Presto
Issue: 1930 2245 - Page 15
15
P R E S T O-T I M E S
April, 1930
DEALER WANTS NOVELTIES
IN PIANO CASE DESIGNS
Clement E. Moore, of Ohio, Declares Piano Makers
Are Losing Out for Lack of Changes.
Because people like radical changes, variable altera-
tions, new things, differentiated construction, instead
of a cardinal sameness or an unvarying monotony,
Clement E. Moore, piano man of 835 East Cecil
street, Springfield, Ohio, has written a letter to Presto-
Times asking what can be done about producing
pianos with new style cases—something different.
His letter follows:
Springfield. Ohio.
March 31, 1930.
Presto-Times,
Chicago, III.
Gentlemen:
You old-timers remember years ago. when you
were canvassing along some good street in your city,
that after you canvassed a street on one side through,
and returned on the other side, after talking piano all
the time, and the children would listen to your talk
contentedly, remember the dozens of children who
would be practicing on the piaiio after you were there,
you could hear pianos clear down the line on both
sides of the street.
Mothers were interested, children were interested,
and all it required was some one to stir up the ques-
tion of music and everyone in the neighborhood would
be pliable to your music talk. Just try it now; I have.
And you will not hear as much as a little peep. The
children are told to hurry up as papa is waiting on
the outside with the auto for a hundred mile trip
after supper. No time for the piano; when they get
back, turn on the radio.
I have put in a few days canvassing from house to
house, and this is what I find, rich and poor. The
lady comes to the door, opens it about enough to stick
her nose through, looks at you in amazement. You
ask her about a piano—"Oh, no! We don't use the
one we have." Other answers are: "Like to sell it,"
"Has not been tuned for five years," "Just traded
mine on a radio, even trade," "We don't stay home
long enough for anyone to practice," "I gave my
piano away not long ago to a friend," "I would sell
my piano for anything I could get out of it," "Sold
mine for $20." "No time to talk piano," "I would not
give a piano house room."
Boys, what is your argument in trying to stimulate
the old-time interest back again? Will we have to
quit? Is there any way we can get interest back again
in the piano buying? There is one solution—in doing
something to create interest.
People like new things, radical changes. Automo-
biles keep up their selling interest in changing their
models yearly. How many changes have there been
in the piano case? In the upright, or grand piano?
Is it the old sameness in the piano model that causes
interest to die in home music? Is it because that the
same old case in a new piano, makes it the same
old piano, a common sight? Why not make some
changes along this line and get some of the automobile
cash sales? Why stand still in the piano industry?
Meet the public's demand; they are waiting for it.
The inner construction can be made the same as
always, but, this construction can be placed in a
different case model, in the shape of a pipe-organ, or
a nice model house miniature; most any style to hide
the old sameness. Manufacturers, why not try it out?
Have your case construction man, or foreman work
out something, and the first factory to do this will
have a big jump ahead on the others. Let's stir up
some interest some way. The piano is the foundation
of all music.
Let's hear from others.
Very Respectfully,
CLEMENT E. MOORE,
835 E. Cecil street, Springfield, Ohio.
LEARN MUSIC'S LANGUAGE.
Significant as an example of music in social service
is the recent development of musical instruction as
one of the activities of the Young Women's Chris-
tian Association at Indianapolis. The educational
department of this "Y. W." presents its series of
instrumental classes with the following summary of
their purpose: "Learn to play some instrument
with your own hands. The enjoyment you derive
from self-played music is yours always—as fresh at
sixty as at sixteen. Learn the language of music.
The study of music is the best known mind trainer,
broadening character and heightening charm."
PIANO ACCORDION POPULAR.
The saxophone has surrendered leadership in sales
of musical instruments to the piano-accordion, al-
though the E-flat alto "sax" is still running strong,
according to an article in the New York Times. De-
spite their cost, which ranges from $250 up at retail,
piano-accordions are increasing in favor steadily.
OBITUARY
The trade will keenly feel the loss of O. W. Wil-
liams, eastern manager for the Schiller Piano Co.
of Oregon, 111., who made his headquarters on the
21st floor of 130 West 42nd street. New York, who
passed away last month. He is survived by his
brother, W. B. Williams, who is also widely known
as a piano man.
A. M. Shuey, Minneapolis, Minn., who for a long
time was in the piano business and was identified
with prominent piano manufacturing concerns, died
last week.
Edward W. Morgan, aged 42, radio entertainer,
member of the Lambs Club, New York, died in
Brooklyn on April 5.
