Presto
Issue: 1930 2249 - Page 12
12
August, 1930
PRESTO-TIMES
Dollars and Sense in Piano Business
How Leading Houses Attract Trade and Bring in
Business and Dollars
SEEBURG.
The Southern California Music Co. 720 Broadway,
San Diego, whose trade motto is "Quality tells; qual-
ity sells," announces the Seeburg pipe organ as "a
truly fine instrument for the home or small church.
May be played by hand or roll."
STARR.
WURLIT2ER.
r
The W urlitzer store at Ambridge, Pa., says: "It
is no longer necessary to deny your children the
benefit of music. We will arrange weekly payments
so low that they will be easy to pay. What excuse
could you possibly give your family now?"
GULBRANSEN.
The Song Shop, Livingston, Mont., which han-
dles the Gulbransen line, says of the Triano, the Gul-
bransen reproducing instrument: "The Triano is the
instrument for all the family—mother and sister
perhaps play by hand—father plays it as a regis-
tering piano and the tots can play it as a reproducing
CONOVER.
piano. Its pleasing design makes it a welcome addi-
The Wiley B. Allen Co., oi San Francisco, in its tion to any home."
daily paper advertising of the Conover piano says
KURTZMANN.
that "Wiley B. Allen Co. has continuously represented
A Master Model Home has been one of the show
the Cable Co. for 44 years. Today, as in years gone places at Atlanta, Ga.. this summer. Of the piano
by, the exquisite Conover Grand still retains its high in it the Atlanta Journal says: "The musical accou-
position in the realm of music by virtue of its rare trements of the Master Model Home have been well
artistic fineness."
taken care of, the most distinguished piece in this
STEINWAY.
respect being the Kurtzmann baby grand piano in
Clark-Jones-Sheeley Co., Knoxville, Term., says of
the huge living room. The instrument was supplied
the Steinway piano that musicians and musical people by the Carder Piano Co., agents for the well-known
generally "know that there is no other piano that will make, and is one of the show pieces of the local
command the marvelous breadth and brilliance of tone store. It is of designed hand-made Florentine finish."
which is so peculiarly Steinway's. They are aware
ELBURN.
that no other will do service half so long."
The Jenkins Music Co., 323 East Douglas street.
Thomas Goggan & Bros., of San Antonio, Tex., Wichita. Kan., says of the Elburn small piano: "The
speaking of the Steinway piano as their leader, declare Elburn is our own piano made for us according to
that it has been the personal instrument of almost our own specifications. For 30 years it has had more
every great pianist since Liszt.
tone, a finer action and better wearing quality than
The Griffith Piano Co., Steinway representative at any other piano at its price—Jenkins has made
605-607 Broad street, Newark, N. J., speak as fol- this so."
lows of that instrument: "The Steinway's marvelous
singing tone quality, its miraculous response to the
ART IN MAKING STEINWAYS.
hand and spirit of the musician and its beauty and
Of the many fine tributes to the excellence of
life-long durability, have made it the choice not only
Steinway pianos, none are finer than the descrip-
of the world's greatest musicians, past and present,
tion used by the Knight-Campbell Music Co.. Den-
but also the piano desired above all others by those
who want the best the world offers in a musical in- ver, Colo. This company says: "Perhaps you have
often wondered just what makes the Steinway the
strument for the home."
greatest piano obtainable, but no explanation would
KIMBALL.
be necessary had you ever seen the Steinway in
Frederickson & Kroh, Oklahoma City, Okla., in
process of construction. The dignity of labor is
advertising Kimball pianos say that the Kimball is personified at its best. Even the moulder, black
"backed by a policy that has commanded the confi- with graphite, abandons himself to his work. Over
dence and admiration of the nation's piano buyers for
and over the surface of his mould he goes, delicately
three generations."
touching it here, straightening it there, correcting a
microscopic flaw at some point—a Rodin putting
ESTEY.
the finishing touches to his masterpiece could be no
The Thearle Music Co., San Diego, Calif., says of
its recent sale: "We knew this sale would be a suc- more careful of detail or show more concern for
cess. We knew it would be a success because Estey his work. The most minute, detailed care is shown
in the construction of every part of a Steinway, and
is one of the oldest and best known piano names in
the industry and because our sale price is truly sen- only the most perfect materials are used."
sational. But we were not expecting such instant,
overwhelming success. It has been simply amazing.
GOODS FROM GREAT PLANTS.
