Presto

PRESTO-TIMES
anticipating' the possible requirements in their
form and finish. Publicity aids of acknowl-
edged potency have been provided by alert
The American Music Trade Weekly
manufacturers who also have prepared sales
Published Every Saturday at 417 South Dearborn campaign plans free for the asking.
These
Street, Chicago, Illinois.
things are their contributions to the intensive
PRESTO P U B L I S H I N G CO., Publishers.
methods required for the solution of the piano
Editor
F R A N K D. A B B O T T
- - - - - - - -
selling problem. The progressive manufac-
(C. A. DAN I ELL—1904-1927.)
turers wisely have acknowledged the existence
Managing Editor
J. FERGUS O'RYAN
of a selling problem and look to the dealers
Telephones, Local and Long Distance, Harrison 0234.
Private Phones to all Departments. Cable Address (Com-
as partners in the job of solving that problem.
mercial Cable Co.'s Code), " P R E S T O , " Chicago.
Entered as second-class matter Jan. 29, 1896, at the Dealers who realize the necessities of the new
Post Office, Chicago, 111., under Act of March 3, 1879.
day in the piano trade are keen to see the ad-
Subscription, $2 a year; 6 months, $1.25; Foreign, $4.
Payable in advance. No extra charge in United ^States vantages the manufacturers provide towards
possessions, Cuba and Mexico. Rates for advertising on
making sales.
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 or 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.
USING THE SLOGAN
February 9, 1929
THIRTY YEARS AGO
(From the Presto, Feb. 9, 1899.)
The London representative of the Chicago Cottage
Organ Co., Mr. Max Samuel, is expected in Chicago
during May next. Mr. Samuel is a member of the
well-known London music house of Barnett & Son.
He will find much to interest him in the great plant
of the Chicago Cottage Organ Co.
A feature of the piano trade at this time is the
aggressive and broadly enterprising policy pursued
by D. H. Baldwin & Co. It is a very common thing
to read of the activity of Baldwin representatives in
the various localities, and it is reported that the big
Cincinnati concern now contemplates opening a
branch house in New York City, from which to sup-
ply their eastern trade.
Aside from the satisfaction always afforded by a
cash dividend there is another result of Mr. Hender-
son's management of the Ann Arbor Organ Co.
which must be gratifying to that concern.
Mr. Frank D. Abbott started last Sunday on an
extended southern trip, during which he will visit
the principal cities in Mexico, Guatemala, Porto Rico
and Cuba. As noted last week, letters for Mr. Ab-
bott's personal attention may be addressed to him
at Monterey, Mexico (care Julio Joseph) until the
15th of this month; after that until the 18th to San
Luis Potosi, and then, up to March 1st, to Mexico
City, care of A. Wagner & Levien, Sues.
Interest in the forthcoming "Buyers' Guide" in-
creases rapidly. Every mail brings comments, sug-
gestions and orders for the book. A notable feature
of this interest is the number of calls for "Buyers'
Guide" that come from foreign countries.
A fine Conover piano was shipped to Hermosillo,
Mexico, last week, by the Chicago Cottage Organ Co.
The Chicago Cottage Organ Co. have made several
shipments of pianos and organs to Mexico of late,
and their business in that country is steadily in-
creasing.
The close of the slogan contest by the
awarding of the $1,000 prize to a western
music teacher, makes the music trade richer
in the possession of a phrase of strong adver-
tising value. "The Richest Child Is Poor
Without Musical Training" is a sentence filled
with the power of suggestion, an element
without which words are mere type.
The new music trade slogan embodies the
voicing of the claims of music itself as well
as the plea of the music trade with music
goods to sell. The slogan is an argument that
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1929.
the real appreciation of music is best created
and
fostered by a knowledge of the teaching
The last form of Presto-Times goes to press
at 11 a. m. Thursday. Any news transpiring by which it is produced. Of course, it follows
T H E PIANO-MAKER'S V A L E N T I N E
after that hour cannot be expected in the cur- that the more performers of music are cre-
With wrinkled brow and worried eye
rent issue. Nothing received at the office that ated, the listeners are increased in equal ratio.
He opened his morning mail,
is not strictly news of importance can have So the new slogan has a double purpose of en-
And though in piles the missives lie
attention after 9 a. m. on Thursday. If they
To cheer him they all fail;
Prom all the letters thin and fat,
concern the interests of manufacturers or couraging the study of music and of encour-
He drew the contents out—
dealers such items will appear the week follow- aging the purchase of musical instruments
The orders, notes, and such as that
ing. Copy for advertising designed for the necessary to its performance.
The trade knows all about.
current issue must reach the office not later
Xow that the music trade is provided with
f:han Wednesday noon of each week.
