Presto
Issue: 1925 2057 - Page 3
Presto Buyers' Guide
Presto Year Book
Analyzes and Classifies
All American P i a n o s
and in Detail Tells of
Fheir Makers.
The Only Complete
Annual Review of the
American Music In-
dustries and Trades.
E.tabu.hed 1884. THE AMERICAN MUSIC TRADE WEEKLY
to c«n#. ; tt.oo a i w
CHICAGO, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1925
STEINWAY HALL IS
1ST PRIZE WINNER
Steinway & Sons New Building on West Fifty-
seventh St., New York, Obtains Highest
Honors in 1925 Fifth Avenue Asso-
ciation Competition.
GOLD AND SILVER
American Institute of Architects Tock Part in In-
vestigation Which Landed Prize to Piano
House.
The first prize (a gold medal and diploma) for the
best new building erected in the Fifth avenue section
of New York City during the year has been awarded
by the Fifth Avenue Association to Steinway & Sous
for the new Steinway Hall at 109 West Fifty-seventh
street and a certificate granted to the architects, War-
ren & Wetmore, in recognition of their work.
An Imposing Structure.
The new Steinway Hall is one of the most impos-
ing additions to the music and art center that domi-
nates the development of Fifty-seventh street. In
carrying out the design of the building the architects
had in mind the traditions of the house of Steinway &
Sons and proceeded along simple classic lines some-
what modernized as to detail.
Their problem was to indicate upon the lower floors
of the facade, in a dignified manner, the home of
Steinway Hall and still provide a modern and prac-
tical studio and office building above.
Apollo and the Muse.
A feature of the exterior is the unusual wall sur-
face acquired by placing the music salon, from which
all windows were omitted, across the entire facade at
the second floor. The prominent feature of this wall
is the ground floor window, decorated with a lunnette
by Leo Lentelli, depicting Apollo and the Muse.
The building is characterized by the use of the
finest material throughout, and the exterior is un-
usually expressive of the use to which the building
is put.
The second prize for new structures was awarded
to the MacMillan building, 60 Fifth avenue. The first
prize for altered buildings, went to Joseph Brummer,
owner of the Brummer building, 27 East 57th street.
This year's awards created a great deal of interest
in the architectural profession and among builders
operating in that section, because of the tremendous
amount of realty development that has been under
way in all parts- of the midtown area amounting in
some cases to practically rebuilding of entire blocks.
Who Awarding Committee Members Are.
The awards are based upon an investigation and
study by a committee of lay members and architects
appointed jointly by the Fifth Avenue Association
and the New York Chapter of the American Institute
of Architects. The lay members of the committee are
Douglas L. Elliman, chairman; John Sloane and C.
Stanley Mitchell. The architect members are Harry
C. Ingalls, Jerome R. Allen and Joseph H. Freed-
lander.
The committee's decision was unanimously ap-
proved by the association's board of directors at its
meeting held December 9.
INSTILLING LOVE OF
MUSIC IN THE YOUNG
New Booklet by National Bureau Designed to Foster
Musical Spirit at Early Age.
Getting them young is the purpose of a pamphlet
issued by the National Federation of Music Clubs
and published by the National Bureau for the Ad-
vancement of Music for the benefit especially of
junior workers and club leaders. The book, which
has a foreword by H. L. Tremaine, director of the
bureau named, has been of considerable use in organ-
izing special holiday events of a musical nature.
In the booklet is a detailed description of the many
classifications of children's music clubs, and specific
information as to where these groups may secure
materials they need, technical information, artistic
help, etc. The work does not pretend to be exhaus-
tive on the various technical matters, but will give
general hints and information as to where future data
in printed form may be obtained. Many leaders of in-
dividual clubs will have had no previous experience
in the work, hence the detail in some places
The book is filled with organization suggestions:
How to form clubs, constitutions and by-laws, rules,
pledges. The different types of junior clubs are
named and the books, figures and other materials
required are listed. The list is a long one and in
itself is filled with suggestions for the music dealer:
Appreciation clubs, composer clubs, musical history
clubs, current events, musical history clubs, children's
opera clubs, music memory clubs, playerpiano clubs,
radio music clubs, home music clubs, phonograph
clubs, piano study clubs, reed organ clubs, mandolin
clubs and bands and orchestras for children.