We have sold double the number of pianos we had ex-
The
Excelsior Furniture & Music Co., whose well-
pected to sell by now."
known store is located at 533-535 Broadway, Cape
Girardeau, Mo., is one of the most completely stocked
CHICKERING.
"Today," says the San Antonio Music Co., San stores in southeast Missouri. Its trade in pianos
and phonographs of late years has grown to large
Antonio, Tex., "Chickering's glorious tone—renowned
since 1823—is encased in exquisite charm and beauty proportions. The management of this store take a
of design that enchants the modern home. New 1930 keen interest in helping people beautify their homes
period models now ready. Prices range from $1,195 and make real homes of them. In its advertising at
Sikeston, Mo., a progressive neighboring city, it says:
on convenient terms."
"Much has been written during the last few years
CABLE.
about
the weakening of the home ties, and the rea-
"At last—to help celebrate our 50th anniversary—
sons ascribed to this more or less imaginary evil are
a new grand that we can recommend and guarantee almost as varied as the individuals who get their
for $395," says the Cable Piano Co., 84 Broad street, views into print. The great factories of today are
W., Atlanta, Ga. "For some time we have been in
producing the most wonderful values and beautiful
search of a reliable grand piano to sell at $395. Our creations of all times. And through the deferred pay-
spot cash offer was accepted. Hurry!"
ment plan offered to those of good repute an attrac-
tive home is within the reach of everyone. Satisfac-
RICHMOND.
Knight-Campbell's 120 West Second street Casper, tion and good taste in home furnishings, however, is
Wyo., Earl Bowman, manager, makes an offer of a largely up to the retail dealer."
new Richmond grand piano for $495; a Richmond
upright for $295, including bench and free tuning.
STORE PURCHASED AT McPHERSON.
Albert Plumb and Dean Sands, of Newton, Kan.,
KIMBALL.
The W. W. Kimball Co., at 1009 Grand avenue, associated with the Newton Music Co., a business
Kansas City, Mo., has this to say of their goods: established thirty years ago, have purchased from
"Kimball superiority is assured by the very name G. G. Bowen the piano department of the Baldwin
Music Store at McPherson, Kan , and have placed
itself and there is a Kimball to fit any room—and
T. E. Littler, also of Newton, in charge. They
every purse."
promise an active campaign over the territory adja-
CABLE-NELSON.
cent to McPherson, stating that they find this splen-
Kops Piano House, for forty years a Montana in- did territory. The music and small instrument and
stitution, is strongly featuring the Cable-Nelson line accessory department will continue to be conducted
bv Charles White.
of pianos.
At Nashville, Term., M. F. Shea, 242 Fifth avenue,
N., is handling the Starr pianos. He says: "Superb
in tone, matchless in contour and finish, the Starr
Grand is an individual creation adding charm and
refinement to your home."
FRED J. KRAMER CELEBRATES
50TH BUSINESS ANNIVERSARY
The Kramer Music House at Allentown, Pa.,
Has Run Continuously for Fifty Years
Under One Management.
Three pages of the Allentown Chronicle and News
and Evening Item, Allentown, Pa., were devoted on
July 23 to the 50th anniversary in the music business
of Fred F. Kramer. The paper says that a half
century in the piano and music business is quite a
period in one's life-time and there are not many in
the Lehigh Valley, let alone the state, who can lay
claim to fifty years in that business continuously and
still going strong.
That, however, is what Fred F. Kramer, Sr., of
the Kramer Music House, 544 Hamilton street, can
lay claim to, because today he is celebrating his fif-
tieth anniversary in the music business.
Mr. Kramer started business when seventeen with
G. C. Aschbach & Co. at 531 Hamilton street, and
today he is in business in the same block in which
he started. That was in 1880 and after seven years
he opened his own music store at the rear of Shank-
weiler & Lehr's store on South Center Square with
the Hardman piano as his leading seller and today
he is still handling the same make instrument with
the distinction of being the oldest customer on that
famous piano manufacturing concern's books.
On the anniversary occasion, Mr. Kramer received
congratulations from Theodore Presser Co., Philadel-
phia; C. Bruno & Son, Inc.. New York; H. W. Gray
Co., New York; McKinley Music Co., Chicago; F. A.
North Co., Philadelphia; Carl Fischer, Inc., New
York; Chas. M. Meredith, Quakertown, Pa.; G.
