April-May, 1934
STEINWAY'S TRIBUTE
TO THE MUSICAL CUL-
TURE OF THE NATION
A Notable Gift—Steinway in the
White House
In the musical development, progress and culture
of the nation, the world-famous house of Steinway
& Sons, has taken a foremost position, and displayed
a broad interest. A striking evidence of this fact, and
of historical interest, was the presentation to the
White House at Washington, as a gift to the nation,
in the cause of music, of the most beautiful Steinway
piano ever made, which presentation was during the
presidency of Theodore Roosevelt. It was the one
hundred thousandth Steinway piano, and Steinway
& Sons deemed it both fitting and proper that this
instrument, the "Steinway Gold Grand Piano" should
be made not for an individual but for the American
people. President Theodore Roosevelt expressed his
high approval of the plan to place this epoch-making
piano in the White House. At that time in relation
to this event Steinway & Sons were besieged by the
daily newspapers, weekly and monthly magazines,
trade journals and numerous other publications such
as art magazines for information and details concern-
ing this notable gift. But the members of the house
of Steinway absolutely refused on this occasion to
take advantage of this remarkable opportunity for
both national and international publicity and strictly
refrained from furnishing the information asked for
and politely expressed the desire that no publicity
be given on this important event.
The gift of the Steinway to the White House
makes history for the country and is a matter of
pride for all music lovers. The instrument which is
known as the "Steinway Gold Piano," graces today,
as it did when presented, the East Room of the
White House, and is used on official functions.
The piano case is regarded as the most beautiful
ever produced in this country. The designs, models
and decorations were made under the supervision of
noted artists, sculptors, architects and designers.
They were instructed to proceed without regard to
expense and to make the most beautiful and appro-
priate case that was in their power to construct.
The following Advisory Committee in the design-
ing of the case was appointed: Edwin K. Blashfield,
Thomas W. Dewing, Frederick W r . Halls, Richard
H. Hunt and F. Burr Tiffany.
Mr. Dewing executed the painting on the under
side of the top. This represents the nine muses be-
ing received by the young American Republic. The
case itself was designed by R. H. and J. H. Hunt.
The entire instrument is overlaid with gold. It is
supported by three eagles with spread wings, each
standing on a square pedestal draped with laurel
wreaths. Around this rim are painted the shields of
the thirteen original states. Between them is en-
twined a graceful scroll of acanthus.
The allegorical figures on the lid of the Steinway
grand, commencing at the left, are as follows: No. 1,
"History"; No. 2, "Epic Poetry"—standing; No. 3,
"Tragedy"; No. 4, "America"; No. 5, "Elocution"—
Polymnia; No. 6, "Comedy"—Thalia; No. 7, "Music";
No. 8, "Dancing" (end of group right); No. 9,
"Astronomy"; and No. 10, "Love Poetry"—Erato.
White House, Musicales, 1933-34
Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt has graciously pleased
to honor Mr. Henry Junge of Steinway & Sons by
appointing him to take charge of the pertinent de-
tails of the musical functions of the White House,
Washington, D. C. Mr. Junge has enjoyed such a
task for more than 20 years uninterruptedly through
the various administrations since the Taft incumbency,
which speaks volumes for Mr. Junge's marked ability
in this connection.
The President and Mrs. Roosevelt are cultural
lovers of music and displayed their usual delightful
and charming interest in these musical programs and
extended warm appreciation to the artists participat-
ing.
At the State Dinner and Musicale. during the holi-
day season, President Theodore E. Steinway and
Mrs. Steinway were honored guests.
The list of musicales and artists during the season
of 1933-34 at the White House comprise such artists
as: The Morgan Trio, Miss Virginia Morgan, harpist;
Miss Frances Morgan, violinist; Miss Marguerite
Morgan, pianist; Miss Frieda Hempel, soprano; Mr.
Josef Hofmann, pianist; Mr. Frank Bibb, pianist;
The Aguilars' Spanish Lute Quartet; Miss Mayris
Chaney, Mr. Edward Fox, dancers; Miss Frances
Nash, pianist; Madame Clare Alcee, soprano; Mr.
Walter Golde, at the piano; Miss Ellen Ballon, pianist;
PRESTO-TIMES
Mr. John Goss and his London Singers; Mr. Jascha
Heifetz, violinist, (owing to sudden illness of Mme.
