International Arcade Museum Library

Presto

Issue: 1920 1752

Presto - 1920 1752 - Page 23 – Presented by the International Arcade Museum (IAM)

February 19, 1920. EXHIBITS AT THE MUSIC SHOW This list, unavoidably delayed in transmission, is supplementary to one printed in last week's Presto. M. Welte & Son. E. Paul Hamilton, H. W. Ashmore and H. Burkhardt did the honors in an efficient way in the booth of M. Welte & Sons. The exhibit included a grand and a cabinet Welte reproducing model. The number of visitors always found in this exhibit proved its attractiveness to the trade and the general public. Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. The Wurlitzer and Kingston playerpianos were shown in the booth of the Rudolph Wurlitzer Co., Cincinnati. A full line of Wurlitzer harps was also shown. The booth was in charge of Alfred R. Spoerl, Mark Weston, R. J. Edwards, Albert Mann, Ernest Stein, Howard Abberlez, Oscar Murray and Frank Apel. Wm. Knabe & Co. In booths 1 to 21 William Knabe & Co., had an exhibit befitting this important branch of the American Piano Co. The history of the piano going back more than three-quarters of a century was told to visitors more by object lessons than by words. But the story of ambition attained lost nothing in the narration in words by the able corps of Knabe Piano and Knabe Ampico enthusiasts who did the honors in the exhibit. Ricca & Son. Ricca & Son, New York, exhibited a full line of its pianos and players in a spacious and well arranged booth. It was a favorite resting place of Ricca & Son dealers. Hugo Ricca, president of the company, was in charge of the exhibit. The C, C. Church Co. The C. C. Church Co., Hartford, Conn., music publishers, had a display with Harry Bernhardt in charge. He was a busy man. It is not so easy to give information on such a volume of sheet music, but Mr. Barnhardt did it. Show Small Instruments. Simson & Frey, Inc., New York City, had Space 115, mezzanine floor. H. Simson was in charge of the display. Simson & Frey, Inc., is manufacturer of small string instruments. "Violins Made in America," is the slogan, and a good one. Mr. Simson said business was very good and that America will make the violins better than any other country in the world. The William J. Ennis Player. The International Piano Manufacturing Co., Fall River, Mass., had an exhibit of its highly attractive playerpianos which are now being produced in steadily increasing quantities. The William J. Ennis playerpiano is the only one manufactured by this company. It has no brothers or sisters. The reputation of the whole company is staked on this one product, as it is built by this company in its entirety. The exhibit was in charge of James Freeman. Otto Higel Co., Inc. In Booth 225, second floor, the Otto Higel Co., Inc., New York City, showed its interesting product to interested people. Otto Higel put in a strenuous week demonstrating the Otto Higel "Player Actions," but he always had the time to stop and cordially greet each visitor to th£ attractive booth. 23 PRESTO courteous manner made all feel at home, and their hospitality was accepted by many buying visitors. Fred Gretch Mfg. Co. Mr. Roth, in charge of this exhibit, was doing the entertaining with a glad hand. Gut,and steel violin, guitar, banjo and mandolin strings were attractively shown, and a good business resulted. The home establishment is at 60 Broadway, Brooklyn, and the business is a big one. General Player Action Co. At Booths 107 to 112, mezzanine floor, there was a large and remarkable exhibition which interested every piano man at the big Music Show. The "perfection of player actions" was the theme of discussion among visitors and the large space wras filled most of the time. What would we have thought of such an industry as the General Player Action Co. only a few years ago? Piano Motors Co. Booth 220, mezzanine floor, contained the interesting display of this industry of Camden, N. J. G. W. Gorman represented the company at the show. He had an instructive exhibit and made many new customers and friends. DeRivas & Harris. In Booth 220, second floor, DeRivas & Harris Mfg. Co., Inc., makers of good pianos for nearly a quarter of a century, and also the makers of the now famous "Tablatone" phonograph, made a fine showing. Not only is the "Tablatone" a high grade phonograph, but it serves also as a library table of artistic designa happy combination of practical value and beauty. Lewis Harris and F. R. Gorman served as the "reception committee." The Chute & Butler Co. In Booth 71, mezzanine floor, the Peru, Indiana, industry had its display, and its representatives presented a polish that attracted crowds. When Presto entered the Chute & Butler booth, filled with buyers, onlookers and friends, he was greeted writh that 101 per cent welcome that puts the essence of good fellowship into one's soul. This same spirit enters into the Chute & Butler instruments. Manager R. H. Bouslog, W. G. Spicer and J. M. Banks had a smile and a grip for all who entered. Mr. Bouslog was later called back to Peru by the sorry news of the factory fire. Standard Pneumatic Action Co. Manufacturers, retailers and consumers of pianos should know a lot about player actions as a result of their visits to Spaces 113-114, mezzanine floor. They could "see, feel and hear" at this booth. Chas. F. Allen, representing the company, generously and courteously made all feel at home, while Jos. B. Fiala, the superintendent of the factory and a thorough action expert, gave an educational talk on player actions that was worth while. The Autopiano Co. Anyone that knows Paul B. Klugh, and many who don't, are familiar with the great Autopiano Company. Booth 35, main floor, was a center of perpetual interest. As perhaps one of the best advertised and equaJJy admirable products of the New York piano industries, the Autopiano seemed peculiarly well located hi its beautiful booth, where there, was cordial treatment vto all. B. P. Sibley, wholesale representative, was in charge. Kohler & Campbell. The H. W. Yeager Co. The exhibit in Booth 5, main floor, requires only The H. W. Yeager Co., 154 North 11th street, Philadelphia, Pa., had an exhibit of the Aerex Motor a few words. It presented