Presto

June 18, 1927.
PRESTO-TI M ES
CONVENTION WAS A
RESEARCH LABORATORY
•the Babson's Statistical Organization, of which I am
a highly pleased subscriber, for firing my mind to
write this letter after I read their June 7th letter, "To
Advertise—Do Something."
Its Comprehensive Activities Should Power-
fully and Quickly React on the Processes
of Advertising and Selling Pianos.
WESTERN ELECTRIC LEADERS
POPULAR WITH THE TRADE
By E. A. K I E S E L H O R S T .
President, the Kieselhorst Piano Co., St. Louis.
The twenty-sixth annual convention of the National
Association of Music Merchants was in effect a re-
search laboratory. The products of every manufac-
turer displayed in Hotel Stevens and the various re-
tail piano stores of Chicago were the best they could
make for the money, although I am sure they will
strive to improve their product.
Our greatest problem is to find ways—new ways
if possible—to use pianos, thereby increasing sales.
Just as the imaginations and emotions of human
minds the world over were fired by the carefully
planned, thoroughly studied epoch making flight of
our outstanding St. Louisan, Col. Chas. A. Lindbergh,
the minds of piano manufacturers and retailers have
been "het up" to the point that we now realize that
the Miessner Melody Way and similar splendid plans
is and are the real solution of the present and future
prosperity of this industry and the great cause of
music in general.
This research laboratory clearly shows us the value
of the tried and true old way—and new way to use
our product—pianos—the basic musical instrument of
the home.
The best kind of advertising is to do something
worth while. Such advertising is comparatively in-
expensive and produces the best results. It promises
results that can be secured. It is practical, educa-
tional work that can be "cashed in on" by all con-
cerned.
Just as soon as the piano trade turns face about,
ceases bait, fake, misleading advertising, selling
methods, etc., and invests its best thought, time and
money featuring these very simple, extremely effective
lessons for young and old alike, our rate of progress
and prosperity, happiness will be increased immensely.
This open letter to the piano trade, written as a
member of the National Piano Merchants' Associa-
tion, is my thanks to the officers, members and con-
tributors for the excellence and value of their efforts
to make the twenty-sixth annual convention such an
outstanding, successful conference.
Furthermore and important, my thanks also go to
Derby Automatic a Proven Profit Maker and Music
Merchants Realize Its Possibilities.
DECKER
mJ
EST. 1856
& SON
Grand, Upright
and
Welte-Mignon
(Licensee)
Reproducing
(Electric)
Pianos and Players
of Recognized
Artistic Character
Made by a Decker Since 1856
699-703 East 135th Street
New York
The Heppf, Marcellus and Edouaid Jules Piano
manufactured by the
HEPPE PIANO COMPANY
are the only pianos in the world with
Three Sounding Boards.
Patented in the United States, Great Britain,
France, Germany and Canada.
Liberal arrangements to responsible agents only.
Main Office, 1117 Chestnut St:
PHILADELPHIA, PA.
LATE TRADE NEWS
FROM INDIANAPOLIS
Interesting Items Tell of Activities in Music
Goods Featuring and Selling in Lively
Indiana City.
The Wilking Music Company, Indianapolis, has
just received two of the new style Wurlitzer period
models in the Spinnette and the Clavichord. The in-
The Western Electric Piano Company. 832-850 struments are exact reproductions of the early styles
Blackhawk street, Chicago, manufacturers of high- and possess many new and attractive features. An-
grade automatic pianos, reports that its line of auto- other feature of the week is the Treasure Chest, which
matic instruments is moving in the most satisfactory is being extensively advertised by the Wilking com-
manner. A. F. Larsen, president, when interviewed pany. The Wurlitzer Treasure Chest is being dis-
by a Presto-Times representative last week, said: played in the leading theater lobbies and featured in
"Our trade was in fine shape before the convention the local newspapers.
and the big number of orders received from visiting
The contest of the Jesse French & Sons Co. is
dealers will keep us busy for some time to come."
meeting with unusual success and up to date the com-
The "Derby Winner," which provides a minia- pany has 500 points to its credit.
ture horse race, is in demand in small hotels and
There has been rumors to the effect that the L. S.
amusement centers of all kinds. Its sporting aspect
Ayers Company, of Indianapolis, one of the largest
in connection with automatic piano music is a clever department stores there would open a piano depart-
combination, and in view of this attraction it has ment and feature the Mason & Hamlin piano as a
unlimited profit making possibilities.
leader. After an investigation was made to ascertain
Other instruments of the regular line that are the truth of the story and secure details it was learned
popular are the Styles "A" and "G," "Selectra" and that the company has no such intention at this time,
the Mascot model, the latter being one of the small- although it operates a large talking machine depart-
est automatics in the field, but its compactness is ment and sheet music section.
only for space conservation, as its performance easily
Harry Wert. manager of the Pearson Piano Com-
equals that of much larger instruments.
pany, reports the present sale of the company adver-
tised as the annual unloading sale meeting with good
success. John Pearson is preparing to leave the city
for a period of several months on his usual summer
vacation.
