Music Trade Review

Issue: 1881 Vol. 5 N. 3

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
September 5th, 1881.
32
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
TRADE CHAT
if his family does not include a person with decid- the cheering influences of music, // there is a piano
ed musical talents, it will not be purchased with- in the house. Young and old, male and female, the
accomplished performer, and the person whose ear
out long and serious consideration.
This is the reason that so many pianos are rented is musically uncultivated, look to the piano to
John H. Dowling, of New Philadelphia, Ohio,
or sold on the installment plan. In either case soothe, to inspire and to freshen the mind after the
the party using the piano is paying more than if cares of the day. The influence of the piano upon assignor to himself and Luther M. Barrick, of Lees-
he made an absolute purchase. But both the rent- the young is direct and positive, and no wise ville, Ohio, has patented an Organ Heed. No. of
ing and installment plans have advantages, for parent, whose means will permit, omits in these Patent, 24(5,098. Application filed April 4, 1881.
they enable a man to use an instrument for a cer- days music as a part of his children's education,
Carl Fogelberg and George W. Graves, of Cam-
tain time and rid himself of it when he chooses, or and a piano as part of his indispensable household bridgeport, Mass., have patented a Key Board for
to make it his own property by a series of easy furniture.
1 Musical Instruments. No. of Patent, 245,610. Ap-
payments stretching over a considerable space of
j plication filed January 4, 1881.
THE MENDELSSOHN PIANO CO.
time. These latter systems, to a great extent,
r
contribute to take the piano from a class of luxur- I ^HE following notice appeared in the N. Y. : Raphael E. Letton, of Quincy, 111., has patented
I an Upright Piano Action. No. of Patent, 245,641.
ies and place it among the necessaries of modern J_ Mail of August 5th:
S Application filed March 21, 1881.
oivilization.
The creditors of the Mendelssohn Piano Co. will
In truth we do not see why the piano should in please take notice that whereas Thomas A. Dowling,
Louis Stremmell, of Lynchburg, Va., assignor to
any sense be classed in these times with luxuries. late trustee and president of the said company, has Ernst Gabler, of New York, has patented a Piano
It is no more a luxury than the furniture which is published a letter in the Mail of the 21st ult., dated Forte. No. of Patent, 245,672. Application filed
required for a simple, unpretentious drawing-room, July 20, 1878, resigning as trustee and officer of said April 27, 1881.
though both drawing-room furniture and piano company, and as said letter was never acknowledged,
Henry Reney, of Biddeford, Maine, has patented
may be excessively expensive, and therefore luxur- accepted or published until the 21st of July, 1881,
ious. The piano may be purchased in the plainest said resignation will not affect Mr. Dowling's legal a Piston Valve for Musical Instruments. No. of
as trustee and president of said com- Patent, 245,863. Application filed June 4, 1881.
style from a maker with very little name and no responsibility
prior to July 21, 1881, the day of its publication,
reputation, or with an unpretentious but substan- pany
William T. Atkins, of Ring's Ferry, Fla., has
of which fact notice is hereby given.
tial exterior from a manufacturer whose name is
patented a Harmonica Flute. No. of Patent, 245,-
HERMON
CONANT,
acknowledged as that of a leader in the trade ; or
Secretary and Treasurer Mendelssohn Piano Co. 929. Application filed June 18, 1881.
it may be obtained so rich with ornaments and de-
Messrs. Jardine & Son, of East 39th street, New
In order to elucidate the above which to the
corations that it will be fitted to adorn the palace
ordinary render might seem somewhat mysterious, j York city, are adding improved combination
of a Bonanza king.
our reporter interviewed the parties formerly com-1 movements to the fine organ in Dr. Hall's church,
THE LUXURY OF " CHEAP " PIANOS.
posing the Mendelssohn Piano Co., viz., Messrs. ] which Mr. Eugene Thayer, of Boston, has been
It is only in the first and last cases that the Hardman piano is a luxury; indeed the "cheap," "shoddy" whose statements the following is condensed.
year.
piano is so great a luxury that very few people, no
It seems that several years ago Messrs. Hard-
matter how great their satisfaction may be at the man Sz Co. in order to facilitate the sale of their It is reported that a considerable amount of
time of purchase, can really afford to pay the pianos, which were at that time rather slow of capital will be invested in the piano business in
money for it. The man who has bought such an sale, made an arrangement with Hermon Conant, New York city this Fall by outside parties; not,
instrument as lies within his means from a maker who represented the Mendelssohn Piano Co., to however, to establish new firms, but to increase
whose name is a proof that the goods are of the best sell him their pianos for a certain percentage over the capacity of those already in the business.
quality, has made a profitable investment. He can cost, and for the better securing of their interests
Once more we have to remark upon the truth of
at any time, under ordinary circumstances, dis- one of their partners became trustee and president the saying that imitation is the sincerest flattery.
pose of such an instrument at a price so near that of the company.
