Presto
Issue: 1920 1785 - Page 21
21
October 9, 1920.
AN ARTISTIC "CATALOGUE OF TEN" SWITCHTE TO ns GULBRANSEN PLAYER
Chickering & Sons Division of American Piano Co. Puts Forth an Unusual
Brochure in Which the Distinguished Boston Instruments
Are Fittingly Illustrated.
Wherever the name of Chickering appears it is
customary to expect something artistic, whether it
be in connection with the fine old instrument itself,
in modern form, or in the literature of the oldest
American piano industry and its steady and forward
career. So it is that when a new Chickering catalogue
is announced the trade and musical world in gen-
eral expects something out of the ordinary, and in
keeping with the traditions of the distinguished Bos-
ton industry.
Some Artistic Specimens.
There will be no disappointment when piano men
—dealers, professionals or piano enthusiasts in pri-
vate life—examine the latest "Catalogue of Ten
Examples, Showing the Latest Developments in
Artistic Pianoforte Making," which has just been
put forth by the Chickering Division of the American
Piano Co.
There is not a suggestion about the book that is
not significant of the career of the Chickering, from
its first foundation by Jonas Chickering, in 1823, to
the present day. In fact, of all the artistic Chicker-
ing brochures we do not recall one that has carried
its message with greater force or that has more per-
fectly met the expections which are always
prompted when the name is spoken among musical
people.
Of Unusual Size.
This new "Catalogue of Ten" is 9 by 12 inches in
the size of its page; impressive, but difficult in its
artistic effects, were it less carefully and skillfully
prepared or "laid out" with any less mechanical,
skill. All of the minor effects so dear to lovers of
fine book-making have been considered. The front-
ispiece presents a splendid picture of the "father of
the American piano," the portrait of Jonas Chicker-
ing having been made from a bust which has be-
come familiar to the world of piano lovers. It is
printed in sepia ink and is very effective. Follow-
ing is a page showing "Some of the One Hundred
and Thirty First Medals and Awards bestowed upon
the Chickering pianos"—a display which should
prove forceful in the hands of a salesman and con-
vincing to the least informed piano purchaser. And
then follows a succinct recital of the beginning and
progress of the famous instrument—so good as a
bit of piano literature that it is reproduced entirely
as follows:
FROM 1823 TO THIS DAY.
In the history of piano making from the date of
its original invention by Christofori in 1706 to the
present time, no name appears which is more illus-
trious than that of Jonas Chickering, founder of the
House of Chickering & Sons in Boston, in 1823.
From their inception, the pianos made by Chick-
ering & Sons have been renowned for their exquisite
beauty of tone, their great durability and perfection
of finish in every detail.
They are known throughout the civilized world
and their glory and fame rests on the splendid
qualities which have ever made the name "Chicker-
ing" synonymous with all that is best in piano mak-
ing.
In recognition of their contribution to the science
and art of music, Jonas Chickering and subsequently
his successors, have been honored and distinguished
by states and sovereigns, by learned societies, by
world's expositions and by the greatest contempo-
raneous musicians who have bestowed upon the
makers of the Chickering pianos the highest testi-
monials, awards and investitures, including every
known method of publicly recognizing merit. Chick-
ering & Sons, for the excellence of their pianos, have
been the recipients of One Hundred and Thirty
first medals and awards, including the supreme rec-
ompense, the Imperial Cross of the Legion of
Honor.
But it is a source of the greatest pride to point
after all to the distinguished eminence the Chicker-
ing pianos have obtained in the thousands of homes
where they have provided the means of making mu-
sic and the army of pianists, professional and ama-
teur, who have been educated with the aid of Chick-
ering pianos. There are numberless incidents be-
yond the reach of statistical evidence that acclaim
the marvelous value of the Chickering piano as a
factor in the musical education of the world.
Older than the railroad or the telegraph, its illus-
trious career of nearly a century has been one of un-
interrupted honor—honor because of excellence—
and honor with success. It is a piano known to our
fathers, our grandfathers and our great-grand-
fathers. Associations and fragrant memories clus-
ter about it. From the first, it has been sought after
and esteemed and always because it was the best.
