Presto
Issue: 1923 1931 - Page 7
PRESTO
July 28, 1923
The
Dominant
Line
J. P. SEEBURG PIANO GO.
A full and complete
line of better coin
operated pianos and
orchestrions.
14 Styles
from the smallest to the largest
14 Styles
from the largest to the smallest
Sold on a protected
territory system that
will interest you.
Write for Details
J. P. SEEBURG PIANO CO.
1510 Dayton Street
CHICAGO
STATUS OF RADIO
IN MUSIC TRADE
In Which Mr. Fegen, Presenting No Refuta-
tion of Comments in a Presto Article, Re-
affirms That Nothing Can Stop Radio
From Getting Into Music Trade.
Chicago, July 18th, 1923.
Editor Presto:—Your editorial comment on my
"come back" to a recent utterance of Mr. Schaad,
of the Aeolian Company, is quite interesting for its
candor, its sincerity of purpose, and its devotion to a
mutual friend, the piano. I should expect you, as a
dyed-in-the-wool piano man, to write as you did.
Having been brought up in the piano business I
feel as you do, that nothing on the market today will
displace the piano, and I have never said or intimated
anything to the contrary. After all, it is a friendly
exchange of ideas that has been started, which may
shed some light to help the music merchant decide
the question of whether or not radio is something he
should espouse as an incident to his regular business.
Radio and the Piano.
If I have correctly analyzed your comments, the
central idea is that radio does not measure up to the
piano as a musical instrument. I grant that you are
right in the sense that you describe the nature of
both articles. You state that radio "will never so far
conflict with the instruments of music as to seriously
interfere with the sale of pianos." In the main I
conform with this view. It is fair to state, however,
that within the last year owing to the immense tide
of radio advertising there were no doubt many who,
choosing between the piano and radio, preferred the
latter. These same people, however, will buy a pjano
sooner or later.
For the time being radio, as admitted by many
music merchants, has interfered with the piano and
talking machine business. There is so much about
radio to appeal to the average individual that it has
proven itself a comparatively "easy seller," and one
may safely say that sooner or later no home will be
without it. It will take its place with the piano and
talking machine. Now that it is just entering its
vogue, pianos and talking machines offer more sales
resistance for obvious reasons.
I had hoped that aside from indulging yourself in
a generalization on radio you would advert to the
cardinal idea of my observations. Mr. Schaad stated,
in part: "If the situation became severe enough the
entire phonograph industry would unite in righting
any menace that radio would develop. They might
even bring the matter to the attention of the authori-
ties in Washington, because, of course, no industry
can be allowed to put another industry out of busi-
ness."
Mr. Schaad's Point of View.
To which I replied in substance, that should things
come to that pass, I could not see where recourse
could be had of either Federal or State Government.
I also stated that the public would be the sole judge
of whether the talking machine or the radio would
prevail, if that issue really arose. Confining yourself
to the subject matter brought up for debate, what is
your view? Do you think Mr. Schaad is right in
what he says?
One of your confreres—a trade paper man with
well ballasted judgment and broad experience, whose
opinion on trade subjects I highly respect, wrote to
me as follows on the selfsame question:
"Your position, of course, is impregnable. The
radio is not going to put any other instrument or
any other business out of business, except insofar
as the natural law of selection on the part of the
public causes the public to turn to the radio to the
exclusion of certain other instruments or businesses.
No one can deny the right of manufacturers of radio
receiving sets to endeavor to sell all of them that
it is possible for the public to purchase.
"If the radio supplants other music instruments,
that is certainly not the funeral of the radio people.
It is, of course, very foolish for the music trade to
attempt to kill the radio on the theory that its growth
will stunt the growth of the musical instrument busi-
ness. One might as well say that the automobile
dealers should endeavor to kill the sale of the Durant-
Star automobile on the ground that it might hurt
the sale of Ford. Personally I do not believe that
the radio is going to hurt the musical instrument
business. But if I am wrong in this, it is all the
more reason why music dealers should handle the
radio."
Is Talking Machine Threatened?
