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THE GREAT DEPRESSION to THE ASIAN INVASION
In 1935 a regular 3 ft. 9 in. upright piano was put into a new style case. This became known as the spinet and was very dainty looking compared to the old bulky upright. This new style immediately caught the public's fancy immediately. All piano manufacturers followed with similar and widely divergent designs. Soon more different styles were available to the piano buying public than ever before.
The 3 ft. 9 in. high pianos were as small as could be built with existing actions and even these had cramped knee room. To make pianos smaller new actions had to be devised. Almost all pianos manufactured today use either the compact direct action or the drop action both of which were invented in 1935. In 1936 Baldwin introduced the Acrosonic Spinet piano which was to become the largest selling piano of all time.
Something of a cross between a spinet and a grand piano was the Mathushek Spinet Grand. Appearing about 1931, it started the craze for the spinet-type piano. The Spinet Grand is not a vertical piano like the regular spinets, but rather a grand piano made like the old fashioned square grand piano. Its strings were stretched almost horizontally to the keyboard; its tone quality and sonority are much like those of a small grand. In size, it was much deeper (from front to back) than the regular spinets, the Spinet Grand ranged in price from $845 to $1,125 until 1941, depending on the design and finish of the case.
One of the greatest innovators in piano design and construction was Frederick Mathushek. Perhaps the best way to describe Mathushek was “unconventional”. The mechanical design of these square pianos was radically different from the norm, and they were praised and endorsed by high profile pianists, musicians, and singers of the era. In the 1930’s era, the Mathushek firm once again went against the norm and introduced a line of tiny square grand pianos called the “Spinet Grand”. These contemporary instruments were based on the same general design of Mathushek’s 19th Century square grand pianos, but they were redesigned in style and appearance so that they would fit well with modern décor. The Spinet Grand piano enjoyed moderate success during the 1930s and 1940s, but was never a substantial seller. The Mathushek Piano Company went out of business in the late 1950s after a spectacular century of history, innovation and success.
Beginning of Modern Styling.
When the piano known as the spinet type came into the market in 1935, with new engineering and styling, the public had its choice of conventional upright pianos, grand pianos of all sizes and new spinets. All these types were shown side-by-side in a wide variety of prices, and of course in different grades or qualities. At that time the lowest priced types made for the mass markets were studio uprights, approximately 3 feet 9 inches high. The highest priced types, in the popular-priced field, were the new spinets, consoles as many called them at the time. The in-between price was the small grand produced by makers seeking the mass market. The public, by its purchases, decided that the new types were the most desirable.
FROM CARDBOARD TO CONCERT GRAND
Every skilled pianist knows perfectly well that the finest small grand is totally inadequate for concert hall purposes, and you'll never hear a concert pianist perform on any vertical. Take the automobile for example. The most popular cars in America are wholly adequate for their purpose. But if someone wants a car that will take them 200 hundred miles an hour they must buy something that might be compared to the concert grand piano. A professional pianist in his concerts would never play anything short of a 9-foot concert grand. Thousands of children successfully started their piano lessons on cardboard keyboards with no tone or touch at all.
By 1941 the old vertical or "upright" piano was being turned out almost exclusively in the spinet design, and the change increased its value as a decorative piece of furniture, if nothing else: the new spinet pianos had cleverly designed, compact, console type cases from 36 to 45 inches high.
Unfortunately, decreasing the size of the upright pianos meant decreasing the size of the sounding board and shortening the strings, which was totally unacceptable to many purists, technicians, and teachers. The result was a controversy that still lingers 58 years later. According to the experts, the tone of spinet model pianos tends to be slight and more or less "wooden." Consequently, spinets were never recommended for purchase for serious students or by competent pianists. Because of the shorter string length above the hammer, the striking position of a hammer in an action of spinet pianos 38 inches and less must necessarily be indirect. That is, when a key is struck, it does not force the hammer against the string; there is a delayed striking action. Since this may be objectionable to some players, the lower spinets are generally less desirable than the 39 inch-or-higher models which make use of a direct striking action.
THE TRUTH IS - Regardless of the shortcomings of the spinet piano, they were still better than the cardboard keyboard with no sound at all or today's electronic keyboard that plays with no control of loud or soft.
THE PUBLIC PREFERRED SPINETS DURING 1947
Despite the rating and grading of pianos by many consumer "tip sheets" somehow the spinet piano survived and in 1947, according to figures released by the Bureau of the Census of the Department of Commerce, there were 148,300 pianos manufactured. Of these 70,800 were vertically strung pianos, 37 inches or less in height. While there is no authoritative dividing line between what might be called a spinet or a console. Any piano 37 inches or less in height falls rather definitely in the category of the spinet. Of the 1947 production 72,700 were described by the Bureau of the Census as vertical, uprights or consoles over 37 inches in height. Most of these pianos were generally called spinets. While there are no authentic figures to how many uprights, as distinct from spinets or consoles, were included in this number of 72,700 we in the piano industry know perfectly well that studio uprights, approximately 45 inches high, were made in very small numbers in that year. I would like to make a little wager that there were not 5,000 studio uprights manufactured in 1947. In that same year, there were less than 5.000 grand pianos made. Therefore; nearly 90% of the pianos manufactured in that year were of the type variously described as spinet. console, or vertical, over half of those vertically strung styles having been instruments that were not over 37 inches high.
Of course the evil in the consumer tip-sheet's grading is that many readers assume those grades are the result of an authentic laboratory analysis, something that is possible in many other lines of consumer goods. True, the tip sheet states that the listings were prepared by a professional pianist or professional technician with the aid and council of "50 technicians who must remain anonymous, but that statement is obscure in the body of the article. Most readers jump to the listings without reading the preamble.
The "Original Bluebook of Pianos" has no evidence that the consumer tip sheet or A "Consumer Guide", whatever the name of the consumer protector claims to be, that tip sheet which has shown such ignorance of the piano industry is not published with sincere motives. The "Original Bluebook of Pianos" does know that similar sheets have been issued for blackmail purposes. Some years ago, one such book or publishing company was put out of business because it was proved it solicited money and other endorsements from certain producers of brand name consumer goods in exchange for favorable reports, with a strong implication that the products would be condemned if the money was not forthcoming.
Therefore; nearly 90% of the pianos manufactured in that year were of the type variously described as spinet. console, or vertical, over half of those vertically strung styles having been instruments that were not over 37 inches high. Prices in 1947 and for several years there after, were the same as the prices during WWII which were "Ceiling Prices" controlled by the U.S. Government O.P.A. [Office of Price Administration]. They determined the maximum price a dealer could sell a product for. It worked very well with pianos and there was only one price for a Piano - and that was what everybody paid.
This was later called "Fair Trade Pricing" as set forth by all piano manufacturers. I was selling pianos at this time, if I discounted a piano or if I included a bench when the bench sold for $35.00 - the $35.00 was deducted from my paycheck. And the dealer was subject to losing his franchise for discounting. This is the truth - its how pianos were priced. It was judged as "price fixing", a term later applied to piano prices.
PIANOS AND THEIR PRICES IN 1957
Any first class console or studio upright piano is an excellent musical instrument, and will outperform and outlast an inexpensive, small piano spinet, grant it, that is if you wish to play a concert. But a spinet piano will still provide endless hours of fun if that is the purpose of having a piano in the "family room". These are accurate "retail" prices of pianos in 1957 these were the "fair trade" prices set by each factory and honored by all retailers nationwide before the term "price fixing" was created. Any of these pianos 55 years old in good condition are still worth more today as used pianos in good condition.
Group I includes the top pianos of unquestioned merit and the most expensive you could buy. These were the very best and the most popular brands and sizes by far.
BRAND NAME
SPINET
CONSOLE
STUDIO-UPRIGHT
GRAND
Steinway & Sons $1,495 - $1,700
$1,375 - $1,700
$2,790 - $5,100
Mason & Hamlin $1,370 - $1,695
$2,945 - $4,695
Baldwin
$1,030 - $1,195
$2,675 - $4,625
Knabe $1,120 - $1,410
$1,980 - $3,330
Chickering $1,070 - $1,320
$1,940 - $3,320
Sohmer $955 - $1,325
$2,040 - $2,590
Acrosonic by Baldwin
$884 - $1,095
Group II includes pianos of excellent quality in a medium price range.
BRAND NAME
SPINET
CONSOLE
STUDIO-UPRIGHT
GRAND
Story & Clark
$695 - $995
$755 - 860
$845 - $875
Krakauer
$1,095 - $1,595
$1,125
Janssen
$595 - $795
$795 - $1,120
Everett
$810 - $1,010
$1,030 - $1,195
Kimball
$750 - $780
$695 - 1,045
$750 - $800
$2,115 - $2,660
J & C Fischer
$840 - $916
$830 - $840
$1,490 - $1,620
Gulbransen
$550 - $995
$695 - $1,050
$825 - $925
$1895 - $1,995
Group III includes pianos generally in a lower price but capable of giving satisfactory service.
BRAND NAME
SPINET
CONSOLE
STUDIO-UPRIGHT
GRAND
Weaver
$825 - $1,320
$940 - $990
Winter Musette
$585 - $975
Wurlitzer
$495 - $695
$725 - $1,195
$715 - $745
$1,745 - $3,685
Hobart M. Cable
$595 - $695
$645 - $795
Kranich & Bach
$995 - $1,190
$2,065 - $2,495
Cable-Nelson
$535 - $740
Kohler & Campbell
$715 - $765
$735 - $895
$795 - $830
Cable
$725 - $825
$810 - $910
$845 - $880
$1,795 - $1,995
Estey
$745 - $945
$795
Betsy Ross
$650 - $900
$850 - $1,100
Personal preferences in tone and touch, style, budget and size all play a part and are extremely subjective. Each piano maker has its own unique features and points of excellence and value. The purpose of this guide is to give you the best consumer information to help you make your own decision.
Always keep in mind that price guides for any type of merchandise are just that: GUIDES! They should never be taken as gospel! The true value of a piano (or any other object) largely depends on the eagerness of a buyer to acquire the item, and the willingness of a seller to part with it. A price guide provides nothing more than a reasonably reliable starting point for the negotiation. None of the published price guides profess to provide anything more than a general reflection of marketplace conditions compiled just prior to publication. Remember, too, that the most important single factor influencing a given piano's value is its appearance (condition). Re-builders generally care less about how the item operates than about how it looks, after all they intend to overhaul the inner workings, however, checked varnish, dents, scratches, faded finish, or damaged or missing parts all adversely affect this rating and are more difficult to renew.
THE GREAT DEPRESSION to THE ASIAN INVASION
1930 Brand Names 1959ACROSONIC Built by Baldwin
This distinctive and exclusive name designates a line of spinet and console pianos built by the Baldwin Piano Company. Coined from the Greek word,"akros," meaning supreme and the Latin word, "sonus," meaning tone, the trade mark "Acrosonic" is registered in the United States Patent Office. Acrosonics are famous for their beautifully compact styling, their tonal clarity and power and Baldwin's exclusive Full-Blow Action.
AEOLIAN AMERICAN CORPORATION
Offices and factories, East Rochester, N. Y. The subsidiary companies controlled by the Aeolian American Corporation, listed alphabetically, include Chickering & Sons, J.& C. Fischer; Wm. Knabe & Company; Mason & Hamlin Company; George Steck & Company; and the Weber Piano Company. The manufacturing facilities at East Rochester comprise a series of separate and individual factories planned so that the manufacturing of the various instruments is carried on in an entirely individual and distinct manner, and by separate organizations each under the direction of men who have been associated with each respective make for many years, thus preserving, unimpaired, the individual and distinctive qualities of each piano. The affiliation of the various houses forming this great and powerful contribution to the art of music insures for each a wider scope for musical activity and valuable advantages in securing the best the world's markets afford in the materials that enter into piano construction, thus insuring for each of its units the highest quality in its grade and at an extraordinary economy of production. The research facilities and extraordinary purchasing power of the Aeolian American Corporation contribute immeasurably to the quality and value of the instruments made in its various manufacturing divisions. The Aeolian American Corporation was one of the pioneers in producing and placing on the market the highly desirable new vertical piano, and has constantly made outstanding advances in the art of piano styling and acoustical design. The instruments made by the Aeolian American Corporation enjoy unquestioned reputation throughout the world and are sold by leading music merchants everywhere.