Is it any marvel, then, that it occupies the proudest
place today?
Each year new standards are created for them-
selves by the makers of these instruments, whose
constant endeavor is to improve upon their latest
product and maintain the unquestioned leadership
which has been theirs uninterruptedly since the es-
tablishment of the house nearly a hundred years
ago.
Some Rare Illustrations.
A footpiece, following the foregoing sketch, shows
"the first Chickering piano, made by Jonas Chicker-
ing in 1823," which lends a graceful touch to a strong
argument. The peculiarly artistic photogravures of the
ten Chickering styles which, with their descriptions,
fill the next twenty-two pages, will possess very spe-
cial value to piano merchants, and their salesmen,
who represent the Chickering. These are not ordi-
nary piano catalogue cuts. They are photographic
views of the instruments with surroundings of home
refinement, and often the splendor of sumptuous
drawing rooms.
And the pianos fit their surroundings so perfectly
that the eye is filled with a sense of perfect sym-
metry and almost a longing to realize the same
scene in fact. Such attention has been given to de-
tails in posing the instruments that sometimes the
pictures seem almost too perfect for set scenes and
seem to suggest the brush of the artist of imagina-
tive power. But every picture is that of a Chicker-
ing piano reproduced by the fidelity of the photo-
graphic lens. In fact, some of the pictures were
made in the New York warerooms of John Wana-
maker, and others are used by the courtesy of other
great concerns.
The Marvelous Ampico.
Especially effective and splendid are the illustra-
tions of the Style JGE, Louis XV Ampico Grand;
the HGE Ampico Grand; the KGE Ampico Grand;
but where all are so fine it is better not to discrimi-
nate, and the instruments themselves are, of course,
of evenly artistic character.
Facing the last chapter in the new Catalogue of
Ten is another full page of medals and awards, and
the concluding pages are devoted to a review of the
Ampico Reproducing Piano, which is declared to be
"probably the most remarkable invention in connec-
tion with music since the invention of the piano
itself. It is impossible to convey adequately the true
significance and the marvel of the performance of
the Ampico to one who has not heard it.
"It reproduces the playing of the pianists who
have recorded for it so minutely and with such ex-
traordinary exactness that it is impossible to dis-
tinguish any difference between the actual perform-
ance of the living pianist and its reproduction by the
Ampico.
"On many occasions the Ampico has been sub-
jected to the. test of being heard publicly in the
same concert with the artists themselves, repeating,
immediately after the performance by the living
pianist, the same piece from a record previously
made at the Ampico Recording Studios in New
York.
"The opinions of the critics writing of these occa-
sions are probably the best evidence which can be
presented of what the Ampico can accomplish. In
several of the larger cities of our country, Leopold
Godowsky, Mischa Levitzki, George Copeland, Ar-
thur Rubinstein, Leo Ornstein and Benno Moisei-
witsch have appeared in these joint recitals with the
Ampico."
Trade Will Want It.
This convincing chapter contains extracts from
the published opinions of some of America's fore-
most critics of music and the means of its reproduc-
tion, concluding with the statement that "in a word,
the Ampico provides music of all kinds ideally
played. Special literature regarding the Ampico
will be furnished upon request."
It will nofbe necessary to advise piano dealers to
get copies of the new "Chickering Catalogue of
Ten." It will be only a question of extent of the
supply, and no piano lover will want to be without it.
NEW SEATTLE HOUSE.
Frank Clinton, for years a wholesale piano trav-
eler on the Pacific Coast, who is owner of a busi-
ness in Tacoma, Wash., has leased the new brick
building at 1612 Eighth avenue, Seattle, Wash.,
where he has opened a retail piano store under the
title of Clinton's Piano House.
Clark F. Gross Makes the Turn in Ad at Monmouth,
Illinois.
