Presto
Issue: 1925 2040 - Page 5
PRESTO
August 29, 1925.
CHRISTMAN
"The First Touch Tells"
BUSINESS IS PICKING UP
And You Will Find a Ready
Sale for the Famous
Studio Grand
HOW VICTOR LAWSON
BOUGHT A PIANO
Chapter from Experiences of Piano Salesman
Who Has Devoted His Life to Satisfying
Preferences of Music Lovers in Selec-
tion of Instruments.
MARSHALL FIELD'S STEINWAY
Remembrances of Days When George B. Grosvenor
Had Charge of Warerooms of the One-Time
Famous House of Lyon, Potter & Co.
One of the best known retail piano salesmen in the
country, and certainly a foremost retailer of high-
class instruments in Chicago, is George B. Grosvenor,
until recently senior member of the house of Grosve-
nor, Lapham & Company. In his long experience
in the trade, Mr. Grosvenor has accumulated a rich
fund of memories and many chapters in his life
would make good reading for all whose interest is
associated with pianos.
Mr. Grosvenor began his business life in the piano
department of Lyon & Healy, Chicago. When the
late Geo. W. Lyon severed his connection with Mr.
(only 5 ft. long)
This little Grand has no superior and it
presents the very qualities that win the
prospect and makes the sale.
If you have a trade for Reproducing
Grands we ask your particular
notice to the
CLEVELAND PIANO HOUSE
WON'T HANDLE RADIO
CHRISTMAN
Reproducing Grand
The "Musical Kid," of the Ohio City, Again
Gets Into Trouble; Other Items of
Trade Interest.
GEORGTC B.
Equipped with
A marvel of tone and expressive
interpretation of all classes of com-
position, reproducing perfectly the
performances of the world's great-
est pianists.
"The First Touch Tells"
Rag. U. 8. Pat. Off.
Christman Piano Co.
597 East 137th St.
New York
at the store and, after a few preliminary remarks,
said he wanted a concert grand Steinway, adding that
he already had one in his home, on Prairie avenue.
He quickly selected the instrument he wanted and
asked Mr. Grosvenor if he would call at his home and
estimate the old piano's value, as the thought was
to "turn it in" as part payment for the new one.
Of course Mr. Grosvenor called, with the piano
salesman's accustomed alacrity. He found that Mr.
Field's piano was the identical Steinway grand that
had been used by the great Anton Rubinstein in his
tour of the United States. It was still a valuable in-
strument but displayed the effects of hard use and
time.
According to promise, Mr. Field called at the piano
house on the following morning. It was early, for
it was the merchant's habit to drive down before
most people were on the move. Mr. Grosvenor was
on hand to meet him. The condition of Mr. Field's
piano was explained to him, and a valuation placed
upon it. Mr. Field merely responded with—"Better
make that $50 more," and arranged for the new
Steinway's delivery. It was, of course, a splendid
and very high-priced piano—a full concert grand
similar to the old Rubinstein Steinway when that
was new.
Then the Settlement.
Mr. Field also exacted that Mr. Grosnevor should
bring the bill for the piano to his office the day fol-
lowing the piano's delivery. And that was done.
When the salesman called and presented the bill,
the credit for the old instrument was there in the fig-
ures which he had named, ignoring Mr. Field's sug-
gestion about "better make it $50 more." And the
merchant instructed his secretary to fill out a check
for the price which had been quoted—less the fifty
dollars. He said not a word, and Mr. Grosvenor,
making no protest, but with the traditional urbanity
of the seasoned piano man, thanked his customer and
bowed himself out.
GROSVENOR.
Healy and established the firm of Lyon, Potter &
Co., with warerooms originally on Wabash avenue,
near Madison street, Mr. Grosvenor followed his
friend and employer. That was a good many years
ago, and the recent death of Victor Lawson, million-
aire editor of the Chicago Daily News, caused Mr.
Grosvenor's mind to run back to the days when he
liad charge of the Lyon, Potter & Co. warerooms,
and before that time.
Two Famous Men.
For among the customers whose personalities had
impressed themselves indelibly upon the piano sales-
man's memory none stood forth more prominently
than those of two of Chicago's great citizens—men
whose lives are inseparable from the city's growth
and development, one of whom was Victor Lawson,
and the other Marshall Field.
Unconscious that he was saying anything which
might find its way into print, Mr. Grosvenor told
under what circumstances he sold pianos to both of
those leaders in Chicago's history. He told how Mr.
Lawson came to the store and quietly said that he
desired to have a Steinway piano placed in his home.
He preferred a grand, and "of course," a Steinway.
