The AMICA BULLETIN AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT COLLECTORS’ ASSOCIATION NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1999 VOLUME 36, NUMBER 6
THE AMICA BULLETIN AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT COLLECTORS' ASSOCIATION Published by the Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors’ Association, a non-profit, tax exempt group devoted to the restoration, distribution and enjoyment of musical instruments using perforated paper music rolls and perforated music books. AMICA was founded in San Francisco, California in 1963. ROBIN PRATT, PUBLISHER, 630 EAST MONROE ST., SANDUSKY, OH 44870-3708 -- Phone 419-626-1903, e-mail: [email protected] Visit the AMICA Web page at: http://www.amica.org Associate Editor: Mr. Larry Givens Contributing Editor: Mr. Emmett M. Ford
VOLUME 36, Number 6 November/December 1999 AMICA BULLETIN
Display and Classified Ads FEATURES Articles for Publication Letters to the Publisher Werner Janssen — 340 Chapter News CD Review — 341 UPCOMING PUBLICATION DEADLINES Music Education — 343 The ads and articles must be received What Makes a Fine Piano — 344 by the Publisher on the 1st of the Odd number months: A Dream for an AMICAn — 347 January July March September Famous Recording Artists — 358 May November Bulletins will be mailed on the 1st week of the even months. Robin Pratt, Publisher 630 East Monroe Street Sandusky, Ohio 44870-3708 Phone: 419-626-1903 e-mail: [email protected]
DEPARTMENTS President’s Message — 335 MEMBERSHIP SERVICES From the Publisher’s Desk — 335 New Memberships Letters — 336 Renewals Address changes and corrections Calendar of Events — 339 Directory information updates Tech Tips — 372 Additional copies of Chapter News — 383 Member Directory Classified Ads — Single copies of back issues 394 ($6.00 per issue - based upon availability) William Chapman (Bill) 2150 Hastings Court Front Cover: Sent in by Peter & Janet Tallent. Santa Rosa, CA 95405-8377 Inside Front Cover: Ad appearing in the November 1908 issue of “The Theatre” 707-570-2258 e-mail: [email protected] Inside Back Cover: Ad appearing in the December 1910 issue of “The Ladies World” To ensure timely delivery of your Back Cover: 1923 ad for the Story and Clark Piano Company BULLETIN, please allow 6-weeks advance notice of address changes.
AMICA reserves the right to accept, reject, or edit any and all submitted articles and advertising.
Entire contents © 1999 AMICA International 333 AMICA INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS CHAPTER OFFICERS PRESIDENT Linda Bird BOSTON AREA NORTHERN LIGHTS 3300 Robinson Pike Pres. Edward Bordelieu - (603) 472-5566 Pres: Dave Kemmer Grandview, MO 64030-2275 Vice Pres: Ken Volk Vice Pres: Jerrilyn Boehland - Phone/Fax 816-767-8246 Sec: Robert Hunt (612) 780-5699 e-mail: OGM [email protected] Treas: Alan Jayne Sec: Jason E. Beyer - (507) 454-3124 PAST PRESIDENT Maurice Willyard Reporter: Don Brown Treas: Terry Goepel Board Rep: Sandy Libman Reporters: Paul & Barbara Watkins 1988 NW Palmer Lane Board Rep: Dorothy Olds Bremerton, WA 98311 CHICAGO AREA 360-692-8885 Pres: Richard VanMetre - (847) 402-5391 PACIFIC CAN-AM VICE PRESIDENT Dan C. Brown Vice Pres: George Wilder Pres: Mark Smithberg - (206) 763-9468 Chapter Coordinator N. 4828 Monroe Street Sec: Curt Clifford Vice Pres: Kurt Morrison Spokane, WA 99205-5354 Treas: Joe Pekarek Sec: Halie Dodrill 509-325-2626 Reporter: Kathy Stone Septon Treas: Ward Folsom e-mail: [email protected] Board Rep: Marty Persky Reporter: Dan Brown SECRETARY Shirley Nix Board Rep: Fran Willyard FOUNDING CHAPTER AMICA Headquarters 6030 Oakdale Avenue SIERRA NEVADA Woodland Hills, CA 91367 Pres: Bing Gibbs - (408) 253-1866 Vice Pres: Pres: John Motto-Ros - (209) 267-9252 818-884-6849 Vice Pres: Sonja Lemon Sec: Lyle Merithew & Sandy Swirsky e-mail: [email protected] Sec/Treas: Tom & Virginia Hawthorn Treas: Richard Reutlinger TREASURER Robert DeLand Reporter: Doug & Vicki Mahr Reporter: Tom McWay Board Rep: John Motto-Ros Registered agent for legal matters 485 Gatewood Lane Board Rep: Richard Reutlinger Grayslake, IL 60030 SOWNY (Southern Ontario, 847-548-6416 - Fax 847-548-8615 GATEWAY CHAPTER Western New York) e-mail: [email protected] Pres: Dorothy Crowley (314) 843-2140 Pres: Anne Lemon - (905) 295-4228 PUBLISHER Robin Pratt Vice Pres: Yousuf Wilson Vice Pres: Mike Hamann 630 E. Monroe Street Sec: Mary Wilson Sec/Mem. Sec: John & Diane Thompson Sandusky, Ohio 44870-3708 Treas: Mary Wilson Treas: Holly Walter 419-626-1903 Reporter: Cynthia Craig Photographer: Garry Lemon e-mail: [email protected] Historian: Larry Hollenberg Reporter: Frank Warbis MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY William Chapman (Bill) Board Rep: Gary Craig Board Rep: Mike Walter 2150 Hastings Court HEART OF AMERICA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Santa Rosa, CA 95405-8377 Pres: Ron Bopp - (918) 786-4988 Pres: Herb Mercer - (818) 889-7751 707-570-2258 Vice Pres: Tom McAuley Vice Pres: James Westcott e-mail: [email protected] Sec/Treas: Linda Koehler Sec./Reporter. Shirley Nix Reporter: Joyce Brite Treas: Ken Hodge — COMMITTEES — Board Rep: Frank Nix TECHNICAL Harold Malakinian Board Rep: Ron Connor 2345 Forest Trail Dr., Troy, MI 48098 LADY LIBERTY TEXAS PUBLICATIONS Robin Pratt Pres: Keith Bigger - (718) 528-9443 Pres: Ken Long - (214) 361-1489 515 Scott St., Sandusky, OH 44870-3736 Vice Pres: David Palter Vice Pres: Tony Palmer (817) 261-1334 AMICA ARCHIVES Shawn Fox Sec: Richard Karlsson Michael Barisonek 1319 Pearl St., Sandusky, OH 44870 Treas: Joseph Hutter Haden Vandiver 419-621-9758 Reporter: Bill Maguire Bryan Cather AUDIO-VISUAL Harold Malakinian Board Rep: Dianne Polan Treas: Janet Tonnesen 2345 Forest Trail Dr., Troy, MI 48098 - (516) 673-0388 Sec: Janet Tonnesen Reporter: Bryan Cather CONVENTION COORDINATOR Liz Barnhart MIDWEST (OH, MI, IN, KY) Board Rep: Dick Merchant 919 Lantern Glow Trail, Dayton, OH 45431 Pres: Harold Malakinian - HONORARY MEMBERS Mike Walter (248) 528-3111 SOUTHERN SKIES 65 Running Brook Dr., Lancaster, NY 14086-3314 Vice Pres: Liz Barnhart Pres: Debra Legg - (727) 734-3353 716-656-9583 Sec: Judy Wulfekuhl Vice Pres: Bill Shrive WEB MASTER Terry Smythe Treas: Alvin Wulfekuhl Sec: Howard Wyman (813) 689-6876 55 Rowand Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3J 2N6 Reporter: Christy Counterman Treas: Dee Kavouras (352) 527-9390 204-832-3982 — e-mail: [email protected] Board Rep: Liz Barnhart Reporter: Dick & Dixie Leis Board Rep: Debra Legg AFFILIATED SOCIETIES AND ORGANIZATIONS AUSTRALIAN COLLECTORS INTERNATIONAL PIANO NORTHWEST PLAYER PIANO SOCIETY FOR SELF-PLAYING OF MECHANICAL MUSICAL ARCHIVES AT MARYLAND ASSOCIATION MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS INSTRUMENTS Performing Arts Library, Hornbake 3210 Everson Whittle, Secretary Gesellschaft für Selbstspielende 19 Waipori Street University of Maryland 11 Smiths Road, Darcy Lever, Musikinstrumente (GSM) E.V. St. Ives NSW 2075, Australia College Park, MD 20742 Bolton BL3 2PP, Gt. Manchester, England Jürgen Hocker Home Phone: 01204 529939 Heiligenstock 46 DUTCH PIANOLA ASSOC. MUSICAL BOX SOCIETY Business Phone: 01772 208003 D-51465 Bergisch Gladbach Nederlandse Pianola Vereniging INTERNATIONAL Germany Eikendreef 24 P. O. Box 297 SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION Phone: 2202-932524 5342 HR Oss, Marietta, OH 45750 Division of Musical History Fax:. 2202-932526 Netherlands Washington, D.C. 20560 NETHERLANDS MECHANICAL INT. VINTAGE PHONO & MECH. ORGAN SOCIETY - KDV PLAYER PIANO GROUP MUSIC SOCIETY PIANOLA INSTITUTE A. T. Meijer Julian Dyer, Bulletin Editor Clair Cavanagh, Secretary C.G. Nijsen, Secretaire General Wilgenstraat 24 5 Richmond Rise, Workingham, 19 Mackaylaan 43 Great Percy St., London WC1X 9RA NL-4462 VS Goes, Netherlands Berkshire RG41 3XH, United Kingdom England 5631 NM Eindhoven Phone: 0118 977 1057 Netherlands Email: [email protected] 334 President’s Message
t is hard to believe the holiday season is upon us again. The several members and many older I get the faster time seems to go. Now is the time we are more people were interested. Iall reflecting on what has happened in our lives in the 20th Several of our chapters are century and look forward to the 21st century. Galen and I look doing rallies or public displays forward to a new century to continue building a new life after the and this is what it is all about. loss of our precious daughter in 1992. Many other chapters just have a I have had quite a bit of time to reflect on AMICA in the past two Sunday afternoon meeting and months. A severely sprained ankle has put me in a cast and on the community has no idea the crutches. Sitting in a chair just isn’t my style but I have had to get organization exists. I challenge used to it. Thank goodness for our laptop computer so I could every chapter to plan some sort keep up with AMICA business. The past few days have made me of public display in the year realize that this computer age has its advantages and disadvan- 2000. tages. Just remember, if you don’t want your political or personal By now you all should have statements circulated, then don’t write them down or send them to received your renewal notice. I anyone. If you do, don’t get angry when you get caught or when wish to remind you that you others respond differently to your views and they have an adverse must pay your dues before the deadline of February 28th in order effect on situations. to continue to receive your Bulletins uninterrupted. After that I received the nicest personal letter by snail mail today. It was just date, you will have to pay $6 extra to receive any back Bulletins a pat on the back for a job well done. Most of the time I seem to you have missed. receive the gripes and it is rare that someone takes the time to sit I know many of you will be attending holiday chapter meetings down and write something positive. It sure was a pick-me-up to this month and I hope you have taken this chance to invite friends get a compliment for a change. Don’t get me wrong, this is a very and new AMICA members to join you. Good luck with Y2K and rewarding job, but it sure has its ups and downs. may the New Year and new century bring you all much happiness I am going to get on my soapbox again about getting AMICA out and success. in the public eye. In reading the Southern California Chapter’s Happy collecting! newsletter, the report on their last organ rally mentioned gaining Linda
Taking massive amounts of time to resurrect my second floor over the shop has about done me in this year too, but the results were worth it. I took two apartments and made them into one. It’s great to be able to fix coffee and head downstairs to work without having to drive to work! Another life goal achieved! Over the past years (almost ten of them!), I have strenuous- ly labored to publish only articles of quality (albeit, some were simply for amusement) in the Bulletin. During my tenure, the Dear AMICA Members, main criterion for any article’s inclusion in the AMICA Bulletin Well, we are in the midst of the holidays once again. What has always been (and will continue to be so as long as I am a year this has been for all of us. Losses and gains of friends, your publisher) its merit. relatives, pets, homes, instruments and months of our lives. That’s right, merit! Plain and simple. No balderdash. No This is the time to look back and evaluate the contributions we poppycock. No hogwash. No flimflam. No hokum. No snake have made here on this our planet . . . the positive contributions oil. And, most importantly, no gobbledygook! No sir. Just we have made with the short amount of time we are granted. merit. That is all. I like to look back at the instruments I have finished, know- Please safely enjoy your holidays and the time we are ing that something as simple as an 88-note player piano can granted on this wonderful planet of ours! Be kind to those bring so much joy into the life of a family and their friends. I around you and you shall be rewarded in kind. Next year, as look at the smiling faces of my dogs who know just how great a with this one, look back and be proud of your year! life THEY have. The chapter meetings I attended are the best My very, very best to you all! because the people and instruments are always a delight. Robin 335 Letters: AMICA MEMORIAL FUND
Wow, another year is ending and, with all of the hoopla of Y2K, it is even more hectic than usual. With the resignation of Richard Reutlinger as chairperson of the AMICA Memorial Fund Committee, and my appointment to fill those impressive shoes, I am finding a new appreciation for the workings of the organization. For those of us new to the group, perhaps a brief introduction to the Memorial Fund is in order. From what I can discern, the Fund is in its early years and has been a means for folks to honor those they care about (whether living or dead) with a contribution that will serve to further the ideals and goals of AMICA. You will notice a section in your Annual Renewal Form which facilitates a contribution. What a nice way to remember a friend or family member and support AMICA at the same time. Those plan ning their estates might also give thought to a contribution in the form of cash or instruments. The Board made some suggestions at the annual meeting in Boston about how such instruments could be collected, stored, appraised, and converted into cash at AMICA's expense. To date, the main use of the Fund has been to pay for the Membership Brochure. While this is certainly an important function, we are open to suggestions for other potential uses. Any contributions to the Memorial Fund will be acknowledged in the AMICA Bulletin with the permission of the donor. Of course, the amount of such contributions will not be published. Respectfully, Judy Chisnell, Chairman, AMICA Memorial Committee 3945 Mission, Box 145 Rosebush, MI 48878-9718 517-433-2992
CLOSE TO HOME .. -",.---
"Sorry about the mix-up with the keyboards. We hope this won't affect your programming abilities."
