Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
George W. Gittins Buys Control of Estey Piano Go.
Purchases Stock of James B. Simpson and Becomes Treasurer of New Organization—Col. J. Gray Estey Elected President—
J. Harry Estey and A. Dalrymple Hold Their Interests—Former Congressman Robert R. Gittins and Valentine J.
Faeth Also Associated in Concern—To Expand Facilities and Manufacture Player Actions for the Trade
George W. Gittins is in the harness again. among the world-famous high-grade instruments
Announcement was made this week of his pur- will be strictly maintained. Our baby grand,
chase from J. B. Simpson of the control of the a scant five-foot, is a most beautiful instru-
Estey P i a n o Co.,
whose extensive fac-
tory is located at 133d
street and Lincoln
avenue, New York.
Since his resignation
as president of Kohlcr
& Campbell and gen-
eral manager of the
Kohler Industries, Mr.
Gittins has been close-
ly studying the pre-
vailing conditions in
the piano industry and
has finally acquired
the control of a name
and product which
has, since 1846, not
only enjoyed a nation-
al reputation, but is
well known through-
out the world.
J. Harry Estey and
Col. J. Gray Estey
will retain their hold-
ings, and A. Dalrym-
ple, who has been sec-
retary of the com-
pany for many years,
has largely increased
his stock interest, and
will continue in his
present capacity. As-
sociated in the new
company will be Rob-
ert R. Gittins, former
Congressman from Ni-
agara Falls, a brother
of George W. Gittins,
a n d M r . Gittins's
brother-in-law, Valen- George W. Gittins, Who Has Purchased the Control of the Estey Piano
Co., Becoming Treasurer of the Concern
tine J. Faeth.
The new slate of officers will be as follows: ment, and probably as small as a good and sub-
Col. J. Gray Estey, president; George W. Git- stantial grand piano should be made. We con-
tins, treasurer; A. Dalrymple, secretary.
template a large manufacture of these units.
When seen by a representative of The Re- For some time the Estey Piano Co. has been
view this week, Mr. Gittins was devoting his manufacturing^ its own player actions which
time to "business as usual," and also in his have been exclusively installed in Estey player-
usual up-to-the-minute manner, with a gleam pianos. Our facilities for manufacturing these
of satisfaction in every movement.
will be largely increased, and the manufactur-
Mr. Gittins's Statement
"The announcement of my purchase and ac-
quisition of a liberal control of the Estey Piano
Co. has been especially reserved for the Chi-
cago convention," he said. "The hardest thing,
that I have had to do since my resignation
from the Kohler Industries has been to mark
time, which is absolutely against my nature, and
you can rest assured that I am very happy with
my new surroundings. Those associated with
me are men of long experience in the piano in-
dustry, and I can safely assure the trade that
they will hear from us in an extensive manner
within the near future. J. Harry Estey and
Col. J. Gray Estey will retain their holdings,
while the latter has succeeded J. B. Simpson
as president of the company. A. Dalrymple,
who has been secretary of the company, and
also sales manager for several years, and who
is considered one of the most capable piano
men in the country, having a host of friends
from Coast to Coast, will continue in his pres-
ent capacity. We have acquired additional
property and have fairly well matured plans
whereby the company's business will be greatly
expanded and the manufacturing facilities en-
larged. The high standard of excellence along
which the Estey pianos and player-pianos have
been manufactured, and which has placed them
The Extensive Factory of the Estey Piano Co.,
ing trade will soon have the opportunity of
securing Estey high-grade player mechanisms
on an attractive basis."
Col. J. Gray Estey, the newly elected presi-
dent of the company, expressed his satisfaction
of the new developments to a representative of
The Review as follows:
"The change in the control and management
of the Estey Piano Co. is a happy one, and I
am delighted. 1 think perhaps we have been
too conservative in view of changing business
conditions in the piano trade. Mr. Gittins'
well-known achievements in the piano manufac-
turing industry and the wonderful energy and
business acumen which characterizes him will
be quickly seen and appreciated. I don't
think I can say any more at this time."
Lucky Thirteen at the Convention
The Estey Piano Co. will have a booth at
the National Music Show, which is now being
held in Chicago, the booth number being 13.
"That is good luck," said Mr. Dalrymple in
his characteristic, energetic manner to a repre-
sentative of The Review.
"I only want to say that I have been con-
nected with the Estey Piano Co. for twenty-five
years, and this is the best thing that ever struck
us, and I am delighted, gentlemen, delighted.
1 am going to be in charge of the booth in Chi-
cago, and we shall have a full line exhibited,
and I shall give both our old and new friends a
most hearty welcome."
The above all came to the trade this week as
a great surprise, although everyone who had
known Mr. Gittins had been expecting that he
would launch out in some project in his usual
big and broadminded way.
The Early History of the Concern
The Estey Piano Co. was the offspring of the
Estey Organ Co., founded by Jacob Estey in
the year 1846. The early Estey business be-
came famous from the manufacture of reed or-
gans which were used not only in the United
States, but all over the world and consequently
it has been the good fortune, of the Estey
Piano Co. to have also enjoyed a world-wide
reputation. One of the features of the Estey
business to-day has been its export trade, and a
line of export models is now being manufac-
tured. They are known as well in European
countries as they are in South American or other
Latin-American climes.
In order to further the interests of their piano
at 133rd Street and Lincoln Avenue, New York