Presto
Issue: 1928 2211 - Page 7
December 15, 1928
P R E S T 0-T I M E S
Announcing a New Grand
umm
Heppdwhite.
The New Packard Grand—
Heppelwhite Model, Style R
4 ft. 7 in. long. Mahogany.
Bench to match.
by a Real Sales Planf
1929 is the year of opportunity for Packard dealers. The Packard organization, old
in reputation but youthful in spirit, has kept in contact with dealers' problems in a
way that is enabling Packard to produce new designs in Packard instruments that
will sell most readily and to supply the selling assistance dealers need.
1 he Heppelwhite Grand shown at the ri^ht is the newest Packard value—a splendid
instrument in an exquisite case at a surprisingly low price. It's true Packard quality
in every line with the rich full rounded tone Packard Grands are noted for. Get the
Packard plan behind you—get Packard values on your floors. Write us now!
THE PACKARD PIANO COMPANY
3335 Packard Avenue
INCREASED SERVICE
IN 0. S. KELLY PLANT
Assuring Facts for Piano Plate Users Made
Plain in Statements by the O. S. Kelly
Company and The Fairbanks Com-
pany, Both of Springfield, Ohio.
Statements from the O. S. Kelly Company and the
Fairbanks Company, Springfield, Ohio, give the facts
concerning piano plate making interests in that city
in which the entire piano industry is interested. Cor-
recting a report in trade papers about a merger of
the two piano plate interests named, the O. S. Kelly
Company quickly wired: "There has been no change
in our organization or in our officials, nor is any con-
templated. We are in the piano plate business to
stay."
The Fairbanks Letter.
A letter from the Fairbanks Company to their trade
tells of a decision of the directors to discontinue the
manufacture of piano plates and follows with this
important statement:
"After having made this decision, in order to pro-
vide a continuous supply of plates to our trade, we
arranged that the O. S. Kelly Company of this city
shall have the use of our plate patterns and casting
equipment. The Kelly Company is therefore able to
care for any requirements of our customers as
promptly as we would have been had we continued
in the business.
"We were convinced, from the high type of their
very modern and successful foundry equipment, and
their strong financial standing, that the O. S. Kelly
Company is in an admirable position to care for busi-
ness, and can be counted upon to remain in the piano
plate business for many years to come.
Mr. Milligan Stays.
"In addition, our Mr. M. L. Milligan is now join-
ing the O. S. Kelly Company forces, and will con-
tinue the same personal contact with the piano trade
as heretofore. We therefore feel that, in retiring
from the supply field, we are leaving every custom-
er's proper requirement most adequately provided for.
"We wish to express our sincere appreciation of
our business and personal relations of long standing,
and sincerely hope that you will continue such rela-
tions with M. L. Milligan and the O. S. Kelly
Company."
REORGANIZATION OF THE
J. R. WILSON COMPANY
Largest Chain Store Group in the Philadelphia
Music Trade Has New Set of Officers.
The J. R. Wilson Co., 929 North Broad street,
Philadelphia, has been reorganized and J. R. Wilson's
retirement from the company announced this week.
The election of officers resulted as follows: Presi-
Fort Wayne, Indiana
dent, L. R. Haas, who joined the firm last May as
vice-president and treasurer; vice-president and treas-
urer, A. W. Atkinson, and secretary, L. C. Russell.
Mr. Atkinson is a former director of the Victor Talk-
ing Machine Co. The former head of the firm, J.
Ralph Wilson, was its president until the reorganiza-
tion.
The J. R. Wilson Co. is the largest chain-store
group linked with the Philadelphia music trade, and
has in its control five stores devoted to the sale of
musical instruments, talking machines and radios. The
business will be continued as heretofore, according to
the announcement.
QUSTAV A. FRENTZEL DIES
Gustav A. Frentzel, fifty, prominent Cincinnati mu-
sician and for thirty years owner of a piano store
at McMillan street opposite Hughes High School,
died recently in his home, 3311 Warsaw avenue. He
had been ill for some time. He also had conducted a
piano store in the Palace Hotel building for a num-
ber of years.
