Presto

Issue: 1931 2255

12
P R E S T 0-T IMES
February, 1931
Dollars and Sense in Piano Business
How Leading Houses Attract Trade
and Bring in Business and Dollars
BALDWIN.
The Baldwin Piano Co.'s store at 300 West Broad-
way, Louisville, Ky., says: "Before 'Built by Bald-
win' goes on the front of any piano it must meet the
same standards demanded of the famous Baldwin
scale . . . for it is to be guaranteed by the House
of Baldwin. In the Howard, the Hamilton, the Elling-
ton, three instruments of different size, you are
assured the most beautiful tone available for your
room, no matter what its dimensions. And you know
they are made with the same care as those pianos
built to satisfy the world's greatest musicians."
HAINES BROS.
Of the Haines Bros. Chippendale piano, in walnut,
Wm. Knabe & Co., 584 Fifth avenue. New York, say
it is a piano "made to add charm to the room by
harmonious beauty and to enliven the family with
exquisite tone. Touch one chord and you will be
enraptured, one glance and your eye is captivated."
GEORGE STECK.
The Aeolian Company, 689 Fifth avenue, New-
York, says of the George Steck piano, which it manu-
factures: "Its tone is of striking clarity and richness.
It is perfect in scale and action—and it maintains
these qualities under the most exacting conditions."
RICHMOND.
"Tone quality and ample volume are to be had in
the Richmond baby upright or baby grand," says the
Knight-Campbell Music Co., located in the Colorado'
Building, Pueblo, Colo. "The Richmond piano is
quite small in size. It was built especially for those
living in bungalows or apartments where room is at a
premium. There is nothing small about the tone
quality or volume of the Richmond. It is the equal of
larger pianos in tone. Volume, too, is comparable to.
any other size of piano."
FARNY GRAND
WutTitzer's, 1015 Grand avenue, Kansas City, Mo.,
announcing the Farny Grand piano, says: "Today
we live in a magic age. The advancements of mod-
ern research and science have wrought wonders in
our mode of living, in the luxuries and conveniences
we enjoy."
STEIN WAY
Grinnell Bros, at their Grand Rapids, Mich., store
make these declarations anent the Steinway piano:
"Ossip Gabrilowitsch has chosen to play the Steinway
exclusively (he has two Steinway Grands in his
home). So also have Paderewski, Hofmann, Cortot,
Ganz, and practically all the leading concert pianists
of today."
HARDMAN
Hahne's department store, Newark, N. J., whose
big piano department is on the third floor of t'.ie
store, says: "Everyone knows the mellow tone, the
simple grace of line, the regal name of the Hardman
piano; how this unusual sale brings you these fine
instruments at savings which you cannot afford to
miss. We invite you to visit our piano warerooms.
linger the keys of these mighty instruments and be
thrilled by their glorious tones."
MUSIC TRADE PICK-UPS
Dining cars to be located permanently on streets
and to cost from $4.50(1 to $15,000 are being manufac-
tured by the Bixler Mfg. Co. in the former plant of
the A. B. Chase-Emerson Piano Corporation, at Nor-
walk, Ohio.
Evan M. Klock was appointed last month to the
position of advertising manager for all the Lyon &
Healy stores in Chicago and Cleveland. He has
been in the advertising department of tiie house since
January. 1927.
The New Allis Hotel, Wichita, Kan., has just pur-
chased three pianos from the limes Music Co., of
that city. The purchase includes a second-size Hard-
man parlor grand and two pianos of the M. Schulz
Co. type, one in the Marie Antoinette period and the
other a Studio upright of Louis XVI design.
Pomeroy's piano store, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., has been
conducting a special sale of pianos at $4 down and $1
weekly.
Brook Mays & Co.. 1005 Elm street, Dallas, Tex.,
have been selling Grands at $10 per month and used
uprights at $5 per month.
Pearson's Music Shop, 48 South Fifth aveinie, La
Grange. 111., is speeding up the sale of pianos, radios,
sheet music, piano rolls and all small musical instru-
ments.
