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HE 9RGAN 9R
o
V O L . X I X . N o . 2i,
published Every Saturday.
Sullivan's New Opera.
title of Sir Arthur Sullivan's new opera
performed in London last Wednesday for
the first time is '' The Chieftain." The libretto
is by F. C. Burnand. The well known house of
Boosey & Co., 9 East 17th street, are the pub-
lishers of the music.
Artistic Advertising.
MASON & HAMLIN CO. have favored
us with a sample sheet of advertisements,
in which the merits of their instruments are
artistically set forth. Copies of this sheet are
being sent to agents of the house, and electro-
types will be furnished free of charge upon ap-
plication. This is a scheme which should prove
of mutual advantage. It will enable the ambi-
tious agent who has not the time or, as is often-
times the case, the special ability, to advertise
his wares to advantage in the local papers, and
fcuch attractive " ads " cannot fail to make sales
for the products of the Mason & Hamlin house,
thereby achieving the results undoubtedly aim-
ed at when this sheet of "ads " was conceived.
The Bradbury Building in Wash-
ington to be Remodeled.
February 1st Mr. Freeborn G. Smith,
§ BOUT
the manufacturer" of the Bradbury pianos,
will completely remodel the premises 1225
Pennsylvania avenue, Washington, D. C. A
latest pattern electric elevator will connect the
several floors, three to be given up to handsome
display parlors, and the fourth to their manu-
facturing and repair departments. The floors
will be laid in highly polished oak, and the walls
and ceilings are to be handsomely decorated and
frescoed in low relief designs. This enlargement
and improvement has been found necessary
owing to'the increased demand for the Bradbury
at the national capital.
Her Value Increased.
financial value that accompanies artistic
§ HE success
is again illustrated in the case of
Nordica, the great soprano, whose triumphs at
Beyreuth last summer, were heralded far and
near. Before her overwhelming European suc-
cess, managers estimated her services at $600
for each performance, but the contract for this
season calls for $1,200 per night for fifty nights.
Sixty thousand dollars as against $30,000 is a
handsome increase. Her home in London is a
beautiful example of taste and refinement.
Chicagoan's will be interested in knowing that
she has a Kimball piano in her studio, which
she constantly uses, because, as she says, it is
perfect for accompanying the voice.—Chicago
Inter-Ocean.
.
I
*
Yoi% December 15, 1894.
JOHN JACOB DECKER.
I
3§?HE flag at half mast on the Decker Bulld-
*€) ing, Union Square, a week ago this morn-
ing, was a painful surprise to the public, for it
conveyed the first intimation of the death ot
John Jacob Decker, a distinguished figure in
the music trade industry of this country for over
half a century.
It was known that Mr. Decker was indispos-
ed, but no one thought that his illness was of
so serious a nature or would terminate fatally.
He was in excellent health Sunday of last week.
On that evening, however, he was taken with a
chill. A physician was called, and detected
symptoms of pneumonia. On Monday he was
alarmingly ill, but later in the week rallied, so
that on Friday noon his physicians assured the
family that he was in no danger of dying for
several days at least. When the physicians
went to see him five hours later he had breathed
his last.
The death of John Jacob Decker was some-
what of a shock to the trade at large. It is true
he had reached a ripe old age, full of honorable
success, yet he was always so robust and hardly
knew what it was to be ill, that it was difficult
to realize that his period of earthly usefulness
had terminated.
Like the majority of the pioneers in the piano
manufacturing trade of this country, Mr. Decker
was a self-made man. In addition to a worthy
ambition to succeed in whatever he might engage
in, he possessed a surprising capacity for hard
work. It may be said he almost lived in the
factory since it was built. He certainly passed
on an average ten hours a day there. He was
wrapt up in his business, and it was his splendid
consciousness and pride in his work that enabled
the firm of which he was the respected head to
attain that eminence which they occupy to-day.
John Jacob Decker's life was nobly spent, and
it should act as an inspiration to all. Of quiet
tastes, with no active desire for club or political
life, and with hosts of friends in all circles, he
passed away, it can safely be said, without an
enemy.
* *
*
John Jacob Decker was born in Southern Ger-
many on July 20th, 1822, and came to this coun-
try in 1843. He had learned the trade of cabinet
making before he started for America. He
worked as a journeyman in different establish-
ments, and later went with the firm of Raven &
Bacon, of which concern he became foreman.
He became so valuable to his employers at the
end of three months that they gave him a small
interest in the business, and before the end of
five months he became a member of the firm,
which was then called Raven, Bacon & Co. In
1862, with his brother, David Decker, he found-
ed the present firm of Decker Brothers. His
$3.00 PER YEAR.
SINGLE COPIES. 10 CENTS.
brother retired in 1874, and since then Mr.
Decker had been the head of the house. For
years the factory was in Bleecker street, but a
few years ago a move was made up town to the
present site in West 34th and 35th streets. He
leaves a widow, a son, William F. Decker, and
a daughter, Mrs. William Maucher, now living
in Germany. William F. Decker, the son, who
has been a member of the firm since 1888, will
succeed his father as head of the firm.
Mr. W. F. Decker, although a young man,
possesses an excellent knowledge of manufactur-
ing as well as a thorough business training, and
is well equipped to assume control of this vast
business. The eleven story building at 33 Union
Square, erected a year ago, is the best possible
monument to the industry, energy and capability
of the late John Jacob Decker.
The funeral services were held at Mr. Decker's
late residence, 154 West 45th street, last Mon-
day evening at 8 o'clock. Besides the relatives,
immediate friends and employees of the Decker
house, some thirty of the prominent manufac-
turers testified their sympathy and esteem by
their presence. The interment at Greenwood
last Tuesday morning was private.
Very Probably Another.
w t R ' D ' M# W H I T E - ft> rm e rl y of the Mason
^*»~ & Hamlin Organ and Piano Co., has
patented a stringing and tuning device which is
highly spoken of by all who have examined it.
Mr. White is a practical tuner. It is said that
Mr. White is considering a proposition leading
to the manufacture of pianos containing his in-
vention.
The Stevens' Organ.
Q^OME handsome seven-octave organs are being
^
manufactured by the Stevens' Organ Com-
pany, Marietta, O. They are in oak and other
woods, and are being highly spoken of. Busi-
ness with this company is very satisfactory, and
Messrs. Stevens and Day are highly pleased with
the outlook for 1895.
A Valuable Acquisition.
Indicator says that Leander Fisher, who
went from Philadelphia to assist J. M.
Hawxhurst in the management of F. G. Smith's
Chicago branch, is the gentleman who is writing
the clever advertisements in the Chicago news-
papers for the Bradbury pianos.
Now, who .said Philadelphians were behind
the times ? The3e cleverly worded " ads " prove
Mr. Fisher to be as wide awake and as keen to
see a point as any Chicagoan. He is indeed a
valuable acquisition to the forces generaled by
the popular Mr. Hawxhurst,