Presto

PRESTO
Presto
ing about the quality of two really fine pianos.
In one instance the call came by long distance
and asked about a distinctly good instrument
made in Buffalo. It was a satisfaction to reply
in a way to upset the vicious statements of a
salesman who went far astray from the truth
in the effort to "knock" a rival salesman's in-
THE AMERICAN MUSIC TRADE WEEKLY. strument. The other call concerned a Chicago
Published Every Saturday at 417 South Dearborn piano, the product of one of the strongest in-
Street, Chicago, Illinois.
dustries in the world, and bore upon the leader
C. A. D A N I E L L and FRANK O. ABBOTT •
• Editors
of the industry alluded to which, while it does
not bear the name of the corporation, is every-
Telephones, Local and Long Distance, Harrison 234
Private Phones to all Departments. Cable Address (Com-
where
recognized as an instrument of artistic
mercial Cable Co.'s Code}, "PRESTO," Chicago.
kind.
The
prospect evidently had no knowl-
Entered as second-class matter Jan. 29, 1896, at the
Post Office, Chicago, Illinois, under Act of March 3, 1879. edge of the piano and apparently had been
Subscription, $2 a year; 6 months, $1; Foreign, $4.
Payable in advance. No extra charge in United States told that it was a "stencil," or some other
possessions, Cuba and Mexico. Rates for advertising on statement designed to disparage it.
application.
Items of news and other matter are solicited and if
of general interest to the music trade will be paid for
at space rates. Usually piano merchants or salesmen
in the smaller cities are the best occasional corre-
spondents, and their assistance is invited.
Forms close at noon every Thursday. News mat-
ter should be in not later than eleven o'clock on the
same day. Advertising copy should be in hand before
Tuesday, five p. m., to insure preferred position. Full
page display copy should be in hand by Monday noon
preceding publication day. Want advs. for current
week, to insure classification, must not be later than
Wednesday noon.
Address all communications for the editorial or business
departments to PRESTO PUBLISHING CO., 417 South
Dearborn Street. Chicago. 111.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1925.
A DOUBT DISPELLER
It is probable that, .with one or two excep-
tions, the established music trade paper occu-
pies a different position and influence than
other publications devoted to commercial in-
terests. The music trade paper, particularly
the piano trade paper, stands as a sort of sig-
nal tower to the music loving and piano buy-
ing public. It is, of course, read by the piano
trade. But it is also referred to by the buyers
of single pianos who have the intelligence to
want instruments of more than mediocre qual-
ity. This is shown almost every day by let-
ters and phone calls to Presto offices.
It is not a secret that many retail piano deal-
ers employ the trade papers—at least they so
employ Presto'—with which to convince their
prospects that the instruments they sell are
of the dependable, or even the artistic, kind.
The public even yet has but a hazy notion as
to what constitutes quality value in a piano.
Even practical pianists know, by name, only a
few of the many really fine pianos now manu-
factured. Often a dealer finds himself an-
noyed by some rival salesman's unfair state-
ments concerning some good piano.
Competition is still very uncompromising in
many places. The determination to close the
sale often upsets all thought of the ethics of
trade. And in such cases the need of some
recognized endorsement is felt, and the estab-
lished authority in pianos is resorted to in
self-defense.
And so, unlike the publications in many
other trades, the music journal becomes more
than a printer's ink advertising medium. Of-
ten a single copy may do more for a given
manufacturer, through the help it gives to the
local dealer—work that the actual advertiser
may never know anything about—than a vast-
ly larger investment in other kinds of pub-
licity. This is the common experience of
Presto, for scarcely a day passes that does not
bring letters of inquiry or even phone calls,
concerning pianos, from prospective pur-
chasers.
As a matter of fact, this editorial is sug-
gested by two phone calls, within an hour, ask-
The influences of the established trade paper
that has become recognized as a voice of
authority in the work it is here to do—if it is
here to do anything at all, are more than to
broadcast publicity. For whether a piano is
advertised in Presto or not, it can not be de-
famed by unfair competition if it is worthy of
a place among the reliable and especially the
artistic products of a reputable industry.
December 12, 1925.
piano houses contributed largely to the in-
crease.
* * *
The versatility of Mr. Geo. P. Bent is pro-
verbial. He can do more things than his
pianos could imitate in the tone world. It will
probably create no concern in the moral sensi-
bilities of his friends to learn that one day last
week Mr. Bent beat Mr. R. K. Maynard at
bowling to the tune of $7.00. Mr. Bent can
now roll a ball as easily as he can write a
book.
