Presto
Issue: 1930 2250 - Page 5
September, 1930
P R E S T O- T I M E S
STEINWAY NAME HEARD
WHEREVER TRAVELER WENT
PIANO TRADE LIVELIER
AT INDIANAPOLIS
After a Year's Trip in Europe, Customer Purchases
Two Steinway Grands.
Baldwin, Schumann, Wurlitzer, Lester and Other
Lines Selling Well.
The Steinway News Letter always contains inter-
esting information pertaining to the Steinway person-
nel and Steinway business. The last issue tells how
easy it was to close a put-off deal after the prospect
had returned from Europe. The story is told as fol-
lows :
"Several years ago one of our dealers had a cus-
tomer for two large Steinway grands. This gentle-
man was undecided between Steinway and another
make. For several weeks he called frequently at our
dealer's store, but they were unable to close the deal.
Suddenly this man disappeared and upon investigation
our dealer found that he had gone to Europe.
"The proposition had been almost forgotten, when
about a year later this gentleman walked into the
store and immediately placed his order for two style
B Mahogany Steinway grands. Naturally the sales-
man was glad to enter this order but could not re-
sist asking his customer what had caused him to make
up his mind in favor of the Steinway.
"The customer answered as follows: 'I have just
returned from a year's trip to Europe. Wherever I
went I heard the name Steinway and wherever this
name was mentioned it was considered the best piano.
This other piano, although a good instrument, is noth-
ing but a local proposition, but the Steinway ranks
first in the world of music'"
The great Eastman School of Music in Rochester
is headed by Howard Hanson, the distinguished
American composer, who writes: "Our experience
with these pianos, in regard to tone quality, respon-
siveness of action and last but not least, durability,
lias been eminently satisfactory. Notwithstanding the
very hard usage to which your pianos are necessarily
subjected in our school, they always give perfect sat-
isfaction."
Mr. Carl Kinsey, president of the Chicago Musical
College, Rudolph Ganz, director, expresses his appre-
ciation of the Steinway pianos in the following words:
"We know of no other piano with so beautiful and
noble a tone as the Steinway, nor one that has so
much physical strength and endurance."
PRESIDENT HEATON'S
AIRPLANE TRIP
The "air minded" president of the National Asso-
ciation of Music Merchants, Otto B. Heaton, "hopped
off" from his home city, Columbus, Ohio, last month
for a visit to several cities in the mid-west. He made
the trip as the guest of R. H. Schryver, president of
the Metal Aircraft Corp. in one of their new all-metal
8-passenger Flamingo planes, and as the invitation
came at a moment's notice, Mr. Heaton made the
trip sans baggage, even a tooth brush, to use his own
expression in telling the story.
The cities visited included Indianapolis, Kansas
City, St. Louis and Cincinnati. The schedule of stops
was so fast that an opportunity for paying visits to
members of the music industry was available in only
one city, Kansas City, but President Heaton called
on three members of the trade there.
It is possible that President Heaton may make
other trips of a similar nature later this season and
if so he will plan to visit the trade in cities wherever
possible.
THE NEW HAMILTON UPRIGHT.
In announcing the Hamilton upright model 235,
Sheraton period design piano, the Baldwin Piano Co..
Cincinnati, declares it a masterpiece, saying: "Baldwin
draws aside the curtain to the new season and dis-
closes the newest production of its Hamilton factory
craftsmen. This new Hamilton is a beautiful small
piano that combines an unexcelled richness and re-
sonance of tone with durability of construction. It is
a quality instrument throughout, with all the features
for which the Hamilton piano is famous. It is a
beautiful piece of furniture, following a design by
Sheraton. Its dimensions are: Height, 4 feet; width,
4 feet 11'4 inches; depth. 2 feet J/. inch. Walnut
(only).
SCHULZ GRAND FOR BROADCASTING
Chenoweth & Grten, prominent music dealers of
Enid, Okla., are justly proud of a deal they made
recently in selling an M. Schulz grand piano to the
Hotel Youngblood in that city for the use of the
Youngblood Hotel Orchestra, whose music is regu-
larly broadcast by radio to all parts of the country.
