Presto

Issue: 1930 2251

October, 1930
P R E S T 0-TI M E S
12
Dollars and Sense in Piano Business
How Leading Houses Attract Trade and Bring in
Business and Dollars
SOHMER.
The Avery Piano Store, 256 Weybosset street, Prov-
idence, R. I., says of the Sohmer pianos: "For more
than half a century the Sohmer piano has enjoyed
international fame for its extraordinary beauty of
tone. Sold exclusively in Rhode Island by Avery
Piano Store."
STEINWAY.
The Birkel Music Co., 446 South Broadway, Los
Angeles, Calif., have this to say of the Steinway
pianos: "The greatest musicians use the Steinway.
All over the world the Steinway is known and loved
by famous musicians. That has been so for more than
three-quarters of a century. And that universal ac-
ceptance is still another reason for the choice of the
Steinway as your piano. There are many models and
prices, each adapted to a special need. Uprights, $950
up; grands, $1,575 up."
Gewehr Piano Co., Inc., 216 Wast 9th street, Wil-
mington, Del., offers "the Steinway Grand pianos,
available in various periods that will harmonize with
every surrounding."
RADIO FOR WINTER CHEER
The accompanying cut shows the method employed
in a full-page advertisement of the Knight-Campbell
Co. of Denver, Colo., to call attention to the Victor,
Atwater Kent, and Stroinberg-Carlson radios. The
question and answer on the cut speak a volume.
IT WILL ee\
FOR ANYONE WITHOUT A ftADlO'f
CAMEL. DO
YOU THINK ,
IT WILL 8£ \
A LONG-, HARD/
BUT KNIGHT-CAMPBELL'S
CAM
PUBLIC IS SHOWING STRONG
PREFERENCE FOR PIANOS
Foster & Waldo, Minneapolis, Show by a Cut How
Music's Pendulum Is Swinging Pianoward.
There are three original, inspirational cuts in the
full pages of advertising of the big firm of Foster &
Waldo of Minneapolis, Minn., in the dailies of that
city. One picture shows a pair of hands at the key-
board and a great curving bridge in the distance, and
the reference in the printed text is to the same pair
of hands, saying: "These hands design great bridges
and they play the piano two hours every day."
The second cut is the one reproduced here in Presto-
Times, showing that the trade pendulum has swung
to the baby grand piano, having passed on the dial
the reed organ, the upright piano, the phonograph
and the radio. The third cut shows a dainty lady at
a keyboard, and this is the story
"No home is home without a piano. Meaning, of
STARR.
The Jenkins Music Co., Kansas City, Mo., and in
its numerous branch stores, is making a special run
on the Starr baby grand pianos, which instrument the
Jenkins company considers one of the outstanding bar-
gains in this special sale.
In offering the latest model Starr baby grand piano,
the Jenkins Music Co., 223' West Main street, Okla-
homa City, Okla., describes the instrument as "a new
Starr Grand of typical superior construction and tonal
qualities."
KNABE.
STftOMftEIUr-CAHLSON
aao.Oj.
MUSIC BOOST AT WICHITA
THROUGH PIANO SALE
Wm. Knabe & Co., Ampico Hall, 584 Fifth avenue
Unusual interest in music was created at Wichita,
at 47th street, New York, in announcing the Knabe
Kan., through a big sale of pianos by the J. W.
Ampico Baby Grand, in Heppelwhite design, have the Jenkins Sons Music Co. The sale which began on
following good words to say of the Ampico: "The
Sept. 5 and closed on September 27, under the man-
Ampico is guaranteed to replace depression with cheer,
agement of C. W. Kanaga, Wichita manager, was
boredom with scintillating good humor and interest—
successful in the number of instruments disposed of
giving you ideal performances of all your favorite
as well as in giving an impetus to the study of music.
music exactly as recorded especially for the Ampico
L T pright pianos and small grands went well.
by the greatest pianists and the finest players of pop-
Mr. Kanaga said he has noticed a growing desire
ular dance music, theme songs, musical comedies and
among many Wichita children for musical education.
revues. Let your children know beautiful music
Several reasons contribute to the increase in music
through the Ampico."
study, according to Mr. Kanaga. One is the radio
STARCK.
which has brought high-class music into many homes
for the first time. It has created a new desire in chil-
The P. A. Starck Piano Co., 1118 Olive street, St.,
dren to know more about music and to acquire a
Louis, Mo., is making a special run on their new little
musical education. The radio also has brought a
grand piano, which, as they say in their advertisements
new and large demand for music artists. These neces-
in the St. Louis papers, takes up very little more
space than an upright piano, 3 feet 9 inches long, 3 sarily must come for the future from the children of
feet 10 inches wide. These instruments are just the today. The field is large and the demand is growing
constantly.
size for small apartments and homes.
