Scan 21
Musical Courier 1891-09-30: Vol 23 Iss 606, 1891
107 lines. Read by computer on 19 September 2026. Printed page 370. See the scan on archive.org.
A town on its own line is one of the directory's headings. That is where the town on a maker's page comes from.
1PNEUMATIC SYMPHONY.
3Wilcox & White Organ Company.
5The success of the remarkable pneumatic symphony made by the Wilcox & White Organ Company, of Meriden, Conn., has had a sympathetic effect in all the departments of that company's factory, and the condition of the establishments portends a fall trade not hitherto experienced by the company.
7The Oliver Ditson Company, of Boston, took hold of the Wilcox & White self playing pneumatic symphony about six months ago and their last order, given a few days ago, was for 17 of the large sized instruments.
9We quote from a Boston paper a reference to the business, which reads as follows:
11Seen on Washington Street.
13A large and animated crowd is now daily to be encountered on Washington street, between Winter and Temple place. The cause of this unusual gathering is the remarkable display of musical instruments in the great front windows of Oliver Ditson Company's store. Perhaps it is not too much to say that such a window exhibition has never been seen in this city. The windows have a frontage of 75 feet and contain 3 of the finest Decker Brothers' pianos, 2 of the celebrated Conover pianos, 2 Shoninger pianos and 2 of the wonderful self playing symphonies (or the automatic organs) of the Wilcox & White Organ Company. Grouped around these 10 great instruments are numerous smaller musical pieces—violins, guitars, banjos, mandolins, &c.—from the extensive warerooms of John C. Haynes & Co., on the third floor. The piano warerooms are located on the second floor of the building and are well worthy of a special visit.
15As to the particular pneumatic symphony, an article contributed to these columns by Dr. Erichsen, of Detroit, is worthy of careful perusal and its criticism is noteworthy, coming from such a source:
17A Musical Wonder.
19Those who have scanned over the advertisements of THE MUSICAL COURIER (and let me say right here that those who have not acquired the habit had better do so, or they will miss much valuable information) have undoubtedly noticed from time to time an advertisement of the Wilcox & White pneumatic symphony, a self playing organ of the highest order. I had not thought it possible that so perfect a mechanical instrument could be produced, and was positively astounded when I heard it for the first time. Compact in form, beautiful in design of case and reasonable in price, it will certainly come into general use. There is a popular prejudice against mechanical instruments of all kinds that should not be extended to this, as the effects produced by it cannot be equaled on any other reed organ, at least of its size. Its tone is surprisingly pure and beautiful, its voicing exceptionally fine, and its number and variety of stops admit of many orchestral effects. The flute toned stops and the soft string tones are of excellent quality and pleasing effect. Each stop has its characteristic quality, and the clarionet preserves the peculiar wooden character of the original.
21I could scarcely credit such a mellow and sonorous tone as coming from a reed. As a solo instrument, the beauty of the individual stops, kaleidoscopic effects of the various combinations and the harmonious blending of the whole instrument render it worthy of every encomium it has received.
23For a private music room I do not know of a more satisfactory instrument. As an article of furniture it is extremely handsome, and taking up comparatively little room renders it peculiarly desirable where limited space is an object. Although a recent invention, its claims for entire fitness for general as well as church and lodge use are sustained by the unusually prompt and unreserved approval of the most eminent and conservative musicians.
25As an accompaniment to the voice, the pneumatic symphony is unrivaled.
27My leisure hours are frequently employed in treating myself to the gems of the great masters in music, and I consider the instrument not only a source of infinite delight but a great educator, which is constantly increasing my knowledge of the divine art. I have not tried to speak in detail of its many good and distinguishing qualities, and will only add my confident belief in a grand and successful future for this novel and beautiful instrument.
29DETROIT, Mich.
30H. ERICHSEN, M. D.
32" Hoyt Brothers, Piano Brokers," is the style of a new concern that has just opened a wareroom at No. 19 East Sixteenth street. They intend handling both new and second-hand instruments and to do a general storage and commission business. Mr. Charles Hoyt was for a long time in charge of the piano department of Messrs. Wm. A. Pond & Co.
