Presto

Issue: 1928 2191

12
I'RESTO-TIM ES
MUSIC INDUSTRY OF
CHICAGO IS THEME
Journal of the Chicago Association of Com-
merce Comments on Huge Business in Mrk-
ing and Selling Music Goods.
"Chicago's Music Industry Is Huge," is the heading
of an interesting and enlightening article in Chicago
Commerce, published by the Ch'cago Association of
Commerce. And the part the pianos made in Chicago
play in the scheme of things is shown by the illus-
tration on the first page—a Midget piano of The
Cable Company, a useful part of the furnishings on a
de luxe train. This is said:
"One of the new contributions to the world of mu-
sical instruments is the Cable midget which is a pat-
ented and copyrighted creation. It is another example
of how Chicago manufacturers are constantly keeping
several paces ahead in the field of musical instruments.
The development of this compact little piano is cause
for first piano style show in Chicago which the Cable
company will hold soon. At this show the midget
will be presented in 36 distinct models involving strik-
ing color schemes and designs.
A Jobbing Center.
"Chicago's supremacy as a jobbing center for reed
organs and pianos goes back more than fifty years."
according to E. B. Bartlett, vice president of the W.
W. Kimball Co., which manufactures grand pianos,
upright pianos, reproducing pianos, pipe organs and
phonographs. This company has a factory at 26th
and Marshall boulevard with twenty-five acres of floor
space.
A. G. Gulbransen.
"A. G. Gulbransen. president, treasurer and founder
of the Gulbransen Company, is recognized as one of
the outstanding successful men of the piano history,
and a keen inventor. He is one of the seven men on
the national promotion committee of the National
Piano Manufacturers' Association.
Story & Clark.
"Another Chicago manufacturing concern which
has done its share to make Chicago known as the
piano city is the Story & Clark Piano Company.
This company makes player, expression, grand, re-
producing and three-way playerpianos. E. H. Story
is president and F. F. Story is vice president of the
company. This house was founded in 1857, has been
continuously in business ever since, and is one of the
oldest in the country.
Raymond Durham Quoted.
"Raymond Durham, of Lyon and Healy, character-
izes Chicago as the 'definite music center' of the mid-
dle west, and rapidly becoming the center for the
United States. In telling of the city's development
and also of the Lyon and Healy's participation in tlr's
development, he said:
" 'Chicago is the second largest center for the man-
ufacture of pianos and the largest individual manu-
facturer of pianos is located in the city.
Stringed Instruments.
" 'Probably seventy-five per cent of the stringed in-
struments produced in the country are produced in
this territory, and the most famous harp in the world,
used in over nine per cent of the leading symphony
orchestras, is produced locally by Lyon and Healy.
In fact, it may be said that Chicago first became
known, musically, through the world wide interest
which came to be mair'fested in this particular Lyon
and Healy product. In the vernacular, it was the
Lyon and Healy harp which put Lyon and Healy
on the musical map.
" 'While there are comparatively few band instru-
ments produced in the city of Chicago, probably more
than eighty-five per cent of the band instruments pro-
duced in this country are manufactured within the im-
mediate Chicago territory.'
William Ludwig.
"From drummer boy in street and parade bands to
one of the largest manufacturers of drums and drum
accessories in the United States is the story behind
one widely known firm, Ludwig & Ludwig.
"This company gives the following information on
the musical instrument business in Chicago:
" 'Chicago has about six large ukulele, guitar, and
other string instrument makers. More ukuleles are
made in Chicago than probably in the rest of the
world. Chicago has, as well, the largest maker of
banjos in the world.'
The Wurlitzer Name.
"Wurlitzer is another name which figures largely in
any discussion of the musical instrument business of
July 28, 1928
PIANO TRADE NEWSLETS
TOLD IN PARAGRAPHLETS
Items of Interest Done Up in Few Lines to
Be Read by Busy Members
at a Glance.
The Pearson Piano Co., Indianapolis, has added a
large and complete Brunswick department to its store
The department will maintain full displays of the
Brunswick Panatropes and Radiolas, and an extensive
stock of Brunswick records.
Preparatory to leaving for Europe recently Edward
B. Marks, of the music firm that bears his name,
signed a ten-year agreement with Red Nichols
whereby the firm secures the exclusive rights to all
of Mr. Nichols' orchestral arrangements during that
time.
The Wilson Music Co., Oshkosh, Wis., recently
observed its fortieth anniversary in business. The
present Wilson Music Co., which was incorporated in
1914, has the following officers: President, E. S.