When a youth he organized Frentzel's Orchestra
and played for various civic organizations more than
twenty-five years ago. He learned the trade of piano-
making when a boy, then became a tuner, and later
a dealer. He leaves his widow, Mrs. Bessie Frentzel;
a son, Arthur; a brother, Oscar E. Frentzel, Jr.,
well-known advertising man, and two sisters. He
was past president of the Piano Tuners' League of
Cincinnati.
THEDUBROWS' CONSOLIDATION.
The announcement has been made that the units of
the Dubrow's Music Stores have been consolidated
into one establishment with headquarters at 420
Fourth street. The head of the firm is Louis Du-
brow, who is associated with his sons, Harry and
William, in the business, while the younger son,
Samuel, is managing a special mail order department
given over to the sale of foreign player rolls and rec-
ords. The business has been organized since 1909.
The mail order department is the newest feature, and
is promoted by extensive mail campaigns and adver-
tising exploitation in foreign language newspapers.
ORGAN BUILDER DIES.
Henry Hogans, president of the Geneva Organ Co.,
Geneva, 111., who died at his home in that city recently
at the age of 69, has long been identified with the
organ business. In addition to his widow and three
daughters he is survived by three sons, Charles, Wal-
ter and Harry Hogans, who are associated with the
Geneva Organ Co. The sons hold important execu-
tive positions in the business and will carry on the
affairs of the company.
FRED L. ROOS DIES.
Fred L. Roos, who died, aged 30, at 6227 North
Hermitage avenue, Chicago, this week, was the hus-
band of a daughter of C. C. Russell, formerly well
known in the piano industry. Mr. Russell was a
senior member of Russell & Lane, piano manufactur-
ers. Before that he was with the Story & Clark
Organ Co., Chicago.
E. J. RADLE DEFENDS
USED PIANO SALES
Head of F. Radle, Inc., New York, Prompted
to Give His Own Views on Matter Re-
cently Discussed in Presto-Times
by A. G. Gulbransen.
In a letter received this week from E. J. Radle,
president of F. Radle, Inc., New York, the experi-
enced piano man comments on a recent letter by A,
G. Gulbransen printed in Presto-Times:
"I read Mr. Gulbransen's very interesting letter to
the trade in which he states, that some manufacturers
are ruining the piano business by sending out printed
lists of used pianos; pianos which should be destroyed
and should not be rebuilt.
"I beg to disagree with Mr. Gulbransen as to the
bad or injurious effects of these used pianos on the
piano business itself. Possibly Mr. Gulbransen has
seen one of our lists of used pianos.
The Frank Statement.
"Piano business has been bad, there is no need of
dodging this fact, and I believe that the piano busi-
ness has been bad, because people have overbought in
many directions. They have bought homes, lots,
automobiles and other things on time when they were
still earning considerable money. When things slowed
up, it kept them busy trying to pay their installments,
with a result that they were in no position to buy new
pianos at prices ranging from $400.00 to $1,000.00. In
the meantime the children were growing up and they
wanted pianos and they were glad to have used pianos
to go on with.
"Many of these instruments are not what they
should be. A great many of the others are better
than the cheap commercial pianos that are being put
out today, but the important fact is, that the piano
is in the home and the children are now going ahead
with their music lessons which they could not do for
a year or more if they were to purchase new pianos.
"I believe that used pianos instead of being an in-
jury to the trade are a real benefit to it, because
when conditions do improve at least 75 per cent of
them will be traded in again.
"There are many homes where the radio is looked
on as a great entertainer but these same people
would buy a piano at the present time if they could
get one at the right price and the used piano fills
this opening, later on to be traded in on new instru-
ments.
Too Good to Be Junked.
"The popularity of the baby grand has caused many
a trade-in of a good instrument, too good to be
junked and good enough to start another family on its
musical education. We have at all times a stock of
pianos including such names as Hardman, Steck,
Knabe, Weber, Chickering, pianos that are far too
good to be junked and as I said before, better than
a great many of the commercial instruments that are
being put out today. This is the other side of the
story."
