Presto

Issue: 1928 2188

July 7, 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.
Editor
F R A N K D. A B B O T T
- - - - - - - - -
(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 , " Chicaflo.
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 in 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 of 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, JULY 7, 1928.
The last form of Presto-Times goes to press
at 11 a. m. Thursday. Any news transpiring
after that hour cannot be expected in the cur-
rent issue. Nothing received at the office that
is not strictly news of importance can have
attention after 9 a. m. on Thursday. If they
concern the interests of manufacturers or
dealers such items will appear the week follow-
ing. Copy for advertising designed for the
current issue must reach the office not later
than Wednesday noon of each week.
IGNORING USED PIANO
In the energizing of piano selling, advising
sales manager's talks to salesmen include quite
a number of important "Dont's." Among them
is the admonition to discourage too much con-
sideration of the customer's old piano. Indeed,
it has become a rule among the most pro-
gressive salesmen to frankly ignore all con-
sideration of the old piano in recognition for
the sale of a new one.
Apart from the greater tonal merits of the
new instruments there is the element of mod-
ernity in the design of the latter as well as
decorative treatment to fit the artistic charac-
ter of rooms. The modernization of homes in
accordance with period schemes involves the
purchase of something suitably artistic. The
cheerful decorative schemes also call for
brightly treated piano cases. The salesman
who presents these considerations in appeals
to the prospects can politely set aside the sug-
gestion of a trade-in value in the antique.
But in ignoring the claims of the prospects
for impossible values in their old instruments,
the salesman has to battle the accumulation of
precedents from the earliest days of the piano
business. For too long the antiquity value of
the used pianos has been admitted and even
exaggerated by the trade, to easily eliminate
its consideration in sales. But the ridiculous
values put upon the used piano by customers
can be discounted to the extent of ignoring
any compensatory value.
The advice to dealers of one holding com-
pany in the automobile industry to discourage
the trading in of old cars is viewed favorably
musician was treated simply as the appearance
of a great person and audiences were made up
of curious folk who were more desirous of
seeing the celebrity than of hearing his art,
today the assemblages are more interested in
the music offered than in the individual
artists.
* * *
Speaking on "How to Improve Sales," Mr.
LESSON IN CONVENTION
R. J. Langley, recently elected vice-president
The recent trade convention in the Hotel of the British Music Trades Association, stated
Commodore, New York, had all the elements a fact and admonished a reproof when he said:
of a successful meeting—constructive criticism, "Half the music trade today is scratching
discussion, suggestion to prompt thought and around trying to prevent the other half from
encourage action in all the activities as well as getting on with it. The energy that is spent
the element of sociability which humanizes in blowing-off about people, if applied to sales
relations and renders men more sane. It was organization, would quickly revolutionize the
not an end in itself but an event marking pre- industry. The music industry has never pro-
paredness for new efforts in an admittedly duced a wiser policy than that of the Federa-
tion when it decided to devote its greatest
new day.
Such conventions tend to make people in effort to improve the teaching of music in out
the music trade observant of the true condi- schools, yet less than 40 per cent of the piano
tions detrimental or helpful to their business. trade are giving their whole-hearted support to
Their advantages to the man who lives "in a that work. If we fail to convert that latent
shell of obscurity" are obvious. What he hears desire of the child to produce a noise into a
and sees throughout the days of the conven- positive desire for the musical noise of a piano,
tion makes him distinguish between facts and and an ultimate desire in the resultant adult to
imaginings. Just listening puts him wise to possess a piano, then we deserve to be
himself; new thought prompts a more effective straffed."
course of action.
'WAY BACK IN PRESTO
The convention in itself was the result of
organization and in that way showed the neces-
(From Presto, July 9, 1890.)
sities of cooperation in anything of a promo-
Few pianofortes warerooms are more elegantly ap-
tional nature. In official speeches and resolu- pointed or better fitted up for daily business con-
tions ; in spirited unofficial talks it was made venience than those of Mr. Louis Dederick, manager
clear that increased sales were urgent require- of the Chicago house of the estate of the Albert
branch in this city.
ments. And it was also made clear that sales Weber
Mr. Platt Gibbs of the Chicago Music Company
today are more the results of personal perform- will, it now seems, get located in his new store this
ance than ever before. But today the dealer's month. He has spent several thousands of dollars
arrange the premises.
outside encouragements are many. Well or- to Mr.
