Presto
Issue: 1924 1993 - Page 6
October 4, 1924.
PRESTO
GREAT MUSIC HOUSE IN ITS SIXTIETH YEAR
Lyon & Healy, Founded in 1864, This Week
Celebrates the Fact by "Telling It to the
World" in Characteristically Force-
ful Manner with Unique Display.
Old Steinway Square, of Beautiful Finish, and Violin
Purchased in 1864, Are Featured in Win-
dow Display.
The most attractive window along Chicago's piano
row this week is the Lyon & Healy display in cele-
bration of the sixtieth year of its business. The win-
Lyon & Healy. The page was made especially attrac-
tive by a series of pen sketches depicting the six
buildings which have been the homes of the old music
house since its establishment in 1864. There was
also a pen sketch of the late founder, P. J. Healy,
of blessed memory, and in the center of the page was
the following, signed by the president of Lyon &
Healy as it is today organized:
The House of Lyon & Healy, now in its sixtieth
successful year, mirrors the foresight, sympathy, and
courage of its founders. Notwithstanding the severe
losses by fire, several times, prior to and including
the Chicago fire, the firm from its inception expanded
and prospered. And just as its firm name has re-
mained unchanged through the vicissitudes' of over
Smith & Nixon
Hall was at Wash-
ington and Clark
streets, Chicago. It
was on the ground
floor there that
Lyon & Healy be-
gan. The entrance
and lobby were
used for the sheet
m u s i c counters,
and pianos were on
the main floor. The
stage was just as
originally. The mu-
sic store entrance
was on Washing-
ton, in the center
of the building.
THE FIRST LYON & HEALY BUILDING.
dow coincides with the occasion and has attracted
attention of the crowds passing the large corner
window at Jackson & Wabash daily.
Among the first pianos that graced the warerooms
of Lyon & Healy, in the year 1864, was the Stein-
way, and which is at the present one of those promi-
nently displayed in the large establishment.
"Steinway" from the Start.
The window shows a Steinway instrument, beau-
tifully finished in mahogany and of the early square
model. In front of the piano is a woman, a full life
sized model and dressed in the fashions of that early
period. She has her music spread before her and is
ready to touch the keys of the instrument. The
music shown is a copy of "Sweet Bye and Bye,"
and the worn paper indicates that it was printed
many years ago.
A violin purchased from Lyon & Healy's by
Charles Pratt, sixty years ago, is also exhibited.
Mr. Pratt .was one of Lyon & Healy's first custom-
Some Early Workers.
All of the original workers in the old house have
passed to their rewards, the last to go having been
'"Charlie"' Post, who followed "Bob" Gregory but
a few years, Mr. Healy having died in 1905.
The First Move.
When the first Lyon & Healy store became out-
grown, larger quarters were found on Wabash ave-
nue, to be followed by steadily upward steps until
the great fire of 71 wiped away all the results of
the hard work of the founders of the house. And
since then, too, the advance has been steady and solid,
till a few years ago the present palatial establish-
ment at Wabash avenue and Jackson boulevard was
taken possession of—the most complete music house
in the world.
Pioneer History.
The history of music in the west is bound up in the
career of Lyon & Healy. From the first struggles
of two young men, who came from the Ditson house
in Boston, to break the way in the west, there has
been the passing of sixty years. And through all of
the sixty years, there has been the Healy influence in
music, until, before the founder's death, he had.
established himself at the head of the greatest music
This is the scene
described in the ar-
ticle. In foreground is
the sheet music coun-
ter; back is seen the
lady at the Steinway
piano.
Mr. Healy
himself is .in the
group at the left, in
front of the office
cage. He is the small
man and hatless.
MARQUBTTE HEALY.
ers, and the instrument was loaned by him for exhi-
bition during the sixtieth anniversary sale.
Early Lyon & Healy Harp.
The fifth Lyon & Healy harp made has a place in
the big window. It was a fine instrument in those
days and the beginning of the production of the Lyon
& Healy harps, which today are known the world
over.
The window display is an example of the progress-
iveness of the big Chicago house. It is as a whole
very attractive, and reflects on the ability of Mr.
