Presto
Issue: 1923 1902 - Page 11
11
PRESTO
January 6, 1923.
WALNUT PIANOS INCREASE
AT THE EXPENSE OF OAK
The Popular Demand in the Trade Turns from
Oak to Walnut Finishes, Especially for
Higher Class Pianos.
In accord with a widespread increase in demand
for furniture of walnut finish, the manufacturers of
pianos are feeling a steady increase in demand for
walnut finish pianos, as is natural to expect. The
oak finishes, however, are losing in popularity, while
mahogany is barely holding its own. Indications
from prominent manufacturers show that the great
pick-up in the popularity of the walnut finish has
really been surprising.
There are, of course, some factories which have
not noticed such a general growth of orders for
pianos with walnut finish; however, this condition is
to be expected, since every factory has conditions
peculiar to it. The general statement, nevertheless, .
can be made that walnut is on the upward incline in
popularity. The mahogany has the largest volume
of orders, but does not show the increase noticed
in the walnuts.
The popularity of walnuts is more noticeable in
better makes of pianos—that is, of the uprights.
The mahogany almost monopolizes the grands—most
manufacturers say that all but about five per cent of
the grands are of mahogany. Brown mahogany is
the most popular mahogany of this season, it is
reported.
Of the uprights, the better types of instruments
on which walnut finishes are applied average about
50 per cent mahogany and the other half divided about
equally between walnut and oak, one manufacturer
says. Others place oak at a lower percentage.
It is interesting to note that as a general average
it takes about 80 feet of veneer to finish an upright,
and a little more for a grand. For each piano put
out, however, the factory has to buy approximately
150 feet, because of the high wastage. The percent-
age of waste in the walnut is higher than in oak or
mahogany, it is said.
The number of pianos manufactured last year was
probably in the neighborhood of 200,000. This is
the average of estimates made by prominent members
of the industry.
THE TURNOVER TUNE.
Said the clock to the dealer,
To the dealer and his stock:
"I am ticking off your profits."
To the dealer said the clock:
"Custom, custom every minute!
Luck is in it—luck is in it!
Where's the risk when Trade is brisk!'
Tick-tock! Tick-tock!"
"You're a liar, you're a stealer,"
Said the dealer to the clock.
"Ticking up my carrying charges—
Making mock—making mock!
Kractions up to dollars mounting
Til they leave my profits nil;
Just reversing my accounting!
Stand still—stand still!"
Oh, the goods we bought so gaily
And the goods that will not go!
Adding cost forever daily
Till we tear our hair with woe!
Moods and tenses of expenses
On the poor retailer's stock—
And that devilish little revel
'Twixt the profits and the clock!
—William R. Benet in Nation's Business.
ST. LOUIS MANAGER RESIGNS.
At a dinner to the staff of the Music Salon of the
Famous & Barr Co., St. Louis, last week John F.
Ditzell, the manager announced his resignation, to
take effect February 1. When Mr. Ditzell took
charge of the department only a few pianos and the
Victrola were handled. The business in 1916 had
been less than $100,000. Now it is over $750,000.
He secured the agency for the Chickering, Ampico,
Kranich & Bach, Estey, Kimball and other pianos
and the Brunswick phonograph.
GOES OUT OF BUSINESS.
One of the few piano houses to go out of the
business with the beginning of the new year is that
of A. O. Wold Company, of Langdon, N. D. Mr.
Wold has made money selling pianos and proposes
to take a long rest. But can he be happy out of the
best business in the world?
FEWER PIANOS NOW ON
CASTERS THAN USUAL
Stock in Factory iof Chickering Bros., Chicago,
Less Than Usual At Year's Beginning.
The stock of pianos on hand in the factory at the
beginning of the year is by far less than is usual, this
year, at the modern factory of Chickering Bros.,
Chicago, according to C. C. Chickering.
Even though the season before Christmas is al-
ways brisk, the factory has always managed to
keep ahead of the orders until this year, when the
astounding increase in business even in the early
autumn made such heavy demands on the supply.
The Chickering Bros, factory has felt the rush since
early in September, and before Christmas, thp con-
dition was appalling. Even now, the situation will
not be lighter for some time at least, because of the
steady demand. No cancellations have come in, and
since cancellations usually begin to arrive a week or
so before the Christmas holiday, the indications are
that business will continue to be rushing. The left-
over business is considerable, and the orders are
still coming.
"The difference between the condition this season
and the pre-holiday season of 1921," said Mr. Chick-
ering, "is that last year we were calling people to
get them to come and look over our models; while
this year, people call us and ask us to promise to
have a piano for them at a certain time.
"We are still striving to keep up our service, and
give our customers the quickest deliveries possible."
MEXICO ON CASH BASIS.
The Mexican music merchant is suggested as a
desirable customer for American exporters, accord-
ing to cables to the Department of Commerce from
Assistant Trade Commissioner H. B. MacKenzie.
The general business situation in the central portion
of Mexico is better than had been expected after the
recent banking crisis precipitated by the failure of
several private banking houses throughout the re-
public. Merchants are pushing sales of old stocks
and are requesting and are receiving little credit;
such accommodations, of all kinds, are being restrict-
ed and there is an increasing tendency to place sales
on a cash basis.
TONE
DURABILITY
DESIGN
R ADLE
and
WORKMANSHIP
EVERY SALE BRINGS ANOTHER
and BETTER PRICES & TERMS
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/
PRESTO
January 6, 1923.