The business between these 77/tf London and Provincial Music Trades Review
which he paid for it that it will only have cost him parties continued in this way until July '20th, has adopted a cover the color of which is made to
a moderate sum for its use during its time of 1878, when it was decided in consequence of resemble the color of the cover of the MUSICAL
ownership.
disagreements between said Conant and the firm, CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW as nearly as possible.
that their connection should cease, and Mr. Such imitation is truly an acknowledgment that
LOOKING ACROSS UNION SQUARE.
Such thoughts as the above were flitting through Dowling sent in a legal notice of his resignation as the MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW is the only
our reporter's mind as he stood on the south side trustee and president, thereby dissolving any con- paper in America worthy to bear such a name If
of Union Square, looking at the many piano houses nection which he or his firm had with the Men- you cannot see it in this way we will make the faot
plain at another time.
about the park and up and down 14th street. One delssohn Piano Co.
Business relations, however, continued between
of these establishments was located in one of the
Mr. Rufus W. Blake, President, and Mr. Haw-
most attractive and noticeable buildings on the the firm and Mr. Conant until after Mr. Peck be- kins, Secretary, of the Sterling Organ Co., of
Square. It was not in the least in the conventional came a member of the firm of Hardman, Dowling Derby, Conn., were in town Aug. 23d, and spent
style, and presented a unique point in New York & Peck, that is to say Mr. Conaut continued to be the day at Coney Island.
architecture. This was the building occupied by a purchaser of their pianos in a small way, until
Messrs. H. L. Decker & Co., of Evansville, Ind.,
the Messrs. Decker Bros., and its subdued yet recently, when other disagreements arising, the
positive exterior, the reporter thought, agreed well firm of Hardman, Dowling & Peck declined to sell are having a good trade in Estey organs and Decker
with the character of the men who occupied it. any more pianos to Mr. Couant, and upon a settle- Bros, pianos, for which they are the sole agents in
"Progress" has always been their watchword, ment Mr. Conant gave his note for about $180, their locality.
which was not paid when due and for payment of
moderation, their guiding star
Mr. Charles Pabst, of Wilkesbarre, Penna., finds
Their ability in making a line piano, and their which we understand the present holder has the organ business quite active in his section.
brought
suit.
enterprise in demonstrating its merits to the world
Messrs. D. H Baldwin & Co., of Louisville, Ky.,
Mr. Conant in his version of the trouble between
have been largely instrumental in enabling a man of
moderate means to secure such an excellent instru- the Mendelssohn Piano Co. and Hardman, Dowling have had a more flourishing Summer trade than for
ment for his money that it would be next to impos- & Peck, states substantially that besides being the several years.
sible for him to imagine that he had been indulg- means of finding purchasers for many of their
Messrs. Comstock, Cheney & Co., of Center-
ing in a luxury ; at the same time enabling the pianos, he at various times, when they were short, brook, Conn., are having a brisk demand for ivory
man of large means to possess himself of as magni- loaned them money and exchanged notes with goods.
ficent an instrument as his money was able to pay them and helped them in various ways, that they
Messrs. Lyon *Sr Healy, of Chicago, report hav-
had a running account together for pianos which
for.
used to run a long time before settlement, which ing done an excellent business during the past
TOUCHING THE GRAND.
was usually made by note from one or the other summer in first class pianos, particularly grands,
Someone was running over the keys of a concert- party, that they had had some financial disagree- of which they have sold a large number.
grand piano for his individual amusement, without ments but these had been arranged, but when Mr.
Unusual preparations are being made for the
any idea of an audience, when our reporter entered Peck came into the firm a settlement was made
the warerooms. This firm is among the few man- and the firm insisted upon his (Conant's) paying coming Institute Fair, which opens on the 14th
ufacturers of concert-grands in America, which are cash for the pianos purchased or giving security. inst. The applications for space are said to be
•well adapted for use by professional pianists in It was finally agreed that Conant was to have a more numerous than ever before, and the exhibi-
large public halls, and as the full, round, clear credit of $1,000 for three months for pianos pur- tion will include many inventions never before
musical tones fell upon the listener's ear, he thought chased, which agreement Conant says the firm did exhibited to the public.