Of course, it was your privilege to make editorial
comment upon any collateral consideration that the
discussion might suggest. Your views on radio are
interesting, but time and space do not permit com-
menting upon them. But whether I agree or dis-
agree with you makes no difference so far as con-
cerns the heart and core of my reply to Mr. Schaad.
I rather regret that Mr. Schaad even thinks there
is a possibility of radio interfering with the talking
machine business. By reason of the difference in
nature of both, there should be no clashing of inter-
est. A statement, however, such as Mr. Schaad's,
especially coming from him, is in my judgment apt to
have the effect of instilling a feeling of hostility
towards radio in the breast of the music merchant,
whose business perhaps has fallen off in the last year,
and who is well aware of the sudden and pronounced
popularity of radio.
If radio is cutting into the talking machine and
piano business for the time being, the wise thing for
the music merchant is not to shortcircuit his efforts
in behalf of piano and talking machines. He should
continue resolutely in the sale of both, but at the
same time hold out a hand of welcome to radio. A
Radio Department properly conducted is quite a
profitable undertaking.
N. E. FEGEN.
BALDWIN REPRODUCING
PIANOS ARE DESCRIBED
Handsome Folder of Baldwin Piano Co. Effectively
Used by Dealers.
A new folder of the Baldwin Piano Co., Cincinnati,
is devoted to the Baldwin reproducing piano and is
designed for distribution to the public by the dealers.
The Baldwin Welte-Mignon (Licensee) reproducing
piano is pictured on the outside page of the folder
and also shown in fine halftones are:
The Baldwin reproducing grand, Style R; Baldwin
reproducing grand, Style M; the Ellington, Hamil-
ton, and Howard reproducing grands and the Bald-
win Ellington and Hamilton upright reproducing
pianos.
"There is a Baldwin reproducing piano to meet
your requirements," is the announcement directed to
the prospective buyers. This is added:
"A Baldwin reproducing piano in your living-room
will bring to you the music of the immortals, inter-
preted by the great pianists of past and present gen-
erations.
"Imagine the delight of having in your home the
unforgetable genius of Paderewski, DePachmann,
Hofmann and Greig, ready, with a host of others, to
entertain your guests at your command."
NEW TRAVELER FOR THE
UNITED PIANO CORPORATION
J. E. Corrigan and Orville P. Settle Now Actively
Representing Fine Line.
Joseph McMann, who is re-entering the retail piano
business in Susquehanna, Pa., has been given the
representation of the line of the United Piano Cor-
poration, New York, including the Celco reproducing
medium which Mr. McMann will feature in a partic-
ularly strong way. The account was opened by J. E.
Corrigan, traveler for the United Piano Corporation
in New York, Pennsylvania and Michigan states.
Another new traveler of the United Piano Corpora-
tion is Orville P. Settle, who will travel in New
England.
Among new accounts opened by Mr.
Settle are: Lord & Co., Lawrence, Mass., Emerson
pianos; L. G. Bedell, Lewiston, Me., Lindeman &
Sons; Frank Blanchard, Watervillc, Me., both Emer-
son and Lindeman & Sons lines.
"JUMBO" MODEL SELLS WELL.
The R. S. Howard "Jumbo Model" is one of the
excellent sellers of the Howard-Stowers Co., 132nd
street and Brown place, New York. It is four feet
nine inches high and is made in both upright and
playerpiano models and has a very massive case. It
is furnished in mahogany and walnut and has not
only been found to be much in demand in the domes-
tic trade, but very popular with the Latin-Americans.
The case design of this instrument is somewhat un-
usual, its sides being curved while the pilasters are
round, giving a very substantial look to the
instrument.
NATIONALIZED PIANOS.
Pianos in Russia are nationalized, according to a
statement by B. B. Krassin, head of the department
for musical research attached to the Commissariat
for Education of the Soviet Government. Krassin
recently told an American correspondent that a mu-
sical society has been formed which leases pianos
to their users. Students are given a 50 per cent re-
duction in the rates and gifted students pay only a
nominal fee. With the proceeds derived from the
renting of the pianos the society has established a
piano factory, where new instruments now are being
made.
