Presto
Issue: 1927 2115 - Page 7
February 12, 1927.
NEWMAN FACTORY
DESTROYED BY FIRE
PRESTO-TIMES
HANDSOME LUDWIO PERIOD DESIGN
Plant of Old Industry on Dix Street, Chi-
cago, Totally Wiped Away by Fierce Con-
flagration on Sunday Morning Last
with Loss of Two Lives.
FUTURE PLANS UNSETTLED
Fortunately Big Safe Will Be Recovered from Ruins
and All Records and Other Securities Are
Believed to Be Safe.
The first disastrous lire this year in the piano
industry last Sunday destroyed the factory of the
Newman Bros. Co. at 816 Dix street, Chicago.
The fire was discovered at 8 o'clock Sunday morn-
ing, after it had spread through the structure
beyond the possibility of saving its contents.
The flames had been confined within the four walls
and the second building of the piano industry, to
the south of the one destroyed, was almo?t unharmed.
Records Are Intact.
The plant of the Newman Bros. Co. was extensive,
well equipped and modeled along the most modern
lines. It was a five-story brick building of the kind
considered fireproof. Fortunately the large safe
which contained the company's books and securities
is believed to be intact. It is certain that the safe,
which fell from the second story shortly after the
fire started, will be recovered and that its contents
will be found secure. So that the accounts and other
valuable records are safe, though ,they may not
be recovered for several days, because of the extreme
heat and the tons of debris by which they were
covered.
A very sad part of the disaster was the loss of life
occasioned by the falling of a wall beneath which
firemen were working, causing the death of two men.
The financial loss to the Newman Bros. Co. cannot,
of course, be estimated, though it will run into large
figures. Still more will be the loss occasioned by
the total destruction of the machinery and a large
number of instruments in various stages of comple-
tion, materials and the accumulation of many years
of active industry by one of Chicago's oldest piano
manufacturing concerns.
Loss Is Heavy.
A recent inventory showed that there were several
hundred cases well under way, and the orders on
the books had accumulated, with impatient customers
in all sections of the country calling for instruments.
Just what provision will be made to relieve that phase
of the situation President Lester M. Newman cannot
at once advise. He says, however, that should the
company decide to discontinue business, there will be
valuable assets remaining to dispose of in the shape
of piano scales and patterns, which have been tried
and proven flawless. They are saved from the fire by
being at the plate founders. The name and good
will, also, represent interesting items to any enter-
prising industry which may want the influence of a
fine old name, firmly established the world over.
Established Fifty Years.
The Newman Bros. Co. was established over fifty
years ago by the three brothers—John, Gust, and
The handsome period design here illustrated is one
of the latest Ludwig grands. It is one of the Wil-
liam and Mary patterns which have become very
popular with trade and public. This instrument
makes a very strong appeal to people who delight
in the ornate and often quaint decorative features
in piano manufacture. The tone is characteristically
Ludwig, and the trade has given approval by liberal
orders which help to keep the big New York indus-
try busy.
Charles Newman—as a reed organ industry. The
manufacture of pianos was begun in 1898 and prog-
ress has been steady and substantial ever since that
time. For the present, customers and friends of 'the
company may, as we are told by Mr. Newman, con-
tinue to send letters to the old address on Dix street,
Chicago, and arrangements have been made by which
such communications will reach Mr. Newman
promptly. As soon as the safes of the company, and
their contents, can be salvaged it is probable that a
permanent address will be announced.
CLEVELAND ITEMS TELL OF
ACTIVITY IN THE TRADE
Henry Dreher Returns from South "Spryer" than
Ever; Wurlitzer Starts Concert Series.
Henry Dreher, who got back from Florida last
week, is down at the office every day and is spryer
than ever. Both he and Mrs. Dreher were much
benefited by their trip.
The Wurlitzer Co.'s Cleveland store has com-
menced broadcasting concerts every Monday night
SCHILLER PROGRESSES STEADILY.
over station WTAM. They are going to be a big
The Schiller Piano Company for the first five
success, judging from the many compliments officials
weeks of this year shows sales, shipments and orders
of the company have received about the program of
on the books for current delivery ahead of this period
in 1926. The Chicago Schiller office has had an the first. The concerts are called the "Wurlitzer
unusually active month in retail business. Last week, Hour" and can be heard every Monday night.
for instance, three fine Schiller Reproducing Grands
Bueschers are busy remodeling their downtown
were delivered. Schiller trade in Chicago and vicinity
store, on Huron road, and are making the windows
is rapidly growing among people of culture, refine- larger and deeper, which will give them more room
ment and wealth. The factory is active and develop-
for display. A new demonstration for phonographs
ment along the lines of highest standard are in evi- has been added and is a reproduction of a German
dence there.
Gothic room.
BOWEN PIANO LOADER
PS SALESMEN
Outside Salesmen must be equipped so as to "show the goods." The season for country piano selling- is approaching. Help your sales-
men by furnishing them with the New Bowen Piano Loader, which serves as a wareroom far from the store. It is the only safe
delivery system for dealers, either in city or country. It costs little. Write for particulars.
BOWEN PIANO LOADER CO.
