October 20th, 1880.
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
NEW MUSICAL INVENTIONS
PREPARED EXPRESSLY FOR THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW, BY
PARK BENJAMIN & BROS., EXPERTS IN PATENTS,
50 ASTOR HOUSE, NEW YORK.
No. 232,970.
15
TRADE IN THE WEST.
WHAT WE SAW IN CHICAGO.
A PRELIMINARY ARTICLE, TREATING OF AFFAIRS WITH THE TRADE AND THE
IMPROVED PIANOFORTE :
Mr. Richard Howson, of Middlesborough, England, has patented a new
way of constructing pianos, so that a crescendo or diminuendo effect may be
produced at the will of the performer. Instead of placing the sound-bridge
on the sound-board, as is usual, he secures upon a narrow so-called " vibra-
tion-rail," against which the sound-board may be pressed. The effect of
bringing the sound-board into contact with the vibration-rail, is to cause the
tremulous motion of the latter when a note is struck, to be transmitted to
the board. The volume of sound is thus augmented. Conversely, by separat-
ing these two portions, a diminuendo effect is produced. The mechanism is
operated by a pedal.
MUSICIANS OF THE WEST.
ACCOUNTS OF PROMINENT HOUSES AND PEOPLE.
THE ROOT & SON'S MUSIC CO.—JULIUS BAUER & Co.—W. W. KIMBALL.
No. 1 .
T was my intention to preface this article with a few general remarks con-
cerning my recent very delightful western trip; but as I returned to New
No. 232,857. KEY FRAME BED FOR PIANOFORTES :
York only a day or two before this issue of the MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE
That indefatigable inventor, C. F. Theodor Steinway, has added another REVIEW was going to press, I found plenty of other work ready for me, and
to the many valuable patents now owned by Messrs. Steinway & Sons, and at so I will hold over the generalities until November 5th, and plunge at once
the same time has contributed a new feature of excellence to the piano into particulars.
manufactured by his firm. His latest device is constructing the wooden
bed which supports the key-frame, so that the former is prevented from act-
THE ROOT & SON'S MUSIC CO.
ing as a sounding-board, and thus augmenting the thud of the key-levers as
This
house,
by
reason
of its succession to the pioneer publishing house
they strike against the touch-rail of the key-frame. The invention also serves
the useful purpose of preventing warping or upheaval of the bed. Mr. of Root & Cody, represents the oldest business in the trade in Chicago.
Steinway constructs the bed of parallel strips of wood secured by tongued Probably no publishing house ever achieved such a phenomenal spontaneous
and grooved joints in end cleats. Between these strips he places a soft pack- success as Root & Cody. Their prosperity in this line was simply colossal
ing of fibrous material which obstructs the lateral transmission of vibrations and unparalleled. Some of their great successes were the " Triumph," by Dr.
from one strip to another. The invention is applicable to both horizontal Geo. F. Root, which sold 175,000 copies in its first year ; " The Song King,"
and upright pianos, and is secured in the case in the same manner as the by Palmer, the " Curriculum," and various other instruction books by Root,
which have since become standard, and, by no means last, their great war
ordinary key-board bed.
songs, " The Battle Cry of Freedom, " The Vacant Chair," " J u s t before the
No. 233,038. IMPROVED REED :
Battle, Mother," " J u s t after the Battle," "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp," &c,
In reeds as ordinarily constructed, known as " free reeds," the frame of which carried the name of Geo. F . Root deeply into the hearts of the
the reed is made with a level surface. Mr. Hermann Smith, of Canterbury, people.
Dr. Root is now a hale, hearty gentleman of 60 years, whose pure and
England, modifies both the shape and form of the frames and also the tongues
of the reeds, in order, as he claims, to obtain an increased range of variation gentle life is quietly reproduced in his expressive features, so well known
in qualities, and greater promptness of speech. Thus by placing a raised everywhere. He spends an hour or two of his daily leisure from his writ-
piece on each side of the upper surface of the reed frame, so shaped as to con- ings at the office, where I had the pleasure of meeting him ; but the active
form nearly to the bend of the tongue, he obtains a horn quality of tone. If business of the house is in the hands of Mr. E. T. Root and Mr. Charles C.
the raised parts be continued so as to form an enclosure for the top the qua- Curtiss. Subsequent to the great fire and incident to its reverses, the busi-
lity is " cremona " like. The tongue bent so as to have a set lower than the ness of the firm was somewhat restricted, but for a few years past it has
level of the root and the frame conforming to it gives a flute-like tone. Other steadily regained and surpassed its former volume, and its present magni-
curves situated at different parts of the tongue produce tones of cornet, tude may be conjectured from the statement of the firm, that during the
string, trombone or clarinet quality.
Various other improvements are de- year ending June 30th last their sales showed an increase of over $60,000,
scribed, notably the uniting together and use in one channel of two reeds of while in the month of September just passed they had been nearly double
the amount for the corresponding month of last year, indicating a still larger
different forms, so as to produce a compound quality of tone.
increase during the current year.
