Presto
Issue: 1924 1973 - Page 4
PRESTO
INVENTOR EXPLAINS
HIS NEW PIANO KEY
Piano Man in Nebraska Claims to Have Per-
fected Something Which Is Vital to Per-
fection in Piano Manufacture.
A communication from W. F. Leonhardt, of Kear-
ney, Nebraska, gives some particulars of an inven-
tion which he believes may be essential to piano per-
fection in the near future. It is a piano key so con-
structed as to do away with some of the annoyances
which beset the harmonious lives of tuners, regula-
tors and others. Following is Mr. Leonhardt's de-
scription of his invention:
"My invention, for which patent is pending, re-
quires three different parts to complete the working
key. It must have a center key-rail, a center key-
pin, and a key-button, all of which I incorporate with
the following improvements:
"The key-rail has a groove, full length, also seats,
full length; either, or both, may be adopted, to re-
ceive a new improved key-pin, which contains a wood
screw, cone collar, and a slit for a screw-driver, all
cast in one piece, by which the key is either raised
or lowered without disassembling the keyboard, in
order to remove, or add a punching to level the key,
or give more or less dip. All this above is accom-
plished by a slight turn of the center key-pin, with-
out removing the keyboard.
"The key button, which can not be dispensed with,
in all pianos, is a guide for the key. Yet it is one of
the most aggravating troubles to control. Why? Be-
cause the bushing is glued in, from the beginning to
end. The glue seeps into the bushing in a short time
and becomes harder than wood. This condition com-
ing in contact with the center pin causes the keys
to rattle, squeak, and evoke other noisy tones, which
mingle with the piano, with the result that many beau-
tiful toned pianos are injured in quality.
"The new key button, which I have invented, has
been tested and found beyond my expectation. It is
made of spun aluminum, in one piece. It w r ill not
contract, or expand, in climatic changes. It is the
smallest, the lightest, and is 100 per cent stronger
than any button in the world. It will not separate
from the key. Weight, four pennyweight (bushed).
It is the only button that contains a regulator to
Schumann
PIANOS and PLAYER PIANOS
GRANDS and UPRIGHTS
Have no superiors in appearance, tone
power or other essentials of strictly
leaders in the trade.
Warning to Infringers
This Trade Mark 1B cast
In the plate and also ap-
pears upon the fall board
of all genuine Schumann
Pianos, and all Infringers
will be prosecuted. Beware
of Imitations such as Schu-
mann & Company, Schu-
mann & Son, and also
Shuman, as all stencil
shops, dealers and users of
pianos bearing a name in
imitation of the name
Schumann with the Inten-
tion of deceiving the public
will be prosecuted to the
fullest extent of the law.
New Catalogue on Request.
Schumann Piano Co.
W. N. VAN MATRE, President
Rockford, 111.
PIANO TUNING
PLAYER PIANO REPAIRING
Taught by tnmn of mxperlonce
In 8 WEKKS
Complete Course $75.00
SALESMANSHIP included.
Also NIGHT COURSES
Piano Merchants Supplied With Reliable Tuners
and Repairmen
WRITE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
St. Louis Piano and Player Repair School
1514 Franklin Ave.
ST. LOUIS, MO.
take up lost motion, or wear. Also contains a new
form of bushing—reliable, yet the whole construction
does not contain one drop of glue. Button is very
quiet. Being dead metal, it kills that hollow symbol
tone in keys when they become very dry.
"My invention does not change the present system
of piano manufacturing. Tuners, regulators, repair-
men, can install the whole, or in part, on any piano,
in less time than you can re-bush, or repair, the old
buttons, at about the same cost."
BEER AND BOOZE FOE
TALKS TO PIANO CLUB
Rev. Williams Reviles Horrid Stuff While Members
Sip Lake Michigan Chloride Cocktails.
Beer, Booze and Bombs were rousing topics of
Rev. Elmer L. Williams, "The Fighting Parson,"
director of law enforcement of The Better Govern-
ment Association, who was the guest of honor and
speaker of the day of The Piano Club of Chicago at
the luncheon of this week. Dr. Williams is a favorite
speaker before organizations in and out of Chicago
because of the pep, humor and startling facts he
brings. His subject was "The Big Game."
W. Wallace Kimball furnished an interesting pro-
gram and justified his ability to arrange this phase at
the luncheon pleasures.
The president, John McKenna, announced another
big evening meeting May 27th at the Hotel Sherman,
in the Tiger Room. The annual pre-convention and
membership stag dinner. Details will be published
later.
HEAD OF CHICAGO STARR
COMPANY RETURNS FROM EAST
Manager Wiggins Optimistic Over Conditions and
Reports a Stir in Trade in Eastern Cities.
