Music Trade Review
Issue: 1924 Vol. 78 N. 1 - Page 10
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
10
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Pittsburgh Music Merchants Looking
Forward to Heavy Sales During Year
Unanimous in Stating 1923 Showed Considerable Increase in Volume Over Previous Twelve
Months—General Industrial Conditions in Pittsburgh District Are Very Good
P I T T S B U R G H , PA., December 31.—The year
1923, from the standpoint of the piano mer-
chants of Pittsburgh, might have been a great
deal worse, but, on the whole, it was a rather
profitable year. Business results, when seen in
the light of the books, will show a gain over
the volume of business handled in the preceding
year. December sales came rather late, but
came with a rush and practically all of the deal-
ers did a big business right up to the time of
closing their respective places of business on
Christmas eve.
The outlook for 1924 is considered good and
there is much optimism displayed by the leaders
in the piano trade here. With the steel mills
running well and with plenty of orders ahead
that will keep the various plants in operation
for the next twelve or fifteen months, there is
every reason for an optimistic spirit. Then,
too, there will be new mills and furnaces built
that will require an expenditure of $3,000,000 or
more, all in the next twelve months. Building
operations in the Steel City are at hi-gh tide and
there will also be millions of dollars spent in
the construction of new dwellings and apart-
ment houses.
Arthur O. Lechner, president of the Piano
Merchants' Association of Pittsburgh, stated
that he was lined up with the optimists relative
to the outlook for 1924. He is of the opinion
that the general industrial prosperity that pre-
vails will be maintained for a long time to come
and that as a result business in general will be
good.
Ben L. Sykes, manager of the Pittsburgh
branch of Chas. M. Stieff, Inc., is spending sev-
eral days at the home offices of the company
in Baltimore, Md.
George W. Dowd, manager of the Story &
Clark Piano Co., Pittsburgh branch, spent the
Christmas holidays in Toledo, O.
Barry Dierks, son of W. C. Dierks, of the
C. C. Mellor Piano Co., who spent the Christ-
mas holidays with his parents here, sailed on
December 29 on the steamer "La Savoie" of the
French Line for Paris, where he makes his
home.
H. H. Fleer, sales manager of the C. C. Mel-
lor Co., was elected a director of the Kiwanis
Club of Pittsburgh. Mr. Fleer takes an active
interest in all the affairs of that organization.
Prof. James W. Prescott, who for more than
a quarter of a century led the Arion Society of
Allentown, Pa., in its musical activities, died at
his home in that city on Christmas morning.
Prof. Prescott was born in Leeds, England,
February 26, 1846.
" The stork made a visit to the home of Paul
S. Mechling, sales manager of the Dawson Bros.
Piano Co., just before Christmas and left a
bouncing baby boy. Mrs. Mechling and the son
and heir are doing very nicely. Mr. Mechling
is the treasurer of the Piano Merchants' Asso-
ciation of Pittsburgh.
R. J. Call, of the sales staff of the C. C.
Mellor Co., also is receiving congratulations
over the advent of a baby boy into his home
on December 28. Mother and son are doing
nicely.
Practically All Dealers Close Past Twelve Months With Good Balances on Right Side of Their
Books—C. Kurtzmann & Co. Report a Considerable Increase in Demand During the Year
D U F F A L O , "N. Y., January 2.—Monday
brought to a close one of the best years
in the history of the music trade in Buffalo
and its surrounding territory. Dealers in this
district are very much pleased with the outcome
and look forward to continued good business
for at least the first few months of 1924 with
great confidence.
A considerable increase was shown in the bal-
ances at the close of the year over those of
1922 in practically every music house visited by
The Review representative.
Goold Bros, closed an excellent year, according
to George Goold. "We have not completed our
balances for the year, but I believe we will
find at least a 50 per cent increase over the fig-
ures of last year," he said. "Ampicos boosted
the percentage considerably. We certainly have
had a fine year for Ampicos."
The advent of the small grand, upright and player has been wel-
comed by dwellers in homes of limited space and has thus created
a large new field of buyers. But those who purchased these little
instruments have not been content with the commercial piano of
unknown parentage; they demand pianos of reputation, known
quality, artistic pianos.
The Petite Ludwig Pianos fulfill these requirements to the utmost;
a soft, mellow, string-like tone, of striking similarity to the voices
of 'cello, violin and harp; models of classic beauty, shining with
dazzling polish, or the rich, dull mission finish—in mahogany, wal-
nut and oak—at a surprisingly moderate price.
Let us tell you how quickly these little artistic Ludwig Pianos
vanish from our dealers' floors. Write for full information.
Ludwig &
Willow Ave. and 136th St.