336 July/August 1999 bulletin AMICA People photo on page 230
L to R: (seated) Ernest Urchs, Miss Roda Erskin, Prof. John Erskin, Olin Downes, Josef Hofmann, Ernest Hutcheson, Geo. Barrere, George Gershwin and Richard Singer Photo courtesy Henry Z. Steinway 3/9/1991
Sept. 15, 1999 Because Mr. Downes is himself a music critic and therefore Dear Mr. Pratt, did not wish to inflict himself on his colleagues of the press, the latter agreed among themselves to open the columns of their The picture on page 230 of the bulletin— respective papers to various well known musicians who in this Location - Steinway Hall, 109 West 57 St., NY, NY 10019 instance acted as critics. In other words, the position of critic When - Early 1927, not sure of exact date. and pianist was reversed. The above picture shows the artists The Story - This is a “gag picture” cooked up by acting as critics from left to right as follows: Ernest Urchs, Miss Steinway’s Ernest Urchs, in connection with a benefit for the Rhoda Erskine, Professor John Erskine, Olin Downes, Josef MacDowell Association. The best description that I have Hofmann, Ernest Hutcheson, George Barrere, George Gershwin handy is the following paragraphs from the publication of our and Richard Singer. Hamburg Branch. The concerts have been criticized in the various papers. I can’t believe I forgot to give you this when I gave you Josef Hofmann wrote for the New York Times; Ernest Hutche- the photo back in 91. son, pianist, for the Herald Tribune; Albert Spalding, violinist, Very Best - for the Post; George Gershwin, composer-pianist , for the World; George Barrere, flutist, for the Telegram; Ernest Schelling, pianist, for the Sun; Richard Singer (formerly of Berlin fame), for the New York Staatszeitung; Frank Warren, an ex-profession- Henry Z. Steinway al music critic, for the New York American; Alfredo Casella, 109 West 57th Street pianist-composer, for the Brooklyn Eagle and also for the New York, New York 10019 monthly magazine, The New Yorker. Mr. Ernest Urchs, Chief of the Wholesale Department and of The demand for tickets was so large that even Tyson, a ticket the Concert & Artists department of our New York Parent office which makes it a business to sell tickets for attractions at House, reports on two concerts in which he took part together an advanced price, telephoned to Steinway Hall to inquire if they with Professor John Erskine of Columbia University and Mr. could buy any but received the answer that the concerts were Olin Downes, chief music critic of the New York Times, and sold out. informs us that huge success fell to their share. The prices of the The whole affair started in a very modest way. Mrs. Ernest seats from two to five dollars brought the total proceeds to 2600 Hutcheson asked Mr. Urchs to come to her house one evening to dollars which have gone without exception to the Edward Mac- play ensemble music with Professor Erskine and Mr. Downes. Dowell Association. The rush on these concerts was so great They perpetrated the Bach D minor Concerto by sight, and one that a number of camp chairs had to be placed in the lobby to can easily imagine, it was a caution. Ernest Hutcheson, who was accommodate people who were satisfied with hearing the artists present, said that if the three worked hard enough, they might though they could not see them. The audience was composed of play it for our friends in public. They then agreed that if they the elite of musicians and of prominent people, whereby both could play it for friends without charging admission, they might concerts have been stamped to social functions of which all the as well charge a stiff price and give the proceeds to charity - with morning and evening papers took particular notice in double the result as stated above. The success was huge and means at columns. the same time a fine advertisement for Steinway & Sons. 337 Letters: (continued) An American-Dutch Story By Jo Jongen
Some years ago (1994) my good friends from England, Rex We can’t do it faster using that method today, and absolutely not Lawson and Denis Law phoned me and asked for help in orga- cheaper. Judging from the way of writing the Dutch language, nizing the first annual Board and Membership Meeting of Mrs. Coomans-Winkel must have been living for a long time in AMICA outside the United States of America, to be held in the United States . . . She made many mistakes in her own Dutch 1995. language. I was to organize the trip to Amsterdam and some museums The picture is of the Piano Department of Young & Chaffee in Holland, among them the most well-known Dutch Museum Furniture Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The World “Van Speelklock tot Pierement” in Utrecht. This part of the trip Address Book of the Musical Industry from 1927, issued in Ger- would come after the London leg. many for many years by Paul de Wit from the Netherlands, men- From that time I still remember certain AMICAns . . . Herb tioned the company of Young & Chaffee as a furniture, piano, Stockinger, who had the unfortunate experience of having an and gramophone business, established at 122 Ottawa Street. operation on one of his eyes become necessary, this happening Henk told me that, in his opinion, the instrument on the left in the Utrecht Hospital. Herb was my guest for some time, and side of the photo seems to be a Gulbransen, built in 1910. Look- we are still good friends. Both of us remember the sad and the ing at this photo, we can see a very nice atmosphere, with a lady good things of life. playing the piano, and another lady with a nice hat along with It was a big pleasure to meet Herb again in the past year in two salesmen. Los Angeles. He went with me to visit Frank and Shirley Nix, In my opinion, they are the owners of the company with and also to visit Ben and Mary Lilien. The Nix family and also their wives, representing their company in beautiful clothes. the Liliens attended AMICA’s 1995 meeting, and in that way we (Shirley’s note . . . pushing the idea of good taste, impeccable knew each other a little bit. They were very good hosts and style . . . the good life, no doubt.) showed me their very nice musical collections. By the way, on What about the Gulbransen Company? As European people, the same trip we saw the Nethercutt Collection, and what a great we know this company from the ads showing the little child museum that is. playing the piano player and the slogan “Easy to Play”. This year it was a big surprise to meet Shirley and Frank Nix Axel G. Gulbransen started his company in 1906 in Chicago again in Holland. I was telling the story of the history of the at 37 Union Park Street. According to Paul de Wits’ issue, we mechanical instruments to interested people at an organ rally . . . can read that in 1927 the name and address changed to the Gul- Suddenly, and totally unexpectedly, I saw them again. We had a bransen-Dickinson Company, and they were established at that nice chat, and of course, dinner together. We spent the evening time at 3232 Chicago Avenue. catching up and talking mostly about our hobby. The instrument shown on the left of the photo is, in our I mentioned a short story I wrote for the Dutch Bulletin opinion, a Style S, and the price for this instrument was $330 about Rijken & de Lange, a very famous Piano Dealer from Rot- U.S. at that time. They also built de Duo Concerto, and a “Reg- terdam, and one of the sons who visited the Danquard Player istering piano”. I really don’t know exactly what that means or Action School in New York City in 1917. what was special about this registering instrument. Maybe one Shirley immediately asked me to translate this story for the of you can tell me more details. AMICA Bulletin. Of course I couldn’t refuse, and I said, “Yes”. The Gulbransen Company was also the editor of a booklet It’s a pity that I don’t possess any more of the nice pictures entitled “Good times with your Gulbransen player-piano”. of that school, and have to wait until the one who has them can As far as I know, Mr. Gulbransen was not so very healthy, help me. and stopped working within the company. He then wrote a However, because I don’t want to disappoint Shirley, here is booklet named “Martin Method of Player Piano Interpretation”. another story about the Dutch and the Americans . . . Recently He promoted also a set of four instruction rolls with a booklet on Hendrik Strengers, a very well-known member of the Dutch how to play the piano. In 1926 the Gulbransen Music Roll Cor- Pianola Association, showed me a postcard from the showroom poration was established in Chicago, the intention being to make of an American Pianola retailer. (See next page). better rolls. (But now I am telling facts that all the AMICAns Of course, I know much more about the European manufac- will already know, I think.) turers and dealers than I do about the American Piano retailers, but for anyone who likes the mechanical instruments, such a pic- Note from Shirley Nix: ture is a very interesting one. Looking at it you can almost smell the wax of the pianos! Thanks to Jo for doing the article. He sent it to me to cor- rect the English, and I made a few corrections. He does a great We think everything goes faster and faster today, but what job, and has promised more articles in the future. about the post in those good old days? This card was mailed in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on February 22, 1910 at 9:30 and arrived in the Netherlands on March 5, 1910 . . . mind you that’s traveling by boat . . . within 13 days and for only two dollars.
338 CALENDAR OF EVENTS CHAPTERS CALENDAR OF EVENTS ANNUAL CONVENTIONS December 11, 1999: Lady Liberty Chapter Dr. Len Wert will host our meeting from 12 to 5:00 p.m. in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania June 22-25, 2000 AMICA Convention, Sacramento, California I J:. . February 16-26, ZOOI AMICA Convention, Melbourne, Australia Registration: Lyle Merithew (408) 227-9284 June 26·30, 2002 AMICA Convention, Springdale, Arkansas
339 WERNER JANSSEN , ' Orchestra Leader in 30's Chase & Sanborn Big Time Show with Edgar Bergen r~' .'
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340 Private Wurlitzer Theatre Organ Concert . . . CD Review: An Evening at the Home of Cecil B. DeMille Featuring Melodies on the Wurlitzer Theatre Organ
ean back in your favorite pany (Binghamton, New York), chair, close your eyes, and Gustav Bruder (of Waldkirche, Lget set to enjoy old-time Germany, who arranged music melodies, including (on CD-2) for Gebr. Bruder, for the “Mae- several performances once heard stro” orchestrion and for Bruder by famous film producer Cecil B. band organs) and Wurlitzer staff DeMille. A 1920 account noted arranger (for “Mandolin this: “Lover of the unusual, PianOrchestra” orchestrion Cecil B. DeMille has a Wurlitzer rolls). In addition there are two in his mansionesque Paradise modern selections “Mary Pop- Ranch, Little Tujunga Canyon, pins” by Marcel Van Boxtel and Los Angeles County, California. “Shine on Harvest Moon” by From the Sierra Madre Moun- Arthur A. Reblitz. tains, the Wurlitzer tone rolls The old-time selections are all forth, accompanied by glockenspiel, xylophone, cathedral the more remarkable, as you can experience the same type of chimes, harp, bells, kettle drums, and cymbals.” music, the same arrangements, and the same everything else as The instrument in the “mansionesque” setting was a rare if you had been there years ago! These are not modern arrange- model featuring not only multiple ranks of organ pipes, but also ments, they are the originals. In the wide world of Wurlitzer a fine piano, with the entire ensemble operated by “Wurlitzer theatre organ CDs and phonograph recordings, only a few have Concert Organ” perforated paper music rolls. Of course, the ever featured original Wurlitzer music. Indeed, original Con- instrument could be hand-played as well. cert Organ rolls are so rare today that few people have ever seen Years later, the DeMille pipe organ was disassembled, and even a single one or heard a single arrangement! Thus, even for Cecil B. DeMille’s complete collection of paper rolls found its the most experienced historian and aficionado in the Wurlitzer way to Q. David Bowers, author (in 1966) of Put Another Nick- theatre organ field it is hoped that these recordings will be of el In (about the Wurlitzer Company) and (in 1912) of An Ency- special interest. For other listeners whose emphasis is on musi- clopedia of Automatic Musical Instruments among other books. cal enjoyment, it is hoped that this expectation will be fulfilled Today, the same rolls are part of the San Sylmar Collection in as well. Sylmar, California. Bowers has been interested in Wurlitzer The Wurlitzer style 135 organ in the Bowers library and theatre organs for a long time, was a friend of the late Richard music room was originally sold to an Illinois buyer in 1919 and, Simonton (founder of the American Theatre Organ Society), at like other Wurlitzer theatre organs, was designated as a Wurl- one time owned the New York Paramount Wurlitzer organ (later itzer Hope-Jones Unit Orchestra, an acknowledgment to Robert sold for installation in Wichita), and provided much information Hope-Jones who designed the intricate “unit orchestra” concept to Preston Kauffman and David L. Junchen for their research in used in Wurlitzer organs. By means of sophisticated expression the field. devices and electrical cross-connections, the organ was intend- The present pair of CD’s was recorded by Joe Cimino on ed to represent a human orchestra. Instrumentation in the pipe the Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ in the library and music room organ includes a piano (a rare feature in a Wurlitzer organ), six of Dave Bowers’ home, a Wurlitzer style 135 with many simi- ranks of pipes (furnishing the effects of violin, cello, flute, larities to the instrument enjoyed decades ago by Cecil B. trumpet, and other voices), orchestra bells, xylophone, several DeMille. The instrument was restored and modified by Tim drums (bass, kettle, and snare), and a “toy counter” of percus- Westman of Woodsville, New Hampshire. sion effects. The Concert Organ roll-laying mechanism is also a rare feature; only a few Wurlitzer organs were ever equipped The selections specifically identified as “Concert Organ” on with this device. the CDs are adapted from the identical Concert Organ music rolls and arrangements once enjoyed by Cecil B. DeMille. In his book, The Best Remaining Seats, theatre historian Other selections, as marked, include melodies taken from music Ben Hall commented: “Few wonders of the movie palace rolls recorded decades ago by the Link Piano and Organ Com- brought more shivery pleasure to audiences than the Mighty Continued on next page 341 CD Review: continued Peppers and Pianos Wurlitzer. Part one-man band, part symphony orchestra, part sound-effects department, the Wurlitzer was one of the most versatile instruments ever devised by man . . . it could imitate anything from a brass band to a Ford NCUBA,it seems that cooks and horn to a choir of angels.” Enjoy! Ipianists will soon have something ABOUT THE ORGAN - Restoration of the organ was complete in hot and spicy in common. Taking their March of 1991. The physical size and design of the instrument suited it for cue from the local cuisine, researchers installation in a residence, in this case as part of a library and music room. in this country are testing whether chili Years ago the roll playing mechanism incorporated in the piano console allowed those not endowed with musical skills to entertain themselves and peppers would make an effective ter- their guests without the need of hiring an organist, and the same mecha- mite-deterrent for pianos. nism can be used today. The player mechanism was designed to play spe- Benjamin Treuhaft, a New York cially orchestrated Wurlitzer concert Organ rolls as well as standard 88 note piano rolls. During restoration, a Musical Instrument Digital Interface City-based piano tuner, conceived of (MIDI) System was added as a supplement to facilitate the performance of the study on a recent trip to the coun- various types of orchestrion rolls and the electronic recording guest artist try. Since 1993, he and his Cuba performances. Tuners’ Brigade have traveled back and ABOUT THE MUSIC - The selections included on these CDs are of forth to Cuba (despite the embargo) two general classifications: Those from Wurlitzer concert Organ rolls were donating thousands of dollars in parts arranged in the general era of 1915-1925. The music you hear is precisely and free labor to fix ailing instruments. the same as you would have heard back then if you had been fortunate as With 70 percent of the country’s pianos to have been a guest of Cecil B. DeMille’s home or in another residence or theatre equipped with a similar instrument. The second group of selections infested with termites, he realized that were originally arranged and issued on paper rolls by manufacturers of it was time to address the problem. He pneumatically operated instruments for entertaining the public in venues solicited the help of the Getty Institute such as restaurants, amusement parks, dance halls. Taverns, skating rinks, to find the best way to ward off the and affluent residences both in the United States and Europe during the pests, and at the moment, chili peppers first half of the 20th century, particularly in the era 1910-1940. While the are a top contender. original instruments used to play these rolls ranged from large to small in size and musical capability, their present use on the Wurlitzer Hope-Jones “First, you put the piano in a giant Unit orchestra serves to showcase in an impressive manner all of the deli- plastic bag,” he explains, “and replace cacies and nuances of the original roll arrangers. The flavor and mood of all the oxygen in the bag with nitrogen the period comes to life. All of the selections on these CDs were trans- ferred by Tim Westman to digital format for performance on Dave Bowers’ gas. This will kill the termites. Then theatre organ using a proprietary process. you rub the case of the piano with the peppers, and sprinkle pepper powder to The Organ Literature Foundation ward off future termites.” 