Chas. Jacob of the firm of Jacob Bros., New
ganized promotional plans provide a back- York, was a visitor to Chicago during the past week.
ground for his advertising and his personal Mr. Jacob is one of the brightest and most enter-
prising pianoforte manufacturers in the trade.. Mr.
appeals. Showing the dealers and salesmen Jacob
having become interested in the Mathushek &
these accompaniments of opportunity was a Son Piano Co., his energy and ability have helped
most enlightening feature of the convention. to the rejuvenation of that concern.
Adam Schaaf has moved into his store—the ground
But also impressed was the fact that the aids floor—276
West Madison street. He has a handsome
did not automatically result in sales, but were place of business and a fine line of goods.
Clayton F. Summy has offered to furnish sheet
effective plus head work and leg work.
by some piano sales managers. "Why not
retain the old car to use for a lot of purposes
which would mar the duco freshness of the
new one," is a suggestion that fits the piano
trade. Keeping the old pianos for use in the
children's playroom at least would keep them
out of circulation.
The influence of American "jazz" music in
foreign countries on the sale of American-
made musical instruments has been very pro-
nounced, and it is conceded that vast increase
in the exports of American instruments asso-
ciated with jazz music, is significant of a popu-
lar demand for that type of music. During
the calendar year 1922 shipments of band in-
struments from here to England were valued
at $3,514 and after a consistent increase each
year the shipments in 1925 amounted to $121,-
034. Owing to the great strike, shipments fell
off in 1926. But the shipments for 1927 were
bigger than those for any previous year.
* * *
Tn spite of the itinerant jazz bands, the num-
ber of "jazz acts" in vaudeville and the usual
character of the music of the small town mo-
tion picture theaters, the people in the smaller
places are becoming more and more appreci-
ative of good music. The interesting fact,
which concerns the music dealer, is the im-
proved attitude of the people should have
a helpful influence on such activities as the
National Piano Promotion Plan sponsored by
the National Piano Manufacturers' Associa-
tion. The new expression in music matters in
the smaller places was an interesting change,
is generally agreed. Whereas in the past a
concert or recital by some famous singer or
music free of charge to pupils who receive the fifteen
free scholarships issued by the Chicago Musical Col-
lege to talented and deserving pupils.
Absolutely thirty-a-day and nothing less is the
Story & Clark output in July for their organs. All
high grade, too!
Paul G. Mehlin, Jr., returned to New York on
Wednesday last from a business trip West and re-
ports trade as being in an excellent condition, con-
sidering the season; sales of the M E H L I N piano are
very lage, the late combination having given it a great
boom.
On the 30th of last month the partnership exist-
ing between Wilson K. Smith, Henry W. Crawford,
Joseph G. Ebersole and J. Llwellyn Smith, under the
firm name of Smith & Nixon, was dissolved by mutual
consent.
Should the Kimball skyscraper go up on the Wa-
bash and Jackson street site, Presto proposes to take
time by tne forelock and herewith congratulates not
only the W. W. Kimball Co., but the heavens as well.
Following is a list of letters relating to musical
interest received at the Chicago postoffice that have
been advertised during the present month: Central
Music Co., Wm. Tonk & Bro., Bradt & Shipman,
Brophy Bros., Burrows Bros., Sterling & Co., Wilcox
& White, Central Music Co., Chase Piano Rooms,
Hitchcock & McCargo.
There is also mail for the Chicago Theatrical Out-
fitting Co. and for the Crown Machine Co., which
latter should probably go to Geo. P. Bent, manufac-
turere of the Crown sewing machine as well as the
Crown pianos and Crown organs.
Mr. Henry L. Mason had a proposition for the
consideration of M. T. N. A. at Detroit this year. It
was for the establishment of a Mason & Hamlin
award to composers in connection with or under the
auspices of the Mason & Hamlin Organ & Piano Co.