Mrs. G. F. S. Latiner, wife of Bernard Latiner,
violinist, and sister of Mrs. Efrani Zimbalist (Alma
Gluck), died of pneumonia in Brooklyn, N. Y., on
April 3 at the age of 68 years.
Erau Cosima Wagner, aged 93, daughter of Franz
Liszt and widow of Richard Wagner, the German
composer and originator of the music drama, died at
Bayreuth, Germany, on April 1. By her first mar-
riage she was the wife of the famous conductor-
pianist, Hans Von Buelow.
Bflt
PlANOScPLAYERS
REPRESENT
QUALITY FIRST
and
FIRST QUALITY
U$* Th*n /ntfrumtnti Bearing "A Nam* Wtll Known
Sine* 1875" At Your Ltadtr, and Protptr!
SELL MUSIC!
SELL A HOME ATTRACTION
SELL GOOD PIANOS
Jesse French & Sons Piano Co.
Herbert J. Butler, aged 85, who was for 26 years
a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, died
in Boston on March 31.
Mrs. Charlotte F. Furey, a supervisor of music and
composer of many songs used in public schools, died
on March 25 at her home in Brooklyn, N. Y. She
was the widow of James A. Furey, an old-time musical
comedy singer and stage manager.
Dr. Alma Webster Powell, operatic and concert
singer, aged 55, died at Rahway, N. J., on March 11.
Captain Lorant Srader, Hungarian song composer
and violinist, died March 13 at Budapest, Hungary.
Oscar Eagle, aged 69, musical comedy director, died
on March 14 from an attack of heart disease while
walking in Central Park, New York.
Mrs. Caro Lina Hanson, a board member of the
Civic Music Association of Evanston, 111., aged 72,
died in March.
George Wilson, minstrel who at one time was a
member of the troupe of Barlow, Wilson, Primrose
and West, died at Binghamton, N. Y., on March 23.
Dr. Wilhelm Poulsen, one of Denmark's leading
musicians, fell dead on March 25 while .conducting
the Copenhagen Academy Orchestra.
Gen. Baron George Kourad von der Goltz, famous
as a composer, died in Berlin, Germany, April 3.
Mine. Emma Albani, famous operatic soprano sev-
eral years ago, died at her home in Kensington, Eng-
land, at the age of 77 on April 3.
NEW CASTLE, INDIANA
SCHILLER
A GREAT NAME—A GREAT PIANO
THE SCHILLER
Makes Friends, Makes Customers, Makes
Money, for the Dealer
Super-Grands, Medium Grands, Small
Grands. Full Plate Uprights; Medium
Uprights; Small (3:7) Uprights.
Reproducing Grands, Uprights and
Players
Grands with the Famous Bauer
Patented Construction
The SCHILLER PIANO challenges
superiority in tone quality as in construc-
tion, workmanship, finish and appearance.
For Agency Proposition and All
Particulars, address
SCHILLER PIANO COMPANY
Factory mmi General Office* t
OREGON, ILLINOIS
CHICAGO O m O l i
Stai. M l Aimmt Ste.
MS B«eBbll«BI4ff.
KKW TOKK OFJflOBl
IS* W. 4Sn4 St.
BHk Terminal Bid*.
RETAILERS MOURN FOR HUNTER.
Harry Hunter, who had established a reputation as
one of the piano trade's foremost sales promotion
experts, died at his Chicago residence on March 19th.
Many leading retailers had learned to depend on his
wide knowledge of sales problems and on his experi-
ence in applying the proper remedy. He is missed,
not only for his sales building" powers, but as a friend.
KREITER
3 Famous Song Hits 3
Prof's Clamor for Them
"CAROLINA" ('•-*£••&-*)
"DREAMS, JUST DREAMS" CS39
"DO LIKE I D O " (F.x-Trot)
The Leading and Most Popular
Piano* and Players
Featured by over 1000 teams, from Maine
to California
Grands, Players, Uprights and
Reproducing Pianos
Th« Results of Over Forty Years'
of Experience.
Dealers Get Them on Your
Counters Now and Make Money
Kraitar Pianos C—mr th« Entirm Lin*
•nd nm Piano Dmmlmr utho tri— th— in-
itrwmmnti wmmld tupplmnt thrnm by mny
•than.
A Mai will convince.
Kreiter Mfg. Co., Inc.
310-312 W. Water St., Milwaukee, WIs.
Factory t Marlnett*. Wl«.
J. S. UNGER, M. H. PUB.
Reading
.
.
.
Pennsylvania
Refer to Presto Buyers' Guide for in*
for mation about all Pianos, Players and
Reproducing Pianos.
