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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
142
THE PARIS EXPOSITION. *
A LIST OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AWARDS TO MANU-
FACTURERS OF PIANOS, ORGANS, AND WIND
AND STRINGED INSTRUMENTS.
{Exclusively contributed to THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.)
then their wrath was great, and the fact that it was
futile did not, apparently, lessen it.
In the list of silver medals figures the only mention
of Etats Unis in the musical department ; but it must
be remembered that in that department there were but
three exhibits, one of which, that of C. Dion, a stand of
violins, had the misfortune to be missed by the jury, as
when they called to judge the instruments the trial
violin was found to have the bridge broken. With
regard to the other two exhibits, a silver medal has
been awarded to the Weber pianos from New York
city, and another to the exhibit of J. Bohmann, of
Chicago, 111. These awards the jury apparently con-
sidered sufficient, though many people take the privilege
of disagreeing with them.
England has two of her piano makers represented,
but only one receives a silver medal, viz., the firm of
Messrs. Brinsmead & Son ; Lachenal & Co., a firm from
the same country, makers of wind instruments, being
the only other name from Grande Bntagne. Switzer-
land has five medals awarded to her pianos and musical
boxes. Belgium, with her good show, takes the highest
number awarded to foreigners, viz., four silver medals ;
while Italy follows with three. Russia also receives
three,*and Portugal two. Then come four countries
with one silver medal each, namely : Spain, Norway,
Japan, and Brazil. The remaining forty-nine medals
go to as many French manufacturers,
Forty-one bronze medals were awarded to French
makers of musical instruments, seven to Swiss, four to
Spanish, the same number to the Italian, and three to
the remaining English exhibitors. Portugal, Austria,
and Greece got two each. Holland received one, as did
each of the more out of the way lands of Salvador,
Tunis, Siam, the Argentine Republic, and Guatemala.
The honorable mentions create little or no interest,
being so low in the scale of awards, and they mostly
fell, as it has been mentioned, to exhibits from out-
landish places.
NOTHER attraction was added on Monday,
Sept. 30th, to the exposition, already so rich in
varied attractions. It is true it was a fleeting
display, but while it lasted it was certainly of interest.
This new attraction consisted of placards, placed over
many stands, announcing what prizes the exhibitors
had received, and also containing remarks or criticisms
of a nature not flattering to the jury who made the
awards. This display was fleeting, because an order
was sent round from the administration of the exposi-
tion warning the offending exhibitors that such notices
could not be permitted to remain, and means were
found to enforce this order, for it was more rapidly
complied with than such enactments have been attended
to generally since the opening in May last.
The disiribution of grands prix took place on Sunday,
Sept. 29th, in the Palace of Industry, the President
of the Republic presenting these first prizes to the suc-
cessful exhibitors. Parisians are notably fond of grand
displays, and at the distribution there was such a show
as must have satisfied the most fastidious among them,
for all the Legations and diplomatic bodies appeared in
full uniform in honor of the occasion. Added to these
were all the Orientals in their bright and varied attire,
which barely outshone that of the gentler sex who were
present. These, with the splendid decorations of the
Palais itself, rendered the scene one of the most bril-
liant that the Universelle Exposition has called forth.
Only the grands prix were personally presented, but
ANITA LILIAN KING.
the gold, silver, and bronze medals, with the honorable
mentions, were made known at the same time.
THE WORLD'S FAIR OF 1892.
Although most exhibitors had had a very shrewd idea
for some weeks as to the recompense they were likely
WANTED, A COMMITTEE CONSISTING OF WILLIAM
to receive, still they waited"fbr the announcement to be
• STEINWAYS.
made public before they showed how widely their opin-
ions differed from that of the jury with regard to the
R. WILLIAM STEINWAY, member of the
merits of their exhibits.
Committee on Finance of the World's Fair,
As the decision of the jury was known to be final, it
sets an notable example to his fellow com-
is, to say the least of it, very undignified to make a
mittee-men.
If that body were entirely composed of
fuss about it, as so many of the exhibitors, native and
foreign, are doing. It is rather amusing to see the gentlemen like the distinguished piano-manufacturer,
notices which have been allowed to remain. These we should have the satisfaction of reporting better pro-
simply state the past medals won by the firms, and gress in the preliminary arrangements for the Exposi-
add in large letters, " Mcdaille d' argent 1889 A'e/us/e,'' tion of 1892 than can at present be recorded. On Mon-
or " Medaille de bronze"' as the case may be. No gold day last, Mr. Steinway, while in the corridor leading to
medals are refused, nor are any honorable mentions ; the New York Chamber of Commerce, was asked by a
these latter, it must be said, have chiefly gone to the reporter of the World if he thought there would be a
French colonies, or to South American republics, and quorum of the members of the Finance Committee
are certainly very ample recompense for such exhibits present at the meeting to be held that day. He natur-
as those in respect of which they were received. There ally replied: " Of course there will be a quorum pres-
are also some French, Russian, and Swiss makers who, it ent at the meeting. I take it for granted that the Ex-
must have been thought, would have received some ecutive Committee has met since last Thursday and
higher award for their instruments than that given to prepared matters ready for the action of the full Com-
some half-civilized exhibits from—say, Cambodge, or mittee on Finance, else why is this meeting called ? "
" Suppose, though, there should be no quorum, would
Cochin-china.
The total number of awards for instruments of music that not be an unfortunate circumstance?" said the re-
was two hundred and forty-four. Of these, four were porter.
" Most decidedly," answered Mr. Steinway. " It would
grand or first prizes, thirty-two gold medals, eighty-
be
a black eye for the Exposition."
seven silver, and seventy-nine bronze medals. Forty-
Then he passed on into the directors' room of the
two honorable mentions complete the long list.