34Music Publisher Shaw.
36The Court is Asked to Enjoin Him from Making Further Use of His Copyrights, and That They Be Sold for the Benefit of His Creditors.
38A bill in equity was filed in Common Pleas Court No. 1 by the Century Lithographing Company, a corporation under the laws of the State of New Jersey and doing business in this city, against William F. Shaw, individually, and trading as the William F. Shaw Company, publisher of music and musical compositions in this city, and the Central Savings Fund, Trust and Safe Deposit Company.
40The bills set out that prior to June 14, 1890, William F. Shaw had been trading under the firm name, and had made a general assignment to the Central Savings Fund Company, and that on the latter date, in pursuance of a decree in Common Pleas Court No. 4, the trust company reconveyed to the W. F. Shaw Company all its assets which the Shaw Company had previously assigned to the trust company for the benefit of creditors. That on July 3 following, W. F. Shaw, president of the W. F. Shaw Company, made an agreement with the Central Savings Fund, Trust and Safe Deposit Company that title should be taken by the trust company to all the property scheduled in the agreement as security for obligations due by the Shaw Company to its creditors; and that pending the payment of these creditors by the Shaw Company the Shaw Company should have the right to use the copyrights, plates and presses inventoried in the agreement before mentioned, and that upon payment of all the debts the trust company should retransfer to the Shaw Company these copyrights, plates and presses.
42The complainants allege, however, that the W. F. Shaw Company has not complied with the terms of its agreement, has not paid the notes and obligations, and that the following notes, the property of the Century Lithographing Company, are due and unpaid: Three notes for $61.05, due December 28, 1890; January 28 and February 28, 1891; a note for $30.97, due March 3, 1891; three more notes for $61.05, due March 3, March 28 and May 28, 1891; and a note for $31.48, due May 31 last; that the title to the property before mentioned is in the Central Savings Fund, Trust and Safe Deposit Company, and cannot, therefore, be reached by judgment and execution against the makers of paper, and that demand has been made by the plaintiff company upon the trust company to take possession of and sell the property of the Shaw Company, so as to pay the complainants and other creditors of the Shaw Company, which demand has not been complied with; and that meanwhile the Shaw Company is continuing to use the copyright, plates and presses in question, and applying the receipts obtained from their use to purposes foreign to those agreed upon, and that all demands for the performance of the agreement have been met with indifference and refusal.
44The court is therefore asked to order that William F. Shaw and the William F. Shaw Company be enjoined from making further use of the copyrights, plates and presses, and that the Central Savings Fund, Trust and Safe Deposit Company be ordered to take possession of these copyrights, &c., sell them under the supervision of the court, and apply the money thus obtained to the payment of the Shaw Company's debts, for which they are held as security.—Philadelphia "Telegraph."
46The Trade.
48—The Clinton Organ Company, Clinton, Canada, may remove its plant to Wingham, Canada.
50—J. H. Smith, piano tuner and dealer, La Moille, Ia., has removed permanently to Marshalltown, Ia.
52—Mr. E. H. McEwen, with Messrs. Chickering & Sons, lately sold a parlor grand in fancy case to the Marquis de Croise for $2,500.
54—Mr. B. C. Keever, president of the Distin Instrument Factory, Williamsport, Pa., is making a successful business trip in Pennsylvania.
56—F. A. Winter, the Altoona piano and organ dealer, has just sold a Mason & Risch vocalion to the Sacred Heart congregation in that city.
58—The Chase Brothers Company, of Muskegon, have made a great hit with their exhibit at the Grand Rapids fair. George Boltwood had charge of it.
60—Mr. W. J. Broadwell, a well-known newspaper man of Kansas City, whose trade letters have frequently appeared in these columns, spent the past week in this city.
62—If you desire to see a very fine and choice lot of Circassian walnut veneers, go down at once to the storehouse of Isaac I. Cole & Son, the veneer firm, foot of Eighth street and East River.
64—Ruland H. Mayland, a manufacturer of musical instruments at Nos. 331 and 333 Adams street, Brooklyn, reported to the police that an English concertina valued at $300 had mysteriously disappeared from a desk in his office on Friday night.
