Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1929 2221

Page 7 Text:

PRESTO-TIMES
February 23, 1929
And Another Small Grand
mnm
by a Real Sales P/an/
Style R Grand—4 feet,
7 inches long. Popular
size, beautiful case.
Real Packard Quality.
Finished in mahogany.
AGAIN Packard points the way in increased volume in Grand Piano
•**. sales. The Style R Small Grand, at a particularly low price, offers
Packard dealers unusual sales advantages that can be used to develop
new business. It is in the extremely popular 4 foot 7 inch size but
with all the full rounded tone beauty and volume you expect of Packard
instruments. The mahogany case is splendidly built, beautifully finished.
Get Packard plan behind you—get Packard values on your floors. Write us.
THE PACKARD PIANO COMPANY
3335 Packard Avenue
Fort Wayne, Indiana
PROGRESSIVE TEXAS DEALER
Will A. Watkin Co., in
Dallas, Texas, one of the
most progressive firms in
the south, has a very com-
plete piano department
and a character for selling
fine instruments. Fifteen
thousand square feet of
floor space, embracing first
and second floor and mez-
zanine, with many private
rooms and salons used
for the purpose of demon-
strating pianos and radios.
The double entrance at
207 Elm and 1206 Pacific
streets, provides show win-
dow advantages of a most
desirable kind. A hall for
music teachers and for re-
cital purposes generally,
ANOTHER UNSOLICITED
LAUTER TESTIMONIAL
Owner Declares Piano Bought Thirty Years
Ago Is in Excellent Condition with
Clear, Bell-Like Tone.
One of the pleasant surprises of the manufacturer
is the unsolicitated testimonial for his product. Usu-
ally, too, it is of the kind that recalls a remote event
and because of its historic character assumes a greater
degree of interest. Such a bit of unsolicited testi-
mony was received a few weeks ago by the Lauter-
Humana Company, Newark, N. J., from a Lauter
piano owner in Cleveland, Ohio:
"Gentlemen: I would like to write you a testi-
monial letter in regard to my piano which I have
had for the past thirty years.
"My father gave me this instrument when I was a
little girl to take lessons on. What 1 want to say is
that the beautiful clear bell ringing tone that it had
when given to me is still as clear and beautiful as
ever. I never have had any repairs of any kind on
the instrument outside of having it tuned every so
often. The keys on the keyboard are the same as
ENTRANCE TO THE WILL A. WATKTN STORE
when purchased, white and pretty, not having turned
having seating capacity of two hundred and twenty- member of the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, yellow like on some pianos I have played on. I never
five are included in the building.
have had to replace any parts and the finish is still
and other civic and commercial organizations.
The Will A. Watkin Company was founded forty-
Robert N. Watkin was formerly president of the in excellent condition.
seven years ago in 1882 by its present principal Music Merchants' National Association and is locally
"The piano has been moved a great number of
owner and president, Will A. Watkin. It is not only prominent in clubs, societies and various commercial times up and down stairs and has been subjected to
one of the most interesting music businesses in Dal- associations. Through his activity the firm has re- all kinds of conditions.
las, but has a state-wide reputation as the oldest
"I am very grateful to my father for having bought
cently held art piano expositions, radio shows and
music house in North Texas. When Mr. Watkin
me a Lauter piano, as it is one of the very best
other important affairs.
started the business in Dallas, the town only had
Will A. Watkin Company has always sold the fin- pianos that I have ever played on.
"Yours truly,
10,000 population; it now has 300,000 population. The est pianos and radios possible to seettfi^and promoted
"MRS. P. H. MORSBERG,
present store employs a dozen radio and piano sales- their sale in a high class manner.
"3572 West 105th St.,
men.
Possibly the prominence of Dallas as a music center
"Cleveland, Ohio
A notable influence in general music promotion in
"February 11, 1929."
Dallas and North Texas is found in the recitals in and market center for musical instruments is due to
the successful efforts of Will A. Watkin and the
"P. S.—The Serial Number of my instrument is
the company's music salon and in the bringing of
Will A. Watkin Co. during the past forty-seven years.
19,100."
artists to Dallas by the firm in the nearly half cen-
The officers of the Will A. Watkin Company are:
The records of the Lauter-Hermana Company show
tury of their existence. Practically all of the leading
President, Will A. Watkin; vice-president, A. Rag- that the instrument alluded to is about thirty years
institutions of Dallas are equipped with pianos from
land; secretary, Robert W. Watkin. The directors old.
the Will A. Watkin Company.
