Presto

Jan.-Feb., 1933
PRESTO-TIMES
MARCH OF
THE APOLLO
APOLLO ACTIVITY; APOLLO YES-
TERDAY—TODAY
Reasons for Wurlitzer-Apollo Activity
A line of Apollo pianos, very beautiful in design and
finish and entirely up to the standard of quality
which has been a requisite of Apollo production from
the beginning of the business, is placed on the mar-
ket this season. The models are elegant in design and
finish and cannot fail of attracting the admiration of
purchasers in the matter of casework and construc-
tion as they have from the first in musical excellence.
The production of this array of Grand pianos helped
very materially the activities at the Wurlitzer plant
in DeKalb where full time and overtime work was
in progress steadily during the last months of 1932
and into the new year.
However, as "the proof of the pudding is in the
eating" so a veritable proof of activity and a going
business is the showing in orders and shipments. In
January just past Wurlitzer factory sales were off
only a fraction of 5 per cent from 1932. It is doubt-
ful if any other piano manufacturing plant in this
or any other country had a smaller decrease in sales
to dealers this January as compared with the year
before.
Visitors to the DeKalb factory have commented on
these attractive Apollo creations and the activity pre-
vailing in the Apollo division of the Wurlitzer-Apollo
plant; a condition noted by the press and particularly
including accounts of the unusual activity in the
DeKalb papers and other publications in that vicinity.
Special Sales Campaign
Some months ago a campaign was put on to clean
out old and left over stock. The movement was
widely advertised in localities where Wurlitzer branch
stores and Wurlitzer special Agencies were located.
The effect was a very effective cleaning out though
often at exceedingly low prices, and even at sacrifices,
but which resulted in hundreds and hundreds of dis-
positions that could not otherwise have been sold.
Thus the present season opens out with an entirely
clean, new and saleable line of instruments, a line of
Apollo pianos that any dealer will be able to han-
dle with profit.
The Apollo Then and Now
The question has been broached as to how the
Apollo piano of today compares with the instrument
when manufactured under the personal supervision of
the late Melville Clark and up to the time of the tak-
ing over of the Apollo Piano Company by the Wur-
litzer interests, probably, suggested by reason of cer-
tain statements which have appeared in print about
Apollo relations. These statements evidently came
to the attention of the correspondent whose letter
to Presto-Times is given herewith.
[Copy of Letter]
February 4, 1933.
To the Editor of Presto-Times:
We have received a marked copy of a Chicago trade
paper containing rather severe criticism and comment
adverse to the house of Wurlitzer and some of the
pianos in which the Wurlitzer Company is vitally in-
terested.
As to the criticism of the Apollo advertising I will
say that I have sold Apollo pianos almost from the
time of the establishment of the business by the late
Melville Clark and the Apollos of today are practical-
ly the same as to the basic features of construction
and tone quality as they were when Mr. Clark gave
his personal attention to the business. I have found
the Apollo to be not only a good seller but a satisfac-
tion giver.
Yours truly,
OLD-TIME APOLLO DEALER.
The writer of this letter gives a good reply to the
inquiry above referred to and probably answers the
question as to the re'ative standing of the Apollo from
the time of its establishment better than any estimate
Presto-Times could make.
Stirring Up Correspondence
It appears that the Wurlitzer Company has been
profiting by some other kind of advertising than their
own display matter in the newspapers for, as Mr.
Farny, manager of the Wurlitzer Grand Piano Com-
pany, informs a representative of Presto-Times, they
have received more inquiries during the last forty-five
days from dealers who had never handled the Wur-
litzer line than they had received in any equal period
of time in the seven years that Mr. Farny has been
at DeK'-ilb, and Mr. Farny is willing to give credit
for publicity where credit is due no matter what
the character of such publicity, whether of evil mo-
tive or friendly as long as it helps to bring business
and correspondence.