45 Norfolk Road Treuhaft reports that while there Braintree, Massachusetts 02184-5915 are still problems with the technique Phone 781-848-1388 that need to be worked out (the plastic Fax 781-848-7655 Email [email protected] bags are expensive, among other things), he’s looking forward to trying his hand at chili pepper pest-control on 2 CD set @ $25.00, add postage: United States: his next visit. $3 regular mail From The Herb Quarterly, Summer 1999 $5 priority mail per order Canada & Foreign: $7 seamail, 1 or 2 sets airmail $10, 1 or 2 sets
342 Music talks from Missouri These are stories and test questions accumulated by music teachers in the state of Missouri. MUSIC EDUCATION
• Agnus Dei was a woman composer famous for her church • Another name for kettle drums is timpani. But I think I will music. just stick with the first name and learn it good. • Refrain means don’t do it. A refrain in music is the part you • A trumpet is an instrument when it is not an elephant sound. better not try to sing. • While trombones have tubes, trumpets prefer to wear valves. • A virtuoso is a musician with real high morals. • The double bass is also called the bass viol, string bass, and • John Sebastian Bach died from 1750 to the present. bass fiddle. It has so many names because it is so huge. • Handel was half German, half Italian, and half English. • When electric currents go through them, guitars start He was rather large. making sounds. So would anybody. • Beethoven wrote music even though he was deaf. He was • Question: What are kettle drums called? Answer: Kettle so deaf he wrote loud music. He took long walks in the drums. forest even when everyone was calling him. I guess he • Cymbals are round, metal CLANGS! could not hear so good. Beethoven expired in 1827 and later died from this. • A bassoon looks like nothing I have ever heard. • Henry Purcell is a well known composer few people have • Last month I found out how a clarinet works by taking even heard of. apart. I both found out and got in trouble. • Aaron Copland is one of your most famous contemporary • Question: Is the saxophone a brass or a woodwind composers. It is unusual to be contemporary. Most instrument? Answer: Yes. composers do not live until they are dead. • The concertmaster of an orchestra is always the person who • An opera is a song of bigly size. sits in the first chair of the first violins. This means that when a person is elected concertmaster, he has to hurry up • In the last scene of Pagliacci, Canio stabs Nedda who is the and learn how to play a violin real good. one he really loves. Pretty soon Silvio also gets stabbed, and they all live happily ever after. • For some reason, they always put a treble clef in front of every line of flute music. You just watch. • When a singer sings, he stirs up the air and makes it hit any passing eardrums. But if he is good, he knows how to keep • I can’t reach the brakes on this piano! it from hurting. • The main trouble with a French horn is it’s too tangled up. • Music sung by two people at the same time is called a duel. • Anyone who can read all the instrument notes at the same • I know what a sextet is but I had rather not say. time gets to be the conductor. • Caruso was at first an Italian. Then someone heard his • Instrumentalist is a many-purposed word for many voice and said he would go a long way. And so he came to player-types. America. • The flute is a skinny-high shape-sounded instrument. • A good orchestra is always ready to play if the conductor • The most dangerous part about playing cymbals is near the steps on the odium. nose. • Morris dancing is a country survival from times when • A contra-bassoon is like a bassoon, only more so. people were happy. • Tubas are a bit too much. • Most authorities agree that music of antiquity was written • Music instrument has a plural known as orchestra. long ago. • I would like for you to teach me to play the cello. Would • Probably the most marvelous fugue was the one between tomorrow or Friday be best? the Hatfields and McCoys. • My favorite instrument is the bassoon. It is so hard to play, • My very best liked piece of music is the Bronze Lullaby. people seldom play it. That is why I like the bassoon best. • My favorite composer is Opus. • It is easy to teach anyone to play the maracas. Just grip the • A harp is a nude piano. neck and shake him in rhythm. • A tuba is much larger than its name. • Just about any animal skin can be stretched over a frame to • Instruments come in many sizes, shapes and orchestras. make a pleasant sound once the animal is removed. • You should always say celli when you mean there are two Source: Missouri School Music Newsletter or more cellos. Collected by Harold Dunn
343 Dear Editor, I came upon this article recently in a July, 1928 Etude, and thought it would be worthy of reprinting in the Bulletin since it refers quite a bit to the advantages of using reproducing pianos for musical instruction. Also interesting is the mentioning of the “miniature” pianos that were becoming popular at that time. And the VISUOLA which I had never heard of. Sincerely, Doug What Makes a Fine Piano
NE of the very remarkable things about the beautiful music and in the end stands up the longest Opiano is that the instrument has been changed is the best piano. so little since its inception. Unlike the automobile The great, general public has little idea of the vast there are no yearly models. The outside case has gone amount of capital spent in piano research and through various metamorphoses. Cristofori, no exploitation. Every year millions of dollars are put doubt, would be startled at the modern grand piano, out by such organizations as the National Bureau for but the changes, taking them all in all, have been the Advancement of Music and the National Piano very gradual. The improvements of long established Manufacturers’ Association and by the representative firms have been intro- piano manufacturers. duced so gradually and Therefore, when we get have been absorbed so right down to it, the thing steadily that, to the gener- that “makes” or “breaks” a al public today, a piano is piano is the integrity and a piano. Intelligent and the art of the maker. That cultured people, familiar means the kind and quali- with the leading music ty of materials that the journals, are, of course, maker puts into the piano better informed. They to insure both good tone know, for instance, that and endurance, the work- the sostenuto pedal was manship that goes into the invented by an American, piano to make what is Dr. Henry Hanchett. known as a fine scale and They know of such radical a “perfect” action. By changes as the curved key- “scale” we mean not the board of Emanuel Moor musical scale but the and the Janko keyboard designer’s arrangement of and, perhaps, of some the strings in relation to other innovations that the sounding board and have never become suffi- the frame of the piano so ciently popular to demand that the most beautiful their inclusion by all man- results are obtained. ufacturers. It would be possible to Notwithstanding all A LADY AT THE CLAVIER make a piano that would this, there are, of course, By FRANZ VAN MIERIS resemble in every way an notable variations and This noted painting of the Dutch School is in the Gallery of instrument of the finest mutations in quality, Schwerin, Germany. It was put on canvas about 1723. kind, and yet that piano design and workmanship could be made of material, in the sounding board, in in pianos, which at this time distinguish the finer the frame, and in the action, that would not stand up pianos from the indifferent makes. Unfortunately for more than a month or two under the pounding of these characteristics do not always become evident an ordinary pupil. Therefore the great thing in pur- until revealed by use and age. In other words, the chasing a piano is to give careful attention and consid- piano that at the beginning makes possible the most eration to its stability, the case, the integrity and the
344 reputation of the maker, as well as to the reliability of musical education, a new audiographic form of music the dealer selling the instrument. After this the main roll, with notes prepared by a huge international staff thing is to assure one’s self of fine workmanship, not of music experts, has been issued by a representative on the furniture side of the piano, but in the interior company. The Etude, as is well known, does not of the instrument. make proprietary references in its columns, except in As far as the tone of the piano goes, that is very instances of this kind when something radically new largely a matter of taste. We have heard recently a and important to the industry has been developed. report that one of the finest pianos ever created had a The first of these records we have seen is the Dance tendency to become in a short time, metallic in its of the Gnomes, played by Guiomar Novaes. Printed tone. This report was entirely an error. A piano can- on the roll are complete directions of the grouping of not become metallic in tone until the tips of the felt the notes, interpretation, a history of the work and its hammers are worn down or hardened by exhaustive composer and an analysis of the composition from a wear. In the case of the piano considered the very general musical standpoint. Unquestionably this finest felts were used, and the report was a pure libel innovation is one which will be of great value to upon the instrument. In fact, it was a piano that teachers employing the reproducing piano as a means remains “mellow” far longer than most instruments. of instructing the student in the performance of mas- ter works. Perhaps the most unusual improvement in the piano has been that of the reproducing pianos. These Why, one might ask, is it desirable to play the are indeed, with the finer makes, remarkable instru- composition by hand, when it can be so beautifully ments. Your editor has made records for instruments performed through a master artist on a reproducing of this type. The making of the record is a very sim- piano? The answer is that the real charm of piano ple matter. One sits in a room like a studio and plays playing rests in the differences of interpretation and upon what appears to be the ordinary type of grand in the joy of expression. Many who are unfortunate piano. There is no sensation of difference in the enough not to have piano technique possess the sym- touch while playing - nothing to disturb the mind pathy of the real performers. To them such records except a faint hum of an electrical apparatus whereby are of very great value. Then they are of equal value the touch of the performer is recorded and carried by to the student who really and honestly desires to means of an electric cable into another room where make a consistent study of the finer things. More the master record is made. This record is then edit- than this the educational advantages of actually learn- ed, just as a sheet of music is edited, so that any mis- ing how to perform upon a musical instrument are so takes made may be corrected. After some time the remarkable that educators everywhere are advocating performer has the privilege of hearing his record, music study as a brain training necessity. One making any necessary artistic changes. It is a very notable trend of the piano trade is the significant fact startling experience to listen to one’s own playing so that the sale of cheap reproducing pianos has notably accurately reproduced. fallen off, while the sale of fine grand pianos has increased. The reproduced records of great artists have been of real value to teachers, by preserving the hand-play- Another startling innovation of a piano keyboard ing of master pianists and enabling the teacher to is the Chromatic Glissando device. This was intro- hold up these interpretations as examples for their duced by the Starr Piano Company, controlled by the pupils. The teacher of today is expected to play and progressive Gennett brothers of Richmond, Indiana. to play well. If, in addition, he can have in his own It enables the performer to make a chromatic glissan- studio records of the playing of many virtuosi do by running the fingers over a series of little rollers pianists, he will find such a library an invaluable at the back of the keyboard. The device does not asset. We know of teachers in eastern cities who for interfere in any way with the regular performance of years have used the reproducing pianos with rather the instrument, and it will, no doubt, be very greatly surprising results, in their classes in interpretation. used in certain phases of music to produce effects Hearing, let us say, a Chopin Ballade played by four which otherwise it would be almost impossible to different virtuosi for the purpose of analyzing the rea- obtain. sons for the differences in the playing is a very benefi- A third innovation of significance in the industry, cial musical experience. which has been noted in recent years, might be called Recognizing the value of the reproducing piano in the miniature piano. A number of manufacturers are making these pianos. Some of them are fine instru-
345 MAROIl 1928 Page 178
What Makes a , ~~======:_------=--= ~ Fine Piano (continued) -~-_._--