"What about our children?'' is a question in every
Of the new model Starck upright the P. A. Starck
home where there are boys and girls, says Mr.
Co. makes this announcement "The very latest in piano
Kanaga. Music is the answer, he says, which Wichita
construction, 3 feet 4 inches wide, 3 feet 5 inches
parents and others are giving to this question. Popu-
high, 1 foot 11 inches deep, built especially for small
lar people of today are the cultured people. Musical
apartments, yet with all the quality and tone volume
of a large piano. This wonderful instrument is the knowledge is real culture.
piano sensation of St. Louis. Nothing like it ever
offered before."
SCHLOSSER EXPRESSES OPTIMISM.
Jacques Bach Schlosser, president of Kranich &
In announcing its new small size grand piano, the
P. A. Starck Piano Co., 228 South Wabash avenue, Bach, New York, says: "The house of Kranich &
Chicago, says: "The very latest in grand piano con- Bach is optimistic and confident of the early resump-
struction—3 feet 10 inches long, 3 feet 8 inches wide, tion of a normal demand for fine pianos."
built especially for small apartments, yet with all the
capacity and tone volume of a large piano."
GETS MASON & HAMLIN AGENCY.
The J. B. Bradford Co., 411 Broadway, Milwaukee,
BALDWIN.
The Southern California Music Co., celebrating its congratulates itself over having secured the repre-
50th anniversary, is proud of its Baldwin representa- sentation in the Wisconsin metropolis of the Mason
& Hamlin pianos of Boston. A fine showing of
tion. Of the Baldwin piano it says "Sylvain Noack,
Mason & Hamlins in period designs is being made
eminent violinist and concert master of the Hollywood
Bowl Orchestra, uses the Baldwin. The fact that at the store.
Sylvain Noack and an impressive array of other great
COMBINED UNDER NEW NAME.
artists use the Baldwin exclusively, is convincing evi-
The Aeolian Co., New York, recently purchased
dence of its supremacy!" And Prof. Noack adds:
"Hearing the Baldwin so often at the Bowl and other and has combined three well known companies into
great musical events, I have grown to love its tone one to be known as the Standard Pneumatic Action
Corporation. They are the Standard Pneumatic
above all others. It is a truly great piano in every
Action Co., the Auto Pneumatic Action Co. and the
respect!"
De Luxe Reproducing Roll Corporation, by means
VOSE.
of which purchases they not only get control of the
The O. K. Houck Piano Co., exclusive Vose repre- player actions mentioned but also secure the Welte
sentatives, Little Rock, Ark., challenge comparison Mignon (Licensee) reproducing action and the Welte
and declare: "If all piano buyers were musicians, the Mignon (Licensee) reproducing roll. The headquar-
qualities of the Vose would greatly increase the sale ters go to Aeolian Hall, New York, and W. A. Men-
for Vose pianos. The exquisite sweetness of tone nie is president of the new corporation, Mr. Mennie
and beauty of design and moderate prices are con- was for several years past the president of the Stand-
tributing factors which would create that demand."
ard Pneumatic Action Co.
divines:, tiht/te
HO) w
Today music lessons are "fun"
They entertain while they instruct.
Children learn pretty melodies al-
most from the beginning. It isn't
work/ it's play. They learn rapidly.
NOTE THIS riCNDULlWl'S POSITION.
course, a baby grand piano. First, because there is
probably nothing else built by man that makes a living
room so 'comfy,' cozy, inviting, livable.
"Always the first thing to catch the feminine eye,
causing a hush of admiration, whispered 'ahs' and
'ohs' of feminine delight. Second, because of the low,
vibrant, ocean-deep tones in the bass register; the
flowing, flute-like middle register; the silvery tinkle
of the upper register—tone not possible with any type
of piano.
"Today, music lessons are 'fun.' They entertain
while they instruct. It isn't work, it's play. Children
learn pretty melodies almost from the beginning.
They learn rapidly.
"Foster & Waldo always provide for the public
what it wants—when it wants it—in musical instru-
ments. The public is showing a strong preference for
pianos. So be it!"
FRANCIS CO. HAS GOOD TRADE.
Despite a spell of not the most rugged health, E.
