Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1929 2236

October 1, 1929
P R E S T O-T I M E S
Ed. Eysell, the veneer expert with C. L. Willey,
Chicago, has just returned from a successful southern
trip.
Mr. Jas. M. Starr, vice-president of the piano com-
(From The Presto, September 27, 1894.)
pany that bears his name, celebrated his seventieth
E. W. Furbush, of the Briggs Piano Company, was birthday last week.
expected to reach Chicago last evening.
Mr. Edwin P. Carpenter has arrived in Paris and
Frank A. Lee, of The John Church Company, Cin- is stopping at the Hotel Des Deux Mondes.—Paris
cinnati, is at Petoskey, Mich., where he is seeking edition New York "Herald," September 8.
surcease from business cares for a few days.
The Harmony Company, manufacturers of musical
A. G. Cone, of the W. W. Kimball Company, is instruments at 285 North Green street, Chicago, will
taking a holiday at Colorado Springs. E. S. Conway remove on October 1 to 173 South Canal street.
Mr. Reinhard Kochman, traveling representative
has returned from Chattanooga, Tenn., where he was
of Hardman, Peck & Co., is on the road for his house
attending the conclave of Odd Fellows.
The passing of the fortieth anniversary of P. J. and is finding the business prospect more hopeful.
Business with the Bush & Gerts piano is brisk,
Healy's connection with the music trade has drawn
attention to others who have been at work in the every day bringing increased orders from agents and
fame field longer than the average business life. Mr. inquiries as to territory. Mr. Will Bush says that if
Healy is still comparatively a young man and there collections were better there could be nothing at all
are many who hsve been in the trade much longer to complain of this fall.
Mr. D. D. Luxton, who has been connected with
than he, but who can lay claim to the place of patri-
arch-in-chief in this direction? Where is the member the Julius N. Brown Company, this city, for some
of the trade who has been in it longer than the rest? time, will hereafter represent the Colby piano on the
road, with headquarters at Erie. Mr. Luxton is a
It would be interesting to know.
Mr. Decker, Jr., of Decker & Son, dropped into highly successful salesman and will undoubtedly
The Presto office on Monday on his way eastward make as good a record in his new position.
from a three weeks' trip among the agents of his
(From The Presto, October 4, 1894.)
popular piano.
The last of Chicago's music trade wanderers in for-
It would be interesting to know what proportion of
the music business is done by houses outside the eign lands to turn their backs on European joys and
regular trade. Of late years the growth of the "de- seek the safe haven of home are those two deacons,
partment store" idea has doubtless absorbed no little Camp and Kimball. Deacon Kimball starts for home
part of the business which legitimately belongs to tomorrow, and in due time will shed the light of his
the sheet music dealers, and the introduction of low- countenance on "his boys" who have been doing so
priced music publications has aided in the general nobly in his absence. With these two stalwart sup-
demoralization of that branch of the trade. Nor is ports of the trade (and church) safely home, we can
this encroachment confined to sheet music; in a few feel that every one of the fold will be accounted for.
instances it has even touched the piano trade, in some
The editorial matter in the "Courier's" trade de-
cites, where installment furniture houses have added partment appears to have descended to a series of
pianos to their lines.
paid paragraphs of the puff-ball order. However, we
Mr. J. P. Simmons, of Louisville, Ky., who is in are not sure but that this is an improvement on the
the city this week, informs us that his business so old style.
far this month has been better than in the entire
Wm. Brooks, a piano workman at Oregon, 111.,
months of July and August.
while working a buzz saw one day last week lost the
Mr. R. A. Rodesch, of Dixon, 111., was in Chicago second and third fingers of his right hand and badly
yesterday and tells us that his business is steadily injured the others. The old rule not to monkey with
improving in Dixon. Mr. Rodesch may make a the buzz saw should not be forgotten.
change of considerable importance soon.
