Presto

TED BROWN
Newly Appointed
Steinway Dealer
Tacoma, Wash.
Mr. Ted Brown, of the Ted Brown Music
Company, Taeonia, Washington, leaning on a
Steinway grand, one of a number of Steinway
pianos personally chosen by him as initial stock.
Left to right—standing, Roman de Majcw-
ski, Theodore D. Steinway, and IVm. R. Stein-
way, Ted Brozvn. Seated at the piano, Theo-
dore /:. Steinway, President of Steinwav &
Sons.
PIANO SUPPLY RUNNING
SHORT
BECAUSE OF HEAVY
DEMAND
Interesting Interview Given by William R. Steinway
"Out in the cold world, out in the street,
Begging a piano of each one I meet."
—Parody on Old Jingle.
The threat of a piano famine was added to the world's welter
of woes, present and potential. This nation, in which virtually
all pianos have been produced since the European war got its
second wind more than a year ago, during l ( )40, has nearly readied
its piano production capacity. But the public demand for uprights
and babv grands keeps growing.
This prosperity chord of the .American piano industry was-
struck bv William Steiuwav. for thirty-five vears European man-
ager for his firm when he recently visited L. G. LaMair, president
of I .von & 1 lealv.
"In this country 140,000 pianos will be the sales total for 1940"
predicted Mr. Steinway. "That marks an increase of 27 per cent
over l°o ( ). It is also close to the peak of the industry's produc-
tion capacity, which is not more than 150,000 a year."
Piano Rising in Favor
The piano has risen in favor as the result of growing apprecia-
tion of better music, instilled bv the radio and the phonograph,
according to Mr. Steinwav. That's whv a piano as a Christ-
mas present is no longer looked upon as the height of luxury or
as representing an effort to be high-toned.
Also the dimensions of the instrument have been reduced so
that a fine specimen of baby grand will easily conquer the space
resistance of the smallest flat. And a comparative weakling of
a chap can apply lor a job as a piano mover today and get by on
his personality—not his biceps.
The Piano Is A Morale IVeapon
"The piano is a morale weapon against the bomb and the fight-
ing plane and machine gun." said Mr. Steinwav. who returned
to America after the outbreak of the war. "In subways and other
shelters in London, community singing and concerts are almost
invariably keyed to piano music. Moreover, the perils of the
'blackout' keep millions of people home after dark, and musical
instruments, such as the piano, supplement such music as they
are able to hear via wireless. You know that in most European
countries foreign broadcasts are forbidden."
I\\<;F. TKX
Mr. Steinway was instrumental in presenting a piano for the
bombproof concerts now being conducted in the basement of the
National Galleries in London under the direction of Myra Hess.
Peak Production in 1941
Mr. Steinway thinks production may reach its peak in 1941.
/. IV. JENKINS,
INTERESTINC;
III MAKES
S(U;C;ESTION
The problem of rationing our increasing costs and expenses is
a very tough problem mentioned by J. \\\ lenkins. III. We
quote here a portion of a letter recently received from him.
Jenkins Music Company
Kansas City, Missouri
Dear Mr. 1'engelly:
"We had a very sat:slactorv business in December. As a mat-
ter of fact, it was the largest we have had in over ten years. How-
ever we need more than one December in a year.
"1 am happy to report that a good part of our increase in busi-
ness was in the piano business which, of course, made me per-
sonally feel mighty good.
"I am still definitely of the opinion that it is going to be neces-
sary tor the successful merchant to find new ways and means of
rationing his costs and expenses. The old percentages that we
were taught years ago, don't seem to prove out right with the
present day set-up."
Sincerely yours
JENKINS MUSIC COMPANY
J. W. Jenkins, III
B. F. GARST OPENS PIANO SHOW ROOM
IN DRUG STORE
B. E. Garst. enterprising Wurlit/.er dealer of Guymon, Okla-
homa, recently acquired display space in one of the leading local
drug stores where he will carry a permanent exhibit of ten or
twelve Wurlitzer pianos.
I'RICSTO MUSIC T1MKS
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