Music Trade Review
Issue: 1916 Vol. 63 N. 12 - Page 51
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THE
SPECIALLY DESIGNED PIANO CASES
Jesse French & Sons Bringing Out New Style
Piano Finished in American Black Walnut,
Which Shows the Full Beauty of the Wood
S. V. Duncan, writing in Veneers, recently
cited an interesting case where the unusual
attractiveness of the natural figure found in a
carload of veneer caused a factory superintend-
ent to design a case which would show to the
best advantage the beauty of the wood. Mr.
Duncan says:
"The use of imagination is not exclusive with
autfcors, artists, musicians, etc., but has been a
strong factor in the advance of nearly every
successful business. The ability to look ahead
and work for the materialization of some sug-
gestion or idea is a gift worth having and of
high commercial value. While we are apt to
boast of American quickness of perception and
promptness to take advantage of opportunity,
there are many omissions, due mostly to -lack
of imagination.
"On a recent visit to the studio of a com-
mercial photographer I saw some photographs
of piano cases made by Jesse French & Sons.
New Castle, Ind., which engaged my interest
to the point of writing to the firm. The reply
was prompt and confirmed the conclusions T
had drawn.
"It seems that a recent purchase of American
walnut veneers contained flitches of such ex-
traordinary beauty as to excite the imagina-
tion of C. J. Winterbotham, superintendent of
the factory. The figure in the veneers was so
handsome that he conceived and designed some
cases in which the entire decorative effect
would depend upon the veneers.
"To be best appreciated the cases should be
seen, but a description will enable one to judge
something of the results achieved. Not a curve
or mold is used in the design, which consists
of well-balanced straight lines. They give sim-
plicity and dignity to the cases. The whole
idea was to produce a design which would show
off the beautiful walnut to the best advantage.
"This case is known as Style 161, is 4 feet
7 inches high, 5 feet 2 inches long, 2 feet 2
inches deep, and holds the regular eighty-eight
MUSIC
TRADE
51
REVIEW
note instrument. It will not be placed on the
market until October 1. The trimmings are
of brass and the back is finished in natural white
maple. The efforts of the matchers in the ve-
neering department have ably supported the
idea of the designer and a case has been
achieved that presents a fitting exterior for a
high-grade musical instrument."
A. L. EBBELS FINDSCONDITIONS GOOD
On Recent Trip Finds Factories Busy and Re-
tail Trade Excellent—Looks for Record
Breaking Season—The Supply Situation
A. L. Ebbels, of the American Piano Supply
Co., has just returned frorii a five weeks' trip,
covering nine States and two provinces, and
reports that he found business conditions excel-
lent in all sections. The factories are very
busy, and the retail trade very satisfactory.
As it is the supply trade is swamped to meet
demands from piano manufacturers, declared
Mr. Ebbels. Some goods are harder to get
than ever, and all prices are steadily rising.
"We will have a fall trade to which last sea-
son's flurry will not be a marker," declared Mr.
Ebbels, and the forehanded man will win."
KRAFT $500,000 WILL FILED
"Old Tanner," of Bronxville, Leaves
Piano Leather Process to Sons
Secret
WHITE PLAINS, N. Y., September 11.—The will
.of the late Frederick W. Kraft, known as the
'"old tanner," of Bronxville, who left an estate
estimated to be worth close to $500,000, was
filed for probate with Surrogate Sawyer at
White Plains this morning.
Mr. Kraft, who was eighty-one, held the secret
process for the manufacture of high-grade
leather which is used in piano actions. The
secret was imparted to his sons, William F.
and John Kraft, before his death, and after
leaving them the bulk of his fortune, he re-
quests them to continue the leather business
in Bronxville.
After leaving his grandson,
William Dinsmore Kraft, his gold watch and
all his valuable diamonds, the decedent be-
queaths $2,000 to Frank Gallow.
MATERIALS,
TOOLS AND
SUPPLIES
FOR
LARGE ORDERS FROM ENGLISH HOUSE
Managing Director of C. Erhardt & Co., of
London, Places Large Orders for Piano Sup-
lies During- Recent Visit Here—Unusual
Labor Conditions in England
W r . Gaite, managing director of C. Erhardt &
Co., Ltd., of 36 Southwark Bridge road, Lon-
don, England, left for London on the Philadel-
phia last Saturday, after a two weeks' visit to
this country. Mr. Gaite arrived in New York
City from London on the "New York" on
August 29, for the purpose of procuring addi-
tional piano supplies at present not available
in England, on account of the shortage of labor
which exists there. The Erhardt concern, of
which Mr. Gaite has been managing director
for many years, was established in 1869, and
is one of the best known piano supply houses
in London. The firm is sole agent in Lon-
don for several of the leading American manu-
facturers of piano supplies, among whom are
the American Felt Co., the Comstock, Cheney
& Co., makers of piano keys; the J. L. Mutty
Co., makers of rubber supplies for player-
pianos; the Hammond-Reed Co., and the Piano
& Organ Supply Co., manufacturers of reed
boards, and the Cornwall & Patterson Manufac-
turing Co., makers of piano and action hard-
ware.
