April 14, 1923
iron frame. For, notwithstanding that Alpheus Babcock had pro-
duced a full iron frame twelve years earlier, the Chickering" was so
great an improvement that it was accorded a patent.
Many other patents bear the Chickering name, and only one of
them proved really disastrous. It was in the early % 80's that the
Chickering metal action appeared. It at first promised well, having,
like the Billings brass flange, the advantage of strength and freedom
from decay and atmospheric influences. But it was diastrous, and the
Style 10 Chickering probably cost the Boston house a larger sum, in
money and reputation, than any other invention that has ever been
applied to the modern piano.
The Chickerings, father and three sons, were remarkable men.
The two whose work persisted until recent years, were rare gentle-
men socially, and skillful piano makers by instinct and practice.
George H. was the last of the Chickerings to pass away. He died in
1896, having been preceeded by his two brothers, of whom J. Frank
Chickering, was the most noted. It was he who originated the fa-
mous Chickering Hall, in New York City, where he had his offices
and workrooms for many years. There, too, he conceived the idea of
establishing a music journal with which to fight the Chickering bat-
tles, which were at the time somewhat menacing. The paper was
called "The Musical American," the name having been chosen as be-
ing typical of Mr. Chickering's character.
Today, as a division of a large industrial combination, the Chick-
ering piano runs neck and neck, to use a sporting term, with the
Knabe—the Boston piano and the one from Baltimore being promoted
as high grade productions and sold at prices in keeping.
It had been the intention to devote a considerable space in this
issue of Presto to the Chickering Centenarv, but, in view of the vast
WEAVER NIGHT CELEBRATED
IN YORK, PA., HIGH SCHOOL
Appreciative Audience of Twelve Thousand Hear
Recital by Weaver Reproducing Piano.
The merits of the Weaver Reproducing Piano
made under Welte Mignon patents by the Weaver
Piano Co., Inc., York, Pa., were shown to an appre-
ciative audience which filled the York High School
auditorium recently. It was aptly named "Weaver
Night," and the satisfaction of the hearers equalled
the pride of the makers' of the Weaver instrument on
the occasion.
It was one of a series of concerts promoted by
the Music League of York, but on this occasion un-
usual attractions were provided through the covirtesy
of the Weaver Piano Co., Inc., which company pre-
sented Miss Louise Walker a coloratura soprano.
Miss Marguerite Walken, a violinist, both of Balti-
more, Md., and Miss Grace Ziegler, a York pianist.
In the concert heard by 1200 discriminative people
in the Weaver Reproducing Piano (Welte Mignon
patents) was used in some of the most delightful
numbers. The instrument was used to accompany
vocal soloists and reproductions of the playing of
great recording artists.
OFFICERS RE-ELECTED BY
UNITED PIANO CORPORATION
Increased Production in all Factories and Continu-
ous Flow of Orders J. H. Williams Report.
At a meeting last week of the stockholders of the
United Piano Corp., New York, James H. Williams
was re-elected president; J. Harry Shale, vice presi-
dent and treasurer, and Warren J. Whitney, vice
president and secretary. In addition to the officers
named, the following were elected directors: C. F.
Jackson, C. B. Gardner, A. W. Normand and Walter
A. Hall. At a subsequent meeting of the directors,
Charles McConville was elected a vice president and
S. B. Keilholtz, assistant secretary and assistant
treasurer. A. C. McLean was appointed general man-
ager of all the factories of the United Piano Corp.
Other appointments were that of L. K. Voght as
technical engineer at the factories at Norwalk, O.,
and of Henry Schwartz as assistant superintendent
there.
The report and statement presented by Mr. Shale
at the stockholders' meeting was considered very sat-
isfactory and encouraging. Mr. Williams' report
added to the satisfaction of the meeting. He told of
the increased production at the various plants of the
corporation and the continuous flow of orders to the
sales department.
The triumph of the Celco comparison recitals pro-
vided a pleasant topic for Mr. Whitney, who saw a
5
PRESTO
amount of promotive matter along similar lines this sketchy article
covers the subject very fully. The Chickering piano was founded on
April 14. 1823.
In our country, which some people still love to refer to as
"young," a hundred years looks large. In the older countries across
the sea, a century doesn't seem so much. And, of course, the indus-
tries of the "new world" can not run back into the time when some of
the comparative youngsters of the old world won their fame. In the
piano industry the contrast is not so great as some others, because the
instrument itself began its history with the genius of Cristofori, little
more than two hundred years ago. So that the piano itself is less than
two hundred years older than America, and only sixty-nine years
younger than the United States.
* * *
New York City has a population of 5.927,625. In that enormous
aggregation of life and activity, how many pianos are in use? It is
subject of debate as to whether New York or Chicago leads in volume
of piano production. Twenty years ago very few Chicago pianos
were sold in New York. It is not that way today.
"Drumtalk" by radio is the latest sensation in Africa, where
warnings and propaganda terror are broadcasted by loud beating of
the tom-tom for radio transmission. But that's different from the
fine resonance of the grand piano.
