Presto
Issue: 1923 1902 - Page 5
PRESTO
January 6, 1923.
perhaps the most surprising. Until comparatively recent years, the
industry founded by solid old M. Shoninger was orie of the most de-
pendable. After the founder's death, it began to fall away and finally
it fell all to pieces. In Chicago the failures were of the mushroom
type of industries, of which there were two. Neither spell any loss
to the piano business at large.
> \
Death was busy during the year. Under this head the losses
were very great, the chronology list containing some of the most
popular members of the "old guard."
The most notable special development of the year was in the prog-
ress of the reproducing piano. That type of Instrument has filled a
large place in the concert rooms and, coupled with the names of
phenomenal pianists, it has attracted the wonder and applause. It has
come to the time when very few of the ambitious piano industries
are not turning out the reproducing type of instruments. They will
have a large sale this year. It is the opinion of many in the trade that
the new year will offer a specially large field for the Grand piano in
all of its stages of development. In a word the judgment of trade
and industry is that 1923 will be a good piano year.
THE AMERICAN TRADE PRESS
The years of depression and doubt have borne heavily upon the
music trade papers. But they have all come through unscathed. Some
of them have persisted in producing heavier publications than the
support warranted, but they are still here and we hope will stay for-
ever. The circulation of most of our trade exchanges has increased
—this we know. The claims of others to great circulation has hurt
the entire lot of us. For the music trade paper can not have an
A B C circulation and live. Why this is so, must be obvious to all who
understand the technical nature of most trade papers. We conscien-
tiously believe that Presto has as large'a 1 circulation as any other in
its line, and stands ready to prove it. ;'*' "'''
,
The music trade papers are a credit to the cause they represent—
and that is saying a good deal, for the American piano is the best the
world can produce. The old style of back-biting, vindictive and dom-
ineering order of trade journalism has gone. That is the best sign of
the times, and the best proof of the fairness and honesty of the
papers which have been working hard and effectually for the Amer-
ican music industry and trade.
Presto congratulates every one of its contemporaries, and hopes
to see them all prosper, and eventually to either "make good" for
themselves or drop the annual "fat" Christmas Numbers, and other
industrial monstrosities which belong to story books and ladies' home
journals. And the manufacturers who are also advertisers in the trade
papers, know that their investments pay. The other kind—the kind
that fail to realize that to support their trade press is to sustain them-
selves—may continue to decay—will continue to fall in behind, as
ever before. Do you, as an expert, know of one single successful
piano—really successful—that has not been a consistent trade paper,
advertiser?
A BROADER VIEW
All business experts agree that the dead-line in business has been
passed. The year just beginning holds ample rewards for the enter-
prising. There is nothing at all to fear if we have the opportunities
for which our friends and customers are seeking. There may be a
few of the fossilized piano manufacturers who can see no prospect
ahead for their industries. There may be some piano dealers who
think that the best days of the business have gone. There may be
salesmen who think that there is "better money" in something else.
But there are vastly more piano manufacturers, merchants and sales-
men, who know that the past has had nothing better than the future
TWO HUNDRED PER CENT
AHEAD OF LAST YEAR
Business of Chicago Manufacturers of Music Rolls
Surprises Manager of Factory.
Business even better than the anticipation of tne
officials of the company has been done during the
year, 1922, at the United States Music Co., Chicago,
manufactureres of the United States music roll. The
month of December was a fitting month to close the
year, since business has been steadily and rapidly in-
creasing during the autumn and winter months.
There does not seem to be any prospect for a let-
up, at least for a while, according to Vice-president
Ames, who attends to the sales department of the
presents to the wide-awake men who understand what the business
needs and recognize the ready wants of the music loving public.
If the experts in statistics and trade are right, the only possible
buyers of musical instruments who are in doubt are the farmers. That
means a great deal, of course. But it has always been customary with
the "city folks" to consider that the farmers have by far the best of
it because they know little of the strain to which country life subjects
the average family.
