Scan 31
Musical Courier 1891-05-13: Vol 22 Iss 586, 1891
87 lines. Read by computer on 19 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 498. See the scan on archive.org.
1"THE MEHLIN."
2A Few Words on the Success of an Epoch Marking Venture.
4FIFTY years ago, twenty-five years ago, even ten years ago, if anyone here in New York had said that in 1890 there would be a great piano factory up near the source of the Mississippi people would have felt sorry for him, and would have treated him gently, thinking that he didn't know any better and that it was an unfortunate thing for his family that he didn't. If he had insisted further in his prognostication that in that wonderful city of Minneapolis would be located not only a piano factory, but a piano factory in which first-class pianos would be made, why these people would have ceased to treat him gently and would have avoided him altogether, and have thought him entirely too insane to be bothered with. Piano making beyond what is called "the East" is an affair of but a decade or little more. In the centennial year we had no pianos from the West, and the entire country out there was worked and controlled by agents for Eastern houses who bought their goods from New York and Boston and Baltimore and Albany.
6Now what a change has come over the whole scene and how greatly and vitally has the whole scheme of piano making in the United States changed! Piano factories commenced to spring up—as things have a habit of springing up—in Chicago, and with the customary push and enterprise of its windy citizens that town now makes pianos in sufficient quantities to have an appreciable effect upon the entire output—at least numerically. Then in greater or less importance came factories in smaller towns just north, east, south and west of Chicago. The entire tendency of the manufacturers throughout that section seems, however, to have been, and, for argument, to still be, the making of as many pianos as they could at as low a cost as the dealers and public would stand. Good pianos continued to go from the East, as good pianos are still wont to do, so that the starting up of a factory in which high grade pianos are made, and starting this factory in a far Northwestern city, was a distinct epoch marking event in our hitherto conservatively local piano making business.
8The factory to which reference is made is of course the "Mehlin," run by the Century Piano Company. The effect that its establishment has already had upon the trade in the West is so well known that it need not be again referred to here. It has stimulated all the factories immediately east of it to better work, and has set a standard of Western pianos that it is no easy task for others to reach.
10Our readers are by this time fairly familiar with the exterior appearance of the factory, a small cut of which can be seen on another page. The building stands on the bank of the Mississippi River, in the best part of the city, immediately adjoining the exposition buildings. It is 100 feet by 100 feet in dimensions, five stories high, lighted by electricity, steam heated and fitted up with the most modern machinery, much of which was made especially for the Century Piano Company after plans of Mr. Mehlins. Some of the most skilled workmen were taken on from the New York factory, and Mr. Paul G. Mehlins himself has become a citizen of the Flour City, where he can personally supervise the entire work. He has concluded that in all of his vast experience he has never known of a place better suited to piano making. The location insures a supply of lumber at prices far below those of the East, the other main component parts of the instrument can be obtained near at hand, and only a very few articles have to be purchased in the East.
12It has been found that a very much better piano of a given grade can be made in Minneapolis than in our coast cities, the extreme dryness of the atmosphere enabling wood to be treated in a manner, it is claimed, that renders it far superior to anything turned out elsewhere. On the same principle that a piano made in the winter when the heat of the factory is dry is far superior to one made during the dampness of summer heat, so a piano of a given grade made in the high, dry atmosphere of Minneapolis is superior to one made at a lower altitude and near the seashore.
14The factory at Minneapolis is intended by the Century Piano Company to supply the Southwestern and Northwestern States, while the New York factory continues to supply the East and Southeast. The division has already proved a fortunate strike, as special work can be done in one or the other factory and exchanged between them at a considerable saving of cost.
16The Automaton Piano.
18(no line here) one of two readings
19ILLUSTRATIONS will be found in this issue of THE MUSICAL COURIER representing two views of the automaton piano controlled by a company in this city. Warerooms have been opened for the exhibition of these instruments, which will represent the latest devices for the performances of all kinds of music—popular and classic—written or arranged for the piano.
21The company do not represent any particular make of piano, but put the attachment on any upright which may be selected by the purchaser. The attachment in no wise interferes with the piano, which can be used and played upon just as if it had no attachment to it; neither does it alter in any manner the appearance of the piano.