Manager Wiggins, of the Chicago Starr Piano Com-
pany, South Wabash avenue, returned early last week
from a visit to New York and other points east. Dur-
ing this tour Mr. Wiggins had the pleasure of calling
on a few of the Starr representatives and found the
trade in fair shape. Mr. Wiggins was especially
pleased with the fine showing of the Gennett records
in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, as well as New York.
"The New York branch of the Starr Piano Com-
pany is doing a good business in all departments,"
said Mr. Wiggins shortly after his return, and the
large territory which it supplies keeps it unusually
busy."
W. F. FREDERICK IS RECENT
VISITOR TO CHICAGO
President of Live Chain of Piano Stores in Pennsyl-
vania Makes Call on Manufacturers.
W. F. Frederick, president of the W. F. Frederick
Piano Co., Pittsburgh, Pa., was an important visitor
to the Chicago trade last week. Mr. Frederick, who
owns and operates a number of live piano stores in
the East, of which Pittsburgh is the center, is an
enthusiastic representative of the Price & Teeple
Piano Co.'s line, including the Schaeffer piano, which
he has been selling with good results for a number of
years.
Mr. Frederick's visit to Chicago's wholesale piano
offices is largely to place orders in anticipation of a
good summer business. This is based on the fact
that Mr. Frederick's music establishments sales man-
agers have the knack of creating interest in the piano
when the other fellow is complaining about the so-
called summer dullness.
*
AN EXPERT'S OPINION
At a recent meeting of the Thos. Cusack Com-
pany's salesmen, the president of that company,
Thomas Cusack, told his staff that in his opinion the
most beautiful advertising bulletin in America at the
present time was the new Lyon & Healy display on
north Michigan Avenue at the intersection of Erie
Street. This display has attracted widest attention
by reason of its charm and originality, and has
brought to Lyon & Healy many unsolicited expres-
sions of approval.
May 17, 1924.
THREE KRAKAUER BROS.
GRANDS FOR THEATER
One of the First Play-Houses in New England
Buys Instruments From Famous New
York Industry.
Charles S. Norris, representative of Krakauer
Bros., in Boston, has just installed, in the Magnifi-
cent new "Gordon's Olympia Fields Corner Theatre,"
two style 16 Krakauer Grand pianos, thus adding to
the already large number of Gordon Theaters, in
which Krakauer pianos are used.
This particular theater has just been completed and
is, without question, one of the finest buildings de-
voted to theatrical enterprises in the New England
states.
Krakauer Bros, are rightly pleased at this mani-
festation of the satisfaction that these instruments
are giving in actual service in the theaters.
THE CONVENTION TRAIN.
The transportation committee of the National Asso-
ciation of Music Merchants announces that reserva-
tions in the compartment car of the special train to
leave Chicago for the convention are all taken. Reser-
vations in regular sleepers are going fast. About
sixty in one of the cars have been reserved. The
latest plan suggested is to unite all the state associa-
tions of music merchants in one body including piano
clubs and the like.
MUSIC SHOP REOPENS.
The Music Shop, Connersville, Ind., formerly owned
by the late William M. Heermann, Jr., has been re-
opened by the Star Piano Company, of Richmond,
with F. C. Templin, of Richmond, as temporary man-
ager of the establishment.
QUALITY
in Name and in Fact
TONE, MATERIALS, CONSTRUCTION,
WORKMANSHIP, DESIGN—all in ac-
cord with the broadest experience—are
the elements which give character to
Bush & Lane Products.
BUSHcScLANE PIANOS
BUSH & LANE CECILIAN
PLAYER
PIANOS
take high place, therefore, in any com-
parison of high grade pianos because of
the individuality of character which dis-
tinguishes them in all essentials of merit
and value.
BUSH & LANE PIANO CO.
Holland, Mich.
ESTABLISHED 1854
THE
BRADBURY PIANO
FOR ITS
ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE
FOR ITS
INESTIMABLE AGENCY VALUE
THE CHOICE OF
Representative Dealers the World Over
Now Produced in Several
New Models
R. A. BURKE IN FLORIDA.
R. A. Burke, traveler for the Story & Clark Piano
Co., Chicago, is at present enjoying the sunshine of
Florida. Mr. Burke left the Chicago office of the
Story & Clark Piano Co., 315 S. Wabash avenue, re-
cently to make a tour of the South. His schedule
included Florida, where he will be busy viewing trade
conditions until his return to Chicago probably the
latter part of this month.
WRITE FOR TERRITORY
Factory
Leominster,
Mat*.
Executive Offices
138th St. and Walton Ave.
New York
Division W. P. HA1NES & CO., Inc.