Clark F. Gross, who is manager of the piano de-
partment of the E. B. Colwell Company, at Mon-
mouth 111., was formerly a traveler for the Gul-
bransen-Dickinson company, and the firm he is now
connected with sells that make of players. The Col-
well company, with copy prepared by Mr. Gross, ran
a big advertisement just after the recent state pri-
maries, illustrating it with cuts of the Gulbransen
playerpiano and the Victrola talking machine. In
this ad Mr. Gross says, in part:
After a real hot campaign, marked with most vio-
lent charges, mis-statements, and unjust criticism,
price cutting, etc., the right ticket has finally been
nominated. Come and hear these two distinguished
World Renowned Winner over all contestants—the
Victor Victrola and Gulbransen playerpiano.
Will challenge the world with this wonderful
player, put it in competition with any player of like
value—yes, and a little more.
You come in and let us demonstrate this wonder-
ful instrument to you. Bring a little baby along old
enough to crawl. It'll play it also.
Daily recitals on the Victrola and Gulbransen
playerpiano.
A. ASTRA SERVES TEMPTING
MUSIC ROLL MENU
Credit Man for Byron Mauzy, San Francisco, Draws
Attention to Rolls in Pleasing way.
A. Astra, credit and office man for Byron Mauzy,
San Francisco, Calif., is taking a very active part in
the credit organization of that city. He has made
many new and valuable suggestions for the benefit of
the organization and has a wide acquaintance among
the credit men of the city, which is proving very
beneficial to the firm. In a recent meeting, mem-
bers of the organization were asked to present some
original idea. Mr. Astra's contribution was very
original. Taking as a basis the roll catalog for the
month of September, he selected the most popular
numbers and grouped them together in such a man-
ner as to make himself the only rival to K. C. B.
Herewith is the transcript of "The Weekly Roll
Menu:"
I'm Losing My Heart to Someone. In Sweet Sep-
tember. Just Like a Gypsy.
Everyone Is Meant for Someone. In Baby Land.
My Sahara Rose. On Miami Shore. O You're
a Million Miles from Nowhere.
Tell Me, Pretty Maiden. Rose of Washington
Square. Tell Me. Whose Baby Are You.
Hold Me. Arabella. Any Time, Any Day, Any-
where. All by Myself.
When My Baby Smiles at Me. Stop, Look, Lis-
ten! Rose of Bagdad. Naughty Eyes. Wand'ring.
Japanese Sand Man. Whispering.
Louisiana. What-Cha Gonna Do When There Ain't
No Jazz. Throw Out That Mason-Dixon Line. My
Gal. I Realize. Dreaming of Dixie.
Don't Take My Blues Away. If You Could Care.
I'll See You in C-u-b-a. In Gay Havana. My Isle of
Golden Dreams.
Besides being a very able accountant and credit
man, Mr. Astra has inaugurated several devices in
the office which are unique in the piano business and
are working out with great success.
FEATURES PIANISTA.
Featuring the Pianista, made by the Autopiano
Co., New York, in Springfield, Mo., this week, the
L. E. Lines Music Co., says: "The Pianista player
piano contains many exclusive features and places
within the reach of everyone, a player piano of a
high standard of artistic merit, acknowledged excel-
lence and great durability, at an extremely moderate
price.
SUGGESTION FOR BUYERS.
An instructive page display printed in the Times
Leader, Wilkesbarre, Pa., recently reviewed the
association of our presidents with music. It was
an excellent form of suggestion for prospective piano,
playerpiano or phonograph buyers. It was a co-op-
erative ad to which the following music houses con-
tributed: Bevan Piano Co., C. S. Yetter, Ludwig &
Co., John E. Morgans, Edwin W. Guernsey, Landon
Music Store and Whitenights.
ORGANIST IS MANAGER.
Edward House, the new assistant manager for the
George H. Leatherby Co., San Francisco, Calif., is
widely known as an organist. His abilities will be
of great advantage in his new position, as the
George H. Leatherby Co. has a growing business
in pipe organs for theaters and halls.
