Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1932 2267

September-October, 1932
ENDING OF ANOTHER PLAYER
ROLL BUSINESS
The Atlas Player Roll Company, in business at
35 Fifth avenue, Newark, N. J., for some years past,
went into voluntary liquidation with a public auction
sale at the above address on July 29th. The sale
comprised master reproduction units, and much other
machinery adaptable to player roll manufacturing.
The auctioneer was Herbert Action Segal, No. 8
Center street, Newark, N. J.
PRESTO-TIMES
HERE IS AN OLD=TIME STORY
Two important music houses recently requested
some information from the files of The Presto during
the years 1889 and 1890 and during the period of the
Paris Exposition of 1900. In gathering this data
many things appeared w 7 hich are peculiarly interest-
ing today. Particularly noteworthy, for instance,
were accounts of the extensive preparations that were
made for the Chicago World's Columbian Exposition
In this search we ran across the group of music
trade men herewith illustrated. Most of the por-
traits shown in this group were piano men and all
of them prominent at that time. Some of them were
quite young men and all were in the prime of activity.
E. H. Story was probably the youngest in this
group and A. P. Roth, a piano action maker of St.
Johnsville, N. Y., was another young man, and F. S.
We arrange terms
that make one so easy
to own or to :c..i
Lyon& Healy
WABASH .WE. AT JACKSON BOIH
4016 HHKKIUAV RD
"
H70 EAST <::»> HT.
Group of Men Active in the Music Industries 20, 30, 40 "Kears Ago
of 1893 and which advance work was going on for Cable and even John Weser were not old,
fact.
they had hardly arrived at middle age.
Presto-Times thinks this group will be found in-
teresting to its readers and we shall be glad to receive
in fact, as far ahead as 1890, a list of piano manu- the names of all the faces shown. As an aid in
facturers who had engaged space was published and making out such a list here are the names of the five
several names for a director of music were suggested. faces shown in the top row, left to right:
Preparations in music and music trade matters were
The first one is George W. Tewksbury, who was
far more active for the World's Columbian Exposi- then treasurer of the Cable company; then comes
tion than seem to prevail today for the Century of
F. S. Cable, who was secretary of the Cable com-
Progress of 1933.
pany; then George W. Lyon of Lyon & Healy; Geo.
P. Bent, who was then manufacturing the Crown
The trade papers had numerous articles in 1889
concerning the great successes of what was termed pianos; A. G. Cone, treasurer of the W. W. Kimball
the "New Kiniball Piano." and two music trade company, and E. S. Conway, secretary of the W. W.
papers, the "Indicator" of Chicago and the "Courier" Kimball company.
were giving vent to their feelings in discrediting the
Tf any of our readers can fill in the balance of the
value of testimonials given by vocalists.
names we will be glad to name them in a later issue.
MATHUSHEK SECRETARY BACK TO HIS three to four years prior to the opening of that
great world event.
OFFICE
Two years before the opening of the Exposition,
J. H. Gettell. secretary Mathushek Piano Manufac-
turing Company, who spent a delightful vacation in
the Adirondack mountains, is now back at his desk
der avenue and 132nd street, New York. Mr. Gettell
dria avenue and 132nd street, New York. Mr. Gettell
says to a Presto-Times correspondent that piano trade
conditions look quite favorable for the future and
we have a nice lot of orders for our goods, particu-
larly for the Spinet grand. "By the way," remarks
Mr. Gettell, "we have just received the government
certificate certifying registration of the name Spinet
Grand."
HONORS FOR' Music Dealer B. O. Marsh of Decorah, Iowa, who
for some years past has carried the dignified title of
"His Honor the Mayor," has just been tendered con-
gratulations on his fortieth year in business in De-
corah, which also is the city of his birth, March 15,
1862.
The Marsh Music House was established in
1892 and is located in the three-story building at 110
Winnebago street, Decorah, which building was for-
merly used by a bank and was purchased by Mr.
Marsh after he had rented it for some ten years.
An amusing incident of the days when he first occu-
pied the building comes back vividly to him. He
used the large bank desk in the front part of the
building for a time. One night he was sitting at
his desk and counter, working when a fellow walked,
or to be more correct, staggered in through the door,
slapped a nickel on the counter with a command "give
me a beer," thinking he was in one of the places
flourishing here in the days before Andrew Volstead
was even heard of.
Mr. Marsh, as also his wife, is musical and both
came to Chicago years ago and took a course of in-
struction at the American Conservatory of Music,
both graduating from that school in 1892 in which
year their music business was established in Decorah.
EXCEEDINGLY INTERESTING ANSWERS TO
CRITICISMS ON PIANO CLASS
INSTRUCTION
THOUGHTS FOR REFLECTION
The Schiller Piano Company sends out a circular
to Schiller dealers and, incidentally, to many other
music merchants throughout the country, detailing
A most interesting booklet has come to Presto- in some fifteen short paragraphs many wise sayings.