The Aeolian Co., New York, which about nineteen
months ago bought out the piano business of Jerome
Please Send Presto-Times Daily
and Other Papers Containing
Music Dealers' Advertisements
W. Ackerly at Patchogue, Long Island, N. Y.. an- students and parents in the salon of the Winter Piano
Co.. McMillan block, North State street.
nounces that it is retiring from business at Patchogue
Founded in 1892, the Fulkerson Music House, 62
and will close that store. C. H. Salle has been the
Salem avenue, Carbondale, Pa., is still gaining in pop-
resident manager. The Ackerly business was founded
ularity and "displaying new, modern pianos and play-
in 1870 by the late George Mitchell Ackerly.
F. P. Little, 32 South Cherry street, Galesburg, 111., er-pianos of famous makes which are, as usual, beau-
is not only in great demand as a piano tuner but he tiful in design and dependable in construction."
The F. B. Ireland Music Store, Independence, la.,
also sells a good many pianos in the course of a year.
The Clark-Jones-Sheeley Co., 717 Cherry street, has closed. Mr. Ireland has been engaged in busi-
ness at Independence for forty years.
Chattanooga, Ten., carries on its letter-heads the an-
Oschwald's Music House, Lawrenceville, III.,
nouncement and c!aim of being "The Steinway and
George Oschwald, proprietor, is quitting the piano
Duo-Art house."
Smerda's Music House, Inc., Beachwood Village, and phonograph business, and hereafter will handle
radios and accessories exclusively. The Majestic
Ohio, has been incorporated; 250 shares, no par value;
August Smerda, Agnes Smerda, Frank Smerda. radio figures prominently in the advertising of the
Ernest Abram, 1204 Engineers Building, Cleveland, house.
The Jennings Music Co. is being opened at 203 East
Ohio, correspondent.
Walter Rosenbach has bought out Harold W 7 . Third street, Big Spring, Tex., by Newt Jennings,
Stitz's interest in the music business at Lancaster, formerly of the Big Spring Music Co. A high grade
N. Y. He says the store • will be known as the line of pianos, radios and other musical merchandise
Lancaster Music Shoppe. The new connection adds will be offered, Mr. Jennings declared.
One electric piano was destroyed and another dam-
Nathan Bertelkamp, Jr., to the staff of salesmen with
aged in a tire a few days ago in the Rackley Piano
the Lancaster Music Shoppe.
Co.'s building at Goldsboro, N. C.
Of the importations of hardwood by New Zealand
Terms as low as $2 a week on pianos are offered
during the first eight months of 1930 the United States
supplied all the hickory, and two-thirds of the walnut, in a clearance sale of pianos at Thomas Goggan &
Bros., Broadway at Travis street, San Antonio. Tex.
but only around 15 per cent of the mahogany.
Auto-Tone Radio Corporation, 2100 Marshall boule-
William Flemen has taken over the management of
vard, Chicago. Capital, $5,000. General radio busi-
Beerman's music store in Muskegon Heights, Mich.
ness. Incorporators: Morris A. Sommers, Louis II.
The Ellis Music Co.. Fort Scott. Kan., Alvin Rud- Boyar and H. Sullivan. Correspondent: Laurence
duck, manager, has moved from 5 North Main street
M. Fine, 111 West Washington street.
to larger and better quarters next door south. New
The Charles A. Focht Co., Wellsboro, Pa., a com-
booths have been installed and new fronts put on
pany which has been in business for 26 years, is con-
the store.
tinuing in the piano and radio business, although
Frank Holtou & Co.. Elkhorn, Wis., have just in-
branching out in part of the store in the cut-rate
troduced a new saxophone to be known as the "New
druggists sundries business, but without a prescrip-
Revelation." It is the successor to t!ie famous Rudy
tion department. W. G. Arms, of Lancaster. Pa.,
Wiedoeft model, which has been considered one of the will be in charge of the new store for I. J. Focht,
finest instruments on the market. It has improve- proprietor.