The Postmaster at Lamed, Kans., says briefly that
the reason the late firm of Clemens & Stitt of that
place do not receive the Presto is because they left
between two days; address unknown."
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/
July 7, 1928
PRESTO-TIMES
HARDMAN GRAND PRIZE
IN PLAYING CONTEST
Fitzgerald Music Company, Los Angeles,
Holds Fourth Annual Piano Playing
Event Won by 14-Year-Old Boy.
The fourth Fitzgerald Music Company's Piano Stu-
dents' Contest, held each year, with a magnificent
Hardman Parlor Grand Piano awarded to the win-
ner, was recently held at the Philharmonic Audito-
rium recently. The winner was Everard Stovall, a
boy 14 years of age, of Santa Ana. For the past
right idea about work. The exuberance and joy of
youth, the vigor, initiative, imagination and judgment
of men and women are given impulse through heaven-
born motive.
"It is essential at times to bow the neck as does
the beast and to explode our utmost of muscular
energy in the accomplishment of that which is right
and needful, but it will be well for us to remember
that it is heavenly attributes and godly qualities which
influence right thought into dynamic action."
JUDGE ORDERS SALE
OF H. C. BAY STORE
Letter to Creditors of H. C. Bay Company
Mailed by Attorneys Tell Plans
of Committee.
The affairs of the H. C. Bay Company's Chicago
store came up this week before Judge Carpenter and a
sale at public auction was ordered, to be announced
later.
The auctioneers guaranteed that the sale would
bring not less than $16,000.
Follansbee, Shorey & Schupp, Chicago, under date
Go-Pony, a Plaything That Interests Children,
of June 29, has addressed the following letter to the
Suggested as Effective Method of
creditors of the H. C. Bay Company:
Advertising.
"Dear Sirs: Your committee, appointed at the
meeting held in Chicago on May 29, begs leave to
A circular sent out to the dealers last week, de- report that it became apparent almost immediately
scribed the "Go-Pony," which develops the children that it would be more convenient to administer the
as they play. "Mr. Piano Dealer, Meet Mr. Go- estate in this city and, consequently, the primary
Pony," says Iwantokno, the clever little house organ jurisdiction of the case has been transferred from
of the Schumann Piano Co., Rockford, 111.
Fort Wayne to this city and Mr. Fred E. Hummel
"Let me put you wise to a peach of a new stunt. is now acting as receiver and Mr. Will M. Frazee
Here's the dope briefly. The Schumann Piano Com- as ancillary receiver in Indiana. We have been in
pany will tell you more by letter. Better get in touch constant touch with these gentlemen, who have
shown a willingness to act, as far as possible, in
with them."
The enclosed circular tells you about the Go- accordance with our advice.
Pony. Here's its history and the story of what we
"You have received a notice of the sale of the
have to offer you:
assets in Chicago. After this has been accomplished
Moving picture theatres are constantly on the
lookout for new ways and means of boosting their the overhead here, such as rent, insurance, clerical
attendance. When the president of a well-known hire, etc., will be eliminated.
"Examinations of some of the officers of the bank-
film company saw the Go-Pony he conceived the
idea that here was the basis for an ideal matinee rupt company have been held on three days so far,
attraction.
but nothing definite has been uncovered as yet. Due
His inspiration took form in the following man- to the fact that Mr. Bay is in a sanitarium at Battle
ner. Public announcement was made through hand- Creek, his examination has not as yet been had, but
bills, newspapers, and on the screen. On certain it is expected that it will be, either here or there, soon.
afternoons of each week children attending perform-
"The receivers plan to ship from Bluffton pianos to
ances were invited to come up on the stage and
take part in a Go-Pony race; competing among rill contracts heretofore made and other orders now
themselves for the Go-Pony prize which was of- on hand. They do not plan to manufacture beyond
fered to the lucky winner.
that point, at least at the present time.
So much enthusiasm was aroused that the popu-
"It is expected that the Court will call a formal
larity of the attraction and the appeal of the toy meeting of the creditors in about two weeks, at which
itself spread rapidly. Today Go-Pony races are time a trustee will be elected. We will attend in
DECLARING THE WINNER.
being held in all of the leading theatres throughout order that your interests may be fully represented.
the United States.