66—Mr. Albert Ascher, last with the New England Piano Company of New York, has accepted the position of manager of F. G. Smith's branch store at No. 306 Fulton street, Brooklyn, and is as enthusiastic about the Bradbury piano as he ever was.
68—Mr. Arthur A. Ashforth, formerly with Messrs. Chickering & Sons, has returned with his wife from their annual European trip in much better health than when he left here several months ago. It is almost certain that Mr. Ashforth, having served Messrs. Chickering & Sons for some 30 years, will now retire permanently to private life.
70—One of the most popular and best known railroad men on Broadway is George A. Kunkel, who is chief clerk for Samuel Carpenter, general Eastern passenger agent of the Pennsylvania. Mr. Kunkel has been with the company for many years and grew up in the service. He is considered one of the most expert men on ticket business on the street, and his opinion on all matters pertaining to rates, &c., is never disputed.—"Wine and Spirit Review."
72—Messrs. Strich & Zeidler, the young firm of piano makers at 511 East 137th street, are now sufficiently well grounded in the business and have established sufficiently important connections to make their future assured, and they are now in a position to promptly fill all orders that may come to them.
74—Eugene Schart, for many years connected with Lyon & Healy's music house, of Chicago, and who came to this city three years ago for his health, died at his residence on Perry street, in Central Park, South Los Angeles, this morning at 9:30. He leaves a widow and three children. The remains will be interred in this city.—Los Angeles "Express."
76—J. C. Freeman, in charge of the department of violins for a big Chicago music house, is at the Russell. He said yesterday: "The demand for high grade instruments in my line is something wonderful. Even in little towns I find men who will pay from $300 to $2,500 for an instrument that pleases them, and I begin to think that America is a musical nation after all. In Duluth the other day I was called upon by a gentleman who is not much of a musician, playing principally for his own amusement. His wife had an elegant piano, he wanted a fine violin, and coolly planked down $1,500 to get it. Such cases are not rare, and, of course, I'm glad of it."—Detroit "Free Press."
78—It is amusing to see how much Chicago can be surprised at the discovery of such a little thing as this printed in a Chicago exchange: "I noticed that your piano mover here has an eye to business," remarked Frank Colton, a Boston drummer, at the Grand Pacific. "He delivers pianos for a house, and just as long as he is employed by that house he displays the firm's name on his sign. When he goes to another firm to haul a piano he changes the sign, in that way, perhaps, deluding each firm. Perhaps the piano sellers think he has gone to the trouble of fixing up a dray especially to do their hauling, when in reality the dray sign is provided with slides, so that while the words 'fine pianos' are permanent, the name of the firm can be substituted for another. Sharp Chicago idea, that. No doubt it works well, for they are a happy, prosperous set, those piano movers." If the same Chicago paper would put its reporter to investigating how many pianos handled by these cartmen come from the same factory, but bear names to correspond to the changes of the wagon signs, it would do some practical good for its readers and for the legitimate piano trade.
80WANTED—A first-class piano repairer; must understand his business and have knowledge of tuning; state age, salary, &c.; must be well recommended. Address E. F. Droop, Box 84, Washington, D. C.
82FOR SALE!
84A large number of the admirable
86CORNETT PIANOS.
88These instruments are fine examples of the piano maker's art, and will be sold at
90Low Prices and Reasonable Terms
92to the earliest applicants.
94They are made in several sizes, finished in ebony, rosewood or cocobola. Among the stock will be found a series of very handsome walnut, burl and mahogany cases at a small additional cost.
96The tone of the CORNETT PIANO has been commended by highly qualified judges. It is sweet, pure, fluent; sonorous in the bass, ringing in the treble and uniform throughout the register.
98The work is honest and sound, and has none of the charlatan features of the so-dubbed "cheap" piano.
100The dealer who sells the CORNETT PIANO need not fear meeting his customers in the woods after dark.
102A full description and prices of the above pianos may be had from
104THE CORNETT PIANO CO.,
105503-507 W. 21st St.,
106NEW YORK.
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