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THE MUSIC TRADE Ktv.. L
L
OOKING back over the evolution of
the piano for the past quarter of a
century, one must be impressed with the
important part which the specialized in-
dustries known as the' "Supply Trade"
have played in its greater perfection. It
has not only helped to a higher develop-
ment— both in quality of tone and archi-
tectural beauty—of the piano, but it has
resulted in an excellence of mechanism
which has left the best accomplishments of
European makers in the background. In
felts, actions, hammers, plates, strings,
sounding boards and all kinds of hardware,
we can only measure our progress in* these
special lines by comparing them with
foreign products, and a comparison will be
entirely in our favor.
sixth streets and Tenth avenue, are impos-
ing in size and splendidly equipped, the
latest and most ingenious machinery being
utilized. The different departments are
under the superintendence of competent
men, and every care is taken to turn out
wares which will be absolutely perfect and
satisfying.
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elaborate case architecture, there should be
a "big run" on I. I. Cole & Son for the
varied stock of veneers which he has on
exhibition at his display room.
The merits of the felts manufactured by
Alfred Dolge & Son are really too familiar
to manufacturers to need an} 7 words of
G. W. Ingalls & Co., of Worcester, commendation. Years ago the great lead-
Mass., are manufacturers of organ reed ing houses of the country, such as Steinway,
boards, octave couplers and other special- Chickering, Knabe, in the East, as well as
ties which enjoy a very high reputation more recently the leading houses in the
among manufacturers everywhere. These West, recognized that the special claims
goods have undergone the test of time— made for the Alfred Dolge felts were well
having been before the trade for the past founded, and their names appear at the
thirty years—and the best tribute to their head of a formidable list of customers, each
excellence and reliability is the large of whom are a unit as to the superiority
A quarter of a century ago we imported measure of support vouchsafed them by the and excellence of this American product.
mostly all of these important specialties trade. The Ingalls firm are highly re- And yet it is only a few years compara-
from abroad; to-day the exports of Dolge spected, and their future cannot fail to be tively since the greater portion of the
money spent by manufacturers for felts
piano felts alone exceed the imports of even still more successful than their past.
was
placed abroad. That is before Alfred
foreign felts, while the imports in piano
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Dolge
set to work and gave the trade a pro-
actions, felts, hammers, etc., are practically
Speaking
to
a
piano
manufacturer
re-
duct
which,
like the piano action, has dis-
nil—at least insignificant.
cently,
he
said,
"
I
have
used
the
Bothner
tinct
merits
and qualities superior to any-
The American piano action in particular
action
for
the
past
ten
years,
and
I
must
thing
made
abroad.
The Dolge felt is row
is entitled to a leading place in the piano
confess
that
it
pleases
me
and
my
cus-
used
extensively
by
European manufac-
industry. Next to the application of iron
tomers
to-day
as
well
as
it
did
when
we
turers,
and
large
shipments
are constantly
it has helped to individualize the American
first
commenced
to
use
it.
It
is
well
made,
m
de—a
significant
tribute
truly to the
piano. Quality, strength and refinement of
the
material
is
reliable,
and
it
is
nicely
American
manufactures.
tone could never have been so splendidly
interpreted by artists had not the efforts of finished in all its parts; in fact, dealers tell
our inventors and manufacturers resulted me that their customers are delighted with
in the production of an action which leads the elasticity and responsiveness of the
There is one point to emphasize in con-
the world and enables the American piano touch. Another point is its failure to easily nection with the supply branches of the
to maintain a distinct place as an art get out of order. " This is a well deserved music trade industry, and it seems to us
tribute, and judging from the trade trans-
creation.
that it is often overlooked. It is that the
acted by Geo. Bothner during the last
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high standard of excellence deservedly con-
twelve months the views expressed above
This brings to mind that among the first are held by quite a number of manufac- ceded to pianos and organs of domestic
manufacture is due not alone to the enter-
to recognize the need of an action that turers.
prise
and persistent efforts of the manufac-
would be fit for our climate and meet the
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turers
to improve them, but to the earnest
requirements of musicians, in fact, that
labors
of those specialists in the trade who
Isaac I. Cole, of I. I. Cole & Son, 427
would reflect the American characteristics
are
perpetually
striving to better perfect
for invention and ingenuity, was the enter- East Eighth street, is one of the represen-
their
products
and
thereby contribute to
prising firm of Wessell, Nickel & Gross, a tative members of the supply trade. Al-
the
completeness
of
American
instruments.
triumvirate of practical men. With them though he will soon be ranked among the
For
instance,
the
continued
improve-
octogenarians,
yet
he
is
one
of
those
young
"to think was to act," and the record of
ments
in
felts,
actions,
plates
and
other
old
men
who
take
a
lively
interest
in
trade
the house for over a score of years has been
concomitants
of
the
piano
have
been
of
affairs.
a persistent effort toward the perfection
such
value
that
embodied
in
the
modern
of the piano action. Improvements have
Mr. Cole is the inventor of many
been patented, innovations inaugurated, machines which have helped to cheapen piano they have helped to make it the ad-
and to-day dealers and manufacturers the production of veneers. The Cole pro- mirable instrument it is to-day. Manufac-
realize that a genuine feature of the good cess of preparing veneers is at present turers have done their share, it is true, but
piano is the use of the Wessell, Nickel & largely in adoption, yet the products of the the supply branches, as a general thing,
do not get the credit they should in this
Gross action.
Cole house have never been equaled.
Now that there is such a demand for connection.
Their factories at Forty-fifth and Forty-