Wilson; vice-president, Mrs. E. S. Wilson; secretary,
Ralph Wilson; and treasurer, Joseph Wilson.
Chicago. The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company has its
factory in DeKalb but its Chicago office is headquar-
ters for their full line of musical instruments includ-
ing Wurlitzer uprights and reproducing uprights, and
Wurlitzer brass, reed, and string instruments. This
Chicago office also is the headquarters for the central
western sale of pipe organs made for homes, churches,
and theaters.
"This company announces a development in pipe
organ manufacture. Rudolph Wurlitzer, president of
the company, gives it to 'Commerce' in this state-
ment:
" 'We have developed a new Wurlitzer recording
organ which we are shortly launching in Chicago.
This remarkable instrument reproduces the playing of
the great organists faithfully and can also be played
by hand. It will be sold at $6,500.00 and we believe
that at this low price hundreds of them will be sold in
the Chicago territory.' "
SENSATIONAL!
The Autophone
Selection Controlled Phonograph with or without electric amplification.
The greatest achievement in the music industry in recent years brings
to your command all the skill and artistry of the greatest musicians and
all the world's foremost compositions played and sung by famous artists.
Modulated volume control.
The ultimate in music for places where quality is demanded and
patrons discriminate.
WESTERN ELECTRIC PIANO CO.
832-850 BLACKHAWK STREET
CHICAGO
Makers of the famous line of Selectra—selection controlled—Mascot and Derby Pianos
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/
13
PRESTO-TIMES
July 28, 1928
means 'seeing at a distance." Mr. Langley declares,
"On this basis, any method of recreating on the
screen a moving distant scene, simultaneously with
New Interest Aroused in Ukulele and Other Fretted the action itself, is television. The simultaneity is.
however, absolutely essential. A motion picture is a And Rules Governing the Best Operation of
Instruments by Action of National Board.
record of a moving scene and a motion picture in itself
the Music Roll Department Applies
constitutes television except that it lacks the essential
A widespread fostering of the growing interest in element of simultaneity. The transmission over wires
Equally Well to Record Section.
the various fretted instruments is being taken by the and recreation on the screen of a distant moving scene
There can be no orderly operation of a music roll
National Bureau for the Advancement of Music, as a is television. The transmission and reproduction of
result of its study of the educational and recreational a still scene or a still picture is not television and department without some kind of a classification sys-
possibilities of these instruments. Following its study should be called picture transmission whether by wire tem. One devised by an ingenious roll department
manager may serve or one of the schemes prepared
of the available instruction material on the plectrun or by radio,"
by music roll companies may lend itself to the greatest
instruments, the bureau has issued the first of a series
possible enlargement of the roll section. But what-
of pamphlets for use in this work. It is a "Cimplified
OPENS IN DANVILLE, KY.
ever is the plan adopted it will need attention. A sys-
Course in Ukulele Planig," already widely used when
originally issued by the Playground and Recreation
Fred Smith. Danville, Ky., recently opened his new tem of classification is a necessity all the time. Con-
Association of America, and now amplified and re- music store with a complete stock of pianos, other fusion means unpleasantness in sales, trials on the
issued by the bureau.
musical instruments, supplies, etc. The new store is patience of customers, decrease in the turnover and of
A second pamphlet, now in preparation by the in the handsome new Pushiu building on Third street, course a diminution of profits. The rules applying to
the classification of music rolls equally applies to the
bureau, is one on "Fretted Instrument Clubs." This and is up-to-date in every respect.
classification of talking machine records.
will be a guide for the organization of such clubs. Tt
AMERICAN BAND ABROAD.
will also include accounts of existing clubs of this
Helps the Sales Force.
nature. Members of the trade are requested to notify
New world music, much of it more ancient than
Classification is a helpful thing for the sales force in
the bureau at 45 West 45th street, New York city, that of the old word, will be played at the Interna-
as to any such clubs of which they are cognizant.
tional Exposition at Seville. The United States Army addition to its benefits to the stock generally. It edu-
At the unanimous invitation of the American Guild Band will present these programs as part of the cates the salesmen and saleswomen in musical titles
and types of music. And it has been found that clas-
of Mandolinists, Banjoists and Guitarists. Mr. Clark participation of our government in the exposition
sification greatly increases the sales of certain num-
addressed its convention in Hartford, Conn., pointing- which is scheduled to open next March. Many of
bers generally considered slow sellers. But it is cer-
out various ways in which the trade and the profes- the numbers are rare; some of them have never been
sion might cooperate to advance the status of these published before. They have been located here and in tainly a sure cure for overstocking as well as for
instruments.
