Music Trade Review
Issue: 1899 Vol. 28 N. 21 - Page 13
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVffiW
Otto Wessell.
Again has the Reaper Death invaded the
ranks of the industry claiming for its own
one of our most distinguished members.
On Thursday at half past four o'clock Otto
Wessell passed from earth after a lingering
illness of several months. For some time
those nearest him looked upon recovery
with extreme doubt, and the highest medi-
cal authorities who were called in consulta-
tion did not hesitate to pronounce his
malady an incurable one, therefore the
news of his death while necessarily a great
shock to his legion of friends,
will not come in the nature of a f
surprise, as it was to a large ex- !
tent, anticipated.
To write of the life of Otto
Wessell is to chronicle the deeds
of a man who has been in the very
front file of fighters for indus-
trial supremacy. With a large
amount of e x e c u t i v e power,
backed by a high degree of me-
chanical ability, which was gen-
erously supplemented with shrewd
diplomacy, Otto Wessell possessed
indeed a personality which was
destined to be felt in whatever
sphere in life he cast his lot.
It was twenty-five years ago,
then a young ambitious mechanic,
that he formed a co-partnership
with Adam Nickel and Rudolph
Gross, founding the firm of
Wessell, Nickel & Gross, which
has since become world celebrat-
ed. For a quarter of a century
he contributed the energy of his
fully developed mental and physi-
cal powers, combined with those
of his partners, to building a bus-
iness which has reflected credit
upon the i n d u s t r y . It was
Otto Wessell and his associates who first
saw the opportunity for American inven-
tive skill, as applied to mechanics in action
building, superseding the actions which
were then imported from Europe and, all
skilled men, they worked harmoniously
together for industrial conquests.
It should be understood that upright and
grand actions were largely imported up to
1874, owing to the fact that hitherto the
square piano was the leading instrument,
and American action makers with one or
two exceptions paid but little attention to
the making of grand and upright actions.
Starting in 1874 when the inceptive pop-
ularity of the upright piano commenced
they announced their intention of supply-
ing the American trade with that which
they had previously purchased from
European makers. Mr. Wessell was the
selling partner of the concern, as from its
foundation he made it his regular duty to
call upon manufacturers in the principal
cities, impressing upon them the excellence
of his wares. Thus " the Dauntless three "
men stood together for nearly two and a
half decades, all contributing to the growth
of a business which forms an enduring
monument to their skill.
It was hardly a year ago when death
\5
made the first break in the ranks of the capable shoulders the future destinies of
partners. Rudolph Gross died at his home the house will rest.
in Stamford, Conn., on July 30, 1898.
*
*
*
*
Otto Wessell was a man of interesting
The funeral services will be held at the
personality. He had a pleasing address, late residence of the deceased, No. 47
coupled with a geniality which won for West Seventieth street, this city, on Sun-
him warm friends everywhere who will day, May 28th at 1 .-30 P. M. The inter-
learn with regret of his demise. He was ment will be at Woodlawn.
possessed of an indomitable will power, a
firmness of purpose which assisted him to Leases Not Liable for War Tax.
gain that for which he sought. The name
A very important point of interest to the
and life of Otto Wessell has left an indeli- trade at large is treated of in the following
ble imprint upon the industry.
communication from the Waterloo Organ
Had Mr. Wessell chosen politics for a vo- Co.:
Waterloo, N. Y., May 25, 1899.
Music Trade Review,
3 East 14th St., N. Y. C.
Dear Sirs:—We enclose copy of letter
received from Deputy Collector at Syra-
cuse, N. Y., which we think will be of
some value to the retail trade of the
United States. We know that many of
the dealers are stamping their leases. This
letter should be and we presume is, official.
Yours truly,
Waterloo Organ Co.
Malcolm Love, Sec'y.
COPY.
Internal Revenue Service,
Twenty-first District of New York,
Collector's Office.
Syracuse, N. Y., April 5, 1899.
Mr. Duncan MacArthur,
Deputy Collector,
Waterloo, N. Y.
Sir:—In reply to yours of the 4th instant
the inclosed agreement for rent or bill of
sale, presumably a piano, is held to be per-
sonal property and not liable to taxation
under the War Revenue Act.
Respectfully,
Chas. C. Cole, Collector.