On entering the store, which is located in the very heart of the city, I
BUSINESS IN PIANOS.
found myself in the department of sheet-music and music-books, which in-
REVIEW of the piano trade for the past two weeks show a fair average, deed occupies both the first floor and basement of their fine building, of 130
especially in the retail trade, for first-class high priced pianos. The feet depth. In this line the firm especially represent Messrs. John Church
wholesale trade, although much larger than last year, has not come up to & Co., of Cincinnati, the largest publishers, with one exception, on the con
the expectations of many manufacturers, who had largely increased their tinent, and who make the most popular books now in the market, among
manufacturing capacity, and who, because they do not find their factories which may be noticed " The New Musical Curriculum," the " Model Organ
driven to their utmost capacity, complain that trade is not active enough. Method," and the "Palace of Song," all by Dr. Geo. F. Root, the latter a
Then the nearness of the presidential election is not without its effect on the recent work for convention use. I t would be difficult to suggest any im-
trade, for men are anxiously waiting to see whether the financial situation provement in the admirable system of teaching, of which these books are
and the tariff are going to be interfered with, before greatly increasing their the exponent. As may well be inferred from the space devoted to this de-
orders. It seems to be the general impression that after the 2nd of Novem- partment the stock is enormous ; and that it is comprehensive, appears from
ber there will be a great increase of activity in the business, and that possibly the claims made by the firm of their ability to fill orders more completely
higher prices may prevail; and it is rumoured that already some manufac- than can be done by any house outside of Boston. The offices are also lo-
turers are obtaining better prices ; but in regard to this last item of news Ave cated on the first floor, in which are employed a force of eight bookkeepers
feel that we are hinting at something which should be discussed strictly and correspondents, which is another indication of the extent of the business
entre nous. The trade throughout the country seems to be in a healthy con- done.
dition as a general rule, although we hear in a few cases of difficulty in mak-
department is under the personal supervision of Mr. Curtiss, who
ing collections and a tendency on the part of dealers to revert to the old is the This
business manager of the house. Mr. Curtiss is the youngest man in
and vicious note system, which we trust not to see again revived.
the trade in Chicago, but one whose influence is by no means least felt.
Of his ability, the success of the business since he became connected with
SCHOMACKER PIANO Co.—The Schomacker Piano Co., of Philadelphia, it is the very best possible demonstration, and I find that in all branches of
opened on Monday, Oct. 11th, a branch store at No. 3 East 14th Street, his trade, both at home and in New York, no one is more popular. The
for the sale of their celebrated gold-string pianos.
policy of the house is eminently respectable, and entirely above any of the
BEHNING. —At a testimonial concert to Madame Chevalier, given at questionable practices so frequently current in business circles.
Harlem Temple, 125th Street, near Fourth Avenue, on Thursday evening,
The piano and organ warerooms occupy the entire second-floor, besides
Oct. 14th, the Behning Grand piano was used, and was much admired for its large storage rooms for reserve stock, which the firm has been forced to ob-
fine tone. The Baby Grands are steadily increasing in number.
tain elsewhere. This department is under the personal direction of Mr.
AMERICAN INSTITUTE FAIR.—There is a very slim representation of piano Root, who has been longer in the business than any man in Chicago, and
and organ manufacturers at the American Institute Fair this year. " Why is probably no man is wider or more favorably known than " Towner Root."
this thus ?" Is it possible that a suspicion has entered the minds of the Mr. Root is now nearly sixty years of age, but his activity is unimpaired,
manufacturers that the medals, diplomas, etc., are distributed too much after while his affability is as pronounced as before it had passed into a proverb.
the manner of the Centennial, where the distinctions as to quality were so The firm control such agencies as the Weber piano, the Wheelock piano, and
finely drawn that it is still a matter of dispute as to who received the highest the Standard Organ, made by Peloubet & Co., besides furnishing a cheaper
award ; and it has been stated that the accommodation offered to the music piano, made for them by one of the largest houses in New York. Concerning
trade for an exhibition of their wares was very cramped and insignificant, these instruments the firm informed me that their experience had been in the
compared with the space devoted to such important industries as shoe-black- highest degree satisfactory; that, for instance, their sale of the Weber piano
had steadily increased
at the rate of more than 100 per cent, per annum
ing and preserved fruit.
they acqi n ired the agency, about four years ago—and that their instru-
JARDINE & SON.—The fine organ made by this firm, which is now on since
had become exceedingly popular among the most critical purchasers
exhibition at the American Institute Fair, will, on the close of the fair, be sent ments
of Chicago and the West, generally. " People" said they, " are beginning to
to the Second Reformed Church, Somerville, N. J., instead of the Church of find
out that the Weber is really better than anything else, particularly in
the Annunciation, at N. O., as stated in our last issue.
point of tone." They speak of Mr. Weber himself as inheriting his father's
MUSICAL COMPOSITION. —The worst kind of musical composition we know remarkable enterprise, sagacity and aggressiveness, all of which are so well
of is that of a music dealer, when he compounds with his creditors for ten known to me.
cents on the dollar.
They speak also of the Wheelock piano in the highest praise. As a
thoroughly reliable instrument in every respect, and for a medium price, they
THE GAZETTE.
consider it better than anything they have seen, its capacity for standing in
Greenup & Reid, pianos and organs, Fresno, Cal.; sold out ; meeting ot creditors called.
tune being remarkable, the tone smooth and powerful, and the mechanism
D. A. Friend, pianos, &c, Gloucester, Mass. ; chattel mortgage, $345.
of the best kind. I find they also corroborate my opinion of the firm of
C. Bruno & Son, musical instruments, New York city. Dissolved. Chas. Bruno, Jr., Wm. E. Wheelock & Co., who, they say, are gentlemen with whom it is a plea-
sure to do business, as they are always to be depended upon, not only to do
continues under same style.
what they think is right, but to know what is right to do.
L. A. Baker, Music, etc., Lansing, Michigan. Now Baker & Thayer.
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