famed products and of Pianoplayer at the show which .was given consid- a kind that can never be overlooked in connection with special enterprise. It was a great display and erable attention. :'• . drew great crowds. Herbert Simpson was doing the B. H. Janssen Piano Co. honors. An artistic booth was Booth 64 on the mezzanine floor. Mr. Janssen, Jr., did not lose a moment but YOSCO BANJOS ARE NEW TYPE. met all who called, and said he was delighted with The L. Yosco Manufacturing Company, Inc., 204 the results of the exhibit. West; Thirty-fourth street, New York, is making a Estey Piano Co. * doable-rim banjo, so constructed as to increase the Estey, "the name of the piano of 50 years of serv- resonance and carrying power and also the quality ice," was given a fine showing by M. Welte & Sons, of the tone. With the double rim, the banjos are Inc., in their spacious Booth 30 on the main floor. made up to a size of fourteen inches. L. Yosco The Estey Piano Co. seemed to act as a magnet and has traveled all over the country with the big musithe crowds at that particular display were continucal shows as a great banjoist and guitar soloist, ous. playing eighteen strings. The Yosco double rim Behr Bros. Piano Co. banjos were used exclusively by Lieut. Ferdinand's Dance Orchestra and Jazz Band throughout the What could any one say in reference to the famous war in Europe. .There is a prosperous future for products of this old firm that has not been said before? W. J. Behr spent considerable time at the the Yosco Manufacturing Company. show, meeting old friends and making new ones. The exhibit was fine. M. Welte & Sons. QualitySupr *t?n a c yEBENew York The display in Booth 31 was full of beauty and interest. Mr. McNally and Mr. Burkhardt, by their NOTES FROM NEWMAN IN NEW YORK SNOWS After the Big Show and Convention, Presto Man Sees Good Accomplished, and the Streets Are Clearing Up. Any music trade man who thought midwinter in New York the "enjoyable time" to hold a convention and music show, has probably changed his mind. While the Show and Convention in a large sense were successful, in many ways, the attendance was not what the beauty and interest of the event deserved. Visitors will always remember the blizzard, at the expense of all else, and thoughts of their own snug firesides may keep them at home when future midwinter affairs beckon. Even yet, with Chicago talking of "30 degrees above," it is as hard to get around in New York as it is to climb to the top of Pike's Peak. Of course, it is unusual, but just the same, it iswell, you know what it is! Nevertheless, and however the Music Show may be viewed "the morning after," we take our hats off to the gentlemen who made it possible. Their heads and hearts were in the right place. To me it was workowing to my "newness," possiblyand the nerve-wracking endeavor to get in formation, due largely to the upset condition created by the storm. Things would have been different, possibly, had we anticipated what we were "up against," and been better prepared. And other things conspired against me. The mails did not function; the express deliveries were slow, and I didn't receive one-tenth enough Prestos to go 'round. Some that were sent by mail I am receiving now! Those that came by express helped; but not enough. I have read about the "rent hogs" of Chicago. What do they call 'em in New York? I dunno, but my hotel bill looks like a country bank statement, though my "room" seems to have been formerly used for a dog pound. It's a small room, not big enough for a piano, or even a phonograph. And it seems to me that every steam pipe in the house centers right here in my little sleeping cabinet. Hell was never hotter, notwithstanding the blizzard just outside. The meals are nothing-for-dollars, and the tips are just a little less than the price of the meals. Outside of that, though, everything is perfectly O. K. And I mention these things only because I know how Presto tries to diversify its topics so as not to seem quite all piano, and not quite what Aleck McDonald calls "obsolete." Ah! I see the streets are being cleared. A piano van has just passed, and I think I saw Fred Lohr sauntering down Fifth avenue a few minutes ago. And there comes Paul Klugh, out of the WaldorfAstoria. He's getting to be a power in the industry, so they tell me. Tomorrow I hope to have clear sailing, with even the street cars to ride in. Up in the Bronx, I am told, the only clear walking is to and from the Piano Club. And if the surface ever gets too far below the snow top, in that vicinity, there will be a tunnel from Southern boulevard to Third avenue. And the piano factory heads will dig it. But the town is still well filled with piano men, and other trade members from the West. I met Mr. Krasberg, of the big phonograph and motor supply industry, of Chicago. He is quite enthusiastic over recent events and his business has grown to such proportions that he is a marked character in the trade. So, too, that remarkable phonograph supply man, Otto Heinemann, who has the credit of being the first really great talking machine supply manufacturer, is equally in evidence. He is sometimes facturler,is equally in evidence. He is what is sometimes termed a "dynamo" in his energetic progress. No phonograph manufacturer lacks knowledge of Mr. Heinemann's industry. Now that things are settling down to "strictly business," every one seems to agree that the outlook is exceptionall good. The supply industries are pushing hard to catch up: The New York retail warerooms seem to be well supplied, and the general opinion is that this will be a good year in all departments of the industry and trade. But equally it is clear that prices will continue to rise, and dealers are lucky if they don't have to pay considerably more before midsummer comes. That's the feeling here. H. S. Newman. MUSIC STORE DESTROYED BY FIRE. Fire at Beaumont, Texas, caused by defective wiring, destroyed the stock of the Texas Music Company, last week, causing a loss of approximately $30,000. The building and other smaller places nearby were damaged to the extent of $5,(XK). 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/

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