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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE GREAT POSSIBILITIES OF CIRCASSIAN WALNUT.
Few Woods So Popular or Offer So Many Unique Effects in the Figuring—United States the
Largest Consumer of That Wood—Best Wood Comes from Asia, Where the Tree Is a Native.
Few woods are so popular, or from which so
many unique effects in figuring can be secured, as
Cifcassian walnut. In recent years we have come
across some very odd and artistic effects in pianos
secured through the use of veneer from this wood,
which have won a large measure of appreciation
from discriminating purchasers. The United
States is probably the largest consumer of Cir-
cassian walnut, one of the world's best known and
most expensive cabinet woods.
The high cost of Circassian walnut is due to the
scarcity of the beautifully figured variety de-
manded for pianos, fine furniture and interior fin-
ish, for the tree itself is more widely distributed
than almost any other of commercial importance.
The demand for the best wood, however, has al-
ways outrun the supply. Even in the eighteenth
century, when wars in Europe were frequent, so
much Circassian walnut was used for gunstocks
that the supply was seriously depleted. Early in
the nineteenth century the wood of 12,000 trees
was used for this purpose alone. Single trees,
containing choice burls or fine bird's-eye figures,
have sold for more than $3,000.
The tree is native to the eastern slopes of the
Caucasus and ranges eastward to the foothills of
the Himalaya Mountains, Irom which it extends
southward to northern India and the mountains
of upper Burma. It has been widely planted in
Europe and the United States in this country
under the name of English walnut. The wood
grown here, however, has not the qualities de-
manded by the cabinet and furniture maker. Much
of the Circassian walnut now used comes from
the Black Sea and from other parts of Asia. Ac-
cording to a circular just issued by the Forest Serv-
ice, the demand for Circassian walnut has re-
sulted in the substitution of other woods. Our
own red gum is often sold as Circassian walnut,
and butternut is also similar in general appearance
to the less highly figured grades. Many good
African, Asian and South American woods re-
semble Circassian walnut, though none possesses
the magnificent figure, delicate tones and velvety
texture of the latter.
The circular issued by the Forest Service discusses
the supply and uses of Circassian walnut, and those
who wish to know how possible substitutes may be
T
distinguished can learn from this circular the dis-
tinctive marks which the Government's experts
have discovered.
NEW YORK
The regular and growing use of Circassian wal-
among musicians. A famous violin teacher says
nut for piano cases should make information re-
he knows few musicians who can tell with cer-
garding it valuable to piano manufacturers.
tainty what note has been struck upon a piano or
sounded by the voice. Such an ear is a gift; it
KEENNESS OF THE MUSICAL EAR.
can be acquired only to a certain extent. The
Fritz Kreisler, in a Book Telling of His Experi-
writer knows a ten-year-old boy whose ear is so
ences in the Trenches, Declares He Could Dis-
accurate that he can tell any note struck on the
tinguish Range of Enemy's Cannon by Sound
piano and can say with certainty in what key a
of Passing Shells—A Rare Gift.
piece of music is being played. He called his
father's attention to the fact that the note struck
How a keen musical ear became useful to the by the parlor clock was exactly midway between
Austrian army is told by Fritz Kreisler in his re- E and F. He remarked of a certain phonograph
cently published book, "Four Weeks in the
record :
Trenches." The famous violinist's ear detected
"That does not end right. The key is E minor
the difference in the sound made by a shell that
and the instrument that played the top note of
was rising and in that made by one that was fall-
the last chord played it a half tone flat."
ing. The rising had a dull sound with a falling
And he was right. An ear like that, according
cadence, the falling a shrill sound with a rising
to musicians, is so exceptional as to be almost
cadence. By finding the spot over which the dull
phenomenal.
sound of the Russian shells changed to the shrill,
Mr. Kreisler was able to give to the commanders
REPORTS SPIRIT OF OPTIMISM.
of the Austrian artillery the precise range of the
Russian guns.
Adolph Stern, secretary of the David H. Schmidt
Co., Poughkeepsie, N. Y., makers of piano ham-
A really accurate musical ear is a rarity even
mers, was a visitor to New York this week, having
several important business matters to close. Mr.
Stern reports that there is a spirit of optimism
among the piano manufacturers and it is being
evidenced by the plan of production which is to
CINCINNATI, O.
enable them to be in position to fill orders dur-
Importers a n d Manufacturers of
the fall. "Everyone feels that we shall have
Figured Mahogany, Circassian Wal- a ing good
fall business," he added.
We're here to
do your bid-
ding and are
at your serv-
ice.
CFGOEPELACD
137 EAST I3 -* ST.
The Ohio Veneer Co.
nut and Foreign Woods for high-
grade piano cases and cabinets.
New York Office and Sample Room
Grand Central Palace Building
Lexington Ave. and 46th St.
G. H. VAUGHAN, Eastern Representative
Piano Manufacturers
GRUBB & KOSEGARTEN BROS.
Manufacturers ol HIGH GRADE
OFFMAN BROS. CO.
FORT WAYNE, IND.
(Est. 1867)
(Inc. 1004)
Specialties, Hardwood, Veneers, aad
Lumber for Musical Instruments.
Banufftotursn
Orange, N. J .
When you fail
to see an un-
sightly hinge
protruding
you know
SOSS is the
answer.
H
WHITE, SON COMPANY
George H. Harper Co.
"OUT OF SIGHT
EVER IN MIND"
The Central Veneer Co., Huntington, W. Va.
N A S S A U , Rensselaer County, N. Y.
S30-S40 AtUntlo Avanut). Boston. M a s s .
£g
soft yellow poplar for cross band-
ing is unapproached in this country.
A large supply always on hand.
PIANO-FORTE ACTIONS
ORGAN AND PLAYER-PIANO LEATHERS
INVISIBLE HINGES
REG.US PAT OFF
V
VENEERS
VENEERS
Write to.day.
SOSS
4 3 5 Atlantic Av«.
BROOKLYN, N. Y.
Circassian Walnut, Oak, Walnut
and Specializing on Mahogany.
Capacity—5 Million Feet