ments and others indifferent in quality. A great many of ~/ ~ them are gotten up like toy pianos. Some are actually LEADING PIANO PEDAGOGUES pianos, but small-sized, with a limited range for the key board. The advantage is in having an instrument that USE THE VISUOLA will fit in certain places where a full-sized piano could not be used, and also in having a piano which appeals through its littleness to the child. They are real pianos, i merely small in size. EDITORS The fourth notable recent innovation in the piano is a form of educational keyboard in which each key has an OF electric light back of it, which may be illuminated by the D1LLER-QUAILE depression of a corresponding key on another keyboard. BOOKS Thus the pupil visualizes the key played and the length of time it is held, and forms an optical picture of the FOR PIANO operation. The instrument is known as the Visuola and has attracted wide attention in educational circles. This, of course, cannot be regarded as an improvement in the piano itself; but, like the Virgil Clavier, the ~ DtUer- Every thin/(ing tetU:her wiU investigate carefully this new idea which is bound to be of such tremendous benefit to ttlUher and pupil. Sertd for a copy of "Blazing a N,w Trail ill Pilmo Playing" Orlg1.Datf)r~ ~f Robber Spools VlSUOLA CORPORATION Aeolian Hall, 689 Fifth Avenue United States Music Company I 2134-36-38 Wed Lake St., CHICAGO, U. s.!-. NEW YORK CITY Please mention THE ETUDE when I.ddresslng our a.dvertlsers. 346 A Dream for an AMICAn Shirley Nix or years we have thought it would be neat to attend the the idea. His friends all treated us like visiting royalty. No, FOrgan Festival in Waldkirch, Germany. This year it seemed that’s not right. They treated us like family, which is better. I particularly attractive, since it was the 200th anniversary of the guess in a way it is a family - of lovers of the same objects, and Festival. Things were standing in our way, however, like trying we do find that we end up feeling as though we have known to get houses rented and bills paid so we could go. people forever whom we have just met, and have really very lit- We waited until the last minute and decided that we were tle in common with other than a love of mechanical music, but going - especially when American Airlines came up with a non- that’s the important part, and it is enough. We crazies have to stop flight LAX to Paris for $445. That was just too good to stick together. pass up. We almost missed that because of our dilly-dallying, The next day Marrten took us to Delft, Holland for the first but it seemed it was meant to be, since at the last minute when of the three organ rallies we were to attend. The town had Frank called, there were two seats going begging. (Not for organs everywhere, down every street you came upon another long, believe me!) treasure. There were organs on the bridges over the canals, in We planned on staying in Paris a couple of days and seeing alleys and in every available niche. The sounds were not fight- the city. However, as we landed there was an announcement ing. The spacing was just right so that each one had it’s own that all the public transportation had gone out on strike. Oh, area. Each organ, of course, had it’s own sound, and I would be well, maybe a slight drawback, but nothing major. Hah!!! We hard-pressed to pick a favorite. rented a car at the airport in Paris, and drove into the city, but it The organs were playing beautifully, and the music was didn’t take us long to figure out that we were in the right places quite fitting for the setting, as it naturally would be. Does a at definitely the wrong time. The streets there were wide Dutch Street Organ really sound better in Holland, or is it just enough for two lanes, but there were no lane markers, so they the illusion? Of course, Marrten assured us that while we have had made three lanes out of the two. Not a pretty sight - now a lot of organs in America, they kept the best ones over there, you had to deal with three cars in the space of two, plus bicy- and perhaps he is right. We sure saw a lot of wonderful Euro- cles and motor scooters who seemed to obey nothing, zipping in pean organs. and out between the cars with wild abandon. No sense of mor- It rained off and on all day, but the only difference it made tality there, I was sure we were going to take back a dented was whether the organ had a tarp partly covering it and whether rental car again, although Frank kept telling me we were having the people crowded around to listen had their umbrellas open or “an adventure”! Well, good sense prevailed, and we left and shut. It didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits, only the ground. Per- drove north to a small town and got ourselves a lovely hotel haps the monkey organs were the lucky ones, since they could room for the night in a charming place across the street from a slip into a building. We found, though, that the organs over gorgeous cathedral. there seemed to be used to the bad weather, or at least their From there we went up to Holland and contacted Marrten owners are. As it rained, they covered the machines, but kept Van de Vlugt, who had told us to look him up if we came. The playing, and when the sun came back out, they took the tarps last time we saw Marrten was after the AMICA trip. We ran off and wiped the machines down. into him at the organ rally there and he had taken us to visit some of his friends with organs. I have to tell you, Marrten is a walking encyclopedia of dance organs and fairground organs, and I am sure he knows the history and location of every organ in Europe. He took charge of us for three days, and we saw and heard the most fan- tastic dance and fairground organs imaginable. It amazes us the amount of wonderful instruments Marrten took us to see. For instance, I had no idea that there were that many dance organs in the hands of private parties. One of the best parts of it was every one of them that we saw was in great condition, and sounded as it was meant to sound. They had been restored to what the builder meant them to be. It was like a step back in time, and each place we went was our immediate favorite. The owners of these machines have every right to be A lovely Mortier “playing up a storm” with tarp at the ready! proud of their instruments and themselves. The experiences we had were just mind-boggling, and of At one point it started to hail, and that was the only point at course we enjoyed every minute of it. It would be impossible which the organs were covered and the music actually shut to describe everything we saw, but just imagine the largest, down - only until the hail stopped, though, and then it was back sweetest Mortiers and DeCaps you have ever seen and you get 347 Tarp at half-mast but the organ plays on. An 84 key Mortier café-style organ used on the streets of Holland. to music as usual. The people all had their umbrellas and they didn’t let the weather deter them, either. They were there to enjoy the festivities, and that was that!! We spent the whole day wandering from one spot to the other, and even managed to take in some of the town festivities besides the organs - marching bands composed of kids from quite small to about high school age, doing all sorts of very intricate marching while playing. It was fascinating to watch them. The last instrument we saw was a huge Gavioli, which had been brought over from England on the ferry, within inches of being too big to transport in that fashion. It was a wonderful organ, 112 key, and had spent most of its life playing shows. It was quite exciting, leaving one great organ rally and knowing that the next day would be another. We were up in the Ah - sunshine at last! morning, and off to Arnheim with Marrten. song or two, and then go sit down and drink a beer to recuper- ate. (At least that was what they told us the beer was for - strictly medicinal.) Some of the organs Marrten had taken us to visit were here, and it was fun to compare the sounds out in the open to the sounds we had heard in enclosed areas. Of course, out in the open is better, but only by a small margin. What kinds of organs? You name the best European organs, and they were at the rallies in abundance - Brueder, Steenput, Perlee (the large ones), Limonaire, DeCap, Ruth, Mortier, Carl This Gavioli was brought to Delft from England on the ferry - had only inches to spare. In Arnheim there is an open-air museum with old homes, windmills, farms, and all types of exhibits. This is where the organ rally was set up, and what a setting. There were organs everywhere, and the strains of the music filled the park, but, as in Delft, never fought with one another. One of the things that impressed us was the fact that quite a few of the street organs were still hand-cranked. Now, these are large organs, and not that easy to operate. During the course of our trip, we saw quite a few European men crank them for a It rained a little!! 348 An unusual Brueder at Arnheim. Frei, Gavioli, and more. You get the idea (We were even to see one Wurlitzer at Waldkirch) - and these are just the large fair- ground organs. When you get into the monkey organs, you are into another huge list of builders. The Pianola Society had a working display in one of the barns, and had a piano in the trolley that rode around the park. They are quite active in Holland. When we went in to see the display, we found Jo Jongen, whom those who went to the AMICA European trip will remember from Amsterdam. He had planned out the trip for us there for the Convention. I’m afraid we spirited Jo away from his lecture he was giv- ing. He found someone else to finish it and we had a great reunion with him. Jo had come to visit us when he was in the U.S., and we had become good friends, so it was a lot of fun to Perlee hand-cranked at Arnheim. see him and reminisce. He took Marrten and us to dinner after wine and cheese at his friend Mia’s home, which was really a wonderful place. A lucky period of sunshine - Arnheim has windmills, farms and homes for a hundred-year or more period. On Monday we were invited to go with Marrten and Jo to iron nails hanging from rusty bars which turned and which the Utrecht Museum. If you were on the AMICA trip you will banged on shells - another had turning cylinders with wooden remember that one. It is the best of the best. Every piece is “teeth” protruding which hit old tin cans as they turned - drums perfect! Dr. Haspels is a charming host, and we enjoyed our- made of old tin cans being “played” by wooden or metal sticks. selves immensely. This filled the whole center patio section of the museum. It was I have to mention that they had a special display that some- fun to look at, although the contribution to the musical world one (who probably had way too much spare time) had put was probably not going to be very long-lived, particularly since together of musical (?) instruments made from things he had most of the instruments were made of things already nine-tenths found at the beach . . . I mean really found at the beach - old eaten away! 349 Dr. Haspels demonstrates a wonderful monkey organ with automata. One of the wonderful organs in the Utrecht Museum. When we left the Museum we were invited to join Mr. and Mrs. Schenk, whom we met in Delft, and who had made some of the music we got with our Carl Frei organ, for lunch and then a visit to the workshop of Mr. Elbert Pluer. Mrs. Schenk and Jo Jongen couldn’t resist the music of the Frank Nix, Marrten Van de Vlugt, and Jo Jongen in the Pluer organ. workshop. When we entered Mr. Pluer’s shop, we were amazed, since he is building an organ to be installed in a cruise ship. This organ is three stories tall, and we were privileged to hear it. It sounded like a symphony orchestra one minute, and a Dutch Street Organ the next, with other great sounds in between. This instrument is fabulous, and what a great thing to have in a cruise ship. Think of all the people who are going to be exposed to this. We heard classical music to boogie-woogie, and as we left, he played, in honor of his “American guests”, the Star Spangled Banner. Everything sounded wonderful. The façade is designed in what I would consider to be a castle with bell-ringers and other figures all around. It will be a marvelous display. (My first thought, of course, was what was Mr. Pluer and Mr. Schenk in front of the Marenghi. the feasibility of having an AMICA Convention on the “Zaandam” of Holland-American Line when this ship is finished?) The organ plays on the MIDI System, developed and provid- ed by the firm of Frans DeCap. It has 521 pipes, is fully chro- A little about the ship - it is being built as you read this, in matic, so there are 12 base pipes and 12 accompaniments. The Venice, Italy, and will be ready next spring. The furnishing of melody section has 6 ranks of violins divided into 3 registers, a the interior of the ship is in the hands of a Dutch agency of bourdonregister and also jazzflutes. On the counter-melody are architecture, and this agency gave the order to build an organ cellos, baritones, a celeste, and undamaris, plus a flute-8 register for the main hall of the ship. 350 The Pluer organ for the cruise ship. Artists rendition of the façade. and 16-foot cellograve. There is more, but space and time prevent me from going into this much further. You will have to take my word that it is a wonderful instrument. (The idea developed from an idea by the architect, Mr. F. Gingemans, who must be an aficionado of Dutch Organs. He sure came up with a wonderful idea.) One has to marvel at the imagination and talent of both the architect and the builder. The next day we drove ourselves (no chauffeur this time) into Amsterdam for our next adventure. Did you know that there is a The three-story tall organ built by Elbert Pluer for Pianola Museum in Amsterdam? We sure didn’t until Jo Jongen told us the cruise ship “Zaandam” operated by a MIDI not to miss it. It has been started by the Pianola Association, and is System (125 key) with some of the figurines that fairly new. will be installed around the facade. They were closed, but one look at our sad, hangdog faces (I devel- oped this art a long time ago, but I was surprised how well Frank did) and the young man opened up and let us in. It is housed in what was, many years before, the town jail. Now the cells are filled floor to ceil- ing with piano rolls. In fact, there are piano rolls everywhere. They are busy trying to amass what they can so that the Museum will, in time, be a real marvel. Money, as is so often the case, is a big problem. They have the opportunity to have a wonderful museum, and we wish them well. A demonstration of one of the Pianolas. The Pianola Museum in Amsterdam. 351 The next day we went to see Arthur Prinsen. We visited with Arthur and Paula at their lovely home (what a gorgeous area they live in), and Arthur took time out of his busy schedule to show us the marvelous organs he had in his shop, either part of his collection or instruments he had restored. Before we left, he showed us a large, lovely, Marenghi organ he had restored, and Frank fell in love with this one. Fortunately for our pocket- book, it was already sold. Arthur took us to Monsieur Ghysels’ Museum, not too far from Arthur’s home. Here we were treated to more wonderful dance organs. During the entire trip I found it hard to fathom An old crate from the Hupfeld Company which rented piano so many really wonderful, fully restored dance organs in a rolls. relatively small area. These large organs are considered treasures over there, and Actually, to us it was a marvel now, and if any of you hap- are treated as such. They all played fabulously, and we kept pen to find yourselves in Amsterdam, you shouldn’t miss it. falling in love over and over. They have some nice pianos, and some really unusual pianola push-ups. They also have some other rare and unusual instru- ments, too. We also visited Leon van Leeuwen, the grandson of Mr. G. Perlee. We have a Perlee monkey organ, and we wanted to say hello. Just 3 of the dance organs we saw. The Perlee Organ Factory When we arrived, Leon was out on an errand, so his mother, Mr. Perlee’s daughter, showed us around and cranked a few organs for us until he arrived home. Well, “hello” turned into an afternoon of listening to some really great street organs - many hand-cranked. Leon is very personable, and had no qualms about showing us around the shop and playing everything in sight. They had over a dozen large street organs in the shop, with others rented out. Did you know that there were organs made in Cuba? We sure didn’t, but there was, and it played quite well, too. From Amsterdam we reluctantly left to return to our hotel, which we seemed to have misplaced somewhere!! I think they moved it while we were gone, and we put a lot of miles on the car driving around until we finally found where they had hidden it. Oh, the adventures of foreign travel. I mean, you can’t stop and ask because in that part of town no one speaks English, so you have to sort of giggle and argue your way along - having another adventure. Every day had its siren call, and every siren who called did so with the sound of music. 