Schirmer, Inc., New York; Lorenz Publishing Co.,
Dayton, Ohio; Dickel Distributing Co., Philadelphia;
Sam Fox Publishing Co., Cleveland and New York;
H. A. Weymann & Son, Inc., Philadelphia; Tuller-
Meredith Co., New York; Steinway & Sons, New
York; Hardman. Peck & Co., New York; Oliver
Ditson Co., Inc., New York; Rudolph C. Koch, New
York; Edward B. Marks Music Co., New York; The
Arthur P. Schmidt Co. Boston.
These houses joined in saying:
"We salute Fred F. Kramer on the fiftieth anni-
versary of his entry into the musical business. We
wish him and the Kramer Music House enduring
success. We know that he will continue to lead and
direct this business as he has in the past, maintaining
that policy of honest and fair dealing that has won
for him such success."
E. C. COON REPORTS
PIANO BUSINESS GOOD
Sales Manager of Park Music Co., Huntington Park,
Calif., Is Doing Some Hustling.
The Park Music Co., Inc., Huntington Park, Calif.,
has just moved into a fine new building at 6715
Pacific boulevard, that city. E. C. Coon is sales man-
ager of the store. The new location is next door
north of Montgomery Ward & Co.'s and just oppo-
site Warner Bros.' theater, now in course of con-
struction. This theater is to be ready about Novem-
ber 1 and will seat 2,000 people.
"Our piano business has been very good of late."
said Mr. Coon to a Presto-Times correspondent. "W ; e
sold 18 in June, besides a very good number of radios.
June was the best month we have had for many
months, both in number and quality of sales."
Huntington Park is just about six miles from the
center of Los Angeles. Mr. Coon lives in Glendale.
Calif., about 16 miles north, but there are wonderful
roads to drive on and he makes the trip in about 25
minutes.
The Park Music Co. says: "We are now ready to
take care of your needs in musical merchandise with
a much larger and finer stock of Victor, Westing-
house and Crosley radios; Gulbransen, Kimball, M.
Schulz Co., Ivers & Pond, Heller and Jesse French
pianos, sheet music, stringed instruments, Victor
records, teachers' supplies, radio tubes and acces-
sories. Expert radio service, piano tuning, refinishing
and overhauling, small instruments, etc."
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/
August, 1930
PRESTO-TIMES
Dollars and Sense in Piano Business
How Leading Houses Attract Trade and Bring in
Business and Dollars
SEEBURG.
The Southern California Music Co. 720 Broadway,
San Diego, whose trade motto is "Quality tells; qual-
ity sells," announces the Seeburg pipe organ as "a
truly fine instrument for the home or small church.
May be played by hand or roll."
STARR.
WURLIT2ER.
r
The W urlitzer store at Ambridge, Pa., says: "It
is no longer necessary to deny your children the
benefit of music. We will arrange weekly payments
so low that they will be easy to pay. What excuse
could you possibly give your family now?"
GULBRANSEN.
The Song Shop, Livingston, Mont., which han-
dles the Gulbransen line, says of the Triano, the Gul-
bransen reproducing instrument: "The Triano is the
instrument for all the family—mother and sister
perhaps play by hand—father plays it as a regis-
tering piano and the tots can play it as a reproducing
CONOVER.
piano. Its pleasing design makes it a welcome addi-
The Wiley B. Allen Co., oi San Francisco, in its tion to any home."
daily paper advertising of the Conover piano says
KURTZMANN.
that "Wiley B. Allen Co. has continuously represented
A Master Model Home has been one of the show
the Cable Co. for 44 years. Today, as in years gone places at Atlanta, Ga.. this summer. Of the piano
by, the exquisite Conover Grand still retains its high in it the Atlanta Journal says: "The musical accou-
position in the realm of music by virtue of its rare trements of the Master Model Home have been well
artistic fineness."
taken care of, the most distinguished piece in this
STEINWAY.
respect being the Kurtzmann baby grand piano in
Clark-Jones-Sheeley Co., Knoxville, Term., says of
the huge living room. The instrument was supplied
the Steinway piano that musicians and musical people by the Carder Piano Co., agents for the well-known
generally "know that there is no other piano that will make, and is one of the show pieces of the local
command the marvelous breadth and brilliance of tone store. It is of designed hand-made Florentine finish."
which is so peculiarly Steinway's. They are aware
ELBURN.
that no other will do service half so long."
The Jenkins Music Co., 323 East Douglas street.
