Scan 33
Musical Courier 1893-12-27: Vol 27 Iss 720, 1893
47 lines. Read by computer on 21 September 2026. Printed page 34. 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.
1Victorson's Varnish Method.
2MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., December 15, 1888.
3Editors Musical Courier:
4I HAVE been much interested in V. Victorson's articles on varnishing pianos. I think his method would give the woodwork a very hard test going through the hot boxes so many times, but for the varnish part of it I think it a capital idea. The manufacturer would not be obliged to carry such an immense stock for one thing, and the work could be gotten out much quicker.
5In regard to checking, I think there are very queer ideas as to the cause of it, some saying it is "bad fillers" or "improper varnishing" alone. A writer in your issue of December 6 states that he had two pianos standing side by side. The one checked, the other did not. He failed to say whether they were of the same make or not, and that makes a great difference. I have seen cases where a part of the case was all right and other parts of the same case were badly checked. The whole case was finished the same and came out in that condition. How would you account for that? I say it was poor gluing—nothing more. If the manufacturers would chase up their casemaker foreman as much as they do their varnish foreman they would gain something. If they think a varnish foreman can make a varnish that will keep the wood from checking and the veneer from checking on an improperly made case they are much mistaken. We can hold it for a while, but sooner or later it will check and crack and then the varnish foreman catches it.
6In the gluing room I object to the use of oil and beeswax melted together to rub on the caulds and tin plates to keep the glue from sticking, because the veneer absorbs the oil and wax, and beeswax is sure death to any kind of a finish.
7I do not see how anyone that knows anything about the business can blame the wood filler for the checking. The filler might be the cause of the varnish shrinking, but not of the wood checking. Use the best wood filler in the market, because it is finer than any that can be made by hand, unless you use corn starch—and that is too expensive. Do not allow the filler to get fat and use no oil in mixing. Take this filler after it is mixed ready for use, coat a piece of wood, do not rub off, allow it to get dry and see if it does not get dry and very hard.
8I do not like any kind of water stain on veneer, because it raises the grain so, and especially on soft wood and moldings. I use an alcohol stain for moldings and an oil stain for veneer, being very careful not to get in too much oil.
9I believe that the greater part of checking is caused by improper gluing, improper seasoning of the wood and improper care after it is taken out of the press. I have seen a case maker take stuff out of the press, put it on a rack over a large steam box where the temperature was from 110° to 120°, and leave it there until he thought it was dry enough to work up. I think this treatment would cause checking also.
10So, I say again, look after your case maker foremen. We varnish foremen do not like to shoulder all the blame.
11I like the idea of an association of the varnish foremen, and think it would result in an improved finish for pianos. Mr. Victorson would be doing a good work to "set the ball rolling."
12VARNISH FOREMAN.
14Webster Piano Company.
15THE Webster Piano Company is sending to the trade its new catalogue. It is 20 pages in contents, besides a very handsome cover in blue, on which is embossed in silver "The Webster Piano Company." Cuts of pianos are on one page, with description on page opposite. Brevity evidently has been studied in producing this catalogue, with the result that it makes an excellent impression.
16In its introduction the Webster Piano Company says:
17In presenting our annual catalogue to the trade for this year it affords us great pleasure to state that the Webster piano has during the year just closed achieved marked success; and we are to-day assured by our many customers, among whom are the largest buyers in the country, that we are giving as good value as can be found in the United States.
18Our company, composed as it is of men of ample capital, and a complete knowledge of every department in piano making, are enabled to produce the maximum quality at the minimum cost.
19All we ask of you is an opportunity to prove that we can furnish you with a popular and rapidly selling instrument.
20THE WEBSTER PIANO COMPANY.
22The "Emperor" Stradivari Violin.
23THE instrument is in the possession of Mr. G. Haddock, of Newlay Hall, Leeds, and is what is known as a red Strad, so called from the color of its beautiful varnish. Sixty years ago the violin was purchased at Brussels by the late Mr. Andrew Fontaine, and then it found its way to the collection of the eccentric Mr. Joseph Gillott, the steel pen maker, of Birmingham.
24This man had a mania for buying all sorts of curiosities, notably musical instruments. He was quite unable to play any of them, but, relying on the judgment of others, he bought hundreds of violins, violas and violoncellos. They were stacked in cellars and lumber rooms, untouched save by the dust of years which collected on them. On Mr. Gillott's death Mr. George Hart was employed to classify and catalogue for sale this extraordinary collection. There were 50 violoncellos alone, Bergonzi, Amati, Guarneri, Cappa, Grancino, Testore and the products of other renowned workshops.
25Besides the instruments stored at his factory he had several choice specimens in cupboards at his private house at Edgbaston. In his bedroom there was found 16 gems, and among them this beautiful "Emperor," made at Stradivari's best time and dated 1715. When the collection was sold by Messrs. Christie, Mr. Hart, who was a player as well as an expert, secured the violin for himself, selling it some years after to Mr. Haddock. The early history of the instrument is uncertain. Undoubtedly it is a splendid specimen of its great maker's genius.—"Musical Times."
27WANTED—A first-class piano tuner, regulator and fly finisher. Automaton Piano Company, 31 Tenth avenue, New York.
28WANTED—A traveling salesman well acquainted in the trade and having traveled in nearly all parts United States desires position with piano or organ manufacturer. Address, care this office, "Traveling Salesman."
30$5 Less
31Could be charged for our piano, but we'd have to sacrifice something to do it. As it is, the piano's low in price, and our guarantee is valid, solid, rock-bound.
32Claflin Piano Co.,
33517-523 West 45th St.,
34New York.
36BRIGGS PIANO CO.
37New Style. Large Scale.
38Rosewood Finish.
39Figured Walnut.
40Mahogany.
41HEIGHT, 4 feet 9 inches. WIDTH, 5 feet 4 inches.
42DEPTH, 2 feet, 3 1/2 inches.
43This Piano embodies the very latest Improvements practicable to piano construction.
44BRIGGS PIANO CO.,
45621 ALBANY STREET,
46BOSTON, MASS.
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