The French flanufacturers.
OTTO WESSELL.
cation his influence would have been felt
in a large degree in that sphere. He was
loyal to his friends, in fact loyalty was a
strong factor in his makeup.
The surviving members of the family of
Mr. Wessell are a widow and two sons.
His eldest son, Ferdinand Wessell, has
chosen the profession of his father as his
own, and for years he has been--thoroughly
acquainting himself with the science of ac-
tion making. He has inherited much of
his father's talents and has graduated from
every department of the Wessell, Nickel
& Gross factory, until to-day he has ad-
vanced to the position of assistant super-
intendent.
His other son, Arthur Wessell, has a
promising field before him in the legal pro-
fession, in which he has already made sub-
stantial progress.
*
*
*
*
The business of Wessell, Nickel & Gross
was merged into a corporation, of which
Adam Nickel has been active manager for
some time. Mr. Nickel has been the me-
chanical head of the firm since its incep-
tion. The inventions and devices which
are associated with the name of Wessell,
Nickel & Gross were originated by the sur-
viving partner, upon whose broad and
At the regular meeting of the Chambre
Syndicale des Instruments de Musique of
Paris on May 9th, the following officers
were elected for the ensuing year:
President: M. Gustave Lyon of Pleyel
Wolff, Lyon et Cie.
Vice Presidents: M.M. Gouttiere, Evette,
Bernardel.
Secretaries: M.M.Girard, Silvestre, Bord.
Archiviste: M. Schoenaers.
, .
Treasurer: M. Seches.
The Sterling Pianos of 1899.
The new styles of Sterling pianos which
are now being placed on the market, and
illustrations of which were recently shown
in The Review, are winning the highest
praise from dealers and musicians for their
many artistic qualities. The policy of the
Sterling Co. to take high rank as makers
of artistic pianos is splendidly illustrated
in these products. They speak more elo-
quently than words why the Sterling of '99
occupies no uncertain place in the estima-
tion of all who appreciate intrinsic merit
in piano making.
Sidney Lanier's poetical music impres-
sions are Concluded in the June number of
Scribner's magazine. This contribution
has excited much interest in the world of
music.
THE MUSIC TRADE REVffiW
Otto Wessell.
Again has the Reaper Death invaded the
ranks of the industry claiming for its own
one of our most distinguished members.
On Thursday at half past four o'clock Otto
Wessell passed from earth after a lingering
illness of several months. For some time
those nearest him looked upon recovery
with extreme doubt, and the highest medi-
cal authorities who were called in consulta-
tion did not hesitate to pronounce his
malady an incurable one, therefore the
news of his death while necessarily a great
shock to his legion of friends,
will not come in the nature of a f
surprise, as it was to a large ex- !
tent, anticipated.
To write of the life of Otto
Wessell is to chronicle the deeds
of a man who has been in the very
front file of fighters for indus-
trial supremacy. With a large
amount of e x e c u t i v e power,
backed by a high degree of me-
chanical ability, which was gen-
erously supplemented with shrewd
diplomacy, Otto Wessell possessed
indeed a personality which was
destined to be felt in whatever
sphere in life he cast his lot.
It was twenty-five years ago,
then a young ambitious mechanic,
that he formed a co-partnership
with Adam Nickel and Rudolph
Gross, founding the firm of
Wessell, Nickel & Gross, which
has since become world celebrat-
ed. For a quarter of a century
he contributed the energy of his
fully developed mental and physi-
cal powers, combined with those
of his partners, to building a bus-
iness which has reflected credit
upon the i n d u s t r y . It was
Otto Wessell and his associates who first
saw the opportunity for American inven-
tive skill, as applied to mechanics in action
building, superseding the actions which
were then imported from Europe and, all
skilled men, they worked harmoniously
together for industrial conquests.
It should be understood that upright and
grand actions were largely imported up to
1874, owing to the fact that hitherto the
square piano was the leading instrument,
and American action makers with one or
two exceptions paid but little attention to
the making of grand and upright actions.