There have been times before when the farmers have complained
just as vigorously as now. But it was only a question of a settling
back of the very energies to which a forward business movement
must always be due. With the New Year, the shadows of what-
might-be have given way to' the sunlight of what-shall-be. The un-
certainties have fallen back and the confidence of the men who do
things brings again the certainty of a year's start in which there is
promise of a steady prosperity during the first half of '23, by which
the second half may also be made seem ".
Fortunately, the piano business is not dependent upon the natural
demand, as are many other things of trade. The^activities of the
salesmen create the larger sum of results in most localities. If the
retailers are determined to do business 1 , they* reach out and-find it.
If they are of the supine kind, who "stand and wait,' 1 the probable "re-
sults can never be large. If they are determined to win, there is
nothing that can stop them. They will reach out and get business
where, heretofore, business was not considered possible. In other
words, selling pianos at retail is largely a matter of individual activ-
ity, and the inner certainty that business may be had. There can be
no such thing as a dead piano store if the management is confident
of himself and of his public.
t^.ni
But the need of special combing of the "possibilities" of piano
selling passed with the old year. In the dawn of '23, there is promise
enough. That is agreed by experts in all lines, as the article ki Presto
two weeks back suggested. And the new year will be better than
any that has gone since the dark days of the 'teens, when the shadow
of the great war was still upon us.
It is to be presumed that the live piano dealers haVe arranged
for their lines for the year. If they have chosen wisely, and made
plans for the supplies which a growing trade will demand, there is
little to fear—nothing to fear. Let us all make a brave start. And
the end will justify the best we can put into it at the beginning.
Had we wanted it so, this issue of Presto would have been just
as "fat" as any of the pretty "Holiday Numbers" of other trade pub-
lications. But we'd rather .not, and.our only regret is that M many
piano manufacturers failed to accept our invitation to, submit some of
their styles for place with others this week. Possibly they imagined
that their participation might not be welcome unless they also in-
vested in special advertising space. That was no part of the con-
sideration. The exhibit of case designs is for the dealers, fof whose
edification and enlightenment every line in Presto is produced. (l
* * *
It's a pity that the idealistic Ahlstrom Piano Co. feels the need of
abandoning its high aims. Mr. C. H. Ahlstrom, of Jamestown, N. Y.,
is recognized as one of the thoroughly expert tone experts of the piano
industry. He has done a great deal to improve the art of piano manu-
facture. We are sorry to lose him from the ranks.
One week of the New Year nearly gone. Only fifty-
to
go! And the first fifty-two weeks in any year are the hardest. But
this year they promise to be all fairly easy on^s.
^
V
%'V
*i Now that we are all set and ready, let's make this |&ar, the best
mHhe history of the industry and trade. It can be dtjrfe. Why not?
company. The roll business is usually good in Jan-
uary, he said, and this January shows, extraordinary
advance indications for good business.*
The business has run two hundred percent ahead
of the volume handled the preceding year, according
to figures of Mr. Ames. Part of the large volume is
due to the exchange plan developed by the U. S.
Music Co.. for its dealers. This plan is increasing-
in popularity as the dealers are awakening to its
advantages in securing rapid turii-over and increase
trade.
OPENS IN MUSCATINE, IA.
The Muscatine Music Co., Muscatine, la., the city's
newest enterprise, opened for business last week in
its location at 219 Iowa avenue. The formal open-
ing will be made at a later time.
STRAUBE PIANO CO.'S
BUSINESS FOR DECEMBER
Superintendent W. G. Betts Achieves New Record
s
for Twelfth ISldnth of Year.
In what is believed to be a new record for a fac-
tory operating St. capacity, the output hi the Straube
Piano Company,' Hammond, Ind., was/gfreater. in De-
cember than -in November, when fb was thought a
new record had been established.
* = * ,- 4
"• UsuaHy the interference of the Christmas' holidays
servers r to cut down the December production, but
the *'ush of orders for delivery before the new year
kept the Staiibe organization everlastingly at it. In-
cidentally, W. G. Betz, general superintendent, of
the Straube factory, is smoking a new box of cigars
at the expense of President E. R. Jacobson.