23Not only is the automaton an innovation in the line of self playing instruments, but it represents one of the most important improvements in this line of modern musical instruments. Every composition played by it has the expression and the tempo selected by the performer, who can alter and change it to suit his taste or his ideas of the work played.
25Instruments of this class unquestionably stimulate a taste for music, particularly for music of the keyed instruments, and will induce many who are not players to secure pianos they would otherwise not purchase.
27Arrangements for territory will be made by the company during the summer months, and we would suggest to the better class of dealers to consult the company without delay. The offices are located at 26 Vesey street.
29Sixty Violins Seized.
30The Government Springs a Sensation in Musical Circles.
32THE Government sprang a big sensation yesterday afternoon.
34Sixty rare musical instruments, mostly violins, belonging to the well-known Von der Hoya family were seized on the charge of having been smuggled into this country. The Von der Hoyas stand well in the musical world. Mrs. Von der Hoya is a pianist and is well known in Savannah, Atlanta and New York. Prof. Von der Hoya, better known as Professor Schultze, is a fine violinist who has taught here for some time. Their son, young Von der Hoya, is a most promising violinist. He has had the very best education, and was the favorite pupil of some of the great masters of London and Germany. About a year ago he gave some concerts in Savannah.
36The Government's officials believe that this large collection was smuggled in. This the Von der Hoyas indignantly deny. Recently they advertised in the "Times" that a large collection of old instruments would be on exhibition at Ludden & Bates'. It was through that advertisement the Government's attention was attracted. Yesterday a telegram came from Washington ordering the seizure. The Government, it seems, believes that this will lead up to the discovery of a vast amount of smuggling that has been going on.
38The instruments seized are valued at $20,000, and the duty on them would be over $3,000.
40Prof. Lewis Von der Hoya, of Atlanta, is the chief owner. The Von der Hoyas say that they picked the instruments up from time to time in Europe from musicians when they got hard up. They declare that the duty has been paid on them. The Government thinks that the violins were smuggled over in furniture cases.
42The case will be a sensational one when it comes to trial. Senator Du Bignon, it is stated, represents the Von der Hoyas.—Savannah "Evening Times," May 2.
44The Savannah "Morning News" of May 4, referring to the same subject, publishes the following:
46The customs officials are investigating what they believe to be an undoubted case of smuggling.
48In the custom house is a collection of 60 violins, recently brought to this country by Prof. L. Von der Hoya, of Atlanta. The instruments are valued at $20,000. They were picked up in Europe by members of the Von der Hoya family, two of whom, Professor and Mrs. Von der Hoya, live in Savannah and stand high in musical circles, not only here but elsewhere, and are well known in Europe.
50The collection is composed of rare instruments, some of which are of great age and bear official seals. One violin is valued at $500, and a viola in the collection is valued at $3,000. The duty on the instruments, which were passed through the New York custom house packed in clothing, is 25 per cent. The collection is held in the custom house here in the original cases by order of the Treasury Department.
52Professor Von der Hoya was asked for a statement yesterday in regard to the seizure. He declined to talk on the subject, saying that his lawyer had told him to keep silent until the case has been brought before the courts. Ex-Senator Du Bignon is the Von der Hoyas' attorney.
54An account of the seizure was published in last week's MUSICAL COURIER.
56Among the violins is a George Gemünder (Astoria) "1887." The instruments were packed in German furniture and classified as "household effects." Smuggling of violins, 'cellos and violas has been going on right here in New York and over in Jersey. In addition to this several musicians have been in the habit of bringing instruments over for the account of a certain dealer and swearing that they were "tools of trade," when in reality they did not belong to them. One is a prominent solo violinist. In the interests of honest trade and general morality the Government should be assisted in bringing the frauds into court.
58Fires.
60Guernsey's Piano Factory Destroyed.
61Scranton "Truth" of May 4 publishes the following account of the fire at the piano factory of Guernsey Brothers:
63The fire alarm sounded at 3:10 this morning from box 66 was for a fire that originated in Guernsey Brothers' piano factory in Green Ridge. Persons who first reached the scene of the fire say that it started in the basement of the building. The factory was a frame structure 36×58 feet in dimensions and two stories high. It contained 44 pianos and three organs, besides tools, machinery, expensive lumber and all things necessary to the equipment of a first-class piano factory. The building and contents were consumed and it was with the utmost difficulty that General Phinney and Niagara Engine companies, who responded to the alarm, saved the buildings on either side of the burning factory.