Stewart, who is an artist and knows the musical taste
of the music loving public.
Newspaper Displays.
A full page display in the Chicago newspapers
early this week heralded the sixtieth anniversary of
Healy came out of Boston and started his music
store at the corner of what is now South Clark and
Washington streets, in Chicago. There are piano
men, still active in the trade, who can recall the pic-
ture of that store. A long room opening on Wash-
ington street, spreading out into a still wider room,
after about twenty-five feet of "entrance" had been
passed. It was the original "Smith & Nixon Hall,"
which had been transformed into a wareroom. The
sheet music counters were at the front where the
entrance and ticket office had been before.
The pianos were spread about the east side of
the room, with the balcony running around, serving
as the stock room. Large cases of small instruments
were also conspicuous, and in the little office, in the
center of the room at the right, Mr. Healy himself
might be found when he was not busy "on the floor"
meeting customers. And he was everywherej as active
as life itself, and always affable and willing to help.
half a century, so, too, the early ideals have been
cherished.
For three generations every opportunity has Been
seized to place the best instruments and the best
music into the hands of music lovers everywhere.
This endeavor to serve better is physically expressed
by the continually increasing facilities offered to
those interested in musical merchandise. Through
the years to come we shall strive to bring music
closer into human life and by this means to release
more of the latent possibilities of mankind for happi-
ness, achievement and progress.
M. A. HEALY,
President.
A Look Backward.
It is not easy to resist the temptation to run back
through the years which have passed since P. J.
THE FIRST LYON & HEALY STORE.
house in the world. Under the present control, it is
equally strong and a son of P. J. Healy still guides
its destinies.
THE Q R S ADVERTISING.
One of the most effective advertisements in the
Literary Digest of September 20 was that of the
Q R S Music Co., Chicago, which explained the fea-
ture of the new music roll box with end opening.
The display is one of a national series which will
carry to the public the announcement of the new
box. The ad describes and illustrates the new box
construction in a most convincing manner. The na-
tional advertising should insure the fact that the at-
tractive features of the new box register so strongly
with the public as to bring new business directly to
the dealer's store.
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
GREAT MUSIC HOUSE IN ITS SIXTIETH YEAR
Lyon & Healy, Founded in 1864, This Week
Celebrates the Fact by "Telling It to the
World" in Characteristically Force-
ful Manner with Unique Display.
Old Steinway Square, of Beautiful Finish, and Violin
Purchased in 1864, Are Featured in Win-
dow Display.
The most attractive window along Chicago's piano
row this week is the Lyon & Healy display in cele-
bration of the sixtieth year of its business. The win-
Lyon & Healy. The page was made especially attrac-
tive by a series of pen sketches depicting the six
buildings which have been the homes of the old music
house since its establishment in 1864. There was
also a pen sketch of the late founder, P. J. Healy,
of blessed memory, and in the center of the page was
the following, signed by the president of Lyon &
Healy as it is today organized:
The House of Lyon & Healy, now in its sixtieth
successful year, mirrors the foresight, sympathy, and
courage of its founders. Notwithstanding the severe
losses by fire, several times, prior to and including
the Chicago fire, the firm from its inception expanded
and prospered. And just as its firm name has re-
mained unchanged through the vicissitudes' of over
Smith & Nixon
Hall was at Wash-
ington and Clark
streets, Chicago. It
was on the ground
floor there that
Lyon & Healy be-
gan. The entrance
and lobby were
used for the sheet
m u s i c counters,
and pianos were on
the main floor. The
stage was just as
originally. The mu-
sic store entrance
was on Washing-
ton, in the center
of the building.
THE FIRST LYON & HEALY BUILDING.
dow coincides with the occasion and has attracted
attention of the crowds passing the large corner
window at Jackson & Wabash daily.
Among the first pianos that graced the warerooms
of Lyon & Healy, in the year 1864, was the Stein-
way, and which is at the present one of those promi-
nently displayed in the large establishment.
"Steinway" from the Start.