AMERLING PIANO
This firm purchased an entire building located at 1307-17 Utica Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y., where complete modern factory facilities have been installed. On these premises are produced the Amerling line of fine console-grand, studio and grand pianos. Amerling pianos are custom built with old world touch and new world technique. Amerling instruments are invested with a century of knowledge and tradition and bring to each owner a pride and prestige that only 100 years of experience and progress can produce in the specific art of pianoforte construction.
The Amerling line of console grands includes such features as "Direct Grand Blow Action" (produces richer tone and reduces wear and tear on action); "Centertone Bridge" (transmits sound waves to grand crown soundboard without distortion); "Grand Crown" (spruce tapered soundboard of finest quality as used in concert grands); "Grand Locked Uniscale" (fortified, even balanced side to afford pure, even tone).Amerling pianos are available in French and Italian Provincial, Modern, Contemporary and Traditional designs, and are finished in a wide variety of attractive color-tones. Highly endorsed by leaders in radio, theatrical and television fields, Amerling pianos also enjoy fine acceptance among well-known decorators.
BALDWIN
The Baldwin Grand Piano, designed, built and guaranteed by The Baldwin Piano Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, is used exclusively by the first rank of concert artists in all spheres of musical expression-pianists, conductors, composers, singers, instrumentalists as well as outstanding symphony orchestras and music festivals. The word, "Baldwin," in characteristic Old English type face, is a registered trademark in the United States Patent Office. From the nine foot concert grand to the five foot, two inch grand, every Baldwin embodies the latest concepts of acoustical science and piano making.Baldwin also builds: Acrosonic Spinet and Console Pianos, Howard Spinet Pianos, Hamilton Studio Pianos.
The Baldwin Piano Company, incorporated under the laws of Ohio, is one of the largest manufacturers of keyboard instruments in the world today. An unbroken line of management has maintained the artistic ideals and progressive aims of the founders of the business. The Baldwin Piano Company maintains general offices in Cincinnati, a city ideally located for the supply of raw materials, transportation facilities and skilled labor. Baldwin's financial and technical resources provide a program of research which is perhaps unparalleled in the industry. With a complete line of pianos and organs: five lengths of Baldwin Grand Pianos in five styles, Acrosonic Spinet and console Pianos in all major furniture styles and many fine woods, the medium-priced Howard Spinet Piano and the 45" Hamilton Studio Piano; two large electronic church organs (the Models 10A and 8A Baldwin Organs), two spinet home organs (the Series 51 and Model 30 Orga-sonic Organs) and a middle-sized complete organ styled two ways-for church and for home. The Baldwin Concert Grand is used and endorsed by the first rank of concert artists in each sphere of musical expression. These experts are the best qualified and most critical judges of piano tone; their approval is indisputable testimony to the greatness of the Baldwin Piano.
Baldwin also has manufacturing plants in Fayetteville and Conway, Arkansas. The Baldwin Piano Company is represented by leading dealers in all principal cities and operates company-owned retail stores in New York, Boston, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Louisville, Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Denver, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
BETSY ROSS SPINET
This is one of America's most popular pianos because of its musical excellence and beautiful appearance. Available in 37 and 40 inch models, the Betsy Ross Spinet is handsomely designed in both traditional and modern styles in a wide choice of finishes. A new Custom Series line extends the choice in Betsy Ross Spinets to include a group of distinguished pianos featuring superfine cabinetwork and unusual finishes which may be ordered to fit any special decorating plan. Built only by the Lester Piano Manufacturing Company, each instrument carries the Lester name on the fall board and cast into the plate, just as each one carries the Lester 10 year guarantee. Most models are Damp Chaser equipped for regulated moisture control.
The entire resources of the Lester Company are behind the nationwide reputation for quality, tone and performance. The Lester Piano is the official piano of The Philadelphia Orchestra. The scales for the Betsy Ross Spinets were drawn by the late Paul M. Zeidler and their magnificent tone is proof of his genius. Recent manufacturing improvements have added to their excellence through achieving Lester's now famous Amplified Tone. The Betsy Ross Spinet is a one name, one quality, one price piano. The Betsy Ross Spinet is manufactured by the Lester Piano Manufacturing Company, Inc., in Lester, Pennsylvania, to which refer in this section.
The Betsy Ross Spinets were well constructed pianos, with one major exception. Shortly after WWII, Betsy Ross pianos created a new action using a new material called plastic. This was a disaster, while plastic at first was lighter and not subject to moisture, the newly invented plastic had a life span of about ten years before it became brittle and would shatter for no reason at all, and forevermore the Betsy Ross spinet piano was a non-instrument classified as bad. If the truth was known, replacing the plastic elbows in the action of a Betsy Ross gave you a perfectly acceptable piano for very little money.
Betsy Ross Spinet Action w/Plastic Action
Normal Spinet Piano Action CABLE
This piano is manufactured by the Conover-Cable Piano Co. with offices and factory at Oregon, Ill. The original Cable Piano, an instrument of high standing and one which has always attained great popularity, is sold extensively in all parts of the United States and abroad. It possesses that pleasing attribute an exceptionally sweet tone, one of richness and exquisite delicacy, especially recommending it for studio and home use. Its lasting qualities are as unexcelled as skill, first-class workmanship and patient attention to the infinite details that piano building can insure. The original Cable Piano not only has the best qualities that distinguish an instrument of high standing, but those superior qualities of tone and action which are rendered possible by a construction and design especially adequate to the production of such desirable results.
The Cable Studio piano, due to its rugged durability, has been selected and recognized by many schools, colleges, music conservatories and public institutions where long lasting service is a requisite. The durable features embodied in original Cable pianos over many years are still being employed in attractively designed consoles and spinets.
CABLE, HOBART M., CO.
More than a hundred thousand instruments bearing this name have been manufactured since 1911. The pianos are known for their musical excellence, durability and attractive cabinet work.
CABLE-NELSON PIANO CO.
Owned and controlled by the Everett Piano Company, South Haven, Michigan, (listed in this section). Cable-Nelson is the low-priced companion line to the Everett. Since 1905, over a quarter of a million Cable-Nelson pianos, bearing one of the most respected names in American piano manufacturing have been produced in the large Everett factory on the shore of Lake Michigan. Historically, the story of the origin of Cable-Nelson begins in Chicago in 1903 when Fayette S. Cable, a distinguished leader in the piano industry at the turn of the century, purchased two well established Chicago piano companies: the Lakeside Piano Company and the Sweetland Piano Company. These were merged into the Fayette S. Cable Company.
Cable joined forces with H. P. Nelson in 1905 to form the Cable-Nelson Piano Company. Messrs. Cable and Nelson, widely planning for the future of the company, sought to locate it in a fine, smaller community where the tradition of building outstanding pianos could be generated among the local working force and the standards of quality and perfection in their concept of manufacture could be insured. After surveying numerous mid-western localities, they chose South Haven which had ideal industrial facilities. From the very inception of the Cable-Nelson Company, Fayette S. Cable set the course of the company's operation in the direction of producing exceptionally fine pianos made of carefully selected materials and crafted with superior workmanship. And, starting out in a new manufacturing plant designed and built for the express purpose of making pianos, Cable rapidly proved his theory that the musical public would quickly recognize the design, tone and durability of Cable-Nelson pianos.
For the next two decades, the company prospered and produced fine grand and upright pianos that became proud possessions in homes all over the nation. In 1926, the Cable-Nelson Piano Company merged its plant, facilities and piano making with one of the greatest names in the American music industry, the Everett Piano Company, founded in Boston in 1883. When the two companies joined forces, the principle of product dependability at low cost was preserved in the Cable-Nelson line of pianos. And, through all of its history, the Cable-Nelson has represented one of this country's highest grades of pianos designed and built to be sold at a modest price to bring an excellent musical instrument to American families. Cable-Nelson cases are designed by William H. Cliagman of Grand Rapids, one of America 5 most noted furniture designers. From his drawing board in the center of the greatest furniture producing area of the country, Cliagman works in close association with the production engineering specialists at the South Haven plant. His objective always is freshness of design, together with lasting good taste and dignity. The Cable-Nelson is available in a variety of pC1.io(l and contemporary styles and light-to-dark finishes.
CHALLIS, JOHN.
Harpsichord and Clavichord maker. 85 E. Vernor Hwy., Detroit Mich. Established in 1930. The first to use cast aluminum for structural frames not dependent on a substructure of wood. The first to use combined Bakelite and aluminum wrestplanks in which tuning-pins cannot come loose either from excessive dryness or long use. Challis harpsichords are known for their light, reliable actions, superior carrying quality in concert halls, and beauty of tone. All instruments sold directly to customer.
CHASE, A. B.
Established by Alvin B. Chase in 1885. He had for ten years previous to that devoted his inventive genius to the creation of the A. B. Chase organs. The A. B. Chase was a success from its inception. The fine reputation enjoyed by the A. B. Chase organs prepared the way for a ready acceptance of the A. B. Chase pianos. This is an honored name in the annals of music in America, being closely associated with the love and development of music in the home. They have always been noted for splendid workmanship. The A. B. Chase is made in baby grands and spinet models. It is a product of the Aeolian American Corporation.
CHASE & BAKER.
Instruments bearing this name are made by the Estey Piano Corp. of Bluffton, Indiana.
CHICKERING & SONS
Established in 1823, Chickering & Sons celebrated in 1923 the completion o f a century of continuous manufacture of Chickering pianos. illustrious firm, the oldest piano house in the United States, has been at all times in the forefront and has received worldwide recognition for its part in developing the pianoforte on distinctive lines.Jonas Chickering, the founder was born at Mason Village, New Hampshire, in April, 1796, where, after a sound schooling, he thoroughly learned the business of cabinet making Impelled by a restless ambition to seek a larger field, he went to Boston in his early twenties.
There he entered the factory of a well known piano maker of those days and pursued a course of study in Piano making in its then primitive stage. It was not long before the genius of Jonas Chickering manifested itself, and he introduced a series of changes and improvements which have since become standard and which revolutionized the methods then prevailing. His name from the earliest times has been constantly linked with the Americanizing of the piano by methods of such importance and value that both America and Europe today admit their worth by universal adoption. To him must be ascribed the invention of the full iron plate for grand pianos recorded in 1837. This invention was accepted by the scientific world as one of far reaching importance; indeed, it proved to be the foundation of all modern piano construction, for without it the sonorous grands of today would have been impossible. He successfully solved the problem of the proper support for the great strain of the strings and defined a new era in the history of Piano making.
In 1843, Jonas Chickering invented a new deflection of the strings and in 1845 the first practical method for over stringing in square pianos, that is, instead of setting the strings side by side, substituting an arrangement, of them in two banks, one over the other, not only saving space but bringing the Powerful bass strings, directly over the most resonant part of the sound-board, a principle which obtains to this day in the construction of all pianos, both grands and uprights. Until the year 1852, Jonas Chickering superintended each department of his business with his usual scrupulous care but was relieved of much of this responsibility upon his taking into partnership his three sons, all of whom had received under their father a practical training of the highest order. The genius of C. Frank Chickering as a 'upscale" draftsman soon became internationally known and acknowledged and to his extensive scientific research is to be attributed much of the renowned beauty of the Chickering tone. Not content with retaining this invaluable knowledge himself he imparted the secrets of his studies to those in the factory in whose gifts he had confidence, thus insuring their perpetuation.
In addition to the many patents taken out by Jonas Chickering, his sons and their successors, various methods exclusive to themselves have also been employed and there are in constant use operations of an abstract character which may be described as mechanical subtleties possessing great value and which are an integral part of the Chickering system. The above outline of the significant importance of the Chickeriag system will appeal to the practical minded but to those who would know more of the romance and charm which the Chickering story holds for the student of America's musical development. The significance and historic value of Chickering in the development of the pianoforte in America is seen in the preservation at the Ford Museum at Dearborn of several important Chickerings including the very first instrument made by Jonas Chickering in 1823. Others are: the first Chickering upright made in 1830 and the first Chickering grand completed prior to 1850.