ments which facilitate fingering, speed, action and im-
L. A. Keller & Sons have been in the radio busi-
proved performance.
ness at Reed City, Mich., for thirteen years. The
Lewis & Palmer, DeKalb, 111., have been in the
business is owned by L. A. Keller and his sons
music business for 25 years. They handle the Kran-
Leonard and Howard. At present Howard is con-
ich & Bach, the Kurtzmann and the Gulbransen
ducting a store in Big Rapids, Mich.
pianos. In radios their lines are the Majestic, the
The Ireland music and gift shop, Independence,
Victor and the Philco. Conn, Holton and Selmer
Iowa, was one of the firms suffering loss in a fire last
band instruments are handled.
month.
George R. Meyercord, Chicago, president of the
L. L. Foster, who has been active in the musical
Meyercord Co., manufacturers of decalcomania prod-
instrument business at Des Moines, Iowa, since the
ucts, speaking of business problems last week, said: world's war, has joined the sales department of the
"Industry, if permitted to extricate itself from the
Des Moines Music Co., of which company Theo. Hoh-
stagnation forced upon it by political gloom propa- tanz is manager.
ganda, will take care of the unemployment situation."
A new music store has been opened by Burden,
Smith & Co., at 318 Third street, Macon, Ga. J. W.
J. H. Witamyer, dealer in pianos and player-pianos
Oberry is manager and Ferd Guttenberger, Frank W.
at 508 West La Salle avenue, South Bend, Incl., says
Rayfield and Mrs. Margaret Brantley are the sales
on his letter heads that he sells the "best goods on
earth. If-you do not trade with me, we both lose force.
Jack Alicke. manager of the Broadway Music and
money."
Radio Shop, 1623 Broadway, Brooklyn, N. Y., is find-
The San Antonio Music Co., 316 West Commerce
street, San Antonio, Tex., is offering to piano pur- ing business good and working up to his original
motto: "Treat every customer honestly and fairly."
chasers a four-months' course of free piano lessons
Marconi Auto Radio Corporation, 2412 South Mich-
with a competent teacher.
igan avenue, Chicago. Capital, 300 shares non par
Leiter Bros., piano dealers, after 76 years of suc-
cessful retailing in Syracuse and central New York, value. Deal in radio and radio supplies. Incorpora-
tors: Harry L. Harris, Bernard H. Sacher and Berney
are now to retire from the business that has served
L. Edelman. Correspondent: Freundlich & Frohlich,
the music lovers of that locality for two generations.
room 1620, 32 West Randolph street.
They are holding a closing-out sale of pianos, other
The M. Schulz Co. line of pianos, which are now
musical instruments, records, rolls, sheet music and
being used in the Allis Hotel. Wichita, Kan., are
books.
The Aeolian Co., 689 Fifth avenue, New York, giving eminent satisfaction. Several concerts have
says: "The Concertola is obtainable in the Steinway. been held at the hotel and the audiences were de-
lighted with the music produced upon the Schulz
Weber and George Steck—all instruments that will
instruments.
delight the musician who wishes to play himself."
C. G. Conn, Ltd., 123 Conn Building, Elkhart, lnd.,
Elijah W. Jamerson, owner of the Jamerson Music
says: "Now we are proud to announce the new cre-
House, 223 ColHnsville avenue, East St. Louis, 111.. ation—the Director Cornet."
has filed eleven suits in the City Court of East St.
Louis against ten insurance companies for lire losses
HORACE FRENCH'S PLANE MISHAP
in a branch music store at 1100 Illinois avenue, which
burned January 27, 1930.
