Presto
Issue: 1924 1995 - Page 9
October 18, 1924.
FEATURING THE TONK
REPRODUCING PIANO
Handsome Folder for Use by Dealers Em-
phasizes Artistic Character of Fine Product
of William Tonk & Bros., Inc.
The Tonk Reproducing Piano is the subject of a
new folder issued by William Tonk & Bros., Inc.,
Tenth avenue and Thirty-sixth streets, New York
City. It is a forceful bit of publicity which empha-
sizes the artistic qualities of the instrument and
associates it with the honored names in pianistic art.
It is pointed out in the folder that the music of
Josef Lhevinne, Teresa Curreno, Ignatz J. Paderew-
ski Josef Hofmann and other masters is available
in reproducing rolls to be used with the Tonk Repro-
ducing Piano. The dcl : ghtful possibilities of the
instrument as suggested in the text accompanying
the upright and grand styles shown in pictures:
'Tonight in Your Home. Supposing we told you
you cculd have a concert at your home tonight—
after dinner, with Josef Hofmann, Busoni, Greig
and Carreno playing their own compositions, too, and
with all the marvelous art and superb interpretation
that characterizes these master pianists.
"You would, no doubt, consider our remarks ex-
traordinary and be inclined to doubt the truth of
such statements. Supposing we also said that you
could introduce the greatest pianists of the world
into your home, playing the classics of the ages—
rendering dozens and dozens of the musical master-
pieces of every civilized land. You would hardly
believe this, would you? You would, perhaps, be
more skeptical than ever. Yet—marvelous—extraor-
dinary—impossible though it may seem—the Tonk
Reproducing piano actually reproduces, note for note,
thrill for thrill, climax for climax, the exact playing
of the artist. It is as if Josef Hofmann himself
were seated at the piano before you and giving you
his magnificent interpretntion of Rubinstein's Melody
in F."
The folder also tells "Some Points of Superiority
of the Tonk piano":
First—extraordinary strength, insuring standing
in tune of the instrument for longei than ordinary
period.
Second—a positive guarantee that the pin block
and iron plate will never part from the balance of
the back under any conditions.
Third—improvement in the tone quality over that
of the ordinary all wood back.
Fourth—lightness and elegance of appearance.
Fifth—with this construction the back may be ele-
gantly finished and need not be defaced by the bolts
holding the instrument to the piano box.
The Tonk piano is noted for its peculiarly sweet
and sonorous tone so that the buyers of the Tonk
Reproducing Piano are assured of a most desirable
ruality in instruments of that description.
The fnest, of course, is expected from one of the
old New York industries whose entire career has
been a continuous and successful aim toward pro-
ducing instruments of the distinctly good kind. There
is no disappointment for the admirers of the Tonk
piano in the Touk Reproducing Piano, which is of
the admirable kind that does credit to the trade,
brings profits to the dealer and satisfaction to the
purchasers.
Like the Tonk piano the Tonk Reproducing Piano
is durable as well as musical and its success is firmly
established.
SHOWS NECESSITY FOR
SERVICE DEPARTMENT
Gco.
G. Johnstcn Piano Tuner, Proves His Pont
in Letter to Tonk's Topics.
Ceo. G. Johnstcn, secretary-treasurer of the Peoria,
111., dhision of the National Association of Piano
Tuners, believes that every piano dealer should
have a service department in charge of competent
men and that he should advertise the fact widely
and persistently. In a letter to Tonk"s Topics Mr.
Johnstcn said that it is the duty of the dealer to keep
his customers reminded that satisfaction with the
family pic no depended upon the manner and fre-
quency of the tunings. Mr. Johnston said:
"Primarily a piano is a musical instrument, but
ceases to be such as soon as it is out of tune and regu-
lation. A piano in good tune and regulation is the
best advert'sement a manufacturer and merchant can
possibly : have end fulfills the purpose for which it
was orig nally intended.
"On the other hand, if a piano is let to deteriorate
by indifference, as to tuning and regulation, it be-
comes only a piano in name. There is no incentive
on the part of anyene to play it, consequently its
value as an advertising proposition is lost. A piano
of moderate price receiving regular care is a better
PRESTO
advertising proposition than the highest priced piano
in ths world that is not in good condition.
'To create future business it is necessary to see
to it that the instruments you are selling receive
proper attention and, to do this it must be explained
at the time of sale just what constitutes proper care.
A piano is either sold for good or for evil, and with-
out frequent tuning and regulation after being placed
in the home it cannot possibly do the manufacturer
or merchant any good.
"It is estimated that 85 per cent of the pianos in
the U S. are out of tune and regulation. Have these
pianos put in playable condition and they will create
a des're on the part of the rising generation to learn
to play them and that will create your future busi-
ness. If 85 per cent of the automobiles were not in
usable condition how long do you suppose the auto-
mobile business would flourish?