Chickering & Sons have receive upwards of 200 first medals and awards. These have been received from States and sovereigns, international expositions and learned societies in all parts of the world embracing every known method of honoring distinguished merit. C. Frank Chickering was personally invested with the Imperial Cross of the Legion of Honor at the hands of Napoleon 111. The significance of this high honor is the more appreciated because of its extreme rarity, very few such honors having been bestowed for accomplishments in the fine arts. In 1923 Chickering & Son is were the recipients of a remarkable tribute from musicians and persons of prominence in all walks of life who united in celebrating the Hundredth Anniversary of the founding of Jonas Chickering's epoch making enterprises. A committee headed by the Honorable Calvin Coolidge (then Vice-President of the United States) carried to a successful and brilliant conclusion what was termed the Jonas Chickering Centennial Celebration, culminating in a banquet held at the Copley Plaza, Boston, at which Mr. Coolidge was the chief speaker. It marked in a most significant manner a century of musical achievement that is without parallel in the history of American piano making. The most famous virtuosi including pianists, singers and instrumentalists have exhausted superlatives in expressing their high admiration of the Chickering. The Handel and Haydn Society of Boston the world's foremost oratorio group, established 1815, has used the Chickering exclusively for more than a century.
The list of pianists, composers and musicians who have since its inception used and endorsed the Chickering piano is too long to include here. Several years ago this great house, content with its already rich background of achievement on the concert stage, turned its attention to the perfection of a smaller piano. The Chickering is essentially a piano for the home. The first successful small grand was a Chickering and, today, the exquisite instruments made by this famous house bear witness to the scientific and successful solution of the problem of bringing into the confines of pleasingly curtailed dimensions the rich sonority and perfect balance and nobility of tone of the larger grand. A notable achievement in both tone and beauty of case is seen in the Chickering pianos of the new vertical type especially designed to meet today's problem of space in the smaller apartments, preserving beauty and tonal quality. The present factory of Chickering & Sons, at East Rochester, New York, presents an example of superb modern equipment.
CLAVICHORD The Clavichord was the favorite instrument of the 16th and 17th centuries maintaining its supremacy long after the appearance of the pianoforte. The Clavichord possessed four of the most vital points of the present day piano. namely - the independent sound board, metal strings. percussion method of agitating the strings and application of the damper to the strings. Bach, Mozart and even Beethoven used it.
CONOVER
This piano belongs in the highest grade manufactured J Frank Conover was considered one of the world's greatest piano makers, a man who devoted over 40 years of his life to the study of a single problem-tone Behind the life work of Mr. Conover are the present unlimited resources of the maker the Conover-Cable Piano Co., with unsurpassed modernized factory facilities and an organization of most competent experts. The Conover scale has met and is constantly meeting the highest requirements of musicians. The patented sounding-board and frame construction in the small grand is part of an improved construction designed to maintain the proper curvature of the sounding board so necessary to preserve the original tonal beauty of the instrument. Instruments having this construction, bear the trade mark "Crownstay." The Conover piano is a product of the Conover-Cable Piano Company with offices and factory located at Oregon, Illinois.
CONOVER-CABLE PIANO CO.
This company was established in 1875, and honors J. Frank Conover who introduced his now famous piano in the same year. Located at Oregon, Illinois, this company manufactures a wide variety of both spinets and consoles. They have long been known for the lasting quality of their instruments and for their exquisite appearance as to finish. The plant is extremely large and well equipped so that every advantage can be taken of modern engineering techniques combined with old time hand operations. This company manufactured such famous instruments as the Cable, Kingsbury, Wellington and Schiller in strict accordance with their traditional exclusive patents and methods.
DUO (THE HARDMAN DUO PLAYER-PIANO)
An exciting innovation in piano design and engineering has led to the creation of the Hardman DUO, the amazing new player-piano developed and manufactured exclusively by Hardman, Peck & Co. Unveiled in the Spring of 1957, the DUO is actually two pianos in one. At once an incomparable Hardman Console famed for acoustical richness is changed from manual to a player-piano, ready to play any of the hundreds of melodies on music rolls-everything from classics to rock 'n roll.
A flick of the lever and the dropping of a panel are all it takes to release the pedals and finger-tip controls of the new DUO. Expression is extremely sensitive to the individual touch. Rhythm and nuances are even attainable through subtle practice on the pedals themselves. But other expression devices enable you to have complete shading control over any melody played. A tempo gauge, calibrated to any extra wide sweep can be set or changed during play by a flick of the finger. Soft bass and soft treble buttons may be depressed independently or together for muting melody or bass chords. In addition a volume lever sustains tones like the manual sustaining foot pedal. When manual play is again desired, raising the panel and another flick of the lever places all controls completely away from view, and at once you again have a manual Console with standard toe pedals.
The DUO is an ideal family piano, one that every member can play even those who have never had a lesson. Lyrics are printed right on the music rolls, so everyone can sing along as well. This adds greatly to the fun of family gatherings and parties. The young student in the family will find he learns faster on the DUO. He can play it manually for practice lessons, and as a player-piano to observe the technique of more advanced arrangements.
EMERSON
Established by William Emerson in 1849, it is one of the best known names in the piano world. William Emerson's idea was "tone," not tone volume solely but tone characterized by clearness and sweetness. The immediate demand for his instruments produced abundant evidence of his success. They soon became known as the "sweet-toned Emerson." The Emerson was made in small grands, spinets, being predominently a piano for the home. It was a product of the Aeolian American Corporation.
ESTEY PIANO CORPORATION.
Manufacturers of the famous Estey line of pianos. The factory and executive offices were located at Bluffton, In. The Estey business was established in 1869 and has ever since occupied a position of prominence in the pianoforte industry. The concern manufactures a complete line of pianos, including 4 ft.-6 in. grands, spinets and consoles. Estey pianos received an award at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876, at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, at the International Exposition, Torino, Italy, in 1911, at the Pan-American Exposition in San Francisco in 1915, and latterly they were awarded the gold medal at the Sesqui-Centennial~ Exposition in Philadelphia for unusual beauty of case design and the high quality of the instruments.
Estey pianos were available in styles from period to traditional to modern, and in woods and finishes including African mahogany, American walnut, limed oak. Salem maple, blond mahogany and cherry.
The Estey Piano Corporation made notable improvements in piano building that have developed into the outstanding feature of Estey pianos. The Violin Bridge Construction (Patent Pending) is said to improve the tone quality, tone volume and sustaining tone in a most amazing manner. This discovery is very simple and is accomplished by reducing the mass of the treble bridge by means of running a furrow or cove along each 5i(lO of the bridge, thereby adding flexibility and reducing the weight of the bridge. The Direct Blow Action (Pat. No. 2096478) is used in all Estey consoles and spinets. This development permits of correct touch, maximum power and excellent responsiveness, and furthermore eliminates action worries and troubles. All Estey pianos have 7-ply hard maple planks.
The manufacture of Estey products was under the supervision of men who had been prominently identified with the piano industry of this country for many years, men who are authorities on quality pianoforte building.
EVERETT PIANO COMPANY
The Everett Piano Company was established in Boston, Mass., in 1883, by the John J. Church Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, one of the leading music publishing concerns of America. In June, 1926, Everett merged with the Cable-Nelson Piano Company; and the firm moved manufacturing facilities from Boston to South Haven, Michigan.
From its earliest inception, the Everett was a piano of high quality. Teresa Carreno, foremost pianist of her time; Walter Damrosch, long-time conductor of the N.Y. symphony and pioneer radio conductor; Cecile Chaminade, eminent French composer; the pianist Alfred Reisenauer, John Philip Sousa-these are but a few of the many great artists who played Everett grands on the concert stage or owned, used and admired them in private life. Because of the growing vogue of the small piano in the home and the shrinking market for grands. Everett ceased making grand pianos in 1946 and devoted their entire manufacturing facilities to small pianos.
A turning point in the company's history was its acquisition in 1936 by George Stapely. (The firm subsequently became a subsidiary of the Meridan Corporation.) Mr. Stapely was a graduate engineer who had served as production manager for Chevrolet and authored a series of books on engineering and cost control. One of the greatest of Mr. Stapely's innovations was the development of the Balanced Tension back. The Everett Balanced Tension back construction (patented), introduced in 1946, was a most important improvement in scientific piano construction equaling in its engineering features that of the full cast plate now universally used. The principle is as old as history, but new as applied to pianos. Using cast metal levers which control the balance the 20 ton pull of the piano strings and synchronize with movements of the cast plate under varying conditions of heat and cold, damp or dry climates, Everett achieves 40% greater tone freedom and a much more solid tone.
Exhaustive testing and the subsequent use in all part~ of America during the last thirteen years have proven most conclusively that pianos so constructed stay in tune for a much longer period. All Everett consoles and spinets have this exclusive construction feature. In 1949, as the result of many years' research, Everett introduced the first small pianos with a dyna-tension scale, which, according to Everett, gives them the "tonal beauty of a grand." The dyna-tension scale was developed and perfected by John A. Henns, America's foremost piano scale designer. This exclusive scale is possible only in Everett consoles and spinets with Balanced Tension back, because no other piano (i.e. a piano with wooden back posts instead of metal levers) has the strength to carry the increased load of a super high string tension. The company claims that the beautifully fashioned Everett offers the same "concert fidelity" . . . distortion-free volume more than adequate for today's home. . as a fine grard piano, which also has "high tension" strings.
Everett employed one of America's leading furniture designers, William H. Clingman of Grand Rapids, Michigan, to create authentic period designs and finest modern and contemporary stylings in a complete range of light, medium and dark hardwood veneer finishes to harmonize with other fine furniture pieces.
The Everett School Piano has been purchased by more than 7,000 colleges and universities, schools and churches since 1948. It was the first school piano to meet and then exceed the rigid specifications for school pianos set by Dr. Elwyn C. Carter, head of the music department of Western Michigan University. The Style 11, incorporates many features including a greatly reinforced fallboard with concealed locks at both ends, extra sturdy back-posts (26% heavier than before), and a locking top (patent applied for). The piano comes in a choice of finishes.
FISCHER, J. & C.
Manufactured by the Aeolian American Corporation. One of the oldest and most reputable pianos in the United States. 3. & C. Fischer succeeded directly to the business of R.& W. Nuons of New York, one of the pioneer houses in the American piano industry. The present title of J. & C. Fischer was given the firm in 1&40. John U. Fischer and Charles S. Fischer came of a most distinguished family of piano makers, their father having gain~l the coveted honor of being appointed "piano-maker" to Ferdinand I, King of Naples. The original factory of 3. C. Fischer was established in 1840 in St. John's Lane, New York City. The present factories and general offices are in East Rochester, N. Y. This house has taken a prominent part in the development of the piano industry in the United States. The 3. & C. Fischer pianos in small grands, consoles and School pianos of professional performance are c~iebrated for their fine, pure quality of tone, and the 3. & C. Fischer is further distinguished for the beauty of its case designs. In recent years special attention has been given to this important feature of artistic piano making so that even the regular models of Fischer pianos are noteworthy for their simplicity and grace, and the period models are superb examples of the adaptation of the decorative art of past centuries to the case of the modern piano.
JESSE FRENCH & SONS
In January 1955, the P. A. Starck Piano Co. of Chicago purchased the Jesse French & Sons trade position. In the modern Starck factory, master craftsmen utilize materials and equipment to produce Jesse French pianos of beauty and lasting musical quality for the intimacy of the American home; the exactitude of the studio and the hard usage of the school. The Jesse French models are exclusive designs based on present day trends in home furnishings. Jesse French pianos are scientifically balanced in every detail, and are nationally known as instruments of the highest quality. Many satisfied purchasers recommend Jesse French pianos to their friends. It is not unusual for the second and third generations of families topurchase a Jesse French piano. Each Jesse French piano is equipped with the new Ori-Coustic High Tension Scale. This scale has been acclaimed by experts as one of the finest piano scales available, regardless of price.
GULBRANSEN
By building a new multi-million dollar plant, Gulbransen became the first piano manufacturer in half a century to achieve this distinction, and this venture was especially noteworthy. The demonstration of faith in its splendid products, faith in the piano industry, and faith in America was entirely justifiable in the light that it became necessary to enlarge their facilities by an additional new big wing of 50,000 square feet, so that now theirs is the largest, all on one floor level, piano factory in all the world. The Gulbransen factory retained all its personnel in sales and plant craftsmen. The latter are in a new and modern environment, and have taken with them all the know-how of a craft that has taken many decades to learn and in most cases in herited and handed down from family to family. Gulbransen workmen average 40 years in piano making. Their product is their pride and they are bringing up their sons to follow. Beyond internal excellence of the mechanics that go into a Gulbransen is the forward-looking, alert thinking of the management, which was attentive to the style changes in their interior mode of the home. No Gulbransen piano owner is ever without an available new model to match the motif of home or studio.