LATE ITEMS IN THE
PORTLAND, ORE., TRADE
Effective Steinway Display in Window, Chick-
ering in Concert, and Some Personal
Touches, as Year Closes.
One of the handsomest and most artistic Christ-
mas display windows ever shown in Portland, Ore.,
was that of the main window of Sherman, Clay &
Co., featuring the Steinway grand piano. The Stein-
way was the central feature of the window and, as a
background, the three wise men of the East and the
Star of Bethlehem were an appropriate setting for
the handsome instrument. The window was the
work of Walter Johnson, Sherman, Clay & Co.'s
window trimmer, who has won many both local and
national prizes in past competitions.
Josef Lhevinne, Russian pianist and Ampico artist,
was presented as assisting guest artist with the Port-
land Symphony orchestra in the municipal auditorium
of Portland, Ore., December 14, when the orchestra
and Lhevinne were greeted with a capacity house,
hundreds being turned away. Lhevinne played a
Chickering concert grand, which was furnished
through the courtesy of the G. F. Johnson Piano Co ,
the Portland representatives of the Chickering.
Among the visitors to the Portland music trade
during the past week was J. T. Scott, the Wiley B.
Allen representative of Astoria, Ore., who visited the
Portland branch of the company and reported excel-
lent business at the seaport town, due, according to
Mr. Scott, to the big catch of salmon this season,
which was the record season of the industry.
B. R. Brassfield, manager of the Portland, Ore.,
branch of the Wiley B. Allen Co., was visited during
the past week by R. L. Jones, the firm's representa-
tive at Sandpoint, Ore., and also by Fred W. Weeks
and Bert R. Orr of the firm of Weeks & Orr, the
Wiley B. Allen representatives of Medford, Ore.
Mr. Brassfield will spend the Christmas holidays in
San Francisco.
NAMM STORE ADDS PIANOS.
The H. C. Bay Company, Miessner and Hazelton
pianos and the Autopiano are included in the presen-
tations in the new music department of A. I. Namm
& Son, 452 Fulton street, Brooklyn, N. Y. Maynard
L. Allen is piano department manager. It is the pur-
pose of the big department store to add musical mer-
chandise and phonographs.
OPENS NEW BRANCH.
The C. W. Gregory Music House, Chase City, Va.,
with a branch in Oxford, Va., has opened another
branch in Rocky Mount, N. C. The new branch
occupies a new three-story building with an attrac-
tive front and handsome special rooms for the show-
ing of the Ampico.
The C. C. Fehr Piano & Radio Co,, Geneseo, III,
has moved to a new location.
MERRY MESSENGERS
OF STARRY SEASON
Unusually Large Exchange of the Assurances
of Good Will and Kindly Sentiment
Marks This Year's Day
of Days.
If the flood of cheery greetings that have come to
Presto this week is an indication of what Uncle Sam
has been bringing to others in the industry and
trade, certainly there is a warm feeling generally
which promises well for the year just ahead.
The children have their Santa Claus and the stores
have their crowds of pushing customers. But in all
the crush of pre-Christmas activities to the "children
of larger growth" the little cards, shining with color
and gleaming with words that express the friend-
ship and interest of one for the other, seem the best
signs of what the season is for, and what it signifies.
Among the tokens of remembrance the following
have come within the last day or two—and others
are still coming, in steadily increasing numbers:
Some Cheery Greetings.
"It is the sincere wish of our entire organization
that this season you enjoy the merriest Christmas
that you have ever had ahcr^frTat the New Year be
very prosperous.—Christman Piano Co., Inc., New
York."
"We take this opportunity to wish you a merry
Christmas and prosperity in the New Year.—Brown
Bros. Piano Co., Inc., Boston, Mass."