Director Gaite was a caller at The Review
offices during his stay here, and in a most in-
teresting interview stated that conditions in
England were very good at the present time
except for the extraordinary shortage of labor,
due to the number of men away at the front,
and also due to the fact that thousands of
workers in other lines are now engaged in the
munitions trade. Piano manufacturers in Eng-
land are selling pianos as fast as they can be
manufactured, and the unusual demand for
musical instruments which has been a feature
throughout England during the past year would
enable the manufacturers to do twice the
amount of their present business if they could
secure more experienced piano makers.
Mr. Gaite's last visit to this country was in
October, 1914, when he made a longer stay,
due to the fact that the labor situation in
England was not as acute as it is at the pres-
ent time. On his present trip Mr. Gaite was
successful in placing orders for a large amount
of piano supplies with the firms which he rep-
resents. He expressed himself as being highly
pleased with conditions as he observed them
here during his short stay, and while here, met
a large number of his friends and acquaint-
ances in the trade.
BUSH SEEKING PIANO BENCHES
PIANO MANUFACTURERS
HINGES, BUTTS, CASTERS, PEDALS, FELTS,
CLOTHS, PUNCHINGS, SWINGS, HANGERS,
KNOBS, LOCKS, ETC., AND A FULL LINE OF
TOOLS USED IN TUNING, REGULATING AND
REPAIRING. CORRESPONDENCE INVITED.
W. L. Bush, of the Bush & Gerts Piano Co.,
Chicago, has been negotiating with Oshkosh
manufacturers for the purpose of placing con-
tracts for tlie manufacture of piano benches-
Consult the universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge for men who desire positions.
Richardson Piano Case Co.
Manufacturers of
HAMMACHER, SCHLEMMER & CO.
NEW
Upright—
Cases
YORK SINCE 1848
Established
4th A v c . & 13th S t .
LEOMINSTER
::
1891
::
MASS.
THE
SPECIALLY DESIGNED PIANO CASES
Jesse French & Sons Bringing Out New Style
Piano Finished in American Black Walnut,
Which Shows the Full Beauty of the Wood
S. V. Duncan, writing in Veneers, recently
cited an interesting case where the unusual
attractiveness of the natural figure found in a
carload of veneer caused a factory superintend-
ent to design a case which would show to the
best advantage the beauty of the wood. Mr.
Duncan says:
"The use of imagination is not exclusive with
autfcors, artists, musicians, etc., but has been a
strong factor in the advance of nearly every
successful business. The ability to look ahead
and work for the materialization of some sug-
gestion or idea is a gift worth having and of
high commercial value. While we are apt to
boast of American quickness of perception and
promptness to take advantage of opportunity,
there are many omissions, due mostly to -lack
of imagination.
"On a recent visit to the studio of a com-
mercial photographer I saw some photographs
of piano cases made by Jesse French & Sons.
New Castle, Ind., which engaged my interest
to the point of writing to the firm. The reply
was prompt and confirmed the conclusions T
had drawn.
"It seems that a recent purchase of American
walnut veneers contained flitches of such ex-
traordinary beauty as to excite the imagina-
tion of C. J. Winterbotham, superintendent of
the factory. The figure in the veneers was so
handsome that he conceived and designed some
cases in which the entire decorative effect
would depend upon the veneers.
"To be best appreciated the cases should be
seen, but a description will enable one to judge
something of the results achieved. Not a curve
or mold is used in the design, which consists
of well-balanced straight lines. They give sim-
plicity and dignity to the cases. The whole
idea was to produce a design which would show
off the beautiful walnut to the best advantage.
"This case is known as Style 161, is 4 feet
7 inches high, 5 feet 2 inches long, 2 feet 2
inches deep, and holds the regular eighty-eight
MUSIC
TRADE
51
REVIEW
note instrument. It will not be placed on the
market until October 1. The trimmings are
of brass and the back is finished in natural white
maple. The efforts of the matchers in the ve-
neering department have ably supported the
idea of the designer and a case has been
achieved that presents a fitting exterior for a
high-grade musical instrument."