"The remarkable part of this correspondence and
activity in new business is," says Mr. Farny, "that
we have not only received inquiries but have actually
succeeded in making sales to over 20 per cent of the
inquiries received. Of the many inquiries during the
past two weeks one of the dealers who wrote us has
offered to take an average of at least three grand
pianos a month this year, if given the exclusive
agency. He has a good rating and pays cash, and is
located in a city that has never been canvassed by a
representative of this company. We did not know
that there was any piano business in the town or lo-
cation where he is but his record shows that he has
bought over $150,000 worth of pianos during the past
six years and paid cash for all of them."
So it is that Mr. Farny is thankful; thankful for
adverse criticism as well as the favorable comments
that are given in recognition of the success they are
making and the enterprise they are showing in carry-
ing on business.
Mr. Farny's Tribute to the Piano Business
In closing his talk with the Presto-Times repre-
sentative Mr. Farny says: "We are more than ever
encouraged about the piano business. We feel that
it is one of the most staple businesses as well as one
which has a great future."
THE STARR PIANO CO.'S STARR-
FREEZE PRODUCTS
A Presto-Times correspondent writing from Rich-
mond, Ind., tells of the activities going on at the
Starr Company plant where a great line of refriger-
ators is being turned out, independent of the piano
production.
But piano building has been making a good record
and the company continues to successfully maintain
its standard line of popular priced and higher grade
instruments, with fairly good output.
Speaking of the refrigerator department our corre-
spondent quotes Mr. H. J. Wiggins, in charge of
Starr refrigeration, saying: "Our refrigeration de-
partment has expanded the line materially for 1933,
including not only the household models from the
smallest size suitable for caring for those who want a
small amount of refrigeration at the smallest invest-
ment, but the larger size as well for the more preten-
tious homes. In addition we have extended our line
to include some very attractive commercial cabinets
for hotels, groceries, meat markets, etc. There are
bottle coolers, two types of water coolers, self-
contained display cases, walk-in coolers and a very
extensive line consisting of over forty different mod-
els of refrigerating machinery from the very small
size up to approximately three ton ice melting ca-
pacity, also a large line of cooling units of various
types and sizes. We are maintaining our past policy
of supplying quality refrigeration of conservative and
conventional design without the accessories or gadgets
attached, although some of the refrigeration indus-
tries seem to have gone to selling the gadgets and
throwing the refrigeration in."
Evidently the Starr Piano Company is now well
in the "swim" of refrigeration manufacture, with a
line of goods that must demand the attention of any
dealer engaged in this line of business or who has in
contemplation adding refrigeration to his business.
The Starr line has passed the experimental stage and
appears on the horizon as in the front rank in the pro-
duction of first class, "fool proof" and easy selling
goods. Mr. Wiggins emphasizes the fact that Starr
Freeze condensing units make possible the handling
of most all refrigeration problems that present them-
selves in the ordinary commercial business of today.
The Starr Piano Company's Starr Freeze depart-
ment have issued very elaborate catalogs, descriptive
matter and full particulars of the Starr Freeze line,
which may be had upon application to the Starr Piano
Company, Richmond, Ind.
ACTIVE ROAD WORK BY ACTIVE
MEN
With Gordon Laughead, general sales manager of
the Wurlitzer Grand Piano Company who recently
"cut a wide swath" in a tour to and from through
the West-Southern states, and Chas. E. Howe, who
has been "combing" the East-South and Atlantic Sea-
board, the Wurlitzer line of pianos, has recently had
a very thorough presentation to the best class of
trade in these sections of Southern territory.
Sales Manager Laughead enjoyed a short vacation
in Florida on this trip and his able lieutenant, Charles
Howe, was called upon to visit some of the dealers
in John C. Henderson's territory, Mr. Henderson
being at the time confined to his home in New York
by illness, but who is now rapidly convalescing. With-
in a day or two after Mr. Laughead's return from the
South he started for the Northwest for a few days'
visit to Wurlitzer and Apollo representatives in that
section.
Cyril Farny. general manager of the Wurlitzer
Grand Piano Company, also made some short trips to
the Eastern territory during Mr. Henderson's illness.
In Jttemoriam
FRED N. GOOSMAN
Fred N. Goosman, who passed away at St. Vin-
cent's Hospital, Toledo, Ohio, was connected with
the Hallet & Davis Piano Company, Boston, for many
years, and was a well known figure in the music trade
of this country. In 1916 he purchased the Hallet &
Davis business in Toledo and ran it until 1925 or 1926.
Mr. Goosman was prominent in Masonic Circles and
was buried in Woodlawn cemetery with honors by
Masonic organizations in Toledo. Mr. Goosman's
death was caused by a stroke of apoplexy in his of-
fice. His home was at 4017 Overland Parkway,
Toledo.
Leonard Davis, who died at Ft. Worth recently
while running a special piano sale for the Oliver H.
Ross Company at that city was buried at San Diego,
Calif., where he had lived.
GEORGE P. LEARNARD
The many friends of the Learnard-Lindemann Mu-
sic House, Albuquerque, New Mexico, will regret to
learn of the passing of the founder of that establish-
ment, Mr. George P. Learnard. who has been a resi-
dent of Albuquerque for nearly forty years. He
passed away after a short illness at his home. He
had been an Albuquerque alderman for several years
and was prominent in many prominent activities for
the advancement of that city. A brother of the de-
ceased, Brigadier General Harry Grant Learnard, re-
sides at Washington.
MARK WESTON
Mark Weston, well known piano man who had
been connected with the Rudolph Wurlitzer Com-
pany New York store for many years, died suddenly
at his home in Brooklyn. He attended to his busi-
ness at the Wurlitzer store on Monday and was found
dead the next day. Mr. Weston had resided in Phila-
delphia before joining the New York Wurlitzer store.
Edwin Jarrett, well known piano man of New York,
says of the deceased that "he had an unfailing sense
of humor; was kindly and obliging; possessed of a
pleasing personality that made friends and retained
them; and only forty, the picture of health when I
saw him last Saturday."
E. A. FRANCIS
The many friends of E. A. Francis of Galesburg,
Illinois, will regret to hear of his passing which oc-
curred some weeks ago. Mr. Francis had been
engaged in the music business for many years and
was one of the best posted men in the music trade
fraternity on general trade matters. Years ago in
Chicago he was associated with the old firm of Lyon
Potter & Company, which firm grew out of the with-
drawal of Mr. Lyon from the house of Lyon &
Healy. Since leaving Chicago Mr. Francis has been
engaged independently in the piano business at vari-
ous points, his last location being at Galesburg. Mr.
Francis is survived by his widow, Ida K. Francis,
who was closely associated with him in business and
a great aid in all of his activities.
THURE JOHANSON
At the funeral of Thure Johanson, Superintendent
of the Cable Piano Factory, St. Charles, Illinois, and
one of the directors of the Cable Company, were sev-
eral members of the Cable store at Chicago, and other
Chicago friends of the deceased who attended to pay
homage. Mr. Johanson was a noted individual. He
was not only noted as a piano maker but almost
equally well known in Swedish and Norwegian musi-
cal circles. While on a concert tour with the Swedish
Glee Club of Chicago he was decorated by King
Gustav V of Sweden for his work in promoting Swe-
dish music in America. Mr. Johanson was a charter
member and former president of the Chicago Swe-
dish Club, a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran
Church and a member of the Kane county Republican
committee. He also was a member of the St. Charles
school board. Before coming to Chicago in 1892, in
which year he joined the Cable Company, Mr. Johan-
son had been employed in piano factories in New
York.
Gustave Streckenberg, an accountant for the past
twenty-seven years for the Jenkins Music Company,
who died recently at his home, 3624 South Benton
street, Kansas City, had been a resident of that city
for the past fifty-three years. Paul W. Jenkins of
the Jenkins Music Company, said that Mr. Strecken-
berg was one of the best liked employees of that com-
pany and that he grew up in the employ of the Jen-
kins house and that he knew all the inside workings
of the business.
E. C. Wagoner, who recently passed away at
Alexandria, Minn., had been in the music business at
that place for the past fifty-seven years. In fact,
Mr. Wagoner's business was about the oldest of any
other merchant in that part of the state, his business
having been under the same management for a score
of years longer than any other business in Alexandria.
Mr. Wagoner had occupied the same building for
his business since 1874.
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