Books › Musical instruments at the World's Columbian Exposition : a review of musical instruments, publications and musical instrument supplies of all kinds, exhibited at the World's Columbian Exposition held in Chicago, May 1 to October 31, 1893, and the awards given for these exhibits (from all nations) w, 1895 › scan 224
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Musical instruments at the World's Columbian Exposition : a review of musical instruments, publications and musical instrument supplies of all kinds, exhibited at the World's Columbian Exposition held in Chicago, May 1 to October 31, 1893, and the awards given for these exhibits (from all nations) w, 1895
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1M. Gaveau exhibited three pianos, one grand-square of remarkable volume of tone and beauty, and an upright in walnut of exquisite finish.
3The Steel and Iron Company of Ferminy, exhibited a large frame containing the steel strings manufactured by them and a sample of the steel frames such as some of the leading firms use in their grand-square pianos. The three exhibits last named were separated from the main display and occupied the left side of the section.
5The balance of the French space was occupied by a salon of great dimensions and reserved exclusively for the manufacturers of pianos and organs. In this department were found instruments from the following manufactories:
7MM. Pleyel, Wolff & Co., (9 pianos, including 1 square); M. Gaveau, (3 uprights, 1 square); Lary, Ruch, Gouttiere, Hansen, Bord, A. Thibout & Co., Henri Hertz, Kriegelstein, Labrousse, Aucher, Burgasser, Focke, Girare, Levesque & Thiersen, Vauet; and Mustei, manufacturer of organs. The last named also brought to the view of the public his Celeste, an instrument which met with such favor as to be used in the series of Russian Concerts given in Festival Hall.
9M. Ullmann exhibited his electric piano, which was the source of delight and surprise to the visitors to the French section.
11Cottino & Tailleur, (harmoniums), Gasparini, (organ cylinders); Limonaire Bros., (organ cylinders). M. Saulin also exhibited his harmonicon reed instrument which is adapted to the keyboard of the piano.
13M. Carpentier exhibited his Melotrope, which, placed on the keys of a piano, enables even those who are not performers to execute fine music.
15All of the instruments enumerated were under the direction and surveillance of M. P. W. Dubruel, delegate of the French manufacturers of musical instruments, and representing, in the majority of cases, the manufacturers.
17The following exhibits also attracted much attention:
19MM. J. Thibouville-Lamy & Co. presented a complete collection of instruments—flutes, clarinettes, hautbois, cornets, bugles, trombones, trumpets, tambourines, accordions, helicons, violins, violoncellos, contre basse, guitars, mandolins, etc.,—in fact specimens of all instruments in use were to be found in this exhibit and the display presented a beautiful appearance.
21The display of M. Chevrel was fine and extensive, consisting of wood marquetry and mosaic. The reproduction of the table of Marie Antoinette was a veritable jewel, which cost several years of work and patience to execute.
23The display of MM. Evette & Schaeffer presented a collection of wind instruments the reputation of which was already so great that little could be added.
25Among the pianos of Pleyel, Wolff & Co. was an upright, hand-painted by Tony Faivre, which was a magnificent work of art; another upright Renaissance was handsomely carved by hand. There was also a very beautiful concert grand, on which artists of all nationalities exercised their talents.
27In the collection the pianos of Ruch, Gouttiere, Kriegelstein, Focke, and the cylinder organs of Limonaire, brought such large gatherings of people as at times made it difficult to move around in this section, especially in the evening. The electric piano of Ullman also drew crowds who were eager to see and hear the curious instrument. The same may be said of the little apparatus called "Melotrope" which surprised everyone by its effects in rendering music of great volume.
29The value of the instruments exhibited in the French Section was as follows:
31Pianos, $40,000; Organs, $5,000; Small Instruments, $4,000. This is a total of $49,000. To this must be added the large item of expenditures necessary to the handling and display of goods. The exhibitors paid the expenses of their displays, except a portion of the transportation, which was allowed by the French government. These expenses, for the entire section, came to about $18,000.
33As a consequence of the refusal of France to participate in the deliberations of the jury the French section of musical instruments was withdrawn from competing for awards. The instruments from
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