.There will be no broadcasting by radio of reproducing piano re-
citals at the June Convention, A radio broadcast would be a libel
of piano tone and a slandering of the piano maker's art.
relation between the increased orders for the Celco
reproducing medium and the series of recitals featur-
ing it.
The following officers of the A. B. Chase Piano Co.
were re-elected: Warren C. Whitney, president and
secretary; James H. Williams, vice president, and
J. Harry Shale, treasurer.
Re-elected officers of the Emerson Piano Co., are
James H. Williams, president; J. Harry Shale, vice
president and treasurer; Chas. McConville, vice presi-
dent; Warren C. Whitney, secretary; E. S. Payson,
chairman of the board of directors.
At the election of officers of the Lindeman & Sons
Piano Co., James H. Williams was named president,
Charles McConville, vice president; J. Harry Shale,
treasurer, and Warren C. Whitney, secretary.
A. B. CHASE WITH CELCO
FOR BROADCASTING STATION
Programs from New Edgewater Beach Hotel Station
Include Music from Famous Instrument.
The broadcasting station in the Edgewater Beach
Hotel, Chicago, is equipped with the A. B. Chase Re-
producing Piano with the Celco reproducing medium
and in programs from this new sending station the
instrument will be represented. The A. M. Chase
with the Celco reproducing medium was supplied
to the Edgewater .Beach Hotel sending station by
the S. A. Moist Piano Co., 309 S. Wabash avenue,
which company recently acquired the representation
of the lines of the United Piano Corp.
This new sending station is the last word in ap-
paratus and methods for radio broadcasting. It has
four sending chambers built in the manner to assure
absolute safety from outside sound interference. The
Chicago Radio Laboratory, manufacturers of Zenith
radio apparatus, supervised its erection. A large sec-
tion of the rotunda has been allotted by the hotel
management for the broadcasting station.
TEXAN'S SUCCESS WITH
SEEBURG AUTOMATIC PIANOS
Qualities That Make Them Desirable and Saleable
Told by W. L. Pace, Beaumont.
To the dealer familiar with the musical and me-
chanical merits of the automotive instruments of the
J. P. Seeburg Piano Co., Chicago, every instrument
is its own policy of insurance of satisfaction to the
purchaser. The Seeburg automatic instrument in-
sures a big quality in the music productd, perfection
in tone, accuracy of mechanical operation and thor-
ough durability. A combination of these qualities
means pleasure to the hearers of the instrument and
a lasting and profitable investment to the purchaser.
In the following letter W. L. Pace, president of
the W. L. Pace Piano Co., Beaumont, Tex., states
his opinion of the Seeburg instruments. The experi-
ences of the energetic Texas dealer are conclusive
proofs of the sale-making and profitable character
of the goods.
"Referring to your letter of December 22, asking
us to write you a short letter as to what we think
of your line of pianos. Just to be brief, we think
you have the only line of electric pianos on the mar-
ket. Just to show you how strongly we believe this,
if you will refer to your record of sales, you will note
that we have purchased from you about three hun-
dred and twenty-five pianos during the last three
years. Your pianos are all you claim for them.
'Simplicity, Reliability, Endurance' and you might
add Beauty and Melody.
"Our relations in the past have always been very
cordial and we would ask that you remember us as
one of vour satisfied customers."
OREGON EILERS ASSETS AT
PORTLAND TO BE SOLD
Large Stock of Pianos, Phonographs to Go at Retail
Cut Prices.
The stock of the Oregon Eilers Music House,
bankrupt, has been moved to the Hamilton Building,
on the third floor, at 131 Third street, Portland, and
Messrs. Foley and Blake have been appointed sales
agents by S. J. Bishoff, trustee. Mr. Bishoff has
instructed the sales agents to sell the balance of the
stock at the best offers as the court insists that the
settlement of the affairs of the defunct firm must be
made at an early date.
STORY & CLARK IN PATERSON.
In the sale is a very large stock of High grade
Thomas C. Statham, who recently was appointed phonographs, consisting of Victors, Brunswicks, Edi-
to the sales force of the Story & Clark Piano Co., in sons, Stradivaras, Columbias, etc., in both the new
the New York Division, was formerly manager of
cabinet and console types, which are offered at less
the Lauter Co.'s interests in Passaic and Hoboken. than the dealer's original costs, and at terms to suit.
Mr. Statham will possibly be the manager of the new Just what effect this sales will have on the trade, if
Story & Clark branch soon to be opened in Pater-
any, is hard to tell, although the various dealers say
son, N. J.
"it has not cut into our trade."
AFTER "GYP" DEALERS.
The municipal council .of Montreal, Can., is con-
sidering a measure recently submitted, which would
levy a heavy tax on those who conduct "gyp" sales
in private houses. The tax proposed in each instance
is $200. Gyp sales have been growing in numbers
for the past few years in the Canadian city much to
the detriment of the regular dealers in the business
sections.
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