Starting in 1874 when the inceptive pop-
ularity of the upright piano commenced
they announced their intention of supply-
ing the American trade with that which
they had previously purchased from
European makers. Mr. Wessell was the
selling partner of the concern, as from its
foundation he made it his regular duty to
call upon manufacturers in the principal
cities, impressing upon them the excellence
of his wares. Thus " the Dauntless three "
men stood together for nearly two and a
half decades, all contributing to the growth
of a business which forms an enduring
monument to their skill.
It was hardly a year ago when death
\5
made the first break in the ranks of the capable shoulders the future destinies of
partners. Rudolph Gross died at his home the house will rest.
in Stamford, Conn., on July 30, 1898.
*
*
*
*
Otto Wessell was a man of interesting
The funeral services will be held at the
personality. He had a pleasing address, late residence of the deceased, No. 47
coupled with a geniality which won for West Seventieth street, this city, on Sun-
him warm friends everywhere who will day, May 28th at 1 .-30 P. M. The inter-
learn with regret of his demise. He was ment will be at Woodlawn.
possessed of an indomitable will power, a
firmness of purpose which assisted him to Leases Not Liable for War Tax.
gain that for which he sought. The name
A very important point of interest to the
and life of Otto Wessell has left an indeli- trade at large is treated of in the following
ble imprint upon the industry.
communication from the Waterloo Organ
Had Mr. Wessell chosen politics for a vo- Co.:
Waterloo, N. Y., May 25, 1899.
Music Trade Review,
3 East 14th St., N. Y. C.
Dear Sirs:—We enclose copy of letter
received from Deputy Collector at Syra-
cuse, N. Y., which we think will be of
some value to the retail trade of the
United States. We know that many of
the dealers are stamping their leases. This
letter should be and we presume is, official.
Yours truly,
Waterloo Organ Co.
Malcolm Love, Sec'y.
COPY.
Internal Revenue Service,
Twenty-first District of New York,
Collector's Office.
Syracuse, N. Y., April 5, 1899.
Mr. Duncan MacArthur,
Deputy Collector,
Waterloo, N. Y.
Sir:—In reply to yours of the 4th instant
the inclosed agreement for rent or bill of
sale, presumably a piano, is held to be per-
sonal property and not liable to taxation
under the War Revenue Act.
Respectfully,
Chas. C. Cole, Collector.
The French flanufacturers.
OTTO WESSELL.
cation his influence would have been felt
in a large degree in that sphere. He was
loyal to his friends, in fact loyalty was a
strong factor in his makeup.
The surviving members of the family of
Mr. Wessell are a widow and two sons.
His eldest son, Ferdinand Wessell, has
chosen the profession of his father as his
own, and for years he has been--thoroughly
acquainting himself with the science of ac-
tion making. He has inherited much of
his father's talents and has graduated from
every department of the Wessell, Nickel
& Gross factory, until to-day he has ad-
vanced to the position of assistant super-
intendent.
His other son, Arthur Wessell, has a
promising field before him in the legal pro-
fession, in which he has already made sub-
stantial progress.
*
*
*
*
The business of Wessell, Nickel & Gross
was merged into a corporation, of which
Adam Nickel has been active manager for
some time. Mr. Nickel has been the me-
chanical head of the firm since its incep-
tion. The inventions and devices which
are associated with the name of Wessell,
Nickel & Gross were originated by the sur-
viving partner, upon whose broad and
At the regular meeting of the Chambre
Syndicale des Instruments de Musique of
Paris on May 9th, the following officers
were elected for the ensuing year:
President: M. Gustave Lyon of Pleyel
Wolff, Lyon et Cie.
Vice Presidents: M.M. Gouttiere, Evette,
Bernardel.
Secretaries: M.M.Girard, Silvestre, Bord.
Archiviste: M. Schoenaers.
, .
Treasurer: M. Seches.
The Sterling Pianos of 1899.
The new styles of Sterling pianos which
are now being placed on the market, and
illustrations of which were recently shown
in The Review, are winning the highest
praise from dealers and musicians for their
many artistic qualities. The policy of the
Sterling Co. to take high rank as makers
of artistic pianos is splendidly illustrated
in these products. They speak more elo-
quently than words why the Sterling of '99
occupies no uncertain place in the estima-
tion of all who appreciate intrinsic merit
in piano making.
Sidney Lanier's poetical music impres-
sions are Concluded in the June number of
Scribner's magazine. This contribution
has excited much interest in the world of
music.
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).