The music of this fine piano thereby goes out far
and wide, bringing pleasure to thousands. Boyd
Schreftler is director of the broadcasting orchestra
which uses the Schulz instrument for its accompani-
ments.
MOVING
PROBLEMS
SOLVED
by the
SELF-
LIFTING
PIANO
TRUCK
CO.
Write for a copy to
Self-Lifting Piano
Truck Co.
FINDLAY, OHIO
There is a noticeable change in the piano business,
and dealers as a whole report conditions very much
improved over the month of July. August, while very
hot, with the thermometer around 90 during the early
part of the month, showed a marked improvement
over July, and present conditions are satisfactory, with
prospects looking good. Many of the present pros-
pects are anticipating early purchases, according to
reports from the leading music houses, and dealers
are very optimistic.
The House of Baldwin is enjoying one of the best
runs on Baldwin grands in several years. Sales are
made on shorter time, with substantial down pay-
ments. Last week the usual Baldwin display at the
Indiana State Fair attracted large crowds, resulting
in some very good business. The entire line of pianos
made by the Baldwin company was on display, ar-
ranged in a very attractive booth with plenty of pub-
licity literature for distribution. Crowds gathered at
the display all during the day and evening and many
prospects were received. The display was an unusual
success. Colonial styles are moving well with some
demand for period models.
The Pearson Piano Co. notes an improvement in
business, with high grade pianos leading in sales.
August showed a big improvement over July and
prospects are encouraging.
J. L. Gormly, traveling representative for the Lester
Piano Co., Philadelphia, was interviewed by the
Presto-Times correspondent, and Mr. Gormly says
there is a decided change for the better in business
conditions. Mr. Gormly was working east from the
west coast. He found business conditions much im-
proved in the western states. The same report was
given for the mid-western states, where a decided
change in business has taken place, with signs of im-
provement on every side.
The Wilking Music Co. announce better conditions
with sales showing a decided improvement in the last
month.
One of the new arrivals from the Wurlitzer factory
is the new Duncan Phyfe, an early American period
model in the Apollo piano.
Frank Wilking returned last week from a trip
through the East, including New York City.
Thomas Riddick, general manager of the Philip
Werlein, Ltd., of New Orleans, La., was a visitor at
the Wilking store last week.
Much attention is being attracted by an unique
display in the window of the Marion Music Co. where
a Parlor Gem square piano, built more than one hun-
dred years ago, is being displayed in comparison with
one of the new Schumann grand pianos. A placard
announcing the "infant of 1805 and infant of 1930"
has been arranged on the square piano in order to
draw the attention of the passersby. The case of the
old instrument is in perfect state and the tone is very
good considering the age of the octagon-leg master-
piece. The original stool has been preserved and is
on display.
Business is reported very good by the Marion Music
Co. with prospects for the future encouraging. Grands
especially are selling well, with substantial payments
down and short time notes.
DID PREACHER PURLOIN PIANO?
If stealing a piece of sheet music is niching, what
would be the word for appropriating a piano without
the legal right to remove it, if not purloining? Any-
way, after a split in his congregation, the Rev. George
Short, pastor of the Church of the First Born, Misha-
waka, Ind., was arrested last month, charged with
stealing a piano from the church, as was also George
Friend, who is a friend of the pastor. The church
might split, but the piano couldn't be split and still
retain its musical powers, so the pastor perhaps
thought it would have to be taken whole for the bene-
fit of the faction supporting him. Anyway, the police
found the piano at the pastor's home.
FUN FOR THE PIANO CLUB
On Monday, Sept. 15. I'resto-Times' day of publi-
cation, the Piano Club of Chicago is enpoying an
entertainment by Carle A. Christensen, son of the
famous entertainer, Axel Christensen. Young Mr.
Christensen was a co-star with his father at the
Winona Lake, Ind., camp meeting the first week in
September—a place made famous by Billy Sunday
and other speakers and by song leaders like Homer
Rodeheaver. Carle Christensen has the reputation
for great versatility, and as his subject is 'Musical
Appreciation," his resourcefulness will have wide
scope. By the way, Axel Christensen's new book,
entitled "Axel Grease," is out of press and is selling
well.