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/
January 6, 1923.
perhaps the most surprising. Until comparatively recent years, the
industry founded by solid old M. Shoninger was orie of the most de-
pendable. After the founder's death, it began to fall away and finally
it fell all to pieces. In Chicago the failures were of the mushroom
type of industries, of which there were two. Neither spell any loss
to the piano business at large.
> \
Death was busy during the year. Under this head the losses
were very great, the chronology list containing some of the most
popular members of the "old guard."
The most notable special development of the year was in the prog-
ress of the reproducing piano. That type of Instrument has filled a
large place in the concert rooms and, coupled with the names of
phenomenal pianists, it has attracted the wonder and applause. It has
come to the time when very few of the ambitious piano industries
are not turning out the reproducing type of instruments. They will
have a large sale this year. It is the opinion of many in the trade that
the new year will offer a specially large field for the Grand piano in
all of its stages of development. In a word the judgment of trade
and industry is that 1923 will be a good piano year.
THE AMERICAN TRADE PRESS
The years of depression and doubt have borne heavily upon the
music trade papers. But they have all come through unscathed. Some
of them have persisted in producing heavier publications than the
support warranted, but they are still here and we hope will stay for-
ever. The circulation of most of our trade exchanges has increased
—this we know. The claims of others to great circulation has hurt
the entire lot of us. For the music trade paper can not have an
A B C circulation and live. Why this is so, must be obvious to all who
understand the technical nature of most trade papers. We conscien-
tiously believe that Presto has as large'a 1 circulation as any other in
its line, and stands ready to prove it. ;'*' "'''
,
The music trade papers are a credit to the cause they represent—
and that is saying a good deal, for the American piano is the best the
world can produce. The old style of back-biting, vindictive and dom-
ineering order of trade journalism has gone. That is the best sign of
the times, and the best proof of the fairness and honesty of the
papers which have been working hard and effectually for the Amer-
ican music industry and trade.
Presto congratulates every one of its contemporaries, and hopes
to see them all prosper, and eventually to either "make good" for
themselves or drop the annual "fat" Christmas Numbers, and other
industrial monstrosities which belong to story books and ladies' home
journals. And the manufacturers who are also advertisers in the trade
papers, know that their investments pay. The other kind—the kind
that fail to realize that to support their trade press is to sustain them-
selves—may continue to decay—will continue to fall in behind, as
ever before. Do you, as an expert, know of one single successful
piano—really successful—that has not been a consistent trade paper,
advertiser?
A BROADER VIEW
All business experts agree that the dead-line in business has been
passed. The year just beginning holds ample rewards for the enter-
prising. There is nothing at all to fear if we have the opportunities
for which our friends and customers are seeking. There may be a
few of the fossilized piano manufacturers who can see no prospect
ahead for their industries. There may be some piano dealers who
think that the best days of the business have gone. There may be
salesmen who think that there is "better money" in something else.
But there are vastly more piano manufacturers, merchants and sales-
men, who know that the past has had nothing better than the future
TWO HUNDRED PER CENT
AHEAD OF LAST YEAR
Business of Chicago Manufacturers of Music Rolls
Surprises Manager of Factory.
Business even better than the anticipation of tne
officials of the company has been done during the
year, 1922, at the United States Music Co., Chicago,
manufactureres of the United States music roll. The
month of December was a fitting month to close the
year, since business has been steadily and rapidly in-
creasing during the autumn and winter months.
There does not seem to be any prospect for a let-
up, at least for a while, according to Vice-president
Ames, who attends to the sales department of the
presents to the wide-awake men who understand what the business
needs and recognize the ready wants of the music loving public.
If the experts in statistics and trade are right, the only possible
buyers of musical instruments who are in doubt are the farmers. That
means a great deal, of course. But it has always been customary with
the "city folks" to consider that the farmers have by far the best of
it because they know little of the strain to which country life subjects
the average family.