"A Yuletide wish for you—Christmas filled with
joy and good cheer—and a New Year of happiness
and of greater prosperity. Cordially, Clark Orches-
tra Roll Co."
"May the mills of the gods grind you full measure
of joy at Yuletide, and health, happiness and pros-
perity throughout the New Year.—The O. S.
Kelly Co."
"The bells peal forth their greetings cheerily, Come
friend, be happy, blithe and gay; 'Tis Christmas time,
so sing you merrily, for this is friendship's Holy
Day.—The Fitzgerald Music Company."
A Kindly Custom.
"Merry Christmas! Those wild radio waves ain't
saying nothing else but!—Matt Kennedy."
"Christmas; what precious memories it calls forth,
what joy and happiness! It comes again and again
and each year with greater meaning. It is in this
spirit our greeting comes to you, appreciating the
relations of the past, looking forward to a continua-
tion of pleasant associations in the days to come.—
Poole Piano Company, A. W. Poole, President."
"For Christmas and New Year this wish I send;
the Christmas and old year dies, but still the skies
are filled with starry season lights; so may the future
days shine for you and all your years to come be
bright; may only Gold and Rose tints blend across
your sky from day to day, with not a slightest cloud
to dim your way.—F. S. Smith, Perfection Piano
Bench Mfg. Co., Chicago."
"Once again the joyful Christmas season gives us
the opportunity to send our hearty good wishes to
those whose friendship we cherish. May the happi-
ness of the holiday season remain with you through-
out a year, the best you have ever known in peace
and prosperity.—Straube Piano Co., Hammond, Ind."
"It is with pleasant thoughts we recall the past
milestone of our business journey which afforded us
an opportunity to be of service to you.
"In the fulfillment of the daily incidents of busi-
ness, pleasant associations have been created which,
in turn, became loyal friendships, the finest fruit of all
activity.
"The Christmas spirit prompts us in the acknowl-
edgment of this relationship to wish you success in
whatever you may set out to accomplish in the com-
ing new year.—Wessell, Nickel & Gross."
"Our Christmas message to our many friends and
patrons is best expressed by our sincere wish for a
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 Year Book
Analyzes and Classifies
All American P i a n o s
and in Detail Tells of
Fheir Makers.
The Only Complete
Annual Review of the
American Music In-
dustries and Trades.
E.tabu.hed 1884. THE AMERICAN MUSIC TRADE WEEKLY
to c«n#. ; tt.oo a i w
CHICAGO, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1925
STEINWAY HALL IS
1ST PRIZE WINNER
Steinway & Sons New Building on West Fifty-
seventh St., New York, Obtains Highest
Honors in 1925 Fifth Avenue Asso-
ciation Competition.
GOLD AND SILVER
American Institute of Architects Tock Part in In-
vestigation Which Landed Prize to Piano
House.
The first prize (a gold medal and diploma) for the
best new building erected in the Fifth avenue section
of New York City during the year has been awarded
by the Fifth Avenue Association to Steinway & Sous
for the new Steinway Hall at 109 West Fifty-seventh
street and a certificate granted to the architects, War-
ren & Wetmore, in recognition of their work.
An Imposing Structure.
The new Steinway Hall is one of the most impos-
ing additions to the music and art center that domi-
nates the development of Fifty-seventh street. In
carrying out the design of the building the architects
had in mind the traditions of the house of Steinway &
Sons and proceeded along simple classic lines some-
what modernized as to detail.
Their problem was to indicate upon the lower floors
of the facade, in a dignified manner, the home of
Steinway Hall and still provide a modern and prac-
tical studio and office building above.
Apollo and the Muse.
A feature of the exterior is the unusual wall sur-
face acquired by placing the music salon, from which
all windows were omitted, across the entire facade at
the second floor. The prominent feature of this wall
is the ground floor window, decorated with a lunnette
by Leo Lentelli, depicting Apollo and the Muse.
The building is characterized by the use of the
finest material throughout, and the exterior is un-
usually expressive of the use to which the building
is put.