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/
P R E S T 0-T I M E S
Announcing a New Grand
umm
Heppdwhite.
The New Packard Grand—
Heppelwhite Model, Style R
4 ft. 7 in. long. Mahogany.
Bench to match.
by a Real Sales Planf
1929 is the year of opportunity for Packard dealers. The Packard organization, old
in reputation but youthful in spirit, has kept in contact with dealers' problems in a
way that is enabling Packard to produce new designs in Packard instruments that
will sell most readily and to supply the selling assistance dealers need.
1 he Heppelwhite Grand shown at the ri^ht is the newest Packard value—a splendid
instrument in an exquisite case at a surprisingly low price. It's true Packard quality
in every line with the rich full rounded tone Packard Grands are noted for. Get the
Packard plan behind you—get Packard values on your floors. Write us now!
THE PACKARD PIANO COMPANY
3335 Packard Avenue
INCREASED SERVICE
IN 0. S. KELLY PLANT
Assuring Facts for Piano Plate Users Made
Plain in Statements by the O. S. Kelly
Company and The Fairbanks Com-
pany, Both of Springfield, Ohio.
Statements from the O. S. Kelly Company and the
Fairbanks Company, Springfield, Ohio, give the facts
concerning piano plate making interests in that city
in which the entire piano industry is interested. Cor-
recting a report in trade papers about a merger of
the two piano plate interests named, the O. S. Kelly
Company quickly wired: "There has been no change
in our organization or in our officials, nor is any con-
templated. We are in the piano plate business to
stay."
The Fairbanks Letter.
A letter from the Fairbanks Company to their trade
tells of a decision of the directors to discontinue the
manufacture of piano plates and follows with this
important statement:
"After having made this decision, in order to pro-
vide a continuous supply of plates to our trade, we
arranged that the O. S. Kelly Company of this city
shall have the use of our plate patterns and casting
equipment. The Kelly Company is therefore able to
care for any requirements of our customers as
promptly as we would have been had we continued
in the business.
"We were convinced, from the high type of their
very modern and successful foundry equipment, and
their strong financial standing, that the O. S. Kelly
Company is in an admirable position to care for busi-
ness, and can be counted upon to remain in the piano
plate business for many years to come.
Mr. Milligan Stays.
"In addition, our Mr. M. L. Milligan is now join-
ing the O. S. Kelly Company forces, and will con-
tinue the same personal contact with the piano trade
as heretofore. We therefore feel that, in retiring
from the supply field, we are leaving every custom-
er's proper requirement most adequately provided for.
"We wish to express our sincere appreciation of
our business and personal relations of long standing,
and sincerely hope that you will continue such rela-
tions with M. L. Milligan and the O. S. Kelly
Company."
REORGANIZATION OF THE
J. R. WILSON COMPANY
Largest Chain Store Group in the Philadelphia
Music Trade Has New Set of Officers.
The J. R. Wilson Co., 929 North Broad street,
Philadelphia, has been reorganized and J. R. Wilson's
retirement from the company announced this week.
The election of officers resulted as follows: Presi-
Fort Wayne, Indiana
dent, L. R. Haas, who joined the firm last May as
vice-president and treasurer; vice-president and treas-
urer, A. W. Atkinson, and secretary, L. C. Russell.
Mr. Atkinson is a former director of the Victor Talk-
ing Machine Co. The former head of the firm, J.
Ralph Wilson, was its president until the reorganiza-
tion.
The J. R. Wilson Co. is the largest chain-store
group linked with the Philadelphia music trade, and
has in its control five stores devoted to the sale of
musical instruments, talking machines and radios. The
business will be continued as heretofore, according to
the announcement.
QUSTAV A. FRENTZEL DIES
Gustav A. Frentzel, fifty, prominent Cincinnati mu-
sician and for thirty years owner of a piano store
at McMillan street opposite Hughes High School,
died recently in his home, 3311 Warsaw avenue. He
had been ill for some time. He also had conducted a
piano store in the Palace Hotel building for a num-
ber of years.
