Music Trade Review
Issue: 1901 Vol. 33 N. 6 - Page 10
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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
TttE LATE MYRON A. DECKER.
11'
IN PRIZES
IS OFFERED BY JHE
9f E VIE W
. 1—-$25.00 to the person sending the
best original article upon the subject :
"Will the Department Stores become per-
manent and greater distributing
piano factors? "
Won by H. WARNER KIM BALL.
N o . 2—$25.00
to
the person sending the
best original article upon the subject :
"What Benefit will be derived from tbe
One-price system in Retailing ?"
Won by ALFRED H. FORD.
N o . 3—$25.00 to the person sending the
best original article upon :
"What are the necessary requirements of
modern piano salesman ?"
N o . 4 $25.00 t o the person sending the
best original article upon :
"What would be the effect of a Piano
trust upon the Industry ?"
RULES GOVERNING THE PRIZE CONTEST
All manuscripts must be submitted in type-
written form.
No composition must contain more than 1200
words.
Any individual may enter for the entire list of
prizes.
The contest is open to all readers of The
Review.
The editor of The Review reserves the right
to publish any of the compositions sent in.
All those who enter for Prize No. 3, must send
in their manuscript by August 24th.
The names of the contestants must be attached
to manuscript submitted, but will not be
published in connection with the contribu-
tion if so specified by the writer.
The date upon which competition No. 4 will
close will be announced later.
It is our intention to continue the series of
prizes and embrace every department of trade
which will be of interest to Manufacturer,
Dealer, Salesman and Factory Employee.
All communications must be addressed
" Prize Contest."
EDITOR OF T H E REVIEW,
3 East 14th Street, New York.
The passing of Myron A. Decker, an-
nounced in last week's Review, removed from
active life one of the prominent and respect-
ed piano makers of the old school, which has
contributed so much towards the establish-
ment of the world-wide supremacy of the
American piano.
Myron A. Decker, who, at the time of his
death had entered upon his seventy-ninth
year, took up piano making as a vocation
when attaining his majority. When he came
to New York in 1844, piano manufacturing
was in its infancy, compared with the pres-
ent standard, and he served for a term of
years in the piano shop of Van Winkle, a
well-known piano maker of those early days.
A fellow-workman of his at that time
was Albert Weber, who subsequently found-
ed a famous business. Mr. Decker remained
in New York until 1849 when he associated
himself with the house of Boardman & Gray
in Albany. After having fairly mastered his
craft during twelve years steady work in all
departments of piano making, he became am-
bitious to create a Decker piano, and in 1856
he began business on his own account in Al-
bany. The advantages of New York as a
business point became impressed upon him,
and after a decade in Albany he removed his
business to New York and commenced the
manufacture of pianos on Twenty-second
street, near Lexington avenue.
The writer first recalls meeting with Myron
A. Decker in his factory, No. 1550 Third ave-
nue. He was located there for ten years,
from 1880 to 1890, when the business was
removed to the new Decker factory near the
Southern Boulevard.
*
*
*
*
Mr. Decker was a splendid type of the
conscientious, painstaking American mechan-
ic, whose ambition graduated him into a
manufacturer. He always took great pride
in his work and believed in creating instru-
ments of artistic worth. For many years,
during various factory calls, we have seen
this distinguished-looking, white-bearded
gentleman bending over some new scale in
the completion of which he hoped to advance
a trifle nearer his ideal. He was a man of
dignified carriage who always upheld the
right principle in his dealings with all men.
Although well advanced in years, he still
maintained an active interest in his business
up to within a few days preceding his death.
His careful attention to the laws of health
left him with a splendid constitution in his
old age, and it was only last year that he
made a trip to the Pacific-Northwest, from
thence to California, crossing the southern
part of the Continent on his return to New
York. He also attended the annual conven-
tion of the Piano Manufacturers National
Association held in Chicago last year.
*
*
*
*
He was always in sympathy with high-
grade work, and believed in the future of the
artistic piano. He was honored two years
ago by an election to the presidency of the
New York Piano Manufacturers' Associa-
tion, and has for years taken a warm interest
in association matters. He was a prominent
mason., was master of St. Cecile Lodge two
terms, and member of Mecca Temple and
other Masonic bodies.
*
*
*
*
The funeral services occurred last Monday
afternoon in the Pilgrim Congregational
Church, 129th street and Madison avenue.
A number of prominent State Masons and
members of his own lodge gathered to per-
form the impressive rites of the Masonic
burial service.