The second prize for new structures was awarded
to the MacMillan building, 60 Fifth avenue. The first
prize for altered buildings, went to Joseph Brummer,
owner of the Brummer building, 27 East 57th street.
This year's awards created a great deal of interest
in the architectural profession and among builders
operating in that section, because of the tremendous
amount of realty development that has been under
way in all parts- of the midtown area amounting in
some cases to practically rebuilding of entire blocks.
Who Awarding Committee Members Are.
The awards are based upon an investigation and
study by a committee of lay members and architects
appointed jointly by the Fifth Avenue Association
and the New York Chapter of the American Institute
of Architects. The lay members of the committee are
Douglas L. Elliman, chairman; John Sloane and C.
Stanley Mitchell. The architect members are Harry
C. Ingalls, Jerome R. Allen and Joseph H. Freed-
lander.
The committee's decision was unanimously ap-
proved by the association's board of directors at its
meeting held December 9.
INSTILLING LOVE OF
MUSIC IN THE YOUNG
New Booklet by National Bureau Designed to Foster
Musical Spirit at Early Age.
Getting them young is the purpose of a pamphlet
issued by the National Federation of Music Clubs
and published by the National Bureau for the Ad-
vancement of Music for the benefit especially of
junior workers and club leaders. The book, which
has a foreword by H. L. Tremaine, director of the
bureau named, has been of considerable use in organ-
izing special holiday events of a musical nature.
In the booklet is a detailed description of the many
classifications of children's music clubs, and specific
information as to where these groups may secure
materials they need, technical information, artistic
help, etc. The work does not pretend to be exhaus-
tive on the various technical matters, but will give
general hints and information as to where future data
in printed form may be obtained. Many leaders of in-
dividual clubs will have had no previous experience
in the work, hence the detail in some places
The book is filled with organization suggestions:
How to form clubs, constitutions and by-laws, rules,
pledges. The different types of junior clubs are
named and the books, figures and other materials
required are listed. The list is a long one and in
itself is filled with suggestions for the music dealer:
Appreciation clubs, composer clubs, musical history
clubs, current events, musical history clubs, children's
opera clubs, music memory clubs, playerpiano clubs,
radio music clubs, home music clubs, phonograph
clubs, piano study clubs, reed organ clubs, mandolin
clubs and bands and orchestras for children.
LATE ITEMS IN THE
PORTLAND, ORE., TRADE
Effective Steinway Display in Window, Chick-
ering in Concert, and Some Personal
Touches, as Year Closes.
One of the handsomest and most artistic Christ-
mas display windows ever shown in Portland, Ore.,
was that of the main window of Sherman, Clay &
Co., featuring the Steinway grand piano. The Stein-
way was the central feature of the window and, as a
background, the three wise men of the East and the
Star of Bethlehem were an appropriate setting for
the handsome instrument. The window was the
work of Walter Johnson, Sherman, Clay & Co.'s
window trimmer, who has won many both local and
national prizes in past competitions.
Josef Lhevinne, Russian pianist and Ampico artist,
was presented as assisting guest artist with the Port-
land Symphony orchestra in the municipal auditorium
of Portland, Ore., December 14, when the orchestra
and Lhevinne were greeted with a capacity house,
hundreds being turned away. Lhevinne played a
Chickering concert grand, which was furnished
through the courtesy of the G. F. Johnson Piano Co ,
the Portland representatives of the Chickering.
Among the visitors to the Portland music trade
during the past week was J. T. Scott, the Wiley B.
Allen representative of Astoria, Ore., who visited the
Portland branch of the company and reported excel-
lent business at the seaport town, due, according to
Mr. Scott, to the big catch of salmon this season,
which was the record season of the industry.
B. R. Brassfield, manager of the Portland, Ore.,
branch of the Wiley B. Allen Co., was visited during
the past week by R. L. Jones, the firm's representa-
tive at Sandpoint, Ore., and also by Fred W. Weeks
and Bert R. Orr of the firm of Weeks & Orr, the
Wiley B. Allen representatives of Medford, Ore.
Mr. Brassfield will spend the Christmas holidays in
San Francisco.