"The service end of the piano business is the one
important feature upon which success of the entire
industry rests. Get the pianos in tune and musical
geniuses will not be obliterated, but will increase and
posterity will not have been robbed of its inheritance.
"The Nat. Ass'n of Piano Tuners is doing a great
work in educating the public on the care of the piano,
and with the co-operation of the other branches of
the music industries untold benefits are being at-
tained."
NATIONAL ADVERTISING
FOR PREMIER SMALL GRAND
Forceful Appeal for Fine Pianos Appears in New
York Times Mid-Week Pictorial.
In the New York Times Mid-Week Pictorial, Oc-
tober 9th issue, the Premier Grand Piano Corpora-
tion, New York, had a half-page advertisement on
the inside back cover which was of the character-
istic striking kind used in the Premier advertising
campaign conducted in this national consumer publi-
cation.
The oddity of the Premier design, the powerful
Premier message, the association of prominent piano
merchants from coast to coast with the sale of this
outstanding popular priced small grand are all ele-
ments of strength in this timely message.
The manner of advertising the Premier grand is
suggestive of the fine pianos, "thoroughbred small
grands," as the Mid-Week Pictorial phrases it. The
Premier Grand Piano Corporation is maintaining the
dominant position it has won nationally, and the com-
pany's way of extending the knowledge of the mellow
tone and easy responsive action of the small grand
is portent for further great sales.
BUILDS NEW STORE.
Plans for building a new music store here at 1219
West Osborne street, Sandusky, O., have been com-
pleted by Leo H. Gerhardstein, who has been pre-
viously conducting a music business from his resi-
dence at the same address. Mr. Gerhardstein is hav-
ing a one-story firer.roof structure built at the rear of
his home.
POPULAR MECHANICS
SHOWS Q R S BOX
New Unit-Box Is Illustrated and Merits De-
scribed in November Issue of Widely
Read Journal.
Popular Mechanics, the interesting and educative
"journal which makes its contents fit the suggestive
name, finds a readable theme in the new Unit-Box of
the Q R S Music Co., Chicago. In the November
issue an illustrated article tells about the novelty
that increases the pleasures of the playerpiano owner.
The article says:
"Fcr the convenience of pianoplayer owners music
roll boxes with hinged ends have been manufactured
so that records can be withdrawn or put back with
little trouble. The exposed drop front bears the
name of the roll and is pulled out easily with a tab.
Piled on top of the piano or in any other convenient
position, rows of the containers are as handy as a filing
cabinet. Any record can be quickly selected without
removing the box or disturbing the others." A half-
tone illustration shows the manner of using the box.
The selection by Popular Mechanics of the new
roll box of the Q R S Music Co. shows the wide in-
terest in the new feature. Q R S music rolls appeal
to playerpiano owners who delight in well-recorded
music-. The new Unit-Box provides a further attrac-
tion for the Q R S rolls by making for orderliness in
the .living or music room and helping towards the
saving of time. Now the Q R S roll container, the
Unit-Eox, stays put.
The new box was originally announced as the
Mona-Box, but the company later decided to call it
by the more descriptive name, Unit-Box.
J. H. WILLIAMS CLOSES
BALTIMORE RETAIL STORE
Representation of A. B. Chas:, Emerson and Lind:-
man Pianos Goes to Kunkel Piano Co.
Following the discontinuance of the retail business
of J. H. Williams at 325 North Charles street,
Baltimore, Md., the representation of the line of the
United Piano Corporation, has been given to the
Kunkel Piano Co.. 120 North Liberty street. The
collections of the J. H. Williams retail store will be
taken over by the Kunkel Picno Co.
The retail piano business of J. H. Williams in
Baltimore was personally owned by him and its
fcrma'ion dated hack before his election as .presi-
dent of the United Piano Corporation. It has been
under the management of his son, Edwin S. Wil-
liams, who has joined the wholesale department of
the United Piano Corporation as traveler.
Spcnce's Music Store, C7 East State street, Colum-
>r.s, O., is adding a piano department.
We Prefer That Our Small Grand Speak for Itself
And to that end we court comparison of the
jflorep
GRANDS
with any other Small Grand, of whatever make or
however distinguished. Words are not always
convincing—a trial will be. We are absolutely
certain that no other Grand can be the result of
finer craftsmanship, more unique features, or better
tone. YOUR verdict is invited.
NOT QUANTITY BUT QUALITY GRANDS, by
the PIONEER GRAND PIANO INDUSTRY
—Established 1909—
/ / you have discriminating compe-
tition please write for literature.