Mr. Tratoe. representing the Aeolian Company,
New York, spent a day in Indianapolis recently. He
Seattle, Wash., Music Dealer Advertises Special was formerly sales manager of Sherman, Clay & Co..
Event in His Characteristically Original Way.
in San Francisco.
Alfred Rapp. of the Rapp & Lennox Piano Com-
The Royal Court of Music, operated by Count
George Hay Du Barry in Seattle, Wash., is holding pany, has returned to his desk after several weeks of
a "Ministers' Discount Sale" The half-page ad in suffering with rheumatism.
the newspapers is illustrated with a drawing of the
store interior with a flock of clerics eagerly making
selections of music goods. Pianos are in plain view
marked "sold."
"Spend a happy moment here," is the printed ad-
vice. "Visit my warerooms, walk among aisles and Enthusiastic Sponsoring Assures Success of the Event
aisles of great pianos until you find the one you want
in Which the First Prize is a Grand Piano.
for home. It is cheerfully given to you on free trial;
remember, no sales talk urges you, no high-powered
Sponsored and encouraged by piano dealers, music
salesmen are employed here where visitors are wel- merchants in general, music and school teachers, city
come and the throne chair of the Royal Court of
and state officials, numerous children are enrolling in
France may be found. Clergymen will bring their the Greater Baltimore Piano Playing Contest, which
friends, our employes will bring theirs, and many will be conducted by the Baltimore Music Trades
readers of this favorite newspaper of ours will be Association. Interest is running high, and it is be-
along. Realize what you have lacked if your home is lieved that the results accruing from the contest will
without a piano; think of what I offer you tonight be most gratifying.
and it will fairly take you off your feet to come along.
A grand piano valued at $1,500 will be awarded to
"It is the custom of railroads and many stores to
give to their employes and clergymen a discount on the child in the Senior High School Division winning
their tickets or their purchases, and for a few days top honors. The winner will be given the privilege
we are going to give those who directly come to our of selecting any popular make of piano offered in the
store to shop from this very one particular ad every contest. The winner of the Intermediate Grade con-
advantage we give to clergymen and our own test will receive an $800 piano and the winner of the
Elementary Division a $400 instrument. These in-
employes."
struments will be placed on display at various music
stores in the city. As all the leading music and piano
dealers of Baltimore are interested in and sponsoring
as well as backing the contest, all popular makes ot
pianos will be included.
In addition to the capital prizes, diamond, gold and
Company Which Operated Successful Store on 63rd silver rings will be awarded to the children who
score the next highest points, while every entrant
Street Has Fine Warerooms on Ashland Avenue.
will receive an enrollment pin and oxidized silver
Formal opening of the Rud. H. Schoeppe Piano button.
Pianos which will be offered as prizes to winners
Company store at 3148 West 63rd street, took place
recently. Mr. Schoeppe announced that the store will in the Children's Piano Playing Contest to be staged
be under his personal supervision. He attained great under the auspices of the Baltimore Music Trades
success with his store at 6319 South Ashland avenue. Association are on display at the Chas. M. Stieff Com-
pany store. 315 North Howard street, the Chickering
In January, Mr. Ackerman, who was manager of
the 63rd street store, took it over under his owner- warerooms. 3C9 North Charles street, and the other
ship and operated it until last week, when Mr. piano stores participating and endorsing the event.
Schoeppe took control.
Albert Ritchie. Governor of Maryland, and Wil-
Mr. Schoeppe had the store redecorated for the liam Broeniug, mayor of Baltimore, in endorsing the
formal opening, and it presented a bright, new ap- contest, said that nothing will serve better to arouse
pearance. The stock of the store is complete in interest in music, particularly in the piano, than this
every respect with radios, pianos and other musical contest.
instruments.
The sponsors of the event report a continued in-
crease in the number of participants The enroll-
ment indicates that every boy and girl who can play
MARION, IND., STORE SOLD.
the piano will be a contestant.
The Marion Piano Company, Marion, Ind., has been
purchased by J. S. McClurg from Saul Karantz, who
GULBRANSEN BUS SERVICE.
was the owner and manager for many years Mr.
McClurg has been in the piano business for a long
During convention week the Gulbransen Company
period and is well adapted to carry on the business. maintained a de luxe bus transportation service be-
tween the Stevens Hotel and its factory. Huge ban-
Howard, Farwell & Co., St. Paul, Minn., has se- ners reading "Gulbransen Piano Special" indicated to
cured a lease on a building at Fifth and Cedar street, the man in the street that something of particular
piano interest was going on.
to which the company will move about July 15.
COUNT DU BARRY HOLDS
MINISTERS' DISCOUNT SALE
INTEREST GROWS IN
BALTIMORE CONTEST
RUD. H. SCHOEPPE PIANO CO.
HOLDS FORMAL OPENING
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