O. A. Field, St. Louis, is getting his new store
a slogan of great suggestive value, it is up to
on
the opposite side of Olive street, from where for-
all phases of the business to utilize it. The merly
located, in fine condition, and is showing his
UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM public
consciousness is stirred by forceful ap- strong predilection for the Vose pianos by placing
Every business, even that whose commod-
peal. The action of the retailers is obvious. large "Vose" advertising signs both inside and out-
ities have the greatest allurements to pur-
side of the store. His old store is still decorated
In newspaper advertisements, show window with
big "Vose" signs.
chasers, in time is confronted with a selling
strips and interior store posters the slogan
Mr. Henry Gennett, of the Starr piano factory in
problem. Nobody doubts the interest of the
should be made familiar to the public, to in- Richmond, Indiana, is in St. Louis for a few days.
public in the automobile. But even while that
The beautiful new building erected for the New
fluence which it has been provided. Of course,
York warerooms of Wm. Knabe & Co. is completed
interest continues to grow, the necessity for
the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce, and the opening of Knabe Hall will take place on
new selling- schemes is acknowledged by the
in its practical way, will point out to the trade Monday next, February 13.
most successful makers. The whole world
The special export style "Kimball" piano which
the most effective methods of using and prof-
seemingly is a listener-in on radio, but the
goes to Mexico with the Grafton Tour today, has
iting by the new slogan.
been on display in the window at Kimball Hall and
radio trade and the music dealers handling
attracted much attention.
radios are aware of the existence of a radio
St. Paul, Minn.—Conover Music Co., pianos, or-
sales problem.
Indignant radio fans continue to write to gans, etc., will be succeeded by the Cable Piano Co.,
The piano business has been confronted with the broadcasting stations, some condemning manufacturers of pianos, organs, and musical instru-
an acute sales problem for several recent the use of jazz and others the preponderance ments, March 1.
F. G. Smith's new "Bradbury" warerooms in St.
years; an entirely different set of circum- of classical numbers in the programs. The Lou?*!
are fine and business is good. Mr. Harry
stances from those which used to harass deal- fact is the protesting fans lack the tolerance Wunderlich, of the Chicago house, has been assisting
ers and salesmen heretofore comprise that that makes life enjoyable. The radio program Manager Whitakert for two or three weeks past. All
St. Louis music stores seem to be having a satis-
problem. Like all problems, the piano selling is like a newspaper—something for every- the
factory trade.
problem requires understanding for its solu- body. The stock market reports appeal to
The Sheet Music Dealers' Association was formed
tion. But too many piano men do not look for some people; others are indifferent to the at Indianapolis on the 27th of last month, to be known
as the Indianapolis Music Dealers' Association. Mr.
causes even while they fret over effects.
movie chatter, sporting notes or society gos- W.
Rich of Rich & McVey was elected president;
In the automobile and radio industries and sip, and so on. In a newspaper you can take Mr. S.
Geo. A. Turner of Belcher & Turner, vice-pres-
other industries making commodities with an this and leave that unread. It is the same ident; Mr. Frank J. Carlin of Carlin & Lennox,
undoubted appeal to buyers, the scientific and with radio. Even when the announcers get treasurer; Mr. J. W. Keyes of Wulschner & Son,
secretary.
mechanical experts only provide a part of the too smart you can shut them off.
Mr. Jay C. Bartlett, state representative in Indiana
essentials for the success of the companies.
for the W. W. Kimball Company, was in Chicago
* * *
Other essentials are in the publicity, the meth-
yesterday and expressed himself in most cheerful
Piano houses are the most desirable places terms to a Presto representative.
ods of approach to the prospects and the finan-
The fine new factory of the National Musical String
cial, expedients that popularize the deals. And for the sale of radio sets. The class of people Company
at New Brunswick, N. J., was described
who
buy
good
pianos
also
presents
the
most
a highly important essential is the persistent
in detail at the time the company took possession of
it several months ago. Since removing to New Bruns-
activity of the dealers and salesmen, a phase promising prospects for good radio sales.
wick and consolidating their interests under one roof
*
*
*
coming under the head of approach. Without
the National String Company has made great
this activity the selling problem which these
The best way to cure the "bait" and other progress.
industries admit would be more acute.
evils in the trade is to extend the membership
FOR SALE CHEAP.
A three-ply wood-covered piano omnibus and
Piano manufacturers have been commend- of local, state and national trade associations.
trucks; also a good piano and organ wagon. BEN-
ably alert in improving the Instruments and in Sign up the sinners!
JAMIN MUSIC HOUSE, Marshalltown, Iowa.
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