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/
October 9, 1920.
AN ARTISTIC "CATALOGUE OF TEN" SWITCHTE TO ns GULBRANSEN PLAYER
Chickering & Sons Division of American Piano Co. Puts Forth an Unusual
Brochure in Which the Distinguished Boston Instruments
Are Fittingly Illustrated.
Wherever the name of Chickering appears it is
customary to expect something artistic, whether it
be in connection with the fine old instrument itself,
in modern form, or in the literature of the oldest
American piano industry and its steady and forward
career. So it is that when a new Chickering catalogue
is announced the trade and musical world in gen-
eral expects something out of the ordinary, and in
keeping with the traditions of the distinguished Bos-
ton industry.
Some Artistic Specimens.
There will be no disappointment when piano men
—dealers, professionals or piano enthusiasts in pri-
vate life—examine the latest "Catalogue of Ten
Examples, Showing the Latest Developments in
Artistic Pianoforte Making," which has just been
put forth by the Chickering Division of the American
Piano Co.
There is not a suggestion about the book that is
not significant of the career of the Chickering, from
its first foundation by Jonas Chickering, in 1823, to
the present day. In fact, of all the artistic Chicker-
ing brochures we do not recall one that has carried
its message with greater force or that has more per-
fectly met the expections which are always
prompted when the name is spoken among musical
people.
Of Unusual Size.
This new "Catalogue of Ten" is 9 by 12 inches in
the size of its page; impressive, but difficult in its
artistic effects, were it less carefully and skillfully
prepared or "laid out" with any less mechanical,
skill. All of the minor effects so dear to lovers of
fine book-making have been considered. The front-
ispiece presents a splendid picture of the "father of
the American piano," the portrait of Jonas Chicker-
ing having been made from a bust which has be-
come familiar to the world of piano lovers. It is
printed in sepia ink and is very effective. Follow-
ing is a page showing "Some of the One Hundred
and Thirty First Medals and Awards bestowed upon
the Chickering pianos"—a display which should
prove forceful in the hands of a salesman and con-
vincing to the least informed piano purchaser. And
then follows a succinct recital of the beginning and
progress of the famous instrument—so good as a
bit of piano literature that it is reproduced entirely
as follows:
FROM 1823 TO THIS DAY.
In the history of piano making from the date of
its original invention by Christofori in 1706 to the
present time, no name appears which is more illus-
trious than that of Jonas Chickering, founder of the
House of Chickering & Sons in Boston, in 1823.
From their inception, the pianos made by Chick-
ering & Sons have been renowned for their exquisite
beauty of tone, their great durability and perfection
of finish in every detail.
They are known throughout the civilized world
and their glory and fame rests on the splendid
qualities which have ever made the name "Chicker-
ing" synonymous with all that is best in piano mak-
ing.
In recognition of their contribution to the science
and art of music, Jonas Chickering and subsequently
his successors, have been honored and distinguished
by states and sovereigns, by learned societies, by
world's expositions and by the greatest contempo-
raneous musicians who have bestowed upon the
makers of the Chickering pianos the highest testi-
monials, awards and investitures, including every
known method of publicly recognizing merit. Chick-
ering & Sons, for the excellence of their pianos, have
been the recipients of One Hundred and Thirty
first medals and awards, including the supreme rec-
ompense, the Imperial Cross of the Legion of
Honor.
But it is a source of the greatest pride to point
after all to the distinguished eminence the Chicker-
ing pianos have obtained in the thousands of homes
where they have provided the means of making mu-
sic and the army of pianists, professional and ama-
teur, who have been educated with the aid of Chick-
ering pianos. There are numberless incidents be-
yond the reach of statistical evidence that acclaim
the marvelous value of the Chickering piano as a
factor in the musical education of the world.
Older than the railroad or the telegraph, its illus-
trious career of nearly a century has been one of un-
interrupted honor—honor because of excellence—
and honor with success. It is a piano known to our
fathers, our grandfathers and our great-grand-
fathers. Associations and fragrant memories clus-
ter about it. From the first, it has been sought after
and esteemed and always because it was the best.