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/
July 28, 1923
The
Dominant
Line
J. P. SEEBURG PIANO GO.
A full and complete
line of better coin
operated pianos and
orchestrions.
14 Styles
from the smallest to the largest
14 Styles
from the largest to the smallest
Sold on a protected
territory system that
will interest you.
Write for Details
J. P. SEEBURG PIANO CO.
1510 Dayton Street
CHICAGO
STATUS OF RADIO
IN MUSIC TRADE
In Which Mr. Fegen, Presenting No Refuta-
tion of Comments in a Presto Article, Re-
affirms That Nothing Can Stop Radio
From Getting Into Music Trade.
Chicago, July 18th, 1923.
Editor Presto:—Your editorial comment on my
"come back" to a recent utterance of Mr. Schaad,
of the Aeolian Company, is quite interesting for its
candor, its sincerity of purpose, and its devotion to a
mutual friend, the piano. I should expect you, as a
dyed-in-the-wool piano man, to write as you did.
Having been brought up in the piano business I
feel as you do, that nothing on the market today will
displace the piano, and I have never said or intimated
anything to the contrary. After all, it is a friendly
exchange of ideas that has been started, which may
shed some light to help the music merchant decide
the question of whether or not radio is something he
should espouse as an incident to his regular business.
Radio and the Piano.
If I have correctly analyzed your comments, the
central idea is that radio does not measure up to the
piano as a musical instrument. I grant that you are
right in the sense that you describe the nature of
both articles. You state that radio "will never so far
conflict with the instruments of music as to seriously
interfere with the sale of pianos." In the main I
conform with this view. It is fair to state, however,
that within the last year owing to the immense tide
of radio advertising there were no doubt many who,
choosing between the piano and radio, preferred the
latter. These same people, however, will buy a pjano
sooner or later.
For the time being radio, as admitted by many
music merchants, has interfered with the piano and
talking machine business. There is so much about
radio to appeal to the average individual that it has
proven itself a comparatively "easy seller," and one
may safely say that sooner or later no home will be
without it. It will take its place with the piano and
talking machine. Now that it is just entering its
vogue, pianos and talking machines offer more sales
resistance for obvious reasons.
I had hoped that aside from indulging yourself in
a generalization on radio you would advert to the
cardinal idea of my observations. Mr. Schaad stated,
in part: "If the situation became severe enough the
entire phonograph industry would unite in righting
any menace that radio would develop. They might
even bring the matter to the attention of the authori-
ties in Washington, because, of course, no industry
can be allowed to put another industry out of busi-
ness."
Mr. Schaad's Point of View.
To which I replied in substance, that should things
come to that pass, I could not see where recourse
could be had of either Federal or State Government.
I also stated that the public would be the sole judge
of whether the talking machine or the radio would
prevail, if that issue really arose. Confining yourself
to the subject matter brought up for debate, what is
your view? Do you think Mr. Schaad is right in
what he says?
One of your confreres—a trade paper man with
well ballasted judgment and broad experience, whose
opinion on trade subjects I highly respect, wrote to
me as follows on the selfsame question:
"Your position, of course, is impregnable. The
radio is not going to put any other instrument or
any other business out of business, except insofar
as the natural law of selection on the part of the
public causes the public to turn to the radio to the
exclusion of certain other instruments or businesses.
No one can deny the right of manufacturers of radio
receiving sets to endeavor to sell all of them that
it is possible for the public to purchase.
"If the radio supplants other music instruments,
that is certainly not the funeral of the radio people.
It is, of course, very foolish for the music trade to
attempt to kill the radio on the theory that its growth
will stunt the growth of the musical instrument busi-
ness. One might as well say that the automobile
dealers should endeavor to kill the sale of the Durant-
Star automobile on the ground that it might hurt
the sale of Ford. Personally I do not believe that
the radio is going to hurt the musical instrument
business. But if I am wrong in this, it is all the
more reason why music dealers should handle the
radio."
Is Talking Machine Threatened?