Will A. Watkin for years directed the principal are: Will A. Watkin, M. H. Wolfe, Rhodes S. Baker,
E. R. LAUGHEAD CONVALESCING.
choral clubs and singing societies of Dallas. He is a A. Ragland and Robert N. Watkin.
DENVER TUNERS ELECT OFFICERS.
Frances E. Yale was reelected presidtnt of the
Denver Division of the National Association of
Piano Tuners, Inc., at a meeting held recently at
the Knight-Campbell Music Co. Other officers re-
elected were: Albert S. Johnson, vice-president; E.
Wrenard Anderson, secretary; Arnold W. Wadd,
treasurer, and Lawrence De Sorenzo, sergeant-at-
arms.
FEW SUPPORT GOOD MUSIC.
larly. Newark, Ohio, is second, with 6 per cent, and
a number of smaller cities average about 5 per cent.
Great cities like Chicago and New York pull the
national average down. Not over 50,000 persons in
New York out of its 6,000,000 attend concerts regu-
larly, he estimates. Of the great cities, Boston is
perhaps the most genuinely musical.
KRAKAUER BROS/ ELECTION.
At the annual meeting of the stockholders of Kra-
kauer Bros., piano makers, Cypress avenue, 136th and
137th streets, New York, held on February 5, the fol-
lowing officers were elected: A. L. Bretzfelder, presi-
dent; M. K. Bretzfelder, vice-president, and Arthur
Hahn secretarv and treasurer.
George Engles, New York concert and radio man-
ager, says that less than four per cent of the popu-
lation of the United States supports good music. This
is the result of a survey of musical conditions which
he has just completed. He says that La Porte, Ind.,
a city of 15,128 inhabitants, stands first with 9 per
Sherwood F. Ritz, Red Lion, Pa., will open a music
cent, 1,3/5 of its inhabitants attending concerts regu- r.tore at 20 N. Main street this week.
Edward R. Laughead, general traveler fbf-the Wur-
litzer piano factory, is convalescing-^n hfs home at
Toledo, Ohio, after an illness due to a fall on the ice
at Canton, Ohio. The ice cut a hole in Mr.
Laughead's head, causing him to lose a great amount
of blood. His many friends in the piano trade will
be pleased to know that he will be back on the job
within a few weeks.
OPENS PIANO STORE.
A. B. Lee, Alexandria, Ind., who has been engaged
in the real estate business on South Harrison street for
several months, has added a new line to his business,
and will hereafter be the local representative of the
Baldwin Piano Company, keeping a stock of pianos
on hand.
The Greenville Piano Co., Greenville, Ohio, has been
incorporated with a capital of 250 shares of no par
value to operate a music store there.
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 8 Text:

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'RYAN
_ _ _ _ _ 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.
Entered as second-class matter Jan. 29, 1896, at the
Post Office, Chicago, III., 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 commerc?al character or 1 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, S p. m.,
to insure preferred position. Pull page display copy
should be In hand by Tuesday noon preceding publication
day. Want advertisements for current week, to insure
jlassification, 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, FEBRUARY 23, 1929.
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
MECHANICAL THEATER MUSIC
Much dissatisfaction has been expressed
over the substitution of the talking movie for
the silent picture. The feeling expressed in-
cluded the synchronized music accompanying
the screen plays. And It is said, too, that the
theater-going public will, in time, indicate
thumbs down for the "sound" pictures. That
ma}' be true but it does not justify the inac-
tion of those concerned in the making and
selling of. musical instruments.
Some organizations of or related to the mu-
sic goods industry have taken action to mark
the gravity of the theater music situation, but
in a perfunctory way. In time, the public may
express its dissatisfaction with the talking
movie and synchronized mechanical music,
but it might be wise for the interested indus-
tries to. help the public reach a desired de-
cision. Other industries, when threatened by
a detrimental attitude towards their products,
are prompt to make use of deterring propa-
ganda.
Musical people know that the new movie
music, no matter how perfect may be its re-
production, must fall short of artistic excel-
lence. They could be helped in that realization
by the organized action of the music industry.
It is follv to sit supinely by waiting for the
entire people to see what the musically-mind-
ed among them already observe — that the
canned music of the movies is meretricious
and while doing incalculable damage to art
also is hurting the music profession and the
music trade.