Is it any marvel, then, that it occupies the proudest
place today?
Each year new standards are created for them-
selves by the makers of these instruments, whose
constant endeavor is to improve upon their latest
product and maintain the unquestioned leadership
which has been theirs uninterruptedly since the es-
tablishment of the house nearly a hundred years
ago.
Some Rare Illustrations.
A footpiece, following the foregoing sketch, shows
"the first Chickering piano, made by Jonas Chicker-
ing in 1823," which lends a graceful touch to a strong
argument. The peculiarly artistic photogravures of the
ten Chickering styles which, with their descriptions,
fill the next twenty-two pages, will possess very spe-
cial value to piano merchants, and their salesmen,
who represent the Chickering. These are not ordi-
nary piano catalogue cuts. They are photographic
views of the instruments with surroundings of home
refinement, and often the splendor of sumptuous
drawing rooms.
And the pianos fit their surroundings so perfectly
that the eye is filled with a sense of perfect sym-
metry and almost a longing to realize the same
scene in fact. Such attention has been given to de-
tails in posing the instruments that sometimes the
pictures seem almost too perfect for set scenes and
seem to suggest the brush of the artist of imagina-
tive power. But every picture is that of a Chicker-
ing piano reproduced by the fidelity of the photo-
graphic lens. In fact, some of the pictures were
made in the New York warerooms of John Wana-
maker, and others are used by the courtesy of other
great concerns.
The Marvelous Ampico.
Especially effective and splendid are the illustra-
tions of the Style JGE, Louis XV Ampico Grand;
the HGE Ampico Grand; the KGE Ampico Grand;
but where all are so fine it is better not to discrimi-
nate, and the instruments themselves are, of course,
of evenly artistic character.
Facing the last chapter in the new Catalogue of
Ten is another full page of medals and awards, and
the concluding pages are devoted to a review of the
Ampico Reproducing Piano, which is declared to be
"probably the most remarkable invention in connec-
tion with music since the invention of the piano
itself. It is impossible to convey adequately the true
significance and the marvel of the performance of
the Ampico to one who has not heard it.
"It reproduces the playing of the pianists who
have recorded for it so minutely and with such ex-
traordinary exactness that it is impossible to dis-
tinguish any difference between the actual perform-
ance of the living pianist and its reproduction by the
Ampico.
"On many occasions the Ampico has been sub-
jected to the. test of being heard publicly in the
same concert with the artists themselves, repeating,
immediately after the performance by the living
pianist, the same piece from a record previously
made at the Ampico Recording Studios in New
York.
"The opinions of the critics writing of these occa-
sions are probably the best evidence which can be
presented of what the Ampico can accomplish. In
several of the larger cities of our country, Leopold
Godowsky, Mischa Levitzki, George Copeland, Ar-
thur Rubinstein, Leo Ornstein and Benno Moisei-
witsch have appeared in these joint recitals with the
Ampico."
Trade Will Want It.
This convincing chapter contains extracts from
the published opinions of some of America's fore-
most critics of music and the means of its reproduc-
tion, concluding with the statement that "in a word,
the Ampico provides music of all kinds ideally
played. Special literature regarding the Ampico
will be furnished upon request."
It will nofbe necessary to advise piano dealers to
get copies of the new "Chickering Catalogue of
Ten." It will be only a question of extent of the
supply, and no piano lover will want to be without it.
NEW SEATTLE HOUSE.
Frank Clinton, for years a wholesale piano trav-
eler on the Pacific Coast, who is owner of a busi-
ness in Tacoma, Wash., has leased the new brick
building at 1612 Eighth avenue, Seattle, Wash.,
where he has opened a retail piano store under the
title of Clinton's Piano House.
Clark F. Gross Makes the Turn in Ad at Monmouth,
Illinois.