65The origin of the fire is a mystery. The only fire in the building was in the drying room, where a temperature of 160° is constantly maintained. There was no fire in the basement where the flames were first seen. The factory was swept daily at 4 o'clock. These sweepings were burned, and whatever shavings were made after that hour were swept up and placed in a barrel near the door leading to the shipping room. The factory was closed at 6 o'clock each evening. Six weeks ago the watchman at the D. & H. Roundhouse discovered a fire in the building. He broke in the door and found the barrel of shavings on fire. The damage done at that time was slight. A hole was burned in the floor and a piano and piano cover destroyed. Guernsey Brothers congratulated themselves on their lucky escape and said nothing about the fire to insurance agents or anyone else. Since that time, however, they had taken the added precaution to thoroughly soak the barrel of shavings with water before closing the factory for the day. There was a quantity of varnish in the factory, but it was in tightly sealed cans and not near the place where the fire was discovered. Guernsey Brothers estimate their loss at $20,000. The building and contents was insured for $7,500 in companies represented by George H. Birdsall, Norman & More and C. L. Rice, as follows: London Globe, $1,000; Hamburg, $2,000; Merchants, $1,000; Northern, $1,000; Mechanics, $1,250; Western, $1,250.
67The factory was opened in February, 1890, and the pianos made there were first tested at a recital in Guernsey Brothers' music store on the evening of November 15 last. Everything was at present in excellent running order. Fourteen hands were employed and pianos, on which the firm had three valuable patents, were being turned out at the rate of two a week.
69Edna Piano and Organ Company.
70MASSILLON, Ohio, May 10, 1891.
72The entire plant of the old Edna Piano and Organ Company was destroyed by a supposed incendiary fire last night. The total loss is about $1,000, insured for about $2,500 in the Fireman's of Dayton, $1,000 in the North British and $1,000 in the Richland County Mutual.
74The North State Music House (formerly Stone's), at Raleigh, N. C., was destroyed by fire on the evening of May 5. The fire started in a paperhanging establishment above the store.
76A Piano with Each Flat.
78PROPRIETORS of flat houses have been offering all sorts of conveniences with their apartments to attract house hunters for the last two years, until now a woman will not look at a six room flat that is not steam heated, lighted by electricity, possessed of a gas range and a patent refrigerator, decorated in high art tints and adorned with lace window curtains. Consequently nearly every landlord in town is offering all these inducements, and there has been much gray matter wasted in looking up other attractions.
80A young Napoleon in flat architecture, who has just completed a fine looking row of buildings on the West Side in Harlem, has found this attraction and his apartments are going off like the proverbial hot cakes. He has built in the wall of every parlor a good, strong upright piano, just as other landlords build hat racks in the hall and china closets in the dining room. Every woman who goes around to take a look at the apartments jumps for the piano the moment she gets into the front room, and after she has run her fingers up and down the keys and has given the dear old excuse of lack of practice to the janitor for her bad playing she says, "I'll take this flat."
82And take it she does, even if her husband complains that the house is five blocks too far away from the elevated station, and vows that the rent is $10 more than he will ever consent to pay. It is rumored that the lessees of the piano flats have hired a combination music teacher so that they may learn "The Maiden's Prayer" and "Annie Rooney" altogether, and then in the coming summer evenings they will play these gems on 48 pianos at the same time. They will be obliging enough to leave all the windows wide open, and so the Park Commissioners will be spared the expense of hiring a brass band to provide music in Mount Morris Park for the inhabitants of Harlem.—New York "Times."
84—A new company has been organized in this city which will do business under the name of the "Home Music Company." It is composed of the firm of Wilson, Humphreys & Co., associated with Prof. W. T. Giffe, and its purpose is to publish music books, sheet music and a monthly musical journal, which will be edited by Professor Giffe.—Logansport "Reporter."
86—Jacob Kaiser, manager of the music store of Driggs & Smith, was 21 years old yesterday. A half dozen of his New Haven chums remembered it and called at his home on Central avenue, bringing handsome presents and remaining through the evening. The Waterbury Banjo Club, in which Mr. Kaiser is a mandolin player, and several other of his musical friends also put in an appearance, and there was a fine musical entertainment and great social enjoyment.—Waterbury "American."
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.