Mr. Reichenbach, of Oregon, 111., will probably
It is the same with all of the enterprising manu- open a branch house in Byron, 111.
facturers. All along the line the cheerful cry of busi-
Reports came to us that the parlor grand piano
ness revival is heard. Mr. George P. Bent reports recently completed by the Pease Piano Company is
that never before was the demand for "Crowns" so something above the ordinary and an instrument of
urgent as now. Last month was the busiest August which they may well be proud. The new instrument
Mr. Bent has known, and his only trouble now is to (the scale of which was drawn in the Pease factory)
supply the demand.
is described as very handsome in appearance, has
Referring to the item in a recent issue of The a beautiful tone and is in every way a superior
Presto about the new factories of the Starr Piano instrument.
Company at Richmond, Ind., it should be said that
Mr. E. P. Hawkins, a well-known music trade man,
the buildings are not yet sufficiently along toward has sailed for England to look after an estate belong-
completion to make a good illustration of them pos- ing to his family.
sible. A second story is now being added to the
Pcrter & Son, of Lima, Ohio, are handling a fine
building devoted to the finishing and tone-regulating line of pianos, including Steinway, Weber, Steck,
departments, and an entire new structure will soon Gildemeister & Kroeger, Everett, Kurtzmann and
be erected for the exclusive production of the "Pull- Schaeffer.
man" piano, also a product of the Starr Piano Com-
W. B. Wilson, traveling representative of Messrs.
pany.
Wm. Tonk & Bro., is having a successful trip for his
With enterprise as commendable as the results were house in the South. At last reports he was in New
faulty, our eastern music trade contemporaries told Orleans.
of the celebration by Mr. P. J. Healy of the fortieth
Mr. L. Osborn, who has been for thirteen years
anniversary of his connection with the music trade. past connected with the Moline Pipe Organ Com-
This was right enough as far as the forty years is pany, has taken a position with Hinners & Albertsen,
concerned, but the celebration did not come off. On at Pekin, 111. He is an expert workman.
the contrary, Mr. Healy, fearing that some demon-
Mr. George Reicbmann, of Sohmer & Co., was
stration might be made to remind him of the passage the recipent of congratulations on Wednesday of last
cf time, hied him to his home at Lake Geneva, and week, for that was his fortieth birthday. His host of
remained there.
friends wish him many happy returns.
Mr. Lucien Wulsin, of D. H. Baldwin & Co., Cin-
F. W. Weber, an expert tuner with the Brambach
cinnati, is expected back from his trip to England Piano Company, Dolgeville, N. Y., was married on
soon.
Saturday to Miss A. Ruek of New York.
THIRTY-FIVE YEARS AGO
PIANO AND RADIO
IN SAME MARKET
Roy S. Dunn, cf the Pacific Coast, Declares
Radio Is Best Sold in
Piano Stores.
Roy S. Dunn. Western sales manager for the radio-
phonograph division of Thomas A. Edison, Inc., has
just completed his quarterly visit to the Western
Edison branches and to the Edison Jobbers on the
west coast. During the six weeks spent on his trip
Mr. Dunn came in contact with numerous piano, radio
and phonograph dealers, whom he found most opti-
mistic regarding the outlook for the coming season.
When interviewed by a Presto-Times correspond-
ent at his western headquarters in Seattle, Mr. Dunn
said:
"1 have talked to many piano men from Seattle to
San Diego. They have experienced a decided uplift
in piano sales this summer. Record sales due to the
increased popularity of the combination and supported
by the ever increasing popularity of the movietone
have doubled, and doubled again. Songs made pop-
ular overnight stimulate the sale of phonograph rec-
ords, and bring additional profit to the music house.
•'One dealer said to me, 'GIVE T H E PIANO
D E P A R T M E N T T H E SUPPORT I T DESERVES
AND ]T W I L L GIVE YOU T H E P R O F I T YOU
EXPECT.' 1 asked what he considered support. His
reply was, 'Support the piano department with items
enjoying quick sale, radio, records, or even electrical
items, anything affording a quick profit to share the
overhead." In looking over his sales records I find
lie sold 37 pianos in August.
"The music house in this country seems to he the
huh of the radio industry, at least the radio market.
Now that radio can be delivered complete in one unit,
the piano man is coming into his own and in many
cities dominates the radio market.