Frank Barry, violin maker at Urbana, Ohio, died
last month.
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
STEINWAY NAME HEARD
WHEREVER TRAVELER WENT
PIANO TRADE LIVELIER
AT INDIANAPOLIS
After a Year's Trip in Europe, Customer Purchases
Two Steinway Grands.
Baldwin, Schumann, Wurlitzer, Lester and Other
Lines Selling Well.
The Steinway News Letter always contains inter-
esting information pertaining to the Steinway person-
nel and Steinway business. The last issue tells how
easy it was to close a put-off deal after the prospect
had returned from Europe. The story is told as fol-
lows :
"Several years ago one of our dealers had a cus-
tomer for two large Steinway grands. This gentle-
man was undecided between Steinway and another
make. For several weeks he called frequently at our
dealer's store, but they were unable to close the deal.
Suddenly this man disappeared and upon investigation
our dealer found that he had gone to Europe.
"The proposition had been almost forgotten, when
about a year later this gentleman walked into the
store and immediately placed his order for two style
B Mahogany Steinway grands. Naturally the sales-
man was glad to enter this order but could not re-
sist asking his customer what had caused him to make
up his mind in favor of the Steinway.
"The customer answered as follows: 'I have just
returned from a year's trip to Europe. Wherever I
went I heard the name Steinway and wherever this
name was mentioned it was considered the best piano.
This other piano, although a good instrument, is noth-
ing but a local proposition, but the Steinway ranks
first in the world of music'"
The great Eastman School of Music in Rochester
is headed by Howard Hanson, the distinguished
American composer, who writes: "Our experience
with these pianos, in regard to tone quality, respon-
siveness of action and last but not least, durability,
lias been eminently satisfactory. Notwithstanding the
very hard usage to which your pianos are necessarily
subjected in our school, they always give perfect sat-
isfaction."
Mr. Carl Kinsey, president of the Chicago Musical
College, Rudolph Ganz, director, expresses his appre-
ciation of the Steinway pianos in the following words:
"We know of no other piano with so beautiful and
noble a tone as the Steinway, nor one that has so
much physical strength and endurance."
PRESIDENT HEATON'S
AIRPLANE TRIP
The "air minded" president of the National Asso-
ciation of Music Merchants, Otto B. Heaton, "hopped
off" from his home city, Columbus, Ohio, last month
for a visit to several cities in the mid-west. He made
the trip as the guest of R. H. Schryver, president of
the Metal Aircraft Corp. in one of their new all-metal
8-passenger Flamingo planes, and as the invitation
came at a moment's notice, Mr. Heaton made the
trip sans baggage, even a tooth brush, to use his own
expression in telling the story.
The cities visited included Indianapolis, Kansas
City, St. Louis and Cincinnati. The schedule of stops
was so fast that an opportunity for paying visits to
members of the music industry was available in only
one city, Kansas City, but President Heaton called
on three members of the trade there.
It is possible that President Heaton may make
other trips of a similar nature later this season and
if so he will plan to visit the trade in cities wherever
possible.
THE NEW HAMILTON UPRIGHT.
In announcing the Hamilton upright model 235,
Sheraton period design piano, the Baldwin Piano Co..
Cincinnati, declares it a masterpiece, saying: "Baldwin
draws aside the curtain to the new season and dis-
closes the newest production of its Hamilton factory
craftsmen. This new Hamilton is a beautiful small
piano that combines an unexcelled richness and re-
sonance of tone with durability of construction. It is
a quality instrument throughout, with all the features
for which the Hamilton piano is famous. It is a
beautiful piece of furniture, following a design by
Sheraton. Its dimensions are: Height, 4 feet; width,
4 feet 11'4 inches; depth. 2 feet J/. inch. Walnut
(only).
SCHULZ GRAND FOR BROADCASTING
Chenoweth & Grten, prominent music dealers of
Enid, Okla., are justly proud of a deal they made
recently in selling an M. Schulz grand piano to the
Hotel Youngblood in that city for the use of the
Youngblood Hotel Orchestra, whose music is regu-
larly broadcast by radio to all parts of the country.