South America. Capt. William J. Stannard, leader understocking and it creates an inviting effect on cus-
Recreation leaders from twelve states formed a of the band, has arranged thirty complete programs tomers.
ukulele class taught by Mr. Clark at a recreation from more than 400 selections collected from unpub-
In systematizing things in the roll and record de-
school in Washington, D. C., under the auspices of lished music in Latin-American countries. The
partments the dealer really is promoting sales, be-
the Playground and Recreation Association of Amer- United States, as well as other nations, will have an cause he is making buying easier for the customers.
ica. Another similar class, made up of public school official exhibit at the exposition and there will be Often there is created the desire for certain numbers
supervisors, was instructed by Mr. Clark at the sum- private exhibits from manufacturers and commercial
that otherwise would not be called to mind. A classi-
mer session of Teachers' College, Columbia Univer- organizations in the United States.
fied list is a suggestion to the buyers and it makes the
sity. The group learned in less than fifty minutes
selling easier.
to accompany itself in singing songs in three keys
"THE RAIDER EMDEN."
Effect on Customer.
by the use of the "Simplified Course in Ukulele
"The Raider Emden," which was shown last week
Classification lets the customer decide what he
Playing."
for two special performances at Orchestra Hall, Chi- wants or suggests what he might want. Customers
cago, began a limited engagement at The Play- are always better satisfied with selections of their own
TELEVISION EXPLAINED.
house beginning Sunday. July 22.
choosing. A classified system acquaints sales people
Maintaining that the public, not realizing the essen-
This is an official German Admiralty film of the with the actual musical tastes and desires of customers
tial differences and the technical difficulties involved exploits of "the terror of the seas," as the "Emden" and saves time by immediately showing them just
may be easily misled by the loose use of the expres- was called. The Playhouse has recently acked its what they want.
sion, R. H. Langley, a leading radio engineer, explains patrons to suggest some outstanding picture they
Pleasant conditions of trading always makes friends
what television is and what it is not. "Television would like to have revived, and the picture which
received the most votes, "The Dark Angel," with for a store. Classifying the rolls and records works
that way. It stimulates enjoyment in players, repro-
Ronald Colman and Yilma Banky, will also be shown
ducing pianos and new and old type phonographs.
the coming week.
In short, classification is a means to many ends.
CLASSIFYING THE ROLLS
HELPS FRETTED INSTRUMENTS
THE LATEST JESSE
FRENCH PRODUCTIONS
CONVENTION DATE
AUGUST 13 TO 16.
National Association of Piano Tuners, Inc., at the
Hotel Statler, Cleveland, O. Annual convention and
election and important exhibition of piano, players,
reproducing pianos and supplies.
PATHE COMPANY MOVES.
The general offices of the Pathe Phonograph &
Record Corporation and the Perfect Record Company
have been removed to 114 East 32nd street. New
York city. The factory remains at 10 Grand avenue,
Brooklyn.
The LEADING LINE
WEAVER PIANOS
Qrand*. Upright! and Playsra
Finest and most artistic
piano in design, tone and
construction that can be
made.
YORK PIANOS
Upright* and Player Ptanoe
A high grade piano of great
value and with charming tone qualitj.
Livingston PUnoc— Uprltfita and Playar Piano*
A popular piano at a popular price.
'Yesse J
A A/ome (dell
The Heppe, Marcellus and Edouard Jul«» Pimm
manufactured by the
HEPPE PIANO COMPANY
FOLLOW THE TRADITION OF
UNQUESTIONABLE QUALITY
Ovct 70.000 intrament* made by thii company at* *in#>
log their own praise* in all p&rta of the civilised world.
Write for catalogue* and itate on what term* yon woald
like to deal and we will make TOO • proposition u y e s err
located in open territory.
WEAVER PIANO CO.. lot
F.clert: YORK. PA
EltablUhad 187*
are the only pianos In the world with
Three Sounding Boards.
Patented In the United States, Great Britain
France, Germany and Canada.
Liberal arrangement* to responsible agents only
Main Office, 1117 Chestnut St.
PHILADELPHIA. PA.
Coin Operated and Selection Controlled Pianos
MECHANICALLY PERFECT
Music That Pays as It Plays
W E S T E R N ELECTRIC P I A N O CO., 832-850 Blackhawk St., Chicago, III.
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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