We have heard a good deal of disappoint-
ment expressed at the delay in the appearance
of Mr. William Tonk's "Memoirs of a Manu-
facturer." It had been expected that the book
would be out in time for the season of Christ-
mas gifts. And it would have been an ideal
gift for men of the music trade. But it will
be ready soon.
A few weeks ago piano dealers were urged
to get in supplies for the holidays. Today
many dealers are clamoring for pianos that
the manufacturers cannot ship in time to serve
the purpose of gift-giving.
* * *
THE YEAR'S END
The
far-reaching
event of the closing
The last month is passing. It will soon be
months
of
the
year
was
the taking over by the
time for the closing of the books. The big
Premier
Grand
Piano
Corporation
of the fine
piano factories will again inventory their
old
Hallet
&
Davis
and
affiliated
interests.
It
stocks and balance the accounts. So will the
will
afford
new
and
enlarged
opportunities
for
smaller piano factories. And all will, we be-
lieve, find the income figures larger than the dealers in fine pianos everywhere.
* * *
outgo, and the output of instruments sufficient
If the new year comes and finds many piano
to lend encouragement for the year just ahead.
The music business generally has not been stores empty, the dealers will find that the
all that might have been hoped. But it has piano factories will report the same condition.
been more than many expected when the first
month began. It will be better next year—a
great deal better, unless signs prove decep-
30 YEARS AGO IN THE TRADE
tive and the weather prophets are correct in
From the Files of Presto
saying that there will be no summer, and very
little spring or fall. It may be true that the
(December 12, 1895.)
One of the busy men of New York is Jacob Doll.
shut-in evenings are good for the things of
His factory runs till 10 p. m. in the effort to keep
music, but not when there are too many of abreast
of orders. There will be no rest for Mr.
them. The winter nights, with the piano, and Doll till after the holidays.
A few years ago no one expected much window
the radio, and other music making instru- display
in the piano stores. Today the piano houses
ments, are fine. They stimulate the voice in in the various cities present most magnificent evi-
dences of taste and richness in this respect. It is
singing, and make the piano playing fingers a fact that some of the large music houses of to-
day excel many other lines of trade in elaborate
supple.
window dressing.
But also do the balmy spring evenings woo
November was a great month in the music trade.
Mr. Wm. Tonk, of Wm. Tonk & Bro., says No-
the serenaders, and the warm summer sug- vember
was the largest in the history of his house.
gests the cool lake and the delights of out-cf- Mr. A. M. Sweetland incidentally remarked that
Newman Bros, had an unusually heavy trade during
doors that demand the portable instruments of November.
Mr. Geo. P. Bent reports that Novem-
music to keep them full. So that all the sea- ber surpassed the record in the distribution of
Mr. Poole said in New York Tuesday
sons are needed to insure the best music busi- "Crowns."
that his trade in November was the best he ever
had. The Sterling Company say November was the
ness and to keep the demand well regulated.
best month they ever experienced.
But there is little cause for worry as to
what the new year may do to the things of
music. It promises to compensate for any dis-
20 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK
appointments of the year that is closing. And
the new year will be here so quickly that there
(From Presto, December 14, 1905.)
is little time left for the work of preparing
Decker & Sons, 971-975 East 135th street, New
for it. New plans, new lines of goods, new York,
celebrated their semi-centennial.
The piano manufacturers, and the trade in gen-
terms, if necessary, and new trade, may be
eral, have much to be thankful for. The special
desirable. No time like the few days remain- Christmas numbers of the trade papers are beauties.
ing of the old year in which to develop the Merry Christmas Numbers!
the Hoosier poet, has the credit of paying
prospects and possibilities of the new year if the Riley,
first poetic tribute to the player piano. And
the marvel that woke his muse in this case is the
we are going to make it a good one.
A real estate sensation in New York City is
the enormous increase in values of property
on 57th street, in the vicinity of the recent
piano invasion. In the neighborhood of Chick-
ering and Steinway halls property has more
than doubled in price within the past year.
Without doubt the coming of several great
Apollo. Glory enough for both.
Sheboygan, Wis., is to have a new industry in the
near future. S. Miller, now superintendent of the
King piano, factory, has invented a new action and
will open a new piano factory in the old Schulthies
building.
I
After over 82 years of acknowledged supremacy,!
d i c k e r i n g & Sons' triumphs of the past are againl
emphasized in their latest conception, the wonder-l
ful small Princess grand which, while only five feetl
long, possesses a tone of such marvelous sympathyl
and carrying power that its success has beenj
instantaneous.
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