A. Francis of Galesburg is carrying on in the piano
trade at Galesburg, 111., and has just closed quite a
sale of the instruments. The company recently sold
the fifth piano to the managers of the Weinberg Ar-
cade Roof Garden, as well as at Champaign and
Macomb; a player piano to a school teacher in Mon-
mouth, a piano to the Bethel church, North Cedar
street, and later delivered one for the new pavilion
at Lake Storey.
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
P R E S T O-T I M E S
October, 1930
TRADE_PICKUPS
New Firms, Changes, Incorporations, Personal News, Removals,
Piano Sales, Excerpts from Dealers' Advertisements,
and Other Bits of News
A demonstration of interesting and entertaining
music was given by Harold Eckert at a Rotary Club
luncheon given at Hotel Saranac at Saranac Lake,
New York. Mr. Eckert's demonstrations were made
on one of the new electric-phone instruments of the
Capehart variety, put out by the Capehart Orches-
tropc concern at Fort Wayne, Ind.
Andrew Benson and Harry Shurtleff of the Benson
Music Shop, Chicago, were recently visitors at Syca-
more, 111., with a view to opening a branch store at
that place.
The Van Pickerill Music Co. of Montgomery, Ala.,
is advertising a bankrupt sale, saying that "A Ten
Dollar Bill will deliver one of these fine pianos in
your home—a Knabe, Chickering, Gulbransen, Wur-
litzer. Haddorff or Steinway." The Van Pickerill
Music Co. business is now controlled by the E. E.
Forbes Piano Co., the Montgomery manager of which
is M. W. Parsons.
The Lindsey Piano Co. succeeds the Lindsey-Bach
Piano Co.. located in the Metropolitan Theater build-
ing at Rochester, Minn. The firm under the new
name has been conducting a reorganization and fac-
tory co-operative sale of pianos.
Maplewood, N. J., has a new music store to be
known as the Wilson Music House, owned and man-
aged by George W. Wilson, whose musical interests
are well known in and about Maplewood. The store
will be located, at 165 Maplewood avenue and will be
ready to open next Wednesday. Mr. Wilson was
associated with Lyon & Healy for a number of years.
Tunes Music Co., Innes building, Wichita, Kan.,
offer "a beautiful new Packard Grand piano for $790;
artistic in its tone quality, handsomely finished in
choicest lacquered mahogany—an ideal instrument
for the musician."
United States Music Co., which operates a dozen
or more stores throughout New England had a formal
opening last month at New Bedford, Mass., which
promises to become one of their best branches. The
New Bedford branch, which is located at 718 Pleasant
street, is under the personal supervision and man-
agement of Maurice Feldman, who has a number of
years' experience in the music field.
In making an assignment of the Elite Music Co.,
116 South High street, Columbus, Ohio, Carl S.
Williams, the president of that company, said that the
company had accounts receivable of $29,346.30, but
that assets were "frozen."
Joseph Hagler, who has been associated with vari-
oue radio selling agencies in Danville, 111., during the
last few years, has accepted a position as salesman
for the Smith Music Shoppe, 16 North street, that
city.
The J. P. Boyle Music Co., Magnolia, Ark., has
moved its stock to a home on West Monroe street,
that town, and its salesmen are now working sales
from a truck.
The Wewoka, Qkla., Democrat says that remodel-
ing work to provide for a more expansive display of
musical instruments is under way at Hie Ligon
Music Co.
Again the Crown piano is being advertised—this
time at Los Angeles, Calif., by the May Co., whose
music department is on the fourth floor. It is a baby
grand, in mahogany, with duet bench to match, the
action built by Pratt, Read & Co. of Deep River,
Conn. It has ivory keys; the case is finished in duco
lacquer, and the customer's old piano will be accepted
in exchange as part payment.
Agencies Broadcasting Bureau, Ltd., 502 North
Michigan avenue, Chicago. Capital, 5,000 shares non
par value. To engage in the business of radio adver-
tising and broadcasting. Incorporators: P. O. Palmer,
B. I. Salinger, Jr., H. J. Stanhope. Correspondent:
B. I. Salinger, 333 North Michigan avenue, Chicago.
The Yitaphone Distributing Corporation (New York
corporation); objects, motion pictures and phono-
graph records exchange. Indiana agent, Jacob S.
White, Merchants Bank building, Indianapolis. Cap-
ital stock represented in Indiana, 8.19 shares.
The Charles E. Wells Music Co. of Denver an-
nounces at Leadville, Colo., that Mrs. McMorrow's
Home Furniture Store, 212 East Tenth street, Lead-
ville, is now representing the Wells line of used pianos
and also the popular-priced new line of Gulbransen
upright and grand pianos.