Guimar Novaes, pianist, Mr. Heifetz played the en-
tire program); Mr. Arped Sandor at the piano; Miss
Jessica Lee, diseuse; Mr. Ruggiero Ricci, violinist;
Mr. Ralph Angell at the piano; Mrs. Ruth W. Terry
at the piano; Miss Ray Lev. pianiste; Princess Atalie,
Cherokee soprano; Chief Yowlache, Yakima Tribe,
basso; Mrs. E. H. Pendleton, at the piano; Miss Rose
Bampton, contralto; Messrs. Maier and Pattison,
pianists; Mr. Wilfred Pelletier, at the piano; Mr.
Albert Spalding, violinist; Mr. John Charles Thomas,
baritone; Mr. Andre Benoist, at the piano; Mr. Car-
roll Hollister, at the piano; Miss Irene Singer,
soprano; Miss Jennie Robinor, pianist; The Curtis
String Quartet, Mr. Louis Bailly, director.
3fa Jflemortam
JAMES F. BOYER
The death of James F. Boyer, which occurred at
Salt Lake City, where he was taken to a hospital
following a stroke of paralysis, is deeply mourned by
his scores and scores of friends among the music
merchants, the industry and the profession.
His passing is a great loss to the trade at large and
his place with the C. G. Conn Company, Elkhart,
Indiana, of which he was the secretary, cannot be
readily or easily filled.
He was popular, loved and respected by dealers,
manufacturers, amateurs and the musical profession.
At the Conn establishment he filled a notable niche
in that great industry, for he knew musical instru-
ments as a second nature. He could demonstrate
anything from a Jews Harp to a bass viol, and the
whole gamut of percussion and brass and wood-wind
instruments.
He was an expert piano player, a good band and
orchestral leader. In short, he was an all-around
music man and musician.
In the early days of the Conn artists concerts given
at the Elkhart Opera House, the virtuosi who used
to gather there for these concerts insisted upon
"Jimmy" Boyer for piano accompanist.
Many helps and courtesies have been extended
Presto-Times by Mr. Boyer and only a few days be-
fore his death he wrote, in a two page communica-
tion, these prophetic lines: "The music business is
here to stay. All the various instruments of manu-
facturers are here to stay and sales will increase in
proportion to the amount of effort put forth by the
dealer and his staff."
The deep personal interest that Mr. Boyer had in
the progress and development of musical expression
with the younger generation was most inspiring and
encouraging to the members of the High School
Bands. Mr. Boyer was a firm believer in the fact
that the young amateur musician of today in many in-
stances, excelled in their talents professional musicians
of the past at the same age.
WILL A. WATKIN
The death of Will A. Watkin, founder and presi-
dent of the Will A. Watkin Music House, Dallas,
Texas, takes away a very important figure in the
music trade of the entire country, in fact Mr. Watkin
was one of the deans of the Southern music trade as
he was the dean of music in Dallas.
Although Mr. Watkin had been in ill health for a
year or two past still he had been attending to busi-
ness more or less, but to his son, Robert, fell the
active management.
Biographical sketches and numerous records of Mr.
Watkin's activities in the trade have appeared in the
music trade papers from time to time for he has long
been an important factor in the trade. He was born
in 1857 at New Albany, Indiana. Later the family
moved to Kentucky where he spent his youth and
where he attended school and an academy, devoting
much attention to the study of music. He was a
choir boy, then an organist and at the age of twenty-
five located in Dallas where he opened a small music
store and became organist at the First Congregational
church. After that he was organist at the First Bap-
tist church in that city for thirty-seven years.
Mr. Watkin was interested in everything musical
and w T as instrumental in the Metropolitan Opera Com-
pany's performances in Dallas and of numerous
pianists and vocalists, such as Paderewski, Sembrich
and others.
An announcement from the Will A. Watkin Com-
pany appears in another column of this paper.