Of course, it was your privilege to make editorial
comment upon any collateral consideration that the
discussion might suggest. Your views on radio are
interesting, but time and space do not permit com-
menting upon them. But whether I agree or dis-
agree with you makes no difference so far as con-
cerns the heart and core of my reply to Mr. Schaad.
I rather regret that Mr. Schaad even thinks there
is a possibility of radio interfering with the talking
machine business. By reason of the difference in
nature of both, there should be no clashing of inter-
est. A statement, however, such as Mr. Schaad's,
especially coming from him, is in my judgment apt to
have the effect of instilling a feeling of hostility
towards radio in the breast of the music merchant,
whose business perhaps has fallen off in the last year,
and who is well aware of the sudden and pronounced
popularity of radio.
If radio is cutting into the talking machine and
piano business for the time being, the wise thing for
the music merchant is not to shortcircuit his efforts
in behalf of piano and talking machines. He should
continue resolutely in the sale of both, but at the
same time hold out a hand of welcome to radio. A
Radio Department properly conducted is quite a
profitable undertaking.
N. E. FEGEN.
BALDWIN REPRODUCING
PIANOS ARE DESCRIBED
Handsome Folder of Baldwin Piano Co. Effectively
Used by Dealers.
A new folder of the Baldwin Piano Co., Cincinnati,
is devoted to the Baldwin reproducing piano and is
designed for distribution to the public by the dealers.
The Baldwin Welte-Mignon (Licensee) reproducing
piano is pictured on the outside page of the folder
and also shown in fine halftones are:
The Baldwin reproducing grand, Style R; Baldwin
reproducing grand, Style M; the Ellington, Hamil-
ton, and Howard reproducing grands and the Bald-
win Ellington and Hamilton upright reproducing
pianos.
"There is a Baldwin reproducing piano to meet
your requirements," is the announcement directed to
the prospective buyers. This is added:
"A Baldwin reproducing piano in your living-room
will bring to you the music of the immortals, inter-
preted by the great pianists of past and present gen-
erations.
"Imagine the delight of having in your home the
unforgetable genius of Paderewski, DePachmann,
Hofmann and Greig, ready, with a host of others, to
entertain your guests at your command."
NEW TRAVELER FOR THE
UNITED PIANO CORPORATION
J. E. Corrigan and Orville P. Settle Now Actively
Representing Fine Line.
Joseph McMann, who is re-entering the retail piano
business in Susquehanna, Pa., has been given the
representation of the line of the United Piano Cor-
poration, New York, including the Celco reproducing
medium which Mr. McMann will feature in a partic-
ularly strong way. The account was opened by J. E.
Corrigan, traveler for the United Piano Corporation
in New York, Pennsylvania and Michigan states.
Another new traveler of the United Piano Corpora-
tion is Orville P. Settle, who will travel in New
England.
Among new accounts opened by Mr.
Settle are: Lord & Co., Lawrence, Mass., Emerson
pianos; L. G. Bedell, Lewiston, Me., Lindeman &
Sons; Frank Blanchard, Watervillc, Me., both Emer-
son and Lindeman & Sons lines.
"JUMBO" MODEL SELLS WELL.
The R. S. Howard "Jumbo Model" is one of the
excellent sellers of the Howard-Stowers Co., 132nd
street and Brown place, New York. It is four feet
nine inches high and is made in both upright and
playerpiano models and has a very massive case. It
is furnished in mahogany and walnut and has not
only been found to be much in demand in the domes-
tic trade, but very popular with the Latin-Americans.
The case design of this instrument is somewhat un-
usual, its sides being curved while the pilasters are
round, giving a very substantial look to the
instrument.
NATIONALIZED PIANOS.
Pianos in Russia are nationalized, according to a
statement by B. B. Krassin, head of the department
for musical research attached to the Commissariat
for Education of the Soviet Government. Krassin
recently told an American correspondent that a mu-
sical society has been formed which leases pianos
to their users. Students are given a 50 per cent re-
duction in the rates and gifted students pay only a
nominal fee. With the proceeds derived from the
renting of the pianos the society has established a
piano factory, where new instruments now are being
made.
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).