Presto
Issue: 1935 2276 - Page 19
June-July, 1935
FRANK WILKING'S
PROGRESS
PRESTO-TIMES
GORDON LAUGHEAD AT HIS NEW
DESK
When Gordon Laughead severed connection with
the Wurlitzer Grand Piano Company, as sales man-
ager, the "Daily Chronicle," published at De Kalb, the
Frank O. Wilking, president of the Wilking Music factory town of Wurlitzer piano manufacturing, told
Company, Indianapolis, Ind., in a hurried motor trip of how, in 1913, Mr. Laughead joined the Melville
to Chicago and a visit to the Wurlitzer factories at Clark Piano Co., which Mr. Clark had established
after his long connection as one of the proprietors of
De Kalb, was in an exceedingly optimistic state of
mind during his short stay in the environs of Chi- the original Story & Clark Organ Co., and at the age
of nineteen was placed in charge of the Melville Clark
cago and vicinity.
Co. store at Detroit, Mich., and later sent to Toledo
The Wilking Company is recognized as one of the to manage that store. The company opened a sales
really aggressive, never-tiring, organizations of the headquarters at New York City and Gordon was put
Middle West, a statement clearly shown by Mr. in charge of that business. Following these mana-
Wilking's success in building up a business which gerial and branch store experiences, he went on the
this year is its tenth anniversary. Mr. Wilking says road for the Q.R.S. Music Roll Co., one of Mr. Clark's
that his business through 1934 showed a volume that enterprises allied to his player piano interests. He
compared favorably with previous years, even dur- soon became general sales manager of the Melville
ing the flush period before the word "depression" had Clark Piano Co., at Chicago, but in 1917 gave up all
come into use by the present generation.
commercial activities to "join the colors" and sailed
Speaking of trade as he finds it today, his expres- for France that year.
sion is, "Business is within what I will term
Continuing its words of praise for Mr. Laughead,
phenomenal and I can't tell you how pleased I am
that trade has taken on such an upward trend. How- the Chronicle says:
"De Kalb made music rolls," says Mr. Laughhead,
ever," he adds, "I received a letter a few days ago
from Harry Freund in which he quoted from Walter "sold in the face of bitter competition because of
Pitkin's late book, 'The Art of Learning,' this sen- the fine character and splendid ability of the workers
tence, 'The piano is passing, thanks to Henry Ford.' under E. G. Clark. De Kalb-built grand pianos have
The most that I can say about this and perhaps all also sold for the same reason. The craftsmen of De
that is needed to be said is that if Mr. Pitkin believes Kalb cannot be praised too highly. Naturally I part
what he writes he must know himself to be about the with a touch of sadness from these old friends, both
biggest 'big story' teller on earth. Nobody will be- men and women."
lieve a scintilla of such a statement as is quoted from
When Mr. Laughead became associated with the
him, and Mr. Pitkin must realize this. However," Story & Clark Piano Co. several weeks ago he re-
says Mr. Wilking, "such utterances, no matter where ferred to his long-time acquaintance with Frank F.
they originate, are demoralizing and harmful and if
Story, president of Story & Clark and at the same
Mr. Pitkin's were not ridiculous I would suggest that
time Mr. Story mentioned Gordon as "a man we
manufacturers and the trade papers take the matter have long desired in the Story & Clark organization."
up and see that the piano is kept on the pedestal it
This acquaintance and friendship indicates more
belongs."
than words express that these ties of business and
Manufacturers of moderately priced pianos as well friendship united will bring splendid results. It is a
as those manufacturing the world's standards, have pleasure for this writer who has known Gordon "from
placed their lines with him whereby the Wilking the start" to join his other friends in extending greet-
Company is planning for important expansion for ings and good-will at his "new desk" in the Story &
its trade this year, to embrace large sections through-
Clark general offices over on Michigan boulevard,
out the entire State of Indiana.
Chicago.
"This plan of expansion," says Mr. Wilking, "has
been quietly and confidentially worked out through WURLITZER CLAIMS INFRINGEMENT OF
the past year and more during which time we have
PATENTS
successfully contacted the best salesmen that could
It is claimed that the Rock-ola Company, Chicago,
be secured from and in various parts of our territory
whereby we can carry on a varied and extensive sell- embodies in its product the principles of improvement
ing operation. We intend that the Wilking Music in automatic phonographs which are owned by the
Company shall be recognized as the largest exclusive Rudolph Wurlitzer Company. These are patents of
piano house of the middle west. The Wilking Com- Charles A. Swanson, and like those of Ralph Utley
pany store at Indianapolis is known far and near as and Homer Capehart, all of which have been acquired
one of the handsomest and perhaps the most unique by the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, are infringe-
ments, as a bill claims, brought against the Rock-ola
and attractive piano emporium of the country."
Company 'by the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company.
Frankly, the founder of this business is an adept
in piano store display and presentation of pianos to
the public. It is his belief that proper display is
absolutely necessary. He also emphasizes the point
that since he incorporated his business ten years ago
he has definitely set out each year to make a special
showing and doing something different to dress up
the piano parlors and salesrooms.
