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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
street, where the manufacturing establish-
ment adjoins, running through to Colborne
street, both buildings having been erected
by the firm, and therefore it would, seem
likely nothing has been overlooked in the
matter of convenient arrangements. They
will have on the market for the fall trade
anew scale piano which I had the pleasure
of examining, and feel justified in saying
that its superb musical qualities will sur-
prise many. A word about the Nordheimer
pianos. The firm have not claimeu to be the
largest manufacturers of pianos in Canada,
yet they have sought and have succeeded
in manufacturing instruments which have
won for themselves favorable opinions
from many critical experts. This firm
have for years been sole agents for the Do-
minion for the Steinway and Chickering
pianos, as well as for many other well-
known instruments of American manufac-
ture.
One of the oldest musical houses in Can-
ada is that established by Thomas Claxton,
who first commenced business in 1868.
His venture was a successful one, and his
establishment became wide and favorably
known among musicians, who bestowed
upon the genial proprietor a generous pa-
tronage. His place of business is 197 Yonge
street, where he carries a well selected
stock, embracing violins, guitars, mando-
lins—in fact, almost everything in the line
of small instruments. He also carries
sheet music, and supplies orchestras and
bands with instruments in all parts of the
Dominion. He is a musician of unques-
tioned ability, and is a widely recognized
authority on musical instruments. Mr.
Claxton published the first illustrated cata-
logue in Canada in 1886. He is a native
of Norfolk, Eng.
Theodore Heintzman, a piano maker of
exceptionable ability, founded the business
of Heintzman & Co. in 1850. His life
previous to that had been devoted almost
entirely to the practical development of the
pianoforte. He belongs to the old school
of piano makers, having worked years ago
in New York with many of the old-time
firms which are now extinct, among whom
were Lighte & Ernest. The Heintzman pi-
anos stand well throughout Canada. The
founder of the business has been largely
aided during the later years by his four
sons, all of whom have taken an active
interest in the business.
One of the most successful "supply" es-
tablishments in Canada is that of Wm.
Bohne & Co., 89-91 Niagara street, Toron-
to. Mr. Bohne, himself a practical ham-
mer coverer, having learned his trade in
some of the best factories in New York,
thought that Canada would be a fertile field
for his business exertions. His success has
proved the judgment which caused him to
locate in the "Queen City." Mr. Bohne con-
trols a goodly share of the trade of Canada,
II
and his wares are highly spoken of. His man. For over a quarter of a century he
specialty is pianoforte hammer covering, has devoted his entire time to the study of
and all other work pertaining to the ham- the pianoforte, practically and theoreti-
mers, consisting of boring, wiring, etc. For cally, and the result of his researches is
some years Mr. Bohne has been sole agent seen in the excellence of the pianos which
for Canada for a grade of piano felts which to-day bear his name. Leading firms all
have been pleasing to Canadian manufac- over Canada have taken the agency for these
turers. His "fur" felt is something new pianos. Mr. Heintzman, on his recent tour
and apparently stands much in favor with through the Maritime Provinces, succeeded
the Canadian trade.
not only in making new agencies but tak-
ing many large orders from his old ones.
Travel where you will in Canada, and you
As the manufacture of pianos has steadily will find pianos bearing the name of Ger-
increased in Canada so has the demand for ard Heintzman heartily endorsed by the
the parts of the instruments. The Diehl trade and purchasing public.
Mfg. Co., 785 King Street W., have been
particularly successful in the manufacture
of piano and organ keyboards. Mr. Diehl
Years ago when Sydney Ashdown, son of
is a practical man, and personally oversees
every portion of the work which is sent from the founder of the great Ashdown music
his factory. Piano and organ manufac- house of London, came to Toronto, he had
turers who desire clean work, well finished not an easy task before him. It is true
in detail, should not overlook Mr. Diehl. the name of Ashdown was well known in
England and in Continental Europe, but to
* *
create a strength for it in the Dominion
Otto Higel, the well-known pianoforte was not an easy task. However, Sydney
action manufacturer of Toronto, Can., came Ashdown was well equipped for that pur-
from Germany some years ago, and learned pose. Trained in the music business under
his trade with F. Koth, to whose business the direction of his father from boyhood,
he succeeded on the death of Mr. Koth. he knew the ins and outs of it perfectly,
He has a well-appointed factory at 93-95 and when he located in Toronto he went to
Richmond street, Toronto, which he has work with a will and an energy which
fitted up with improved machinery, some of brought him success.
which is his own invention; in fact, it was
The Canadian branch of the Ashdown
Mr. Higel's first move upon assuming own- music business is located in very pleasing
ership of the business to put in new ma- quarters at 122-124 Yonge street, Toronto.
chinery throughout, and a decided improve- This was the first move of any English
ment was noticed in his wares over that of music publishing concern to establish a
his predecessor. He counts on his list of branch in Canada, and since 1889 has
patrons some of the best known firms in been consolidated with the Anglo-Canadian
Canada. It may be seen that the Higel Music Publishers' Association, Ltd.
actions are appreciated when I state that he
Sydney Ashdown has ever been on the
has not been idle through the dull season, alert to increase his business, and when the
running his factory at full time. He is failure of Suckling & Sons occurred, some
young, enterprising, and there seems to be years ago, he purchased nearly all of their
a good future before him. He is a thorough valuable copyrights, which added to the
mechanic, and can make every part of the Ashdowr catalogue, which comprises up-
action himself. When ' e assumed the wards of thirty thousand compositions. It
ownership of the Koth business it was not gave him a tremendous advantage.
in a flourishing condition, neither in a fi-
During the past year there has been a
nancial nor in a business sense. Mr. Hi- steady augmentation of the Ashdown busi-
gel has shown his ability to surmount ordi- ness, and in Toronto music-lovers gravitate
nary obstacles, and has won for himself a naturally towards the handsome establish-
position of confidence with all those with ment presided over by Sydney Ashdown.
whom he comes in contact, which is highly
This great music publishing concern
commendable, and augurs well for his fut- never do anything by halves. They made
ure.
the largest contract ever made with a musi-
cian. For twenty-five years Sydney Smith
has been under special contract to them to
It it pleasant to note, on a visit through supply them with all bis compositions at
the Dominion, the progress made during the annual salary of five thousand dollars
the past year in the estimation of the trade per year. They have paid as high as five
of the Gerard Heintzman pianos. It only thousand dollars for a single composition.
proves as in the past so to-day, that the
The Canadian branch represents promi-
product of firms who manufacture instru- nent European houses such as Boosey &
ments of a high character will be impelled Co., Chappell & Co., Enoch & Sons, Patey
by a certain inherent force before the trade. & Willis, Peters, of Leipsic, and Litolff.
In other words, men know a good thing
when they see it, and they know that the
BUSINESS continues excellent at the
Gerard Heintzman pianos will fully carry
out any representations which are made Weaver Organ and Piano Co., York, Pa.
for them. The large factory at 69-75 Sher- Last week they shipped organs to Green-
bourne street, shows in arrangement and ville, Tex., Philadelphia, Baltimore, Indian
detail the supervision of a master mind, Territory and to Holland. Foreign trade
for such is that possessed by Gerard Heintz- with the Weaver Organ is steadily growing.