Music Trade Review
Issue: 1895 Vol. 20 N. 8 - Page 11
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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
Decker & Son's New
Catalogue.
D
ECKER & SON'S new illustrated and
descriptive catalogue has reached us.
It is a handsome specimen of letter press
throughoiit. The illustrations are unusual-
ly handsome. They have the advantage
of being accurate representations of the
different styles made by this house, and
give intending purchasers a correct idea of
the appearance of each piano.
A proof of the excellence of the Decker
& Son piano is found in the numer-
ous prizes, awards and testimonials from
eminent musicians received by this house,
in which the construction, touch, evenness
of scale and the special quality of tone is
commented on in very flattering terms.
The styles of pianos shown in this cata-
logue demonstrate that Decker & Son are
keeping abreast of the times in modern
styles of uprights. They are certainly
beautiful specimens of modern case archi-
tecture. Of special interest is their style
" G " baby grand, to which we have re-
ferred many times in these columns. In
fact, it has been highly praised by every
one who has examined it. Speaking of
this piano, Decker & Son remark: "We
have given the construction of this instru-
ment our closest attention and study, and
can unhesitatingly state we have not
labored in vain, for our baby grand piano
is conceded by artists and judges to be a
little wonder. The tone is round, full,
rich and bell-like. The touch prompt,
elastic and ready to meet every desire of
the performer. The scale is even through-
out. We adopt our full metallic plate and
improved wrest-plank, and claim our baby
grand piano to be second to none.''
In this era of "cheapness" it is well to
note the opinions held by Decker & Son
with regard to prices. They say: "Price
is not—as many are erroneously led to be-
lieve—the primary element in the selec-
tion of a piano. The piano is now con-
ceded to be an essential requisite in every
modern home. It stimulates refinement of
thought, educates young and old alike in
the art of music, and is always a source of
pleasure and entertainment in the home
circle. Therefore, the quality and merits
of the instrument should be first consid-
ered, and price a secondary feature; for to
buy cheaply is not always to buy wisely.
We therefore make our prices as low as we
can consistently, and guarantee them to be
first-class in every respect.''
The interesting history of the house of
Decker & Son is taken from Spillane's
"History of the American Pianoforte," and
in addition to copies of awards, and letters
from distinguished artists, a handsome
illustration of their very complete factory
at 971-5 East 135th street is shown. Deal-
ers who fail to receive this catalogue should
immediately write for one.
Fireproof Celluloid.
T
HE dangers attending the manufacture
of ordinary commercial celluloid are
well known. It is now stated that an En-
glish firm has devised a method of manu-
facturing a perfectly fireproof celluloid
from spent fibres from paper mills, which
they are proposing to manufacture on a
large scale. "The pulp, consisting of
fibres collected from washing water of the
paper mill, is subjected to the action of cer-
tain chemicals which reduce it to a glutin-
ous state. It is then sent through a centri-
fugal pump, which gives it an even sub-
stance, and any shade of color is then im-
parted to it at the same time by aniline
dyes. It is then strained through flannel
into square boxes, and after a time assumes
an almost solid consistency. The celluloid
can then be cut into slices, or moulded
when the composition is in a liquid state.
It is proposed to use it for piano keys, to
make printing surfaces for illustrations, for
stereotyping, together with its utilization
for the manifold varieties of purposes to
which the ordinary cellulose of commerce
is now applied. The perfect safety of the
new surface is shown by the workmen be-
ing allowed to smoke on the premises dur-
ing the course of manufacture.
MAX J. PFEIFFER, foreman of the finishing
department at the Star Piano Works, Rich-
mond, Ind., died recently.
Gain Knowledge
Of the " innards " of a piano by a little reading. You may have
been a dealer for many years, you may have been a tuner for a
like period, you may have played a little—maybe more; but is
it not well to get a little more practical knowledge?
Some-
thing to bank on—an authority on all matters relating to tun-
ing, repairing, toning and regulating, scientific instructions—
everything? 'Written by that eminent authority, Daniel Spillane.
The cost is only a trifle—a dollar,
The book is illustrated,
cloth bound, over a hundred pages. It is called "The Piano."