The floral tributes were
many and elaborate which came from friends
and organizations with which he was asso-
ciated. The interment occurred at Wood-
lawn.
Among the members of the music trade
who gathered to pay their last respects to the
memory of the deceased were, Chas. H. Par-
sons, Robt. Proddow, A. J. Newby, John
Evans, F. Ramaciotti, Paul Mehlin, Thomas
Floyd-Jones, Charles Jacob, T. Linton Floyd-
Jones, Ludwig Cavalli, Chas. A. Ericcson,
Jacob Doll, Henry Rehning, Albert Helming.
Win. Strauch, Robt. C. Kammerer and Fran-
cis Bacon.
*
*
*
*
The business of Decker & Son, which was
founded in 1856, will now be carried on by
Frank C. Decker, the surviving member of
the old partnership arrangement which was
formed in 1875. Frank C. Decker has
passed his entire life in piano work, and is
splendidly equipped to perpetuate the name
and fame of the Decker piano, so well es-
tablished by his honored parent.
DOMESTIC AND EXPORT PRICES.
Circulars are being sent out by the Indus-
trial Commission of Washington, seeking in-
formation from manufacturers regarding
the differences, if they exist, between the
domestic #nd export prices of articles pur-
chased in this country.
A large amount of exaggeration and un-
truth has been published on this subject,
and the American Protective Tariff League
have sent out a letter on this subject,in which
they state that it is highly desirable the exact
facts should be made known as gleaned from
primary sources; that is, from the export-
ing manufacturers themselves.
The Tariff League is calling the attention
of manufacturers to this inquiry of Indus-
trial Commission, with the object of making
investigation in the highest degree thorough,
complete and reliable.
WESER FACTORY NEAR COMPLETION.
The new Weser factory, adjoining their
present factory on West Forty-third street,
is rapidly approaching completion.
The
firm expects to occupy it within the next six
or eight weeks. It is a handsome structure
externally, and very substantially constructed,
with all modern appliances.
Employees of the Adek Mfg. Co., makers
of the Pianotist Piano Player, held their first
annual outing and games on Saturday at
Newark Bay House, Newark Bay, N. J. A
most enjoyable time was spent. The sports
included baseball, foot races, sack race, and
a tug-of-war.
Clark, Wise & Co., of San Francisco, Cal.,
have secured the agency for the Crown piano
for that citv and territory.
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
TttE LATE MYRON A. DECKER.
11'
IN PRIZES
IS OFFERED BY JHE
9f E VIE W
. 1—-$25.00 to the person sending the
best original article upon the subject :
"Will the Department Stores become per-
manent and greater distributing
piano factors? "
Won by H. WARNER KIM BALL.
N o . 2—$25.00
to
the person sending the
best original article upon the subject :
"What Benefit will be derived from tbe
One-price system in Retailing ?"
Won by ALFRED H. FORD.
N o . 3—$25.00 to the person sending the
best original article upon :
"What are the necessary requirements of
modern piano salesman ?"
N o . 4 $25.00 t o the person sending the
best original article upon :
"What would be the effect of a Piano
trust upon the Industry ?"
RULES GOVERNING THE PRIZE CONTEST
All manuscripts must be submitted in type-
written form.
No composition must contain more than 1200
words.
Any individual may enter for the entire list of
prizes.
The contest is open to all readers of The
Review.
The editor of The Review reserves the right
to publish any of the compositions sent in.
All those who enter for Prize No. 3, must send
in their manuscript by August 24th.
The names of the contestants must be attached
to manuscript submitted, but will not be
published in connection with the contribu-
tion if so specified by the writer.
The date upon which competition No. 4 will
close will be announced later.
It is our intention to continue the series of
prizes and embrace every department of trade
which will be of interest to Manufacturer,
Dealer, Salesman and Factory Employee.
All communications must be addressed
" Prize Contest."
EDITOR OF T H E REVIEW,
3 East 14th Street, New York.
The passing of Myron A. Decker, an-
nounced in last week's Review, removed from
active life one of the prominent and respect-
ed piano makers of the old school, which has
contributed so much towards the establish-
ment of the world-wide supremacy of the
American piano.
Myron A. Decker, who, at the time of his
death had entered upon his seventy-ninth
year, took up piano making as a vocation
when attaining his majority. When he came
to New York in 1844, piano manufacturing
was in its infancy, compared with the pres-
ent standard, and he served for a term of
years in the piano shop of Van Winkle, a
well-known piano maker of those early days.