352 Monsieur Ghysels sitting in front of a fabulous Mortier. Frank Nix and his new best friend at the Ghysels Museum. At the Ghysels Museum Frank had wanted to go over to Dunkirk and some of the places from World War II, and we headed off that way. When we got there, we found that most of the places were not too well marked just from the highway, and the traffic was worse in that area, so we went and spent the day in Brugge, Belgium. That was another lovely old town, and with a great antique store (good for them, but hard on our Visa card!!!) Organ grinder and Frank Nix. We walked around the town and found a monkey organ grinder in a square by the church. He was sur- rounded by children and put on quite a show for them, which they really seemed to enjoy - a real entertainer. We tried to converse with him, but he spoke no English. It became a game of hand signals, a few words, and surprisingly, we got to where we sort of understood some of what was going on (or Organ grinder in Brugge thought we did . . . Maybe he was telling us to get 353 lost - we were scaring the children away???). When we told him we had a Fratti monkey organ, he understood that, and began describing the metal pipes in front. After that we were old friends, and he put me to work cranking his monkey organ, which he had built himself. He even put his hat on my head, but nothing helped. NO ONE put even a coin in his collection hat, so he stripped me of the hat, banished me from behind the organ, and went back into his act. Oh, well, I guess we don’t all have what it takes. After all that, we walked back to our car, or tried to. Well, somehow we seemed to be lost again!!! We knew we had parked the car in a garage, but where was the darned garage??? We walked what seemed to be miles, and probably was. We asked people, but those who spoke any English didn’t know where our parking garage was either. Finally, after a looooong time, we found where they had hidden it (I’m convinced it was a conspiracy, it backfired though, since we actually found it amusing). Finally we decided to see if we could find Waldkirch before they hid that, too, so back on the road and on our way. Waldkirch (yes, we did find it) is in the Black Forest, and is a lovely town. There is a German Fairy-tale quality about that area. The buildings are old, but lovely, and the forest Jager and Brommer, organ builders comes down to the towns. It is a really nice place, and we had a hotel about 8 miles north of the city. It was a super place, with great food and atmosphere. No one spoke English, se we could only hope no one at home needed to get in touch with us, since this was the only reservation we had made before we left, and we had left everyone this phone number in case of emergency. That would have been a real experience for the family. Fortunately, there were no calls. Waldkirch blocks off the center of town for the Organ Fes- tival weekend, and everyone gets into the spirit of the thing. This time no bad weather was allowed (this was Germany, after all), and the sun stayed out both days. It got warm, but not too hot. We found a place to park only a couple of blocks away, and this time we knew where our car was, so that was under control. It was fun just walking over to the town. Once again there were organs everywhere. They claimed The Jager and Brommer factory to have over 200 organs, and with all the monkey organs I The orchestra at Jager & Brommer’s Europeans love to dance to this music, even on the sidewalk. 354 The town organ. The only Wurlitzer we saw. imagine they probably did. This is the perfect place for an organ rally, since it was the heart of the German organ build- ing industry. Bruder, Weber, Ruth, Carl Frei, Limonaire, just to name a few, were centered here, and plaques in town mark the spots where their factories stood. One could almost feel all these old organ makers smiling down on the town as the organs were put into place and the music began. Some of the finest organs in Europe were there, and each one drew its own crowd. People really appreciated them, and Sign showing some of the organ-makers who were in Waldkirch. spent a lot of time in front of each organ savoring the flavor of the different music and sounds. Again there were organs made by Bruders, Limonaire, Carl Frei, Gavioli, Ruth - you name it and chances are it was there. We spent the day walking around and taking pictures of the organs and the town. We found a café which had a direct pipeline to the local brewery, and while we aren’t big beer drinkers, we did enjoy it while in Waldkirch. The food was great, too, by the way. Saturday night the young men who are Jager & Brommer, the organ builders of the same name, hosted an open house at their factory. They really went all out. They had a full orchestra there to play for us all evening, and what an orches- The portable Merry-Go-Round tra it was. The music was just wonderful. When the orchestra 355 A picture of the Hupfeld in its original location in a dance hall. Frank Nix, Fredy Kunzel, Marrten Van de Vlugt, Tim Trager at Fredy’s Museum. Fredy Kunzel in front of his wonderful Hupfeld Helios. finally gave up, after we cajoled them into several encores, then great, although it sure didn’t look like any organ I have ever we were entertained by . . . monkey organs. There were a cou- seen anywhere. It was a fun motif, and was painted all different ple of maritaten presentations, all in German, but still quite colors - bright colors! They rolled it outside to play, and even entertaining. Some forms of entertainment just cross all lan- took it down into town. You couldn’t miss it if it were any- guage barriers. where in the area - those were really bright colors! Maybe that The factory was open all evening, too, and it was fun to see was the idea? Anyway, what a great thing for a town to do - all the monkey organ parts everywhere. Heinz Jager and Wolf- have its own street organ! gang Brommer make a wide variety of organs, and one even has Back into town, and more time to appreciate the sheer num- a ballroom with a chandelier which lights while dancers whirl bers of entertainers. There were just scads of monkey organs to the music. That one was a favorite of the ladies, and I with singers accompanying them. There were sing-a-longs, and wouldn’t be surprised if Santa brings a few of those to this when we told them we couldn’t speak German, they said to just country this year! sound it out and sing loud and nobody would notice! The When the evening was slowing down, they played their singers accompanying the organs were really good for the most fairground organ - a huge Carl Frei with lights flashing all over part, and the talent was amazing. The sing-a-longs? Depended the place. What a showpiece that is. It is in a large trailer, and on who was doing the singing-a-long. is really impressive. Sounds darned good, too. When at last the rally was over it was, as all rally endings The next day we were back in town and visited the town are, sad, and quite a change. The streets are suddenly quiet, Museum, which had several rooms with organs. Each room although they are alive with activity. We sat and watched the was dedicated to one of the local organ manufacturers. As I merry-go-round dismantled and put into a large truck, and said, this is really organ country. The history of the town would watched the organs loaded and taken out. The town had a sad, be impossible to relate if it were not to tell of the organs and deserted look, and so we took off and went back to our hotel, their makers. which we found with very little problem this time. I guess we must have been getting better by that time, or was it the local It is a charming Museum, and we really enjoyed it, beer? Whatever, we found our way. although we missed the English speaking tour and joined the French-speaking tour. We didn’t get much out of the narration, Monday morning we were off to Switzerland to visit with although knowing what we do, we could follow, sort of, what Fredy Kunzel. Most of you probably know Fredy, and his won- she was talking about. (She spoke English, too, so we could derful museum where he houses his collection. I have to tell catch her on the side and ask if we absolutely had to know.) you that of all the instruments we heard, I think his Hupfeld Helios is one of our very favorites. I have never heard a song The town had commissioned an organ to commemorate the on it that I didn’t love. His other instruments are certainly noth- festival this year, and it was playing up a storm. It sounded 356 ing to sneeze at, either. He has a wonderful collection M.ll/Cll 10!8 Page 171 with a wide variety, and lots of music of all types to please any taste, from very fine music boxes to dance organs and reproducing pianos. r. )J We spent the afternoon and evening at Fredy's. It is .' a wonderful place for music lovers! He and Marrten had to ieave early the next morning, so we took off, too. We wandered through Switzerland and over to France. We had called and tried to extend our stay so we could get down to the south of France, but since we had these special tickets, there was no changing them. What a bummer! Anyhow, as we entered France it was so beautiful that it just took your breath away. As we drove up the highway, each town had markers showing (in profile) the thing of interest in the town. It might be a cathedral, a castle, a battle, a sight where Joan of Arc had been whatever the town wanted tourists to know. We really wanted to spend more time investigating, and.did what we could. We did manage to visit Water loo. That was interesting. Anyhow, we wandered on up to Paris and on Thurs day morning we were off and gone into the wild blue yonder and on our way back home. (Yes, we did get lost, The most popular upright piano sort of, again. There were no signs whatsoever in Eng WU~~IIZER lish around the airport, and we had a really hard time in America-a finding where to take the car back. We drove around all Small in size, low in price, charming in performance this remarkable little Wurlitzer Studio Upright is an over, and asked anyone we could. One airport worker achievement in modem piano building. It places the even led us to where he thought we needed to go, but it joy and inspiration of owning a fine piano within the reach wasn't the right place, so we were on our own again. of all. Finally, we went the wrong way, past a do not enter sign, and there we were!) In size, it is suitable for even the small home or apartment, re It was a wonderful trip, and certainly couldn't have quiring much less space than a '~9.5 been better. Thanks to all those who did so much for us, standard upright. And the price, $295, with convenient ~yp~ and to the town of Waldkirch for their continuing love terms of payment, fits any 'TREASURE CHEST OF affair with the organs. For a mechanical music lover it income. MUSIC A beautiful Grand Piano was the most heavenly of trips. that plays for you. At a See this marvelous little in toum of the control but strument, and you will be en ton, dance numbers. popu· chanted with its grace of line larairs, selections from the and beauty of finish. Hear it, opera arc rendered as though by a master artist. and you will be delighted by $995, plus·transportatlon. the full, rich volume, the golden Wurlitzer Pianos Priced tonal qualities that characterize $6750 to $295. plus every Wurlitzer. transporta fion. Visit your nearest Wuclit.zer dealer. Pianologues or write to us for photographs and The: clever pianolo~e merits a place on every enter· <'onvenient terms of payment. tajnm~nt program. For either stage Or home use, we espec,alty recommend the followlng aa musical readings 0' as vocal solos: COUNTlNO DAlSY PETALS •• (HU1IlDrDUJll DnEAIIlIN' IN DE TWIUO"r •• (Nllllro) HAT6 .. •• (HumoroUJI) KEEP A SMIUN' •••• (r""plratloIlSO Tae LADIES' AlP •••• (HwnoroUll) THE LADY \Vu:o LIVES NEXT DOOR (HUJD.OrOUBj ~~E~S~~O~A~iI~~GR~i:e]!:L: .. (lnlW~~~~ Dealers and Branches Everywhere THE OLD FAM.ILY ALBUM .. (Humorous GRAND PIANO J;'ACTOR¥, UPRIGHT PIANO FACTORY, A PERFECT LITTLE LADY JuveDlle) (Humorous N. TONAWANDA, N. Y. PReTENDING • • .•• (Humorous) DoKALB, ILLINOIS SPEAJ< Foa YUREBELF, YOHN • (Swede Dialect) SPEAK UP, IKE, AN' 'SPRESS YO'SE'P . (Negro) STYLE ••• • (Hwnorous) TONY ON DA PHONE. (Italw.n Dialect) Please send me your portfoliO of Wurlitzef Studio Pianos { ). DE WEIlDIN' BnEAKFUS' ••• (Negro) WIJI!'N MOTHllR SANa TO ME • (IoSIlltatloIlal) Tam YOUNOPJ8T IN THE FAMILY Please send me complete information on the Wurlitzer Treasure Chest (HumoroUJI JuvenUel of Music ( ). (Address nearest factory-loc&t:olIll given above.) In full sheet music form-price, postpaid, each .35c The set of "ETUnE 1928 CO~LECTlON," $&.00. Large catalogue of entertainment material on reque4t. Name . T. S. DENISON & CO. Address . Dramatic PublIshers 623 S. WABASH AVE., DEPT. 73 CHICAGO City State .. C InS-Wurli_ Pleue mention TEE Erl1IUi: when &ddnusaing our a.dvertlallln. 357 Famous Roll Artists Artur Rubinstein 1/28/1886 - 12/20/1982 Alexander Brailowsky 2/16/1896 - 4/25/1976 358 Frank Milne 5/7/1887 - 5/20/1959 Vladimir Horowitz Ignace Jan Paderewski 10/1/1904 - 11/5/1989 11/6(or 8)/1860 - 6/29/1941 359 Famous Roll Artists José Iturbi 11/28/1895 - ? Sergi Rachmaninoff 4/1/1873 - 3/28/1943 360 I' BABPBRIS JlA.(JA.ZINB A.DVBIt'1'lBBB. '\.J J, lr'WA!mIRlNG IN DREAMLAND·' Haven't you often wished that you could sit down at the piano (when you happen to be in just the right mood, you know) and make it sing for you some old, sweet melody that ybu heard years ago, or perhaps a bit from an opera which recalls many pleasant memories, or possibly a certain lively cake walk or coon song or dance which is inseparably connected with the recollections of bygone, happy days? There may be no .. Royal Road to Learning," but, thanks to modern inventive ability, there is a .. Royal Road" to music. and with a Cecflian attached to your piano your wish comes true, and you can ., Wander in Dreamland" as much as you please. The Cecllian can be attached to any piano and played by any person. It has an immense repertoire of music and the rolls cost less than any others. The price of the Cecilian is $::lSO, but this amount can be distributed over a number of small monthly payments if you so desire. There are a number of features which make the Cecilian the most artistic as well as the most practical player manufactured. Our oookitt i$ 'Very illfe,rutin%. ami we'd like to $ena it ttJ you. May 'We! FARRAND ORGAN COMPANY. Dept. B London. England Detroit. Mich. 361 1902 Washington Cornish Co. New Jersey For SO y~s Plano and Organ Makers to the American People. 362 McCLURE'S MAGAZINE. 1900 (She PIANOLA .. It Is astonishing to sce this little devJce at work executing the masterpkcc:s Has arrested the attention of the of pIanoforte literature dth a dexterity, clearness. 