Music Trade Review

I TIL, 1V1UO1O
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
We take pleasure in presenting to
our readers a photograph of Mr. Sam-
uel G. Chickering, piano forte manu-
facturer, of Boston, Mass. This gen-
tleman has without doubt received more
free advertising in the music trade
papers, during the last three years, and
is as well known to the trade to day as
any piano manufacturer in this country.
For the benefit of the incredulous, we
give a brief sketch of his life. He was
ushered into this world at Dover, Mass.,
in the year 1836. He was not born
with a plane in his hand, as some of our
worthy manufacturers were supposed
to have been, but at an early age
evinced a love for tools. After the usual
common school education, he learned
the cabinet makers' trade, and continued
in that business for "seven" years, in the
last two of which, he designed and fin-
ished some of the handsomest pieces of
furniture to be found in the market.
Not finding harmony enough in the
sound of his tools to suit his musical-
taste, he decided to engage in piano
forte making. It was not long before
he secured a position in the well known
piano factory of Henry I ; . Miller. Mr
Chickering continued with that house
nearly twenty years, and during that
time made himself familiar with every
branch of piano making. Having saved
his earnings and made good investments
with his money during these years
of toil, and being ambitious to become
a manufacturer, he set up business for
himself. Let us remark right here,
that Mr. Chickering showed great
sagacity in securing the services of
Messrs. I. I. Harwood and Geo. W.
Beardsley as assistants. These gentle-
men are without doubt the best experts,
in regard to the general construction of
piano, tone, etc., that can be found in
this country. Mr. S. G. Chickering is
doino- business under the firm name of
S. G. Chickering & Co., and can be
found at his factory, No. 134 Hampden
street, from seven o'clock in the morn-
ing until six p.m. He is now, and has
been for the last two months, behind
his orders. His pianos are considered
first class, and we wish him all the suc-
cess that a manufacturer can have who
is honestly trying to make a really fine
instrument and sell it at a reasonable
figure.
Mr. Chickering and his brother, Mr.
George Chickering, who is financially
interested with him, are estimated to be
worth from fifty to seventy-five thous-
and dollars, and are amply able to settle
all bills at sight.