"Enclosed herewith, you w T ill find a blank proof of
four years young Stovall has studied with Earl
Ushers have been literally pestered with inquiries
claim, with return envelope, which we ask you to
Fraser, a well known piano teacher of Santa Ana from attending parents as to where they might buy
Go-Ponies for their children who were not fortunate execute and return, making sure that the power of
and Los Angeles.
to win one in the race. Until recently, how- attorney is signed. These should be returned as
At the conclusion of the contest the judges, includ- enough
ever, the Go-Pony has not been put on sale.
soon as possible, in order that we may attend to
ing Modest Altschuler, orchestral conductor; Gage
We saw the Go-Pony and felt that, in addition
the proper filing of them. If your claim is based
Christopher, choral conductor; Frank H. Colby,
to its profitable sales appeal, why wouldn't a race
editor and publisher of the Pacific Coast musician; or at least an attractive window display bring a lot upon notes or other written instruments, those orig-
Susan M. Dorsey, superintendent of Los Angeles of people into a Music Store where no admission inal papers should be attached. If an open account,
schools; Kathryn E. Stone, superintendent of music is charged? It was tried out in our retail store here an itemized statement showing dates of shipments
should likewise be attached.
of the elementary schools of Los Angeles, and Pat- at Rockford. The result was so encouraging, both
"Melvin L. Gibbard, 137 South La Salle street, Chi-
terson Greene, music critic of the Los Angeles Ex- from the standpoint of a profitable business enjoyed
the sale of Go-Ponies and the piano deals cago, secretary of committee; Alfred L. Smith, C. D.
aminer, declared Everard Stovall the winner in the from
that followed from the people it brought into the
Morgan, T. B. Coppock, Hal P. Shearer, W. S.
contest, which was marked by a very high character store, that we were further inspired to obtain the
Cheney, H. C. Johnston, Mitchell D. Follansbee,
of playing.
exclusive national sales distribution of the Go-Pony.
chairman."
We
made
a
deal
and
are
now
in
a
position
to
Before making the formal presentation of the piano
to young Stovall, James Taber Fitzgerald, president offer Music Dealers all over the country an oppor-
NEW BALTIMORE FIRM.
of the Fitzgerald Music Company, in addressing all tunity to cash in, on the sale of this novel toy.
of the young men and young women who worked
The Lexington Music Shop, Inc., Baltimore, Md.,
A NEW SOUSA MARCH.
during the year with the hope of winning this prize,
is a new corporation which has entered the musical
said by way of encouragement to the students:
A new march has been composed by Lieutenant instrument field of the Baltimore market. The cor-
"The seed of right endeavor never fails to find lodg- Commander John Philip Sousa in observance of his poration has been capitalized for $20,000, consisting
ment in prolific soil. Music is a real human need. fiftieth year as a conductor. It is entitled "The of 2,000 shares of stock having a par value of $10.
What we need is ours but we must go after it in no Golden Jubilee March" and will be played in Atlantic The incorporators are Walter V. Jackson, Louis B.
uncertain or half-hearted manner. A lukewarm atti- City for the first time during his engagement with Bernei and Carrie M. Brightman. The headquarters
and offices of the concern are in the Calvert Building.
tude toward our work is never consistent with the his band at the Steel Pier this summer.
SCHUMANN PIANO CO\S
NEW AID FOR DEALERS
BOWEN PIANO LOADER HELPS SAI
Outside Salesmen must be equipped so as to "show the goods." The season for country piano selling is approaching. Help your sales-
men by furnishing them with the New Bowen Piano Loader, which serves as a wareroom far from the store. It is the only safe
delivery system for dealers, either in city or country. It costs little. Write for particulars.
BOWEN PIANO LOADER CO.,
Winston-Salem, N. C.
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/

Download Page 8: PDF File | Image

Download Page 9 PDF File | Image

Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).

Pro Tip: You can flip pages on the issue easily by using the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard.