Presto

Sept.-Oct., 1936
Story & Clark Piano Company, was then president of
the National Piano Travellers Association; Henry
Hewitt was the treasurer. \Y. K. Gnylee of The
Cable Company, now of the Schiller-Cable Piano
Mfg. Co.. was president of the Piano Manufacturers'
Association. C. D. Bond, of York. Pa., was first vice-
president. Fred P. Bassett (of the discontinued M.
Schulz Co.), was second vice-president. Herbert Simp-
son (now of Winter & Co.), was secretary.
Mr. A. L. Smith, now of C. G. Conn Company, was
the then hired secretary and important mogul in
each of the several associations surrounding and meet-
ing in conjunction with the National Music Merchants'
Association.
PRESTO-TIMES
show in sales. Likewise of Gulbransun; occupying the
two spacious floors of the Stevens Hotel Tower, a
space about like a good size double display room of a
city store; so attractive, so unusual as to hold large
numbers of people there all through the day and over-
flowing crowds one evening. These demonstrations
will long continue to be tremendous influence for mu-
sic and the music business; a mark of propaganda
advantageous to th,e trade generally. The displays
noted and likewise others all along the line of the
piano exhibits and various exhibitions of band instru-
ment manufacturers and in particular, the magnificent
showing of accordions, were all representative of the
great and growing music trade business.
the representation of it will find—as we have found—
an opportunity of quickly increasing advantage."
After the demonstration of pianos, the performances
of Galla-Rini. the eminent accordionist, were listened
to. This great artist, who has been one of the noted
participants at the National Music Camp at Inter-
lochen, Mich., this year where he has been using the
Wurlitzer accordions for all his performances, demon-
strations and teaching, was brought down to Chicago
from the Interlochen assembly to give exhibitions on
the Wurlitzer accordion during the convention. Sig-
nor Galla-Rini's home is at San Francisco, where he
helps to carry on the famous Galla-Rini School and
Studio of Music Instruction in that city.
Those sitting at the speakers' table were introduced
Among the important personages who visited the
by Mr. Stewart in the order of their seat at the table,
Story & Clark exhibit during the convention was L. F.
The Wurlitzer Gathering
after which several Wurlitzer Grand Piano Co. trav-
Galliani. the general manager of Kohler & Chase,
Briefly, and in part retold without elaborate com- ellers and others of the office and technical force at the
San Francisco. Mr. Galliani is president of the North-
factory were introduced as each one named acknowl-
ern California Music Merchants' Association. This ment, the Wurlitzer Dealers' Convention luncheon edged the honor by rising and accepting the applause
tendered
their
dealers
and
friends
at
the
Stevens
Hotel
gentleman, who "took in" the convention very
of the crowd. Mr. Jackson, traveller in the Eastern
thoroughly, expressed himself as being delighted at. under the immediate supervision of the piano manu- territory; H. P. Veatch, Central West; Herbert Glid-
the marvelous enthusiasm and the magnificent exhibits facturing division of the Wurlitzer organization now den, southern; J. J. Buttell, J. A. Chanahan, Pacific
of pianos and other goods of the music industry at enrolled in music trade history goes on record as one Coast; Everett Rochschild, assistant to Sales Man-
the convention. He particularly complimented Story of the particularly distinctive events of those three ager Stewart, and E. O. Fay, important publicity man
days of music trade celebration the last week in July.
& Clark upon their new dynamic consoles.
A considerably larger gathering was there at this associated with Advertising Manager Earl Hadley,
were also brought to their feet when their names were
Mr. C. E. Hollenback of the Hollenback Piano year's dinner than the one of 1935.
announced.
Co., Spokane, Wash., was a close and careful inspector
The menu, the incidental entertainment, the family-
of exhibits, particularly in the piano division. He
Mr. Robt. F. Sperry, master piano technician, but
spent much time at the Aeolian-American headquarters like hospitality all helped to make the occasion de- wiio was not present, was lauded for drafting of scale
as well as at the Story & Clark and the Wurlitzer lightful to the guests and equally so to the host, The creations in the latest Wurlitzer instruments and Mr.
Wurlitzer Grand Piano Company, of DeKalb, Ills.
exhibits.
Zaizer, eminent Wurlitzer designer, was complimented
Mr. Bert Bruce, general manager of the San Antonio Every speech and the incidental remarks by those of
for his artistic masterpieces.
7
the
Wurlitzer
organization
were
applauded;
everybody
Music Co., San Antonio, Texas. w as accompanied to
However, to repeat, "briefly told and without elab-
the convention by his son, Bertram, an honor student wanted to hear from the ones who are carrying on
orate
comment,'' Wurlitzer piano management had had
the
Wurlitzer
campaign.
The
Messrs.
Wurlitzer,
sons
at the University of Texas, and his father, Mr. W. H.
Bruce of the Bruce Company, Springfield, 111. The and grandson of the founder, were heard and Mr. important things in mind and they knew that their
three generations of the Bruce family attracted a Farny. another grandson, Mr. Rolfing, Mr. Giese, Mr. dealers in particular wanted to know what had been
Fortner, Mr. Erlandsen, Mr. Hadley, each had a mes- going on in the Wurlitzer workshops and to see for
great deal of attention as they are all tall, striking
sage.
Hugh Stewart almost outdid himself as mas- themselves the new creations that had been announced.
and handsome in appearance. Mr. Bert Bruce spent
much time at the Steinway, Kimball, Aeolian-Ameri- ter of ceremonies. By way of introduction he re- A novel method was introduced to show them.
marked that it is apparent that those who sell pianos
Each one of the several new models was brought
can and Story & Clark exhibits.
and those who make them should at times get together on to a stage prepared for the occasion and as each
Mr. Paul Felder, president of Philip W'erlein, Ltd., for the establishment of better acquaintance and the instrument was brought to this platform, a la fashion
of New Orleans, and one of the vice-presidents of
more comprehensive understanding of the mutuality shozv, it was described in detail.
the Music Merchants' Association, was enthusiastic of interest involved. Mr. Rolfing's argument was
This was followed by pianistic demonstrations on
about the convention. A year ago Mr. Felder was frank, constructive, convincing on W'urlitzer methods.
dangerously ill in the hospital at New Orleans and his Wurlitzer standards and Wurlitzer progress in pro- each piano, several by players from the factory, and/or
many friends in the trade were glad to see him looking duction of instruments of quality. Mr. Cyril Farny, otherwise associated with the Wurlitzer organization.
The last instruments brought out were played or.
so well and to note his great enthusiasm for the con- in a memorable five minutes' speech, said:
by two well known pianists and broadcast artists,
vention and the splendid exhibits.
Miss Alice Blue and Mr. Fred Witmer in solos and
Mr.
Farny's
Address
Mr. H. F. Peltier, who is a master craftsman in
two-piano numbers. The instruments shown in this
piano construction and in player action and reproduc-
"It is indeed a pleasure to have so many of our unique way were moved over from the Wurlitzer
ing instruments, spent a good deal of time while he dealers and friends here today. We wish that all our exhibit and are referred to elsewhere in this issue of
was at the convention in examination of the Bliithner merchants could be with us.
Presto-Times.
We would like to express to all, in our own way,
grnad pianos and spoke of the instruments as pianos
of marked and distinct musical qualities, or, as he puts just what it is that has caused Wurlitzer to adopt the
program upon which it is now proceeding and to see,
it, "a wonderfully fine piano."
with us, the objective to which we aspire.