Mr. Grosvenor was not slow in drawing his cus-
tomer's attention to a fine instrument, and then to
a still more costly one. Both pleased the customer,
and he asked the prices. No sooner had Mr. Grosve-
nor named the figures than Mr. Lawson, with no
more hesitation than as if he were buying a new
straw hat, said:
"You may send that one to my home," pointing to
the most expensive instrument in the stock, to which
his attention had been directed. And the salesman
was no more surprised to learn the identity of his
cash customer than he was with the understanding
promptness of his discrimination.
The sale to Mr. Field was but little more compli-
cated in its consummation. The great merchant called
By A. E. DIHM.
C. M. Ott, of the Ott Piano Co., Nineteenth and
Euclid avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, has the distinction
of being a piano dealer who does not handle radio.
Mr. Ott is the agent for the Hardman piano and is
well pleased with the way that fine instrument is
taking with Clevelanders. He is planning an exten-
sive newspaper campaign and has closed a contract
with the Plain Dealer for a large amount of space.
Mr. Ott has placed the management of his new
branch store, at Sixty-first and Euclid avenue, in the
hands of W. T. Blue, of Lima.
H. R. Valentine, vice-president of the Dreher Piano
Co., is taking a few weeks off from business and is
vacationing at points of interest in Ohio.
"The Musical Kid" is once more in the toils of the
police. He is a specialist in petty thefts from music
stores. His real name is Earl Brooks, age twenty-
four, residence 3117 Cedar avenue. Police arrested
him for stealing a phonograph reproducer from the
store of Herman Lehr, of 7510 Lake avenue, while
trying out some records. He has been arrested twice
before for stealing records, and was convicted.
GERMAN TRADE IN JAPAN.
Great interest prevails in German musical instru-
ments in the Japanese market, according to a German
trade paper, which says it is chiefly stringed instru-
ments that are asked for there. German violins pre-
vail over English and Italian products in the ratio of
3 to 1 and 5 to 2 respectively in the trade in the three
southern islands of Japan. Many of the orchestras
formed for the modern cafes announce that they only
play on German instruments. Generally the Ger-
man musical instrument is an article of active com-
mercial interest for overseas exportation.
OPEN STORE IN GREENWICH, OHIO.
On Saturday evening of last week a music store
was opened in Greenwich, Ohio, by the Mansfield
Music Company, and under the management of H. H.
Chesrown, who is assisted by Mr. McQuillen. Mr.
Chesrown was located in Mansfield, Ohio, for a num-
ber of years before moving to Greenwich.
The entire sales force of the Butler Music Store at
Marion, Ind., recently attended a sales meeting pre-
sided over by H. M. Reynolds, Brunswick represen-
tative for that territory.
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/
August 29, 1925.
CHRISTMAN
"The First Touch Tells"
BUSINESS IS PICKING UP
And You Will Find a Ready
Sale for the Famous
Studio Grand
HOW VICTOR LAWSON
BOUGHT A PIANO
Chapter from Experiences of Piano Salesman
Who Has Devoted His Life to Satisfying
Preferences of Music Lovers in Selec-
tion of Instruments.
MARSHALL FIELD'S STEINWAY
Remembrances of Days When George B. Grosvenor
Had Charge of Warerooms of the One-Time
Famous House of Lyon, Potter & Co.
One of the best known retail piano salesmen in the
country, and certainly a foremost retailer of high-
class instruments in Chicago, is George B. Grosvenor,
until recently senior member of the house of Grosve-
nor, Lapham & Company. In his long experience
in the trade, Mr. Grosvenor has accumulated a rich
fund of memories and many chapters in his life
would make good reading for all whose interest is
associated with pianos.
Mr. Grosvenor began his business life in the piano
department of Lyon & Healy, Chicago. When the
late Geo. W. Lyon severed his connection with Mr.
(only 5 ft. long)
This little Grand has no superior and it
presents the very qualities that win the
prospect and makes the sale.
If you have a trade for Reproducing
Grands we ask your particular
notice to the
CLEVELAND PIANO HOUSE
WON'T HANDLE RADIO
CHRISTMAN
Reproducing Grand
The "Musical Kid," of the Ohio City, Again
Gets Into Trouble; Other Items of
Trade Interest.
GEORGTC B.
Equipped with
A marvel of tone and expressive
interpretation of all classes of com-
position, reproducing perfectly the
performances of the world's great-
est pianists.
"The First Touch Tells"
Rag. U. 8. Pat. Off.
Christman Piano Co.
597 East 137th St.
New York
at the store and, after a few preliminary remarks,
said he wanted a concert grand Steinway, adding that
he already had one in his home, on Prairie avenue.
He quickly selected the instrument he wanted and
asked Mr. Grosvenor if he would call at his home and
estimate the old piano's value, as the thought was
to "turn it in" as part payment for the new one.
Of course Mr. Grosvenor called, with the piano
salesman's accustomed alacrity. He found that Mr.
Field's piano was the identical Steinway grand that
had been used by the great Anton Rubinstein in his
tour of the United States. It was still a valuable in-
strument but displayed the effects of hard use and
time.