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/
INVENTOR EXPLAINS
HIS NEW PIANO KEY
Piano Man in Nebraska Claims to Have Per-
fected Something Which Is Vital to Per-
fection in Piano Manufacture.
A communication from W. F. Leonhardt, of Kear-
ney, Nebraska, gives some particulars of an inven-
tion which he believes may be essential to piano per-
fection in the near future. It is a piano key so con-
structed as to do away with some of the annoyances
which beset the harmonious lives of tuners, regula-
tors and others. Following is Mr. Leonhardt's de-
scription of his invention:
"My invention, for which patent is pending, re-
quires three different parts to complete the working
key. It must have a center key-rail, a center key-
pin, and a key-button, all of which I incorporate with
the following improvements:
"The key-rail has a groove, full length, also seats,
full length; either, or both, may be adopted, to re-
ceive a new improved key-pin, which contains a wood
screw, cone collar, and a slit for a screw-driver, all
cast in one piece, by which the key is either raised
or lowered without disassembling the keyboard, in
order to remove, or add a punching to level the key,
or give more or less dip. All this above is accom-
plished by a slight turn of the center key-pin, with-
out removing the keyboard.
"The key button, which can not be dispensed with,
in all pianos, is a guide for the key. Yet it is one of
the most aggravating troubles to control. Why? Be-
cause the bushing is glued in, from the beginning to
end. The glue seeps into the bushing in a short time
and becomes harder than wood. This condition com-
ing in contact with the center pin causes the keys
to rattle, squeak, and evoke other noisy tones, which
mingle with the piano, with the result that many beau-
tiful toned pianos are injured in quality.
"The new key button, which I have invented, has
been tested and found beyond my expectation. It is
made of spun aluminum, in one piece. It w r ill not
contract, or expand, in climatic changes. It is the
smallest, the lightest, and is 100 per cent stronger
than any button in the world. It will not separate
from the key. Weight, four pennyweight (bushed).
It is the only button that contains a regulator to
Schumann
PIANOS and PLAYER PIANOS
GRANDS and UPRIGHTS
Have no superiors in appearance, tone
power or other essentials of strictly
leaders in the trade.
Warning to Infringers
This Trade Mark 1B cast
In the plate and also ap-
pears upon the fall board
of all genuine Schumann
Pianos, and all Infringers
will be prosecuted. Beware
of Imitations such as Schu-
mann & Company, Schu-
mann & Son, and also
Shuman, as all stencil
shops, dealers and users of
pianos bearing a name in
imitation of the name
Schumann with the Inten-
tion of deceiving the public
will be prosecuted to the
fullest extent of the law.
New Catalogue on Request.
Schumann Piano Co.
W. N. VAN MATRE, President
Rockford, 111.
PIANO TUNING
PLAYER PIANO REPAIRING
Taught by tnmn of mxperlonce
In 8 WEKKS
Complete Course $75.00
SALESMANSHIP included.
Also NIGHT COURSES
Piano Merchants Supplied With Reliable Tuners
and Repairmen
WRITE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
St. Louis Piano and Player Repair School
1514 Franklin Ave.
ST. LOUIS, MO.
take up lost motion, or wear. Also contains a new
form of bushing—reliable, yet the whole construction
does not contain one drop of glue. Button is very
quiet. Being dead metal, it kills that hollow symbol
tone in keys when they become very dry.
"My invention does not change the present system
of piano manufacturing. Tuners, regulators, repair-
men, can install the whole, or in part, on any piano,
in less time than you can re-bush, or repair, the old
buttons, at about the same cost."
BEER AND BOOZE FOE
TALKS TO PIANO CLUB
Rev. Williams Reviles Horrid Stuff While Members
Sip Lake Michigan Chloride Cocktails.
Beer, Booze and Bombs were rousing topics of
Rev. Elmer L. Williams, "The Fighting Parson,"
director of law enforcement of The Better Govern-
ment Association, who was the guest of honor and
speaker of the day of The Piano Club of Chicago at
the luncheon of this week. Dr. Williams is a favorite
speaker before organizations in and out of Chicago
because of the pep, humor and startling facts he
brings. His subject was "The Big Game."
W. Wallace Kimball furnished an interesting pro-
gram and justified his ability to arrange this phase at
the luncheon pleasures.
The president, John McKenna, announced another
big evening meeting May 27th at the Hotel Sherman,
in the Tiger Room. The annual pre-convention and
membership stag dinner. Details will be published
later.
HEAD OF CHICAGO STARR
COMPANY RETURNS FROM EAST
Manager Wiggins Optimistic Over Conditions and
Reports a Stir in Trade in Eastern Cities.
