Scan 31
Musical Courier 1891-11-11: Vol 23 Iss 612, 1891
48 lines. Read by computer on 22 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 564. See the scan on archive.org.
1Farmers as Musicians.
2WEST CHESTER, Pa., November 6, 1891.
3Editors Musical Courier:
4DEAR SIRS—Seeing an article in your last week's edition, headed "Seven Times a Winner," taken from the Phoenixville "Messenger" and knowing if the facts were known as to the awarding of premiums at Chester County Fair, it would place a different aspect on the award, I take the liberty to give facts, as I was an exhibitor and have been for past 10 years. I do not desire the correction made in my interest, but in the interests of first-class manufacturers, whom I have the honor to represent. The committee in this instance had no knowledge whatever of music or musical instruments; they are no exceptions to previous years. While they may be experts in their line, that of farming, yet they are incompetent to judge of musical instruments and have in most cases acknowledged their inability to judge such goods. In view of this state of affairs, I refused the last few years to place my goods in competition. This year I had the Mason & Hamlin organs and Haines Brothers pianos. If I had the Steinway piano the result would have been the same. For two years ago, when the Behr Brothers and Decker Brothers pianos were on exhibition, the same instruments that lay claim to seven times a winner received award. The representative spoken of in your article makes all the capital possible out of a premium, no matter how obtained. I have given you nothing but plain facts which the records will back up. Another item that appeared in "Music and Drama" of October 10, and of interest to music people, states that the H. F. Miller Piano Company have sold concert grands to West Chester Normal School for the past three years, whereas they have only sold some few uprights, the greatest inducement being the low figure. The Normal School have in their audience room, for concerts, lectures, and school purposes, a fine Steinway concert grand piano. Yours truly, W. LEWIS KANE.
6Krakauer Pianos.
7MR. JULIUS KRAKAUER, of the well-known firm of piano manufacturers, Krakauer Brothers, New York, was in the city yesterday, the guest of George C. Pearson, the well-known music dealer. Chatting about the piano manufacturing trade Mr. Krakauer said: "As the world grows older and its civilization progresses the piano manufacturing business assumes colossal proportions. We all manufacture our pianos by our several methods, which are, of course, more or less successful. Many parts of the piano are manufactured by firms who have machinery for the making of these alone. For instance, Alfred Dolge, of Dolgeville, N. Y., makes most all the piano felt and hammers used in this country. Piano hardware and other materials are made by these outside houses, as all piano manufacturers use about the same kind. Of course the successful make of piano depends upon the technical knowledge and talent required to put together the materials and voice the instrument. As in the manufacture of violins, the material used in construction is the same, but the maker puts them together, and if he can do so better than most of other makers he is a success. The piano takes his name and sells.
9"Maple and cherry woods are utilized in the hammers and action, while for other parts of the interior we use white-wood and spruce, timbers that are yielding and pliable. The wire strings are made of the very best quality of steel, manufactured by European houses whose experience of centuries enables them to make a string that defies competition. The McKinley bill put up the price of this article, which cannot be made in America. Ivory and ebony are used in the keys and the style in case varies and changes almost every year. Since the introduction of the upright piano fancy cases have been the rage, manufactured from oak, cherry, walnut, maple, mahogany, rosewood, spruce and even ebony. Then the legs of grand pianos are modeled on different patterns every year. Pianos are often made to suit the architecture and coloring of the music room; as, for instance, Mayor Keith, of Brockton, Mass., sent us a description of a room in his new mansion, where he wished to place a piano and we made him one to suit.
11"Why are pianos cheaper? Because the handwork on them is less, much being done by machinery, and then materials are not so costly. Pianos cost about 50 per cent. of what they did 20 years ago and may get lower yet, though in that case they could not be well made."—Indianapolis "Sentinel."
13Back to Westboro.
14BIRCH & DUNBAR, THE PIANO MANUFACTURERS, LEAVE ILLINOIS AND RETURN HOME.
15MESSRS. BIRCH & DUNBAR, who a little more than three months ago moved their piano business to Amboy, Ill., under the most flattering prospects and encouraged by abundant promises of help and support, will soon be back again in the old Bay State. It seems that they went there under a contract signed by five of the leading members of the local improvement society. A building was to be completed for them by September 14, and financially they were to be helped by loans of $1,000 each to an unlimited amount, by use of the credit of the association and by their co-operation and hearty all round support.
