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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
12
Twentieth Century Piano
Action.
EXPLANATORY BOOKLET ISSUED ADMIRABLY
COMPILED AND PRODUCED.
The Twentieth Century action is making
rapid headway. The Staib Piano Action
Manufacturing Co., under whose control it
is manufactured exclusively, report un-
usual progress. A handsome sixteen-page
publication, with illustrations, has just
been issued by the firm. It deals with the
Twentieth Century action, explaining the
new principle involved. Among other
comments, it says in the introduction:—
"This Twentieth Century action is no
longer an experiment. It has been placed
in a piano and tested by time and by wear.
It has been subjected to climatic influ-
ences, and in every particular it has been
found just what the inventor has claimed
for it—an advanced upright piano action.
What was wanted was an action for an up-
right piano which would be as effective for
the musician as the celebrated Erard grand
action and it was desirable to bring about
this result without additional springs and
by means of simple contrivances, which
would give a more perfect control of the
touch and an increased repetition, without
requiring a heavier stroke. This, Mr.
Becker [the inventor| has accomplished."
In addition to the technical explanation, a
list is given of eminent pianists and com-
posers who have tested and approved the
new action. Two pages are devoted to
diagrams showing the Twentieth Century
action and, for comparison, the ordinary
Staib action. Then follows a history of
the firm, and excellent full page illustra-
tions of the mill room, lathe room, covering
and brushing room and finishing room. On
the last page of the cover is a cut of the
building in which the factory is located.
The Paris Exposition of 1900.
From European sources we learn that ITS SPLENDID REPUTATION AND ACTUAL MER-
ITS WILL ENABLE MAURICE KRAKAUER
the Piano Manufacturers' Association of
TO MAKE A RECORD.
Germany have decided to take part col-
lectively in the International Exposition
Maurice Krakauer left town on Tuesday.
to be held in Paris in 1900.
His trip will cover considerable territory
This brings to mind the inactivity of and will occupy three weeks or more. It
our government in connection with this is safe to predict satisfactory results.
important event. The Senate bill appro- Apart from his own personality and the
priating $500,000 for a suitable representa- ever-growing prestige of the firm, he will
tion at the Paris Exposition was pigeon- be able to speak freely and fearlessly of
holed by the House and will not come up the Krakauer products as above reproach.
for consideration before the early part of The styles for 1897-8 are unusually good
next year. As a matter of course the and attractive. At this time—the begin-
bucolic element will oppose such "extrava- ning of a new season's active work—one of
gance," but it must be remembered that the expressions of opinion given not very
France made an exhibit at Chicago that long ago concerning the Krakauer products
cost at least $1,000,000.
seems to be exactly appropriate and as it
As far as we can learn piano and organ stands true to-day it is just as likely to re-
manufacturers in this country have not yet present the position of the firm for many
given serious consideration to the matter years to come: —
of being represented, but then considering
"There is one piano that holds a
the dilatory tactics of our government unique position in this trade. When-
officials, it will be ample time to make ever or wherever it is spoken of high words
definite arrangements as soon as Special of praise are always used. It has a record
Commissioner Handy returns from his mis- of a quarter of century of push, hard work,
sion of investigation in Paris, and it is enterprise and honesty behind it that have
exactly known " where we are at." In the placed it in the position it holds to-day.
spring of 1898 the subject will be more ma- This piano is the Krakauer—a name known
tured and consideration will then perhaps throughout the trade as typical of success-
be in order.
ful progress."
With this reputation behind him and
Votey Organ Co.
the knowledge that he represents merit
and artistic skill in piano making, Maurice
DETAILS CONCERNING THEIR PURCHASE OF
Krakauer is sure to make a good record.
LAND FOR A PLANT AND HOME FOR WORK-
MEN IN GARWOOD, N. J.
The rumor which appeared in last
week's Review that the Votey Organ Co.
had purchased land for a large factory at
Garwood, N. J., between Cranford and
Westfield, is now confirmed. On Saturday
last the Votey Organ Co. executed a con-
tract with the Garwood Land Improve-
ment Co. for the purchase of a plot of five
acres, facing on Center Street, east of the
Chase Bros. New Colonial
railroad tracks, and extending westward to
Style.
Huber's woods. A plant that will provide
Chase Bros., of Muskegon, Mich., are employment for over two hundred will be
not behind the times in the matter of new constructed at once. To provide homes
styles for the season of '97-8. A number for these workmen and their families the
are just being completed, one of which es- Land Improvement Co. have agreed to
pecially, known as style U, is destined to erect forty houses and have them ready
add to the reputation of this pioneer piano for occupancy when the plant is com-
house of the West. The style is Colonial pleted.
and so correct in architectural lines that it
presents a mosL artistic appearance. It is
Busy Harlem Factories.
made up in some really beautiful veneers;
This week's reports above the Harlem
those in dark mahogany particularly are of
are,
without exception, confirmatory of the
great richness. The new Chase Bros. Co-
recently
expressed declaration of prosper-
lonial is as beautiful in tone as in appear-
ity's
rapid
approach. Just as fast as the
ance. The scale is a remarkably even one,.
instruments
can be completed at the sev-
and the tonal quality is delightful. Chase
eral
factories
they are boxed and shipped
Bros, are going to push their trade this
without
a
moment's
delay.
fall, and with such splendid pianos as they
are now producing a good many dealers
J. T. Keenan Co.
must capitulate.
H. D. Cable of Chicago, and Thomas F.
Scanlan of Boston, were in attendance at
the directors' meeting of the Freyer &
Bradley Music Co. of Atlanta, Ga., held in
that city last week.
The Krakauer Piano.
The J. T. Keenan Co. of Elmira, N. Y.,
was incorporated on Thursday last to manu-
facture musical merchandise; capital stock,
$10,000; directors, James T. Keenan of
Elmira, Mary J. Keenan and John P.
Keenan of McLean.
The Stevens Organs.
Dealers located in the farming sections
of the country are already placing large
advance orders for organs, and in this con-
nection we would direct attention to the
handsome line of seven octave piano case
combination reed pipe organs which are
being placed on the market this fall by the
Stevens Organ Co. of Marietta, O. They
are made in solid oak, cherry, mahogany
and walnut, as well as in some beautiful
fancy veneers. The Stevens organ is not
only beautiful as to case work, but the tone
is of that pipe organ quality which de-
lights. Dealers handling the Stevens or-
gans find them splendid sellers, and a
goodly number of them should find an
abiding place this season in the homes of
our people.