Of the grands prix not one went to a foreigner. The Chamber of Commerce, where he remained over half
firm of Erard took one, naturally, for what manufac- an hour after the time fixed for the meeting, when with
turer would presume to take before this maker? ten others he was obliged to give up the hope of accom-
Another went to the firm of Pleyel, Wolff & CMe., who plishing anything for the Exposition because of the
have made so many new moves for the improvement lack of the requisite number of members assembling to
of the piano-forte for many years past, and who at the transact business.
"Thus," says the World, " was a black eve given the
same time carry on their factory under such good prin-
World's
Fair. Mr. Steinway was right. It is interest-
ciples. Evette et Schaeffer, and Monsieur Victor Mustel
ing to note in connection with Mr. Steinway's remarks
received the remaining two.
that he is the only member of the Finance Committee
Gold medals to the number of twenty-four went to
who has thus far made any contribution to the Exposi-
French makers ; two each to Russia and Belgium,
tion, having at the meeting of the General Committee
while only one English firm, that of Messrs. Hill, is
on Thursday last subscribed $50,000. His interest in
found in the list. Austria, Mexico, and Roumania
the project is manifest by his works. If there were
each receive one. This class of medals is the one that
more members like him on the Committee there would
has caused most heart-burning between the exhibitors,
not have been this painful delay which has brought the
for many who did not aspire to the grand prix yet
Exposition enterprise to its present critical condition."
made sure the jury could not award them other than a
gold medal, and when they found that a difference of
opinion between themselves and the jury caused the
I N. RICE, of the Rice-Hinze Piano Company, of
latter to leave them out of the list of gold medallists, Des Moines, Iowa, is in town.
A
M
THE ALLMENDINGER COMPANY.
PIANO-CASED ORGANS—HANDSOME AND ENDURING DE-
SIGNS—IMPORTANT PATENTED IMPROVEMENTS—A
SOLID AND PKOGRKSSIVE HOUSE—AN
ADMIRABLE MANAGER.
M
R. LEW II. CLEMENT, the bright and ener-
getic manager of the retail department of the
Allmendinger Piano & Organ Company, Ann
Arbor, Mich., made a pleasant call at the office of THE
MUSIC TRADE REVIEW on Wednesday last.
In the course of conversation Mr. Clement called our
attention to a photograph of the elegant Allmendinger
reed organ in piano-case, which is attracting so much
aitention on the part of dealers in musical instruments
in this country, and has also excited favorable comment
in the British Isles.
These cases are at present made in rosewood, ebon-
ized, mahogany, and burl walnut. In the near future
they will probably be constructed of many other of the
woods used in the manufacture of piano-cases. Seven
coats of varnish are laid on, and in every respect the
make is of a refined, graceful, and altogether lasting
charactef, and the finish serviceable and complete.
Among the many interesting and important features of
these attractive instruments maybe mentioned the Patent
Bellows Pressure Indicator, a useful contrivance whereby
the player can at a glance ascertain the quantity of air
in the bellows. It consists of a dial, placed in the re-
gion of the stop-knobs, and presenting a white surface
when the organ is not being played upon. At the
slightest pressure the edge of the crimson-colored in-
dicator appears, advancing over the white surface as
the pressure is increased, until, when the bellows have
been completely filled, the entire dial is reddened.
Another patented device is the so-called Dust Pro-
tector, whereby, even when the swells are fully raised,
the reeds are effectually protected against the entrance
of dust or other deleterious particles.
Then there are the convenient "draw-out" music
desk, and the descending hinged fall board, the latter
being preferred by many to the fall-board which slides
back into the case, though some of the company's in-
struments are furnished with the latter.
All of the Allmendinger piano-cased organs are of six-
octave compass. They contain two or more sets of
reeds—usually two and a half sets.
The panelling and the pilasters are executed in un-
usually chaste and delicate, yet substantial styles.
On the whole, this piano-cased organ is characterized
by much utility and beauty, and cannot fail to become
an object of wiiely-increasing favor, both in artistic
and general circles.
The Allmendinger Piano & Organ Company handle
various makes of instruments, including the Haines
Brothers, Newby & Evans, Kranich & Bach, and Ivers
& Pond pianos, those of Haines Brothers finding a very
extensive sale among musical Michiganders. They have
also a very large trade in sheet music and the manifold
forms of musical merchandise.
While in this city Mr. Clement visited the establish-
ment of Haines Brothers, with whom he booked orders,
including a special order for a piano in bird's eye
maple, which he intends to present to his wife.
The conservative, yet progressive methods of the
Allmendinger Company are supplemented and carried
out with signal ability by Mr. Clement, than whom a
more intelligent and enterprising gentleman could net
be chosen to perform the onerous and responsible func-
tions which are inseparable from his position.
The Allmendinger concern was established in 1872,
and incorporated in 18S8, with abundant capital. In the
last-mentioned year the firm erected a large, modern,
and finely-equipped factory. The course of this house
has been one of steadily-growing prosperity, and they
are now one of the most reliable and honored firms in
the trade.
DRY ROT.
I
Navillageafew miles from Birmingham, England, the
rector, churchwardens, and a local builder were
talking over ways and means for repairing the
organ, which had taken to unorthodox sounds. " They
tell me," said the rector, "that the woodwork is greatly
affected by dry rot, and that it will not only get worse
and worse, but extend to other parts of the church."
" Why bless your heart, sir," said the builder, " the dry
rot in the organ is nothing to the dry rot in the pulpit,
and its been getting worse ever since you came,"