A. L. EBBELS FINDSCONDITIONS GOOD
On Recent Trip Finds Factories Busy and Re-
tail Trade Excellent—Looks for Record
Breaking Season—The Supply Situation
A. L. Ebbels, of the American Piano Supply
Co., has just returned frorii a five weeks' trip,
covering nine States and two provinces, and
reports that he found business conditions excel-
lent in all sections. The factories are very
busy, and the retail trade very satisfactory.
As it is the supply trade is swamped to meet
demands from piano manufacturers, declared
Mr. Ebbels. Some goods are harder to get
than ever, and all prices are steadily rising.
"We will have a fall trade to which last sea-
son's flurry will not be a marker," declared Mr.
Ebbels, and the forehanded man will win."
KRAFT $500,000 WILL FILED
"Old Tanner," of Bronxville, Leaves
Piano Leather Process to Sons
Secret
WHITE PLAINS, N. Y., September 11.—The will
.of the late Frederick W. Kraft, known as the
'"old tanner," of Bronxville, who left an estate
estimated to be worth close to $500,000, was
filed for probate with Surrogate Sawyer at
White Plains this morning.
Mr. Kraft, who was eighty-one, held the secret
process for the manufacture of high-grade
leather which is used in piano actions. The
secret was imparted to his sons, William F.
and John Kraft, before his death, and after
leaving them the bulk of his fortune, he re-
quests them to continue the leather business
in Bronxville.
After leaving his grandson,
William Dinsmore Kraft, his gold watch and
all his valuable diamonds, the decedent be-
queaths $2,000 to Frank Gallow.
MATERIALS,
TOOLS AND
SUPPLIES
FOR
LARGE ORDERS FROM ENGLISH HOUSE
Managing Director of C. Erhardt & Co., of
London, Places Large Orders for Piano Sup-
lies During- Recent Visit Here—Unusual
Labor Conditions in England
W r . Gaite, managing director of C. Erhardt &
Co., Ltd., of 36 Southwark Bridge road, Lon-
don, England, left for London on the Philadel-
phia last Saturday, after a two weeks' visit to
this country. Mr. Gaite arrived in New York
City from London on the "New York" on
August 29, for the purpose of procuring addi-
tional piano supplies at present not available
in England, on account of the shortage of labor
which exists there. The Erhardt concern, of
which Mr. Gaite has been managing director
for many years, was established in 1869, and
is one of the best known piano supply houses
in London. The firm is sole agent in Lon-
don for several of the leading American manu-
facturers of piano supplies, among whom are
the American Felt Co., the Comstock, Cheney
& Co., makers of piano keys; the J. L. Mutty
Co., makers of rubber supplies for player-
pianos; the Hammond-Reed Co., and the Piano
& Organ Supply Co., manufacturers of reed
boards, and the Cornwall & Patterson Manufac-
turing Co., makers of piano and action hard-
ware.
Director Gaite was a caller at The Review
offices during his stay here, and in a most in-
teresting interview stated that conditions in
England were very good at the present time
except for the extraordinary shortage of labor,
due to the number of men away at the front,
and also due to the fact that thousands of
workers in other lines are now engaged in the
munitions trade. Piano manufacturers in Eng-
land are selling pianos as fast as they can be
manufactured, and the unusual demand for
musical instruments which has been a feature
throughout England during the past year would
enable the manufacturers to do twice the
amount of their present business if they could
secure more experienced piano makers.
Mr. Gaite's last visit to this country was in
October, 1914, when he made a longer stay,
due to the fact that the labor situation in
England was not as acute as it is at the pres-
ent time. On his present trip Mr. Gaite was
successful in placing orders for a large amount
of piano supplies with the firms which he rep-
resents. He expressed himself as being highly
pleased with conditions as he observed them
here during his short stay, and while here, met
a large number of his friends and acquaint-
ances in the trade.
BUSH SEEKING PIANO BENCHES
PIANO MANUFACTURERS
HINGES, BUTTS, CASTERS, PEDALS, FELTS,
CLOTHS, PUNCHINGS, SWINGS, HANGERS,
KNOBS, LOCKS, ETC., AND A FULL LINE OF
TOOLS USED IN TUNING, REGULATING AND
REPAIRING. CORRESPONDENCE INVITED.
W. L. Bush, of the Bush & Gerts Piano Co.,
Chicago, has been negotiating with Oshkosh
manufacturers for the purpose of placing con-
tracts for tlie manufacture of piano benches-
Consult the universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge for men who desire positions.
Richardson Piano Case Co.
Manufacturers of
HAMMACHER, SCHLEMMER & CO.
NEW
Upright—
Cases
YORK SINCE 1848
Established
4th A v c . & 13th S t .
LEOMINSTER
::
1891
::
MASS.
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