According to promise, Mr. Field called at the piano
house on the following morning. It was early, for
it was the merchant's habit to drive down before
most people were on the move. Mr. Grosvenor was
on hand to meet him. The condition of Mr. Field's
piano was explained to him, and a valuation placed
upon it. Mr. Field merely responded with—"Better
make that $50 more," and arranged for the new
Steinway's delivery. It was, of course, a splendid
and very high-priced piano—a full concert grand
similar to the old Rubinstein Steinway when that
was new.
Then the Settlement.
Mr. Field also exacted that Mr. Grosnevor should
bring the bill for the piano to his office the day fol-
lowing the piano's delivery. And that was done.
When the salesman called and presented the bill,
the credit for the old instrument was there in the fig-
ures which he had named, ignoring Mr. Field's sug-
gestion about "better make it $50 more." And the
merchant instructed his secretary to fill out a check
for the price which had been quoted—less the fifty
dollars. He said not a word, and Mr. Grosvenor,
making no protest, but with the traditional urbanity
of the seasoned piano man, thanked his customer and
bowed himself out.
GROSVENOR.
Healy and established the firm of Lyon, Potter &
Co., with warerooms originally on Wabash avenue,
near Madison street, Mr. Grosvenor followed his
friend and employer. That was a good many years
ago, and the recent death of Victor Lawson, million-
aire editor of the Chicago Daily News, caused Mr.
Grosvenor's mind to run back to the days when he
liad charge of the Lyon, Potter & Co. warerooms,
and before that time.
Two Famous Men.
For among the customers whose personalities had
impressed themselves indelibly upon the piano sales-
man's memory none stood forth more prominently
than those of two of Chicago's great citizens—men
whose lives are inseparable from the city's growth
and development, one of whom was Victor Lawson,
and the other Marshall Field.
Unconscious that he was saying anything which
might find its way into print, Mr. Grosvenor told
under what circumstances he sold pianos to both of
those leaders in Chicago's history. He told how Mr.
Lawson came to the store and quietly said that he
desired to have a Steinway piano placed in his home.
He preferred a grand, and "of course," a Steinway.
Mr. Grosvenor was not slow in drawing his cus-
tomer's attention to a fine instrument, and then to
a still more costly one. Both pleased the customer,
and he asked the prices. No sooner had Mr. Grosve-
nor named the figures than Mr. Lawson, with no
more hesitation than as if he were buying a new
straw hat, said:
"You may send that one to my home," pointing to
the most expensive instrument in the stock, to which
his attention had been directed. And the salesman
was no more surprised to learn the identity of his
cash customer than he was with the understanding
promptness of his discrimination.
The sale to Mr. Field was but little more compli-
cated in its consummation. The great merchant called
By A. E. DIHM.
C. M. Ott, of the Ott Piano Co., Nineteenth and
Euclid avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, has the distinction
of being a piano dealer who does not handle radio.
Mr. Ott is the agent for the Hardman piano and is
well pleased with the way that fine instrument is
taking with Clevelanders. He is planning an exten-
sive newspaper campaign and has closed a contract
with the Plain Dealer for a large amount of space.
Mr. Ott has placed the management of his new
branch store, at Sixty-first and Euclid avenue, in the
hands of W. T. Blue, of Lima.
H. R. Valentine, vice-president of the Dreher Piano
Co., is taking a few weeks off from business and is
vacationing at points of interest in Ohio.
"The Musical Kid" is once more in the toils of the
police. He is a specialist in petty thefts from music
stores. His real name is Earl Brooks, age twenty-
four, residence 3117 Cedar avenue. Police arrested
him for stealing a phonograph reproducer from the
store of Herman Lehr, of 7510 Lake avenue, while
trying out some records. He has been arrested twice
before for stealing records, and was convicted.
GERMAN TRADE IN JAPAN.
Great interest prevails in German musical instru-
ments in the Japanese market, according to a German
trade paper, which says it is chiefly stringed instru-
ments that are asked for there. German violins pre-
vail over English and Italian products in the ratio of
3 to 1 and 5 to 2 respectively in the trade in the three
southern islands of Japan. Many of the orchestras
formed for the modern cafes announce that they only
play on German instruments. Generally the Ger-
man musical instrument is an article of active com-
mercial interest for overseas exportation.
OPEN STORE IN GREENWICH, OHIO.
On Saturday evening of last week a music store
was opened in Greenwich, Ohio, by the Mansfield
Music Company, and under the management of H. H.
Chesrown, who is assisted by Mr. McQuillen. Mr.
Chesrown was located in Mansfield, Ohio, for a num-
ber of years before moving to Greenwich.
The entire sales force of the Butler Music Store at
Marion, Ind., recently attended a sales meeting pre-
sided over by H. M. Reynolds, Brunswick represen-
tative for that territory.
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).