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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
from which place he retired about twenty years
ago. Mr. Chambers was a competent piano
maker in his day, and much esteemed by his
competitors. For some years he has been in
want, and owing to his extreme age, being now
eighty-eight, was unable to help himself. This
fact came to Mr. Steinway's ear, and big, gener-
ous man that he is, he had him removed to the
Stein way & Sons free bed in the German Hos-
pital, where this old representative of the early
days of piano manufacture in this city will be
insured comfort and peace in his declining days.
It is a small act—there are neither thousands
nor millions of dollars in it—but it shows a
'' comradeship '' and thoughtfulness that does
credit to William Steinway.
McCAMMON PIANO COMPANY,
Oneonta, N. Y., are leaving no stone un-
turned to make business, and the amount of
orders received from dealers and representatives
on the road during the past few weeks are a
testimonial to their energy. The orders on hand
are taxing the facilities of their factory to the
utmost. Mr. George C. Adams, of the Com-
pany, has just returned from an extended trip
through Pennsylvania, and intends taking a
Short trip East, after which he will leave for an
extended tour West, taking in Chicago, St.
Paul, Milwaukee and Detroit. Some interest-
ing facts may shortly be revealed in connection
with this trip, which will probably occupy two
months. In the meantime Mr. George B. Baird,
president of the company, will take in the South-
ern States, and will leave shortly for an extend-
ed journey, visiting Jacksonville, New Orleans
and Fort Worth.
PIANOS OH THE BLOCK.
World reporter, who is probably residing
in that select portion of New York—65th
street, between Columbus avenue and Central
Park—has been sufficiently interested in the
musical harmonies or discords produced by the
innumerable pianos in that locality to make a
systematic canvass to find out the actual number
of pianos in that block. The results show that
in a population of a thousand persons, there is
an average of one piano to every four persons,
or two hundred and twenty-six pianos in all.
Commenting on this state of affairs, the reporter
soliloquizes thus :
"The average piano is five feet in length. If
strung out in a row the instruments on this
block would present a combined length of 1,130
feet. If set out on Broadway they would reach
from the Fifth Avenue Hotel to Palmer's Theatre.
1
' Set on top of each other, and estimating the
average height at \y% feet, a monument to the
muse of music would tower 1,017 feet in air,
nearly four times as high as the Statue of Lib-
erty in the harbor, twice as high as the Wash-
ington Monument, or 652 feet nearer the stars
than the top of the dome of the Pulitzer Build-
Ing.
" If one block of the west side can produce 226
pianos—shades of "Sweet Marie," "Daisy
Bell " and " Little Annie Rooney ! "—what
must the grand total in the Greater New York
be ? Would the line reach to San Francisco or
only to Chicago ? The pyramids of Egypt
could be duplicated again and again in rosewood,
mahogany and polished maple, if they were all
carted to some central plain. People fond oi
estimating how much money a man saves by not
smoking three cigars a day for thirty-three
years, may take pleasure in speculating on the
total length of wire used, and the number of
pounds of ivory entering into the construction of
the pianos of New York, with this sample block
of 226 as a starting point for the calculation."
It is too bad the reporter neglected to find out
the manufacturers' names, styles, cost and
whether they were rented, bought on the install-
ment plan, or for cash. It would have proved
highly interesting.
FREEBORN <3. SMITH.
well known features of Mr. Freeborn G.
Smith, manufacturer of the famous Brad-
bury pianos, adorns our cover page this week.
Mr. Smith has recently been placed in nomi-
nation for Congress by the Prohibition Party of
Brooklyn, and his name is lending much weight
to that party In its canvass over the Bridge. Mr.
Smith is not alone interested in the " mysteries
of piano-making," but is deeply concerned in all
matters effecting the public good. He is a
" reformer " in the truest meaning of the word,
and Is always desirous of adding to the happi-
ness of the people at large, in a political and
social way. In all his ventures Mr. Smith has
been original—hence in politics he prefers to be
a member of an intelligent minority, than run
with "the madding crowd."