Thomas Goggan & Bros., of San Antonio, Tex., Wichita. Kan., says of the Elburn small piano: "The
speaking of the Steinway piano as their leader, declare Elburn is our own piano made for us according to
that it has been the personal instrument of almost our own specifications. For 30 years it has had more
every great pianist since Liszt.
tone, a finer action and better wearing quality than
The Griffith Piano Co., Steinway representative at any other piano at its price—Jenkins has made
605-607 Broad street, Newark, N. J., speak as fol- this so."
lows of that instrument: "The Steinway's marvelous
singing tone quality, its miraculous response to the
ART IN MAKING STEINWAYS.
hand and spirit of the musician and its beauty and
Of the many fine tributes to the excellence of
life-long durability, have made it the choice not only
Steinway pianos, none are finer than the descrip-
of the world's greatest musicians, past and present,
tion used by the Knight-Campbell Music Co.. Den-
but also the piano desired above all others by those
who want the best the world offers in a musical in- ver, Colo. This company says: "Perhaps you have
often wondered just what makes the Steinway the
strument for the home."
greatest piano obtainable, but no explanation would
KIMBALL.
be necessary had you ever seen the Steinway in
Frederickson & Kroh, Oklahoma City, Okla., in
process of construction. The dignity of labor is
advertising Kimball pianos say that the Kimball is personified at its best. Even the moulder, black
"backed by a policy that has commanded the confi- with graphite, abandons himself to his work. Over
dence and admiration of the nation's piano buyers for
and over the surface of his mould he goes, delicately
three generations."
touching it here, straightening it there, correcting a
microscopic flaw at some point—a Rodin putting
ESTEY.
the finishing touches to his masterpiece could be no
The Thearle Music Co., San Diego, Calif., says of
its recent sale: "We knew this sale would be a suc- more careful of detail or show more concern for
cess. We knew it would be a success because Estey his work. The most minute, detailed care is shown
in the construction of every part of a Steinway, and
is one of the oldest and best known piano names in
the industry and because our sale price is truly sen- only the most perfect materials are used."
sational. But we were not expecting such instant,
overwhelming success. It has been simply amazing.
GOODS FROM GREAT PLANTS.
We have sold double the number of pianos we had ex-
The
Excelsior Furniture & Music Co., whose well-
pected to sell by now."
known store is located at 533-535 Broadway, Cape
Girardeau, Mo., is one of the most completely stocked
CHICKERING.
"Today," says the San Antonio Music Co., San stores in southeast Missouri. Its trade in pianos
and phonographs of late years has grown to large
Antonio, Tex., "Chickering's glorious tone—renowned
since 1823—is encased in exquisite charm and beauty proportions. The management of this store take a
of design that enchants the modern home. New 1930 keen interest in helping people beautify their homes
period models now ready. Prices range from $1,195 and make real homes of them. In its advertising at
Sikeston, Mo., a progressive neighboring city, it says:
on convenient terms."
"Much has been written during the last few years
CABLE.
about
the weakening of the home ties, and the rea-
"At last—to help celebrate our 50th anniversary—
sons ascribed to this more or less imaginary evil are
a new grand that we can recommend and guarantee almost as varied as the individuals who get their
for $395," says the Cable Piano Co., 84 Broad street, views into print. The great factories of today are
W., Atlanta, Ga. "For some time we have been in
producing the most wonderful values and beautiful
search of a reliable grand piano to sell at $395. Our creations of all times. And through the deferred pay-
spot cash offer was accepted. Hurry!"
ment plan offered to those of good repute an attrac-
tive home is within the reach of everyone. Satisfac-
RICHMOND.
Knight-Campbell's 120 West Second street Casper, tion and good taste in home furnishings, however, is
Wyo., Earl Bowman, manager, makes an offer of a largely up to the retail dealer."
new Richmond grand piano for $495; a Richmond
upright for $295, including bench and free tuning.
STORE PURCHASED AT McPHERSON.
Albert Plumb and Dean Sands, of Newton, Kan.,
KIMBALL.
The W. W. Kimball Co., at 1009 Grand avenue, associated with the Newton Music Co., a business
Kansas City, Mo., has this to say of their goods: established thirty years ago, have purchased from
"Kimball superiority is assured by the very name G. G. Bowen the piano department of the Baldwin
Music Store at McPherson, Kan , and have placed
itself and there is a Kimball to fit any room—and
T. E. Littler, also of Newton, in charge. They
every purse."
promise an active campaign over the territory adja-
CABLE-NELSON.
cent to McPherson, stating that they find this splen-
Kops Piano House, for forty years a Montana in- did territory. The music and small instrument and
stitution, is strongly featuring the Cable-Nelson line accessory department will continue to be conducted
bv Charles White.
of pianos.
