Music Trade Review
Issue: 1930 Vol. 89 N. 5 - Page 7
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Just Before Going to Press
Ben Platt Invades San Francisco,
Taking Over Three Departments
C AN FRANCISCO—Ben Platt, typically suc-
cessftil music merchant of Southern Cali-
fornia, took over the radio and phonograph de-
partments of the Emporium and Nathan Dohr-
inann Co., San Francisco and the H. C. Capwell
Co., Oakland, Cal., on April 15. The three stores
are under one general management, The Em-
porium and the Capwell store are two of the
largest and handsomest department stores on
the Pacific Coast. Nathan Dohrmann, glass-
ware, china and art goods, occupies a large
building of its own, at Stockton and Geary
streets, San Francisco. All three stores have
phonograph and radio departments.
For years past there have been rumors that
Ben Platt contemplated coming into the San
Francisco Bay region. Negotiations with this
end in view were undertaken some time ago
with one of the leading coast firms in musical
merchandise, but the projected deal ultimately
fell through. Just before leaving for Los Ange-
les on April 16, Ben Platt authorized, for The
Review, the statement that he was taking over
the radio and phonograph departments of the
three stores. Asked whether he was going to
install pianos in these departments, Mr. Platt
emphatically refused to sanction a statement to
that effect but said he would sell radios and
phonographs.
Lechner & Schoenberger
Take on Baldwin Line
The Lechner & Schoenberger Co. of Pitts-
burgh, one of the oldest music houses in that
s-ection, being now in its fiftieth year, has an-
nounced that the Baldwin piano has been added
to the company's line. In announcing the ac-
quisition, the Lechner & Schoenberger Co. said:
"In keeping with our reputation for offering
always the best and foremost in pianos, we are
pleased to have acquired the Pittsburgh fran-
chise for the internationally known Baldwin
piano. Its fine musical qualities—its associa-
tion with the leading artists of to-day—the high
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.—It has been found nec-
As a matter of fact, there is not room in these essary to change the dates of the Western
departments at the present time to display Music & Radio Trades' Association and the
pianos. Moreover, Mr. Platt, who is credited Trade Radio Exhibit from June 25 and 26 to
with being one of the most able and successful June 30 and July 1 and 2. Ernest Ingold, pres-
music merchants in the country, would want to ident of the Western Music and Trades' Asso-
give his latest venture a thorough trial before ciation stated that this is because so many con-
investing a lot more money. Those who know ventions are booked for San Francisco that it
the music trades in California believe that Mr. was found hard to get dates for all the space
Platt will make a success in San Francisco and required, at the St. Francis and the William
Oakland.
Taylor Hotels. So far as preparat'ons are con-
And while Mr. Platt authorizes no statement cerned, Mr. Ingold said that he and the others
that he will sell pianos in San Francisco, it is a in charge of the convention could go ahead and
fact that, later on, he will have excellent oppor- be ready at two days/' notice. He also said that
tunity of doing so, should he so desire. Plans the Convention, representing the eleven West-
are now being prepared to enlarge the Em- ern States, has the active co-operation of ,a
porium, already one of the largest and most large number of music and radio interests and
beautiful department stores on the Pacific Coast. will be a brilliant affair.
An expert is here from the East, aiding in the
Morley P. Thompson, Western representa-
preparation of these plans and specifications. tive of the Baldwin Piano Co., has been added
When the new addition to the Emporium is to the directors of the Association and those
made, there will be enlarged space at the dis- •who are assisting in the entertainment reads
posal of the radio department, affording ample like a page from Who's Who. The Atwater
opportunity for a fine display of pianos. Busi- Kent Manufacturing Co. will present a twenly-
ness men, cognizant of the situation, believe three act musical revue. The Baldwin Piano
that Mr. Platt's launching into the piano busi- Co. will entertain the ladies on July 2. The
ness here is only a matter of time, for they can- Brunswick Co. will contribute Jesse Stafford
not imagine him doing otherwise than make a and his recording dance orchestra for the Wei-
success of his new venture in the San Francisco come Night dance on July 1. The Eveready
Bay region.
Tube Troubadours will entertain at the open-
ing luncheon and the Hill Billy Boys of the
National Broadcasting Co. will also be present.
ideals of its makers, combined with a well- The R.C.A.-Victor Co., Sherman, Clay & Co.,
planned and aggressive sales policy, assures the and other concerns will provide entertaining
Baldwin first place in the field of artistic features. Philip T. Clay, president of Sherman.
pianos."
Clay & Co., will be one of the principal speak-
ers and will talk on "Business Trends in Mus-
ical Merchandise."