1101 CHESTNUT ST
1924
Buffalo Music Trade Closes Year With
One of Best Sales Volumes in History
Ludwig—The Only Complete Line of Small
Artistic Grands, Uprights and Players
•PHILADELPHIA ,
JANUARY 5,
Co.
New York
J. A. Owenhouse, vice-president of the C.
Kurtzmann & Co., said: "Our trade has been
much better than that of 1922. We have had
a very successful year. The trade ran mostly
to Kurtzmann grands and reproducing grands.
There has been a very healthy increase in the
volume of sales in these instruments since the
beginning of 1923. Many professional musicians
of Buffalo and other cities have adopted the
Kurtzmann for studio work, which has greatly
stimulated sales. Present indications are that
1924 will be a good year."
"December was a good month," said F. F.
Barber, of the J. N. Adam Music Store, "and
we have closed the best year in the history of
our music store. The percentage of increase
over 1922 is quite large. I am not certain yet
just what it will be, but around 20 per cent
greater than in 1922. Pianos and players were
leaders."
F. D. Clare, manager of the Iroquois Sales
Corp., Strand and Okch distributors, said his
books showed an increase of about 50 per cent
over balances of 1922.
Irving Oswald is manager of the new fur-
niture department of the John G. Schuler Co.,
Inc. Mr. Schuler recently added a fine grade of
furniture to his line of musical instruments.
Mr. Oswald formerly conducted a furniture
store in Grant street, Buffalo.
The Auburn Record Exchange, of Auburn,
N. Y., has been closed by order of the sheriff.
The stock of musical instruments will be sold
to meet the demands of the creditors. G. F.
Bo.wker, proprietor, disappeared a few weeks
ago.
Florence Carey, former manager of the sheet
music department of the Buffalo Kresge store,
has returned from a two months' tour of
Europe. She is now assistant manager of'the
Max Friedman store in the Main-Central Ar-
cade.
Frank Devore, fifty-four years old, president
and manager of the International Academy of
Music in Buffalo, died recently of heart disease.
He is survived by the widow.
Buys Kenyon Music House
HICKORY, N. C, December 31.—John F. Warren,
of Lincolnton, has just purchased control of the
business of the Kenyon Music House on Ninth
avenue. This change will become effective
January 3.
More Cunningham pianos are found in Philadelphia homes than
any other and you can accomplish the same results in your
city.
Ask for our plan of selling Cunningham pianos.
10
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Pittsburgh Music Merchants Looking
Forward to Heavy Sales During Year
Unanimous in Stating 1923 Showed Considerable Increase in Volume Over Previous Twelve
Months—General Industrial Conditions in Pittsburgh District Are Very Good
P I T T S B U R G H , PA., December 31.—The year
1923, from the standpoint of the piano mer-
chants of Pittsburgh, might have been a great
deal worse, but, on the whole, it was a rather
profitable year. Business results, when seen in
the light of the books, will show a gain over
the volume of business handled in the preceding
year. December sales came rather late, but
came with a rush and practically all of the deal-
ers did a big business right up to the time of
closing their respective places of business on
Christmas eve.
The outlook for 1924 is considered good and
there is much optimism displayed by the leaders
in the piano trade here. With the steel mills
running well and with plenty of orders ahead
that will keep the various plants in operation
for the next twelve or fifteen months, there is
every reason for an optimistic spirit. Then,
too, there will be new mills and furnaces built
that will require an expenditure of $3,000,000 or
more, all in the next twelve months. Building
operations in the Steel City are at hi-gh tide and
there will also be millions of dollars spent in
the construction of new dwellings and apart-
ment houses.
Arthur O. Lechner, president of the Piano
Merchants' Association of Pittsburgh, stated
that he was lined up with the optimists relative
to the outlook for 1924. He is of the opinion
that the general industrial prosperity that pre-
vails will be maintained for a long time to come
and that as a result business in general will be
good.
Ben L. Sykes, manager of the Pittsburgh
branch of Chas. M. Stieff, Inc., is spending sev-
eral days at the home offices of the company
in Baltimore, Md.
George W. Dowd, manager of the Story &
Clark Piano Co., Pittsburgh branch, spent the
Christmas holidays in Toledo, O.
Barry Dierks, son of W. C. Dierks, of the
C. C. Mellor Piano Co., who spent the Christ-
mas holidays with his parents here, sailed on
December 29 on the steamer "La Savoie" of the
French Line for Paris, where he makes his
home.
H. H. Fleer, sales manager of the C. C. Mel-
lor Co., was elected a director of the Kiwanis
Club of Pittsburgh. Mr. Fleer takes an active
interest in all the affairs of that organization.