Clark F. Gross, who is manager of the piano de-
partment of the E. B. Colwell Company, at Mon-
mouth 111., was formerly a traveler for the Gul-
bransen-Dickinson company, and the firm he is now
connected with sells that make of players. The Col-
well company, with copy prepared by Mr. Gross, ran
a big advertisement just after the recent state pri-
maries, illustrating it with cuts of the Gulbransen
playerpiano and the Victrola talking machine. In
this ad Mr. Gross says, in part:
After a real hot campaign, marked with most vio-
lent charges, mis-statements, and unjust criticism,
price cutting, etc., the right ticket has finally been
nominated. Come and hear these two distinguished
World Renowned Winner over all contestants—the
Victor Victrola and Gulbransen playerpiano.
Will challenge the world with this wonderful
player, put it in competition with any player of like
value—yes, and a little more.
You come in and let us demonstrate this wonder-
ful instrument to you. Bring a little baby along old
enough to crawl. It'll play it also.
Daily recitals on the Victrola and Gulbransen
playerpiano.
A. ASTRA SERVES TEMPTING
MUSIC ROLL MENU
Credit Man for Byron Mauzy, San Francisco, Draws
Attention to Rolls in Pleasing way.
A. Astra, credit and office man for Byron Mauzy,
San Francisco, Calif., is taking a very active part in
the credit organization of that city. He has made
many new and valuable suggestions for the benefit of
the organization and has a wide acquaintance among
the credit men of the city, which is proving very
beneficial to the firm. In a recent meeting, mem-
bers of the organization were asked to present some
original idea. Mr. Astra's contribution was very
original. Taking as a basis the roll catalog for the
month of September, he selected the most popular
numbers and grouped them together in such a man-
ner as to make himself the only rival to K. C. B.
Herewith is the transcript of "The Weekly Roll
Menu:"
I'm Losing My Heart to Someone. In Sweet Sep-
tember. Just Like a Gypsy.
Everyone Is Meant for Someone. In Baby Land.
My Sahara Rose. On Miami Shore. O You're
a Million Miles from Nowhere.
Tell Me, Pretty Maiden. Rose of Washington
Square. Tell Me. Whose Baby Are You.
Hold Me. Arabella. Any Time, Any Day, Any-
where. All by Myself.
When My Baby Smiles at Me. Stop, Look, Lis-
ten! Rose of Bagdad. Naughty Eyes. Wand'ring.
Japanese Sand Man. Whispering.
Louisiana. What-Cha Gonna Do When There Ain't
No Jazz. Throw Out That Mason-Dixon Line. My
Gal. I Realize. Dreaming of Dixie.
Don't Take My Blues Away. If You Could Care.
I'll See You in C-u-b-a. In Gay Havana. My Isle of
Golden Dreams.
Besides being a very able accountant and credit
man, Mr. Astra has inaugurated several devices in
the office which are unique in the piano business and
are working out with great success.
FEATURES PIANISTA.
Featuring the Pianista, made by the Autopiano
Co., New York, in Springfield, Mo., this week, the
L. E. Lines Music Co., says: "The Pianista player
piano contains many exclusive features and places
within the reach of everyone, a player piano of a
high standard of artistic merit, acknowledged excel-
lence and great durability, at an extremely moderate
price.
SUGGESTION FOR BUYERS.
An instructive page display printed in the Times
Leader, Wilkesbarre, Pa., recently reviewed the
association of our presidents with music. It was
an excellent form of suggestion for prospective piano,
playerpiano or phonograph buyers. It was a co-op-
erative ad to which the following music houses con-
tributed: Bevan Piano Co., C. S. Yetter, Ludwig &
Co., John E. Morgans, Edwin W. Guernsey, Landon
Music Store and Whitenights.
ORGANIST IS MANAGER.
Edward House, the new assistant manager for the
George H. Leatherby Co., San Francisco, Calif., is
widely known as an organist. His abilities will be
of great advantage in his new position, as the
George H. Leatherby Co. has a growing business
in pipe organs for theaters and halls.
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).