Scan 33
Musical Courier 1892-05-25: Vol 24 Iss 640, 1892
51 lines. Read by computer on 19 September 2026. Printed page 34. See the scan on archive.org.
1the crucial test, the verification of an ideal, and among renowned instruments we have no doubt that the Conover grand will take its place. This being assured, the position of Chicago as the birthplace and development of an instrument worthy of admission to the charmed and select circle is but a question of a brief period.
3Such success as this enterprise deserves will no doubt follow its inception. Pioneers should be recognized as the forerunners of a brighter future, and the Conover piano will unquestionably secure this honorable distinction in the able government of the Chicago Cottage Organ Company.
5About Philadelphia.
7S. STEWART, the manufacturer of the Stewart banjos, has now ready for sale his complete and revised "American Banjo School," beyond question the finest work on this instrument ever published.
9It contains cuts showing positions on the finger board for different changes, also cuts of every part of the banjo, and is in fact what the name would imply—an instructor.
11The book is full of choice studies suitable for beginners and advanced pupils, also some 50 pages of popular banjo music.
13The Excelsior Drum Works are out with their campaign catalogue containing many new styles. Orders from the West have kept this concern on the jump now for many weeks. As the time draws near for the coming political campaign the country bands and fife and drum corps are on the alert and the demand for drums is steady.
15E. J. Ditson & Co., who have been repairing and enlarging their store, are putting in the electric lights which will complete their appointments.
17They have certainly made a most elegant and commodious storeroom of 1229 Chestnut street.
19After some pretty sharp competition Ben Owens secured the order for a Weber mahogany case parlor grand to be placed in the elegant rooms of the Turf Club, recently organized. As this club is one of the bon ton society affairs of Philadelphia, Mr. Owens naturally feels proud of his success, and is delighted that the Weber instruments are securing the recognition their eminent worth entitles them to.
21Blasius & Sons have a piano of their make which has been sent out for two trips on the observation car of the Pennsylvania Railroad, traveling thousands and thousands of miles in connection with the Pennsylvania Golden Gate tour through Mexico and the United States. This instrument seems little the worse for its journey and comes back in remarkably good shape and tune, a telling testimonial, it would seem, to the durability of the pianos made by this firm.
23It was noted in THE MUSICAL COURIER of recent date that Blasius & Sons had secured a portion of the Brighton Mills Building, which would be used in connection with their present factory. To their disappointment this fell through and they have been obliged to secure temporary quarters elsewhere. It is only a question of short time now when all conjecture regarding the new factory will be at an end, and once under way it will be pushed rapidly to completion, and none too soon, for the immense amount of advertising which has been given the Blasius piano during the past few months has made the present output of their factory totally inadequate to the demand.
25At a recent concert given in this city a most unusual and singular precedent was established in allowing two pianos of different makes to be used by different artists.
27This opens the way for an unlimited number of instruments, all of different makes, to be used on the same occasion, and the time is not far distant probably when the Philadelphian will notice on the platform of the concert room an array of pianos representing everything handled in Philadelphia from a Steinway to a Swick, as all artist on the program will insist upon rendering their solos or having their accompaniments played upon the piano they have been importuned to use—and yet Philadelphia is called slow and doesn't want the trolley system.
29E. J. Albert, the violin dealer, was in New York Monday bidding adieu to Mr. Nicolini and Mrs. Patti, with both of whom he has the honor of a personal friendship. This friendship has proved to Mr. Albert of intrinsic value, for Mr. Nicolini desired purchasing a violin before returning to Europe, and without hesitation selected from Mr. Albert's stock one valued at $1,000, and which so well accorded with Mrs. Patti's voice that it will be used for obligatos at her concerts hereafter.
31There is great sympathy from all members of Piano Row extended to Mr. Wm. G. Fischer, who was so unfortunate as to lose by death his wife two weeks ago. Although Mrs. Fischer had been something of an invalid for many years her demise came as a shock to the family, as but a few hours previous she seemed in usual health and bright spirits.
33Charles Blasius, who has been sojourning at Atlantic City, spent the latter part of last week with his sons.
35—Peter Kilian opens a new music store at Pittsfield, Mass.
37The Krakauers.
39MR. DAVID KRAKAUER sails for Europe on Thursday next, May 26, on steamer Columbia, to be gone 15 weeks. This is the first vacation he has had in 25 years, and in celebration of the event he gave a farewell spread to the employees of Krakauer Brothers on Saturday. The men were surprised to hear the whistle blow at 3 P. M. and were still more surprised when the superintendent requested them to assemble in the wareroom. Upon entering the room they found that it had been cleared of pianos, &c., tables set up and a fine lunch spread, which was accompanied with a seemingly inexhaustible supply of lager. In a few words the superintendent informed the men of the nature of the event and invited them to partake with the compliments and best wishes of the firm. Over 100 men were present and the afternoon passed joyously, everyone enjoying the very pleasant occasion.
41The heads of the various departments extemporized any amount of nice speeches, and we are proud to say that the enthusiasm was really extraordinary. Mr. Krakauer and the rest of the firm were carried bodily and placed upon an extempore platform made of a beer keg, and each one had to speak. The men, appreciating as they do the steady and unrestricted working system of Krakauer Brothers, made numerous manifestations of loyalty, also assuring them that the "Krakauer" piano will receive the same careful attention in the future that has characterized it heretofore with the aid of Mr. D. Krakauer.
43Mr. Krakauer takes this occasion to bid his friends and esteemed patrons and contemporaries farewell, and trusts to return with renewed health and vigor to help his colleagues in prosecuting the making of the Krakauer to the topmost notch.
45He leaves after one of the most prosperous seasons the firm has ever enjoyed, and with prospects for the steady continuance of the same, for since January 1, 1892, they have not had one single piano to spare. Their orders in the past eight weeks have aggregated over 300 pianos.
47THE MUSICAL COURIER wishes Mr. Krakauer bon voyage, and hopes that when he returns he will be ready to make more pianos than ever.
49—The piano store of E. C. Albertson, Bridgeton, N. J., was robbed on Friday night of $24 cash and a note of $100. Mr. Albertson forgot to close the safe combination. The thieves did not steal any piano.
50—The branch house at Renovo, Pa., of Fisk, Krimm & Co., Williamsport, will be managed by H. D. Auchenbach.
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