3:ld velocity which no pla.yer', however great. can musical world. Its claims have :opproach. Every one who ':''ihes to hear ahsolutely faultless, free Cr¢m any kind ofncrvo'Usn<:ss. piano- been investigated and verified ~~~~~g ]~~~~I:rf~~~ro::~~ I. J. J!;"adercw",kl. by the great pianists themselves Ghi.s' verification of itoS' claimoS' ma1(eoS' them intere.s-t ina and worthy of attention HE PIANOLA is an instrument by means cf which anyone can play the piano. This is accomplished by simply rolling the Pianola in front ofany piano, allowing the felt-covered fingers to rest upon the keys of the piano, then inserting a roll of perforated paper into the sockets, and operating the pedak Playing-directions appear upon the roll as the music unwinds. Th1,ls the Pianola provides a substitute for the human fingers· and a correct technique for any piece. The artistic effects and vivifying personality are givcn to the rendition by the player, who controls the ex pression. It is entirely subject to his will. He may vary the touch from the most delicate pianissimo to the "lion's touch cf Rubinstein." This human element is the distinctive feature of the Pianola, and removes it from the ranks of purely mechanicd musical instru ments. It taxes the credulity cf all who have not heard it, but is substantiated by the fact that the 'Pianola i.s' the only piano-player indor.s'ed by ma.s-ician.s' ofnote. Price, '$25°. C.n be bought by monthly payments if de,ired. Visitors always welcome. Our inslrumc:nt3 are gladly shown to the merely curious as wdl as to intc:ndin~ purchasers. Jfunablc to caU at our warerooms, write for Catalogue Y giving fun description. The Aeolian Company 18 W. Twenty-third Street, New York 500 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. 124 E. Fourth Street, Cincinnati, O. The On:hcstn.:lIe C,>., Lond Please mention j\IcClure'~ when you write to advertisers. 33 363 mJ ORGAN FOR OUR HOME. ·--1 In purchasing an organ for home UR it is desirable ro have not only a variety of tone in the solo stops but a full, rich, singing quality when all the stops are used in combination. The first-cl.... material, worlcmansbip and the .rtistic voicing o( ~ltkrt their reeds place ~O .. THE NEEDHAM ORGAN UNEXCELLED IN WORKMANSHIP, beyond all competition for home use. The excellence ofdesign and beauty offinish malee them a M05t MATERIAL AND DESIGN. desirable ornamental piece o( furniture, superior in quality, in con struction. in purity of tone and in excellence o( all ma~1s ll6ed. Ifnot for sale by your local dealer, address T.ARGEST ORGAN FACTORY IN THE WORLD. THE JOHN CHURCH CO. - CINCINNATI, O. Send (or CATALOGUIt and address of our nearest agent. .. From Andante to Allegro," a beautifully illustrated pa:Jlphlet, ~U be sent free to anyone- ..ho will mention where this advertise THE NEEDHAM P. O. CO. 292 Broadway, N. Y. ment was geen. In answering tbia advertisement, kindly mention THK CBNTUIlY. One of the most important inventions in the musical world of the 19th century. The Dnly Effectl,e Substitute for the Pipe Drgan. The purity, power, dignity, and variety of its tones are indistinguishable from a richly voiced Pipe Organ. Itoccupies one-half the space, and costs less than half as much as a Pipe Organ. It is better adapted for use in Churches and Halls of moderate size, private music rooms and dwellings, than the Pipe Organ; Organists and the Clergy hail its advent with unqualified delight.. NOTE ITS INDORS£RS: H A. MESSrrER, Musical Director, Organist Trinity Ch., N.Y. EOHN TOURJ"'E, Director N .E. Conservatory of Music, Roston. Herr AD. NEUENDORF!', Conductor, Boston. RICHAHD H. 'VAIl.RIlN, Organist St. Bartholomew's Ch•• N.Y., and many other pt;Omine"t musical people. M"I'fUP'''CTUItl:D ev MASON &, RISCH, Worcester, Mass. Western Depot-LYON. POTTER a. CO.. NEW YORK WAREROOMS. '7"'76 W.~h Aye•• CHICACo. 10 Ean 16th Street. 364 1911 THE COLUMBIAN GIVES RESULTS- ., 7SA ••••.11 •• Here Is a Piano Player The Old Folks Can ...... Enjoy 11 ,- The Tel.Electric Piano Player Requires No Pumping Plays Under Your This wonderful Piano Player will. without ,Your lWulance, Absolute Control playwiththetechniqueand feeling ofanartist. Youcanalso control the playing, producing your own interpretations. Attachable to The Tel.Electric can be attached to any piano(either grand or I Any Piano upright) in your own home in a few hours. It does not obstruct It the keyboard. which remains at all times free for hand playing. Electricity in the house is unnecessary. Keep your own piano and attach a Tel-Electric Piano Player and you will J save money and become the owner of the most artistic player in the world. ~ The T el.Electric is the piano player that can be played by the grandmother or tJI the grandchild with equal ease. Youwill never tire ofitbecause it neVer tires you. I Scud for our beautifully illustrated catalog. r THE TEJ..,.ELEcrRIC Ca\1PANY j Main E.,anchcs: Chicago and Boston Tel.Electric 13uilding Agencice in all leadiug cities 299 Fifth Avenue, Comer 31st Street l I~ NEW YORK CiTY ~n-I zm. .._, ;/ _...... '- .-.' I' 365 THE QUINCY DAlLY HERALD, THURSDAY EVENING, MAROH 'nf 1913. PIANOS H A Z E L T o N FAMOUS 'f'hJ. be..nurul K S850 Ullrill:bt. Pl~no o nl1ly- H 15 Days' Piano Sale '~I 1210.00 L WEILERS E \ J R & TW. 1'\&,01' onlT $42Li C Piano Factories Piano Sale ,\'orth 1J·,dO. A M P A REMARKABLY ACCURATE DISPLA Y OF B E L ' Gr t t p. Bullt Today Fc.dory To You ~ale L The WorId s ea es Janos WE, THE WEILER BROS., AT QUINOY'S LEADING PIANO HOUSE, WILL THE" NEXT 15 DAYS, HOLD THE GREA TEST PIANO SALE ever held in this or Il.oy other oity. Owing to our great suooess in 1912 we have made special s.rra.ngementl with the WORLD'S leading Piano factories to bold a. STeRt Piano Sale. A Quality 8&le of BEST PLAYER PIANOS PLAYER -PIANOS GRAND PIANOS A U ALL NEW AND FRESH FROM THE FACTORY c.,m;o:~::·lJl~:e~f:~1a-:e~~:~no, T o Don't Say "No" to the Children, Say "Ye.... LAt Them Have That Piano You Promiud Them. P I A WEILERS SPECIAL WEILERS (Here~' aP::~p:~:~~y to N a We guarantpc to 8~1 . au tbe highest STade Pian08 built save moO"'. 1I11d yet get the III a saving of from $75.00 to $).QQ..OO during this 6ale, be· h~hllllt quality in a high grade ~aU8e we do not dependentirol tho Piano business and Piano. sell direct from factory to yOIl. ; are factory distribut· ('Alm", to tbis 8l1le lUld let \18 ors for 0"('1" l~ makes. show you why we CB1' • New Pian08 Used Pianos I' STOCK 00: £S 0" SAVE YOU MONEY. FINE $165.00 UO.OO &I1d up. HAZLETON BROS. in Grand Pianos and up to $91UlO &I1Q up KOHLER & OAMPBELL Good Toned Upright Pianos r. $950.ot VaSE & SONS Player PianOI u OUI&S at D A.Il. red IIc.ed vaSE GRANDS . pI! -d. UII. Over 165 Pianos at thb Bale I W during this LUDWIG PIANOS \ to select from. ./ ______..1 Sale. ICaq Plrtm....1.0. I LUDWIG GRAND PIANOI) o AOOU8TIGRA.ND~ PLENTY of SALESMEN CHICKER.ING BROS. MaKE Just aWord About Player-Pianos u 10U- bave " ulent PlUIO 10 :your bome 'W'e 1ril1 (&ke GRANDS No Trouble to Show GQodll, Come and See. KNIGHT & BRINKERHOF!' II In .. pan. payment aud aUow aU It UI ,,"o.lb. MUe Pinnas Bnd Player Pianos al InelV aDd fresh from and m&nY~h~~:ellknown "Oll. hom" baPP7 ~It h • Pl.,.... Plano. Oome And """ v I THE NEW AUTOPlJlN06. $476 t.o '0150 will brIDE on~ o the factory. \.... of t.b""" _"t.Uul PIANOS TO YOIJr' HOME. ~, E ONLY $10 DOWN and $1.25 PER WEEK ~~I~~~~B ,?n~ o~~~~ ~~~~ Special Notice FREE! FREEl! If you have a Piano or Player Piano in your home 00 trinl it will pliy yOll to 6CO \VII haye taken in pxchaoge many W0 w\Jl givo (luring this ale a foil term of music les- U6. Let 118 show yOIl the diff reo e be- fine high'STade l1pri~ht pianos; will be There are sold during tlus. tiule regardless of their sons absolutely free with each tween a high-STacie Piano and a so-called value. PiaDo purchased at tbis ale. high·grade Pinna. other pianos ){URTZMAN. PI")'~I' PI..,o, Seeing Ia Believing and players lib ne'" , .... "" ...... , '$290 NOTICE Oome tn this n-t ~o \'lOU)\OIu\. _nnt" 1'1~J'er. i~ only S350 Quality cOIDils before the ITOlUe. H our aim SllIh, Anti WOo will PVft TOll but none Pial1o~. "'7110 ,\uroPIA~O, uoed ror to ell the highest. qua.lity in We know monoy. ii.nap with higher deOlon_tr-.tloLl, ~tr Mt. ... what Quality is ODd you arc /;lssured of 11 good 1495 toned instrument when you OilY of tis. Quality CUT THIS OUT "nd lllall It nr b.lng It to u. than tbe RDd we will give you FREE & beautlful above ma.kes pInel picture "'ortll your wblle. Come a.nd see and hear the new pianos and player PIANOS WEILERS 1IIIIIIIIIUDlIUWllllllllllullnunllUllllllllllllUlIl.URun•••,lllhlmmniUDIUlllnn mlllinun UDRUUllIIlRllllllmBll8IlDItIIIIlmlUlmnunonlllllUlWWUDIlU Sent ill by Anthony Eng -Is MARCH 1928 There's Profit and Pleasure In Teaching the "Melody Way" You will enjoy teaching the "Melody Way" be cause children love this simple, fascinating method. It arouses and holds their interest from the very start. Children considered "untalented" often hecome the 1110st eager students. The "Melody \Vay" enables you to teach ten, fifteen or twenty pupils as easily as one. A spirit of friendly rivalry develops in the class. This promotes interest. Your charges vary according to size of class, making your services available to many more pupils. Classes Do Not Interfere With Individual Lessons "Melody \ Vay" class instruction g'ives beginners an excellent foundation. The elements of Rhythm, lvIel ody, Harmony and Form are taught from the first les son. Rapid progress makes them eager (0 continue. After completing the first term, many enroll for in divicltw.l lessons. Children in your community are waiting for an op portunity to learn the "Melody Way." Hundreds of teachers have more than doubled their incomes. Let us explain just how to organize classes and teach piano hy this profitable and delightfu! method. Mai! the coupon for fuJI information. MIESSNER INSTITUTE OF MUSIC 368 ~, t" .... J.lfARCH 1928 PLAYTIME MELODIES {FOR THE PIANO} Edited SSNER These Pie~es for the recreation and pleasure of young pia s, being in a light and hap, style, to be played for the fun oLit. The tcac knQws .that to If ay with pleasure" is the secret of playing well, and tha children rn more rapidly those things which they enjoy learning. is is a collection of joyous melodies made by a noted educator. wti has chosen wisely and with sympathy for the child mind. In 'Three 'Books. PRICE, each "Book~ $1.00 '\ L t' OLIVER DUSON COMPANY, 179 Tremont Street, Boston .~ CaAS. H. DITSON & Co., 10 East 34th Street, New York wi 'fry Y,mr .)I1ltsi. Store First }- ~ '- " 369 :!J1ARCH 1928 USICAL influence during a M period ofseventy years in the history ofthe Kimball house has been of cumulative value. Not alone in the widespread use ofKimball pianos More Kimhalls aT< in use cltan pianos and pipe organs, but in pleasant of any other name associations with many prominent musicians.. For over forty years, the American Conservatory has been continu ously "at home" in Kimball Hall, and the present building is one of the noted music centers of the country. Here a number of the most im portant conservatories and many individual artists have their studios. In Kimball Concert Hall the greatest of musicians appear in recital. Kimball Pianos have the background of the years of musical culture. There is naturally a demand for the large concert grand pianos, and a much greater call for the smaller sizes in grands. Upright pianos retain a secure position. There has been a growing need for the small or "Junior" upright, an instrument of full scale and ample volume, and only 44 inches high -awonderful accomplishment for the class teacher, for the studio, and the student. Note the illustration here and the harmony of proportion. -l See and hear the Kimball of large or small size. Catalogs and dealer address sent on request. Kimhall "Junior" Upright W. W. KIMBALL COMPANY (Established 1857) Department KE, 306 South Wabash Avenue, CHICAGO, U. S. A. 370 THE RED BOOK ADVERTISING SECTION ~---- ~ STUDEBAKE~ 85 I AUTOMOBILES .. THE AUTOMO.JILE WITH A REPUTATION BEHIND IT" ELECTRIC For convenient local use the STUDEBAKER ELECTRIC has found great favor with physicians and those who require a horseless vehicle which can be easily and safely operated over city and suburban roads. Equipped with Edison and Exide batteries, and made in a number of different styles, from light runabout to heavy truck. The catalogue shows therri. Will be sent free on request. CASOLENE For distance touring, for reliability over all roads and at all seasons, the STUDEBAKER TONNEAU Touring Car has the necessary power, strength and speed. Send for full descriptive catalogue and price-list. STUDEBAKER AUTOMOBILE COMPANY, SOUTH BEND, IND. ME>ulE1t ASSOCIATtON OF LICENSED AUTOMOBILE MANUFAOTUREIl8 ,4gencieB mllU ~ c#ies. iJee ()]IlIOSiU 1Ia{J8 ~ -;~ KIMBALL PIANO PLAYER DAILY CONCERTS At the M~nulacturers' Warerooms show the possi. bilities of entertaining yourself and friends in danc ing to the strains of a Strauss waltz or a two slep. The Kimball Piano Player ]nay be instantlyal ached to any piano. As manufacttlrers of both the player and muslcrolls for its operation, our price includes with each player A Fine Musical Library and also places the music of our entire catalogue at the disposal of the purchaser upon terms nOI '- offered elsewhere. -0 Southwest Corner Wabash w. W. KIMBALL CO. Ave. and Jackson Bolllevant CHICAGO, ILL. ESTA"8LtSREO ]857. In writln~ to advertlsera It is of advantaze to mention The Re 371 Keep Your Piano in Tune BY WILLIAM BRAID WHITE From March 1928 The Etude William Braid White is the Technical Editor of “The Music Trades Review”; Associ- ate, American Society of Mechanical Engineers; Chairman, Wood Industries Division, A.S.M.E.; Member, American Physical Society; Member, National Piano Tehcnicians’ Association; Consulting Acoustic Engineer to the American Steel and Wire Company. ERE IS A very informative article framing, carries a strain totaling from Continual Variations Hby a noted authority, upon a matter eighteen to twenty tons. OW IT IS perfectly evident that of real importance to the musical home. “Now this stress is not constant, for “Neven where conditions are not It is reprinted, by permission, from The the reason that the steel wire is highly extreme, even in climates which have Music Trades Review. THE ETUDE has elastic. The soundboard is merely a thin only a comparatively short range, this called attention continually to the fact sheet of Spruce (pine) averaging three- process is continually going on. that people who would not dream of fail- eighths of an inch in thickness. If it be “Every change of a degree in temper- ing to have their automobiles gone over properly constructed, the whole board ature, or of one-tenth of an inch in a regularly by experts, in order to keep up becomes something like a highly elastic barometer, has its effect. The sound- the value of their investment, often fail spring. The more elastic it is, the freer board of the piano, then, is always slowly entirely to realize that a piano (even of and more agreeable will be the tone ema- rising and falling through short the most superior and desirable make) nating from the piano. distances, and, constantly, therefore, demands the regular care of a piano suffering variations in its ability to hold expert. In fact, the finer the piano, the Sensitiveness to Atmospheric Changes the strings up to proper pitch. more deserving it is of regular attention. NFORTUNATELY, however, this “On the other hand, if the piano be Millions of dollars have been invest- “Uvery construction is extremely neglected, unless it be tuned AT LEAST ed in pianos, in America. We do not hes- sensitive to all changes of temperature ONCE EVERY CHANGE IN SEASON, itate to state that millions have been lost and barometric pressure. Thus, in sum- SAY FOUR TIMES A YEAR, during through ruthless neglect of fine instru- mer time, throughout the greater part of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, IT ments. Every piano student should be the country, there is much moisture in the WILL NOT STAND DECENTLY IN taught the main principles of the con- air most of the time, and rain is frequent. TUNE. struction of the piano. Few of them ever Wood, in these conditions, swells up, nor dream that an ordinary piano, when tuned will any kind of coating protect a wooden The Truth About Standing in Tune to concert pitch, has a strain on the wires soundboard from these influences. On ROM THE layman’s standpoint, amounting to twenty tons - the weight of the contrary, when the heat is put on dur- “Ffour times a year should be suffi- an ordinary electric street car. ing the colder months, the air in the inte- cient. The tuner knows, however, that if We now give way to Mr. White: riors of rooms becomes much drier, he had time to tune his own piano as owing to the evaporation of moisture and often as his ear tells him, he would tune it N ORDER to understand why a failure to keep on hand open vessels of once a month at least. “Ipiano goes out of tune, it is first water, flowering plants or other moisture “From a strictly scientific point of necessary to remember that the whole retainers or evaporators. Consequently view, it is probably true to say that no instrument is always under a varying the moisture in the sounding board rapid- piano ever made stood in tune, without a stress. The two-hundred-and-thirty-odd ly passes off, the board shrinks, the drop or a rise, for more than twenty-four strings are stretched at an average tension strings slacken down, and the pitch hours, unless it were maintained at con- of from one hundred and fifty to two drops. stant temperature and at constant baro- hundred pounds apiece, so that the iron metric and hygroscopic conditions, in a plate, together with the heavy wooden laboratory. 