Wurlitzer Consolidates Corporate
F. O. Zimmerman, proprietor of the Wichita Piano
A few years ago, some of our officials, including
Kxchange, Wichita, Kans., who is representative for myself, became aware that out of the general eco-
Interests
the state of Kansas for the Straube piano, placed nomic situation and changed tempo of events, a new
The
Rudolph
Wurlitzer
Company makes the fol-
orders for grands, uprights and verticals during his era was developing. And, that in this new era,
stay of a week or more in and about Chicago. Mr. music would reach a degree of importance in every lowing announcement concerning the liquidation of
Zimmerman is enjoying an excellent trade in his entire day life far more extensive than that which any of the Wurlitzer Grand Piano Company located at De
Kalb, 111., in their plan to eliminate subsidiary Wur-
us ever knew before.
line.
This analysis on our part caused us to believe that litzer companies that have heretofore existed. Here-
Persons who are interested in the Japanese-made
the piano would continue to be, as it had been for with is the
Monochords, or little upright designs, had an oppor- many
years, the basic instrument around which music
ANNOUNCEMENT
tunity to see them in room 520 where Dr. Manning, in the new era would center.
proprietor of the California Supply Co., had two It suggested to us the wisdom of developing a
"For the purpose of simplifying our corporate
models. They have already been described and, as piano line of extraordinary effectiveness. Not only
structure, we have decided to eliminate several of
the name implies, are one-string instruments and to adequately serve the requirements we deemed es-
our subsidiary companies.
sential, but to excite in an inspiring and encouraging
hardly worth considering as a piano.
"Accordingly, the Wurlitzer Grand Piano Co.,
way rapid development of public interest and approval.
an Illinois corporation, has been liquidated and is
We recognized then, as we recognize now, that old
being dissolved, and all of its assets have been
The exhibits at the Music Trade Convention this standards of value like old methods of procedure
transferred to, and its liabilities have been assumed
year as already noted in more or less detail were, were things of the past and would remain of the past.
by, The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, as of Octo-
We sought those whose views conformed with our
many of them, unusually pretentious in size and attrac-
ber 2, 1936.
tiveness. They were truly representative of a great own; we placed them in positions of strategic im-
"Hereafter all of the business of the Wurlitzer
industry and of a line of pursuit in the commercial portance in our institution; we established new stand-
of value in our factory; in our merchandising; in
Grand Piano Co. will be carried on in the name
world well worth following. The interest shown was ards
our
advertising;
in
our
dealer
organization
and
in
our
of The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, which was
indicative of the faith manufacturers in this industry own stores.
established in 1856 and which was incorporated
have in their own business and in the music business
We instituted activities of a type which have in-
under the laws of Ohio in 1890. Manufacturing
all over the country as carried on today.
spired the admiration and esteem of the public, the
and selling will continue as heretofore at De Kalb,
These business men w r ho brought their products to dealer and the industry.
as the De Kalb division of The Rudolph Wurlitzer
It has resulted in an advance far beyond any com-
the display chambers of the Stevens Hotel last July,
furnished in piano history. Wurlitzer piano
Company, to which all communications pertain-
putting on elaborate and costly displays, did not un- parison
sales have increased in a phenomenal way; Wurlitzer
ing to its business should be addressed.
dertake the task with merely the main object in view pianos have been selected for the most conspicuous
"Yours truly,
of how much could they sell A. Z. of Zeeville 01 piano festivals the world has ever known and the
"THE RUDOLPH WURLITZER CO.,
how big an order could they load on A. B. of Bee- Wurlitzer dealer organization—of which you are a
part—will convince you, if you will but look about
ville.
"By Cyril Farny, Vice-President."
that there is no finer type of distributing unit
The house of Baldwin, for instance, did not open you,
The
Rudolph
Wurlitzer
Mfg. Co., a New York cor-
in existence.
two delightful and convenient parlors to make them
poration,
known
as
the
North
Tonawanda division,
We wish to assure you that the era of music of
just salesrooms; nor was the large and well appointed which
I spoke is a very positive reality now; that the Farny R. Wurlitzer, president, issues, as likewise all
Aeolian-American salon fitted out with a group of ele- vision which we had is being fulfilled and that those other Wurlitzer subsidiary corporations, announcement
gant pianos with the devout purpose of making a big of you who now handle the Wurlitzer piano or secure like the above.
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