When a youth he organized Frentzel's Orchestra
and played for various civic organizations more than
twenty-five years ago. He learned the trade of piano-
making when a boy, then became a tuner, and later
a dealer. He leaves his widow, Mrs. Bessie Frentzel;
a son, Arthur; a brother, Oscar E. Frentzel, Jr.,
well-known advertising man, and two sisters. He
was past president of the Piano Tuners' League of
Cincinnati.
THEDUBROWS' CONSOLIDATION.
The announcement has been made that the units of
the Dubrow's Music Stores have been consolidated
into one establishment with headquarters at 420
Fourth street. The head of the firm is Louis Du-
brow, who is associated with his sons, Harry and
William, in the business, while the younger son,
Samuel, is managing a special mail order department
given over to the sale of foreign player rolls and rec-
ords. The business has been organized since 1909.
The mail order department is the newest feature, and
is promoted by extensive mail campaigns and adver-
tising exploitation in foreign language newspapers.
ORGAN BUILDER DIES.
Henry Hogans, president of the Geneva Organ Co.,
Geneva, 111., who died at his home in that city recently
at the age of 69, has long been identified with the
organ business. In addition to his widow and three
daughters he is survived by three sons, Charles, Wal-
ter and Harry Hogans, who are associated with the
Geneva Organ Co. The sons hold important execu-
tive positions in the business and will carry on the
affairs of the company.
FRED L. ROOS DIES.
Fred L. Roos, who died, aged 30, at 6227 North
Hermitage avenue, Chicago, this week, was the hus-
band of a daughter of C. C. Russell, formerly well
known in the piano industry. Mr. Russell was a
senior member of Russell & Lane, piano manufactur-
ers. Before that he was with the Story & Clark
Organ Co., Chicago.
E. J. RADLE DEFENDS
USED PIANO SALES
Head of F. Radle, Inc., New York, Prompted
to Give His Own Views on Matter Re-
cently Discussed in Presto-Times
by A. G. Gulbransen.
In a letter received this week from E. J. Radle,
president of F. Radle, Inc., New York, the experi-
enced piano man comments on a recent letter by A,
G. Gulbransen printed in Presto-Times:
"I read Mr. Gulbransen's very interesting letter to
the trade in which he states, that some manufacturers
are ruining the piano business by sending out printed
lists of used pianos; pianos which should be destroyed
and should not be rebuilt.
"I beg to disagree with Mr. Gulbransen as to the
bad or injurious effects of these used pianos on the
piano business itself. Possibly Mr. Gulbransen has
seen one of our lists of used pianos.
The Frank Statement.
"Piano business has been bad, there is no need of
dodging this fact, and I believe that the piano busi-
ness has been bad, because people have overbought in
many directions. They have bought homes, lots,
automobiles and other things on time when they were
still earning considerable money. When things slowed
up, it kept them busy trying to pay their installments,
with a result that they were in no position to buy new
pianos at prices ranging from $400.00 to $1,000.00. In
the meantime the children were growing up and they
wanted pianos and they were glad to have used pianos
to go on with.
"Many of these instruments are not what they
should be. A great many of the others are better
than the cheap commercial pianos that are being put
out today, but the important fact is, that the piano
is in the home and the children are now going ahead
with their music lessons which they could not do for
a year or more if they were to purchase new pianos.
"I believe that used pianos instead of being an in-
jury to the trade are a real benefit to it, because
when conditions do improve at least 75 per cent of
them will be traded in again.
"There are many homes where the radio is looked
on as a great entertainer but these same people
would buy a piano at the present time if they could
get one at the right price and the used piano fills
this opening, later on to be traded in on new instru-
ments.
Too Good to Be Junked.
"The popularity of the baby grand has caused many
a trade-in of a good instrument, too good to be
junked and good enough to start another family on its
musical education. We have at all times a stock of
pianos including such names as Hardman, Steck,
Knabe, Weber, Chickering, pianos that are far too
good to be junked and as I said before, better than
a great many of the commercial instruments that are
being put out today. This is the other side of the
story."
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).