Notwithstanding Mr. Smith's recent indis-
position, he is as active as ever in a business way.
He has just made a flying trip to his numerous
branch houses, looking over the field, as it were,
personally, making timely suggestions, and not-
ing improvements here, there and everywhere.
In fact what Mr. Smith accomplishes in this
way would be an overwhelming burden to
many men younger in years. But business
cares and responsibilities, like his years, rest
lightly upon Mr. Smith's shoulders, and look-
ing at his ruddy countenance and elastic, spring-
ing step, one is prone to the belief that Mr.
Smith has discovered that spring of eternal
youth which Ponce de Leon and his many dis-
ciples sought for in vain. If he has discovered
this great secret it must be in " work,'' because
it seems to him a veritable tonic. Mr. Smith is
to-day one of the most active men in the piano
trade. He maintains a personal supervision
over his different factories, and the success of
his business ventures may be attributed to this
fact.
If Mr. Smith succeeds In getting into Congress,
Brooklynites can safely rely upon having secured
a worthy representative, but if the honor should
go past him, why, he still remains a foremost
representative of an industry which he has
made through energy, capacity and ability—an
honor indeed equal to any in the gift of the
people.
MOLINE, III.—The Lancashire-Marshall Pipe
Organ Co. will start its shop running this week.
Good News From Newby & Evans.
had a visit from Mr. Newby, of Newby
& Evans, 136th street and Southern
Boulevard, during the week, and he expresses
himself as highly gratified at the condition of
business with his firm. He says that things
have assumed their old time shape, and that
orders are coming in from all sections of the
country for the Newby & Evans instruments.
Some of the latest styles of Newby & Evans'
pianos are certainly worthy of the recognition
which they are winning. They are conscien-
tiously made, and should make trade for wide-
awake dealers.
Farmers Duped.
WORTHLESS stock in the Keller Piano
Co., of Bridgeport, Conn., has been
used by three alleged '' buncoers,'' Waters,
Goodwin and Yarrington in exchange for live
stock purchased from two farmers named Skin-
ner and Cox at Derby, Conn. The case is on
trial in the City Court, that city.
The Keller Piano Company referred to has no
connection whatsoever with the Keller Bros. &
Blight Co. The former concern went out of ex-
istence some three years ago. Stock in the
Keller Bros. & Blight Co. is not handled in that
way. It is as good as gold, pays eight per cent,
per annum and we wouldn't mind having a
small number of shares.
Isaac I. Cole & Son.
J*tjiDlANO manufacturers who desire to make a
•^
personal examination of superior blister
walnut made up in veneers should visit Isaac I.
Cole & Son, 425-427 East Eighth street, the
coming week. They expect a large shipment.
Messrs. Cole & Son carry a large and well
assorted line of veneers in rosewood, Circassian
walnut, mahogany and other kinds of fancy
woods, and their reputation in this special line
is of the best.
MR. RUDOLF JDOLGB, who, as we announced
last week as making an extended Western tour,
reports an unusual demand for the Autoharp all
through the West.
FROM the present indications, the Weber
Piano Company will not get into their new
warerooms as early as they expected. Judging
from the present condition of the building they
will probably not be able to occupy it before the
last week in the month.
ROBT. L. LOUD, of Nashville, Tenn., and Mr.
J. G. Fresher, of Cleveland, Ohio, have been
added to the forces of the Smith & Nixon house,
Cincinnati, Ohio.
THE business, stock and good will of the late
firm of C. I. Wynne & Co., 916 Olive street, St.
Louis, Mo., have been purchased by Robt. De
Yonge & Co., who will carry on the business at
the same address.
MR. GEORGE MAXWELL, manager of Boosey
& Co., 9 East Seventeenth street, returned from
a western trip last Tuesday. Mr. Maxwell
journeyed as far as Kansas City. He reports an
improved business, but no boom. He secured
some good orders in Chicago for the Boosey
brass instruments.
W E have to return thanks to Messrs. Lyon &
Healy for a handsomely framed illustration of
the interior view of the entrance to their palatial
establishment in Chicago.