Presto

Oct.-Nov., 1935
Charles E. Howe Joins Wilking
Announcement is made by the Wilking Music Com-
pany. Indianapolis, Ind., that Charles E. Howe,
widely known piano man, is now associated with the
Wilking Company, and that his activities will be
largely in connection with Wurlitzer piano sales expan-
sion in the Wilking ter-
ritory, which covers a
large part of the state
of Indiana. Mr. Howe
has long been associat-
ed with sales of the
Wurlitzer line of pianos
and he will be a valu-
able unit in the Wilk-
ing organization. This
intimate
acquaintance
with the Wurlitzer piano
line and Wurlitzer sales
will help to make close
contact between Wur-
litzer customers and the
Wilking Piano Compa-
CHARLES E. HOWE
ny, of profit and advan-
tage to all concerned.
In talking with a representative of Presto-Times
recently Mr. Howe said he had for a long time been
intensely interested in the work Mr. Frank Wilking
is doing at Indianapolis and through the territory on
which he has agency franchise on the pianos of the
Wurlitzer Grand Piano Company. To quote Mr.
Howe: "I have often looked forward to a time when
I could be associated with Mr. Wilking in his piano
selling operations and assist him in his endeavors to
properly represent the piano agencies entrusted to
him. So when the proposition to join with Mr.
Wilking was proposed, whereby I could make my
headquarters'and operate from the Indianapolis store
of the Wilking Music Company, I was much pleased,
knowing that my long association with Mr. Wilking
would give me an opportunity for the line of work I
have long desired. I am planning a series of cam-
paigns which will feature Wurlitzer sales, and our
mutual cooperation will be a great asset for all inter-
ested in Mr. Wilking's selling plans."
Presto-Times is advised that Mr. Howe will have
charge of the concert and entertainment work and
publicity features of the Wilking Music Company, a
position which lie is peculiarly fitted to fill with
satisfaction to all concerned.
John J. Buttell Joins Wurlitzer as
Pacific Coast Representative
PRESTO-TIMES
A NEW MODIFIED UPRIGHT
Here comes another of the modified upright class of
pianos to greet the American music trade. This one,
named the "Vertiforte," the product of the Weaver
Piano Company, Inc., York, Pa., manufacturers of the
Weaver and York pianos. This instrument, illustra-
tion of which is herewith shown, is 53 inches in height;
the length 61 inches, and depth 28 inches. The manu-
facturers state in their circular to the trade that the
tone, which has been highly developed in the Weaver
and York pianos, is not sacrificed in the Vertiforte but,
rather, is amplified. Further on, the manufacturers
say of the Vertiforte that it is quite different from
other instruments of this class in that "form follows
function." This new model, which was designed and
constructed in the Weaver Piano Company factory,
York, Pa., will interest the trade.
"A TWENTIETH CENTURY PIANO; LOVELY
TO LOOK AT; LOVELIER TO PLAY"
Boutell's Music Department, Minneapolis, refer to
the Story & Clark new console as the "new twentieth
century piano; lovely to look at; lovelier to play."
11
Data on the Fifty-Dollar Japanese
Toy Piano
Newspapers and other periodicals have recently
referred to a piano which might be introduced in this
country to sell at something like $50. Some of the
radio broadcasters have picked up this morsel story.
"Investigation," says W. P. Mennie, secretary of
the National Piano Manufacturers Association,
"shows that this little Japanese upright, due to
arrive in America about the middle of November, is
a sort of toy instrument. The story is similar to one
brought from the Pacific Coast by a dealer several
months ago, stating that a piano had been adver-
tised there at $95.00. a piano similar to American
instruments selling at $195.00. Upon investigation,
this instrument was found to be a Japanese product;
a little thing, light in weight, light in structure, hav-
ing one string to a note of fifty-live notes, and very
cheaply constructed. The party who was advertising
this instrument was compelled to stop deceiving the
public." Mr. Mennie says that the Japanese consul in
New York City knows nothing of this new piano.
He has given the name of a Chamber of Commerce
in Japan where information may be had and this will
soon be forthcoming in due time.
From another source of information a large Jap-
anese importer in New York said that he had no
information about such a piano. This Japanese im-
porting house stated that "it would be practically
impossible to import an article of this kind, pay the
duty of 45 percent and then freight charges of $20.00
and more and retail the instrument at the prices
named."
Even Walter Winchell in his column of news
broadcast had a treat in sensationalizing "a fifty dollar
piano"; but Walter makes his corrections snappy and
newsy like this, "Oh, but it's just a little thing for
the kid."
NEW MUSIC DEPARTMENT AT BELK'S,
ASHEVILLE
The new music department installed by Mrs.
Corinne Melville, owner of "Melville's for Music,"
Asheville, N. Car., was opened with a dedicatory
festival a few days ago (October 4). Mrs. Melville
is making this department representative of every-
thing that pertains to the best in music and her suc-
cess along this line is marked and her enterprise is
known far and near.
