Presto

January 19, 1924.
PRESTO
ALWAYS
AN
ASSET
TRIES TO END
LIFE WITH GAS
Stephen Brambach, Member of Famous Fam-
ily of Piano Manufacturers, Almost Desti-
tute, Seeks Desperate Way Out of
His Troubles.
by the Kohler & Campbell interests and for a time
Stephen Brambach continued as manufacturing su-
perintendent for the piano bearing his name.
His Later Activities.
Later he was transferred to the Hazelton piano
factory, which the Kohler & Campbell interests also
absorbed, and for a number of years devoted his
talents to the development of that instrument. Fol-
lowing this, he started in business for himself, open-
ing a piano store and repair business at the Lexing-
ton avenue address mentioned earlier in this article.
In the meantime Mr. Brambach suffered the loss
of his wife and since that time, with his approaching
RESCUED JUST IN TIME
Was Once Prominent in Factories of Distinguished
New York Industries and Also as Head of
His Own Industry.
An almost incredibly sad story comes from New-
York City concerning" the desperate plight of one
of the most familiar characters associated with the
'piano industry—particularly of a quarter-century
back. It is that on January 10th Stephen Brambach,
seventy years oldj of the family of piano manufac-
turers long active in the New York industry, at-
tempted suicide in his rooms at No. 1174 Park
Avenue, in that city. He was found in bed with a
gas tube clenched between his teeth after the super-
intendent of the apartment house traced gas to his
rooms on tlie ground floor of the building.
Prompt work on the part of the police, followed
COIN OPERATED
PIANOS and
ORCHESTRIONS
Are dominant in the auto-
matic field because they
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and because they bring
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SEEBURG Instruments
because of their popular-
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write for the booklet
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j. p. SEEBURG
PIANO CO.
Factory
1508-16 Dayton St.
Offices
1510 Dayton St.
CHICAGO, ILL.
STEPHEN BRAMBACH.
by the use of the pulmotor, and the efforts of doc-
tors at the Metropolitan Hospital, resulted in saving
the piano maker's life.
Police investigation following the removal of Mr.
Brambach to the hospital disclosed that he had in
his room several patents on piano parts and a gold-
headed cane and a gold Masonic emblem.
His Last Venture.
For three years, since the death of his wife, Mr.
Brambach maintained a small piano store, first at No.
1429 Lexington avenue and later at No. 133 East
97th street, New York. At the last address he was
until last July in partnership with a man named Sim-
mons, who shot himself in the store shortly after
the partnership was formed. The piano maker con-
tinued to run the store until recently when he seemed,
according to neighbors, to be depressed.
Mr. Brambach said his nearest friend was Ernest
Brambach of No. 2092 Amsterdam avenue. A roomer
in the apartment with the piano maker for the last
six years told the police that the piano maker was
given to long periods of silence in which he seemed
"'to be living past memories." Sometimes he talked
of his former wealth and position and it was then he
told of his connection with the piano industry form-
erly bearing his name which long ago passed to
other control.
Ernest Brambach, seen at his home, was asked
if he knew Stephen Brambach and could give any
information about him. He said:
"Yes, I am a relative. As to any information, wait
until Mr. Brambach leaves the hospital and let him
talk if he wants to. I have nothing to say."
Member of Famous Family.
Stephen Brambach comes of an old family of piano
makers. For many years, during the life of Gen.
Julius J. Estey and Robert Proddow, of the Estey
Piano Co., he was the superintendent of that factory
and, at the same time, was associated with his brother,
Aloys Brambach, in the manufacture of the Brambach
piano, which fame they brought with them from
Germany.
After the deaths of Gen. Estey and Robert Prod-
dow, there was a reorganization of the Estey Piano
Company and Mr. Brambach retired, going with
his brother in the further development of the Bram-
bach piano. At that time he brought out the Little
Grand which subsequently became popular. The
Rrambach Piano Company was, however, absorbed
age, has not so well withstood the vicissitudes of life
and business. Mis many friends will deplore the con-
dition and it is hoped something may be done to
restore the piano maker to his normal condition. He
was reported as having fairly well recovered and was
able to leave the hospital last Monday.
NEW L. C. WISWELL STORE
PLANNED FOR CHICAGO
Third Link in Growing Chain of General Music Stores
to Be Established.
L. C. Wiswell is perfecting plans for opening the
Wiswell Music House at Sixty-third and Cottage
Grove avenue, Chicago, next month. This will add a
third link to the chain of stores controlled by Mr.
Wiswell, well known for many years as manager of
the Victor department of Lyon & Healy.
Mr. Wiswell is president of the West Music Co.,
Joliet, 111., and of the Fuller Ryde Music Co., Indian-
apolis. To these stores Mr. Wiswell has devoted his
time and energies since resigning from Lyon & Healy
after a term of service extending over twenty-five
years. All the stores are general music stores and the
purpose is to extettd the chain whenever the opportu-
nity occurs.
A SAN FRANCISCO SURPRISE.
One of the surprise of the holiday business in San
Francisco was the greater demand for pianos and
players instead of for phonographs, as in other pre-
Christmas periods. The talking machine busines was
good, but did not reach the expected dimensions.
Radio sales, too, fell short of the anticipations of the
dealers. But the favor for pianos for Christmas gift
purposes was very pronounced, grands leading in the
choice of purchasers.
MUSIC FOR ATTLEBORO STORE.
At a concert at the store of Almon J. Fairbanks.
Attleboro, Mass., recently the music was supplied by
the school orchestra under the direction of the super-
visor of music for the city. In the course of the eve-
ning, Manager M. S. Glazier sold two upright players
and obtained several prospects. The Attleboro store
is a branch of the Almon T. Fairbanks store in Boston.
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