Movtp
Washington
New Jersey
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/
FEATURING THE TONK
REPRODUCING PIANO
Handsome Folder for Use by Dealers Em-
phasizes Artistic Character of Fine Product
of William Tonk & Bros., Inc.
The Tonk Reproducing Piano is the subject of a
new folder issued by William Tonk & Bros., Inc.,
Tenth avenue and Thirty-sixth streets, New York
City. It is a forceful bit of publicity which empha-
sizes the artistic qualities of the instrument and
associates it with the honored names in pianistic art.
It is pointed out in the folder that the music of
Josef Lhevinne, Teresa Curreno, Ignatz J. Paderew-
ski Josef Hofmann and other masters is available
in reproducing rolls to be used with the Tonk Repro-
ducing Piano. The dcl : ghtful possibilities of the
instrument as suggested in the text accompanying
the upright and grand styles shown in pictures:
'Tonight in Your Home. Supposing we told you
you cculd have a concert at your home tonight—
after dinner, with Josef Hofmann, Busoni, Greig
and Carreno playing their own compositions, too, and
with all the marvelous art and superb interpretation
that characterizes these master pianists.
"You would, no doubt, consider our remarks ex-
traordinary and be inclined to doubt the truth of
such statements. Supposing we also said that you
could introduce the greatest pianists of the world
into your home, playing the classics of the ages—
rendering dozens and dozens of the musical master-
pieces of every civilized land. You would hardly
believe this, would you? You would, perhaps, be
more skeptical than ever. Yet—marvelous—extraor-
dinary—impossible though it may seem—the Tonk
Reproducing piano actually reproduces, note for note,
thrill for thrill, climax for climax, the exact playing
of the artist. It is as if Josef Hofmann himself
were seated at the piano before you and giving you
his magnificent interpretntion of Rubinstein's Melody
in F."
The folder also tells "Some Points of Superiority
of the Tonk piano":
First—extraordinary strength, insuring standing
in tune of the instrument for longei than ordinary
period.
Second—a positive guarantee that the pin block
and iron plate will never part from the balance of
the back under any conditions.
Third—improvement in the tone quality over that
of the ordinary all wood back.
Fourth—lightness and elegance of appearance.
Fifth—with this construction the back may be ele-
gantly finished and need not be defaced by the bolts
holding the instrument to the piano box.
The Tonk piano is noted for its peculiarly sweet
and sonorous tone so that the buyers of the Tonk
Reproducing Piano are assured of a most desirable
ruality in instruments of that description.
The fnest, of course, is expected from one of the
old New York industries whose entire career has
been a continuous and successful aim toward pro-
ducing instruments of the distinctly good kind. There
is no disappointment for the admirers of the Tonk
piano in the Touk Reproducing Piano, which is of
the admirable kind that does credit to the trade,
brings profits to the dealer and satisfaction to the
purchasers.
Like the Tonk piano the Tonk Reproducing Piano
is durable as well as musical and its success is firmly
established.
SHOWS NECESSITY FOR
SERVICE DEPARTMENT
Gco.
G. Johnstcn Piano Tuner, Proves His Pont
in Letter to Tonk's Topics.
Ceo. G. Johnstcn, secretary-treasurer of the Peoria,
111., dhision of the National Association of Piano
Tuners, believes that every piano dealer should
have a service department in charge of competent
men and that he should advertise the fact widely
and persistently. In a letter to Tonk"s Topics Mr.
Johnstcn said that it is the duty of the dealer to keep
his customers reminded that satisfaction with the
family pic no depended upon the manner and fre-
quency of the tunings. Mr. Johnston said:
"Primarily a piano is a musical instrument, but
ceases to be such as soon as it is out of tune and regu-
lation. A piano in good tune and regulation is the
best advert'sement a manufacturer and merchant can
possibly : have end fulfills the purpose for which it
was orig nally intended.
"On the other hand, if a piano is let to deteriorate
by indifference, as to tuning and regulation, it be-
comes only a piano in name. There is no incentive
on the part of anyene to play it, consequently its
value as an advertising proposition is lost. A piano
of moderate price receiving regular care is a better
PRESTO
advertising proposition than the highest priced piano
in ths world that is not in good condition.
'To create future business it is necessary to see
to it that the instruments you are selling receive
proper attention and, to do this it must be explained
at the time of sale just what constitutes proper care.
A piano is either sold for good or for evil, and with-
out frequent tuning and regulation after being placed
in the home it cannot possibly do the manufacturer
or merchant any good.
"It is estimated that 85 per cent of the pianos in
the U S. are out of tune and regulation. Have these
pianos put in playable condition and they will create
a des're on the part of the rising generation to learn
to play them and that will create your future busi-
ness. If 85 per cent of the automobiles were not in
usable condition how long do you suppose the auto-
mobile business would flourish?