A BUSY PIANO KEY SERVICE
A
visit
to the workship of Victor Nelson, St.
The Lejeal Music Store. Erie, Pa., is "running"
Charles, 111., discloses unusual activity in piano key
pretty largely to radios these days in which line they
That Wurlitzer dealers will not only he benefited
repair work; renewing of piano keys and putting them
maintain an extensive service department.
by the fine character of piano which the Wurlitzer
in as good condition and appearance as when the
Dealer
Arthur
C.
Grafflin,
Inc..
419
N.
Charles
Company is now manufacturing, but also through the
instrument was new, going on at the Nelson shop.
Street, Baltimore, Md., used the forceful argument
high character and qualifications of the contact men
First-class and careful work has brought a remark-
in
their
Spinet
Grand
publicity
that
this
little
grand
who visit them, is well indicated by the type of
able success to Mr. Nelson's business, established for
piano
is
a
perfect
instrument
for
convenient
size
in
traveling representatives with which the wholesale
small apartments as it occupies only the space of a wide-spread operations less than a year ago, although
division is surrounding itself, the latest addition to
Mr. Nelson has devoted his entire commercial and
lounge but its tone is the tone of a grand piano.
which is John J. Buttell, who recently joined Wur-
industrial life to piano making with particular atten-
J.
H.
Everett
of
Bulls
Gap,
Tenn.,
who
is
a
thor-
litzer and is now covering the Pacific Coast States.
tion to the action, hammer and regulating depart-
ough piano tuner and known far and wide in that
ments of this industry.
Mr. Buttell is a man of long experience in the piano
section as an expert in all lines of piano tuning and
industry and widely known throughout the trade. He repair work, also sells a considerable number of
has had the benefit of factory training in various
OPPORTUNITY FOR SALESMEN
pianos during the year. However, he says of a com-
departments, with which has been combined the
The classified advertisement, "Salesmen Wanted,"
petitor's piano that he believes it to be "the best piano
knowledge gained through many years of retail and
in this issue of PRESTO-TIMES, should attract the
of the world."
wholesale piano activity. The association of Mr. But-
attention of salesmen desiring to make profitable and
tell with the Wurlitzer Company is that type of
advantageous association with a great piano selling
combination advantageous to both the dealer and the RECOLLECTIONS OF A TRADE GATHERING organization.
manufacturer.
J. D. McKinney of the Swenson Piano Company,
In a recent interview with Mr. Buttell he said: "The
Hudson's Music Store, Detroit, advertises its lead-
fine quality of piano which the Wurlitzer Company is St. Paul, who was in attendance at the Baldwin deal- ing piano, the Chickeriug, as "America's Oldest Piano
ers' gathering recently held at Minneapolis, is very en-
now making, in conjunction with the policies upon
Low Priced."
which it is being presented, has had a very inspiring thusiastic about what took place, an event which he
effect upon the dealers of the Pacific Coast States, describes as a "school in super-salesmanship."
"I am sure that every one of us who was in at-
and quite naturally I am very happy to be connected
w.th an institution which realizes, as does Wurlitzer, tendance at that meeting went our ways from that
the problems with which the piano industry is con- meeting in a very enthusiastic spirit for carrying on
business," says Mr. McKinney.
fronted and which adopts a type of piano and the type
Mr. McKinney goes on to say that "any company
of program adequate to meet the situation in a most
that goes so extensively into research and experimental
favorable way."
work as does the Baldwin company is not only keep-
ing faith with the public and with its dealers, but is
SOUND ADVICE
J. M. YV.vlic, northwestern representative of the actually anticipating their wants and requirements for
a decade or so to come and equipping itself with the
lialdwin Piano Company, keeps in close touch bv
correspondence as well as in person with his dealers. certain knowledge that when the public demands still
higher standards that Baldwin will be ready and able
In a letter to one of these dealers, a copy of which
to give it to them. The writer has felt all along
is sent to us by that dealer, Mr. Wylie advises this
that Baldwin would be doing some such things, but it
friend in these words: "Now is the time to reaffirm
was through Mr. Sissions' and Mr. Wyman's talks that
your faith in your business and change from defensive
attitude to the offensive in piano selling, for the music I was so deeply impressed to know to just what great
business is moving rapidly to a position where we are extent the company really was planning for demands
due to be 'sitting on the top of the world,' and in the many years hence. This fact could not fail to instill
a great degree of confidence as well as a respect almost
music business there is no substitute for the piano
Sell the piano as an educational instrument and vou of reverence for the company who has gone to such
Protect Your Home
great lengths in order to give the public a product
are sun to win out."
Iron Tuberculosis
of superlative merit."
BUY
The Jenkins Music Company branch at El Dorado,
Kans., which started in business at its present Ioca-
Pearson's, Indianapolis, refers to three piano essen-
CHRISTMAS SEALS
last March, is now moving to larger and better
tials combined in the Steinway as, "Tone, of course";
quarters at 112 West Pine avenue.
then "Plus Durability," and, finally, "Built-in Beauty."
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