The music will be
it was not to be wondered at that so many eminent not live up to.
furnished by Arbuckle's Ninth Regiment Band,
pianists had spoken so highly in praise of Ameri-
there will be popular concerts every afternoon
During their business relations Conant says he and
can grands, and had used them at their concerts.
and evening.
The tone of Decker Bros', squares and uprights, ordered as Hardman, Dowling & Peck's agent,
One of the firm of Dyer & Hughes, organ
as well as that of the grands, finds favor with the from Mr. Murray, an engraver, a number of wood
appreciative. I t is very delightful to the musical cuts for a catalogue, Murray agreeing to take makers, of Foxcroft, Maine, has lately returned
ear and it comes from a piano that is thoroughly a $300 piano of Hardman, Dowling & Peck in from a business tour in the West. He found
payment. This piano Conant says he could not business good in that section and made some new
well made in all its parts.
succeed in obtaining from Hardman, Dowling & and important agencies for his firm.
THE PIANO IN THE HOME CIRCLE.
Peck, and finally was obliged to pay Murray for
The exhibition of the New England Manufactur-
The piano in the home circle is an instrument the cuts, and withheld payment of his note, which ers' and Mechanics' Institute was formally opened
Hardman,
Dowling
&
Peck
held,
until
a
settlement
for moral good and intellectual improvement that
in Boston on August 18th, and 6,000 persons visit-
cannot be over estimated. The choicest library was made of Murray's bill.
ed the fair during the day. Some of the Boston
may be appreciated by only one or two studious
"When Hardman, Dowling it Peck commenced piano manufacturers exhibited, and several of the
persons in a large family ; the eye grows accustom- suit against him on the note, he commenced suit New York manufacturers through their agents.
ed to, and at last regards with only a passing against them on the Murray claim and for some The Mason & Hamlin Organ Company was the only
glance the finest engravings, and the works of other matters which Mr. Conant declined to go
i organ manufacturer represented.
celebrated painters ; games, including billiards, into particulars about.
which may be introduced into the household, soon
The quarrel as it stands is a very pretty one, and I The Ivers & Pond Piano Company removed to
become monotonous, and are neglected ; conversa- the suits which are to have a hearing this month 1 their new quarters in the marble building, No. 597
tion, in the most united and happiest families, will probably throw nmch light on the business Washington street, Boston, on August 1st. This
often flags, and, when all the means of entertain- methods of the Mendelssohn Piano Co., whereof move to larger quarters was rendered imperative
ment fail, to what does every one turn ? Why, to we shall keep our readers duly posted.
by the increase of their business.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
September 5 th, 1881.
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
33
Messrs. Hardman, Dowling & Peck, of Tenth Lipp & Son, of Stuttgart; and Romhildt, of Stutt- gether with pine logs, and thus it is brought to the
avenue and 57th street, this city, received orders gart, exhibited overstrung uprights; and Herr O. mill, but pine cannot always be found where birch
on Aug. 26th for iifty-one pianos, twenty-nine of Rene, of Stettin, exhibited his new system of sea- grows, and it is then necessary to haul it, some-
times a great distance, with the aid of horses,
which were for one house. Mr. Dowling says soning wood for sound-boards.
that there was a time during the summer when the The following are among the principal exhibits
firm thought they might be able to accumulate at the Breslau Exhibition, now being held.
A PIANOFORTE MUSEUM.
some stock, but their orders for the last two Pianos: Franz Welck, of Breslau, overstrung con-
weeks have been far ahead of their production, cert grand; Carl Vieweg, of Breslau, vertical N a late number of our esteemed contemporary,
L'Echo Musical., Brussels, appears an account
although they are making fifty pianos per week.
grand; Trubische & Son, of Liegnitz, overstrung of a Pianoforte Museum in Brussels, an which it
grand;
Seliuke
&
Sponnagel,
of
Liegnitz,
five
There were rumors last week that a firm of piano
is said :
pianos; Welzel, of Breslau, cottage piano in the " The Museum has likewise received from Messrs.
and organ dealers in this city was financially in-
volved, but no details or definite information has Renaissance style. All the above firms likewise John Broadwood & Sons, of London, livo models of
exhibited cottages, as did also Gerstenberger, of pianoforto actions, thus designate'!:
transpired regarding it.
Liegnitz; Mannsfeldt & Notny, of Dresden; Hoff- " 1" Square piano of Zumpc (17(>(>).
J. It. Jackson, dealer in musical instruments, has mann, of Liegnitz; Riidiger, of Brieg; Liehr,
2° Square piano of Broadwood (1780).
made an assignment. He has been in business Geister & Schwabe, and Schutz & Co., of Brieg.
