14
July 21, 1928
PRESTO-TIMES
Comstock, Cheney & Co., Ivoryton, Conn., for keys
COMSTOCK, CHENEY & CO. made
from that desirable commodity. That company
Name of This Old Supply Firm Suggested
When Use of Ivory in Piano and Organ
Keys Is Discussed.
The favor of buyers for the fine pianos which is
a marked feature of the trade at this time evokes
keener interest on the part of buyers and dealers in
the character of the materials used. Fine ivory keys
are naturally expected in the finer instruments. In
fact, they are considered a most essential part of
them.
But when the keys of the cheaper pianos are con-
sidered it does not follow that the product from which
they are made was originally part of an elephant's
tusk. In this country there are two substances used
in the covering of piano keys, except experimentally,
celluloid in some of its disguises, and genuine ivory.
Celluloid is made from the same cellulose base as
lacquer and comes in many colors and grain effects.
Use of Real Ivory
It is the real ivory that piano manufacturers de-
mand for fine pianos, and that is why they look to
PIANO KEY REPAIRING
KEYS RETURNED IN 24 HOURS
BEST GRADE IVORINE
RECOVERING
BUSHING
SHARPS
NEW FRONTS
$8.00
3.50
2.50
2.00
PLAYER ACTIONS REPAIRED
Prompt and efficient service
Striking: Pneumatics
Air Motors, Governors, etc., Recovered
E. A. BOUSLOG, Inc.
2106 Boulevard Place
has been a cutter of ivory since 1834, and today is one
of the biggest importers of fine ivory for industrial
and art purposes. The bulk of the company's ivory
supplies comes from Africa. The tusks from India
and other Asiatic sections are too small and usually
are used for small ornaments.
All the ivory for piano keys comes from the cen-
tral part of Africa, the port of Mombasa being the
shipping point for it. A large part of it is shipped to
London where it is sold at auction, although some of
it comes to the United States direct to large import-
ers like Comstock, Cheney & Co. The bulk of the
ivory shipped to this country is used for piano and
organ keys, the small pieces being shipped back to
Europe to be fashioned into small ornaments and art
objects.
All the ivory that comes to us is new ivory, and not
the buried kind which is found to some extent. There
are still great numbers of wild and ivory elephants
in Africa and they are very carefully protected, too.
The killing of elephants is well regulated by the
African Colonial government, whose idea is to main-
tain the price of ivory and conserve the supply, and
they are doing both.
The Cutting
The cutting of ivory in the plant of Comstock,
Cheney & Co. is very interesting, both as to its his-
tory and development over a period of ninety-four
years. Saws as thin as paper are used and the most
rigid care is used to prevent waste. Each tusk con-
tains numerous grades of ivory. Certain processes of
"pickling" and bleaching are necessary" before the
ivory is ready for use in piano and organ key making.
Worry Over Player Details
PIANO BASS STRINGS —PIANO REPAIR SUPPLIES
TUNERS AND REPAIRERS
Our new Illustrated Catalogue of Piano
and Player Hardware, Felts and Tools
is now ready. If you haven't received
your copy let us know.
1305-09 North 27th St.,
PHILADELPHIA, PA.
Philip W. Oetting & Son, Inc.
in his products. He knows
everything is all right and
that the best musical quali-
ties of his pianos are develop-
ed by the use of this player
mechanism.
Sole Agents for
CASTLETON, N. Y.
Fine Action Bushing Cloths, etc
SCHAFF
Piano String Co.
General Key Repairs,
Sharps, Etc.
Ivory Sanding, Polishing
and Re-Gluing
The Piano Repair Shop
Pianos and Phonographs Rebuilt by
Expert Workmen
Player -actions installed. Instruments
refinished or remodeled and actions and
keys repaired. Work guaranteed. Prices
reasonable.
Our-of-town dealers' repair work solic-
ited. Write for details and terms,
THE PIANO REPAIR SHOP
33! South Wabash AT*.
Our Ivorine Keys
Heaviest
and
Highest Quality
at
Mc.MacR.in
PianoTSerVice
Standard Prices
DESMOINES.IOWA.
Very Prompt Service
UNITED SPECIALTY CO.
WEICKERT
Grand and Upright Hammer*
Mad* of Weicktrt Felt
PIANO KEYS RECOVERED
A. C. Cheney Player Action
213 East 19th Street, New York
Felts
T. M. Koeder and H. G. Jones are associated in
operating a new band instrument factory at 110 Court
street, Pekin, 111. The industrial affairs committee
of the Association of Commerce of the city and
representatives of the press were given a close-up
view of the plant last week and the possibilities of
its success were considered assuring.
This new and promising institution was brought to
Pekin through the efforts of H. G. Jones, who is
general manager of the Pekin Wagon Company.
Mr. Koeder has had twenty-five years' experience in
the manufacture of brass band instruments, a num-
ber of years with the larger companies and for the
past ten years in business for himself. The Hurtt-
Jones-Koeder company has incorporated.
Under the manufacturing supervision of Mr. Koe-
der, making two lines of trumpets and cornets, the
factory has begun operations. All of the manufac-
turing is under his supervision, assisted by Mr. Hurtt,
renowned trumpet soloist.
The company also will make a specialty of repair
work of all kinds on band instruments, including
clarinets and saxophones.
is avoided by the manufac-
turer who uses the
A. C. CHENEY
PIANO ACTION COMPANY
Hammer and Damper
The Hurtt-Jones-Koeder Company, Recently Incor-
porated, Will Operate Plant in Pekin, 111.
ADDS SHEET MUSIC.
The installation of a complete sheet music depart-
ment by Maison Blanche, New Orleans, La., has been
announced by Robert Ham of the music department.
Miss Irene Seigel will have charge of the new de-
The Merchant's Music & Radio Shop has taken partment, which is located in the music salon on the
possession of the newly acquired store in the Busy fourth floor of Maison Blanche Building. The firm
Bee Building, Gloucester, Mass. Raymond P. Mer- plans to make it one of the largest sheet music
chant is the owner.
libraries in the city, Mr. Ham said.
INDIANAPOLIS, IND.
OTTO R. TREFZ, Jr.
TO MAKE BAND INSTRUMENTS
EXPERIENCED FACTORY SERVICE
Recovering and Rebushing Keys
Repairing Pneumatics
We Make Them the Same as New
FAST SERVICE
We do first-class work at lowest prices
and will not be undersold.
Estimates on special service and prices
on regular work gladly furnished.
Give us a Trial Job and be Convinced
UNITED SPECIALTY CO.
Chicago
Manufacturers of
Monticello, Indiana
KEYS RECOVERED AND REBUSHED
FRIELD MILLER & COMPANY
Samples of Work on Request
Prompt and Efficient Service
3355 North Illinois Street, INDIANAPOLIS, IND.
Piano Bass Strings
2009-2021 CLYBOURN AVENUE
Comer Lewis Street
CHICAGO
FAIRBANKS
PIANO PLATES
THE FAIRBANKS CO., Springfield, Ohio
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