There have been times before when the farmers have complained
just as vigorously as now. But it was only a question of a settling
back of the very energies to which a forward business movement
must always be due. With the New Year, the shadows of what-
might-be have given way to' the sunlight of what-shall-be. The un-
certainties have fallen back and the confidence of the men who do
things brings again the certainty of a year's start in which there is
promise of a steady prosperity during the first half of '23, by which
the second half may also be made seem ".
Fortunately, the piano business is not dependent upon the natural
demand, as are many other things of trade. The^activities of the
salesmen create the larger sum of results in most localities. If the
retailers are determined to do business 1 , they* reach out and-find it.
If they are of the supine kind, who "stand and wait,' 1 the probable "re-
sults can never be large. If they are determined to win, there is
nothing that can stop them. They will reach out and get business
where, heretofore, business was not considered possible. In other
words, selling pianos at retail is largely a matter of individual activ-
ity, and the inner certainty that business may be had. There can be
no such thing as a dead piano store if the management is confident
of himself and of his public.
t^.ni
But the need of special combing of the "possibilities" of piano
selling passed with the old year. In the dawn of '23, there is promise
enough. That is agreed by experts in all lines, as the article ki Presto
two weeks back suggested. And the new year will be better than
any that has gone since the dark days of the 'teens, when the shadow
of the great war was still upon us.
It is to be presumed that the live piano dealers haVe arranged
for their lines for the year. If they have chosen wisely, and made
plans for the supplies which a growing trade will demand, there is
little to fear—nothing to fear. Let us all make a brave start. And
the end will justify the best we can put into it at the beginning.
Had we wanted it so, this issue of Presto would have been just
as "fat" as any of the pretty "Holiday Numbers" of other trade pub-
lications. But we'd rather .not, and.our only regret is that M many
piano manufacturers failed to accept our invitation to, submit some of
their styles for place with others this week. Possibly they imagined
that their participation might not be welcome unless they also in-
vested in special advertising space. That was no part of the con-
sideration. The exhibit of case designs is for the dealers, fof whose
edification and enlightenment every line in Presto is produced. (l
* * *
It's a pity that the idealistic Ahlstrom Piano Co. feels the need of
abandoning its high aims. Mr. C. H. Ahlstrom, of Jamestown, N. Y.,
is recognized as one of the thoroughly expert tone experts of the piano
industry. He has done a great deal to improve the art of piano manu-
facture. We are sorry to lose him from the ranks.
One week of the New Year nearly gone. Only fifty-
to
go! And the first fifty-two weeks in any year are the hardest. But
this year they promise to be all fairly easy on^s.
^
V
%'V
*i Now that we are all set and ready, let's make this |&ar, the best
mHhe history of the industry and trade. It can be dtjrfe. Why not?
company. The roll business is usually good in Jan-
uary, he said, and this January shows, extraordinary
advance indications for good business.*
The business has run two hundred percent ahead
of the volume handled the preceding year, according
to figures of Mr. Ames. Part of the large volume is
due to the exchange plan developed by the U. S.
Music Co.. for its dealers. This plan is increasing-
in popularity as the dealers are awakening to its
advantages in securing rapid turii-over and increase
trade.
OPENS IN MUSCATINE, IA.
The Muscatine Music Co., Muscatine, la., the city's
newest enterprise, opened for business last week in
its location at 219 Iowa avenue. The formal open-
ing will be made at a later time.
STRAUBE PIANO CO.'S
BUSINESS FOR DECEMBER
Superintendent W. G. Betts Achieves New Record
s
for Twelfth ISldnth of Year.
In what is believed to be a new record for a fac-
tory operating St. capacity, the output hi the Straube
Piano Company,' Hammond, Ind., was/gfreater. in De-
cember than -in November, when fb was thought a
new record had been established.
* = * ,- 4
"• UsuaHy the interference of the Christmas' holidays
servers r to cut down the December production, but
the *'ush of orders for delivery before the new year
kept the Staiibe organization everlastingly at it. In-
cidentally, W. G. Betz, general superintendent, of
the Straube factory, is smoking a new box of cigars
at the expense of President E. R. Jacobson.
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).