At Nashville, Term., M. F. Shea, 242 Fifth avenue,
N., is handling the Starr pianos. He says: "Superb
in tone, matchless in contour and finish, the Starr
Grand is an individual creation adding charm and
refinement to your home."
FRED J. KRAMER CELEBRATES
50TH BUSINESS ANNIVERSARY
The Kramer Music House at Allentown, Pa.,
Has Run Continuously for Fifty Years
Under One Management.
Three pages of the Allentown Chronicle and News
and Evening Item, Allentown, Pa., were devoted on
July 23 to the 50th anniversary in the music business
of Fred F. Kramer. The paper says that a half
century in the piano and music business is quite a
period in one's life-time and there are not many in
the Lehigh Valley, let alone the state, who can lay
claim to fifty years in that business continuously and
still going strong.
That, however, is what Fred F. Kramer, Sr., of
the Kramer Music House, 544 Hamilton street, can
lay claim to, because today he is celebrating his fif-
tieth anniversary in the music business.
Mr. Kramer started business when seventeen with
G. C. Aschbach & Co. at 531 Hamilton street, and
today he is in business in the same block in which
he started. That was in 1880 and after seven years
he opened his own music store at the rear of Shank-
weiler & Lehr's store on South Center Square with
the Hardman piano as his leading seller and today
he is still handling the same make instrument with
the distinction of being the oldest customer on that
famous piano manufacturing concern's books.
On the anniversary occasion, Mr. Kramer received
congratulations from Theodore Presser Co., Philadel-
phia; C. Bruno & Son, Inc.. New York; H. W. Gray
Co., New York; McKinley Music Co., Chicago; F. A.
North Co., Philadelphia; Carl Fischer, Inc., New
York; Chas. M. Meredith, Quakertown, Pa.; G.
Schirmer, Inc., New York; Lorenz Publishing Co.,
Dayton, Ohio; Dickel Distributing Co., Philadelphia;
Sam Fox Publishing Co., Cleveland and New York;
H. A. Weymann & Son, Inc., Philadelphia; Tuller-
Meredith Co., New York; Steinway & Sons, New
York; Hardman. Peck & Co., New York; Oliver
Ditson Co., Inc., New York; Rudolph C. Koch, New
York; Edward B. Marks Music Co., New York; The
Arthur P. Schmidt Co. Boston.
These houses joined in saying:
"We salute Fred F. Kramer on the fiftieth anni-
versary of his entry into the musical business. We
wish him and the Kramer Music House enduring
success. We know that he will continue to lead and
direct this business as he has in the past, maintaining
that policy of honest and fair dealing that has won
for him such success."
E. C. COON REPORTS
PIANO BUSINESS GOOD
Sales Manager of Park Music Co., Huntington Park,
Calif., Is Doing Some Hustling.
The Park Music Co., Inc., Huntington Park, Calif.,
has just moved into a fine new building at 6715
Pacific boulevard, that city. E. C. Coon is sales man-
ager of the store. The new location is next door
north of Montgomery Ward & Co.'s and just oppo-
site Warner Bros.' theater, now in course of con-
struction. This theater is to be ready about Novem-
ber 1 and will seat 2,000 people.
"Our piano business has been very good of late."
said Mr. Coon to a Presto-Times correspondent. "W ; e
sold 18 in June, besides a very good number of radios.
June was the best month we have had for many
months, both in number and quality of sales."
Huntington Park is just about six miles from the
center of Los Angeles. Mr. Coon lives in Glendale.
Calif., about 16 miles north, but there are wonderful
roads to drive on and he makes the trip in about 25
minutes.
The Park Music Co. says: "We are now ready to
take care of your needs in musical merchandise with
a much larger and finer stock of Victor, Westing-
house and Crosley radios; Gulbransen, Kimball, M.
Schulz Co., Ivers & Pond, Heller and Jesse French
pianos, sheet music, stringed instruments, Victor
records, teachers' supplies, radio tubes and acces-
sories. Expert radio service, piano tuning, refinishing
and overhauling, small instruments, etc."
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).