WALNUT PIANOS INCREASE
AT THE EXPENSE OF OAK
The Popular Demand in the Trade Turns from
Oak to Walnut Finishes, Especially for
Higher Class Pianos.
In accord with a widespread increase in demand
for furniture of walnut finish, the manufacturers of
pianos are feeling a steady increase in demand for
walnut finish pianos, as is natural to expect. The
oak finishes, however, are losing in popularity, while
mahogany is barely holding its own. Indications
from prominent manufacturers show that the great
pick-up in the popularity of the walnut finish has
really been surprising.
There are, of course, some factories which have
not noticed such a general growth of orders for
pianos with walnut finish; however, this condition is
to be expected, since every factory has conditions
peculiar to it. The general statement, nevertheless, .
can be made that walnut is on the upward incline in
popularity. The mahogany has the largest volume
of orders, but does not show the increase noticed
in the walnuts.
The popularity of walnuts is more noticeable in
better makes of pianos—that is, of the uprights.
The mahogany almost monopolizes the grands—most
manufacturers say that all but about five per cent of
the grands are of mahogany. Brown mahogany is
the most popular mahogany of this season, it is
reported.
Of the uprights, the better types of instruments
on which walnut finishes are applied average about
50 per cent mahogany and the other half divided about
equally between walnut and oak, one manufacturer
says. Others place oak at a lower percentage.
It is interesting to note that as a general average
it takes about 80 feet of veneer to finish an upright,
and a little more for a grand. For each piano put
out, however, the factory has to buy approximately
150 feet, because of the high wastage. The percent-
age of waste in the walnut is higher than in oak or
mahogany, it is said.
The number of pianos manufactured last year was
probably in the neighborhood of 200,000. This is
the average of estimates made by prominent members
of the industry.
THE TURNOVER TUNE.
Said the clock to the dealer,
To the dealer and his stock:
"I am ticking off your profits."
To the dealer said the clock:
"Custom, custom every minute!
Luck is in it—luck is in it!
Where's the risk when Trade is brisk!'
Tick-tock! Tick-tock!"
"You're a liar, you're a stealer,"
Said the dealer to the clock.
"Ticking up my carrying charges—
Making mock—making mock!
Kractions up to dollars mounting
Til they leave my profits nil;
Just reversing my accounting!
Stand still—stand still!"
Oh, the goods we bought so gaily
And the goods that will not go!
Adding cost forever daily
Till we tear our hair with woe!
Moods and tenses of expenses
On the poor retailer's stock—
And that devilish little revel
'Twixt the profits and the clock!
—William R. Benet in Nation's Business.
ST. LOUIS MANAGER RESIGNS.
At a dinner to the staff of the Music Salon of the
Famous & Barr Co., St. Louis, last week John F.
Ditzell, the manager announced his resignation, to
take effect February 1. When Mr. Ditzell took
charge of the department only a few pianos and the
Victrola were handled. The business in 1916 had
been less than $100,000. Now it is over $750,000.
He secured the agency for the Chickering, Ampico,
Kranich & Bach, Estey, Kimball and other pianos
and the Brunswick phonograph.
GOES OUT OF BUSINESS.
One of the few piano houses to go out of the
business with the beginning of the new year is that
of A. O. Wold Company, of Langdon, N. D. Mr.
Wold has made money selling pianos and proposes
to take a long rest. But can he be happy out of the
best business in the world?
FEWER PIANOS NOW ON
CASTERS THAN USUAL
Stock in Factory iof Chickering Bros., Chicago,
Less Than Usual At Year's Beginning.
The stock of pianos on hand in the factory at the
beginning of the year is by far less than is usual, this
year, at the modern factory of Chickering Bros.,
Chicago, according to C. C. Chickering.
Even though the season before Christmas is al-
ways brisk, the factory has always managed to
keep ahead of the orders until this year, when the
astounding increase in business even in the early
autumn made such heavy demands on the supply.
The Chickering Bros, factory has felt the rush since
early in September, and before Christmas, thp con-
dition was appalling. Even now, the situation will
not be lighter for some time at least, because of the
steady demand. No cancellations have come in, and
since cancellations usually begin to arrive a week or
so before the Christmas holiday, the indications are
that business will continue to be rushing. The left-
over business is considerable, and the orders are
still coming.
"The difference between the condition this season
and the pre-holiday season of 1921," said Mr. Chick-
ering, "is that last year we were calling people to
get them to come and look over our models; while
this year, people call us and ask us to promise to
have a piano for them at a certain time.
"We are still striving to keep up our service, and
give our customers the quickest deliveries possible."
MEXICO ON CASH BASIS.
The Mexican music merchant is suggested as a
desirable customer for American exporters, accord-
ing to cables to the Department of Commerce from
Assistant Trade Commissioner H. B. MacKenzie.
The general business situation in the central portion
of Mexico is better than had been expected after the
recent banking crisis precipitated by the failure of
several private banking houses throughout the re-
public. Merchants are pushing sales of old stocks
and are requesting and are receiving little credit;
such accommodations, of all kinds, are being restrict-
ed and there is an increasing tendency to place sales
on a cash basis.
TONE
DURABILITY
DESIGN
R ADLE
and
WORKMANSHIP
EVERY SALE BRINGS ANOTHER
and BETTER PRICES & TERMS
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).