E. P. JOHNSON
E. P. Johnson, president and founder of the E. P.
Johnson Piano Company, passed away at his home
in Elgin, Illinois, on Sunday, April 22. and was buried
the following Tuesday. Before starting his own busi-
ness he was superintendent of the Western Cottage
Organ and Piano Company, Ottawa, Illinois, and his
first piano manufacturing business was established in
that city. Later he secured a second factory at Elgin
and made that his headquarters. About four years
ago the Ottawa factory was disposed of and his entire
piano manufacturing has since been centered at Elgin
but recently the business has been confined largely
to retail business. Mr. Johnson's only son, J. P. John-
son, will have entire charge.
ARTHUR BISSELL
Arthur Bissell, who suffered a fatal attack of heart
trouble during office hours on Tuesday, May 1, died
at his home, 49 East Cedar street, Chicago, early
Thursday morning.
Mr. Bissell was a native of Chicago and after attend-
ing public schools he entered Lake Forest Academy
and Lake Forest College, where he graduated. Soon
after his graduation he engaged in the piano business.
Mr. Bissell was devoted to music and his associa-
tion with things musical, combined with the busi-
ness and industrial side of music, led him to associa-
tion with the best lines in piano selling. Consequent-
ly all his business relations have been along the line
of high grade instruments. In the early days of his
business career he represented for several years
either directly or indirectly, the Chickering piano and
was often hailed as "Chickering Arthur Bissell."
In the line of music, professional and amateur, he
was a leader in movements to promote greater appre-
ciation of the art among all classes of people. He was
at one time president of the Chicago Musical Art So-
ciety, chairman of the executive committee of the In-
ternational Society for Contemporary Music and
headed the Chicago Play Producing Company, organ-
ized in the hope that better dramas could be pro-
duced in Chicago than had been staged.
Mr. Bissell was highly esteemed by the entire music
trade fraternity not only in Chicago but away from
home, as well.
In respect to the memory of Mr. Bissell, who was
president of the Bissell-Weisert Piano Company, 548
North Michigan avenue, the store remained closed
during the entire day Friday, May 4.
JOHN MCKENNA
John McKenna, whose death occurred April 7th,
leaves a host of friends to mourn his loss. He was
highly esteemed throughout the trade at large as well
as among his associates in Chicago, where he had
been for several years manager of the Columbia Pho-
nograph Company branch house, as also president of
the Chicago Piano Club. After retiring from the
music industry, Mr. McKenua became associated with
the Receivador Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan,
and was official of that organization. Mr. McKenna's
home was at 6302 Winthrop Avenue, Chicago. He
is survived by his widow, Ethel Reeves McKenna, and
two sisters who reside at Indianapolis, Indiana, where
the funeral was held.
The death is announced of George W. Hooper, at
one time superintendent at the Chickering factory in
Boston. Mr. Hooper passed away at his home in
Summerville, Massachusetts. He has a son, Arthur
W. Hooper, who resides in Chicago.
Friends of the late W. B. Marshall, one of the
proprietors of the Packard Piano Company, whose
death came some weeks ago, will remember his many
acts of friendship and tokens of regard and his
correspondents will recall the ever closing line in his
letters: "With all good wishes."
In all the letters that this writer has ever seen
written by Mr. Marshall, and the number runs into
the scores, there was always and eternally the friendly
and cordial ending, "and with all good wishes."
Joseph W. Stern, ex-music publisher, who died at
his home in Brightwaters, Long Island, New York,
was preparing to re-enter business.
P. AND O. MAY MEETING
The May Luncheon-Meeting of the Chicago Piano
and Organ Association is scheduled for Thursday, the
tenth, at 12:15, at the Auditorium hotel. The an-
nouncement says:
Matters of importance are to be brought to your
attention that are affecting your business and your
advice and suggestions are sought on ways in which
your association can become of greater value.
STEIN TO EXHIBIT AT A CENTURY
OF PROGRESS
A Century of Progress is assured of a worthy and
worthwhile artistic creation of the piano maker's craft
in an exhibit of Charles Frederick Stein, which wil 1
be in the General Exhibits Building.
In keeping with the policy of A Century of Prog-
ress, for the display of the latest advancement in
science and industry, Charles Frederick Stein will
have a demonstration of the Harmonic Tone Chamber.
In announcing their appointment as representa-
tives for the Kimball piano in the Dallas, Texas, ter-
ritory, the Will A. Watkin Company classifies the
house of Kimball and the product of the Kimball
factory as one carrying on business under the class-
ification, "family control."
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