"A great many piano dealers have passed out of the
picture, but don't make any mistake, gentlemen, the
strong music merchant is still very much alive, and
w'.ien he handles radio with the punch he uses on
pianos and still retains his piano enthusiasm he is the
merchant we want to sell the Edison. There is plenty
of room for lifters in the music field today—the lean-
ers are out."
Mr. Dunn had this tip for dealers handling the pop-
ular combination radio-phonographs:
"To dispose of the old phonograph that has been
trailed in on an Edison combination, many dealers
loan the phonograph to some individual on the fol-
lowing contract: The customer buys two records per
week over a period of a year; at the end of the year
the dealer gives the customer the phonograph. This
creates a record buyer, disposes of an old instrument,
and in many cases even a hundred records are pur-
chased. This is far better than allowing the old
trade-in phonograph to rest in the basement and 'ball
up' the inventory.
"I find, too, that instead of demonstrating records
on phonographs the dealer is demonstrating through
the use of a radio-phonograph combination. The
customer hears the new instrument, and in many
cases a sale is made ''
MORE ORDERS FOR FRANCIS.
E. A Francis, proprietor of the Francis l'iano Co.,
Galesburg, 111., is very proud these days of several
achievements in the way of special sales during the
last couple of weeks. These special sales to promi-
nent people and to institutions, in the face of stiff
competition, have confirmed his often expressed opin-
ion that the piano business is as good as a man will
let it lie.
THE PRESTO BUYERS' GUIDE
PRICES
EDITION OF 1929
Is now ready for distribution
Send your order at once and copies will go
forward by first mail after receipt of order
PRESTO
417 S. DEARBORN ST.
One Copy Potspaid 50c
Three copies postpaid $1.40
Six copies postpaid $2.50
Twelve copies postpaid $4.50
Special prices for larger quantities.
Subscribe for Presto-Times with tbe Buyers' Guide as a
Premium.
Address—
PUBLISHING CO.
CHICAGO, ILL. U. S. A.
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/
P R E S T O-T I M E S
10
BALDWIN PIANO CO.'S RADIO CAMPAIGN
Progressive Dealers Find Baldwin Broadcasts the "Open Sesame to the
Music Teacher and Increased Sales
The tremendous influence of the music teacher in the
purchase of a piano is a proven fact is a declaration by
the Baldwin Piano Company. He or she is in weekly
contact, right in their own homes, with parents who are
anxious to see their children progress musically. If the
old piano which they happen to own is retarding that
progress they are the most open-minded prospects
possible.
And who is the one person to whom they would
naturally turn for advice? Or, even further, what per-
son is in the best position to give them unsolicited
advice? Their child's music teacher.
Baldwin broadcasts have opened the doors of hundreds
of music teachers to those dealers who have seen and
seized the opportunity.
They make personal calls on the teachers to find out
how they like the "At the Baldwin" programs. This
gives the opportunity of pointing out to the teacher how
these programs are creating new pupils for them by
inspiring parents to give their children piano lessons and
instilling in the children themselves the earnest desire to
play. The company says :
"The dealers who have used this method of approach
find teachers everywhere who invite friends and pupils
to hear these programs. And because of the interest,
they have very little trouble in obtaining lists of the
teachers' pupils, who are your livest prospects.
"Cash in on the tremendous opportunity that these
programs afford you. Like other successful dealers, do
these things :
"1. Make personal calls upon music teachers and ask
for any suggestions for improvement of the Baldwin
program.
"2. Tell them how millions of homes are enjoying
a greater appreciation of piano music because of the
'At the Baldwin' programs featuring famous artists
every Sunday.
"3. Show them how in this manner the Baldwin
Piano Company is creating more pupils for them.
"4. Ask them for lists of their pupils so that weekly
programs may be sent them.
"5. Then call at the homes of these pupils and pre-
sent personally the first program.
"6. Urge them to listen in upon the Baldwin program.
"Do these things and you will soon have more music
teachers working for you."
Here Is the Big News.