T. J. Cummins in Charge
PHTLADELPHIA, PA.—Due to the prolonged illness
of Frank Butler, buyer and manager of the
piano and music departments of the Straw-
bridge & Clothier department store, the manage-
ment of the department has been assigned to
Thomas J. Cummins, assistant to Mr. ,Butler
and buyer of the radio and talking machine sec-
tions. Mr. Butler must remain under the doc-
tor's care for some time to come.
March 1, over 100,000 grown-ups and youngsters had filled in and
returned coupons requesting information on the harmonica and its
playing. The response was so heavy, in fact, that an extra crew of
clerks was needed to take care of it.
It is to be granted that the harmonica is a small instrument
retailing in most cases for less than a dollar, but it must also be
considered that over 100,000 people were sufficiently interested in
that instrument and the music it produces to tear out and fill in
a coupon, address, stamp and mail the envelope containing it. All
this for the purpose of obtaining some descriptive literature, and
not a free sample of the product. It is all indicative of a musical
interest that may be elementary, but nevertheless can be capitalized
in the selling of instruments of all types. It is quite evident that
interest in music and its production does exist. The problem ap-
pears to be one of leading that interest into buying channels.
1
^
Western Convention to Be
Held June 30 to July 2
Raising the Prices of Pianos
HE action of the. New York Piano Manufacturers'
Association in adopting a resolution urging that manu-
facturers raise piano prices in keeping with increased
production costs, following decreasing demand, is commendable and
should receive wide publicity, both in and out of the trade. A num-
Alfring Sails for Europe
W. H. Alfring, vice-president of the Aeolian
Co., sailed on the "He de France" on April 18
for Europe and will remain abroad for two
months or so visiting the company's branches
and representatives in England, France and
Germany. Just before sailing he was tendered
a dinner by the executive staff at Aeolian Hall.
ber of companies, including Steinway and Mathusek, have already
raised their prices, but there have undoubtedly been other manufac-
turers who, while appreciating their losses, have feared to pass
increased costs on to the dealer and the final purchaser. The resolu-
tion brings the question out in the open and it is to be hoped that
manufacturers who are .waivering will be guided thereby.
It is quite bad enough to be faced with a diminished demand
without being called upon to meet that demand at a loss. Certainly
the piano trade cannot remain on a firm and permanent foundation
unless the business done is profitable in some measure at least. It is
significant that retailers present at the meeting when the resolu-
tion was passed, were quite frank in endorsing it, realizing that the
future of the retail trade is dependent upon the manufacturers
being able to do business on a basis that will enable them to stay
in it until the situation changes for the better. And it is going
to change.
Just Before Going to Press
Ben Platt Invades San Francisco,
Taking Over Three Departments
C AN FRANCISCO—Ben Platt, typically suc-
cessftil music merchant of Southern Cali-
fornia, took over the radio and phonograph de-
partments of the Emporium and Nathan Dohr-
inann Co., San Francisco and the H. C. Capwell
Co., Oakland, Cal., on April 15. The three stores
are under one general management, The Em-
porium and the Capwell store are two of the
largest and handsomest department stores on
the Pacific Coast. Nathan Dohrmann, glass-
ware, china and art goods, occupies a large
building of its own, at Stockton and Geary
streets, San Francisco. All three stores have
phonograph and radio departments.
For years past there have been rumors that
Ben Platt contemplated coming into the San
Francisco Bay region. Negotiations with this
end in view were undertaken some time ago
with one of the leading coast firms in musical
merchandise, but the projected deal ultimately
fell through. Just before leaving for Los Ange-
les on April 16, Ben Platt authorized, for The
Review, the statement that he was taking over
the radio and phonograph departments of the
three stores. Asked whether he was going to
install pianos in these departments, Mr. Platt
emphatically refused to sanction a statement to
that effect but said he would sell radios and
phonographs.
Lechner & Schoenberger
Take on Baldwin Line
The Lechner & Schoenberger Co. of Pitts-
burgh, one of the oldest music houses in that
s-ection, being now in its fiftieth year, has an-
nounced that the Baldwin piano has been added
to the company's line. In announcing the ac-
quisition, the Lechner & Schoenberger Co. said:
"In keeping with our reputation for offering
always the best and foremost in pianos, we are
pleased to have acquired the Pittsburgh fran-
chise for the internationally known Baldwin
piano. Its fine musical qualities—its associa-
tion with the leading artists of to-day—the high
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.—It has been found nec-
As a matter of fact, there is not room in these essary to change the dates of the Western
departments at the present time to display Music & Radio Trades' Association and the
pianos. Moreover, Mr. Platt, who is credited Trade Radio Exhibit from June 25 and 26 to
with being one of the most able and successful June 30 and July 1 and 2. Ernest Ingold, pres-
music merchants in the country, would want to ident of the Western Music and Trades' Asso-
give his latest venture a thorough trial before ciation stated that this is because so many con-
investing a lot more money. Those who know ventions are booked for San Francisco that it
the music trades in California believe that Mr. was found hard to get dates for all the space
Platt will make a success in San Francisco and required, at the St. Francis and the William
Oakland.