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 O-T I M E S
April, 1930
DEALER WANTS NOVELTIES
IN PIANO CASE DESIGNS
Clement E. Moore, of Ohio, Declares Piano Makers
Are Losing Out for Lack of Changes.
Because people like radical changes, variable altera-
tions, new things, differentiated construction, instead
of a cardinal sameness or an unvarying monotony,
Clement E. Moore, piano man of 835 East Cecil
street, Springfield, Ohio, has written a letter to Presto-
Times asking what can be done about producing
pianos with new style cases—something different.
His letter follows:
Springfield. Ohio.
March 31, 1930.
Presto-Times,
Chicago, III.
Gentlemen:
You old-timers remember years ago. when you
were canvassing along some good street in your city,
that after you canvassed a street on one side through,
and returned on the other side, after talking piano all
the time, and the children would listen to your talk
contentedly, remember the dozens of children who
would be practicing on the piaiio after you were there,
you could hear pianos clear down the line on both
sides of the street.
Mothers were interested, children were interested,
and all it required was some one to stir up the ques-
tion of music and everyone in the neighborhood would
be pliable to your music talk. Just try it now; I have.
And you will not hear as much as a little peep. The
children are told to hurry up as papa is waiting on
the outside with the auto for a hundred mile trip
after supper. No time for the piano; when they get
back, turn on the radio.
I have put in a few days canvassing from house to
house, and this is what I find, rich and poor. The
lady comes to the door, opens it about enough to stick
her nose through, looks at you in amazement. You
ask her about a piano—"Oh, no! We don't use the
one we have." Other answers are: "Like to sell it,"
"Has not been tuned for five years," "Just traded
mine on a radio, even trade," "We don't stay home
long enough for anyone to practice," "I gave my
piano away not long ago to a friend," "I would sell
my piano for anything I could get out of it," "Sold
mine for $20." "No time to talk piano," "I would not
give a piano house room."
Boys, what is your argument in trying to stimulate
the old-time interest back again? Will we have to
quit? Is there any way we can get interest back again
in the piano buying? There is one solution—in doing
something to create interest.
People like new things, radical changes. Automo-
biles keep up their selling interest in changing their
models yearly. How many changes have there been
in the piano case? In the upright, or grand piano?
Is it the old sameness in the piano model that causes
interest to die in home music? Is it because that the
same old case in a new piano, makes it the same
old piano, a common sight? Why not make some
changes along this line and get some of the automobile
cash sales? Why stand still in the piano industry?
Meet the public's demand; they are waiting for it.
The inner construction can be made the same as
always, but, this construction can be placed in a
different case model, in the shape of a pipe-organ, or
a nice model house miniature; most any style to hide
the old sameness. Manufacturers, why not try it out?
Have your case construction man, or foreman work
out something, and the first factory to do this will
have a big jump ahead on the others. Let's stir up
some interest some way. The piano is the foundation
of all music.
Let's hear from others.
Very Respectfully,
CLEMENT E. MOORE,
835 E. Cecil street, Springfield, Ohio.
LEARN MUSIC'S LANGUAGE.
Significant as an example of music in social service
is the recent development of musical instruction as
one of the activities of the Young Women's Chris-
tian Association at Indianapolis. The educational
department of this "Y. W." presents its series of
instrumental classes with the following summary of
their purpose: "Learn to play some instrument
with your own hands. The enjoyment you derive
from self-played music is yours always—as fresh at
sixty as at sixteen. Learn the language of music.
The study of music is the best known mind trainer,
broadening character and heightening charm."
PIANO ACCORDION POPULAR.
The saxophone has surrendered leadership in sales
of musical instruments to the piano-accordion, al-
though the E-flat alto "sax" is still running strong,
according to an article in the New York Times. De-
spite their cost, which ranges from $250 up at retail,
piano-accordions are increasing in favor steadily.
OBITUARY
The trade will keenly feel the loss of O. W. Wil-
liams, eastern manager for the Schiller Piano Co.
of Oregon, 111., who made his headquarters on the
21st floor of 130 West 42nd street. New York, who
passed away last month. He is survived by his
brother, W. B. Williams, who is also widely known
as a piano man.
A. M. Shuey, Minneapolis, Minn., who for a long
time was in the piano business and was identified
with prominent piano manufacturing concerns, died
last week.
Edward W. Morgan, aged 42, radio entertainer,
member of the Lambs Club, New York, died in
Brooklyn on April 5.