Winston-Salem, N. C
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/
NEWMAN FACTORY
DESTROYED BY FIRE
PRESTO-TIMES
HANDSOME LUDWIO PERIOD DESIGN
Plant of Old Industry on Dix Street, Chi-
cago, Totally Wiped Away by Fierce Con-
flagration on Sunday Morning Last
with Loss of Two Lives.
FUTURE PLANS UNSETTLED
Fortunately Big Safe Will Be Recovered from Ruins
and All Records and Other Securities Are
Believed to Be Safe.
The first disastrous lire this year in the piano
industry last Sunday destroyed the factory of the
Newman Bros. Co. at 816 Dix street, Chicago.
The fire was discovered at 8 o'clock Sunday morn-
ing, after it had spread through the structure
beyond the possibility of saving its contents.
The flames had been confined within the four walls
and the second building of the piano industry, to
the south of the one destroyed, was almo?t unharmed.
Records Are Intact.
The plant of the Newman Bros. Co. was extensive,
well equipped and modeled along the most modern
lines. It was a five-story brick building of the kind
considered fireproof. Fortunately the large safe
which contained the company's books and securities
is believed to be intact. It is certain that the safe,
which fell from the second story shortly after the
fire started, will be recovered and that its contents
will be found secure. So that the accounts and other
valuable records are safe, though ,they may not
be recovered for several days, because of the extreme
heat and the tons of debris by which they were
covered.
A very sad part of the disaster was the loss of life
occasioned by the falling of a wall beneath which
firemen were working, causing the death of two men.
The financial loss to the Newman Bros. Co. cannot,
of course, be estimated, though it will run into large
figures. Still more will be the loss occasioned by
the total destruction of the machinery and a large
number of instruments in various stages of comple-
tion, materials and the accumulation of many years
of active industry by one of Chicago's oldest piano
manufacturing concerns.
Loss Is Heavy.
A recent inventory showed that there were several
hundred cases well under way, and the orders on
the books had accumulated, with impatient customers
in all sections of the country calling for instruments.
Just what provision will be made to relieve that phase
of the situation President Lester M. Newman cannot
at once advise. He says, however, that should the
company decide to discontinue business, there will be
valuable assets remaining to dispose of in the shape
of piano scales and patterns, which have been tried
and proven flawless. They are saved from the fire by
being at the plate founders. The name and good
will, also, represent interesting items to any enter-
prising industry which may want the influence of a
fine old name, firmly established the world over.
Established Fifty Years.
The Newman Bros. Co. was established over fifty
years ago by the three brothers—John, Gust, and
The handsome period design here illustrated is one
of the latest Ludwig grands. It is one of the Wil-
liam and Mary patterns which have become very
popular with trade and public. This instrument
makes a very strong appeal to people who delight
in the ornate and often quaint decorative features
in piano manufacture. The tone is characteristically
Ludwig, and the trade has given approval by liberal
orders which help to keep the big New York indus-
try busy.
Charles Newman—as a reed organ industry. The
manufacture of pianos was begun in 1898 and prog-
ress has been steady and substantial ever since that
time. For the present, customers and friends of 'the
company may, as we are told by Mr. Newman, con-
tinue to send letters to the old address on Dix street,
Chicago, and arrangements have been made by which
such communications will reach Mr. Newman
promptly. As soon as the safes of the company, and
their contents, can be salvaged it is probable that a
permanent address will be announced.
CLEVELAND ITEMS TELL OF
ACTIVITY IN THE TRADE
Henry Dreher Returns from South "Spryer" than
Ever; Wurlitzer Starts Concert Series.
Henry Dreher, who got back from Florida last
week, is down at the office every day and is spryer
than ever. Both he and Mrs. Dreher were much
benefited by their trip.
The Wurlitzer Co.'s Cleveland store has com-
menced broadcasting concerts every Monday night
SCHILLER PROGRESSES STEADILY.
over station WTAM. They are going to be a big
The Schiller Piano Company for the first five
success, judging from the many compliments officials
weeks of this year shows sales, shipments and orders
of the company have received about the program of
on the books for current delivery ahead of this period
in 1926. The Chicago Schiller office has had an the first. The concerts are called the "Wurlitzer
unusually active month in retail business. Last week, Hour" and can be heard every Monday night.
for instance, three fine Schiller Reproducing Grands
Bueschers are busy remodeling their downtown
were delivered. Schiller trade in Chicago and vicinity
store, on Huron road, and are making the windows
is rapidly growing among people of culture, refine- larger and deeper, which will give them more room
ment and wealth. The factory is active and develop-
for display. A new demonstration for phonographs
ment along the lines of highest standard are in evi- has been added and is a reproduction of a German
dence there.
Gothic room.
BOWEN PIANO LOADER
PS SALESMEN
Outside Salesmen must be equipped so as to "show the goods." The season for country piano selling- is approaching. Help your sales-
men by furnishing them with the New Bowen Piano Loader, which serves as a wareroom far from the store. It is the only safe
delivery system for dealers, either in city or country. It costs little. Write for particulars.
BOWEN PIANO LOADER CO.
Winston-Salem, N. C
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).