Taylor Hotels. So far as preparat'ons are con-
And while Mr. Platt authorizes no statement cerned, Mr. Ingold said that he and the others
that he will sell pianos in San Francisco, it is a in charge of the convention could go ahead and
fact that, later on, he will have excellent oppor- be ready at two days/' notice. He also said that
tunity of doing so, should he so desire. Plans the Convention, representing the eleven West-
are now being prepared to enlarge the Em- ern States, has the active co-operation of ,a
porium, already one of the largest and most large number of music and radio interests and
beautiful department stores on the Pacific Coast. will be a brilliant affair.
An expert is here from the East, aiding in the
Morley P. Thompson, Western representa-
preparation of these plans and specifications. tive of the Baldwin Piano Co., has been added
When the new addition to the Emporium is to the directors of the Association and those
made, there will be enlarged space at the dis- •who are assisting in the entertainment reads
posal of the radio department, affording ample like a page from Who's Who. The Atwater
opportunity for a fine display of pianos. Busi- Kent Manufacturing Co. will present a twenly-
ness men, cognizant of the situation, believe three act musical revue. The Baldwin Piano
that Mr. Platt's launching into the piano busi- Co. will entertain the ladies on July 2. The
ness here is only a matter of time, for they can- Brunswick Co. will contribute Jesse Stafford
not imagine him doing otherwise than make a and his recording dance orchestra for the Wei-
success of his new venture in the San Francisco come Night dance on July 1. The Eveready
Bay region.
Tube Troubadours will entertain at the open-
ing luncheon and the Hill Billy Boys of the
National Broadcasting Co. will also be present.
ideals of its makers, combined with a well- The R.C.A.-Victor Co., Sherman, Clay & Co.,
planned and aggressive sales policy, assures the and other concerns will provide entertaining
Baldwin first place in the field of artistic features. Philip T. Clay, president of Sherman.
pianos."
Clay & Co., will be one of the principal speak-
ers and will talk on "Business Trends in Mus-
ical Merchandise."
T. J. Cummins in Charge
PHTLADELPHIA, PA.—Due to the prolonged illness
of Frank Butler, buyer and manager of the
piano and music departments of the Straw-
bridge & Clothier department store, the manage-
ment of the department has been assigned to
Thomas J. Cummins, assistant to Mr. ,Butler
and buyer of the radio and talking machine sec-
tions. Mr. Butler must remain under the doc-
tor's care for some time to come.
March 1, over 100,000 grown-ups and youngsters had filled in and
returned coupons requesting information on the harmonica and its
playing. The response was so heavy, in fact, that an extra crew of
clerks was needed to take care of it.
It is to be granted that the harmonica is a small instrument
retailing in most cases for less than a dollar, but it must also be
considered that over 100,000 people were sufficiently interested in
that instrument and the music it produces to tear out and fill in
a coupon, address, stamp and mail the envelope containing it. All
this for the purpose of obtaining some descriptive literature, and
not a free sample of the product. It is all indicative of a musical
interest that may be elementary, but nevertheless can be capitalized
in the selling of instruments of all types. It is quite evident that
interest in music and its production does exist. The problem ap-
pears to be one of leading that interest into buying channels.
1
^
Western Convention to Be
Held June 30 to July 2
Raising the Prices of Pianos
HE action of the. New York Piano Manufacturers'
Association in adopting a resolution urging that manu-
facturers raise piano prices in keeping with increased
production costs, following decreasing demand, is commendable and
should receive wide publicity, both in and out of the trade. A num-
Alfring Sails for Europe
W. H. Alfring, vice-president of the Aeolian
Co., sailed on the "He de France" on April 18
for Europe and will remain abroad for two
months or so visiting the company's branches
and representatives in England, France and
Germany. Just before sailing he was tendered
a dinner by the executive staff at Aeolian Hall.
ber of companies, including Steinway and Mathusek, have already
raised their prices, but there have undoubtedly been other manufac-
turers who, while appreciating their losses, have feared to pass
increased costs on to the dealer and the final purchaser. The resolu-
tion brings the question out in the open and it is to be hoped that
manufacturers who are .waivering will be guided thereby.
It is quite bad enough to be faced with a diminished demand
without being called upon to meet that demand at a loss. Certainly
the piano trade cannot remain on a firm and permanent foundation
unless the business done is profitable in some measure at least. It is
significant that retailers present at the meeting when the resolu-
tion was passed, were quite frank in endorsing it, realizing that the
future of the retail trade is dependent upon the manufacturers
being able to do business on a basis that will enable them to stay
in it until the situation changes for the better. And it is going
to change.
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