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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
The Brambach Piano Co. 's Cat-
alogue.
A NAME THAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED WITH
PIANO MAKING FOR 72 YEARS.
NEATLY printed and interestingly
written catalogue has reached us
from the Brambach Piano Co., of Dolge-
ville, N. Y. The artistic cover, on which
is inscribed the words "Brambach Pianos,"
is in white and gold with a delicate gray
background. A fine engraving of the
founder of this house in Germany, Franz
Jos. Brambach, and father of the present
head of the Brambach Piano Co., acts as
frontispiece; thus it is seen that this firm
has an old and distinguished reputation,
the business being originally established in
Bonn, Germany, in 1823, and in 1880 was
re-organized in New York, and duly incor-
porated in this State in 1893.
In the introductory they truthfully say
that the only guarantee which the pur-
chaser of a piano has is the reputation of
the maker for honest and durable work, and
after reference to the high place the name
Brambach has held in the trade, both at
home and abroad, they say: "The Bram-
bach pianos may be described as being the
successful accomplishment of that dream of
the piano maker to make a strictly first
class instrument at a moderate price, so as
to occupy a firm place in the world's
market.
" I t is obvious that to obtain such a result,
especially in these days of lively competi-
tion, large means as well as great mechan-
ical skill are required, and besides, ample
facilities, with all the latest improve-
ments. "
They mention that the capacity of their
factories at Dolgeville is over three thous-
and instruments a year, and owing to their
location in the great lumber region, they
are able to save much time, money and
labor, which necessarily affect the prices of
their instruments. As to the musical qual-
ities of the Brambach pianos, we quote as
follows: "The scales have not been copied
or adapted from those of other makers, but
are the result of constant study and experi-
ence.
"Everything about the Brambach piano
is as original in design, from the scale to
the carving on the cases, as the method of
construction is scientific, and the method
of manufacture conscientious."
The other pages of the catalogue contain
engravings and descriptions of the latest
styles of Brambach pianos, which are really
handsome instruments, and the specialty of
this house, the resonator, which is une-
qualled as a tone producer of musical qual-
ity and power, is shown in position at the
back of sounding board. Throughout, the
catalogue is very carefully gotten up, and
there is no question but it will aid materi-
ally in bringing the Brambach pianos to
the attention of dealers. A cut of the im-
posing factory building appears on the
back cover.
A
Y
ES, the "Crown" is pretty much on top
these days; not alone in this great re-
publican country of ours, but in foreign
lands the Chicago "Crown" is evidently
destined to supplant in popularity those
"moth-eaten" crowns which act as the sym-
bols of autocracy, and have dominated the
people for ages.
Geo. P. Bent's embassador extraordinary,
Fred. W. Primer, during his recent visit
abroad, established "friendly relations"
with leading dealers in the principal Euro-
pean countries, and as a consequence, big
shipments of "Crown" organs are going to
be made this fall.
It must not be supposed for a moment
that Geo. P. Bent has monarchical sympa-
thies; on the contrary, he is a good, simon
pure, dyed-in-the-wool democrat; but he is
a keen judge of human nature, and, like
Thackeray, has a lingering suspicion that
Americans dearly love a "Crown" as they
love a lord, and his opinion has been fully
corroborated, judging from the admiration
and support which has been extended to
the "Crown" pianos and organs.
The popularity of the "Crown" piano is
not surprising; in fact, it would be an in-
sult to the intelligence of the people if they
did not appreciate its value. Mr. Bent not
only supplies an excellent piano, but with
the "orchestral attachment and practice
clavier," a household orchestra, which vir-
tually amounts to twelve extra instruments,
is supplied, which amount in value to $1,-
000 extra.
It has not taken long for dealers to recog-
nize that the people want just such a "good
thing"—hence they are "pushing it along,"
and the result is that Mr Bent's spacious
factory, with its capacity of fifteen thous-
and pianos and organs a year, is unable to
supply the number of orders which are at
present on hand.
The "Crown" goods sell easy, satisfy
customers, and pay a good profit. They
are just the goods to suit wide-awake, pro-
gressive dealers.
They possess so many good points that
they make the "slow-poke" wake up, rub
his eyes, and exclaim, "Why didn't I catch
hold of these before?"
Oh, yes; the "Crown" is on top, there is
no mistaking it, and Geo. P. Bent is going
to keep it there.
THE Muehlfeld & Haynes Piano Co. will
issue a new catalogue about the middle of
O ctober.
THE Needham Piano and Organ Co. are
sending out some neat advertising matter.
About the Chickering.
T
HE following cleverly gotten up adver-
tisement appears on the attractive
programs of the first concert of the Chicago
Piano College, which takes place to-day at
Summy's Recital Hall, Chickering ware-
rooms, Wabash avenue:
CHICKERING PIANOS
FOUNDED SEVENTY-TWO
YEARS AGO.
The history of pianoforte building reveals
the fact that to Jonas Chickering belongs
the credit of establishing the principles
upon which the pianoforte of to-day is con-
structed.
No house can, with any truth, claim
greater results in the development of the
pianoforte than that of Chickering & Sons.
The present construction ot the Chicker-
ing piano gives it greater tone-producing
capacity, retains and even heightens the ex-
quisite purity of its tone; the action is
wonderfully satisfying and most skillfully
adjusted, and the result is a degree of ex-
cellence in the art of pianoforte construc-
tion that conquers all competition. Clay-
ton F. Summy Co., Sole Representatives
in Chicago, 220 Wabash avenue.
Compliments Mr. Levassor.
HANDSOME Shaw piano, worth
$500, was the first prize offered by
the Kentucky Post, of Covington, for the
"most popular young girl" in Northern
Kentucky. Over half a million votes were
cast, and it was found at the close of the
contest on Sept. 17th, that Miss Stella
McDonald was the lucky winner. In this
connection the Post of Sept. 18th published
a picture of L. A. Levassor, from whom the
piano was purchased, and referred to him
as follows:
L. E. Levassor, president of the Levas-
sor Piano Co., Cincinnati, is perhaps the
best known piano man in the country. He
is a fine pianist, a gentleman of education
and high standing, conspicuous for his in-
tegrity and reliability. He is at the head
of a large piano concern, which does the
largest piano business in this section. He
always controls the agencies of the best
makes in the market, among which he has
the celebrated Shaw piano.
A
A Clever Scheme.
HARLES FRANK, JR., of Altoona,
Pa., went to the warerooms of Free-
born G. Smith, Brooklyn, last Tuesday, and
said he wanted to buy a baby giand tor his
dear little daughter, Lizzie. He offered in
payment a draft on the New York Savings
Bank for $512, saying he had $2,400 on de-
posit there. The draft was accepted to
cover the price of the piano, $500, and the
surplus, $12, was given to Frank in cash.
The stranger offered his bank book as se-
curity. When Mr. Smith sent the draft to
the bank it was repudiated. The bank offi-
cers said the book had been obtained by
means of a worthless check, which a man
answering Frank's description had deposit-
ed with their institution.
C