Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
New Morton Piano Co., in Philadelphia,
to Handle Hallet & Davis Line There
In Addition Will Also Represent Sonora Phonographs—James Bellak's Sons Now Representing
the Cable Line—Weymann Features Hohner Harmonicas in Window Displays
PHILADELPHIA, Pa., May 12.—During the
past week evidence of the appearance of the
Summer business came to the dealers through
the inquiries and purchases of a few of the pianos
adaptable for Summer hotels, boarding houses
and family use in the mountain, country and
seashore resorts. Some of the stores have be-
gun to ship several instruments to the Poconos
and to Atlantic City, the chief resorts in the
mountains and seaside patronized by Philadel-
phians and citizens of surrounding cities. Many
hotels of the smaller types at the seashore and
mountain and country resorts are favorably im-
pressed with the automatic pianos as a means
for supplying their Summer musical entertain-
ment in the dining-rooms in place of orchestras
as indicated by the frequent inquiries from these
hostelries.
Morton Piano Co. Enters Trade
Another central city music store has been
added to the group of trade houses that are
centered in the heart of the heavy downtown
business section when the Morton Piano Co.
threw open its doors to the public last week at
914 Walnut street. While the Philadelphia
store is an entirely new venture the proprietor
long has been identified with the trade, having
previously been in business in Atlantic City.
He is David Rosenfeld, formerly proprietor of
the Strand Piano Co. Having discontinued the
Atlantic City establishment, he will devote his
attention entirely to the Philadelphia store. The
Morton Co. will have the local agency for the
Hallet & Davis pianos, carrying a complete
stock of these in its display rooms and ware-
house in addition to the retail distribution of
the Sonora phonographs.
Cable Company Line for Bellak's
Although for many years engaged in the
piano industry of the city and featuring ex-
clusively its own make, the firm of James Bel-
lak's Sons, 1129 Chestnut street, pioneer dealers
of the Quaker City piano trade, is now retailing
the well-known Cable pianos made by the
Cable Company, of Chicago. This local repre-
sentative will specialize in the sale of the Midg-
et pianos made by that manufacturer. There
has been added to this line a small size repro-
ducing grand piano with the firm's own player
action. The first showing of these new instru-
ments was made at the Bellak store in the
piano department under the management of
Louis Stauss.
Featuring Hohner Harmonicas
So important have become the harmonica
sales in Philadelphia that the H. A. Weymann
& Sons Co. has found it-expedient to devote
much window space to the Hohner make dur-
ing the week. Almost an entire front window
in the store at 1108 Chestnut street, in the
heart of the heavy traffic, was given over to the
exhibition of these juvenile favorites in musical
instruments. Various makes of the Hohner and
all the sizes with cut~outs and placards for the
advertisement of the harmonicas were scattered
over the floors and adorned the sides of the
window, attracting many pedestrians to the ex-
hibit. There also was displayed the line of
accordions made by the Hohner house.
Goes After Business and Gets It
Having been convinced that there is business
to be had by the go-getter, Myer F. Hall, who
conducts one of the largest of music stores in
the Germantown avenue district, set about going
after it, and so has organized a staff of six
canvassers now engaged in working on the out-
side sales force. As a result of this determina-
tion to bring the business to the store rather
than, like Micawber, "wait for something to turn
up," he has been successful in disposing of
larger numbers of the Gulbransen and the
Jacob Bros, pianos, both of these lines having
been among the specialties that were featured
in the sales campaign made last month. There
also was carried on in conjunction with the
piano sales drive the Victrola campaign with
equally good results.
New Estey Radio Department
The new radio department at the Estey Piano
Co., Philadelphia store, Seventeenth and Wal-
nut streets, is now completed and the firm has
one of the most attractive radio centers in the
trade. The entire second floor has been redec-
orated and modernized into handsome quarters
with furniture and draperies to harmonize with
the richness of the furnishings. The whole de-
partment is now an attractive showroom for all
the well-known makes carried by the Estey as
wholesalers and retailers of radio.
A. B. Smith Piano Go. Buys
New Building in Akron
Well-known Music House to Move to New and
Larger Quarters at an Early Date—Repre-
sents Real Progress
AKRON, O., May 11.—The A. B. Smith Piano
Co., piano and music dealer, has purchased
the L. D. Schory Building on East Miller street
and will occupy it as sales and display head-
quarters, beginning July 1.
Purchase of the property was made in a deal
MAY
16, 1925
which involves the South Main street property
formerly occupied and owned by the piano com-
pany. The deal involved more than $350,000.
The A. B. Smith Co. now occupies a store
at 11 East Buchtel avenue.
The Schory Building is six stories with base-
ment, and is of fireproof construction. It is
so built that an addition of five stories can be
made if necessary. The Smith Co. is holding
a big sale now in preparation of the removal
to the new building.
Three other music firms are within the block
in East Mill street.
Newark Piano Dealer Moves
Into His Own Building
Charles H. Baker Now Occupies Three-story
Building at 225 Washington Street—In Trade
for Over Two Decades
The piano store of Charles H. Baker, located
for many years at 224 Washington street,
Newark, N. J., in the rear of the department
store of L. Bamberger & Co., has removed this
month to Mr. Baker's own three-story building,
at 225 Washington street, directly opposite the
old store. Mr. Baker entered the piano busi-
ness in Newark about twenty-two years ago,
being regarded at that time as the youngest
piano merchant in the East. His first experi-
ence was in the office of Jacob Bros., New
York, when only a lad in short trousers. He
handles the Mathushek line of pianos, and does
a consistent business.
Praise for Lester Grand
PHILADELPHIA, PA., May 11.—The Lester Piano
Co. continues to receive many letters of com-
mendation on its product. Many of these arc
from musicians of high standing who are com-
petent to judge its merits. One of the latest
received was from S. F. Hirtz, of the Johns-
town College of Music, Johnstown, Pa., who
wrote personally to George Miller, treasurer of
the company, as follows: "Although I do not
know you personally, I take this opportunity
of thanking you for manufacturing a grand
piano of great power and beauty at modern
price. The six-foot Lester grand which I
ordered from the F. A. North Piano Co. arrived
two weeks ago. I am more than satisfied with
it. For years I have searched for a piano con-
taining a bass of power and quality, and I have
found it in your six-foot Lester grand. The
tones" of the treble are beautiful and silvery.
All my pupils are delighted with my Lester
grand. I recommend your marvelous piano to
every one interested in a first-class instrument."
Consult the Universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge for mtfn who desire positions.
IS "THE TIME
Now thai the season of open roads has arrived it will pay you to cultivate your out-of-town piano prospects. With a Bowen
One-Man Piano" Loader and Carrier attached, to your Ford runabout you can carry your piano anywhere a Ford can go and demonstrate
the piano at the prospept's door while your competitor waits.
Our latest model is fool-proof and indestructible, and the price has been reduced to $95.00, including an extra good water-proof
moving cover. Satisfaction guaranteed or money refunded. •
BOWEN PIANO LOADER CO.
Winston-Salem, N. C.