a meeting for
fun, and some of the reports took on a mirthful
character. The ex-presidents were called upon to
state just what years they had served in the capacity
of president and their amusing answers were very
laughable. Among these were Max de Rochemont,
Mr. Keeley, Frank Edgar, E. Paul Hamilton, Pat
Conroy, Edmund Gram, W. D. Wood of Wurlit/.er's,
and Major W. S. Rich, the first president of the
association.
Regrets for inability to attend were read from
George J. Dowling, Sales Manager Jackson and W. F".
Guylee of The Cable Company, Chicago, and from
E. "H. I/hi, of Los Angeles, Calif.
W. B. Williams of the National Council reported
on the availability of a gift of 1,000 acres of land in
Virginia and quite a sum of money in the legacy of
a wealthy man who wanted to provide a home for
the travelers. There were some entailments and
conditions to be complied with, but Mr. Williams
thought that the property could now be secured for
this purpose, and he was putting his best efforts to
get it.
Major Rich, the first president of the association,
said: "I'm very glad I'm here. It is a wonderful
thing to belong to an organization composed of the
character of those here. I feel that while I am no
longer in the piano business, a gladness in renewing
old acquaintances. I have the honor to be the oldest
of the ex-presidents of this association and I'm in no
hurry to lose the job."
A. B. Furlong, president- elect, said that Major
Rich hit the key-note when he said ''comrades." Mr.
Furlong went further—he said "brothers."
The
brotherly spirit he emphasized as an effort to per-
meate the very atmosphere with the encouragement
to make this piano business what we want it to be.
There hsould be help given the dealer, so that a
feeling of goodwill should should remain after the
traveler left the town. "I'll do my very best to make
a worthy president," said Mr. Furlong in conclusion.
Major Rich then made a presentation speech and
presented the badge of honor upon Gordon Laughead,
the retiring president.
Among the other guests and diners were Gordon
Campbell of the Kohler Industries; Dan Fahyan,
Becker Bros, traveler; A. W. Holdgate, Bush & Lane
traveler in New York state and the South; Wallace
Reynolds, secretary of the Auto Pneumatic Action
Company, New York; B. G. Olson, representing the
Starr Piano Co. out of Kansas City; Ben Witlin,
eastern man for the Starr Piano Co., and E. E.
Walters and Ava Poole of the Poole Piano Company.
E. P. MCDONALD WAS T E M P T E D .
OPPORTUNITY FOR SALESMEN.
E. P. McDonald, general western representative of
Jesse French & Sons Piano Company, New Castle.
Ind., was a Chicago visitor Monday and Tuesday of
this week. Mr. McDonald said that he was strongly
tempted to give up taking orders for pianos for a
week or two and go to Wisconsin on a trout-fishing
tr'p, but he finally concluded to let the fishing excur-
sion pass pending the probable acceptance of an invi-
tation extended by one of the Messrs. French to go
to Michigan for big game after the New York con-
vention.
The Waltham Piano Co., 1623 Island avenue, Mil-
waukee, Wis., has launched a vigorous pursuit of
p : ano sales in that state and the results so far arc
very encouraging. The salesmen use the effective
means provided by a Ford car and carrier to bring
the goods to the prospect for a demonstration. The
company could use more salesmen who will be
equipped in the manner described. The remuneration
for salesmen is arranged according to the newly
developed sales plan, which has prodnccd excellent
results.
NEW STRAUBE STRIP.
A BRUNSWICK DIVIDEND.
The Straube Piano Co., Hammond, Ind., has issued
to dealers a very effective window or wall strip.
"Straube. one of the world's finest pianos. Come in
and see the new models. Extended payment plan,"
is the wording. The colors are green and purple.
The Urunswick-Balke-Collender Co., Chicago, an-
nounces that the directors of the company have au-
thorized a dividend of 1-Vj per cent payable July 2,
192 \ on the outstanding preferred stock of this com-
pany, as of record June 20, 1928.
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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