The window shows a Steinway instrument, beau-
tifully finished in mahogany and of the early square
model. In front of the piano is a woman, a full life
sized model and dressed in the fashions of that early
period. She has her music spread before her and is
ready to touch the keys of the instrument. The
music shown is a copy of "Sweet Bye and Bye,"
and the worn paper indicates that it was printed
many years ago.
A violin purchased from Lyon & Healy's by
Charles Pratt, sixty years ago, is also exhibited.
Mr. Pratt .was one of Lyon & Healy's first custom-
Some Early Workers.
All of the original workers in the old house have
passed to their rewards, the last to go having been
'"Charlie"' Post, who followed "Bob" Gregory but
a few years, Mr. Healy having died in 1905.
The First Move.
When the first Lyon & Healy store became out-
grown, larger quarters were found on Wabash ave-
nue, to be followed by steadily upward steps until
the great fire of 71 wiped away all the results of
the hard work of the founders of the house. And
since then, too, the advance has been steady and solid,
till a few years ago the present palatial establish-
ment at Wabash avenue and Jackson boulevard was
taken possession of—the most complete music house
in the world.
Pioneer History.
The history of music in the west is bound up in the
career of Lyon & Healy. From the first struggles
of two young men, who came from the Ditson house
in Boston, to break the way in the west, there has
been the passing of sixty years. And through all of
the sixty years, there has been the Healy influence in
music, until, before the founder's death, he had.
established himself at the head of the greatest music
This is the scene
described in the ar-
ticle. In foreground is
the sheet music coun-
ter; back is seen the
lady at the Steinway
piano.
Mr. Healy
himself is .in the
group at the left, in
front of the office
cage. He is the small
man and hatless.
MARQUBTTE HEALY.
ers, and the instrument was loaned by him for exhi-
bition during the sixtieth anniversary sale.
Early Lyon & Healy Harp.
The fifth Lyon & Healy harp made has a place in
the big window. It was a fine instrument in those
days and the beginning of the production of the Lyon
& Healy harps, which today are known the world
over.
The window display is an example of the progress-
iveness of the big Chicago house. It is as a whole
very attractive, and reflects on the ability of Mr.
Stewart, who is an artist and knows the musical taste
of the music loving public.
Newspaper Displays.
A full page display in the Chicago newspapers
early this week heralded the sixtieth anniversary of
Healy came out of Boston and started his music
store at the corner of what is now South Clark and
Washington streets, in Chicago. There are piano
men, still active in the trade, who can recall the pic-
ture of that store. A long room opening on Wash-
ington street, spreading out into a still wider room,
after about twenty-five feet of "entrance" had been
passed. It was the original "Smith & Nixon Hall,"
which had been transformed into a wareroom. The
sheet music counters were at the front where the
entrance and ticket office had been before.
The pianos were spread about the east side of
the room, with the balcony running around, serving
as the stock room. Large cases of small instruments
were also conspicuous, and in the little office, in the
center of the room at the right, Mr. Healy himself
might be found when he was not busy "on the floor"
meeting customers. And he was everywherej as active
as life itself, and always affable and willing to help.
half a century, so, too, the early ideals have been
cherished.
For three generations every opportunity has Been
seized to place the best instruments and the best
music into the hands of music lovers everywhere.
This endeavor to serve better is physically expressed
by the continually increasing facilities offered to
those interested in musical merchandise. Through
the years to come we shall strive to bring music
closer into human life and by this means to release
more of the latent possibilities of mankind for happi-
ness, achievement and progress.
M. A. HEALY,
President.
A Look Backward.
It is not easy to resist the temptation to run back
through the years which have passed since P. J.
THE FIRST LYON & HEALY STORE.
house in the world. Under the present control, it is
equally strong and a son of P. J. Healy still guides
its destinies.
THE Q R S ADVERTISING.
One of the most effective advertisements in the
Literary Digest of September 20 was that of the
Q R S Music Co., Chicago, which explained the fea-
ture of the new music roll box with end opening.
The display is one of a national series which will
carry to the public the announcement of the new
box. The ad describes and illustrates the new box
construction in a most convincing manner. The na-
tional advertising should insure the fact that the at-
tractive features of the new box register so strongly
with the public as to bring new business directly to
the dealer's store.
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).