More than 500,000 pianos have been manufactured by this company, thereby establishing it as one of the largest in the industry. The distribution of this vast number of instruments has been accomplished through a nation-wide organization of dealers whose high ethics in merchandising conform with those of the company itself. Through this widespread dealer organization, Gulbransen pianos have been sold into many homes and, in addition, are to be found in more than 7,500 schools, churches, conservatories of music, radio stations and the studios of many prominent musicians. The highly trained and experienced technicians who make up the Gulbransen personnel are carrying on the high ideals and standards instilled by the company's distinguished founder, A. G. Gulbransen. Of this personnel the most important members are the "men who make them," a group of artisans who have literally spent their lives employing those principles of piano craftsmanship without which no fine piano can be created.
Backing up their efforts, Gulbransen is known for having only the latest and finest in manufacturing equipment. Numerous patented devices are in daily use for research and improvement of products and under the guidance of E. W. Okeson, factory superintendent, an authority on scale drawing and piano building, the present line of Gulbransen Supertone scale pianos has been brought to a higher standard than ever before. A large number of distinguished models of period, modern and conventional designing are offered, and interior decorators widely acclaim the authenticity and gracious dignity of Gulbransen cabinet styling. Prominent among these are the new spinet-type and console models which include a variety of beautiful encasements in a number of sizes. In addition to these new type pianos Gulbransen has an unusually complete line of conventional grands, uprights and other models, all incorporating those features of construction and tonal excellence which are characteristic of the Gulbransen pianos. Owners of instruments of this make have the eminent satisfaction of knowing that "the name of the founder is the name on the piano.
HADDORFF
The elder Haddorff was recognized as a genius of first rank in the design and creation of fine pianos, equally eminent in his artistic conception of piano tone and in his mastery of the mechanical problems of fine piano construction. His scales, both for his concert grand and other professional pianos and for the smaller pianos, have been judged by experts as important contributions to both the scientific and artistic sides of piano acoustics.
On the material side, he felt that his most significant achievement was his original theory and practice of sound board design and layout, involving a novel formula for the tapering of the board itself and the proper allocation and dimensions of ribs and bridges. It is this feature which is mainly responsible for that even quality and fullness of power throughout the whole piano range which is one of the distinguishing characteristics of Haddorff Pianos. Other mechanical improvements due to the mechanical ingenuity of C. A. Haddorff, some of them patented, are too numerous for listing. During the year 1935, the Haddorff Piano Co. created one of the great piano sensations of all time by the introduction of a new and original piano form known as the ""vertichord This piano achieved what was up to that time regarded as an impossibility, a vertical piano which could never be called an "upright," but which preserved all the advantages of that type of piano in the way of space economy, sound board area, and string lengths.
The Vertichord was the original and the prototype of all of the pianos which have since come to be known as Spinets and Consoles and whith now account for the great majority of the total pIano production. The basic design ard construction of the Vertichord are fully covered by patents. The Vertichord presents a further sensational improvement in small piano tonal development in the form of a secondary sound board connected with the main board by means of a "tone post" called the acoustic coupler. This invention increases the sound board area by more than half, with a corresponding improvement in the power and quality of tone.
HAMILTON
This name designated the 45" studio piano built by The Baldwin Piano Company. Functionally styled, it is built in mahogany, dark and light oak, walnut. and ebonized. The name "Hamilton" is registered in the U. S. Patent Office. Baldwin also builds-Baldwin Grand Pianos, Acrosonic Spinet and Console Pianos, Howard Spinet Pianos, Baldwin Electronic Organs and Orga-sonic Spinet Organs.
HAMPTON
Pianos bearing this name were built by Story & Clark Piano Company, to whom refer.
HARDMAN, PECK & CO.
Founded in 1842. Executive offices, 33 W. 57th St., New York City. One of the oldest and most distinguished manufacturers in the piano industry. Has a world-wide reputation. For fifteen years the Hardman was the official piano of the Metropolitan Opera Co. and was highly and enthusiastically endorsed by leading opera stars. Enrico Caruso personally used and endorsed the Hardman piano exclusively during his entire career in the United States. For years they have been used by pianists, singers and musicians of international fame.
Hardman, Peck & Co. make a specialty of building instruments for export in addition to their large domestic market, and many thousands of their instruments are now in use throughout the world. Their long experience in exporting pianos guarantees absolute satisfaction. Their pianos were distinguished by the variety and artistic character of their musical qualities, including purity, delicacy, and singing character of tone, and also for their finely balanced and sensitive touch. These characteristics are prepared for long periods of time as the pianos are especially constructed to hold the tone. Hardman, Peck & Co. also manufactures Hardman Grands and Spinet Type pianos; also Harrington Grands and Console Type pianos. They are exclusive manufacturers in U.S.A. of the Minipiano.
HARPS. See Lyon & Healy
HARPSICHORDS.-Refer to John Challis
HARRINGTON
Manufactured in the Harrington Department of Hardman, Peck & Co., New York, since 1891. A moderately priced instrument of superior qualities perpetuated by a durability resulting from the best materials fashioned by expert workmen. To the musician, the Harrington console offers an instrument of superior power and richness of tone, plus that durable construction so characteristic of the Hardman. The recognized standing of Hardman, Peck & Company, who have been preeminent in the manufacture of fine pianos since 1842.
HOWARD
This name designates a spinet piano built by The Baldwin Piano Company. Its cabinetry was in a Contemporary style, in either mahogany or walnut. The name is registered with the U. S. Patent Office.
HOWARD, R.
Refer to Janssen Piano Co., listing.
IVERS & POND PIANO COMPANY
This old established, nationally prominent, and highly regarded concern continues with its policy of building only pianos of high quality. Incorporated in 1880. The Ivers & Pond piano is noted for its structural integrity, extreme durability and charming tone quality. It has always enjoyed a wide national distribution, and the house has never changed from the original corporate form chosen at the start.
Over seven hundred conservatories and schools and over eighty thousand homes throughout the country use Ivers & Pond Pianos. In years past the company has been one of the most extensive and consistent advertisers in the piano industry so that the name "Ivers & Pond" has become almost a household word in musical circles throughout the land. Many practical improvements and special features enhancing durability and tonal qualities have been developed in the Ivers & Pond factories and particular attention has been paid to artistic styling of the various piano types. The historic policy of this well-known house, of building quality instruments only, is being strictly maintained, as is also their principle of constantly striving to give greater value to the purchaser.
JANSSEN PIANO CO., INC.
One of the most respected names , among manufacturer of keyboard instruments in America today, and one of tile few remaining companies in the industry still controlled and actively directed by the descendants of the founding family. The Janssen family owned and operated one of the largest and best equipped piano manufacturing plants in New York City, where skilled artisans perpetuate a tradition of more than 100 years of dedication to the highest standards of quality piano construction. The company's steadfast insistence on integrity of craftsmanship and superiority of materials has earned for its products a truly distinctive reputation, not only with other manufacturers, hut with America's foremost piano dealers and the music loving public everywhere.
Although the Janssen piano has gained a broad acceptance among schools, musical institutions, and teachers of music, it has become widely known as "The Home Piano of America" because of the many exclusive features and qualities that make it the ideal instrument for use and enjoyment in the home, the traditional cradle of musical appreciation and learning. The superiority of the Janssen piano was the result of the company's continued policy of product research and refinement, and few companies in the industry can point to such an impressive record of successful improvements in design, materials, beauty of tone, mechanical excellence, and the efficiency and exactness of manufacturing procedures. Proud owners of Janssen pianos throughout the United States and in many foreign lands as well are reaping the benefits of this policy of product improvement and development, for no other piano has so much lasting value built into it, and no piano, regardless of price, has all the exclusive features found in a Janssen. The Janssen Console line of quality leaders in the fine piano field are found many of the exclusive features that make the purchase of a Janssen such a sound investment. One of them, the built-in Music Desk Light, has been proclaimed as one of the most beneficial improvements in the history of piano manufacturing. The soft illumination of this fluorescent light, directly below the music, makes other room lights unnecessary and is a priceless safeguard of good eyesight for children and adults alike. The light also effectively combats dampness:, the greatest enemy of a piano's delicate inner mechanism.
The remarkable strength and durability of grand piano construction is achieved in Janssen's exclusive four-section cast iron plate, which guarantees longer instrument life and greater tone quality. This is but another of the numerous quality features that make the Janssen the superlative instrument that it is and assure the purchaser of a lifetime of pleasure and satisfaction. Other fine and desirable Janssen Mignon features include beautiful hand-rubbed lacquer finishes, truly authentic period styles, responsive Direct-Blow Action, solid Sitka Spruce sounding boards, sturdy six-post backs, three functional pedals, including bass sustaining, reinforced moth-proof hammers, Maple tuning pin bushings, and the most rigid pin-block construction possible, through Hard-Rock Maple laminations and nickel-plated pin-block locks.
It was not only the intrinsic quality of Janssen piano construction that kept the Janssen name in the forefront of the industry, but also the success of the company's engineering imagination. The Janssen Spinet, for instance, is the smallest full-keyboard spinet piano in the world with standard Direct-Blow Action, and represented one of the truly great piano values on the market. The Janssen Chord Piano was another much-publicized invention born of the inspiration and know-how of Janssen technicians, that by an integral system of diminutive colored lights, enabled anyone, regardless of age, to sit down and have fun at the piano without ever having had a lesson. The best understanding of the continued excellence of the Janssen Piano can be found in the words of the famous Janssen Creed, which was written many years ago by the founder and summarizes the principles that govern the company today:
"This is my creed and on it I have built my Piano and Reputation! To give you as nearly as possib!e a dollar's value for every dollar you give me. To treat you as I want to be Justly. Since you may possibly know little or nothing about the material or craftsmanship that goes into the piano you bought, you must naturally rely on me. I want you to do that-and I promise that your confidence shall not be misplaced. Following this creed for a life time , has earned a Janssen reputation, that my product and methods must; maintain. I want to be right and do right. If I fail in any one thing, it will never be because I wanted to."
KIMBALL, W. W.
Established 1857. An old and distinguished house of international standing and reputation. Since its inception, the firm has been under the continuous ownership and control of the Kimball family. One of the world's quality manufacturers of pianos, grand pianos, consoles, consolettes, spinets and studio models.
The Kimball plant, occupies approximately 200,000 square feet of floor space. The building is equipped with modern machinery and appliances for an ideal mixture of fine craftsmanship and modern methods. In the manufacture of these instruments the best and most reliable materials are used and an exceptionally high class of labor is employed. Completion of the plant in May, 1956, revealed completely new dry kiln and lumber handling equipment, extensive conveyor systems, and the air-conditioned office facilities. The program included acquisition of the newest modern machinery, including many special machines developed by Kimball engineers and employees.
The Kimball line of grands includes several sizes Vertical type pianos included a special school and studio model. Artist Console, Consolete, and Spinet models were available in a wide range of modern and period designs. The Kimball Consolette has four exclusive Tone-Touch features: The Kimball Pipe-Organ Tone Chamber, produced through the combined skill of the Company's pipe organ and piano technicians; the Kimball Unilocked Scale; the Kimball patented Direct Blow Action; and the new Kimball Life-crowned Tone board, which will not split or crack open and permanently holds the crown developed through years of research and experiment. The Kimball technical staff draws all scales, designs' actions and cases and various other parts; thus insuring the precision and uniforra quality that are so important to the performance of a fine piano. The company even operates a completely equipped machine shop where have been built many ingenious special machines found only in this plant.