Horace French, who is an aeroplane enthusiast, son
"Free exchange trial privilege" is offered by Grin- of H. Edgar French, president of Jesse French &
nell Bros, on reconditioned pianos at their store, 223 Sons Piano Co., New Castle, lnd., met with an acci-
Huron avenue. Port Huron. Mich.
dent last month when he was attending the air meet
A remodeling sale is now going on at the Yahrling- in Miami. Fla. When making the landing there was
Rayner Co., piano dealers. 306 West Federal street, a strong breeze, which caused his ship to come to
Youngstown, Ohio.
earth faster than he anticipated and he lit on top of a
D. S. Cartmell's Music Shoppe, Wapakoneta, Ohio, machine he did not see, wrecking his ship and dam-
aging the other, but fortunately no one was hurt
is conducting a special sale of pianos.
Mr. French's only physical damage was a slight cut
Dr. John Erskine, president of the Juillard School
of Music, New York, was at Erie, Pa., on January 30, on the nose where the fire extinguisher hit him as
the ship turned over.
holding a conference with teachers of piano, their
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/
February, 1931
NEW STORE AT OLIVIA, MINN.
M. W. Fischer's new music store at Olivia, Minn.,
was opened on the second Saturday of January. A
large number of visitors called to see and admire this
very attractive music house, with its unique design
and artistic settings and finishing. All day and late
into the night the store was filled with callers and
many were the compliments paid the proprietor on
the interior workmanship and decorations, and on
the artistic display of musical instruments. The holder
of the lucky number on the radio set given away was
L. C. Hale" of Beaver Falls.
WALTHAM STEVENS POINT BRANCH.
The Waltham Piano Co., Milwaukee, has opened
a "direct factory branch" store in Stevens Point, Wis.,
in the Shafton building at 419 Main street. E. O.
Netzow has gone there from Milwaukee and taken
charge as manager. Mr. Netzow said that his com-
pany, which has manufactured pianos for 46 years,
has dispensed with dealers and adopted the policy of
direct sales.
LYON & HEALY DAVENPORT BRANCH
Lyon & Healy. of Chicago, have leased quarters on
the mezzanine floor of the First National Bank build-
ing. Second and Main streets, Davenport, Iowa, for a
branch store. As in the other Lyon & Healy stores,
the Steinway piano will be the leader. Other pianos
to be handled in serving the tri-cities of Davenport,
Moline and Rock Island are the Washburn, Lyon &
Hcaljr, Kohler & Campbell, Leland, Maynard and
Tom Thumb. Henry P. Veatch is manager of the
store. J. J. Shea and J. P. Goodrich are members of
the sales force.
The
M. SCHULZ
CO.
Piano enjoys a
Popularity That
is Unfailing.
THE CABLE ROCKFORD STORE
The Cable Piano Co. moved its Rockford, 111., store
and offices last month from 322 Mulberry street to 217
Seventh street. A. J. Ridnour will continue as man-
ager of the Rockford business, and in addition will
have charge of the northwestern Illinois territory for
the piano firm. A complete line of Cable pianos is
carried by the company and the Cable line is supple-
mented by Mason & Hamlin and Bechstein pianos.
SUES, CHARGING FALSE ARREST.
A Irving Tallis of 2744 Woodbine avenue, Evaustou,
111., a manufacturer of musical instruments, has filed
suit for $250,000 in Detroit against Mr. and Mrs.
Alexandra Stuart of Detroit, charging false arrest. He
says he was acquitted on a charge brought by Mrs.
Stuart last April of "embezzling ten violins, three
violas and nine oboes."
TRUCK PROBLEM IS SOLVED
It goes without saying that when any music house
wants the services of a piano mover or a piano truck
the first manufacturer to appeal to is the Self Lifting
Piano Truck Co., of Findlay, Ohio. Here is a concern
which can well be described as the truck house of
America—a manufacturing industry sufficiently rare
and outstanding in its line to justify this description.
The Self Lifting Piano Truck Co. produces trucks
that do away with the old-fashioned "hardest way of
doing things"; in other words, they take away all
trouble and unnecessary exertions in making piano
deliveries. The company has solved the problem
where the average piano merchant could not even
think of a solution.
