Presto
Issue: 1929 2222 - Page 8
P R £ S T 0-T I M E S
(£61 'I
ISSUED THE FIRST AND THIRD
SATURDAY IN EACH
MONTH
PRESTO PUBLISHING CO.
Publishers
417 So. Dearborn St.
Chicago, 111.
The American Music Trade Journal
F R A N K D. A B B O T T - - - - - - - - - -
Editor
(C. A. DAN I ELL—1904-1927.)
J. FERGUS O'RYAN
_ _ _ _ _ Managing Editor
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 correspondents, and
their assistance Is invited.
Tuesday. 5 p. in., before publication day to insure pre-
ferred position. Full page display copy should be in hand
by Tuesday noon preceding publication day. Want ad-
vertisements for current week, to insure classification,
should be in by Wednesday noon.
Telephones, Local and Long Distance, Harrison 0234.
Private Phones to all Departments. Cable Address (Com-
mercial Cable Co.'s Code), " P R E S T O , " Chicago.
Payment is not accepted for matter printed in the edi-
torial or news columns of Presto-Times.
Where half-tones are made the actual cost of produc-
tion will be charged if of commercial character or other
than strictly news interest.
When electrotypes are sent for publication it is re-
quested that their subjects and senders be carefully Indi-
cated.
Forms close at noon on Thursday preceding date of
publication. Latest news matter and telegraphic com-
munications should be in not later than 11 o'clock on
that day. Advertising copy should be in hand before
Address alt communications for the editorial or business
departments to PRESTO PUBLISHING CO., 417 South
Dearborn Street, Chicago, III.
Entered as second-class matter Jan. 29, 1896, at the
Post Office, Chicago, 111., under Act of March 3, 1879.
Subscription, $1.25 a year; 10 months, $1.00; 6 months,
75c; foreign, $3.00. Payable in advance. No extra charge
in United States possessions, Cuba and Mexico. Rates
for advertising- on application.
The last form of Presto-Times goes to press at 11 a. m.
Thursday preceding publication day. Any news trans-
piring after that hour cannot be expected in the current
issue. Nothing received at the office that is not strictly
news of importance can have attention after y a. m. of
Thursday. If they concern the interests of manufactur-
ers or dealers such items will appear the issue following.
CHICAGO, MARCH 1, 1929
SIGNIFICANT TRADE FACTS
T
WO contradictory facts noted by observant piano men evoke both surprise and gratification. One
fact, plain to everybody, is the great number of piano houses expanding their activities to include a
radio department. Many houses which have been prominently identified with the sale of pianos for
many years, while continuing their loyalty to the piano, at the same time conform to expediency in
actively featuring the radio. The number of such is amazing and a satisfactory meaning is read in the
dual activity.
The piano phase of the activity in the music houses today has a specialized character that distin-
guishes it from action in former years. The pursuit, for instance, is after the probable piano buyer rather
than the possible one. There is less lost motion among piano salesmen today than formerly. Little or
no effort is now made for sales of the lower-priced pianos and people generally are most susceptible to
the talk for the finer instruments. But a particular source of gratification is the cheering system of direct
customer-finding by the piano department scouts. The retention of a warm interest in the pianos by the
music houses which have become active in radio, is a noticeable evidence of piano trade vitality.
But a more significant fact is the number of formerly exclusive radio, band instrument and musical
merchandise firms which have added pianos to their lines, within the past year. The numerous events of
the kind are things that cheer the news editors of the trade papers. A convincing fact in every instance
is that the pianos are favored by the experienced merchants because their appeal to the public is one
assured of continuance by reason of their proven musical merit and their undeniable place in the musical
scheme. It is possible these shrewd merchants are influenced in favor of the piano by the important
place it occupies in the radio programs in which they naturally are interested. An instrument which gets
so much desirable publicity has great potential sales possibilities, notwithstanding a comparatively
languid condition in demands for more than a year, is a promising proposition. Anyway the addition of
the piano to radio and general music goods stocks is something of cheerful significance.
PIANO IN RADIO PROGRAMS
interest in music is made apparent in a notable way by the classified radio programs published in
_£_ the daily newspapers in nearly every city. Where the items in the daily programs are grouped under
specific heads the favor of the radio listeners for music is most marked. In a classified list taken from
one Chicago daily paper there are seventy-eight musical numbers offered by the broadcasting stations
for the day and everything, from whoopee jazz to grand opera is found in the list. In eleven chain fea-
tures listed separately, the numbers are musical. Seven organ recitals at specified hours are listed.
But music has a part in nearly every feature broadcast. Talks, readings, dramas, women's fea-
tures, religious and children's programs are made more interesting with musical interludes. The setting-
up exercises would have no devotees without the stimulating music of the piano. Only the health lec-
ture, the stock market and weather reports cause short periods of time without music being broad-
cast by the stations. Indeed radio programs provide continuous reminders of the importance of music
in the scheme of things. It is an encouraging consideration for those who make and sell music goods.
A phrase in an advertisement can epitomize the history and aspirations of a house as effectively as
numerous pages in a book. A convincing incident to prove that is found in the Presto-Times cover page
ad of Steinway & Sons this week: "An unbreakable rule of excellence has established a bond of confi-
dence between the Steinway and the musically discriminating public."