The Kimball instruments have won recognition at many of the world's expositions, among these the Chicago Columbian Exposition, 1893, gave the Kimball Co. "an award of superlative merit" for having attained the highest standard of excellence in its particular manufacture. The international Jury of Awards of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition at Seattle, 1909, conferred the highest award upon Kimball grands and uprights and pipe organs, stating, "Their upright and grand pianos typify the highest perfection in tone, scale, action and design, in American piano making." At the Trans-Mississippi Exposition at Omaha, Nebr., in 1898, Kimball pianos received the diploma and only gold medal awarded any piano. Highest awards from the Panama-Pacific Exposition at San Francisco were announced in the summer of 1916, Grand piano medal. Hundreds of world famous musicians and singers have used Kimball pianos, 100th in public and for their private use, and have given them unqualified endorsements. The Kimball is heard on the concert stage today as it has been continuously for over half a century. Several thousand churches, schools, colleges and public institutions have purchased Kimball pianos.
Among the colleges, universities and conservatories which have purchased Kimball pianos: Cosmopolitan School of Music, American Conservatory of Music, Chicago, Barry College, Miami, Fla., Birmingham Conservatory of Music, Ward Belmont College, Detroit Conservatory of Music, U. S. Military Academy (West Point), Stephens College, Christian College, Oregon State College, Universities of Kentucky, Illinois, Ohio, Delaware, Southern California, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Montana, Oregon, Texas, Washington. Public schools in Chicago, Illinois; Seattle, Washington; Cleveland, Ohio; Providence, R. I.; St. Paul, Minnesota; Kansas City, Missouri; Washington, D. C.; Los Angeles, California; West Palm Beach, Florida; Wilmington, Delaware; Youngstown, Ohio; Dallas, Texas; and over a thousand other schools. Several thousand Kimball pianos are used in churches and in associated schools. A large number of radio stations, hotels and other public institutions have also purchased and are using Kimball pianos.
Kimball was the first to perfect a laminated spruce sounding board ... one of the most important piano improvements in generations . . . as described above; first to develop electronic gluing, which permits using waterproof glues in piano case construction; first to pioneer lacquer to supplant varnish, producing a perfect finish, a better product . . . for less money; first to perfect a keybed leveling device which eliminates wedges and shims, produces a perfect key level; first to pioneer the type of white and black keys now used by the entire industry; first to make a piano in genuine fruitwood; first to design authentic French Provincial and Early American pianos; first to develop a grand scale for a 5' size grand piano.
KINGSBURY
The Kingsbury Piano was manufactured by the Conover-Cable Piano Co., General Office and factory at Oregon Ill., to which refer. This instrument is one of the most popular pianos manufactured and its popularity rested firmly upon its merit. It was only possible to build a piano of the Kingsbury's superior qualities, and sell it at the price for which it is sold, as the result of large volume and public acceptance.
KNABE & CO., WM.
As a division of Aeolian American Corporation. Among the few really celebrated and artistic pianofortes in the United States, the time-honored Knabe ranks pre-eminent, being distinguished for a distinctive tone quality that has often been described as the nearest approach to the human singing voice. During its celebrated career 115 years, it has always been identified with the high est standards of manufacture, as well as by its close association with the artistic world. It has had a notable share in the development of musical intelligence and culture in the United States.
The Knabe dates back to 1837 when William Knabe founded the business in the city of Baltimore, where he had been working in various factories since his arrival in this country in 1832. He had previously acquired a broad practical knowledge of piano craftsmanship in all its branches. A man of mechanical ability that classed him as a genius, with the steadfast ambition to produce only the best, he enlisted an organization of experts, deeply imbued with those high ideals which have been handed down to the present day. The craftsmanship that makes the Knabe a leader among all pianos is not an acquisition of one generation but a pedigree of skill that has continued from that idealistic beginning. Knabe pianos have always been distinctive for touch, durability and endurance, and their glorious tone combines power, sweetness, delicacy and a poetic singing quality. The pages of its history are rich with great names of composers, singers and pianists of highest renown whose musical triumphs have been shared by Knabe. It enjoyed a pleasant and intimate relation with such great figures in the world of music as: Puccini, Tschaikovsky, von Bulow, Lehar, Nordica, Calve, and Humperdinck .
Since 1926 it has been the official piano of the Metropolitan Opera Company, used publicly and privately and always at the Opera House by the great artists of that celebrated organization. Among present artists who have added their personal testimonials of admiration to the endorsement of the Opera Company are: Licia Albanese, Mildred Allen, Lorenzo Alvary, Lucine Amara, Salvatore Baccaloni, Daniele Barioni, Kurt Baum, Rudolf Bing, Jussi Bjoerling, Giuseppe Campora, George Cehanovsky, Fausto Cleva, Nadine Conner, Lisa Della Casa, Mario Del Monaco, Victoria de Los Angeles, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Mattiwilda Dobbs, Otto Edelmann, Rosalind Elias, Dezso Ernster, Paul Franke. Frank Guarrera, Hilde Gueden, Mack Harrell, Osie Hawkins, Jerome Hines, Laurel Hurley, Charles Kuilman, Jean Madeira, Robert Merrill, Josef Metternich, Zinka Milanov, Mildred Miller, Nicola Moscona, Patrice Munsel, Gerhard Pechner, Roberta Peters, Marcella Pobbe, Nell Rankin, Regina Resnik, Margaret Roggero,Norman Scott, Mario Sereni, Cesare Siepi, Martial Singher, Dr. Fritz Stiedry, Rise Stevens, Renata Tebaldi, Cesare Vailetti and Ramon Vinay.
The Knabe has long been the chosen instrument of important conservatories of music and other institutions of higher learning where musical instruction has a prominent place in the curriculum. In these institutions great durability as well as exquisite tone is demanded, for the pianos in the teaching and practice rooms are used without interruption for several hours each day. Especially notable in this list is the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester, which has purchased nearly 200 Knabes; the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, in which were installed 115 Knabe grands; the Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music in Indianapolis; Phoenix College, Phoenix, Ariz.; San Jose State College, San Jose, Calif.; State Teachers College, Emporia, Kansas.; University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.; University of Wichita, Wichita, Kansas.; State School for the Blind, Baton Rouge, La.; Southern University, Baton Rouge, La.; Louisiana Polytechnic institute, Ruston, La.; Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y.; Houghton College, Houghton, N. Y.; Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y.; Public Schools, New York, N. Y.; New York State University, Syracuse University, Syracuse, N. Y.; State Teachers Colleges,i California, Kutztown and West Chester, Pa.; Allegheny College, Meadville, Pa.; Austin Peay State College, Clarksville, Tenn.; Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas; Texas Technological College, Lubbock, Texas; Baylor University, Waco, Texas; Virginia State College, Petersburg, Va. and St. Norbert's College, DePere, Wisc.
Exquisite styling and beauty of detal give Knabe encasements authentic decorative appeal to companion their remarkable tone so that they have been chosen by interior decorators and home lovers for the drawing rooms and apartments of hundreds of style-conscjous private owners; as well as by the most prominent music teachers, clubs, churches and other semi-private institutions throughout the country. Knabes are sold all over the United States by leading dealers who have been chosen for their long established reputation for responsibi]ity and ethical standards.
KOHLER & CAMPBELL, INC.
Founded in 1896 as a partnership between Charles Kohler and J. C. Campbell, in less than 20 years Kohler and Campbell became the world's leading manufacturer of upright and grand pianos, player pianos and automatic reproducing actions. The first factory was in a small loft building on 14th Street in New York City but after the company was established only a few years the business expanded to such a degree that it moved to much larger quarters, occupying an entire building built for it at 50th Street and Eleventh Avenue and continued to expand into adjoining and nearby buildings until it occupied over one million feet of floor space. Under the direction of Charles Kohler, who became the entire owner upon Mr. Campbell's death in 1904, Kohler & Campbell popularized the player piano in America, manufacturing player actions for other piano makers in its subsidiaries and making available to the public for the first time the music of the world's leading artists through the Welte-Mignon reproducing action.
The position of Kohler & Campbell in the piano industry is well illustrated by the distinguished piano companies either founded or acquired by it during its 65 years of operation. Among those companies are Hazelton Brothers, Francis Bacon Piano Company, Behning Piano Company, Milton Piano Company, Behr Brothers, Brambach Piano Company, Davenport and Treacy Company, Kroeger Piano Company, McPhail, Stultz and Bauer, Astor Piano Company, Newton Piano Company, Waldorf Piano Company and Ejur Brothers. Nearly every major piano manufacturer purchased player actions from the Auto Pneumatic Actior Company and The Standard Pneumatic Action Company, manufacturing subsidiaries of Kohler & Campbell during the days of the player piano. Their combined production exceeded 50,000 player actions per year.
Although through the acquisition of the Francis Bacon Piano Company, Kohler & Campbell traces its heritage back to 1789, the date of the founding of the first piano company in America by John Jacob Astor, progressive leadership and modern production techniques have always been outstanding attributes of the company. Julius A. White, originally joined the company in 1921 and became president in 1930. Under his direction, the former loosely-knit organization was consolidated administratively and the manufacturing facilities were all brought under one roof. Following World War II, he move the factories from their 50th Street location to the Bronx and a larger, more modern building. Again in 1954, seeing that the manufacture of durable goods in a multi-story urban plant was no longer economically practical, he engineered the move of the entire manufacturing facility from New York to Granite Falls, North Carolina. The site was carefully picked for its skilled woodworkers and it proximity to the heart of the Appalachian hardwood lumber producing area. Kohler & Campbell offered a complete line of spinet and console pianos. The spinet was offered in five models and ten wood and finish combinations. The console was available in six different models and eight different finishes. The 45" Studio designed principally for use in studios, auditoriums or school rooms and it is of extra-rugged construction in three finishes.
In 1956, the presidency of the company passed on to a third generation when Charles Kohler White, grandson of the founder, assumed the position. Charles Kohler White met his accidental death in 1957 after which Charles L. Clayton was elected president. The other officers were: Rita Kohler White, daughter of the founder, secretary, Robert H. Meuser, treasurer and Gaylord M. Huffstader, sales manager. The company was represented by W. O. Patrick Care; Paul Corbett, Louis J. Nienaber, Bert C Bruce, Sr., Hyrum B. Summerhays, E. G. Burghardt and Robert T. Furst, founder and creator of the National Piano Institute, Editor of the Piano Times, and author of The Bluebook of Pianos.
KRAKAUER BROS.
Manufacturers of Krakauer Bros. grand, upright, console and spinet pianos. In the course of their long and successful career Krakauer Bros. have been a family concern and never allied with combinations outside the organization. This house was founded in 1869 by Simon Krakauer, an excellent musician, who came to America in 1853 with his son David.
The manufacture of Krakauer pianos is entirely confined to one high grade quality-the Krakauer piano-which is available in a wide variety of attractive designs in Grand and Vertical models. For many years the Krakauer is noted for exceptionally artistic and uniquely attractive case designs, durable constru~tion, and an exceptionally rich tonal quality. They have successfully pioneered the patented closed back construction which permits the piano to be placed anywhere in the room like a grand piano and without the necessity of placing it with its back to the wall. One of the most successful models in this design is the Krakauer "Serenade" which because it can be faced out in a room like a grand piano has a "grand like" free flowing quality of tone. Most of their spinet pianos also contain the exclusive Acoustic Tone Chambers which strikingly re-enforce and enhance the tone.
The Krakauer line is definitely a "Decorator" line of styling. Every model is authentic in its derivation and is not just a conglomeration of senseless frills. All this is based upon the close attention of the "one family" element in the organization, with an honest and intimate interest in every piano made. Krakauer Bros have no mass-production. A unique, exclusive feature of all Krakauer pianos is the new Bridge Braced Back construction, claimed by Krakauer engineers to be the strongest and most durable in the world. Krakauer Bros. have supplied their pianos to a large number of great musicians of today and the past who have, without solicitation, given eloquent testimony and endorsement to the worth and quality of the Krakauer piano. There are over 1,000 Krakauer pianos in the Public Schools of New York City alone. The factory was a modern, light five story corner building located at 115 East 138th Street, New York City.
KRANICH & BACH
One of the oldest, most noted and prominent firms in the piano industry, which, for nearly a century has enjoyed the highest reputation. This business was established in 1864 by Helmuth Kranich and Jacques Bach, both practical piano makers of tried experience. The firm soon became known as makers of distinction, and almost from the start Their instruments have been regarded as among the most reliable made. In 1873 Messrs Kraaich & Bach moved its factories and warerooms to East Twenty-third Street, New York. In 1890 the business was incorporated. This company prides itself upon the fact that it possesses what is considered one of the most complete and up-to-date piano manufacturing plants in the country, equipped with the finest machinery and most modern appliances. They belong to the very small group of famous makers whose pianos are among the highest class made in the world.
