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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
Smuggled Rare Violins.
TWENTY-THREE INSTRUMENTS, WORTH $ 2 O , -
OOO,
CAPTURED.
T
WENTY-THREE violins, each more
than 100 years old, all valued by the
appraisers at over $20,000, were found in
the trunks of a passenger on the FuerstBis-
marck, which arrived at her pier in Hobo-
ken last Friday. The owner of the trunk
was Sigmund Dentsch. of Vienna. He as-
sured the Customs officers that his trunks
contained nothing but clothing, and was
crestfallen when the discovery was made.
He was met on the wharf by a friend, who
tried to bribe the Inspector with a $10 bill.
Deutsch was arrested and held in $500
bail by Commissioner Romaine, in Jersey
City. He declared that he bought the vio-
lins for 400 florins.
The most valuable of the instruments
are: A Torpedus Cappa, 1673; an Adam
Klatz, 1720; a Marianus Petz, 1760; an Al-
•exandro Zante, 1742; a Jacob Fair, 16705 a
Paulus Atelzie, 1700; a Fiebrice Tononi,
1685, and a Martin Fichtl, 17.35.
The Hazelton Piano.
T
HE Hazelton piano has such a uniform-
ly high reputation that it never suf-
fers from lack of appreciation.
During
the dullest summer months the condition
of trade was such as to keep the factory
quite busy, and with the advent of fall, or-
ders are flowing in from different sections
of the country, which demonstrates that
dealers find a good fall trade impossible
without having the Hazelton piano in stock.
A handsome line of Hazelton pianos are
now being placed on the market—instru-
ments that are first-class, both as to tone,
touch, finish and artistic appearance.
W. S. B. flathewson the Autoharp
S
PEAKING of the autoharp, W. S. B.
Mathews, in the cm rent issue of
Music, reflects on the limitations, inaccu-
racies and annoyance of the amateur per-
former on the piano, who alternates the
tonic and dominant by the half hour, with
occasional miscalculations which add to the
agony of the listener. He says: Now the
autoharp man has provided a still easier
instrument for this grade of musical pleas-
ure, and with thoughtful foresight has en-
larged the dominion of this pleasing medi-
tation. For not content with the tonic and
dominant the simplest autoharps give the
neophyte three chords; and the best auto-
harps give six, whereby pretty much ev-
erything is available if one knows how to
get it. But for the simple, unadulterated,
simon-pure musical capacity, the autoharp
THE
is the instrument. And the best of all its
tone is small and controllable, whereby it
will not greatly disturb the neighborhood.
I do not wonder that it sells by the hun-
dred. I have never learned the art of its
use.
Now that the wheel begins to sim-
plify, I have an idea of taking it up and of
finding out what can be done upon it and
what not. Meanwhile it is a curious evo-
lution, a musical do-do square upon the
touch of the modern electrical enharmonic,
self-playing symphonium.
Verily, ex-
tremes meet.
The Hallet & Davis Co.
T
HE Hallet & Davis Co., of Boston,
with their extensive connections in
Chicago, 111., Cleveland, ()., Little Rock,
Ark., Denver, Col., and with other repre-
sentative agencies throughout the country,
always feel the rising barometer of better
times. The slightest improvement in bus-
iness East or West insures the accentua-
tion of orders, which in a measure accounts
for the steady trade they have transacted
during the summer, and the splendid con-
dition of business with them at present.
The Hallet & Davis piano was never more
popular with the public than to-day, and
never before deserved such support. The
modern styles are in every respect instru-
ments that will please the most critical mu-
sician and make money for the dealer.
with the name on it is printed with the
date only half done and the blank filled in
(63) with a pen. Was it the custom two
hundred years ago to print dates thus?
Isn't that a more modern custom? Or
could some later dealer have put this tiig
in to distinguish it from Magginis of other
dates? Didn't Maggini quit violin mak-
ing in 1630? Can any bod)' give us some
light?
Geo. W. Ingalls & Co.
M
ANUFACTURERS desiring organ
reed boards, octave couplers and vox
humanas, should write Geo. W. Ingalls &
Co., of 25 Hermon street,Worcester, Mass.,
for a catalogue of their specialties. This
firm have established an excellent reputa-
tion for the reliability and finish of their
wares, and their trade has shown a steady
progress, which is destined to be added to
the coming season.
Handsome Veneers.
T
HIS is the age of veneers m the manu-
facturing field. If you want to see a
fine selection visit the warerooms of I. I.
Cole & Co., foot of Eighth street, East
River. The line of veneers carried by this
house can hardly be duplicated for beauty
and variety. It is not surprising to learn
that I. I. Cole & Co. are meeting with a
marked demand for "heir specialties.
Is It a Maggini?
T
The Popular *' Symphony."
HE following letter appeared in last
Monday's Sim, dated from Winches-
ter, Ky.:
SIR. — I came across a violin to-day,
owned by a young man from one of the
mountain counties, who bought it from a
tramp a number of years ago, and not be-
ing posted on violinology I would like to
ask about it. It has now a new keyboard
and keys, the old keyboard being so worn
that the strings could not be pressed down
square enough to make a clear tone
The
old board is, however, preserved. It bears
the name Maggini. Inside the violin, on
a slip of paper, is the inscription "Giovan
paolo Maggini, brescia, 1633," the s being
the old-style s. The violin measures 23
inches in total length, 14^2 in the bod)-,
6j4 in width at top of body, 8y 2 at bottom,
and is \)A inches deep. The wood is of
some beautiful twisted variety of a rich
light brown, almost yellow in places, and
the tone of the instrument is peculiarly soft
and sweet. It has never been seen by an
expert in violins, and what we want to
know is, have we discovered a genuine
Maggini? If it is genuine, how did the
tramp get it and carry it away up into the
mountains? I might also add that the slip
CELEBRATED
STEGER
T
HE great popularity of the "Sympho-
ny" organ is not at all surprising. It
is an instrument that delights the cultured
ear by its marvelously artistic interpreta-
tion, and to the majority of people whose
musical education is limited, it serves as
an educator. Dealers find the Wilcox &
White "Symphony" organ a rapid seller,
and business with this concern last month,
and particularly the opening part of Sep-
tember, was such as to lead them to expect
a very heavy fall trade.
The Piano of the Northwest.
T
HE Schimmel-Nelson Piano Co., of
Faribault, Minn., are turning out
some instruments which are making a sen-
sation in the Northwest. They are ex-
tremely handsome in appearance, and the
tone is in every respect satisfying. They
have recently placed the agency of their
pianos with several reputable houses, and,
actuated by a progressive business policy,
they are bound to extend their business
and add to the reputation of their products
the coming season.
PIANOS
M
PATENTED 1892.
are noted for their fine singing quality of
tone and great durability.
The most
profitable Piano fot dealers to handle
STEGER & CO., Manufacturers,
Factory, Columbia Heights.
235 WABASH AVENUE. CHICAGO.