Scan 19
Musical Courier 1891-02-18: Vol 22 Iss 574, 1891
122 lines. Read by computer on 22 September 2026. Printed page 164. See the scan on archive.org.
1A TRADE DINNER.
3IT is said that the Piano Manufacturers' Association of New York and Vicinity has decided to give a reception and dinner some time during the end of March at Delmonico's. As guests prominent piano manufacturers outside of New York city are to be invited.
5TROUBLE IN EVANSVILLE.
7WE refer our readers to the Chicago letter in regard to a defalcation involving the firm of C. Schmidt & Co., piano and organ dealers, Evansville, Ind. The Mr. Ritter referred to had as a manager of the firm Oliver Wiggins, who was formerly with Emil Wulschener, of Indianapolis.
9A dispatch to THE MUSICAL COURIER, dated Evansville, February 14, states:
11Editors Musical Courier:
12Ritter defalcation reported at $35,000. Schmidt business in hands of home creditors.
14The amount in which this Schmidt business is involved was not known at the time of going to press.
16It Should be George.
18IN commenting on August Gemünder's taking his sons into partnership, the "Mercantile Times" says: "To-day August Gemünder is recognized as the foremost of living authorities upon violins and violin making. And he has two sons of whom it can honestly be said that they are 'chips of the old block.' They inherit not only Mr. Gemünder's sterling personal qualities but also his science and art, and we are glad to see that he has at last taken them both in partnership, under the firm style of August Gemünder & Sons. Mr. August M. Gemünder and Mr. Rudolph Gemünder, the two sons in question, are well and favorably known to musicians the world over, and there is not the least doubt but they will long maintain for the house the splendid reputation so honorably won by its respected founder."
20Without disparaging the talents of Mr. August Gemünder and his sons, we desire to say to the "Mercantile Times" that the celebrated Gemünder, the violin builder of world renown, is George Gemünder, of Astoria, N. Y. Mr. August Gemünder is a good bass builder, but the great violin artist of the day is George Gemünder.
22George Gemünder.
24IN another column of this issue the attention of violin enthusiasts and the public in general is called to a special advertisement of George Gemünder's art works, viz., violins, violas and 'cellos. Since the great London Exhibition of 1851, and again in Vienna in 1873, George Gemünder's works have demonstrated that they rank in first place among modern productions of their class, and that many of the Italian violins could not be compared to them in tone. For some time a veritable craze to possess and buy only Italian violins seems to have prevailed, but many have found to their sorrow lately what their prejudice against a modern make, combined with their inability to judge violins, has cost them.
26Many of George Gemünder's finest imitations have repeatedly been taken for fine specimens of genuine Italian master works, both in this country and in Europe, and some of the greatest authorities have termed George Gemünder the modern Stradivarius. George Gemünder is the oldest established violin maker living and unquestionably the most experienced of all modern makers, and a thorough judge of the king of instruments, the violin. He is the only living violin maker who has enjoyed the traditions of the Stradivarius school with Vuillaume, and which will be inherited and continued by his sons.
28Connoisseurs and all lovers of fine violins would do well to see the fine collection he has placed for the convenience of the public at 27 Union-sq., New York, and on personal inspection convince themselves to what degree of perfection George Gemünder has brought the art of violin making.
30Merrill Coming.
31(Special Cable to "New York World.")
33LONDON, February 18.
35MR. MERRILL and Miss Smith, accompanied by Miss Robertson, of Lawrence, Mass., will leave Southampton for New York on Thursday next by the steamship Spree.
37They have both received Boston and New York newspapers containing accounts of French's accusations against them, and Mr. Merrill declares that he will make French suffer for his conduct. He states that he has been informed by cable that French has, since the receipt of Miss Smith's first refutation, called at her father's house in Boston and openly charged him (Merrill) with being a married man. Merrill states that he has never been married and is furious over the matter.