"We had," he said, "an objective each year and
were not content until we had reached the goal.
Styles change, also business methods, and it is the
alert, up-to-date piano merchant that attracts atten-
of
tion and the purchaser." Bravo, Wilking, the cour-
age shown by you calls for great admiration by
everyone associated in the piano business. During
all these years you have dealt exclusively in pianos,
you have been rightfully rewarded for your integrity
with profits that only a real piano man could reap.
Manufactured by
The Wilking Music Co.'s line of pianos are the
Baldwin Piano Co., the Wurlitzer Grand Piano Co.
and the products of Haddorff Piano Co.
Brief Story About a Big Business
HARDMAN-
93 YEARS
Absolute Reliability
HARDMAN, PECK & CO.
SPEEDING UP IN QUALITY; SPEEDING UP
IN SALES
A line from York Band Instrument Company,
Grand Rapids, Mich., responding to an inquiry, in-
forms Presto-Times that the York exhibit at 532-A,
Stevens Hotel, will be in charge of Vice-President
Karl B. Shinkman, who will be happy to welcome
dealers and old friends. Incidentally the improve-
ment in certain phases of the York instruments is
reflected in increased sales all along the line and by
the acquisition of many new dealer accounts. "Busi-
ness has been surprisingly good with us and we are
extremely optimistic over prospects for fall," says
the secretary of the York corporation.
The Sorken Music Company of Philadelphia, Pa.,
has changed its New York office and store to 251
Fourth Ave. The Sorken Company, which is a job-
ber and wholesale concern, is the second large musi-
cal instrument house to locate in the 251 Fourth Ave.
Building.
19
STRAUBE
PIANO
COMPANY
Hammond, Indiana
Continuing the
Manufacture of Grand
and Upright Pianos
Extends an Invitation
to
Dealers and Others Attending
the
Music Trade
Convention
A t Chicago, July 22-24
To Visit
The Straube Exhibit
609 A and 610 A
STEVENS HOTEL
During the Convention
New Location
i
33 WEST 57TH STREET
NEW YORK, N. Y.
HARPS
Factory:
by LYON & HEALY
Hammond, Indiana
This phrase "Harps by Lyon & Healy" could
truthfully appear on 95 out of every 100 programs
played by the world's leading symphony and oper-
atic orchestras. An overwhelming majority that
means sales for the dealers of this famous Harp.
General Offices:
Send for our new illustrated Harp Catalogue free
LYON & HEALY
Wabash at Jackson
First Trust Building, Hammond
Phone Hammond 5147
Chicago
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/
FRANK WILKING'S
PROGRESS
PRESTO-TIMES
GORDON LAUGHEAD AT HIS NEW
DESK
When Gordon Laughead severed connection with
the Wurlitzer Grand Piano Company, as sales man-
ager, the "Daily Chronicle," published at De Kalb, the
Frank O. Wilking, president of the Wilking Music factory town of Wurlitzer piano manufacturing, told
Company, Indianapolis, Ind., in a hurried motor trip of how, in 1913, Mr. Laughead joined the Melville
to Chicago and a visit to the Wurlitzer factories at Clark Piano Co., which Mr. Clark had established
after his long connection as one of the proprietors of
De Kalb, was in an exceedingly optimistic state of
mind during his short stay in the environs of Chi- the original Story & Clark Organ Co., and at the age
of nineteen was placed in charge of the Melville Clark
cago and vicinity.
Co. store at Detroit, Mich., and later sent to Toledo
The Wilking Company is recognized as one of the to manage that store. The company opened a sales
really aggressive, never-tiring, organizations of the headquarters at New York City and Gordon was put
Middle West, a statement clearly shown by Mr. in charge of that business. Following these mana-
Wilking's success in building up a business which gerial and branch store experiences, he went on the
this year is its tenth anniversary. Mr. Wilking says road for the Q.R.S. Music Roll Co., one of Mr. Clark's
that his business through 1934 showed a volume that enterprises allied to his player piano interests. He
compared favorably with previous years, even dur- soon became general sales manager of the Melville
ing the flush period before the word "depression" had Clark Piano Co., at Chicago, but in 1917 gave up all
come into use by the present generation.
commercial activities to "join the colors" and sailed
Speaking of trade as he finds it today, his expres- for France that year.
sion is, "Business is within what I will term
Continuing its words of praise for Mr. Laughead,
phenomenal and I can't tell you how pleased I am
that trade has taken on such an upward trend. How- the Chronicle says:
"De Kalb made music rolls," says Mr. Laughhead,
ever," he adds, "I received a letter a few days ago
from Harry Freund in which he quoted from Walter "sold in the face of bitter competition because of
Pitkin's late book, 'The Art of Learning,' this sen- the fine character and splendid ability of the workers
tence, 'The piano is passing, thanks to Henry Ford.' under E. G. Clark. De Kalb-built grand pianos have
The most that I can say about this and perhaps all also sold for the same reason. The craftsmen of De
that is needed to be said is that if Mr. Pitkin believes Kalb cannot be praised too highly. Naturally I part
what he writes he must know himself to be about the with a touch of sadness from these old friends, both
biggest 'big story' teller on earth. Nobody will be- men and women."