The music of this fine piano thereby goes out far
and wide, bringing pleasure to thousands. Boyd
Schreftler is director of the broadcasting orchestra
which uses the Schulz instrument for its accompani-
ments.
MOVING
PROBLEMS
SOLVED
by the
SELF-
LIFTING
PIANO
TRUCK
CO.
Write for a copy to
Self-Lifting Piano
Truck Co.
FINDLAY, OHIO
There is a noticeable change in the piano business,
and dealers as a whole report conditions very much
improved over the month of July. August, while very
hot, with the thermometer around 90 during the early
part of the month, showed a marked improvement
over July, and present conditions are satisfactory, with
prospects looking good. Many of the present pros-
pects are anticipating early purchases, according to
reports from the leading music houses, and dealers
are very optimistic.
The House of Baldwin is enjoying one of the best
runs on Baldwin grands in several years. Sales are
made on shorter time, with substantial down pay-
ments. Last week the usual Baldwin display at the
Indiana State Fair attracted large crowds, resulting
in some very good business. The entire line of pianos
made by the Baldwin company was on display, ar-
ranged in a very attractive booth with plenty of pub-
licity literature for distribution. Crowds gathered at
the display all during the day and evening and many
prospects were received. The display was an unusual
success. Colonial styles are moving well with some
demand for period models.
The Pearson Piano Co. notes an improvement in
business, with high grade pianos leading in sales.
August showed a big improvement over July and
prospects are encouraging.
J. L. Gormly, traveling representative for the Lester
Piano Co., Philadelphia, was interviewed by the
Presto-Times correspondent, and Mr. Gormly says
there is a decided change for the better in business
conditions. Mr. Gormly was working east from the
west coast. He found business conditions much im-
proved in the western states. The same report was
given for the mid-western states, where a decided
change in business has taken place, with signs of im-
provement on every side.
The Wilking Music Co. announce better conditions
with sales showing a decided improvement in the last
month.
One of the new arrivals from the Wurlitzer factory
is the new Duncan Phyfe, an early American period
model in the Apollo piano.
Frank Wilking returned last week from a trip
through the East, including New York City.
Thomas Riddick, general manager of the Philip
Werlein, Ltd., of New Orleans, La., was a visitor at
the Wilking store last week.
Much attention is being attracted by an unique
display in the window of the Marion Music Co. where
a Parlor Gem square piano, built more than one hun-
dred years ago, is being displayed in comparison with
one of the new Schumann grand pianos. A placard
announcing the "infant of 1805 and infant of 1930"
has been arranged on the square piano in order to
draw the attention of the passersby. The case of the
old instrument is in perfect state and the tone is very
good considering the age of the octagon-leg master-
piece. The original stool has been preserved and is
on display.
Business is reported very good by the Marion Music
Co. with prospects for the future encouraging. Grands
especially are selling well, with substantial payments
down and short time notes.
DID PREACHER PURLOIN PIANO?
If stealing a piece of sheet music is niching, what
would be the word for appropriating a piano without
the legal right to remove it, if not purloining? Any-
way, after a split in his congregation, the Rev. George
Short, pastor of the Church of the First Born, Misha-
waka, Ind., was arrested last month, charged with
stealing a piano from the church, as was also George
Friend, who is a friend of the pastor. The church
might split, but the piano couldn't be split and still
retain its musical powers, so the pastor perhaps
thought it would have to be taken whole for the bene-
fit of the faction supporting him. Anyway, the police
found the piano at the pastor's home.
FUN FOR THE PIANO CLUB
On Monday, Sept. 15. I'resto-Times' day of publi-
cation, the Piano Club of Chicago is enpoying an
entertainment by Carle A. Christensen, son of the
famous entertainer, Axel Christensen. Young Mr.
Christensen was a co-star with his father at the
Winona Lake, Ind., camp meeting the first week in
September—a place made famous by Billy Sunday
and other speakers and by song leaders like Homer
Rodeheaver. Carle Christensen has the reputation
for great versatility, and as his subject is 'Musical
Appreciation," his resourcefulness will have wide
scope. By the way, Axel Christensen's new book,
entitled "Axel Grease," is out of press and is selling
well.
Frank Barry, violin maker at Urbana, Ohio, died
last month.
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).