39Miss Smith denies emphatically French's story regarding the marriage and says that last June French asked her to marry him secretly in his own study. She emphatically refused. He then produced a bible and told her that if they both placed their hands upon it and swore they were willing to become man and wife that ceremony was just as binding in law as any other. She told him that she did not believe him and was not quite such a fool.
41She says that she received letters from her mother to-day informing her that French had had an interview with her father at their house in Boston, during which he swore that she had taken such an oath, and that from June till October of last year they had lived together as man and wife. She denies this altogether, and asked whether one could believe that any man who had traveled as French had could honestly believe in such a ceremony.
43She states further that before leaving Boston they returned each other's letters and that he kept back some of hers purposely, which he has published, and this, she contends, is but another sample of his villainy.
45Miss Smith admits having acted indiscreetly in going to his house alone, but asserts that he almost hypnotized her. She firmly adheres to the statement that she never acted in an improper manner with French, and says that his story is a deep laid plot to ruin her reputation and bring disgrace on her family in revenge for her breaking off her engagement to him.
47Merrill says he will thrash French on sight, and is going to America for that express purpose.
49A Rare Chance
51To obtain a celebrated George Gemünder violin, viola and 'cello, at a special sale, is now offered for a limited time at moderate prices. They are recognized in Europe and in this country as superior to any other modern makes. A trial will convince the most sceptical. Make no mistake and buy a George Gemünder violin. Gemünder is the oldest established violin maker living. Call and see the fine collection on exhibition, or write for particulars to
53GEORGE GEMÜNDER, JR.,
5427 Union-Sq., New York.
56In Town.
58THE below mentioned members of the trade have been in town since our last issue:
60J. H. Stiff………………………………………Atlanta, Ga.
61O. A. Kimball………….Emerson Piano Company, Boston, Mass.
62Harry Wells………………Emerson Piano Company, Boston, Mass.
63Fredk. Powers………….Emerson Piano Company, Boston, Mass.
64M. W. Guernsey…………………Scranton, Pa.
65Henry Steinert…………………Cincinnati, Ohio.
66E. N. Kimball………….Hallet & Davis Company, Boston, Mass.
67Levi K. Fuller………….Estey Organ Company, Brattleboro, Vt.
68E. D. Buckingham…………………Utica, N. Y.
69E. L. Thayer………….Fort Wayne Organ Company, Fort Wayne, Ind.
70Mr. Suckling………….Suckling & Son, Toronto, Canada.
71Harold Booth………….R. C. Mason & Co., Camden, N. J.
72Edwin H. Droop………….E. F. Droop, Washington, D. C.
73Oscar H. Bollman………….Bollman Brothers Co., St. Louis, Mo.
74R. Lertz………………………..Baltimore, Md.
75J. Cumston…………………Boston, Mass.
77The Trade.
79—Otto Wolz has opened a music store at Belleville, Ill."
80—W. E. Peabody, music dealer, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., has given up his place of business.
81—The New York Music Publishing Company, 9 East Fourteenth-st., lost $1,000 by fire on Sunday night.
82—They have passed the second story of the Nelson piano factory building now in course of erection at Muskegon, Mich.
83—Harlow's music and piano stock, now at 6 Court-st., Binghamton, N. Y., is to be removed to new and large quarters at 94 State-st.
84—F. K. Gower, dealer in musical instruments, Great Falls, N. H., has been burned out "by fire," as our contemporaries would say. No insurance.
85—The Western Cottage Organ Company's workmen, Ottawa, Ill., who had been laid off for some time, went to work again on a nine and a half hours basis on Tuesday last.
86—The Plaza Hotel, at the entrance to Central Park, has just acquired a beautiful enamelled Steinway grand, with artistic hand carved ornaments, decorated in the best and most approved style.
87—"Do you consider this piano any more reliable than the others because it is upright?" inquired the caller. "No, sir," answered the dealer. "Those others are perfectly square."—Bangor "Commercial."