It is easy to see the effects on the public
of the dehumanized entertainment; the dis-
placing of musicians, the discouragement of
young talent, restriction in musical art and a
cultural loss of appalling proportions. This
is not a form of the old industrial duel, the
worker fighting the machine in which the
worker always has lost. Synchronized thea-
ter music has few artistic merits, and the
music industry and the music profession
should take effective steps to influence the
theater-going public and theater owners
against its use.
CONGRATULATE LA PORTE, IND.
La Porte. Ind.. is the most musical commu-
nity in the United States, according to a sur-
vey of the support given good music in vari-
ous cities made public last week bv George
Fugles, New York concert manager, Xine
per cent of its population, given by gazeteers
as 15,158. attend concerts regularly, a percent-
age far higher than in Xew York or Chicago.
How much the good music lovers of the
lively Indiana town are influenced by the loca-
tion there of the Hobart M. Cable Piano Co.
is not told by Mr. Engles. But that the tastes
and inclinations of the community are, in a
considerable way, directed by the production
of the means to the making of fine music —
admirably tuneful pianos—is freely acknowl-
edged by LaPorte people.
Another LaPorte factor that, without
doubt, promotes the desire for the harmonies
expressed in good music, is the Polk College
of Piano Tuning, which represents the practi-
cal effort towards achieving a tuneful world.
The piano manufacturers who feature the
period models among their lines really have
much to thank the furniture manufacturers
for in increased interest of the public in period
models and the ability to differentiate between
one and the other. And the dealers and sales-
men in the music trade are in consequence
familiar with the peculiarities of the various
periods and are more effectivelv equipped to
meet customers possessed of the knowledge
of period types and to instruct those who are
not versed in the beautiful forms.
Those interested in radio broadcasting at-
fairs are speculating as to whether any legis-
lation is going to be passed at the present ses-
February 23, 1929
sion of Congress prolonging the life of the
Federal Radio Commission. But many of
those interested people now consider broad-
casting "a legally uncharted science" and see
a growth of dissatisfaction with present wave
allocations. All over the country are stations
dissatisfied with their wave assignments who
are looking towards the courts to change
them. From that it is seen that the Federal
Radio Commission is no longer considered the
sole arbiter of the broadcasting situation.
I he true and artistic period designs elevate
the tone of the piano, but the makeshifts for
period designs are really detrimental. The
plan to simplify production is too often sub-
servient to artistic ambition. Giving a piano
the mere semblance to a period model is fall-
ing short of a purpose. l'iano dealers mav
help the piano promotion plan by encouraging
the purchase of the artistic models put forth
by the ambitious piano manufacturers.
LATE TRADE NEWS
FROM MINNEAPOLIS
Foster & Waldo Vigorously Featuring Chick-
ering Piano in Able Series of Adver-
tisements—Other News.
The Hausncr Music Store in Minneapolis. Minn.,
was robbed of about $20 in cash from the cash regis-
ter while the store Was in darkness for a few minutes.
Albert Hausncr, son of the proprietor, was alone on
duly at the time. He took a man and woman to the
repair department to select a small instrument part
when a motor was started, blowing out a light fuse.
The three then made their way to the front of the
store and arrived just as K. H. White, store manager
entered. He got tile lights turned on, and discovered
that the till h^cKbeen looted.
The Foster it Waldo Piano Company of Minne-
apolis, Minn., is featuring its line of Chickering pianos
in a series of advertisements in the city's dailies.
These delicate advertisements, rather than featuring a
special low price sale, convey an idea of the Chicker-
ing's tone-free principle, its manufacture by a master
of piano-making and its long history. These adver-
t : sements are meant for instructing the public of the
merits of the p'ano and are creating enough interest
to warrant their further exploitation.
TED E. PERKINS TRAVELS.
Ted W. Perkins, popular Wurlitzer Grand Piano
Co.'s traveling man, is leaving on a tr ; p through Ken-
tucky and Missouri, which will be Mr. Perkins" first
trip through this territory for the Wurlitzer company.
PIANO CLASSES FOR CHILDREN
The accompanying cut shows the class in piano
being put on at the Norwegian Lutheran Children's
Home at Edison Park, 111. A Gulbranseu piano used
is seen in the background. The admirable feature of
musical education in the home may be credited to
A. G. Gulbransen, president of the Gulbransen Com-
pany, Chicago, to which we are indebted for the cut.
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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