Music Trade Review

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
n
THE EXPOSITION AT PARIS.
SCHEDULED TO OPEN TO-DAY AN INTERESTING LETTER EXPLAINING THE CONDITIONS PREVAIL-
ING A WEEK AGO AMERICAN EXHIBITS WAITING FOR WORK MEN TO FINISH UP
THE UNITED STATES MAKES A GREAT SHOWING.
It is not unusual for expositions to be in
a state of unpreparedness, and it is there-
fore not surprising to learn that notwith-
standing the Paris Exposition is scheduled
to open to-day, cablegrams state that the
various buildings are still far from com-
plete. The grounds are encumbered with
debris of one kind and another although a
detachment of the army has been at work
putting them in a presentable condition.
It will be well on to the middle of May
before it will be possible to lay out the
grounds for shrubbery, plants and flowers,
and other necessary embellishments in that
line.
*
*
*
*
A letter from Paris, dated April 4th,
states that if the show is made at all pre-
sentable by April 14th, it will be little short
of a miracle. A detailed description of
the several portions of the exhibition at
present would be a mere picture of a
vast structure—incomplete—in veritable
chaos. Yet the courage of the able men
who are responsible for reducing it to order
is no way daunted. To every expression
of doubt as to the possibility of being
ready for the opening, they smilingly reply
that there is plenty of time, and that every-
thing will be shipshape when the great day
arrives.
Most of the pavilions of the nations are
in a fairly advanced condition, and there
is no doubt that they will all be in apple-
pie order for the opening ceremony. One
nation—Greece—actually inaugurated its
national pavilion by an " A t Home" last
week though the only piece of furniture
was a well-supplied buffet.
*
% *
*
There can be no longer any doubt that
when completed the Exhibition as a whole
will present a striking effect, far exceed-
ing in beauty and variety either of the two
preceding Paris exhibitions. The view
from the new Alexander Bridge is even
now one well worth coming to Paris
to see. On one side of the river rise
the two great white palaces abutting on
the Champs-Elysees, the larger intended
for the Beaux Arts, the smaller for the
Arts Francois; toward the Place de la
Concorde rises the Monumental Porch of
the Exhibition, with its dome and Oriental
towers, while away down the river one
catches glimpses of the Pavilion of the
city of Paris, the palaces of Horticulture
and Arboriculture, the quaint gables of
"Old Paris, "and the distant pavilions of the
French colonies and foreign nations that are
grouped about the Trocadero. On the oppo-
site side of the river appear in all their
strange variety the pavilions of the for-
eign Powers, lining the left bank of the
Seine, surely the most incongruous collec-
tion of architectural features ever yet seen.
Not only is each building different from
its neighbor, but each building is itself a
bizarre medley of the various stages of ar-
chitectural development experienced by
the country it represents.
To the left, looking up the river, rise the
buildings occupying the two sides of the
Esplanades des Invalides, those on one
side devoted to French industries, those
on the other to foreigners. Away beyond,
fitly crowning this view, rises the gilded
dome of the Invalides. Looking down
stream the eye rests on the palaces of the
armies of land and sea, the pavilions of
commerce, the Eiffel Tower, the great
wheel, and the vast structures covering the
Champs de Mars which form the main and
chief portion of the Exhibition. As thus
seen one realizes what a vast conception
was the planning of this Exhibition, and
also with what admirable taste and skill it
has been carried out.
*
•
*
*
Regarding the United States section
Commissioner Peck, when asked if it com-
pared favorably with those of other coun-
tries, said: "Leaving France out of the
question we are far and away ahead of all
other nations both as regards the number
and importance of our exhibits. We are
nearly three times as numerous as the next
most important exhibitor—Germany—for
while we have nearly 7,000, Germany has
considerably under 3,000. Mexico, it is
true, sends 3,000 exhibits, but in that case
every separate specimen of ore is counted
as an exhibit. England sends barely 1,-
000. The Russian section is import-
ant ; but I have not yet learned the num-
ber of exhibitors." Mr. Peck felt sure
that, though the last painter will not
be out, the United States Pavilion will
be ready to receive guests on the open-
ing day. This building will be very
richly decorated within, $30,000 being
spent upon the decorations alone. All the
work is prepared on canvas, so that once
the walls are ready the rest will be quickly
done.
The American exhibits are waiting till
the workmen have finished. As soon as
the French authorities give permission
they will be quickly in place. No fear
need be felt that the United States' portion
of the exhibition will be found wanting in
any respect. True American promptitude
in getting everything into order will be
displayed as soon as the permission is giv-
en to go ahead.
Cole's Luzon Log.
No sooner did the eyes of Frederick
Kranich, of Kranich & Bach, alight upon
that superb log of Luzon mahogany re-
ferred to in another portion of this paper,
than he at once secured it. Mr. Kranich
is a wood specialist, as is demonstrated by
the beautiful woods in which the Kranich
& Bach pianos are encased. He is the first
among piano manufacturers to secure Luzon
mahogany.
Champlain Returns.
Geo. H. Champlain, the Weber represen-
tative in Boston, reached New York yester-
day from an extended tour of South Amer-
ica.
A Burns "Seller."
Frank B. Burns, who has just returned
from one of his frequently-recurring trips,
talked with The Review briefly on Thurs-
day concerning stools. He mentioned the
stool shown on this page as one of the lat-
est and most salable designs, upholstered
in fine morocco of all shades. "It is hav-
ing a big run," said Mr. Burns, "and we
are making it in all woods. Those who are
interested in stools will further their own
interests by sending in for a sample."
Frank Hanson has become representa-
tive in Johnstown, N. Y., for J. H. Perry,
of Gloversville.
Are you desirous of securing a piano
in which are combined all essentials
necessary to a high-grade product at a
figure which at once makes it the most
desirable piano for the dealer to handle?
THE
The Staib-Abendschcin Co.
The Staib-Abendschein Piano Action Co.
ALENBERG
continue to keep up the same rapid gait,
completing and shipping an ever-increas-
ing number of actions. The record of this
firm since its establishment is highly cred-
itable to the firm members, demonstrating is an instrument which will at once
in a manner beyond cavil or contradiction appeal to expert buyers as embodying
the fact that they have attended strictly to the maximum value at the minimum
business and have at the same time bee* price. Territory open for allotment.
careful of their reputation. Every year's
total output shows a big percentage of in-
crease over the previous twelve months.
"Warerooms:
Factory:
This is the best test of actual and de- 23 East 14th Street,
New Rochellc,
served prosperity.
NEW YORK.
N. Y.
IANO.
Calenberg Piano Co*,