Times office from the National Bureau for Advance- Here are some of the paragraph leaders:
"The optimists having got lost around that corner
ment of Music, sent to us by Mr. C. M. Tremaine,
director of this bureau. It is a pamphlet of some 36 * * *>>
"Meaning those who * * *"
pages, octavo size, edited and compiled by L. H.
"Meaning also those * * *"
Mason and Raymond Burrows. Miss Mason is head
"Depressions usually have their ending * * *"
of the piano class department of the National Bureau
"A bear can die of old age at 18 but * * *"
for Advancement of Music and was instructor of piano
"When
the value of raw materials jumps * * *."
class methods at the summer session of Columbia Uni-
"Skeptics say the Wall Street burst * * *"
versity. Mr. Burrows is director of piano classes at
"Nor can all the President's men * * *"
,-.•;
the Horace Mann school, New York City.
"Plants
over
the
entire
country
*
*
*"
This pamphlet will be found to be exceedingly in-
"No matter how much conditions improve you must
teresting to piano teachers generally and particularly
do
your part."
to those teaching piano classes in the public schools
"Does you cow give milk?" the city man asked the
or otherwise.
farmer.
The title of the book is "Answers to Criticisms of
"No, son, we have to take it away from her," was
Piano Class Instruction."
the reply."
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/
10
PRESTO-TI MES
September-October, 1932
ACTIVITIES IN RETAIL TRADE
ENVIABLE REPUTATION OF A HOOSIER
STATE MUSIC HOUSE
The Jacob s Music House, Fort Wayne, Intl., has
been in business for a little over forty-three years.
This house has always been considered one of the
leaders in the trade and has always handled a first-
class line of pianos. Today they are the Steinway
representatives and also handle some of the Aeolian
Company's goods. A leading member of this house
is quoted as saying: "More and more people tire of
manufactured music and buy instruments so that they
can learn to play. The ability to play some instru-
ment brings the joy of self-expression and is an un-
doubted social asset."
MR. SCHMOLLER PRAISES SIOUX CITY
ACTIVITIES
Officials of the Schmoller & Mueller Music Co.,
Omaha, Nebr., William H. Schmoller, president, and
G. C. May, vice-president and general manager, who
recently made a visit to their branch store at Sioux
City, Iowa, were favorably impressed with their
present business and future prospects at Sioux City.
Mr. Schmoller remarked that Sioux City was one of
the bright spots in the middle west and that their
business was much better in Sioux City than in some
of their other stores.
PEARSON PIANO COMPANY NAMES A VICE-
PRESIDENT AND SALES MANAGER
Mr. Edgar T. Daab, who has recently become vice-
president and general manager of the Pearson Piano
Company, Indianapolis, is widely known in music
circles of that city and the music trade generally of
the Hoosier State.
He represented the Steinway piano in Indianapolis
for a long time, traveled for that house for several
years and was at one time in charge of the Steinway
department of the Pearson Music Company.
Other officers of. the Pearson Piano Company re-
main the same. George C. Pearson, who founded the /
firm in 1873, fifty-nine years ago, continues as its pres-
ident and is still active in that capacity. John S.
Pearson, his son, is secretary-treasurer.
THE JESSE FRENCH MONTGOMERY STORE
In a special advertisement in the Montgomery
(Ala.) Advance the Jesse Franch & Sons Music
House at that city head their advertisement, "Notice
to the Public," and continue, "We have been in busi-
ness for over 56 years continuously—and we are con-
tinuing right on!"
Mr. Yougene, manager of this store, says also that
there is a continually increasing trade in sheet music
and that this interest in sheet music indicates a revival
of interest in the piano, which is unquestionably the
queen of all instruments.
W. P. HARE INCORPORATES BUSINESS
The Hare Music Corporation has filed articles of
incorporation for business at Warren, Ohio, the head
of which is W. P. Hare, a piano man well known
throughout the state of Ohio, having been state repre-
sentative for a piano manufacturing concern for sev-
eral years.
THE BALDWIN AT PEORIA
The New Byerly Brothers Store Makes Fine Display
of Baldwin Line.
The Byerly Brothers Music Company, located at
Main street and Perry avenue, Peoria, 111., has added
extensively to its general line of music and musical
instruments by making an important piano depart-
ment, having secured the Baldwin franchise for that
city featuring, of course, the Baldwin, Howard, and
Hamilton pianos.
Harry Jackson, who has been placed in charge, is
an old-time Baldwin man, having represented the
Baldwin line in Quincy, 111., for many years and who,
also, conducted a piano business at Peoria from
1900 to 1905.
The company is operated by George L. Byerly,
president and general manager; R. M. Byerly, vice-
president, and E. S. Byerly, secretary-treasurer. The
company's entry into the piano business is evidence
of its firm faith in the future of the music business,
George Byerly said. He believes that whatever else
the public may be forced to give up, it will never be
:
without music.