They are noted for durability, and for a tone which is distinguished for its purity. singing quality, brilliancy and carrying power. Obtained awards at the Mechanics' Fair, Boston; Philadelphia Centennial in 1876, and Chicago World's Fair in 1893. Represented all over the country by dealers of prominence, most of whom feature it as their leader. Among the famous products of these renowned makers is a magnificent concert grand which made its debut in the trade in the spring of 1916.
The four foot six inch Grandette was introduced to the trade and the public in 1934, and is among the smallest artistic grands on the market. This instrument is not an abbreviated grand in the sense that it represents a larger scale cut dawn, but is a grand built with an entirely new scale especially drawn for this instrument, which embodies all the sterling features of Kranich & Bach construction. and differs only in dimensions from the larger grands of the same make. The close of 1935 saw the tests and experimental work on a small upright, incorporating the Violyn piano plate (another notable patent of this house), satisfactorily completed. This commendable addition to an established and complete line of quality pianos is encased in a newly designed model of the vertical type, and trade marked "Grandette" Console. The scale, layout, materials and craftsmanship used in the manufacture of this new "Grandette" Console are identical with those employed only in Kranich & Bach pianos, resulting in a characteristic Kranich & Bach piano. During the year 1937 they manufactured and put on the market a still smaller size-3 ft. 3 in. Console, which also has an original Kranich & Bach scale, developed in their own factory. It was made in several styles and considered one of the most beautiful Console cases being shown. The house perhaps more than ever before in its history, convincingly displayed all of the determination to be fully alert and mindful of modern business methods and requirements yet conservative in its adherence to its traditions and ideals laid down by the founders.
LAUGHEAD, GORDON, COMPANY
Established 1942. Factory was located in Grand Haven, Michigan. Gordon Laughead Piano Co. were manufacturers of beautiful vertical pianos produced under the personal direction of the founder of the company, .Gordon Laughead. He was a leader in the piano industry for forty years, is the son of the late Edward Rankin Laughead, a practical piano builder and tuner. This fine firm has kept abreast of the demand for small 88-note vertical pianos of the highest quality. They build a complete line of Spineta Consoles and School Pianos receiving wide acceptance. An engineering staff equal to the best, is headed by Joseph Klepac, a graduate of the Trade School for Piano Builders, Berlin, Germany. Mr. Kiepac is recognized on two continents as a respected and outstanding piano authority and acoustical engineer. Mr. Klepac's latest scalewith the much advertised "Miracle Bridge" has received great praise throughout the nation, including a fine compliment from Dean Sternberg, Baylor University, Waco Texas, America's largest Baptist University. Mr. Klepac's famed acoustic laboratory is also in Grand Haven.
Gordon Laughead Spinets, Consoles and School pianos are actually custom built. Thirteen bearings or measurements are made for each piano in fitting the bridge to the cast iron plate. Craftsmen with years of practical experience now combine their efforts to create an outstanding vertical piano of superb, high quality, acoustically perfect and attractively designed. The finest materials obtainable are furnished by the world's leading supply houses. The firm's trademark, "Gordon Laughead Piano-fortes" is cast in the plate of each instrument.
LESTER PIANO COMPANY See Betsy Ross Above
The Lester Piano Manufacturing Company also produces the well known Betsy Ross Spinets, which have met with outstanding success. This is a complete line pianos including spinets and consoles, 37 and 40 inch models in a wide variety of traditional and modern styles to suit every demand. Lester also makes a 44 inch studio upright piano designed especially for school use with extra long strings for exceptional quality of tone and volume. In addition, the Lester Piano Manufacturing Company produces a 73 note spinet piano for those who want a piano smaller than the Betsy Ross Spinet. Most styles of Lester Betsy Ross Spinets and Console Pianos are equipped with the exclusive Damp-Chaser to insure regulated moisture control at all times. The Lester is the only piano equipped with this amazing Damp-Chaser that protects the piano from dampness in all climates, reduces the number of tunings, keeps the piano in perfect playing condition and prolongs the life of the instrument.
In 1951, the Lester Piano Mfg. Co. added a Custom Series line to the popular Betsy Ross Spinets. This new series included distinctive models in unusual finishes; or any style could be finished to actual order. This Custom Series of Betsy Ross Spinets was met with wide public acceptance and was promoted by Lester national advertising and by dealer advertising.
The Lester "one name . . one quality . . one price" policy was met with the universal approval of dealers and consumers. This policy meant that all Lester Pianos were always of the same musical quality, any difference in price was based on the case. There were no ghost or stencil pianos made by this company It means too that everyone receives equal value since there was only one price for a Lester Piano and that was the factory advertised price. This practice was called a "Fair Trade" policy but was outlawed as price fixing at a later date.
Shortly after World War II, Lester introduced a line of spinets using a new "Plastic" in their actions, plastics were very new in 1947,plastic was new and not intended to be used in piano actions, after a few years these actions began to fall apart. The Lester Company issued what was to become the first major recall of a major purchase. All of the plastic elbows in the actions were replaced on those pianos that were found to be defective. These pianos turn up from time to time, the parts are still available to correct this problem through most piano repair shops.
LlNDEMAN & SONS
Established in 1836 by William Lindeman. An endeavor to give the highest possible value in materials and workmanship at a moderate price was the keystone of an outstanding success. Lindeman made not only in the small grands but in the highly popular spinets in which the beautiful Lindeman tone has been brought into the confines of these smaller cases. Lindeman was a product of the Aeolian American Corp.
LYON & HEALY
Manufacturers of harps and harp accessories. Since 1889 this firm has made a wide variety of quality products which have earned international recognition and fame.
MAGIC PIANO-HARP
A harpsichord mandolin-guitar attachment piano. It was equally effective for both popular and classical music, enabling a pianist to play the compositions of Bach, Handel and other masters in the authentic harpsichord tradition at the same time having a mandolin-guitar effect for jazz, blue and honky-tonk
MALCOLM LOVE.
Instruments bearing this name are well made and have a wide spread reputation for their tonal excellence. The Malcolm Love is subsidiary of the Estey Piano Corp., Bluffton, Indiana.
MASON & HAMLIN COMPANY
A division of Aeolian American Corporation. The distinguished and world-renowned Piano was established in 1854. From inception its activities have been governed by the highest ideals and today the name Mason & Hamlin is outstanding in its high achievements in pianoforte production. The remarkable qualities of the Mason & Hamlin have been recognize by the most exacting and critical musicians. The great beauty of the Mason Hamlin tone, the meticulous care given to every detail of its making, the design of its scientifically planned scales, have attracted the attention of music connoisseurs the world over and their verdict as to its supreme qualities is amply sustained in the ever increasing favor with which these instruments are receive The Mason & Hamlin factory is under the direction of men who have long be associated with this famous make of instrument, thoroughly trained in the particular processes and methods, that are responsible for the individual to quality that has won this great piano its fame. The making of each piano is regarded as an individual task. Limits of measurements are set standards which are uniformly high, but the workmanship is that of the art of craftsman and not that of the routine mass producer.
The Mason & Hamlin has been gradually developed by experts in acoustics with a view to the practical application of scientific principles, and the complete expression in the unique system of construction whereby an extraordinary musical quality of tone, volume, singing capacity and durability inevitably apply. An important invention, the Tension Resonator, distinguishes Mason & Hamlin grand pianos, the virtue of which invention was set forth by the "Scientific American" in the following words: "One imperfection of the modern pianoforte found even in the instruments made by standard makers, has been loss in to quality, due to the inability of the sounding board to retain its tension. The problem seems at last to have been satisfactorily solved by a simple and ingenious construction embodied in the Mason & Hamlin piano." Many eminent artists have chosen the Mason & Hamlin as the most sympathetic means of expressing the musical conceptions on the concert stage. It numbers amongst its patrons the elite of the musical public and possesses the distinction of selection by an extraordinarily large number of educational institutions of first importance, among them the following:
Birmingham Southern College, Birmingham, Ala.; State Teachers College, Jacksonville. Ala.; University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Tuskegee Institute,Tuskegee, Ala.; Phoenix College, Phoenix, Ariz.; University of Arkansas, Fayettville, Ark.; Mills College, Oakland, Calif.; San Jose State College, San Jose, Cal University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.; University of Georgia, Athens, C Wesleyan College, Mac~, Ga.; Academy of Arts, Honolulu, Hawaii; University Illinois, Champaign, Ill.; Eastern Illinois State College, Charleston, Ill.; St. Xavier College, Chicago, Ill.; University of Chicago, Chicago, Ill.; Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill.; Barat College, Lake Forest, Ill.; Rosary College, River l~orest, Ill.; Indiana University, Bloomington, md.; St. Mary's College, Notre Dame, Ind.; State University, Iowa City, Iowa; Fort Iltys State College, I-lays, Kans.; University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kans.; State Teachers College, Pittsburg, Kans.; Friends University, Wichita, Kans.; Municipal University of Wichita, Wichita, Kans.; University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.; Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, La.; Southern University, Baton Rouge, La.; Boston University, School of Music, Boston, Mass.; Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.; Smith College, Northampton, Mass.; Hope College, Holland, Mich.; Hamline University, St. Paul, Minn.; State Teachers College, Winona, Minn.; Cottey College, Nevada, Mo.; Missouri School for the Blind, St. Louis, Mo.; State Teachers College, Springfield, Mo.; Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, Neb.; University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb.; Concordia College, Seward, Neb.; State School for the Blind, Batavia, N. Y.; State Teachers Colleges, Brockport, Cortland Plattsburg and Potsdam, N. Y.; Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, N. Y.; Harpur College, Lndicott, N. Y.; Columbia University, N. Y.; Public Schools, New York, N. Y.; Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, Rohester, N. Y.; East Carolina Teachers College, Greenville, N.c C.; Cleveland College, Cleveland, Ohio; Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio; University of Oklahoma, Norman, OkIa.; University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OkIa.; Pennsylvania State College, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.; Marwood College, Scranton, Pa.Winthrop College, Rockhill, S. C.; Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas;University of Houston, Houston, Texas; Texas Technological College, Lubbock,Texas; Baylor University, Waco, Texas; Lawrence College, Appleton, Wisc.; State Teachers Colleges, LaCrosse and Milwaukee, Wisc. and University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.
The fact that really makes this incredible list even more important and impressive is the fact that these institutions selected, bought and paid for these instruments, The were not given in return for commercial purposes, sales, promotions and the like.
The Mason & Hamlin has also been selected by many important national institutions, including: The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York; Sound Studios of New York; American Bell Telephone Company Experimental Laboratory; Audio-Cinema, Jnc.; Radio Corporation of America, Inc.; National Broadcasting Company; Columbia Broadcasting System; Canadian Broadcasting Commission, etc. So many more unable to list.
MASON & RISCH, LTD.
One of Canada's largest, oldest, and one of her best known major industries. Founded in 1871 in Toronto, Canada, Mason & Risch achieved international status in 1881 when one of its pianos was acclaimed by the great Franz Liszt. In the company's archives is a letter reading in part, "The Mason & Risch piano you forwarded to me is excellent, magnificent, unequalled, artists and judges and the public will certainly be of the same opinion." Other famous users of Mason & Risch pianos included Queen Victoria and His Holiness, Pope Pius XI who was pleased to confer upon Mason & Risch the title, "By appointment manufacturers to his Holiness, Pius XI, and the Apostolic Palaces." The pianos manufactured by this old and reputable firm are among the finest teachers are also among their enthusiastic patrons. Among the earlier awards obtained, were those at the Philadelphia centennial in 1876, Montreal in 1881, World's Fair, Chicago in 1893 and San Francisco in 1894.
MEHLIN, PAUL G., & SONS, INC.
Established in 1853, this company has by years of persistent effort won a place in the front rank among the makers of artistically designed pianos. The firm was founded by Paul G. Mehin, noted inventor, who devoted his entire life to the bettering of piano construction. Mehlin case design have long been noteworthy for their artistic qualities, especially appealing to those of refined and sensitive taste. The firm makes a very complete line of spinet and grand types of pianos.