Starting last February with the original idea of broad-
casting only thirteen weeks, the Baldwin Piano Company
has continued the broadcasts every week and has now
decided to "carry on" throughout the fall and winter.
This decision was reached only after careful investi-
gations proved the unprecedented demand for the pro-
grams by the musical world, general public and
wide-awake dealers.
Starting with Sunday, October 6, the new "At the
Baldwin" winter schedule will go into effect. At 7 :30,
Eastern standard time; 6:30, Central standard time, and
5 :30. Mountain time, these programs with higher priced
artists and more stations will carry their message of
"the piano in the home" to every corner of the United
States.
With improved reception and a greater number of
people at home because of the cooler weather, many
additional thousands will listen in. Says the company:
"And with the fall and Christmas season coming on,
this is the logical time to capitalize on these programs,
to profit by the cumulative interest in them and to make
them pay profits to you in hard cash as they have to
every dealer who has taken the proper advantage of
them."
These Are the Artists.
Richard Buhlig, eminent American pianist with Euro-
pean record.
Faina Petrova, prima donna contralto with Moscow
Grand Opera.
Baldwin Quartet—Victor Edmunds, George Rasely,
Erwyn Mutch, James Davies; Rayol Andrews Merwin,
accompanist.
Sophie Braslau, operatic and concert star, American
contralto.
Richard Bonelli, leading baritone of the Chicago Civic
Opera.
Jacques Thihaud. famous French violinist, who needs
no introduction.
Jose Iturbi, famous Spanish pianist, in the United
States for his first season.
Baldwin String Quartet—Ottakar Cadek, first violin;
Jaroslav Siskovsky, second violin; Vedrich Vaska,
cellist; Ludvik Schwab, violinist.
Chas. Naegele. young American pianist, who has
aroused the criticis to most favorable comments.
Robert Goldsand, renowned young Viennese pianist.
October 1, 1929
"AT THE BALDWIN"
PROGRAMS CONTINUE
Baldwin Responds to Musical World and
Promises Good Music for All Winter.
\n response to enthusiastic demands of the musical
Baldwin Prestige Advanced.
From an article by P. J. Dolan in the September, 1929, world, the general public and wide-awake music dealers,
the Baldwin Piano Company announces that its programs
issue of Piano & Radio Magazine: "As a piece of
business enterprise on the part 'of the Baldwin com- are to be continued throughout the fall and winter. As
pany, the results from the broadcast have, it is believed, the company says:
"Never before in such a short space of time has a
exceeded the most sanguine expectations. With a record
of business progress for over sixty years and with one radio program created such amazing interest and ob-
of the few really great pianos of the world, the House tained such a large following. Never before have the
of Baldwin has advanced its prestige more in this year 'press, musical critics and general public been so unani-
1929 than during any previous ten years in its history. mous in their praise. And never before have such
In fact, these thirty-one weeks of broadcast, following tangible results been obtained by the progressive dealer
the years which the Baldwin has been prominent on the who has realized the possibilities of these programs and
concert platform, have brought this eminent piano into turned them to his own advantage.
"The National Broadcasting Company, whose chain
its own. The opinions of the imposing array of artists
programs originate at WJZ and WEAF, New York
who have chosen the Baldwin are now the opinions of
millions of the lay public. With incredible swiftness, city, has discarded other pianos in favor of the Baldwin
the prestige of the Baldwin with the public has been because of its tone supremacy.
"Editorial comment in the best known newspapers of
placed on a par with its prestige with musicians."
"The cumulative force of this good will has made the the land has continually referred to the 'At the Baldwin'
Baldwin programs golden notes indeed—in terms of real program as the outstanding program of the week. Over
money—for those many dealers who have used the com- seventy-five new progressive dealers have taken on the
plete Baldwin merchandising and canvass plan and so Baldwin because of the popular demand for it.
"Hundreds of letters from music teachers in all parts
identified themselves in their own cities as The Baldwin
of the country verify the increased interest in piano
Dealer.