lieve a scintilla of such a statement as is quoted from
When Mr. Laughead became associated with the
him, and Mr. Pitkin must realize this. However," Story & Clark Piano Co. several weeks ago he re-
says Mr. Wilking, "such utterances, no matter where ferred to his long-time acquaintance with Frank F.
they originate, are demoralizing and harmful and if
Story, president of Story & Clark and at the same
Mr. Pitkin's were not ridiculous I would suggest that
time Mr. Story mentioned Gordon as "a man we
manufacturers and the trade papers take the matter have long desired in the Story & Clark organization."
up and see that the piano is kept on the pedestal it
This acquaintance and friendship indicates more
belongs."
than words express that these ties of business and
Manufacturers of moderately priced pianos as well friendship united will bring splendid results. It is a
as those manufacturing the world's standards, have pleasure for this writer who has known Gordon "from
placed their lines with him whereby the Wilking the start" to join his other friends in extending greet-
Company is planning for important expansion for ings and good-will at his "new desk" in the Story &
its trade this year, to embrace large sections through-
Clark general offices over on Michigan boulevard,
out the entire State of Indiana.
Chicago.
"This plan of expansion," says Mr. Wilking, "has
been quietly and confidentially worked out through WURLITZER CLAIMS INFRINGEMENT OF
the past year and more during which time we have
PATENTS
successfully contacted the best salesmen that could
It is claimed that the Rock-ola Company, Chicago,
be secured from and in various parts of our territory
whereby we can carry on a varied and extensive sell- embodies in its product the principles of improvement
ing operation. We intend that the Wilking Music in automatic phonographs which are owned by the
Company shall be recognized as the largest exclusive Rudolph Wurlitzer Company. These are patents of
piano house of the middle west. The Wilking Com- Charles A. Swanson, and like those of Ralph Utley
pany store at Indianapolis is known far and near as and Homer Capehart, all of which have been acquired
one of the handsomest and perhaps the most unique by the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, are infringe-
ments, as a bill claims, brought against the Rock-ola
and attractive piano emporium of the country."
Company 'by the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company.
Frankly, the founder of this business is an adept
in piano store display and presentation of pianos to
the public. It is his belief that proper display is
absolutely necessary. He also emphasizes the point
that since he incorporated his business ten years ago
he has definitely set out each year to make a special
showing and doing something different to dress up
the piano parlors and salesrooms.
"We had," he said, "an objective each year and
were not content until we had reached the goal.
Styles change, also business methods, and it is the
alert, up-to-date piano merchant that attracts atten-
of
tion and the purchaser." Bravo, Wilking, the cour-
age shown by you calls for great admiration by
everyone associated in the piano business. During
all these years you have dealt exclusively in pianos,
you have been rightfully rewarded for your integrity
with profits that only a real piano man could reap.
Manufactured by
The Wilking Music Co.'s line of pianos are the
Baldwin Piano Co., the Wurlitzer Grand Piano Co.
and the products of Haddorff Piano Co.
Brief Story About a Big Business
HARDMAN-
93 YEARS
Absolute Reliability
HARDMAN, PECK & CO.
SPEEDING UP IN QUALITY; SPEEDING UP
IN SALES
A line from York Band Instrument Company,
Grand Rapids, Mich., responding to an inquiry, in-
forms Presto-Times that the York exhibit at 532-A,
Stevens Hotel, will be in charge of Vice-President
Karl B. Shinkman, who will be happy to welcome
dealers and old friends. Incidentally the improve-
ment in certain phases of the York instruments is
reflected in increased sales all along the line and by
the acquisition of many new dealer accounts. "Busi-
ness has been surprisingly good with us and we are
extremely optimistic over prospects for fall," says
the secretary of the York corporation.
The Sorken Music Company of Philadelphia, Pa.,
has changed its New York office and store to 251
Fourth Ave. The Sorken Company, which is a job-
ber and wholesale concern, is the second large musi-
cal instrument house to locate in the 251 Fourth Ave.
Building.
19
STRAUBE
PIANO
COMPANY
Hammond, Indiana
Continuing the
Manufacture of Grand
and Upright Pianos
Extends an Invitation
to
Dealers and Others Attending
the
Music Trade
Convention
A t Chicago, July 22-24
To Visit
The Straube Exhibit
609 A and 610 A
STEVENS HOTEL
During the Convention
New Location
i
33 WEST 57TH STREET
NEW YORK, N. Y.
HARPS
Factory:
by LYON & HEALY
Hammond, Indiana
This phrase "Harps by Lyon & Healy" could
truthfully appear on 95 out of every 100 programs
played by the world's leading symphony and oper-
atic orchestras. An overwhelming majority that
means sales for the dealers of this famous Harp.
General Offices:
Send for our new illustrated Harp Catalogue free
LYON & HEALY
Wabash at Jackson
First Trust Building, Hammond
Phone Hammond 5147
Chicago
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).