Books › Ayars, Contributions to the Art of Music in America by the Music Industries of Boston (1937) — the Squier, Farley, Rettberg, Rockwell and Elias Howe matter, 1937 › scan 307
Scan 307
Ayars, Contributions to the Art of Music in America by the Music Industries of Boston (1937) — the Squier, Farley, Rettberg, Rockwell and Elias Howe matter, 1937
29 lines. Read by computer on 27 September 2026. Printed page 281. See the scan on archive.org.
1Some Instruments by Greater Boston Makers and Some of Historical Importance by European Makers
3With the Places Where They May Be Seen or Heard
5NOTE—Instruments marked with a dagger (†) have been seen by the writer but not examined. Instruments marked with an asterisk (*) have been examined by the writer.
7Spinets
9† SPINNET inscribed "Samuel Blyth Salem, Massachusetts, Fecit." Made in 1784.
10In Essex Institute, [address hidden], Salem, Mass. Open daily 9-5 p.m. Location [address hidden] [address hidden]. No. 1575.
11Pine case stained, triangular shape with three legs, compass about 4 1/2 octaves.
12An illustration of this instrument is given in Artists and Craftsmen of Essex County opp. p. 29; also in Early Keyboard Instruments from Their Beginnings to the Year 1820 by Philip James on the plate opp. p. 112.
14Pianofortes
16EUROPEAN MAKE
18† UPRIGHT CHAMBER PIANOFORTE made in England and believed to be the first upright pianoforte ever made.
19At the New England Conservatory of Music, [address hidden], Boston, Mass.
20Case is of satinwood, inlaid with walnut, amboyna, and other woods. Tuning pins are below the keyboard behind doors opening like a cabinet. "This instrument was at one time the property of Lady Morgan of London. It has been exhibited many times in Great Britain, and is one of the most valuable pianofortes known."
22† SQUARE PIANOFORTE made in London by Christopher Ganer for Princess Amelia, youngest daughter of King George III.
23At the New England Conservatory of Music, [address hidden], Boston, Mass.
24This instrument was brought for tuning and repair to John Gould, a cabinet maker, with whom Jonas Chickering was serving his last year of apprenticeship at the age of 19. This work aroused his interest in pianofortes. The 5 octave keyboard took two-thirds of the length of the instrument. At a later date organ pipes and bellows were added to the pianoforte and placed in the body of the instrument under the strings.
25An illustration of this is in "Achievement An Ascending Scale Being A Short History of the House of Chickering & Sons."
27SQUARE VIENNESE pianoforte used by Ludwig van Beethoven in scoring his "Eroica Symphony." Has a wooden frame.
28To see apply to M. Steinert & Sons Company, Inc., [address hidden], Boston, Mass.
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.