Presto

PRESTO
THOMAS DANQUARD,
PLAYER EXPERT,DIES
Founder of Widely Known Danquard Player
Action School, in New York City, on
Wednesday of Last Week Succumbs
to Operation Following Long Illness.
WAS NOTED TECHNICIAN
Passing of the Persevering Inventor Closes the Use-
ful Career of One of the Most Active Workers
in the Playerpiano Field.
Thomas Danquard, for many years master hand
and genius of the playerpiano industry, passed away
on Wednesday evening, August 5, at his late resi-
dence, 41 Conklin street, Newark, N. I., after a pro-
longed illness which had compelled him to forego his
many activities. Recently his condition became sc
serious that his physicians decided uoon an oneration
in a last effort to save his life, but he was too weak
to respond as they had hoped, and failed rapidly until
the end came. In the death of Mr. Danquard one
of the most useful careers in the playerpiano field
comes to an end, and his many friends in the piano
industry who knew his genius and quiet efficiency
lose a most valuable guide and counsellor.
Some of the fundamental principles that go to
make the modern player mechanism what it is were
first developed and applied by Mr. Danquard through
his extraordinary capacity for patient investigation
and persevering experiment. Many basic patents
now in use are the fruits of his untiring efforts. He
knew player construction to a degree scarcely
matched by any other expert and possessed besides a
rare creative quality that has left its mark in the in-
dustry.
His now famous Patent No. 766,601, covering the
unitary structure of the player mechanism placed in-
side the piano, is known the world over as a notable
and revolutionary achievement. This patent has
stood the test of much litigation and has been adjudi-
cated in two cases before the United States Circuit
Court of Appeals to be the basic patent of the mod-
ern type of playerpiano.
His First Creations.
Mr. Danquard was born in Europe and came to
this country when a very young man. He took up
the occupation of a metal worker and specialized in
the making of surgical instruments in which he
showed unusual aptitude. Coupled with his mechani-
cal bent, however, he was an intense lover of music.
Musical instruments had a fascinating interest to him.
In time he gave up the making of surgical instru-
ments to accept an opening in a playerpiano manu-
factory. Here he found himself at once, and new
ideas began to flow. From minor improvements he
began to command attention by larger achievements.
It was in 1900 that Mr. Danquard perfected his
first important invention, a unique cabinet player
which later came to be known as the Pianista. The
patent on this nlayer mechanism, which was the sen-
sation of the day, was purchased by Kohler & Camp-
bell. In the same year that firm, seeing future possi-
bilities in Mr. Danquard, entered into a contract with
him for his exclusive services, and thus began a con-
nection that was never terminated until his death.
Most of his best work in the improvement of player
construction was accomplished while in their employ
through the facilities they placed at his disposal.
Outstanding Achievement.
In 1902 Mr. Danquard's cabinet player was placed
on the market and met with immediate success. The
following year he perfected the unitary structure of
the mechanical action which made it possible to place
it inside upright pianos. This was his outstanding
achievement. This new type of player was known as
the z\utopiano, and was the first ever made with the
action above the keyboard, and the player mechanism
under the whiopens so that the player action could
be removed without interfering with the piano action.
This invention marked the beginning of the great
player industry of today, since grown to enormous
proportions.
Following this epoch making invention, Mr. Dan-
quard brought out other improved actions that have
since become milestones in the progress of piano
August 15, 1925.
the land. This broad effort is highly appreciated by
every piano merchant in the United States familiar
with the work the school is doing. Mr. Danquard
personally taught this school for many years,
An Old-School Gentleman.
Mr. Danquard was a home loving man, a man
wrapped up in his family, a man with a fondness for
the domestic fireside. He was of a retiring nature,
quiet and modest in manner. His personality was
pleasing, his character well-knit and sincere, and he
had the integrity of a gentleman of the old school.
His loss is keenly felt by his former associates who
were filled with admiration for him and his splendid
work.
He leaves behind a host of friends, and many men
who are today important factors in the music indus-
try, and many other upcoming younger men owe
their success to his kindly counsel and expert instruc-
tion. His example was an inspiration to them, and
will continue to be. Mr. Danquard is survived by
two daughters, both of whom are married.
HANDSOME CATALOG OF
BUSH & GERTS PIANOS
manufacture. Among these is the Auto De Luxe
Player Action now installed in many of the highest
grade of pianos both here and in Europe. He per-
fected and patented improvements on reproducing
player actions that are of the utmost value to all true
lovers of classic and modern, music.
Founds Player School.
No review of Mr. Danquard's career would be
complete without mention of another conspicuous
achievement of his outside the domain of invention.
He was the founder of the famous school that bore
his name, the Danquard Player Action School, known
today to many thousands of tuners and piano mech-
anicians throughout the United States and Europe.
It was the first important school of its kind, and was
a boon from the beginning to ambitious tuners in
that it afforded them a real opportunity to increase
their efficiency and hence render a more valuable
service to their clients, the great music loving public
with pianos in their homes.
The tuners who have been able to better them-
selves through the Danquard school and reap greater
material reward are legion. So important has the
Danquard school grown to be, and so great was the
demand for its instruction from tuners in far distant
places unable to attend sessions in New York, that
the school, divided into several traveling units, each
attended by competent instructors, is today carrying
its services to the verv doors of these tuners all over
Industry at Rockford, 111., Issues Booklet in Which
New Models Are Illustrated and Succinctly
Described.
The Bush & Gerts Piano Co., of Rockford and
Chicago, has just put forth a new catalogue of the
famous Bush & Gerts pianos and players. The book-
let has duo-tone covers and is illustrated by half-
tone engravings. The descriptive matter fills the
pages of the booklet, and the pictures of the various
pianos, including the Grandette, are placed in a
pocket affixed to the last cover page. The piano
illustrations are accompanied by brief descriptions
of the instruments.
For convenience in the hands of salesmen or pros-
pects, the new Bush & Gerts booklet is ideal. It
will enable the salesman, or dealer, to confine his
arguments to the particular styles of instruments he
may have in stock, and to impress the prospective
customer with the beauty of any special instrument
without the liability of diverting his mind to other
styles.
The letter press includes a brief history of the Bush
& Gerts industry from its foundation in 1882. There
is a chapter on the Bush & Gerts tone quality and
reference to a list of colleges where the Bush &
Gerts pianos have been in use for many years. The
catalogue is well printed and should help in the
sales of the instruments it promotes.
WILL ADD PIANOS.
Wolf's Music Store recently opened at 271 Lenox
avenue, New York, is owned and operated by Mrs.
Josef Wolf, a twin sister of Stephen Czukor, artist
manager for Hardman, Peck & Co. The line consists
of sma'.l goods, but Mrs. Wolf purposes putting in
a line of pianos and radio as soon as more space is
acquired.
FEATURING PIANOS.
The House of Watkins, 241 Asylum street, Hart-
ford, Conn., representative of the Steinway piano, is
featuring attractive advertisements and window dis-
plays. The advertising points out that the piano has
come to be a necessity in the house, and, despite the
influence of the radio, it has maintained its position as
one of the most important assets of a well-equipped
SUMMER and AUTUMN
offer opportunities for the live piano salesman unequalled by any other season. With the Bowen Loader it is easy to get out into the
country, taking the piano along. Sales are sure, and with the Ford runabout and one-man Carrier you can demonstrate and do busi-
ness anywhere. Our latest fool-proof, indestructible Loader for only $95 affords an unusual opportunity. Satisfaction guaranteed.
BOWEN PIANO LOADER CO.,
Winston-Salem, N. C.
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