3" Orandpiano of Broadwood [original model).
over twenty-five years and was well regarded
4° Grand piano of Broadwood (Southwell's Pat-
Madame
Erard,
in
accordance
with
her
custom,
ent).
Apropos to the controversy which has been go-
two grand pianos to the two first prize-winners
5° Grand piano of Broadwood (Kind's Patent).
ing on for some time past in regard to the testi- gave
pianoforte playing at the Paris Conservatoire. " Some explanation is necessary to make the im-
monials of Mme. Gerster, an English musical for
Pleyel-Wolff & Co. likewise gave grand portance and utility of this liberal presentation un-
paper makes the most brilliant suggestion we have Messrs.
derstood.
yet seen. It says: '' Each of the three firms de- pianos to the other laureates.
"Mr. Hipkins, of London, has Inserted in his very
clares that the Hungarian prima donna was so
remarkable contribution to the History of tlie Piano
struck with the surpassing excellence of their in-
[art. Pianoforte in Grove's Dictionary of Music and
OBITUARY.
strument that she gave each a brilliant testimonial
Musicians], a catalogue (reproduced in the Echo Mu-
OHAELES J. FUGEMAN.
sical, June 30th) of the principal improvements effect-
and bought for cash a piano from each. The
number and price of each piano are gravely pub- /CHARLES J. FUGEMAN, of the firm of Sohmer ed in the construction of pianos since the beginning.
lished, and if all speak truly, Madame Gerster \_J & Co., piano manufacturers of New York This catalogue has given birth to the idea of uniting
in the Museum of the Conservatoire, in a collection
would do well to drop the vocal business and set city, died August 19th, after a painful illness.
complete as possible, the typical inventions, and
up as a piano dealer at Bologna with the stock she Mr. Fugeman was born in this city, July 15th, as
especially the mechanical improvements, which illus-
has already collected."
1849, received an education in the public schools trate the progress of the manufacture from its in-
and on leaving school assisted his fancy, representing them by the agency of models
A correspondent from Rome tells of a new of New in York,
the ivory turning business. Subsequently reduced to a single key.
instrument or rather of the improvement of an old father
employed as bookkeeper by a lumber mer- " The importance of such a collection methodic-
one called the anyelico, which is again coming into he was Mr.
J. Bornhoeft. After leaving the service ally arranged, to amateurs and manufacturers alike,
use. It is formed, of fifty pieces of crystal and has chant,
Mr. Bornhoeft he engaged as bookkeeper with is so clearly evident as to render demonstrations
a key board as long as the piano. It is played of
& Co., Avhen they commenced business in superfluous. It would give a complete idea of what
with two little hammers; the bass hammer has two Sohmer
1869,
and
soon after admitted as a partner in experiments, what study and labor, have been
prongs, which take an octave; the treble hammer the firm. was
Mr.
Fugeman was an enterprising and necessary to elaborate the humblo invention of Cris-
is single and plays the melody. The tones of the industrious man,
tofori into the marvellously advanced instrument of
and to his business ability no our
instrument are said to resemble the human voice small share of the success
day. The history of the piano would thus be-
of
the
firm
of
Sohmer
&
very strangely. The inventor or rather the per- Co. is due.
come palpablo, the eye at once appreciating that
whiih written volumes might fail to set forth. In
fector of the instrument is to visit England and
His funeral took place from the residence of his the hope that manufacturers might enter into the
America to introduce his work.
parents, No. 289 Bloomfield street, Hoboken, on spirit and practical utility of such a scheme, the
The piano manufacturers of France have Sunday, Aug. 21st, and was attended by all the Museum applied to several of the most eminent;
petitioned the French government to throw in its employees of Messrs. Sohmer & Co., by the Young and not to impose upon their kindly expressed sym-
influence in their favor, and demand that in Men's Social Club, and the Euterpe Society of pathy, or to make the collection too diffuse, begged
them simply to indicate the most notable inventions
choosing instruments for its schools, the govern- Hoboken.
claimed by each individually, or such as to a certain
ment should give the preference to those of home
extent would embrace the results of a series of in-
manufacture.
novations less materially important.
A SUBSTITUTE FOE BLACK WALNUT.
During the terrific hurricane which swept over
Museum was not mistaken in its estimate of
LACK BIRCH is rapidly coming into favor. the "The
generosity of tho manufacturers applied to.