EDWARD LYMAN BILL,
PUBLISHER,
3 E a s t 14U1 Street, N e w Y o r k .
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
Decker & Son's New
Catalogue.
D
ECKER & SON'S new illustrated and
descriptive catalogue has reached us.
It is a handsome specimen of letter press
throughoiit. The illustrations are unusual-
ly handsome. They have the advantage
of being accurate representations of the
different styles made by this house, and
give intending purchasers a correct idea of
the appearance of each piano.
A proof of the excellence of the Decker
& Son piano is found in the numer-
ous prizes, awards and testimonials from
eminent musicians received by this house,
in which the construction, touch, evenness
of scale and the special quality of tone is
commented on in very flattering terms.
The styles of pianos shown in this cata-
logue demonstrate that Decker & Son are
keeping abreast of the times in modern
styles of uprights. They are certainly
beautiful specimens of modern case archi-
tecture. Of special interest is their style
" G " baby grand, to which we have re-
ferred many times in these columns. In
fact, it has been highly praised by every
one who has examined it. Speaking of
this piano, Decker & Son remark: "We
have given the construction of this instru-
ment our closest attention and study, and
can unhesitatingly state we have not
labored in vain, for our baby grand piano
is conceded by artists and judges to be a
little wonder. The tone is round, full,
rich and bell-like. The touch prompt,
elastic and ready to meet every desire of
the performer. The scale is even through-
out. We adopt our full metallic plate and
improved wrest-plank, and claim our baby
grand piano to be second to none.''
In this era of "cheapness" it is well to
note the opinions held by Decker & Son
with regard to prices. They say: "Price
is not—as many are erroneously led to be-
lieve—the primary element in the selec-
tion of a piano. The piano is now con-
ceded to be an essential requisite in every
modern home. It stimulates refinement of
thought, educates young and old alike in
the art of music, and is always a source of
pleasure and entertainment in the home
circle. Therefore, the quality and merits
of the instrument should be first consid-
ered, and price a secondary feature; for to
buy cheaply is not always to buy wisely.
We therefore make our prices as low as we
can consistently, and guarantee them to be
first-class in every respect.''
The interesting history of the house of
Decker & Son is taken from Spillane's
"History of the American Pianoforte," and
in addition to copies of awards, and letters
from distinguished artists, a handsome
illustration of their very complete factory
at 971-5 East 135th street is shown. Deal-
ers who fail to receive this catalogue should
immediately write for one.
Fireproof Celluloid.
T
HE dangers attending the manufacture
of ordinary commercial celluloid are
well known. It is now stated that an En-
glish firm has devised a method of manu-
facturing a perfectly fireproof celluloid
from spent fibres from paper mills, which
they are proposing to manufacture on a
large scale. "The pulp, consisting of
fibres collected from washing water of the
paper mill, is subjected to the action of cer-
tain chemicals which reduce it to a glutin-
ous state. It is then sent through a centri-
fugal pump, which gives it an even sub-
stance, and any shade of color is then im-
parted to it at the same time by aniline
dyes. It is then strained through flannel
into square boxes, and after a time assumes
an almost solid consistency. The celluloid
can then be cut into slices, or moulded
when the composition is in a liquid state.
It is proposed to use it for piano keys, to
make printing surfaces for illustrations, for
stereotyping, together with its utilization
for the manifold varieties of purposes to
which the ordinary cellulose of commerce
is now applied. The perfect safety of the
new surface is shown by the workmen be-
ing allowed to smoke on the premises dur-
ing the course of manufacture.
MAX J. PFEIFFER, foreman of the finishing
department at the Star Piano Works, Rich-
mond, Ind., died recently.
Gain Knowledge
Of the " innards " of a piano by a little reading. You may have
been a dealer for many years, you may have been a tuner for a
like period, you may have played a little—maybe more; but is
it not well to get a little more practical knowledge?
Some-
thing to bank on—an authority on all matters relating to tun-
ing, repairing, toning and regulating, scientific instructions—
everything? 'Written by that eminent authority, Daniel Spillane.
The cost is only a trifle—a dollar,
The book is illustrated,
cloth bound, over a hundred pages. It is called "The Piano."
EDWARD LYMAN BILL,
PUBLISHER,
3 E a s t 14U1 Street, N e w Y o r k .
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