NAMM STORE ADDS PIANOS.
The H. C. Bay Company, Miessner and Hazelton
pianos and the Autopiano are included in the presen-
tations in the new music department of A. I. Namm
& Son, 452 Fulton street, Brooklyn, N. Y. Maynard
L. Allen is piano department manager. It is the pur-
pose of the big department store to add musical mer-
chandise and phonographs.
OPENS NEW BRANCH.
The C. W. Gregory Music House, Chase City, Va.,
with a branch in Oxford, Va., has opened another
branch in Rocky Mount, N. C. The new branch
occupies a new three-story building with an attrac-
tive front and handsome special rooms for the show-
ing of the Ampico.
The C. C. Fehr Piano & Radio Co,, Geneseo, III,
has moved to a new location.
MERRY MESSENGERS
OF STARRY SEASON
Unusually Large Exchange of the Assurances
of Good Will and Kindly Sentiment
Marks This Year's Day
of Days.
If the flood of cheery greetings that have come to
Presto this week is an indication of what Uncle Sam
has been bringing to others in the industry and
trade, certainly there is a warm feeling generally
which promises well for the year just ahead.
The children have their Santa Claus and the stores
have their crowds of pushing customers. But in all
the crush of pre-Christmas activities to the "children
of larger growth" the little cards, shining with color
and gleaming with words that express the friend-
ship and interest of one for the other, seem the best
signs of what the season is for, and what it signifies.
Among the tokens of remembrance the following
have come within the last day or two—and others
are still coming, in steadily increasing numbers:
Some Cheery Greetings.
"It is the sincere wish of our entire organization
that this season you enjoy the merriest Christmas
that you have ever had ahcr^frTat the New Year be
very prosperous.—Christman Piano Co., Inc., New
York."
"We take this opportunity to wish you a merry
Christmas and prosperity in the New Year.—Brown
Bros. Piano Co., Inc., Boston, Mass."
"A Yuletide wish for you—Christmas filled with
joy and good cheer—and a New Year of happiness
and of greater prosperity. Cordially, Clark Orches-
tra Roll Co."
"May the mills of the gods grind you full measure
of joy at Yuletide, and health, happiness and pros-
perity throughout the New Year.—The O. S.
Kelly Co."
"The bells peal forth their greetings cheerily, Come
friend, be happy, blithe and gay; 'Tis Christmas time,
so sing you merrily, for this is friendship's Holy
Day.—The Fitzgerald Music Company."
A Kindly Custom.
"Merry Christmas! Those wild radio waves ain't
saying nothing else but!—Matt Kennedy."
"Christmas; what precious memories it calls forth,
what joy and happiness! It comes again and again
and each year with greater meaning. It is in this
spirit our greeting comes to you, appreciating the
relations of the past, looking forward to a continua-
tion of pleasant associations in the days to come.—
Poole Piano Company, A. W. Poole, President."
"For Christmas and New Year this wish I send;
the Christmas and old year dies, but still the skies
are filled with starry season lights; so may the future
days shine for you and all your years to come be
bright; may only Gold and Rose tints blend across
your sky from day to day, with not a slightest cloud
to dim your way.—F. S. Smith, Perfection Piano
Bench Mfg. Co., Chicago."
"Once again the joyful Christmas season gives us
the opportunity to send our hearty good wishes to
those whose friendship we cherish. May the happi-
ness of the holiday season remain with you through-
out a year, the best you have ever known in peace
and prosperity.—Straube Piano Co., Hammond, Ind."
"It is with pleasant thoughts we recall the past
milestone of our business journey which afforded us
an opportunity to be of service to you.
"In the fulfillment of the daily incidents of busi-
ness, pleasant associations have been created which,
in turn, became loyal friendships, the finest fruit of all
activity.
"The Christmas spirit prompts us in the acknowl-
edgment of this relationship to wish you success in
whatever you may set out to accomplish in the com-
ing new year.—Wessell, Nickel & Gross."
"Our Christmas message to our many friends and
patrons is best expressed by our sincere wish for a
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).