88—The C. J. Whitney Company, of Detroit, are looking about for a large warehouse on Woodward-ave., the principal retail thoroughfare, for the purpose of locating their piano and music business in more adaptable quarters.
89—J. E. Perley has purchased a half interest in Hamlin's Art Emporium and Music House, Emporia, Kan., and the firm will be known as Hamlin & Perley. Mr. Hamlin has been in business about four years and has made a success of it.
90—Trade mark No. 18,943, applying to guitars, banjos, zithers, mandolins and like stringed instruments, has been issued to Max Meyer & Brother Company. Trade mark No. 18,989, applying to musical instruments, has been issued to C. G. Conn.
91—Mr. O. A. Kimball, of the Emerson Piano Company, was in town last week accompanied by Mr. Henry Wells, of the Emerson factory office. Mr. Kimball and Mr. Wells sailed on Saturday for Florida, where they will spend some time together, after which Mr. Kimball will make an extended trip before returning home, Mr. Wells remaining in St. Augustine until he has quite recovered his health.
92—Dayton's piano and organ store at Eureka, Cal., was recently severely damaged by fire.
93—The new president of the Prescott Piano Company, of Concord, N. H., is H. J. Crippen, Esq.
94—J. M. Muir, Plattsmouth, Neb., has opened a repair shop for the repairing and tuning of pianos and organs.
95—Simon & Co., of Ottawa, Ill., will call their Rockford branch the Rockford Music Company (see last week's MUSICAL COURIER).
96—According to a communication from the Colby Piano Company, Erie, they are turning out 25 pianos a week and are behind orders.
97—Lehr's reed organ factory at Twelfth and Elm streets, Easton, Pa., is fast nearing completion. The tower and reservoir were finished Thursday afternoon.
98—Col. William Moore, president of the Everett Piano Company, Boston, and his little daughter recently gave a theatre party to many children at the "Ship Ahoy" performance.
99—Mr. W. W. Kimball has absolutely fought through his recent sickness and is now about again looking after his affairs, though it is probable that he will not run upstairs three at a time for a while.
100—Mr. E. M. Giddings is about to open a new and handsome music emporium at 55 Twelfth-st., Wheeling, W. Va. Pianos, organs, musical merchandise and sheet music will be on sale in variety and in quantity.
101—A. C., La Crosse, Wis.—Why come all this distance to ask who sells the Story & Clark organs at Milwaukee? Mr. Edmund Gram, 207 and 209 Grand-ave., Milwaukee, is the representative.—Eds. MUSICAL COURIER.
102—The report published in an Indiana paper that S. A. Karn, the piano and organ dealer at Fort Wayne, Ind., had removed to Payne, Ohio, is not true. It may have been occasioned by the fact that Mr. Karn sells many instruments in and about Payne.
103—The Charles Parker Company, of Meriden, which runs a large establishment at Yaleville for their wood work, has just begun on a job of 15,000 piano stools of all styles and prices. This is a larger number than there have ever been made in one season before.
104—It is reported that Mr. Bornhoef, of the late firm of Bornhoef & Gollnick, is going to start a retail piano wareroom in Harlem. Mr. Bornhoef has long been known as a funny man—at least, he says himself that he is funny—and probably this is one of his silly jokes.
105—The band at Washington, N. J., has purchased, through Mr. Parsons, of the Needham Organ Company, who kindly furnished them at cost, four new instruments—tenor, tuba and two alto horns. By a subscription they hope to secure a whole new outfit of instruments.
106—D. B. Richardson, the clerk in J. T. Rider's music store, Poughkeepsie, who went to Atlanta, Ga., for the benefit of his health, has written home that he feels very much improved, and intends to give "Davy Crockett" a rousing reception when they visit that city in the spring.
107—The school entertainment in aid of the piano fund at Rockville Centre, Long Island, will take place on Monday evening, the 23d. It will consist of a miscellaneous program of music, elocution, sketches and tableaux, and conclude with an amusing farce entitled "The Quiet Family."