17Instead of a completed factory the building is to-day without heating apparatus, and on this account the uncompleted pianos in the factory have been greatly damaged (the varnish has cracked and the finish is spoiled on wood work). Instead of the financial support so abundantly promised only $1,000 was supplied. This amount would have come due in January next. Instead of waiting until it became due, however, the members put an attachment upon the firm's goods and tried at once to get everything into their hands.
19Competent legal counsel promises that the attachment will not hold, inasmuch as the money was not due. Messrs. Birch & Dunbar will at once leave Amboy and come back East but we are sorry to say not Westboro. Mr. Birch is at Amboy, Mr. Dunbar is in Westboro.
21It seems that this is an old trick and a scheme of the enterprising citizens of Amboy. In the same way they induced a couple of young men to start a grist mill and then forced them from the business that had been established. Another man was induced to build a hotel, but support was withdrawn after the foundation walls had been built. Rather than get deeper in the mire, this man had foresight enough to stop where he was and the uncompleted walls remain as a monument to the cupidity of Amboy's enterprising citizens.
23Messrs. Birch & Dunbar have a chance to escape from the clutches of the "scheme"—for that is what it was from the start—and they are lucky for that chance.
25Mr. Dunbar reports more orders on hand than they can fill. Here is an opportunity for Westboro to gain an industry, if not too late, for a neighboring town with a building already for them to go into seems to hold out its arms to them with better chances of success.—Westboro "Chronotype."
27Ahead of the Times, as Usual.
28This was the title of the paper I started in 1891, which paper subsequently developed into "Music and Drama," which, up to 1898-4, acquired a national reputation through the ability of its writers. Indeed, it acquired such a reputation that some persons have lived on it ever since. [From a Saturday trade paper.]
30THIS kind of delightful anticipation of events generally goes in combination with a bottle of whiskey.
32A Novel Musical Instrument.
33MESSRS. MORRELL & SHAFFENBERG have on the way one of the most unique musical instruments in the world. This is saying a great deal, but nevertheless it is true. In shape, design and pedal movements it is similar to an ordinary cottage organ, but when its treble, bass and mechanical tones are added it is a marvel of symphony greatly resembling a pipe church organ. The instrument is known as the "Philharmonic" and embraces all the qualities of a church organ with the soft, entrancing notes of the flute, the harp, the clarionet and the dulcian. This instrument is the finest ever turned out by the Estey firm, and by Thursday next it can be heard in the music store of Morrell & Shafenberge.—Cumberland "Times." one of two readings
34MESSRS. MORRELL & SHAFENBERG have on the way one of the most unique musical instruments in the world. This is saying a great deal, but nevertheless it is true. In shape, design and pedal movements it is similar to an ordinary cottage organ, but when its treble, bass and mechanical tones are added it is a marvel of symphony greatly resembling a pipe church organ. The instrument is known as the "Philharmonic" and embraces all the qualities of a church organ with the soft, entrancing notes of the flute, the harp, the clarionet and the dulcian. This instrument is the finest ever turned out by the Estey firm, and by Thursday next it can be heard in the music store of Morrell & Shafenberg.—Cumberland "Times." one of two readings
36WANTED—A wide awake piano and organ salesman to represent a manufacturing company on the road to the trade only. In your reply state full particulars. Address, Manufacturers, Box 1,877, N. Y. P. O.
38WANTED—A piano tuner, married man preferred, and one who can play the violin. Address Elmira Music Store, Elmira, N. Y.
40WANTED—A young man who is a good tuner and understands light repairing, varnishing and polishing, desires a steady situation. Address "B.," care THE MUSICAL COURIER.
42"CROWN" PIANOS AND ORGANS.
43All others call theirs the best, so I modestly say that mine are next to the best. In tone, style, finish, quality, durability and salability you will find them good, if not the best. Dealers wanted in unoccupied territory. Send for catalogue and prices, stating terms wanted.
45GEO. P. BENT,
46MANUFACTURER,
47323 to 333 SO. CANAL ST., CHICAGO, U.S.A.
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