Prof. James W. Prescott, who for more than
a quarter of a century led the Arion Society of
Allentown, Pa., in its musical activities, died at
his home in that city on Christmas morning.
Prof. Prescott was born in Leeds, England,
February 26, 1846.
" The stork made a visit to the home of Paul
S. Mechling, sales manager of the Dawson Bros.
Piano Co., just before Christmas and left a
bouncing baby boy. Mrs. Mechling and the son
and heir are doing very nicely. Mr. Mechling
is the treasurer of the Piano Merchants' Asso-
ciation of Pittsburgh.
R. J. Call, of the sales staff of the C. C.
Mellor Co., also is receiving congratulations
over the advent of a baby boy into his home
on December 28. Mother and son are doing
nicely.
Practically All Dealers Close Past Twelve Months With Good Balances on Right Side of Their
Books—C. Kurtzmann & Co. Report a Considerable Increase in Demand During the Year
D U F F A L O , "N. Y., January 2.—Monday
brought to a close one of the best years
in the history of the music trade in Buffalo
and its surrounding territory. Dealers in this
district are very much pleased with the outcome
and look forward to continued good business
for at least the first few months of 1924 with
great confidence.
A considerable increase was shown in the bal-
ances at the close of the year over those of
1922 in practically every music house visited by
The Review representative.
Goold Bros, closed an excellent year, according
to George Goold. "We have not completed our
balances for the year, but I believe we will
find at least a 50 per cent increase over the fig-
ures of last year," he said. "Ampicos boosted
the percentage considerably. We certainly have
had a fine year for Ampicos."
The advent of the small grand, upright and player has been wel-
comed by dwellers in homes of limited space and has thus created
a large new field of buyers. But those who purchased these little
instruments have not been content with the commercial piano of
unknown parentage; they demand pianos of reputation, known
quality, artistic pianos.
The Petite Ludwig Pianos fulfill these requirements to the utmost;
a soft, mellow, string-like tone, of striking similarity to the voices
of 'cello, violin and harp; models of classic beauty, shining with
dazzling polish, or the rich, dull mission finish—in mahogany, wal-
nut and oak—at a surprisingly moderate price.
Let us tell you how quickly these little artistic Ludwig Pianos
vanish from our dealers' floors. Write for full information.
Ludwig &
Willow Ave. and 136th St.
1101 CHESTNUT ST
1924
Buffalo Music Trade Closes Year With
One of Best Sales Volumes in History
Ludwig—The Only Complete Line of Small
Artistic Grands, Uprights and Players
•PHILADELPHIA ,
JANUARY 5,
Co.
New York
J. A. Owenhouse, vice-president of the C.
Kurtzmann & Co., said: "Our trade has been
much better than that of 1922. We have had
a very successful year. The trade ran mostly
to Kurtzmann grands and reproducing grands.
There has been a very healthy increase in the
volume of sales in these instruments since the
beginning of 1923. Many professional musicians
of Buffalo and other cities have adopted the
Kurtzmann for studio work, which has greatly
stimulated sales. Present indications are that
1924 will be a good year."
"December was a good month," said F. F.
Barber, of the J. N. Adam Music Store, "and
we have closed the best year in the history of
our music store. The percentage of increase
over 1922 is quite large. I am not certain yet
just what it will be, but around 20 per cent
greater than in 1922. Pianos and players were
leaders."
F. D. Clare, manager of the Iroquois Sales
Corp., Strand and Okch distributors, said his
books showed an increase of about 50 per cent
over balances of 1922.
Irving Oswald is manager of the new fur-
niture department of the John G. Schuler Co.,
Inc. Mr. Schuler recently added a fine grade of
furniture to his line of musical instruments.
Mr. Oswald formerly conducted a furniture
store in Grant street, Buffalo.
The Auburn Record Exchange, of Auburn,
N. Y., has been closed by order of the sheriff.
The stock of musical instruments will be sold
to meet the demands of the creditors. G. F.
Bo.wker, proprietor, disappeared a few weeks
ago.
Florence Carey, former manager of the sheet
music department of the Buffalo Kresge store,
has returned from a two months' tour of
Europe. She is now assistant manager of'the
Max Friedman store in the Main-Central Ar-
cade.
Frank Devore, fifty-four years old, president
and manager of the International Academy of
Music in Buffalo, died recently of heart disease.
He is survived by the widow.
Buys Kenyon Music House
HICKORY, N. C, December 31.—John F. Warren,
of Lincolnton, has just purchased control of the
business of the Kenyon Music House on Ninth
avenue. This change will become effective
January 3.
More Cunningham pianos are found in Philadelphia homes than
any other and you can accomplish the same results in your
city.
Ask for our plan of selling Cunningham pianos.
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).