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The Music Trade Review
SEPTEMBER 1, 1928
Piano Crafters' Guild Introduces
Combined Piano and Secretary
New Instrument Just Announced Has Piano Installed in Colonial Secretary, With
Keyboard Entirely Concealed When Not in Use as Piano
/"*\NE of the principal reasons assigned for
the depression in piano sales is the lack
of adequate space for placing the instrument.
To the right
|
the Modeska with
|
Player-action
§
Installed—
j
Further Right:
|
Modeska with
|
keyboard closed
|
appearing as
]
Members of the piano trade have been cogni-
zant of this condition and have taken various
steps to remedy it. One has been production
changes in the form of the piano to meet the
new conditions.
Now, however, comes a distinctly interesting
new product manufactured and offered by the
Piano Crafters' Guild, a new organization made
up of a group of piano men of wide experi-
ence, headed by B. H. Janssen, of the Jans-
sen Piano Co., Inc., New York, as president;
with George W. Allen, vice-president; D. W.
Schultz, vice-president; Webster E. Janssen,
treasurer, and A. E. Owen, secretary. The new
company, in short, has succeeded in enclosing
Secretary
• I'I:'SI : i 'I 'I I II I,.!!!, IMIIIIIiUUI II II'HIII'IIIII'IIIII'V.
§
The Modeska
|
|
with the
|
1 keyboard exposed §
|
A considerable percentage of individual homes
being constructed without regard for providing
space for pianos, and the high rents of apart-
ments putting such a premium upon space, it
is difficult at times even to find space for the
ordinary house furniture.
showing how
1
E this new develop-
j
z
ment appears
j
as a piano
1
of grands and uprights in small sizes, and an-
other, campaigns carried on to have architects
and builders give consideration to the placing
of the piano when drawing home plans, a
rather slow process. There have not been up
to the present, however, any distinct radical
a specially designed piano within the confines
of a Colonial secretary in such a manner that,
in addition to housing the piano itself, the same
cabinet provides convenient space for books,
commodious drawers for odds and ends, and
a complete desk equipment such as is found in
the ordinary secretary.
The combined piano and secretary is the idea
of Webster E. Janssen, who has devoted sev-
eral months of work to the problem with such
success that some eleven patents have already
been secured to cover its various exclusive
features, and others are pending. The name
"Modeska" has been adopted for the combina-
tion.
As will be seen from the accompanying illus-
trations, the appearance of the new instrument
is that of the authentic secretary of the Colo-
nial period, and when the keyboard is closed
there is nothing to change that first impres-
sion. However, when the writing desk is
folded back the keyboard is exposed and ready
for use, and in view of the narrow confines and
unusual surroundings in which it is placed the
volume and quality of tone in the piano is sur-
prisingly good.
Although the new instrument was designed
primarily for the small apartment, it was dis-
covered as soon as it was placed upon the mar-
ket that it had a much wider appeal, several
already having been purchased for installation
in fine homes where space is practically un-
limited, but where the unusual combination of
secretary and piano proved a strong attraction.
The case work is of high quality, instruments
being obtainable in mahogany, walnut and
other woods, as desired. In certain models a
reproducing action playing the regulation rolls
has been incorporated, and in practically all of
the styles it is possible to install a radio re-
ceiver and thus combine two types of music ID
the one cabinet.