MELODIGRAND CORPORATION
This is probably the world's foremost manufacturer of the short keyboard piano. The Melodigrand measures but a scant 42 inches in width, yet is able to feature a keyboard of greater playing area than was available to Mozart throughout his entire pinying and composing career. Over five and one-half octaves make up the Melodigrand's amazingly rich piano tone. Extraordinarily styled, the compactness of the melodigrand makes it ideal for small sized apartments, country homes, patios, schools, trailers, churches, in fact everywhere where a small sturdy piano is wanted. Its extreme ruggedness and mobility enables Melodigrand to be wheeled easily from room to room, or out to the patio or porch for summer entertainment. The Melodigrand is also ideal for summer homes or cottages. The eye-appeal of the Melodigrand is a sound achievement of compact piano engineering. In addition to its availability in all the standard woods, the Melodigrand is also featured in a complete array of living decorator colors: Persian Red, Mist Green, Onyx Black, Lagoon Blue and Antique Ivory.
MILLER PIANO CO., HENRY F.
Among the art products of the American piano industry are the instruments of the Henry F. Miller Piano Co. The late Henry F. Miller, Sr., founder of this house, was a fine musician and organist. When, at the age of nineteen, he entered a prominent piano factory in Boston, he at once took a he became identified with the earliest beginning of piano manufacturing in Boston. Having started operations in 1863, this house has always adhered strictly to the highest possible standard of manufacture. Henry F. Miller pianos have received the hearty endorsement of artists, musicians and teachers of high repute. These instruments have always been distinguished for their artistic and harmonious case designs, and for their rich, full tone. Henry F. Miller is a subsidiary of the Ivers & Pond Company, Memphis, Tenn.
"MINIPIANO" See Hardman Peck Above
The "Minipiano," developed in Sweden, and manufactured for a number of years in England and other countries is made exclusively in the United States by Hardman, Peck & Company. In Europe it has been the fastest selling piano and although it was introduced in this country only in 1936, due to its universal acceptance, the name "Minipiano" has become a household word. With its convenient size occupying less floor space than any other full scale piano, appealing tone, and its many beautiful case designs in a variety of woods (including bleached woods) and colors, it is enjoying tremendous popularity. Hardman, Peck & Co.
NATIONAL PIANO CORP.
The principals of this company have been identified with the manufacture and sale of pianos since 1898. This concern manufactures consoles and verticals in authentic period and conventional models, using only the best materials and skilled labor, and produced under the supervision of recognized experts. The company specializes in custom-built models in rarest woods, designed to match the furniture or interior decoration of exclusive homes.
Established in 1850, the National Piano Corp., manufactures the famous Shoninger Piano that included the following styles: Conventional, Colonial, Modern, Queen Anne, Regency, Louis XV French Provincial and a school model console. Both spinets and consoles are obtainable in any of the above styles. All styles were offered in mahogany and walnut but could also be had in special finishes such as antique white or ebony with or without gold trim. Any other special finishes were available on order.
Specifications on the Shoninger are rigid and exacting and incorporate the latest developments in piano manufacturing. Every Shoninger has three working pedals, the middle being bass sustaining. The pin block is constructed of 7-ply hard rock maple. It is beautifully finished and may be seen for inspection. Its faultless construction obviates any need to cover it with felt or plywood. Heavy reinforced stapled moth proofed hammers are used in every Shoninger.Piano. Since 1850 Shoninger has always been recognized as a custom built piano and has been known for superior tonal quality, durability of construction and elegance of case design.
NEWBY & EVANS
Established 1884. Owned and controlled by National Piano Corporation.
PERLMAN, H. W.
Established 1898. Perlman pianos were famous for their superior tonal quality and durability A complete line of attractive case designs are made. Special cases and finishes to match interior decorations are manufactured to order. Thousands of Perlman pianos that were purchased ten, thirty and even fifty years ago are still in use.
PIANINO
This was the trade name of a small upright piano introduced by Steinway & Sons in the latter part of 1938. This Steinway was vertically strung and designed especially for small homes and apartments of moderate size. It was 45 inches high, 571/2 inches in length and 25 inches deep. The Pianino contained a scale and certain advanced features of construction which have never before appeared in a Steinway of vertical strings. The celebrated Steinway accelerated action was used in this small, upright piano.
POOLE PIANO COMPANY
Established in 1893 by William H. Poole whose abilities and knowledge of piano craftsmanship were gained through actual service in the industry from earliest youth. The company is a subsidiary of Ivers & Pond Company, address being 2718 Pershing Ave., Memphis, Tenn. This house is progressive in its business methods and in adapting its output to the newest requirement of the piano industry. Poole pianos are of tested durability, containing latest improvements and their case design is an artistic achievement evolved especially by the Poole Company. Poole pianos contain an even, superbly well-balanced scale and justly deserve the enthusiastic endorsement of prominent musicians, recognition from representative dealers, and excellent reputation they have won through out the country.
SCHILLER PIANOS.
This piano was made by the Conover Cable Piano Co. with General Offices and a Factory at Oregon, Illinois. Thousands of these instruments are in homes today rendering outstanding service. They embody exclusive features of construction, one of which incorporated in the Schiller Super Grand is of particular importance and consists of a suspended free vibrating sounding board a construction which entirely frees the sounding board from the outer case.
SCHUMANN
Fine pianos for more than 100 years have borne the name of Schumann and the high esteem these fine instruments are accorded the result of the quality of materials and high workmanship in the Schumann factory. The Schumann piano has been honored by testimonials from many great artists and musicians. All Schumann pianos, even the 37"-high spinets, are equipped with direct blow actions. The response of the direct blow action, the fine finishes and case styling, and above all the superior tone are all joined in every Schumann spinet and console piano. They were available in styles from period to modern in fine African mahogany, American walnut, Salem maple, limed oak, blond mahogany and cherry woods and finishes. Made by Estey
SETTERGREN. Refer to Estey Piano
SHONINGER
This distingnished and world renowned piano was first established in 1850 by B. Shoninger, one of America's pioneer piano markers. From inception, Shoninger pianos have always been noted for their high standards in tonal quality, durability, case design and finish. Only the highest type of trained piano mechanics are employed in their manufacture. Careful and scrupulous attention was to every detail of manufacturing Each and every bridge is reinforced by a three ply laminated cap consisting of cross grained hard rock Maple veneers. Only sounding boards of seasoned selected Adirondack spruce are used. Heavy moth proofed, reinforced hammers are used exclusively. All Shoninger pianos are carefully tone regulated, fine regulated, voiced and fine tuned. Shoninger pianos are not mass produced, but, on the contrary, are truly custom built.
The famous Shoninger piano includes the following styles. Conventional, Colonial, Modern, Queen Anne, Regency, Louis XV French Provincial and a school model console. Both spinets and consoles were obtainable in any of the above styles. All styles were offered in mahogany and walnut but could also be had in special finishes such as antique white or ebony with or without gold trim. Every Shoninger had three working pedals, the middle being bass sustaining. The pin block is constructed of 7-ply hard rock maple. It is beautifully finished and may be seen for inspection. Its faultless construction obviates any need to cover it with felt or plywood. Heavy reinforced stapled mothproof hammers are used in each and every Shoninger.
Honors and endorsements have been received at all expositions where Shoninger pianos have been displayed, such as the International Exposition at Paris in 1878, the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, the World's Fair at Chicago and the Rotterdam World's Fair. The Shoninger School piano was placed in elementary and junior high schools throughout the entire city of New York.
SOHMER & CO., INC.
This famous, old-established House, is one of the limited number still solely owned, controlled and directed by the immediate family of the founder. Though tracing its origin back to 1860, the first Sohmer piano was actually built in 1872, when Hugo Sohmer founded the firm of Sohmer & Co., in New York.
Located in an entire building constructed to their special requirements, and in an atmosphere that attracts connoisseurs of all the arts, Sohmer& Co., Inc. display pianos representative of the finest furniture styles. Each model is a decorative accomplishment as well as a remarkable musical instrument. The phenomenal success of the Sohmer Console-Vertical has in no way diminished the fact that Sohmer & Co. has always been and always wHI be-A Grand Piano House. Ever since the invention of the baby grand by Sohmer in 1884-.Sohmerr grand pianos have had a dominating role in the home market. This Grand is remarkable for the volume and resonance of its tone, despite its diminutive size, being only five feet long and four feet five inches wide. Hugo Sohmer patented the first five foot grand in 1884 and the style 50 Grand of today is the logical development of this pioneer effort. 75 years of continuous improvement of tone model is typical of the Sobmer pursuit of perfection and the Sohmer Family states, without reservation or exception that it is their confirmed belief that no other small grand approximates the Sohmer in tone and response. Its perfect symmetry of form and the extraordinary quality of its tone result from its scientific scale and integrally cast C'Apo D'Astro bar, another patented feature of Sohmer construction. Hugo Sohmer's first five foot grand, made in 1881, is still in use and is played daily by visitors to the Sohmer Galleries in New Yoik. This piano has all the original parts. No repairs have been made because none have been necessary.
Sohmer has also pioneered in the introduction of the popular small pianos known as "Spinets." Never since its inspection, has the Sohmer console been an abbreviated upright piano. Sohmer & Co. early discarded all thoughts and precepts of upright construction concentrating rather on the principles of the grand piano scale and string distribution. As a result the Sohmer Console Vertical has long been known as "The Musicians' Console." As the science of acoustics has progressed, they have applied new principles in the making of their "Console Vertical," creating tonal results considered impossible only a short time ago. Due to an original scale featuring a fan disposition of the strings these small pianos are a revelation of modern acoustics with their brilliant treble, full middle tones and sonorous bass. All Sohmer Console-Verticals are guaranteed to have more than 96% grand piano string distribution.
Educational institutions had to make a critical choice of musical equipment. To purchase the best available instruments that the school budget would allow, this was long before the commercial practice of giving the school instruments for advertising and promotional considerations. Each school or university would usually make their selection based on which piano offered the most value exceeding the price, most of them selected Sohmer. No comment on the Sohmer piano is complete without a repetition of the famous Sohmer Creed:
"To build the finest piano that human ingenuity, skill, knowledge, craftsmanship and family tradition can possibly produce. To utilize the world's markets to procure the best materials regardless of cost. To maintain that quality unswervingly and never to sacrifice one iota to gain an added profit, no matter how great. To preserve the integrity and individuality of the Sohmer institution free from outside affiliation or influences. To be governed always and under all circumstances by sound principles and never by expediency."
STARCK P.A. CHICAGO, ILL
Manufacturers of "Starck" and "Jesse French" that can be found in the world today. The company is engaged in a program of modernization and expansion of its production facilities which will make even more of its highly prized instruments available to the public.
In the making of a high grade piano, three things are absolutely essential. In the first place, every piece of material that goes into it must be perfect; second, the workmanship must be of a quality and skill that is gained only after painstaking years of apprenticeship. But the third and most important essential is a thorough knowledge of piano making; the sources for supply of rare andfiner materials, and the ability of fabricating these parts to that degree of perfection and accuracy found only in pianos of highest quality and price. The extreme care with which a Starck piano is made, and the high order of its workmanship will at once be apparent to anyone upon inspection of the piano itself.
Every Starck piano built is produced under the watchful eye of a member of the Starck family who now represent the third generation of the famous piano builder and founder, P. A. Starck. Each Starck piano is equipped with the new Ori-Coustic high tension scale. This scale has been acclaimed by experts as the finest piano scale available, regardless of price. Represented by Robert T. Furst, The National Piano Institute, Editor of "The Piano Times Newsletter" with over 12 million copies in print.
STECK & CO., GEORGE, INC.
This concern is a division of the Aeolian American Corporation, manufacturing the renowned George Steck piano recognized as one of the strictly high grade makes in the country. General Offices and factories at East Rochester, N. Y. George Steck began the manufacture of pianos of his own design in 1857, winning many honors during his long career. In the great Vienna Exposition in 1873 the George Steck won the award of First Prize for merit as to tone, design and careful detail of construction. This was the only such honor granted at this exposition and marked the superiority of the George Steck over all other pianos exhibited. Many such awards came to the creations of this master craftsman, and scientific acoustician, including the coveted Gold Medal at Vienna and others of the world's international expositions. It was on the George
Steck that Richard Wagner composed his great Music Drama "Parsifal." The instrument was presented to Wagner by his fellow townsmen and is still preserved in the Wagner Villa at Bayreuth. The greatly increased facilities of the Aeolian American Corp, and the experience of its musical experts and artisans insure the carrying on of George Steck traditions. The George Steck is available in grands and console styles. The George Steck School Pianos are found in many leading schools and academies where it is chosen for its durability and tonal perfection. The Kansas City Starlight Theatre and the St. Louis Municipal Opera both use and endorse the George Steck.