372 The Neglected Piano another. This would not be fair to the instrument capable of fine artistic effects. O much then for the frequency manufacturers, because the piano which Do not expect to get a superior piano for “Sand need of tuning. If now a makes a particular appeal to one connois- very little money. It can not be done. piano is neglected, if it be allowed to go seur might not at all please another. The materials that go into a good modern through from one season to another, say, piano come from all parts of the globe. from Spring to Winter without tuning, it The Best Guarantee The ivory may come from Africa; the will probably at the end of that time be N THE WHOLE, the best guarantee woods, from South America and India; considerably lower in pitch than it origi- Oof worth in a piano is the reputation the wool-felt, from Australia; the steel, nally was. It will have gone through a of its maker for producing an enduring from Pennsylvania; the paint, from Illi- rise, followed by a fall, and the fall will nois; and so on to the end. be greater than the first rise was. It is a fact that some items in the raw “No matter what any salesman may materials used may have become a little say, no matter how finely the piano be cheaper in recent years; but the cost of a made, no matter in fact, what the physi- fine instrument has been kept up by the cal circumstances or the price or the increased wages paid for expert work- domestic conditions may be, there is no manship. When about to buy an automo- such thing as a piano standing month bile, one naturally consults an automobile after month in tune. The better the piano, expert, not the street cleaner who dodges the more frequent and careful tuning it them all day. In the same way, when one should have. is buying a piano, the advice of the musi- “A fine piano is a work of art. cal friend or of the unbiased piano expert Therefore to treat it roughly, carelessly becomes important. or negligently is to commit a crime While the outside case of the piano against a beautiful piece of expensive should be in good taste and of fine mate- craftsmanship. rials, what really counts is the inner con- To pay a lot of money for a fine struction of the instrument. Naturally piano and then allow it to go to ruin there are many pianos made in all coun- for lack of expert care is not merely tries, in which there is no particular pride aesthetically wrong - it is bad business. taken upon the part of the maker other The editors of THE ETUDE have than to produce something which will be been promoting a campaign to give its a commercial success. Other makers readers more and better information look upon piano construction as an art about the pianoforte. Thousands of and take pride in securing the most supe- inquiries have been received already, and rior and desirable materials. That is the answers to these have been prepared by a reason why the piano dealer’s reputation piano expert of long experience and sent is so valuable to the purchaser. to the writers. The only thing that THE ETUDE does not do is to make compar- isons between one make of piano and 373 THE COSMOPOLITAN. 1903 -_. How About Yours? How .many thou;sands of our American" parlors" contain that shining monument to a past girl hood-a silent piano. Its inscription might weI I be "Sacred to the memory of fingers stiffened by housework, and a leisure killed by maternity." HARVBY: The Story 0/ Una. A Suggestion. The Cecilian will bring your silent piano to life, for, with it, you, or any member of yourfamily, can (without practice or musical train- ing) play any music you desire. The Cecilian has a new device which permits the use of any standard 65 note music as well as the regular Cecilian music, and has other points of superiority which we will be glad to tell you abour if you will send us your address. Price, $250.00. Easy payments, if desired. FARRAND ORGAN CO., Dept. E ~_.- DETROIT, MICH. ~~~ ~ ~,~\~ "'~1U(l.I!J.. /lPJ«~_,(;P> • i ~'; ~vr ' . i~ Ste~e,;er8 1~AJ"l"ERRN,.\\~VESS (lllet"11:-; ,.1 Tlll; Grelll l.akes '.C;'l"('"" 5 30 P. ~L. E:lS'crn tiUl(". ;\(Uf BUFFALO , "rr~\':ll ,If :\11 .,ht:nl,,(,n lrun... 1:lIll'irc ~t:ilc I·_:q\r<'·~$k:,,·inl.!:-;t'W \"..rk f'IlY ~ 1,q A. ~I.. lIl:lk....., n'nnCI·II..n:-. With D. ~\: ll. "itt·:l1u .... r ... :urwe I)FTRolT ;.1<>A. ~t. DEtlROIT 4.00 :;;n~~··:\;~~.~r:\IL~Sr~~l~~~~~ -; 't· A. ;'\1.. ttjnl\("fnn~ witll:ill f:'l"1 Ir:'HlI~ (ur :"o1rw rlltt:. Bu~ton, PI1I\:l.lldI1hi:l, I}:lltimure ;,"d \\':l!>h· ilL~'fln. Fnr"':lkc the hOi. ,In<;.ty C:l.rs ('Ir these ..lc:llUcrs. alld h:\\·,·.,\ tlcli).:"hlllli n\llL lIh,r!lr·c;. rest "II n'ufl: frOlll th~ E:l.St l'f \\'o:..t. CQl1llc<'thms 111:\.1,- :It n~trU11 with Do \"'= C. l.tnil.': to) ~(:lI';:klRi\c. ";0:-1)" ~ (·Cllt~ (I)f i.\III"Il.11... t l·'h.l.:kt. ;\.l.\rt°"': \, .\. ""'('" A "'1'7.. (~pn'l I'A.M. Tram,. Jlltr•• UY.TUOIT " 111·.·.·..\1.0 :-;.....:Al1IW.\l' t·lnt1~~s". n.:TIUUT. 'rtfll. :/1 \\'hen Y"U write, plea:loc m~flt!on .. The CU'::Imopoilan " 374 375 HOCSI'. JiClUIIS(;-IlOl'S£ FCRiYlSHl,YGS The Choice of The Government Before Governmcnt supplics arc :lppro,'e,1 and purchased, they are rigidly Sens'ibleTalks examined and tested by experts. The reo fri!!:erators finally selecte,l for the new Pure Food Laboratories of the U. S. Department By a Piano Dealer.N°Z* of Agriculture wcre !\fcCray Refrigerators because they demonstrated their sanitary "You remember the old saying. "as the twis is bent" constntction and economical operation to !Je "To my mind, that is the strongest reason why a man unC'luallcd. with children should own a Krell Auto-Grand Player-Piano. "It forms a taste for good music-a taste which many M£CRAY people would give any amount of money to p_, Refrigeraior.si "How can rollt faanily 80 quickly know and learn to enjoy the clas.ics- are uscd in the U. S. Capitol, on U. S. Battleships, in U: S. Forts and Hospitals "How can they 80 readay become musical connoiMeuu ~ and in the !Jetter class of Hotels, Hospitals, "You wlll6nd mit also•• wonderful relaution fat yollt· Clubs and Residences throughout the world. IeIf•" They are sanitary and economical because "Buain_ men who have bought the the" McCray System" keeps the air dry :md cold-likc mountain top air-and this keeps things frcslt. 1IirtltAuto~ra~ Wrile for tbe free Book "HoI\' t ---'------:-----= In answering advertisements please mention SeRIB.VER'S JiifGAZI.Y'K"'- 376 377 1900 THE AEOLIAN A solo orches- tra requiring no musical knowl~ edge on the part of the player. yet rendering music enJoyable to the most crit~ ical and esth.etic tastes The varioue sets of tones are voiced to imitate the different instruments in the orchestra. The player presides over these, directing the orchestration and expression by means of stops as the leader directs the orchestra. A perforated music-roll con taining the composition desired to be played is inserted and performs the technical execution. The Aeoli.nist is rhus en.hled to give his whole time and'mind to regulating the expression. For the benefit of the novice or those unfumiliar with the piece, expression-marks appear upon rhe music-roll as it unwinds. The player may disregard these at will and assert his own individuality in hi. rendition, according to his conception of the composer's meaning or as his mood may dictate. He has absolute freedom to fullow his own musical taste, yet he is saved the drudgery of educating his lingers to learn the technical part of the composition, the notes themselves. . The Aeolian is complete. Operatic and ballet music, symphonies, overtures, popular songs of the day, and danee-music are at instant command. Hundreds of new pieces are added to its repertory each month. Many of rhe works of European composers are at the disposal of Aeolianists several weeks before they are publicly produced in this country. An Aeolian Circulating Library has heen established, giving irs members access to the entire repertory. Its cost is $[5 per year. Aeolians, $75 to $750. Aeolian Orchestrelles, $1,500 to $2,500. Aeolian Pipe-organs, $3,000 to $10,000 and upward. THE AEOLIAN ----- COMPANY 18 West 23d Street, New York 500 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. 124 East 4th Street, Cincinnati, O. PJllNexss. Fleming & Carnrkk Press, New York Srtr..s v. PRiCa, I[,soo 378 1907 ,r-=-r , \ 1Cbr 1\icbmonb ~laptt ~iano j10 1Di1)(orbant j10te ~, ~UST as the discord hurts the trained ear of the musician, so does the false ~ note in decoration hurt the eye of the lover of the beautiful. If your living-room is to contain a piano and is to have Mission furniture, it should by all means be a Richmond Mission Player Piano. With the satisfying musical qualities that are attained only in Richmond Piano construction, this self-playing instrument is distinguished by the extreme simplicity of its player mechanism, its quick and sympathetic response and ease of control. Its standard tracker board gives access to all music catalogues except one. Price $700 (freight and handling additional) THE STARR PIANO COMPANY General Factors for the Richmond Piano Co. FACTORY AND EXECUTIVE OFFICES RICHMOND. INDIANA Handsome Catalogue in color on request without cost FACTORY SALESROOMS: JESSE FRENCH P. &: O. CO. Clnelonatl. Ohio, 139 West Fourth Slreel Blrmlnlbsm, Alabama, 2018 Secood Avenue Cleveland, OhiO, 736·38 Euclid AVOllue Daytoo, Oblo, 41h and Ludlow Chananoop, Tenneasee, 626 Markel Sireel Detroit, Mleb,C Va/pey Bulldlnl. 213·17 Woodward Avenue 0.11.., Texaa, 280 Elm Sireel Indlanapnlla, nd., 138·40 Pennaylvanla Streel Monl20mery. Alabama, 108-12 Dexler Avenue Los Anleles, Cal., 413 Wesl Filth Streel Rlcbmond, Indl."a.931·3S MaIn Sireel Nashville, Tenneaaee. 240-42 Flflh Avenue, N. Toledo. Ohio. 329 Superior Streel SI. tou18, Mlaaouri, It 14 Ollve Slreel ~ , SELLING AGENTS IN ALL CITIES "". .---. In writing to advertisers, please mention The I nJernatirmaJ Studio. AD. xn 379 1903 THE COSMOPOLITAN. ECILIAN THE R PERFECT p~~1E PIANO . ;:"f;Y / ·7 AGREAT ADVANTAGE HE new Interchangeable Tracker Board T on the Cecilian permits the use of any stand ard perforated music. You are not obliged to use the special Cedlian rolls. This gives you a greater choice in the selection of your music than is possible with any other player. In addition to this great feature, the Cecilian is by far the easiest piano player to pump; its touch is absolutely non-mechanical, and its musical performance in every way the most artistic. Particulars on application. FARRAND ORGAN COMPANY, Dept. E. DETROIT. MICHIGAN When you write, please mention .~ The Cosmopolitan. n ~\..;: 380 MARCH, 1906 COUNTRY LIFE IN AMERICA 575 • '" The Piano Uppermost In the Public Mind To-day The Pianola Piano-the one investment that win bring more actual pleasure to EVERY member of the family than anything else you can purchase. HE Pianola Piano is a combination of two instru Four standard makes of pianos are to be purchased as T ments in one-an upright piano of the highest Pianola Pianos. These are: type and the complete Metrostyle Pianola. It is a perfect piano for hand-playing and, in addition, may be played by The Weber Pianola Piano means of a Pianola music-roll. The Steck Pianola Piano Success has always called forth imitation. In view of The Wheelock Pianola Piano the world-wide prominence of the Pianola Piano, and the The Stuyvesant Pianola Piano rapidity of its adoption by music-loving people in every We offer intending purchasers an easy-payment plan quarter of the globe, it is not remarkable to find other by which ,immediate ownership is given on a very moder instruments hastily thrown on the market, and claiming ate down-payment, the balance being payable at some to some extent to produce somewhat similar results. It is very imp~rtani, therefore, to) remember that no inrtru convenient future time or on monthly payments. Thus ment other than the Pianola Piano can possibly contain a you can be enjoying the instrument while you are paying genuine Pianola. lor it. W rite for full details of this plan. ART CATALOC V SENT UPON ApPLICATION ·C Aeolian Hall, 362 Fifth Ave., near 34th St., New York The Aeo1Ian ompany, 124 E. Fourth Street, Cincinnati ' 114 Monument Place, Indianapolis ~.... ... "I)- ~ '.. /- The Pi,nola PiaM being pl,ytd by p 381 COUNTRY LIFE IN AMERICA 1906 :;..... ./ / /""" .~ ij-'" ~ _·w - N all departments of the arts and sciences the oldest devotees are the most perfect in their profession. (l The subtle knowledge that I comes of a life-long experience is intensified in the making of Chickering Pianos. (lThe founder of this house began in 1823, more than eighty-one years ago, to make the pianos that bear his name. (l Always famous for the excellence of their tone, they are to-day the unquestioned superiors of all others. (l Catalogue upon request. We would especially call attention to the "Quarter 00 Grand," the smallest Grand embodying modern principles ever made. ('""~ CHICKERING & SONS, ~()~_Tremont St., Fenwav Station, BOSTON / ...... Established r823 382 News From The Chapters SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER Reporter: Shirley Nix President: Herb Mercer October 16 and 17 was the weekend for the latest Southern California Organ Rally, which was at the Fullerton Arboretum Charlie Porter enjoys a break with Don and Anita Rugh. Don in conjunction with their Arborfest. This is always a fun event, brought an organ but had some damage in transport, so he had with the Arboretum having all sorts of booths and displays for to just visit the others. the public. They really enjoy having the organs to provide music and more fun. The Arboretum was bringing hoses around and wetting down the walkways to cut down the dust. As long as that lasted, we When Frank and I plan these events, we always try to do did fine, but when it got too crowded for that, our Limonaire something just a little different for those bringing their instru- decided that this was just too much to ask of a poor old organ, ments. This year we didn’t have to plan too far, since Mother and it started playing music of its own . . . never mind what the Nature provided the “extra” . . . the 7.1 Hector Earthquake out book said. We finally shut down for the last two hours. in the desert. It was far enough from all the populated areas to avoid the sort of damage that could have occurred, but strong We seemed to be the only casualty of the weather, and fortu- enough to be felt all over southern California. nately we did last most of the time. The San Diego contingent, particularly, felt the whole lot of The Arboretum had hayrides this year, and every time the shakin’ that was going on. Mike Ames, Dave and Darlene hay wagon went by Dave Wassons’ spot, the driver made the Wasson, and Charlie and Jackie Porter came down Friday horses “dance”. The people on the wagon got a big kick out of it night and were up on the fourth floor of the hotel. They had a . . . I don’t know about Dave! lot of good comments about our sense of timing, but I guess Other attractions at the event were booths selling just about Mike summed it up best when he said, “It was swell”. anything you needed for the yard or garden, and the “Ugly Bug The Rally was well attended, and the public really got