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Presto

Issue: 1924 1977 - Page 4

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PRESTO
SEE HOW PREMIER
GRANDS ARE MADE
June 14, 1924.
SHOWS MAKING OF PLAYER PART

But Excellent Luncheon in Factory Room
Was Also Feature of Pleasures Provided
Visitors to Plant of Premier Grand
Piano Corporation.
Among the numerous social functions associated
with the big music industries' convention in New
York last week the Premier Grand Piano Corpora-
tion's luncheon was especially unique and interesting
from an instructive standpoint. The trip through the
manufacturing plant was much like a lesson in grand
piano construction and was appreciated by every one
of the visitors.
Well Planned Ahead.
About three weeks before the date of the con-
vention invitations were sent out to piano dealers,
and to many piano manufacturers as well, to attend
a luncheon to be given by the Premier Grand Piano
Corporation, at the factory in West Twenty-third
street at noon on Thursday of convention week. Be-
fore noontime the guests began to arrive, many of
them ladies, and many possibly wondering how a
spread worthy of an important piano manufacturing
concern could be given in the workshop of a big
factory. The furnishing of a luncheon, an entertain-
ment and a study in piano making all in a regular,
every day workshop seemed too big an undertaking.
Then the Surprise.
All doubts along this line, however, were soon dis-
pelled for instead of a "buffet eat," standing up
against work benches here and there, a big main
floor of the factory had been transformed into a din-
ing room, or rather, a banquet hall, by skillful hands.
Where a short time before had been the evidences of
the work of the factory, the workmen's benches had
been deftly covered and draped with cloths of varied
hues and appropriate designs made to take the place
of flowers and the like.
Setting Was Unique.
It was not long until the Premier taxis had brought
to this assembling place, upwards of a hundred
visitors. A speakers' table was placed at the north
end of the room and at the extreme east end was an
appropriate stage for the entertainers, with a back-
ground made up of the four ivory white Premier
grands used by the Jerry lady Premier grand quar-
tette in their performance on the Keith Vaudeville
Circuit.
The four performers were at their best for the
The Best Yet
Graceful lines, rugged construc-
tion, moderately priced. It's the
very best commercial piano from
every standpoint.
SHOWING PHASE IN MAKING OF GULBRANSEN REGISTERING PIANO.
In a novel window exhibit shown this week in Chi-
cago, a Gulbransen Registering piano display was fea-
tured by one of the city's greatest public utilities—the
Commonwealth Edison Co.
The display is being made on the Dearborn street
side of the Commonwealth Edison Co., just north of
Adams street. The principal feature is the gluing of
pneumatics used in Gulbransen Registering pianos.
The glue is electrically heated by an International
glue pot, two hundred of which are in use in the Gul-
bransen factories. Miss Mae Waldron, of the pneu-
matic assembly department of the Gulbransen Com-
pany, is at work in the window daily gluing pneu-
matics.
Added interest is given the exhibit by two of the
new moving baby devices, showing the Gulbransen
trade-mark in action. There are also a Gulbransen
electric flasher, two ad enlargements in frames, two
full color oil paintings, assortment of parts, etc.
Every day large crowds are gathered in front of the
window viewing the unusual and interesting display.
Premier guests. They played all manner of eight-
hand selections; sang and whistled to the accompani-
ment of one, two, three and all four instruments, to
the great pleasure of the audience. After their regu-
lar performances on their own pianos, used in their
vaudeville stunts, they played on other Premiers in
different parts of the factory, and then joined those at
the tables in the repast. During the luncheon time
two Premier Reproducing Grands, alternating be-
tween a Welte-Mignon and the Premier Expression,
were playing.
President Hepperla Speaks.
At this period President Walter C. Hepperla ex-
tended to all the visitors the freedom of the factory
and voiced a heartfelt welcome to the guests of the
Premier Grand Piano Corporation, It was a charm-
ing, spontaneous talk in which, at the same time, he
introduced tthe officers, directors and co-workers of
his corporation. Every one was invited to go through
the factories, and Mr. Hepperla and his assistants,
superintendents and foremen, acted as guides in
conducting the visitors, so that all, dealer, player,
piano workman or manufacturer, might see, learn
and know how grand pianos, and especially Premier
Grand pianos, are made.
"We have no secrets to hide about how Premier
Grand pianos are made," said President Hepperla.
The tour of the great Premier factory was made
with profit to themselves and became a delightful
reminder of convention week.
COOPS & SONS PIANO CO.
EXPANDS IN PASADENA
Old California Music Firm Opens New Branch Store
in Promising Location.
Increasing business of the Coops & Sons Piano
Company, Pasadena, Calif., has opened a new branch
store at 16 South Raymond avenue. The new head-
quarters have been remodeled and were open for
business last week. A full line of pianos, including
both players and grands, phonographs, radios and
also small musical instruments, rolls, records, sheet
music and other musical supplies are handled.
The Coops & Sons Piano Company, 1160-90 South
Fair Oaks avenue, is one of Pasadena's most inter-
esting institutions and the oldest, and is still operated
and controlled by the originator and founder. C. W.
Coops, president of the company, states that his one
object in the beginning was "quality" and it has been
his effort to maintain this idea in the many years he
has been in the business.
Mr. Coops moved his business to Pasadena in 1913,
and in 1914 incorporated under the laws of California
for $75,000, taking his two sons, F. W. Coops and
Morton Coops, into the company. The company has
made wonderful strides since coming to Pasadena,
regardless of the war.
NEW ILLINOIS STORE.
Style 32—4 ft. 4 in.
WESER
Pianos and Players
The P>ungalow Music Co. has leased a room in
Taylorville, 111., and has opened a music store, sell-
ing pianos, talking machines, etc. The room has
been fixed up very attractively and the store was
opened for business last week. The owner, Wm.
Fowler, well known there, is a piano man of long
experience and is pricing his merchandise to appeal
to the thrifty customer who appreciates a good in-
strument at a reasonable price. It has been some
time since Taylorville had an exclusive music house,
and the company has been cordially welcomed.
Sell Readily—Stay Sold
OWENSBORO, KY., STORE SOLD.
Send to-day for catalogue, prices and
details of our liberal financing plan
Weser Bros., Inc.
520 to 528 W. 43rd St., New York
Mrs. Charles Irwin, Owensboro, Ky., has sold her
Playmore Music Shop to Mrs. Woodson Binion and
Miss Helen Binion, who took charge last week. They
expect to eventually expand the business. Mrs. Ir-
win will continue her studio at her home, 319 East
Fifth street. She will also continue her orchestra,
the Harmonizers. She has been proprietor of the
Playmore shop for the past three and one-half years.
KURTZMANN
Grands—Players
Manufactured by
C. KURTZMANN & CO.
Factories and General Offices
526-536 Niagara Street
BUFFALO, N. Y.
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