"The service end of the piano business is the one
important feature upon which success of the entire
industry rests. Get the pianos in tune and musical
geniuses will not be obliterated, but will increase and
posterity will not have been robbed of its inheritance.
"The Nat. Ass'n of Piano Tuners is doing a great
work in educating the public on the care of the piano,
and with the co-operation of the other branches of
the music industries untold benefits are being at-
tained."
NATIONAL ADVERTISING
FOR PREMIER SMALL GRAND
Forceful Appeal for Fine Pianos Appears in New
York Times Mid-Week Pictorial.
In the New York Times Mid-Week Pictorial, Oc-
tober 9th issue, the Premier Grand Piano Corpora-
tion, New York, had a half-page advertisement on
the inside back cover which was of the character-
istic striking kind used in the Premier advertising
campaign conducted in this national consumer publi-
cation.
The oddity of the Premier design, the powerful
Premier message, the association of prominent piano
merchants from coast to coast with the sale of this
outstanding popular priced small grand are all ele-
ments of strength in this timely message.
The manner of advertising the Premier grand is
suggestive of the fine pianos, "thoroughbred small
grands," as the Mid-Week Pictorial phrases it. The
Premier Grand Piano Corporation is maintaining the
dominant position it has won nationally, and the com-
pany's way of extending the knowledge of the mellow
tone and easy responsive action of the small grand
is portent for further great sales.
BUILDS NEW STORE.
Plans for building a new music store here at 1219
West Osborne street, Sandusky, O., have been com-
pleted by Leo H. Gerhardstein, who has been pre-
viously conducting a music business from his resi-
dence at the same address. Mr. Gerhardstein is hav-
ing a one-story firer.roof structure built at the rear of
his home.
POPULAR MECHANICS
SHOWS Q R S BOX
New Unit-Box Is Illustrated and Merits De-
scribed in November Issue of Widely
Read Journal.
Popular Mechanics, the interesting and educative
"journal which makes its contents fit the suggestive
name, finds a readable theme in the new Unit-Box of
the Q R S Music Co., Chicago. In the November
issue an illustrated article tells about the novelty
that increases the pleasures of the playerpiano owner.
The article says:
"Fcr the convenience of pianoplayer owners music
roll boxes with hinged ends have been manufactured
so that records can be withdrawn or put back with
little trouble. The exposed drop front bears the
name of the roll and is pulled out easily with a tab.
Piled on top of the piano or in any other convenient
position, rows of the containers are as handy as a filing
cabinet. Any record can be quickly selected without
removing the box or disturbing the others." A half-
tone illustration shows the manner of using the box.
The selection by Popular Mechanics of the new
roll box of the Q R S Music Co. shows the wide in-
terest in the new feature. Q R S music rolls appeal
to playerpiano owners who delight in well-recorded
music-. The new Unit-Box provides a further attrac-
tion for the Q R S rolls by making for orderliness in
the .living or music room and helping towards the
saving of time. Now the Q R S roll container, the
Unit-Eox, stays put.
The new box was originally announced as the
Mona-Box, but the company later decided to call it
by the more descriptive name, Unit-Box.
J. H. WILLIAMS CLOSES
BALTIMORE RETAIL STORE
Representation of A. B. Chas:, Emerson and Lind:-
man Pianos Goes to Kunkel Piano Co.
Following the discontinuance of the retail business
of J. H. Williams at 325 North Charles street,
Baltimore, Md., the representation of the line of the
United Piano Corporation, has been given to the
Kunkel Piano Co.. 120 North Liberty street. The
collections of the J. H. Williams retail store will be
taken over by the Kunkel Picno Co.
The retail piano business of J. H. Williams in
Baltimore was personally owned by him and its
fcrma'ion dated hack before his election as .presi-
dent of the United Piano Corporation. It has been
under the management of his son, Edwin S. Wil-
liams, who has joined the wholesale department of
the United Piano Corporation as traveler.
Spcnce's Music Store, C7 East State street, Colum-
>r.s, O., is adding a piano department.
We Prefer That Our Small Grand Speak for Itself
And to that end we court comparison of the
jflorep
GRANDS
with any other Small Grand, of whatever make or
however distinguished. Words are not always
convincing—a trial will be. We are absolutely
certain that no other Grand can be the result of
finer craftsmanship, more unique features, or better
tone. YOUR verdict is invited.
NOT QUANTITY BUT QUALITY GRANDS, by
the PIONEER GRAND PIANO INDUSTRY
—Established 1909—
/ / you have discriminating compe-
tition please write for literature.
Movtp
Washington
New Jersey
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).