Savannah, Ga., on Saturday, August 27th, the
Black
birch
is
a
close-grained,
handsome
wood,
The gre tter num'-er have already expressed the
Music Store of Messrs. Ludden & Bates, in that
can be easily stained to resemble walnut exact- pleasure it will afford them to comply, and the
city, was unroofed and their stock damaged to the and
ly. It is just as easy to work, and is suitable for Messrs. Broadwood, by the contributions above
extent of about $1,000.
nearly, if not all, the purposes to which walnut is mentioned, have materially helped tho undertaking
Suit has been commenced by Henry Pierce in at present applied. Birch is much the same color at its commencement. To the consignment of in-
San Farncisco against James W. Whiting and L. S. as cherry, but the latter wood is now scarce, and, ventions due to their firm has been added a model
Sherman, of Messrs. Sherman & Hyde of that city, consequently dear. It is with difficulty that cherry of tho action introduced by Zumpe, in 1706. Mr.
to recover $2,500 upon a bond for the release of an wood can be obtained at $50 a thousand feet, while Hipkins, moreover, the historian of tho piano to
attachment. The complaint sets forth in June, birch wood can be purchased at any saw-mill for
1881, plaintiff obtained a verdict against Frederick $1 per thousand feet. When properly stained it is
A. Hyde for $2,500, and previous to the trial at- almost impossible to distinguish the difference be-
to Students of
tached his yacht, known as the Startled Fawn. tween it and walnut as it is susceptible of a beau-
MUSIC.
Also that the defendants in the present action tiful polish, equal to any wood now used in the
Th« New Calendar
manufacture
of
furniture.
In
the
forests
through-
of
tho
New Kn gland
signed a bond releasing the vessel from the attach-
CONSERVATORY and College of Music is sent free.
ment, and agreed that in case the plaintiff recover- out Ontario birch grows in abundance, especially Apply,
E. TOURJEE, Music Hall, Boston, Mass.
ed judgment against Hyde and in default of pay- if the land be not too boggy. There is a great dif-
ment by Hyde, that they would settle the judg- ference in the wood of different sections. Where
the land is high and dry the wood is firm and clear,
ment.
but if the land is low and wet, the wood has a ten-
One of the theatrical musical papers of this city dency to be soft, and of a bluish color. In all the
C. M. MAXWELL,
which occasionally indulges its readers with matters northern regions it can be found in great abun-
No.
83
East Thirteenth Street, New York,
connected with the music trade, has in a recent dance, and as the tree grows to such a size, little
(Near Wallack's.)
issue the following startling intelligence:
trouble is experienced in procuring a large quan-
" Although only a short time since the formation tity. The forests of the Manitoulin Islands abound
PIANOS AND ORGANS
of the New England Organ Co. ,-it is pleasing to with it, as well as those of the Peterborough and
Bought, Sold, Exchanged, Received on Sale and on Storage.
have to inform the readers of the Courier that the Haliburton districts. The Muskoka district also Advancements made. Rebuilding of Pianos and Organs a Special-
prospects of the enterprise are very brilliant." contains a plentiful supply. During the past few
ty. Special prices to the Trade.
years large quantities of this wood have been ex-
Indeed ! ! !
from the Province of Quebec at a low figure.
At the Lippische Exhibition, held at Detmold, a ported
is very easily detected among other trees by its
little town in North Germany boasting six or seven It
large trunk, and the peculiar color of its GRAND CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
thousand inhabitants, twelve piano makers and height,
coarse
bark.
of the perforated chair-bottoms
OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
two organ makers exhibited. The latter were now in use are Most
manufactured
from it. There is a
Messrs. Mason &Hamlin, of Boston, who exhibited species of bird's-eye birch, but
it
is
very
scarce.
21 East 14th Street. 21
an organ through Messrs. Maur & Co., of Biele-
evidence of the weight and solidity of the wood This RENOWNED MURJC SCHOOL offers tho accumulated advan-
feld, and Messrs. Peloubet, Pelton & Co., who An
the fact that it will sink after being a few days tages of years of successful operation. Instruction in all branches
also exhibited an organ through Herr G. Stein- is
on the water. This is a slight drawback to the of Vocal and Instrumental Music, Harmony and Composition,
haus, of Bielefeld. Besides these, Gerhard Adam, work
by the, most eminent Masters and Professors of tho land, at
of having it conveyed to saw mills. One of etc.,
MODERATE RATES. For further particulars, address,
of Wesel; Louis Esch, of Bielefeld; Siegfried the principal
means
resorted
to
is
binding
it
to-
Hausing, of Biickeberg; Heiser & Co., of Berlin;
E. EUERHARD, Director.
I
B
IMPORTANT
THE HARDMAN PIANO,
ESTABLISHED 1842.
Manufactured b y H A R D M A N , DOWLXXTG <& PECK.
Wareroonis and Factory, 57th Street and Tenth Avenue, New York,

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