Mrs. G. F. S. Latiner, wife of Bernard Latiner,
violinist, and sister of Mrs. Efrani Zimbalist (Alma
Gluck), died of pneumonia in Brooklyn, N. Y., on
April 3 at the age of 68 years.
Erau Cosima Wagner, aged 93, daughter of Franz
Liszt and widow of Richard Wagner, the German
composer and originator of the music drama, died at
Bayreuth, Germany, on April 1. By her first mar-
riage she was the wife of the famous conductor-
pianist, Hans Von Buelow.
Bflt
PlANOScPLAYERS
REPRESENT
QUALITY FIRST
and
FIRST QUALITY
U$* Th*n /ntfrumtnti Bearing "A Nam* Wtll Known
Sine* 1875" At Your Ltadtr, and Protptr!
SELL MUSIC!
SELL A HOME ATTRACTION
SELL GOOD PIANOS
Jesse French & Sons Piano Co.
Herbert J. Butler, aged 85, who was for 26 years
a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, died
in Boston on March 31.
Mrs. Charlotte F. Furey, a supervisor of music and
composer of many songs used in public schools, died
on March 25 at her home in Brooklyn, N. Y. She
was the widow of James A. Furey, an old-time musical
comedy singer and stage manager.
Dr. Alma Webster Powell, operatic and concert
singer, aged 55, died at Rahway, N. J., on March 11.
Captain Lorant Srader, Hungarian song composer
and violinist, died March 13 at Budapest, Hungary.
Oscar Eagle, aged 69, musical comedy director, died
on March 14 from an attack of heart disease while
walking in Central Park, New York.
Mrs. Caro Lina Hanson, a board member of the
Civic Music Association of Evanston, 111., aged 72,
died in March.
George Wilson, minstrel who at one time was a
member of the troupe of Barlow, Wilson, Primrose
and West, died at Binghamton, N. Y., on March 23.
Dr. Wilhelm Poulsen, one of Denmark's leading
musicians, fell dead on March 25 while .conducting
the Copenhagen Academy Orchestra.
Gen. Baron George Kourad von der Goltz, famous
as a composer, died in Berlin, Germany, April 3.
Mine. Emma Albani, famous operatic soprano sev-
eral years ago, died at her home in Kensington, Eng-
land, at the age of 77 on April 3.
NEW CASTLE, INDIANA
SCHILLER
A GREAT NAME—A GREAT PIANO
THE SCHILLER
Makes Friends, Makes Customers, Makes
Money, for the Dealer
Super-Grands, Medium Grands, Small
Grands. Full Plate Uprights; Medium
Uprights; Small (3:7) Uprights.
Reproducing Grands, Uprights and
Players
Grands with the Famous Bauer
Patented Construction
The SCHILLER PIANO challenges
superiority in tone quality as in construc-
tion, workmanship, finish and appearance.
For Agency Proposition and All
Particulars, address
SCHILLER PIANO COMPANY
Factory mmi General Office* t
OREGON, ILLINOIS
CHICAGO O m O l i
Stai. M l Aimmt Ste.
MS B«eBbll«BI4ff.
KKW TOKK OFJflOBl
IS* W. 4Sn4 St.
BHk Terminal Bid*.
RETAILERS MOURN FOR HUNTER.
Harry Hunter, who had established a reputation as
one of the piano trade's foremost sales promotion
experts, died at his Chicago residence on March 19th.
Many leading retailers had learned to depend on his
wide knowledge of sales problems and on his experi-
ence in applying the proper remedy. He is missed,
not only for his sales building" powers, but as a friend.
KREITER
3 Famous Song Hits 3
Prof's Clamor for Them
"CAROLINA" ('•-*£••&-*)
"DREAMS, JUST DREAMS" CS39
"DO LIKE I D O " (F.x-Trot)
The Leading and Most Popular
Piano* and Players
Featured by over 1000 teams, from Maine
to California
Grands, Players, Uprights and
Reproducing Pianos
Th« Results of Over Forty Years'
of Experience.
Dealers Get Them on Your
Counters Now and Make Money
Kraitar Pianos C—mr th« Entirm Lin*
•nd nm Piano Dmmlmr utho tri— th— in-
itrwmmnti wmmld tupplmnt thrnm by mny
•than.
A Mai will convince.
Kreiter Mfg. Co., Inc.
310-312 W. Water St., Milwaukee, WIs.
Factory t Marlnett*. Wl«.
J. S. UNGER, M. H. PUB.
Reading
.
.
.
Pennsylvania
Refer to Presto Buyers' Guide for in*
for mation about all Pianos, Players and
Reproducing Pianos.
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).