STEGER PIANO COMPANY.
Office and factory are located in Steger, Ill. Steger manufactured a line of 37" spinets and 40" consoles in mahogany, walnut, cherry, oak, and ebony. The original Steger Company was founded by John V. Steger in 1893. In 1894, the Rice and Macey Company was purchased by a Dr. Crawford of Cincinnati, Ohio, who in turn sold out to Steger in 1902, making Steger one of the largest piano manufacturers of the day.
STEINWAY & SONS
This most illustrious, old-established and world-renowned house is intimately associated not only with that development of the piano industry in the United States which has made it pre-eminent among nations, but with the growth of musical taste and intelligence the world over. The Steinways have been scientific and practical piano-makers for five generations. The firm started in business in New York in 1853.
The instruments of the House of Steinway have won world-wide recognition from the most distinguished composers, virtuosi, musicians and teachers and is used today in over 90% of all concerts in this country. Richard Wagner described his Steinway grand as "a noble work of art," and added that he knew nothing that could compare with the perfection reached by the 5teinways in pianoforte building. Franz Liszt asked to be permitted to add his homage, and wrote a special cornposition to illustrate their tone sustaining pedal. Anton Rubinstein declared their instruments to be "unrivaled," and Hector Berlioz, while admiring their "splendid sonority," expressed his views of the indebtedness all artists were under to the house for the introduction of improvements of supreme value.
To an infinite number of similar testimonials, Ignace Jan Paderewski added his declaration that the Steinway grand he used had been "an inspiration" to him on account of "the grandeur, power and ideal beauty of tone" and the "absolute perfection of touch and mechanism.
Pages could be taken up with the patented improvements invented by Steinway & Sons. Among the principal are: Their method of agraffe adjustment, their application for over~stringing in grands, which they later applied to uprighits; their duplex scale, their new system of "scaling," and their cupola metal frame, which was approved by that great authority on acoustics, Helmholtz. One of their patented improvements is their grand metal string frame with Capo d'Astro bar, case hardened at point of contact with strings, by which the beautiful tonal qualities of a grand piano have been reproduced in upright form.
The Steinway Accelerated Action is one of the most outstanding improvements in piano construction in the past half century. It decreases friction and therefore increases the speed of repetition. The return of the key to its normal position of rest is more rapid. Tone production is under more perfect control, and playing made easier. It has been received with the enthusiastic acclaim of amateurs, professionals music schools and radio broadcasting stations everywhere. This and the new Diaphragmatic Soundboard, tapered from the thick center to all the edges, are fully patented and are included in all Steinway pianos. The manufacturing facilities of the house are unexcelled, with extensive and complete plants at Long Island City, New York. These factories are unsurpassed in their capacity for scientific piano making of the highest possible standard. Steinway & Sons was incorporated in 1876, with a capital stock of $8,000,000.
This house has made a feature of its business the development of the artistic in piano case construction, not only in the way of special designs for individual pianos, for which the carving has been done by renowned artists but has also paid particular attention to bringing out instruments which are "works of decorative art," having handpainted designs by artists of the highest distinction.
STERLING PIANO
For many years one of the most successful and popular piano manufacturing concerns in the United States. Now manufactured in extensive and finely equipped factories, these pianos have consistently enjoyed a wide popularity for their excellent tone and tested reliability. This Copany. also controls the Huntington and the Mendelssohn Pianos.
STORY & CLARK PIANO COMPANY.
Founded in 1857 in Burlington, Vt., by Rampton L. Story. Born with a deep, inherited appreciation of music, Hampton Story was an accomplished pianist at the age of ten. At twenty, he was a busy piano teacher, and at twenty two he began to manufacture the pianos he knew and loved so well. Hampton Story's first instruments were built in a modest workshop overlooking Lake Champlain. There, with typical Yankee thoroughness he constructed pianos of such high quality that his name Soon spread, and within a few years buyers were coming from such distant cities as New York, Buffalo and Cleveland. A true New Englander, Story had an instinctive dislike of superficialities and shoddy methods, insisting on the best or nothing attitude. Six years after he had made his first piano, Hampton Story enlisted in the Army. After the war ended, the country was in a surging and expansive mood, and the Mid-West offered splendid Possibilities for the manufacture and marketing of pianos. Whatever the exact reason, in 1867 the firm moved to Chicago.
The Storytone Piano in 1939In 1950 the company introduced this century's most sensational development, the Storytone Mahogany Sounding Board. The Storytone sounding board replaces traditional spruce with laminated Mahogany, which cannot split or crack, minimizes the necessity for tuning due to temperature and humidity changes and enhances the quality of tone. This new feature was standard in all Story & Clark spinets, consoles, studio uprights and grand pianos.
In 1952 the Company also introduced the Style 44-C Church Piano, the only piano ever designed exclusively for churches. It is a 44" Upright, in Walnut, with a special Gothic encasement that harmonizes perfectly with the consoles of fine church organs. It has bass agraffes, pine keys, six posts and tone escapement outlets both above and below the keyboard. Most important of all, the Style 44-C Church Piano has the exclusive Storytone Mahogany Sounding Board. This provides almost complete immunity to the effects of alternate high and low temperature, humidity especially serious "piano problem" in most churches where temperatures and heating vary so widely throughout the year. The Storytone Board helps hold the piano in tune for much longer Periods enormously important in church work, where the piano is often require to be in tune with the organ.
WATERS, HORACE, PIANO CO., INC Refer to Janssen Piano Co.
WEBER PIANO CO., THE.
A division of Aeolian American. The house of Weber was founded in 1852 by the late Albert Weber, a Skilled musician, a piano maker of the highest distinction and a business man of rare enterprise and consummate ability Almost from the start he won for his instruments general recognition for artistic merit and a leading Position in the musical world. Weber gave to his pianos that distinct individuality of tone quality, power and sympathy which is today and has always been characteristic of them. He was for many years one of the most prominent figures in the musical and artistic world of this country, and did much to further the development of musical knowledge and culture. He was closely identified with the musical undertaking of his time and wielded a powerful influence. The business was afterward conducted by his estate until 1897, when the Weber Piano Co., with William E. Wheelock as president, was formed.
The "Weber" Pianos won distinguished honors at the Philadelphia Centennial in 1876. In 1887 they were exhIbited at the American Exhibition in London, where they attracted the admiration of the most distinguished musicians and critics. Two years later they were exhibited at the Paris Exposition, where they secured an enthusiastic endorsement from the press and the musical public and obtained medal of highest award. The "Weber" Instruments, obtainable in grands and verticals, have always been favorites with the most distinguished musicians and artists and with singers of the highest renown. The international standing and artistic excellence of the "Weber" Pianos are shown by its selection by His Holiness Pope Pius X for his personal use and for the use of the Apostolic Court. A further compliment of like nature was paid the "Weber" piano when it was selected by His Majesty Alfonso XIII for his own personal use.
WEGMAN.
The Wegman Piano Company was incorporated in New York State in 1882 and was reorganized in 1916, and later was acquired by the Estey Piano Corp., of Bluffton, Indiana, who manufactured these pianos. Wegrnan pianos were of exceptional tone quality and modern and beautiful designs
WELLINGTON.
This Piano was manufactured by the Conover-Cable Piano Co. with general offices and factory at Oregon, III. It is designed to meet requirements of those who want a thoroughly modern piano at a very moderate price. Thousands of Wellington pianos have been sold and the large output has enabled the makers to market a piano of exceptional quality at a reasonable price. An unusually well built piano at an unusually low price, Wellington is a registered Trade Mark.
WESER PIANO CO.
This concern manufactured Weser Bros. pianos which weremade since 1879 by the Weser family. This company was founded in 1879 by John A. Weser who was the first to build the Weser piano. Ever since inception Weser pianos have been noted for their quality of tone and beautiful case designs. Only the most skilled artisans are employed by this company. Pioneers in the use of the direct-drive action for consoles they manufacture many beautiful Colonial and period models. Weser grands have always enjoyed recognition in the musical world and are noted for their beautiful appearance, durability and richness of tone. Over 125,000 pianos have been made by the Weser family.
WINTER & COMPANY
Generally conceded to be one of America's largest and leading piano manufacturers, whose factory was located at 863 E. 141 Street, New York, N. Y., probably produced more instruments than any other single plant in the world. This company's enviable Position in no small way could be attributed to its open-minded approach to new methods and improvements and in its genuine interest in producing fine pianos. Winter had a reputation for progressiveness which resulted in beautifully toned, and styled pianos of long durability. This is the company that introduced the Alumatone plate; developed Practiano, a device permitting piano practice without disturbance to others in the room; and the Resotonic Scale. It was Winter & Company's Musette piano, first introduced in 1935, that launched the great re-styling movement which has swept the modern console into nation-wide popularity.
With all equipment for production of quality pianos under the most economical conditions. The Winter factory is self-contained with a large lumber yard for storing and air-drying kilns to insure proper drying and aging of all wood parts. The Winter lumber mill is considered a model for completeness of equipment to turn out the most elaborate case work; as well as backs, pin blocks, bridges, etc., of the very highest quality. The veneers used in the Winter pianos are carefully selected for beauty of figure and a completely equipped veneering department with hot plate presses, automatic glue spreaders, veneer dryers, taping and matching machines insure productive efficiency and permanent bonding. Core stock is quarter-sawed in small strips so that even under the most adverse conditions, warping of case work is held to a minimum. In the case shop, elaborate sanding machines, as well as a staff of hand sanders, guarantee smooth rich finish.
All Winter piano cases are double filled and stained before best quality lacquer is applied to produce the handsome, durable finish. All exposed internal wood parts are filled and sealed to protect against moisture and atmospheric conditions. In stringing, action finishing, side-gluing, regulating and tuning, experienced craftsmen perform these operations by the best traditional hand methods. These men are of long experience. many having been with the company over thirty years, and have long training in the art of producing fine tone quality. Steady employment at the Winter factory, as a result of the large demand for its pianos, has attracted the best and most experienced craftsmen. Every operation in the factory is passed upon by an inspector before moving on to the next department. Finally, each instrument is hand-rubbed, fine tuned, and a final inspection before shipment serves to protect the high standards of Winter pianos. The recognition given by the trade to the Winter line is the best evidence of their muscal excellence, fine quality and attractive designs. Winter & Co. make a very comprehensive line of pianos, consisting of grands, studios, spinets, and consoles in a varety of cases.
WISSNER & SON Refer to Janssen Piano Co.
WURLITZER COMPANY,
Established in 1856; In 1935, Wurlitzer introduced the tradition-breaking spinette piano, proving that a piano only thirty-nine inches high could replace the bulky instruments traditionally produced. Upon the design of this piano is based all modern piano production. Through science, research, and ingenuity, Wurlitzer has developed such exclusive features as Tonecrafted Hammers, Pentagonal Sound Board, Augmented Sound Board, and many others to provide a greater volume of rich, resonant tone. A unique achievement in finishes is "Wurlon," highly resistant to heat, cold, dryness, and moisture as well as mars, scratches, and abrasions an attractive as well as durable and long-lasting finish. The complete line of Wurlitzer pianos offers a wide range of spinette, console, and studio-type designs, finished in a variety of fine woods, hand-rubbed to satin smoothness, and priced to suit any budget. Noted for their perfection of performance and beauty of appearance, Wurlitzer pianos give enduring satisfaction and are a handsome addition to any setting. Introduced in 1955, the sensational new Wurlitzer electronic piano has no strings or sound board, provides natural piano tone through means entirely electronic, weighs only sixty-eight pounds, carries like a suitcase by means of its handy porta cover, is unaffected by changes in temperature or climatic conditions, has built4n volume control, may be played "silently" with earphones plugged in, and offers the additional important advantage of modest cost. A console model of the electronic piano, introduced in 1957, met with immediate popularity.
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