Manager Wiggins, of the Chicago Starr Piano Com-
pany, South Wabash avenue, returned early last week
from a visit to New York and other points east. Dur-
ing this tour Mr. Wiggins had the pleasure of calling
on a few of the Starr representatives and found the
trade in fair shape. Mr. Wiggins was especially
pleased with the fine showing of the Gennett records
in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, as well as New York.
"The New York branch of the Starr Piano Com-
pany is doing a good business in all departments,"
said Mr. Wiggins shortly after his return, and the
large territory which it supplies keeps it unusually
busy."
W. F. FREDERICK IS RECENT
VISITOR TO CHICAGO
President of Live Chain of Piano Stores in Pennsyl-
vania Makes Call on Manufacturers.
W. F. Frederick, president of the W. F. Frederick
Piano Co., Pittsburgh, Pa., was an important visitor
to the Chicago trade last week. Mr. Frederick, who
owns and operates a number of live piano stores in
the East, of which Pittsburgh is the center, is an
enthusiastic representative of the Price & Teeple
Piano Co.'s line, including the Schaeffer piano, which
he has been selling with good results for a number of
years.
Mr. Frederick's visit to Chicago's wholesale piano
offices is largely to place orders in anticipation of a
good summer business. This is based on the fact
that Mr. Frederick's music establishments sales man-
agers have the knack of creating interest in the piano
when the other fellow is complaining about the so-
called summer dullness.
*
AN EXPERT'S OPINION
At a recent meeting of the Thos. Cusack Com-
pany's salesmen, the president of that company,
Thomas Cusack, told his staff that in his opinion the
most beautiful advertising bulletin in America at the
present time was the new Lyon & Healy display on
north Michigan Avenue at the intersection of Erie
Street. This display has attracted widest attention
by reason of its charm and originality, and has
brought to Lyon & Healy many unsolicited expres-
sions of approval.
May 17, 1924.
THREE KRAKAUER BROS.
GRANDS FOR THEATER
One of the First Play-Houses in New England
Buys Instruments From Famous New
York Industry.
Charles S. Norris, representative of Krakauer
Bros., in Boston, has just installed, in the Magnifi-
cent new "Gordon's Olympia Fields Corner Theatre,"
two style 16 Krakauer Grand pianos, thus adding to
the already large number of Gordon Theaters, in
which Krakauer pianos are used.
This particular theater has just been completed and
is, without question, one of the finest buildings de-
voted to theatrical enterprises in the New England
states.
Krakauer Bros, are rightly pleased at this mani-
festation of the satisfaction that these instruments
are giving in actual service in the theaters.
THE CONVENTION TRAIN.
The transportation committee of the National Asso-
ciation of Music Merchants announces that reserva-
tions in the compartment car of the special train to
leave Chicago for the convention are all taken. Reser-
vations in regular sleepers are going fast. About
sixty in one of the cars have been reserved. The
latest plan suggested is to unite all the state associa-
tions of music merchants in one body including piano
clubs and the like.
MUSIC SHOP REOPENS.
The Music Shop, Connersville, Ind., formerly owned
by the late William M. Heermann, Jr., has been re-
opened by the Star Piano Company, of Richmond,
with F. C. Templin, of Richmond, as temporary man-
ager of the establishment.
QUALITY
in Name and in Fact
TONE, MATERIALS, CONSTRUCTION,
WORKMANSHIP, DESIGN—all in ac-
cord with the broadest experience—are
the elements which give character to
Bush & Lane Products.
BUSHcScLANE PIANOS
BUSH & LANE CECILIAN
PLAYER
PIANOS
take high place, therefore, in any com-
parison of high grade pianos because of
the individuality of character which dis-
tinguishes them in all essentials of merit
and value.
BUSH & LANE PIANO CO.
Holland, Mich.
ESTABLISHED 1854
THE
BRADBURY PIANO
FOR ITS
ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE
FOR ITS
INESTIMABLE AGENCY VALUE
THE CHOICE OF
Representative Dealers the World Over
Now Produced in Several
New Models
R. A. BURKE IN FLORIDA.
R. A. Burke, traveler for the Story & Clark Piano
Co., Chicago, is at present enjoying the sunshine of
Florida. Mr. Burke left the Chicago office of the
Story & Clark Piano Co., 315 S. Wabash avenue, re-
cently to make a tour of the South. His schedule
included Florida, where he will be busy viewing trade
conditions until his return to Chicago probably the
latter part of this month.
WRITE FOR TERRITORY
Factory
Leominster,
Mat*.
Executive Offices
138th St. and Walton Ave.
New York
Division W. P. HA1NES & CO., Inc.
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).