A fellow-workman of his at that time
was Albert Weber, who subsequently found-
ed a famous business. Mr. Decker remained
in New York until 1849 when he associated
himself with the house of Boardman & Gray
in Albany. After having fairly mastered his
craft during twelve years steady work in all
departments of piano making, he became am-
bitious to create a Decker piano, and in 1856
he began business on his own account in Al-
bany. The advantages of New York as a
business point became impressed upon him,
and after a decade in Albany he removed his
business to New York and commenced the
manufacture of pianos on Twenty-second
street, near Lexington avenue.
The writer first recalls meeting with Myron
A. Decker in his factory, No. 1550 Third ave-
nue. He was located there for ten years,
from 1880 to 1890, when the business was
removed to the new Decker factory near the
Southern Boulevard.
*
*
*
*
Mr. Decker was a splendid type of the
conscientious, painstaking American mechan-
ic, whose ambition graduated him into a
manufacturer. He always took great pride
in his work and believed in creating instru-
ments of artistic worth. For many years,
during various factory calls, we have seen
this distinguished-looking, white-bearded
gentleman bending over some new scale in
the completion of which he hoped to advance
a trifle nearer his ideal. He was a man of
dignified carriage who always upheld the
right principle in his dealings with all men.
Although well advanced in years, he still
maintained an active interest in his business
up to within a few days preceding his death.
His careful attention to the laws of health
left him with a splendid constitution in his
old age, and it was only last year that he
made a trip to the Pacific-Northwest, from
thence to California, crossing the southern
part of the Continent on his return to New
York. He also attended the annual conven-
tion of the Piano Manufacturers National
Association held in Chicago last year.
*
*
*
*
He was always in sympathy with high-
grade work, and believed in the future of the
artistic piano. He was honored two years
ago by an election to the presidency of the
New York Piano Manufacturers' Associa-
tion, and has for years taken a warm interest
in association matters. He was a prominent
mason., was master of St. Cecile Lodge two
terms, and member of Mecca Temple and
other Masonic bodies.
*
*
*
*
The funeral services occurred last Monday
afternoon in the Pilgrim Congregational
Church, 129th street and Madison avenue.
A number of prominent State Masons and
members of his own lodge gathered to per-
form the impressive rites of the Masonic
burial service.
The floral tributes were
many and elaborate which came from friends
and organizations with which he was asso-
ciated. The interment occurred at Wood-
lawn.
Among the members of the music trade
who gathered to pay their last respects to the
memory of the deceased were, Chas. H. Par-
sons, Robt. Proddow, A. J. Newby, John
Evans, F. Ramaciotti, Paul Mehlin, Thomas
Floyd-Jones, Charles Jacob, T. Linton Floyd-
Jones, Ludwig Cavalli, Chas. A. Ericcson,
Jacob Doll, Henry Rehning, Albert Helming.
Win. Strauch, Robt. C. Kammerer and Fran-
cis Bacon.
*
*
*
*
The business of Decker & Son, which was
founded in 1856, will now be carried on by
Frank C. Decker, the surviving member of
the old partnership arrangement which was
formed in 1875. Frank C. Decker has
passed his entire life in piano work, and is
splendidly equipped to perpetuate the name
and fame of the Decker piano, so well es-
tablished by his honored parent.
DOMESTIC AND EXPORT PRICES.
Circulars are being sent out by the Indus-
trial Commission of Washington, seeking in-
formation from manufacturers regarding
the differences, if they exist, between the
domestic #nd export prices of articles pur-
chased in this country.
A large amount of exaggeration and un-
truth has been published on this subject,
and the American Protective Tariff League
have sent out a letter on this subject,in which
they state that it is highly desirable the exact
facts should be made known as gleaned from
primary sources; that is, from the export-
ing manufacturers themselves.
The Tariff League is calling the attention
of manufacturers to this inquiry of Indus-
trial Commission, with the object of making
investigation in the highest degree thorough,
complete and reliable.
WESER FACTORY NEAR COMPLETION.
The new Weser factory, adjoining their
present factory on West Forty-third street,
is rapidly approaching completion.
The
firm expects to occupy it within the next six
or eight weeks. It is a handsome structure
externally, and very substantially constructed,
with all modern appliances.
Employees of the Adek Mfg. Co., makers
of the Pianotist Piano Player, held their first
annual outing and games on Saturday at
Newark Bay House, Newark Bay, N. J. A
most enjoyable time was spent. The sports
included baseball, foot races, sack race, and
a tug-of-war.
Clark, Wise & Co., of San Francisco, Cal.,
have secured the agency for the Crown piano
for that citv and territory.
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).