Echophone Distributors, Inc., 553 West Randolph
street, Chicago. Capital, $25,000. Sale and distribu-
tion of radios, toys, hardware and cutlery. Incorpora-
tors: Arthur Watts, Jr., Arthur G. Watts, Robert E.
Mary. Correspondent: Echophone, 553'W. Randolph
street.
R. C. Bishop, well-known piano tuner of Enid,
Okla., states to his customers and the trade that he
is a "graduate of Chicago Conservatory of Piano
Tuning with 30 years of practical experience as tuner
and artisan in shops, factories and homes. The past
£0 years in Oklahoma. Not in the employ of any
concern, consequently can give your interests my
undivided attention."
Marck C. Marks, who has been connected with the
Milner Musical Co., 40 West Sixth street, Cincinnati,
Ohio, for the past eight years, has been advanced
to the position of manager. He is a resident of Cov-
ington, Ky., and is widely known as an athlete.
The Redline Piano Co., Mitchell. S. D., has re-
modeled its store.
Grunewald's, 123 Carondelet street, New Orleans,
purchased outright the pick of the remaining stock of
the Junius Hart Piano House, and made a sale of the
goods.
J. W. Jenkins Sons Music Co., 323 East Dbuglas
street, Wichita, Kan., has just dosed the Jenkins 33rd
annual clearance sale in that city. It was combined
with the "great Aeolian cooperative sale."
Alton S. Mygrant, director of the Chamber of Com-
merce band at Kokomo, Ind., has just opened a band
and orchestra store in West Mulberry street, that city.
The Aeolian Co. of Missouri, W. P. Chrisler presi-
dent, 1004 Olive street, St. Louis, Mo., says it is
specializing in grand pianos noted for dependability
and purity of tone. It heads its list with the Stein-
way.
The Gewehr Piano Co., Inc., 216 West 9th street.
Wilmington, Del., says: "Your choice of a piano is
a reflection of your character."
The new Vogue piano of the Howard B. Morenus
make, LaPorte, Ind., is being introduced at Los An-
geles by the Southern California Music Co., Edward
H. Uhl president, 806 South Broadway.
W. L. Womack has been appointed as a representa-
tive of the Baldwin Piano Co. at Pine Bluff, Ark.,
and is working there in conjunction with the Kahn &
Kahn Co. selling Baldwin pianos.
John Graybill, 82 years old, of Milwaukee, Wis.,
devotes his spare time to making violins, a line of
work he has followed for 65 years.
A "coastwide, storewide prosperity sale" of pianos :
radios, talking machines, band and orchestra instru-
ments is being carried on by Sherman, Clay & Co.,
14th and Clay streets, Oakland, Calif.
H. M. Holmes, the new manager of the Milwaukee
branch of the Baldwin Piano Co. at 434 Broadway,
says that prospects for an autumn and winter piano
trade are encouraging.
The Lauter Piano Co.. 591-593 Broad street, New-
ark. N. J., is announcing the Llewellyn Studio size
upright piano as "just the piano for your newly dec-
orated home." The company is exclusive agent for
the Knabe and the Knabe Ampico in Newark.
In the schedule filed for petition in bankruptcy
Charles L. Wilson, Clinton, Iowa, unsecured debts are
listed at $6,707.55 and assets $250, the assets con-
sisting mainly of household goods which are exempt
from sale for benefit of creditors.
In period grands the Jenkins Music Co., 323 East
Douglas avenue, Wichita, Kan., is giving a special
showing from Vose, Everett, Starr and other old-time
piano makers, hilited mahogany and walnut in duco
with period benches to match.
The Sohmer Piano Co. of New York is having
a two-story building erected for its use on Central
avenue, East Orange, N. J., having taken a lease.
Harry Edward Freund has an interesting article
in the September issue of the School Musician, Chi-
cago, anent music study in the public schools.
"Play square with the customer" is the new slogan
of the Will A. Watkin Piano Co., Dallas, Tex.
Kelley Music Co., 710 Cherry street, Chattanooga,
Teun., Straube piano representative in that section,
has for its motto, "If It's Kelley's, It's Music." The
Kelley house has enjoyed a fairly good season in
pianos and anticipates increased sales during the com-
ing autumn and winter months.
W. G. Magness, "The Piano Man," Forest City,
N. C, sent invitations far and wide for visitors at the
Rutherford County Fair to visit his booth and see
the display of Majestic radios and "a fine line of
pianos."