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/
(£61 'I
ISSUED THE FIRST AND THIRD
SATURDAY IN EACH
MONTH
PRESTO PUBLISHING CO.
Publishers
417 So. Dearborn St.
Chicago, 111.
The American Music Trade Journal
F R A N K D. A B B O T T - - - - - - - - - -
Editor
(C. A. DAN I ELL—1904-1927.)
J. FERGUS O'RYAN
_ _ _ _ _ Managing Editor
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 correspondents, and
their assistance Is invited.
Tuesday. 5 p. in., before publication day to insure pre-
ferred position. Full page display copy should be in hand
by Tuesday noon preceding publication day. Want ad-
vertisements for current week, to insure classification,
should be in by Wednesday noon.
Telephones, Local and Long Distance, Harrison 0234.
Private Phones to all Departments. Cable Address (Com-
mercial Cable Co.'s Code), " P R E S T O , " Chicago.
Payment is not accepted for matter printed in the edi-
torial or news columns of Presto-Times.
Where half-tones are made the actual cost of produc-
tion will be charged if of commercial character or other
than strictly news interest.
When electrotypes are sent for publication it is re-
quested that their subjects and senders be carefully Indi-
cated.
Forms close at noon on Thursday preceding date of
publication. Latest news matter and telegraphic com-
munications should be in not later than 11 o'clock on
that day. Advertising copy should be in hand before
Address alt communications for the editorial or business
departments to PRESTO PUBLISHING CO., 417 South
Dearborn Street, Chicago, III.
Entered as second-class matter Jan. 29, 1896, at the
Post Office, Chicago, 111., under Act of March 3, 1879.
Subscription, $1.25 a year; 10 months, $1.00; 6 months,
75c; foreign, $3.00. Payable in advance. No extra charge
in United States possessions, Cuba and Mexico. Rates
for advertising- on application.
The last form of Presto-Times goes to press at 11 a. m.
Thursday preceding publication day. Any news trans-
piring after that hour cannot be expected in the current
issue. Nothing received at the office that is not strictly
news of importance can have attention after y a. m. of
Thursday. If they concern the interests of manufactur-
ers or dealers such items will appear the issue following.
CHICAGO, MARCH 1, 1929
SIGNIFICANT TRADE FACTS
T
WO contradictory facts noted by observant piano men evoke both surprise and gratification. One
fact, plain to everybody, is the great number of piano houses expanding their activities to include a
radio department. Many houses which have been prominently identified with the sale of pianos for
many years, while continuing their loyalty to the piano, at the same time conform to expediency in
actively featuring the radio. The number of such is amazing and a satisfactory meaning is read in the
dual activity.
The piano phase of the activity in the music houses today has a specialized character that distin-
guishes it from action in former years. The pursuit, for instance, is after the probable piano buyer rather
than the possible one. There is less lost motion among piano salesmen today than formerly. Little or
no effort is now made for sales of the lower-priced pianos and people generally are most susceptible to
the talk for the finer instruments. But a particular source of gratification is the cheering system of direct
customer-finding by the piano department scouts. The retention of a warm interest in the pianos by the
music houses which have become active in radio, is a noticeable evidence of piano trade vitality.
But a more significant fact is the number of formerly exclusive radio, band instrument and musical
merchandise firms which have added pianos to their lines, within the past year. The numerous events of
the kind are things that cheer the news editors of the trade papers. A convincing fact in every instance
is that the pianos are favored by the experienced merchants because their appeal to the public is one
assured of continuance by reason of their proven musical merit and their undeniable place in the musical
scheme. It is possible these shrewd merchants are influenced in favor of the piano by the important
place it occupies in the radio programs in which they naturally are interested. An instrument which gets
so much desirable publicity has great potential sales possibilities, notwithstanding a comparatively
languid condition in demands for more than a year, is a promising proposition. Anyway the addition of
the piano to radio and general music goods stocks is something of cheerful significance.
PIANO IN RADIO PROGRAMS
interest in music is made apparent in a notable way by the classified radio programs published in
_£_ the daily newspapers in nearly every city. Where the items in the daily programs are grouped under
specific heads the favor of the radio listeners for music is most marked. In a classified list taken from
one Chicago daily paper there are seventy-eight musical numbers offered by the broadcasting stations
for the day and everything, from whoopee jazz to grand opera is found in the list. In eleven chain fea-
tures listed separately, the numbers are musical. Seven organ recitals at specified hours are listed.
But music has a part in nearly every feature broadcast. Talks, readings, dramas, women's fea-
tures, religious and children's programs are made more interesting with musical interludes. The setting-
up exercises would have no devotees without the stimulating music of the piano. Only the health lec-
ture, the stock market and weather reports cause short periods of time without music being broad-
cast by the stations. Indeed radio programs provide continuous reminders of the importance of music
in the scheme of things. It is an encouraging consideration for those who make and sell music goods.
A phrase in an advertisement can epitomize the history and aspirations of a house as effectively as
numerous pages in a book. A convincing incident to prove that is found in the Presto-Times cover page
ad of Steinway & Sons this week: "An unbreakable rule of excellence has established a bond of confi-
dence between the Steinway and the musically discriminating public."
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).