13
P R E S T O-T I M E S
V. A. NORMAN NOW
WITH GULBRANSEN
V. A. Norman, widely known by radio distributors
and dealers in the southeastern states, has joined the
sales force of the Gulbransen Co. of Chicago. He
will represent the radio sales division of that concern
and will travel in the states of North and South Caro-
lina, Georgia, Florida and Alabama.
Imbued with the desire to serve, Mr. Norman, with
his background of experience and wealth of technical
knowledge, will be especially helpful to those distrib-
utors and dealers who are located in his territory.
Mr. Norman, previous to his connection with the Gul-
bransen Co., served as a representative of the United
American Bosch Corporation of Springfield, Mass.,
and the Sonora Corporation of New York.
His experience consists not only of sales work, but
also of service duties. With both of the above men-
tioned companies he served as radio service manager.
Mr. Norman will start immediately to introduce the
new 1931 line of Gulbransen radio receivers, which he
claims are particularly well-fitted to meet the demand
of the Southern market, lie further states that in his
opinion, which is based upon careful study of the
general trend of business conditions in the South,
that 1931 will show a marked improvement over 1930,
provided dealers will profit from their past experience
and handle merchandise which is built by reliable
manufacturers who have been in business for a long
time. As Gulbransen Co. has been a manufacturer
of cabinets and fine musical instruments for a quarter
of a century, it is evident that before joining the Gul-
brensen Co. he gave the subject of a connection with
a reliable manufacturer serious consideration.
Henry Otto Gran, Cincinnati, has received a U. S.
patent on a player-piano mechanism.
Graceful in Style, Rich
in Tone, Reasonable in
Price, and Every Instru-
ment Made with a Final
Touch of Quality.
When you s e e This
Piano you will Want
the Agency for it. Every
Instrument Made in the
Reliable M. Schulz Co.
way.
SPECIAL SALES
In nearly every mercantile line of busi-
ness merchants have sales. Why not the
piano merchant? He has used and out of
style instruments that ought to be sold.
He can get these instruments disposed
of quickly by engaging some experienced
man to run a Special Sale. Prospects
for new goods will develop also and new
pianos will be sold. The results will
justify the expense. The time is at hand
to try it. Write for date and terms.
J. R. PENN
Box 351
Fredericktowm, Ohio
TO REPAY STOCKHOLDERS.
Joseph X. Hearst, music publisher of Winnipeg,
Man., the collapse of whose firm sent h'm into prison
for four and one-half years, plans to capitalize his
suffering to repay stockholders who lost small for-
tunes in his firm. Hearst, paroled as a Christmas gift,
wrote 102 songs—one a new "Prisoner's Song," while
in prison and with these he plans to start a new pub-
lishing firm, the profits of which he intends to put into
a trust fund to repay investors.
Address the
THE BANDMASTERS' CONVENTION.
M. Schul Z
The American Bandmasters' Association, composed
of the leading bandmasters of the United States and
Canada, will hold its second annual convention in
Boston on April 9, 10, 11 and 12. The association
was formed in 1929 under the leadership of John
Philip Sousa and its present president is Edwin
Franko Goldman of New York.
Company
CHRISTENA'S CAPEHART POSITION
As appears in the Indianapolis report in this issue
of Presto-Times, William Christena. formerly in
charge of the Orthophonic department at the Pearson
Piano Co.'s headquarters in Indianapolis, has resigned
from Pearson's and will hereafter make his headquar-
ters in Chicago as Capehart representative in northern
Illinois and northern Indiana.
A manufacturers surplus stock sale is advertised by
the Schmoller & Mueller Piano Co. at 1514-18 Dodge
street, Omaha, Neb.
711 Milwaukee
Avenue
Chicago, 111.
When you complete the
sale of a piano with a
TONKBENCH
you absolutely insure your custo-
mer's complete satisfaction.
Q There is a TONKBENCH to
match any piano in Style, Finish
and Quality.
Write for Descriptive Bulletin (P.G.)
TONK MANUFACTURING COMPANY
1912 LEWIS STREET, CHICAGO
Pacific Coast Factory—4627 E. 50th St., Los Angeles
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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