The Spencer Piano Co., Evanston, 111., is adver-
tising the Krell piano. The Krell product is now a
part o( the Starr Piano Co. line.
Barker Bros, of Los Angeles, at their Hollywood
store, 6834 Hollywood boulevard, are advertising a
"Mason" piano, the "Mason Florentine" grand.
The Hopper & Kelly Co. of 945 Broadway. Ta-
coma. Wash., is advertising a line of Gulbransen
grands and uprights.
Pendleton's Music Store, at Shelby, N. C, give
notice to their trade that their place of business is the
center of musical activities at Shelby. A Rutherford,
N. C, paper says of this house that those who
purchase an instrument from Pendleton's Music Store
have this assurance, that the instrument they buy is
dependable in every way, pure and sweet in tone and
true in scale and register. This concern features Gul-
bransen and Mehlin pianos, Victor and Majestic ra-
dios, and other lines of nationally recognized merit.
Sir Landon Ronald, the famous composer and con-
ducton. London, is to become a director of His Mas-
ter's Voice Gramophone Co. He strongly advocates
the phonograph as a means of musical education.
Austin A. Howard Corporation, 222 West Adams
street, Chicago. Capital, $75,000 common. General
radio business. Incorporators: Austin A. Howard.
Edwin J. Buckley and Charlotte Barthel. Corres-
pondent: John J. Kelly, 100 N. La Grange street.
The P. A. Starck Piano Co.'s St. Louis store at
1018 Olive street, is offering its Art Model Grand
piano on 30 days' trial, saying "We do not ask you
to risk one cent."
The Griffith fall sale of fine grand pianos is now
in full swing at the Griffith Piano Co.'s stores, 605-07
Broad street, Newark, and Irvington Center, N. J.
Jenkins Music Co., 323 East Douglas avenue,
Wichita, Kansas, is conducting a sale of baby grands
and new uprights.
Gordon Laughead of the Wurlitzer Grand Piano
Co. stopped in Indianapolis last week, on his way
south on a business trip.
Paul A. Schmidt, assistant to President Theodore
E. Steinway and a director in Steinway & Sons, 109
West 57th street, New York, recently back from a
trip to Europe, says the United States is in much
better business shape than most of the countries of
Europe.
E. A. Francis, hustling piano dealer of Galesburg,
111., is a Chicago visitor this week. He was in Rock-
ford visiting friends and looking up piano business and
motored to Chicago Monday.
The Bergman Piano Store of Fort Madison, Iowa,
has installed a radio display store in the Entler build-
ing on the west side of the park.
Russell Baker of Boonville, Ind., was appointed
receiver of the assets of Henry and Thelma Hudson,
doing business as Hudson & Son Music Co., Boon-
ville, by Judge Union W. Youngblood in circuit
court. Charges of forgery had been filed against
Hudson and wife by a New York finance company.
Kops Piano House, for forty years a Montana in-
stitution, 508 Central avenue, Great Falls, Mont., is
doing a fine business in Brambach baby grand
pianos.
The Slingerland Banjo & Drum Co., 1325 Belden
avenue, Chicago, has been fairly busy all through
the summer season. As trade is now on the gain,
H. H. Slingerland, the president, looks for many new
orders.
Harvey and "Doc" Veal, proprietors of the Millcdge-
ville Music Store at Milledgeville, Ga., have had the
place rebuilt and now claim to have one of the most
up-to-date stores in the state.
A. A. Friestedt of the QRS-De Vry Co., Chicago,
was one of the excursionists who saw the yacht race
series between the Shamrock and the Enterprise at
Newport, R. I., last week.
The Canipe Music Co. opened a music store on
September 2 at 913 Scott avenue, Wichita Falls, Tex.
C. A. Canipe is manager and J. V. Williams is his
partner.
Federal Judge Nields has continued the government
suit against the RCA and other radio concerns.
PLATT MUSIC CO.'S LINE.
The Platt Music Co., Los Angeles, Calif., in adver-
tising their line of musical instruments, speak of the
following: In pianos the Knabe, the Kranich &
Bach, the Fischer, the Marshall & Wendell, the
Straube, the Ludwig, the Estey, the Wegman, the
Settergren, the Winter and the Ampico. In radios
Grebe. Bosch, Majestic, Atwater Kent, RCA Radiola,
Philco, Victor, Radiettc. Holton band instruments,
Gibson string instruments, Victor, Brunswick, Colum-
bia records, sheet music and musical accessories.
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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