108—We are pleased to notice in the Cambridge, Vt., "Transcript" that Eddie Wilson, of Johnson, has gone to Morrisville to open a music store. Now, Eddie, if the proprietor of that music store catches you trying to open his place of business he may put some buckshot into you.
109—Haines, Foster & Waldo, piano and organ dealers, claim that M. D. Chambers wrongfully detained a Behning piano belonging to them. They have brought suit either to gain possession of the instrument or to get a judgment for $365 and $100 in addition for the detention.—Minneapolis "Tribune."
110—Mr. Karl Fink was in Boston last week and he was also in New York last week. It is probable that he will be in New York this week if he is not in Boston this week. Next week he will probably be in New York or Boston if he is not in Boston or New York. He authorizes us to deny that his portraits are on sale at the news stand at the Adams House.
111—We are pleased to announce that Mr. C. F. Chickering has sufficiently recovered from his long illness to be out again. He was at Chickering Hall one day last week for the first time in several months, and, though considerably altered, he is said to retain much of his old time cheerfulness and to feel confident that he will be quite well again in the spring.
112—Miller Brothers are a new piano and organ house at Halifax, N. S., who handle Canadian goods only thus far. The Karn organs and pianos, made at Woodstock, Ont., and the Evans Brothers pianos, made at Ingersoll, Ont., are the instruments they are selling. We learn that they are enterprising and have ample capital, and they should try some of the goods made this side of the line.
113—George W. Badger, who was a contractor at Steere & Turner's organ manufactory, and later went to Brooklyn and embarked in the manufacture of instrumental pipes for church organs, has moved his household goods there and expects to be settled in Brooklyn very soon. His wife will remain and visit relatives for a few days. Mr. Badger has the best wishes of his friends in his new field.—Springfield "News."
114—We are glad to tell our readers that the firm of Bornhoef & Gollnick, the piano key makers, have dissolved partnership, Mr. Gollnick continuing. Mr. Gollnick is a quiet, conservative, honest man, who is thoroughly practical, and who will win to himself much new trade now that he is no longer hampered by a buffoon. It was only a question of time when this thing would happen, and we congratulate Mr. Gollnick and wish him much success.
115—Last week we referred to the fire at J. W. Burke & Co.'s piano warerooms, Macon, Ga. The "Telegraph" of that city says:
116The entire building and most of the stock of J. W. Burke & Co.'s music store were burned out last Friday. By hard work, about 25 or 30 pianos and organs were carried out in good order. The able and enterprising firm has rented the new store opposite the market on Poplar-st. and will there offer all pianos saved from the fire at specially low prices as soon as the insurance is arranged. Anyone contemplating a purchase will do well to look at this stock. Some of it is perfect and untouched.
117—Smith & Nixon's Fourth-ave. opening occurs in their handsome new warerooms next Thursday and Friday afternoon and evening. Handsome souvenir programs have been prepared and concerts will be rendered both evenings by Louisville's leading soloists. Professor McQuown's full orchestra will render popular programs both days. The new warerooms are the largest and handsomest in the South, and Smith & Nixon add to their popularity by increasing their facilities for handling their very large and growing business.—Louisville "Post," February 11.
118—in a reference to McArthur's music house, Knoxville, the "Journal," of that city, says:
119Before the founding of what has, since its foundation, been recognized as one of the leading business houses of the city, and which is the oldest established music house in East Tennessee, very little was known of the piano and organ business through the medium of the press, but when Mr. McArthur established his music business in Knoxville he let the people of East Tennessee know of its existence, and the large trade now enjoyed by this house can truly be attributed to the fact of its never advertising what it did not have or could not do, and to-day his business stands in the foremost ranks among the reliable and progressive music houses in the United States.
121WANTED TO PURCHASE—The scale and patterns of an upright piano. Must be 7½ octaves, full iron frame and height not to be less than 4 feet 7 inches or more than 4 feet 8 inches. Address Post Office Box 1721, Boston, Mass.
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.