"If you have not as yet followed our suggestion and playing. The leading newspapers in over four hundred
thus obtained the full benefits of these programs, we cities weekly feature the 'At the Baldwin' programs and
urge you for your own prosperity to read this entire artists, both editorially and with pictures.
pamphlet carefully. Then follow its advice."
Here are the stations that will carry the "At the Bald-
win" programs starting October 6, 1929: WJZ, New
York; W r BZA. Boston; WBZ, Springfield; WBAL,
Baltimore; WHAN, Rochester: WJR, Detroit; WLW,
Cincinnati; KYW, Chicago; KWK," St. Louis; WREN, Piano Business Keeping Up, Says President E. R.
Kansas City; KSTP, St. Paul-Minneapolis; WTMJ,
Jacobson, and Going After Radio, Too.
Milwaukee; WHAS, Louisville; WSM, Nashville;
WMC, Memphis; WSB, Atlanta; WSMB, New
E. R. Jacobson, president of the Straube Piano
Orleans; KOA, Denver; KSL, Salt Lake City.
Company, informs a representative of Presto-Times
Cited as Outstanding Work.
the August business of the company exceeded the
business of 1928 and September will probably run
From the annual report of President C. D. Bond of
the National Piano Manufacturers Association, read at over a year ago. They have been unable many times
the convention held in Chicago the first week in June, to fill orders for certain models of grands and one
1929: "It may not be good policy to single out any or two of their upright styles.
work done by any particular manufacturer, but I cannot
"Although we are pretty well along with the radio
help calling your attention to the wonderful piece of
manufacturing business and have many orders on our
publicity offered to the people of America in behalf of
books for the Straube radio," said Mr. Jacobson,
the piano by the Baldwin Piano Company in their half
hour on the radio called 'At the Baldwin.' This not only
helps the Baldwin Piano Company, but I feel sure that
it helps every piano man in the country because the
publicity was designed to show the value of the piano
in the home, and the Baldwin Piano Company surely
deserves our thanks for an outstanding piece of work
done during the past year."
Heard on September 22.
Another internationally known musician was pre-
sented "At the Baldwin" Sunday, September 22, when
Hans Ebell, the pianist, was the featured artist. The
program was presented over WJZ and associated NBC
stations. The Baldwin Singers assisted.
STRAUBE BUSINESS
IS INCREASING
M. SCHULZ COMPANY
MAKING MANY FRIENDS
Nothing to Complain About on That Score,
According to F. J. Sheldon of
the Office.
"We are keeping busy now as fall approaches,"
said F. J. Sheldon of the M. Schulz Company to a
Presto-Times representative last week. "Our busi-
ness in grand pianos has been keeping us humping
lately, and they are coming through very fine and
satisfactory."
A call was then made at the factory where the truth
of Mr. Sheldon's statements was more than verified.
Not that the reporter doubted Mr. Sheldon for a
moment, but the factory was right on the way and
its humming sounded so much like old times in the
piano business that he could not resist the tempta-
tion to go in.
PROMOTES POLISH SEA FLIGHT.
A Chicago dealer, P. R. Bushinski, 5441 Ashland
avenue, has the honor of being treasurer of the citi-
zen's committee that is financing the proposed flight
of the Caproni plane, "Polonia," from Poland to Chi-
cago, next spring; $50,000 is being collected. As
promoter of the enterprise, Mr. Buchinski has another
opportunity to display the organizing ability that has
made his business keep pace with the growth of
southwest Chicago.
R. n. JAOORSON.
"nevertheless Straube piano business is the main-
spring and the business on which our hearts are set.
However, we are glad to get radio business and pre-
sume we are getting our share, but we are fighting
good and strong for all the first-class piano business
that can be brought our way.
"To us the piano business in general for the com-
ing several months looks quite favorable and for the
Straube Piano Company I am frank to say it looks
more favorable than a year ago."
HENRY FAHN'S SON WILL WED.
On October 12, Walter Fahn, son of Henry Fahn,
secretary and general manager of Perfection Furni-
ture Co., Chicago, will take a bride. Miss Helen
O'Leary. The ceremony will be held at the bride's
home at Elgin, 111.
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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