;
The Byerly store has been remodeled to accommo-
date the new line, the entire first floor being devoted
mainly to an attractive display of grands.
MR. McGILL'S NEW STORE AND NEW LINE
AT SEATTLE
A new music store has been opened in Shopping
Tower, Seattle, Wash., under the direction of Mr.
S. McGill, who was formerly connected with Sher-
man, Clay & Co., Seattle branch. Mr. McGill's line
consists mainly of the Baldwin Piano Company line
of instruments and he will act as factory representa-
tive for these instruments in that locality.
Speaking of trade prospects Mr. McGill says: "We
are on the way to better times and it is my faith that
the readjustment period has been completed and that
business is once again on the up-grade that leads me
to open the new store. The piano has been and
always will be the fundamental musical instrument
in the home and better times will bring it back to
the prominence it held some years ago. The newest
and finest Baldwins will be on display in my store."
TAKES OVER DAVIDSON BROTHERS
STOCK
The firm succeeding the R. L. Williams Music
Company, Stuttgart, Ark., is Kahn & Kahn, Inc., of
Pine Bluff, near by. George F. Kahn announces that
the entire Williams stock and good will of the busi-
ness has been purchased.
KAHN & KAHN SUCCEED WILLIAMS
The Schmoller & Mueller Piano Company's Sioux
City, Iowa, branch store is advertising its purchase
of the entire stock of pianos of the Davidson Broth-
ers Company, which concern for many years has car-
ried on a piano division of its store. The Davidson
Brothers' purchase includes Kohler & Campbell line
of pianos, Cable and Everett.
J. P. SIMMONS AGAIN ACTIVE IN KENTUCKY
MUSIC TRADE
Mr. J. P. Simmons, of the J. P. Simmons Music
Company, Lexington, Ky., who retired from the mu-
sic business over a year ago to engage in a line of
manufacturing, re-entered the trade last July and is
now located at 222 East Main street, next to the
State Theater, at Lexington. The business now is a
combination of the Community Store, the Meadows
Music Company, and the J. P. Simmons Music Com-
pany. Mr. Simmons finds improved conditions in
his business and says, in a talk with a Presto-Times
representative that he is going to bring his business
back to a good share of its former activity if breath,
heart and health permit.
APPEAL
OF A CALIFORNIA STEINWAY
HOUSE FOR BUSINESS
The Birkel Music Company, 446 South Broadway,
Los Angeles. Calif., Steinway representatives for that
city, and who have represented the Steinway in
Southern California for over fifty years, are doing
some advertising which must appeal to the best class
of piano buying prospects. One of these display ad-
vertisements bears the caption, "Mothers and fathers,"
followed by these four paragraphs:
"Do you know the importance of music in the
home? Every child should play some kind of musical
instrument.
"If your son has athletic aspirations, training in
musical rhythm will help his timing in athletic com-
petition.
I !*iS*(
"Harry Carr in the L. A. Times of August 8, 1932,
states, 'Nearly all great athletes are musical.'
"Thomas Carlyle said, 'Give us the man who sings
at his work. He will do more in the same time. He
will do it better?' "
Other paragraphs bear the headings, "Music Helps
Morally," "Music Helps Mentally," and Music Helps
Socially," "Music Helps Physically."
GOOD SALES HELP OUT IN
BANK LOSS
"Some of us continue to get hit once in a while,"
writes an old-time and well-to-do music dealer of the
Lone Star State. "For instance," he continues, "we
had a bank failure not long ago when I was obliged
to put up a one hundred per cent assessment on my
five thousand dollar stock in the bank aside from the
loss of our business deposit account. However, we
made three good sales this week, and why not be
glad?"
TONK PIANO CO. CHANGES ADDRESS
The Tonk Piano Company has moved from its
former location, 8 West 37th street, to 531 W. 51st
street, New York City. The business is now under
the direct management of E. G. Tonk, a son of Wil-
liam Tonk, the founder of the business.
MR. MANNING RETURNS TO O. K.
HOUCK LITTLE ROCK STORE
Mr. Henry A. Manning, who had been associated
with the O. K. Houck Piano Company at its Little
Rock, Ark., branch store, before he left Little Rock
to locate in Oklahoma City two years ago, recently
returned to Little Rock to rejoin the Houck store
there. It was thought that the Houck Company
would give up its Little Rock branch, but W. P.
Hamilton, vice-president of the Houck Company,
says that the Little Rock store will be continued.
CORRESPONDENT INQUIRES OF
CHEVRON PIANO
Inquiry comes to Presto Times concerning a piano
bearing the name "Chevron," on which instrument
we have no data. The inquirer is very desirous of
knowing from where this piano emanates and any
information as to the origin of the instrument or by
whom sold will be thankfully received in behalf of
this correspondent. Can anyone enlighten us?
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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