Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
N no branch of the piano trade has there
been greater activity displayed during
the past year than in the line of supplies,
embracing the manufactures of plates,
actions, felts, sounding-boards, ivory and
ebony keys, veneers, varnish, strings, legs,
trusses, ornamental panels, pedals, stools,
knobs, pipes and reeds, etc. This is due
chiefly to the fact that the tendency of the age
is toward specialism in the trades, just as in
the arts and sciences. Years ago manufact-
urers found it necessary to manufacture the
different parts of the instruments them-
selves, but the rapid growth and expansion
of the piano and organ trade led to a system-
atic division of labor and to the growth of
the different houses engaged in the manu-
facture of the supplies just enumerated.
Makers of pianos and organs effected a sav-
ing of time and money and unnecessary
effort in manufacturing all parts themselves,
when they were able to secure these special-
ties just as well, if not better made, from
those houses which are especially given
to their production. The labors of the
supply men—as they are colloquially
termed—toward the construction of a piano
or organ, is a very important one, and the
present high standard which the pianos
manufactured in this country maintain is
due to the unceasing efforts of those spe-
cialists in the different lines, to keep in
touch with this age of progress.
I
Among the men closely associated with
the development of the piano supply busi-
ness is Alfred Dolge. He was one of the
first to mark the tendency of the times, and
his labors as a manufacturer of felts, sound-
ing-boards and piano supplies in general,
are historic and too well known to need de-
tailed reference. The Dolge blue felt, par-
ticularly, is one of the greatest successes of
our day, and it is used not only by the
manufacturers in this country, but in Eng-
land and Germany. Business with Alfred
Dolge & Son during the past year has
shown a marked improvement over the
previous twelve months, but Mr. Dolge
holds with the great majority of thinkers
and business men, that a stable or perma-
nent prosperity will not prevail until the
head of the Government is a Republican.
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The marked attention given to the per-
fection of the plate by numerous inventors
has contributed materially to its develop-
ment, and they have been aided in this
connection by such specialists in foundry
work as the Davenport & Treacy Co. This
distinguished firm have won a merited re-
cognition throughout the trade for the
quality of their castings, and have been
rewarded for their earnest labors by a pat-
ronage which is well deserved. Their out-
put of piano plates is enormous, and the
facilities of the New York and Stamford
factories are now being increased.
bers among his customers some of the lead-
ing houses in the trade. His business dur-
ing the present season has been away above
the average, and while not complaining, he
is well prepared to take charge of a larger
number of orders during the new year.
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The dean of the piano action fraternity,
George Bothner, reports trade as very satis-
factory and well ahead of this time last
year. The Bothner wares seem to increase
in popularity all the time.
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*
Another Connecticut firm, esteemed by
C. F. Goepel & Co., 137 East Thirteenth
the trade for business probity and the reli- street, are making numerous additions to
ability of their goods, is Comstock, Cheney their line of piano makers' supplies. The
& Co., located in the appropriately named Allen patent casters are having a phenom-
town of Ivoryton. Their output of ivory enal sale, and a number of shipments have
keys, actions, hammers, etc., is simply enor- been made to Europe. Other successes of
mous. Upwards of eighty-two thousand this house are Wolff & Co. 's Eagle Brand
square feet of floor space is occupied in the Steel Wire and Klinke's Diamond Brand
manufacture of their specialties. Their Tuning Pins. The Goepel illustrated cata-
facilities are of the best, thus insuring a logue and price list will be found well
staple excellence in their wares. The ex- worthy of perusal by piano manufacturers.
tent of their plant, and the wonderful in-
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crease of their business for the past few
years, are perhaps the most potent evidence
Roth & Engelhardt, action makers, have
of the high reputation of the products of no reason to complain about business,
this house.
for their books will show a good balance on
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the right side of the ledger the first of the
It is safe to assert that the piano actions year. This progressive firm have done
manufactured by the leading firms in this wonders toward building up St. Johnsville,
city equal, if not surpass, anything made which is now furnished with light and tele-
in Europe. The wonderful development phone accommodation that would do credit
and perfection of the upright and grand to a city—all through the efforts of Roth &
actions, and the high place they occupy to- Engelhardt.
* *
day in the manufacturing world, is due to
*
the unceasing labors of our action makers,
The well deserved success of Robt. M.
who have greatly aided the American piano Webb m the supply trade has been made
maker in his efforts to produce a powerful possible by earnest and constant labor. He
as well as a more musical tone from the has aimed to satisfy the trade by carrying
piano. The Wessell, Nickel & Gross action a line of goods that be can safely recom-
has not only increased in prestige through- mend. He has secured a very satisfactory
out the United States during the past year, line of customers for the European special-
but leading makers in Europe have, after a ties which he handles, as well as the goods
trial, sent large orders for these wares.
of his own manufacture. In his factory at
Rockville Center he has facilities to meet
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all the demands made on him, and it is
One of the popular men in the piano satisfactory to note that since its establish-
supply trade is David H. Schmidt, the ment there have been few dull days. Mr.
piano hammer coverer, of 163d street and Webb is a "hustler," and with "Excelsior"
Melrose avenue. In his handsome new as his motto he is going to gather in a big
factory he has facilities for the production share of new trade during 1896 or know the
of the very best class of work, and he num- reason why.