into Fair” . . . a real favorite with the kids. As you can imagine from the music and fun. So many of them had never seen these the name, this was an area filled with creepy crawly things . . . instruments before, or if they had, they remember them from tarantulas, lizards, beetles, milipedes, all the things little kids their childhood. It’s not unusual for people to break into song love and their mothers cringe at. or dance as they stand enjoying our instruments. Saturday was lovely . . . just perfect weather. Of course, perfection only lasts so long, and Sunday brought with it the Santa Ana winds - hot and dry. Very hot and very dry! Betty Sue and Ervin Canada and their Wurlitzer. They sure make Bill Whitney and Roy Beltz a great looking spot. 383 Dave Wasson and Trudy, which was sounding extra good! Mike Ames visits with Lee Roan while the DeCap plays on. The Heritage House was open for visits, too, and all around it they had demonstrations of spinning, tatting, and even old- fashioned laundry methods. We had a good turnout as usual. It’s just so much fun to bring out the instruments and share them with the public and each other. There is a lot of fellowship going on at every rally. We have a few new members coming in, too, and a couple of people buying instruments and planning on attending the rallies. Entrance to The Ugly Bug Fair. This will probably be our last rally of the year. I say proba- bly because we have recently been contacted by a couple of areas who want us to come and play. Since we have the weather here in California, we aren’t limited to summer engagements, so who knows??? The Pell organ on its own golf cart/fire engine owned by Jim and Caroyl Westcott. Lloyd Osmundson with a new trainee. The Nix bubble machine always draws the kids to their spot. 384 Our December meeting will begin with dinner at a local restaurant, The Sagebrush Cantina. The owner has installed a Dutch street organ - “The Nightengale”. This should be a real- ly neat place to eat, and then off to the home of Frank and Shirley Nix for the Christmas meeting. Many of the members have not yet seen the Duwyn organ in the Nix collection, nor the Banjo Orchestra. There may even be a surprise or two . . . who knows? Depends on what Santa can be tempted to bring down the chimney early!!! The Hay Wagon SIERRA NEVADA CHAPTER TEXAS CHAPTER Reporter: Doug and Vicki Mahr Reporter: Bryan S. Cather President: John Motto-Ros President: Ken Long Members of the Sierra-Nevada Chapter met in July at the Juke Boxes and Antique Phonographs home of Lori and Fred Deal in Sacramento, California. Are Just What the Doctors Ordered! Fred collects and repairs antique phonographs, radios and televisions. The Deal’s home is full of interesting and nostalgic Sometimes I think its interesting how AMICA members’ entertainment pieces from years past. interests often “cross pollinate” into other fields of interest. By The Deals have been restoring a 1910 Cremona Style 2 this I mean the phenomenon that exists when AMICA members Nickelodeon which is almost completed. It looks terrific and have other collecting interests, sometimes totally unrelated to sounds great! Automatic Music. The Texas Chapter’s most recent meeting Purchasers of gramophones in the first part of the 20th cen- was the result of just this type of “cross pollination”. There tury had a number of choices regarding the size of horn for was not one single Automatic Musical Instrument present, but their new gramophone. The larger the horn, the greater the we still had a very good turnout, and everyone really enjoyed cost, however, so decisions had to be made regarding the cost- themselves. benefit of the larger horns. The Texas Chapter of AMICA met at 2:00 p.m. at the home Sierra-Nevada AMICAns had a chance to make a mythical of Dr. Peter and Mary Naus in East Fort Worth. Dr. Naus is a purchase of the horn for a new gramophone. Member Becky collector primarily of Juke Boxes, but also has several interest- Kane sang parts of three different songs which were recorded ing slot machines, mechanical trade stimulators, and other on a blank, brown wax cylinder. The recording was played interesting mechanical items from around the turn of the centu- back on three different-sized horns (10", 14", and Morning ry. I also would be committing a serious dereliction of my Glory horns). An Edison Standard Model D was played to duties if I failed to mention their splendidly beautiful antique demonstrate the difference in sound quality. Members agreed Brunswick billiard table. Several of the Juke Boxes in the col- that the small increase in price was fully justified for the lection were quite rare, and all appeared to be in excellent con- Morning Glory Horn. dition. Several AMICA members inquired about the two small President John Motto-Ros presided over continuing cars in the living room. Dr. Naus told us they are depression- discussions of how to make the 2000 AMICA Convention a era bumper-cars, which he had found in a very derelict state very special activity. about 70 miles west of Fort Worth at an old amusement park. Thank you, Lori and Fred, for a great meeting! He bought them, and was surprised to find the gasoline engines, transmissions, etc. had been made by Mercedes-Benz. We were amazed to find the cars are capable of speeds up to about 40 miles per hour! After perusing Dr. Naus’s collection, we walked next door to pay a visit to his neighbors, Dr. Al and Laura DiStefano. Like the Naus’ collection, the DiStefanos are collectors of Juke 385 Boxes. In fact, their collection overlaps somewhat, in that in at least one case, they have identical machines. Dr. DiStefano’s collection also includes a number of early Phonographs and Musical Boxes. From an Edison Concert phonograph and an early Berliner disc machines to a Victor Schoolhouse model and an Edison Amberola, Dr. DiStefano has amassed a very interesting phonograph collection. Among the Muscial Boxes present included a very large coin-operated disc machine with saucer bells, a smaller disc machine, and a very large and CHICAGO CHAPTER pleasant sounding cylinder machine of unknown manufacture. Reporter: Kathy and Mel Septon All of the various music machines were in beautiful condition, and sounded great. While Dr. Naus’s collection was dispersed President: Richard VanMetre throughout his home, most of Dr. DiStefano’s collection was in one specially-built room. Even the floor covering was appro- priate to the collection: the Victor Dog, Nipper, was depicted in the custom carpeting. Amazing! After ogling the DiStefano’s collection, we retired to the kitchen for our Business Meeting. Among the topics discussed were the recent AMICA International Convention in Boston, the possibility of hosting a Convention sometime in the future, and plans for our next meeting, which will be at Powell’s Piano and Refinishing in Dallas in November. A special note of thanks goes to Tony Palmer, who was instrumental in arranging this meeting, and to Drs. Naus and DiStefano and their families for opening their homes and collections to us. We had a great time. George Wilder demonstrates the Marshall and Wendell Ampico. Members gather outside of “Better Audio and TV” Dr. Peter Naus with one of his more unusual juke boxes. Televisions intermingled with antique radios and antique phonographs greeted members of the Chicago Chapter as we gathered at “Better Audio & TV”, the television and electronics store owned by member George Wilder and his wife Jo. The antique instruments on display attracted the attention of nearly every person that passed by the windows of the shop. Of consid- erable interest to those of us that work on pianos was the array of modern electronic components spread out on the workbenches. It sure would be nice to be able to order “factory replacement parts” for our pianos as George does for the TV’s and VCR’s. After a brief business meeting we partook in a buffet lunch catered by Jo followed by a tour of their residence upstairs of the shop. There we were greeted by more radios, phonographs, and a Marshall & Wendell Ampico A grand piano. Our thanks to George, Jo, and their son Patrick (who took some of the more inquisitive members on a tour of the basement of this pre-1900 Dr. Al DiStefano and part of his collection. building) for hosting our Fall meeting. 386 By Saturday morning, good weather prevailed and fair goers were treated to the music of the various organs at the rally. Participants came from as far away as Ohio, Minnesota, and California to attend the rally. Organs ranged in size and design from the small busker organs, to the larger street organs, to the still larger band organs. The oldest one was an 1880’s barrel organ owned by Bob Bullock and Dan Hoadley of St. Louis. After a full day of producing organ music, members gath- ered for dinner on the fairgrounds. After dinner, the business meeting was held, followed by a slide presentation by Ron Chapter President Richard VanMetre flanked by several genera- Bopp on the tour of German organ factories and festival in tions of home entertainment devices. Waldkirch this past summer. Following the presentation, organ pipe whistles specially designed by Tom Griffith and Bob Cole and constructed by Griffith were given to the members present. (Thanks Tom!) After the business meeting was adjourned, the planning committee for the 2002 AMICA Convention in Springdale met to discuss preparations. HEART OF AMERICA CHAPTER Reporter: Joyce Brite President: Ron Bopp The Heart of America chapter hosted an organ rally Septem- ber 10-12 in conjunction with the Kansas State Fair in Hutchin- son. The rally, coordinated by Leonard and Billie Railsback, and Tom McAuley, kicked off with a dinner at the Railsbacks’ home on Friday evening. The threat of rain failed to “dampen the spirits” of members who enjoyed the Railsbacks’ hospitality. After dinner, the HOA chapter went to Dr. Dean Burnett’s home in Halstead for an organ concert. Dr. Burnett’s Kimball organ was formerly in a theater in Kansas City. It underwent years of restoration and has had a solid state component added. Our concert organist, Brett Valliant The organist for this occasion was Brett Valliant, a freshman at Wichita State University. Mr. Valliant demonstrated tremendous skill with the instrument and proved that age is no barrier to tal- ent. Dr. Dean Burnett’s Kimball Organ Leonard Railsback with Dr. Burnett’s Knabe Ampico 387 Later that evening, thunderstorms rolled over the prairie leaving copious amounts of rain in their paths. Chapter mem- bers returned to a very muddy fairground the next morning to resume their music making. One member discovered that his band organ had sunk into the soggy ground and would need to be pulled out by a tractor. Good thing we have plenty of those in Kansas! We can never fully express our appreciation to Len Railsback and Tom McAuley for all their hard work in coordinating this rally, and also to the unsung hero, Billie Railsback for her efforts. And thanks to all those who attended the rally and made it a success. Tom McAuley shows his new busker organ to a young music lover. Bob Bullock and Dan Hoadley with their very old barrel organ . . . And the Oscar goes to Gordie Davidson for Best Performance by an Organ Grinder! MIDWEST CHAPTER Reporter: Christy Counterman President: Harold Malakinian Charles Tyler with his Regina music box and phonograph It was a beautiful fall weekend for travelling, and the collection members of the Midwest Chapter spent it in Cincinnati, Ohio on September 25th and 26th. Our gathering began at the home of Alvin and Judy Wulfekuhl, who had some new treasures to share with our group. We toured the streetcar, train and automo- bilia collections while listening to the sounds of their 1916 Steinway Duo-Art upright, the 1920 Howard Welte Grand, the 1932 Marshall and Wendell Ampico B, and the 1928 Marshall and Wendell Ampico A. A special 1921 Weber Duo-Art, 388 Donna Counterman in Alvin’s Model A. rumored to be the one Babe Ruth gave to his wife, entertained Lawrence Frazer assists Hal Malakinian in selecting a tune for the baseball fans (including Gary and Marva Rasmussen, who the Ampico. watched the Reds pull out a 12 inning victory on Sunday after our meeting). In the backyard were two Model T Fords and a 1929 Model A Leatherback Sedan, which we all ended up fol- lowing to our next stop, the brand new Newport Aquarium across the river in Kentucky. Our tour featured a journey through overhead and underfoot aquariums with freshwater and saltwater fish, Tiger Sharks, Electric Eels, Purple Jellyfish and Sting Rays, (including opportunities to see some sea creatures up close and personal) and ended with an auditorium set up to watch the antics of a whole family of King Penguins! Alvin shows off his collection of streetcar memorabilia. A steamboat on the Ohio River cruises past the aquarium. Gathering outside the Aquarium - Shawn Fox, Mike Barnhart, Two Models of Model Ts. Alvin Wulfekuhl, Lois Franklin ??, Liz Barnhart, Judy Wulfekuhl and Margaret Frazer. 389 But we had to leave the penguins and fish behind to return to Cincinnati and the site of the NEW Music Palace. New because it is the site of the rebuilt Wurlitzer organ salvaged from the 1992 fire that destroyed its second home. The organ was origi- nally built for the Mastbaum Theatre in Philadelphia in 1929. Trent Sims was our organist for the evening, and accompanied our dinner with selections from The Wizard of Oz, The Way We Were and the “Music Palace Anthem” Chattanooga Choo Choo among others. Then it was back to the Wulfekuhl’s - I switched cars from Shawn Fox’s 1964 Chrysler Imperial to the more adventuresome Model A. Inside the aquarium. Our group enjoys a Singin’ in the Rain medley at the Music Palace. A school of fish travels overhead at the aquarium. Eek! Margaret Frazer is surprised by Clark Counterman armed with an alligator! Trent Sims at the Mighty Wurlitzer in the new Music Palace The King penguins perform on cue. 390 The next morning we convened on historic Mecklenburg Gardens for a brunch and business meeting. It is an 1865 German restaurant that was recently restored to reflect its original décor. We were fortunate that the beautiful weather allowed us to hold our meeting in the outdoor cobblestone garden, complete with a canopy of grapevines. We planned for future meetings in Norwalk and Sandusky for Christmas and Akron, Ohio for spring of 2000. After the meeting, Harry Garrison invited us to his Player Piano Shop in downtown Cincinnati. Among his instruments were a 1925 5'8" Weber, a 6' Steinway Duo Art XR, a George Steck 65/88 note upright and a 1942 Chickering Ampico B. Gary and Marva Rasmussen are presented with a Convention Souvenir by Liz Barnhart as Lawrence Frazer looks on. Our thanks go to the Wulfekuhls who have hosted us many times and always have many new things to see (and who arranged the weekend), and to Harry for sharing the wonderful- ly restored pianos in his shop. Clark and Donna Counterman arrive at Mecklenburg Gardens. SOWNY CHAPTER Reporter: Frank Warbis President: Mark Smithberg (206) 763-9468 July Meeting SOWNY Chapter’s first meeting of the season was held in July at the beautiful beach home of Ramsi Tick and Mike Hamman. While Mike was preparing Gourmet hot dogs and hamburgers, many of our members walked the Lake Erie beach viewing the Buffalo skyline across the lake. A spirited meeting followed dinner as Mike and Holly Shawn Fox and Lois Franklin show off their AMICA 1990 sou- Walters outlined their plans to visit the AMICA Convention in venirs. Boston. Much anticipated by all were the duck rides and Mike Hamman promised to report on this part of the excursion. Karl and Carol Thiel with Wes and Sharon Neff under the House, pool and pagoda on Lake Erie, site of our first meeting. grapevines before brunch on Sunday. 391 Harold’s two level shop complete with a newly built showroom was home to his latest acquisition - a 1927 M. Schultz Co. player grand piano which he is now in the process of reconstructing. In one of the other showrooms, John Thompson, Wayne Sockovie, Cory - (the organist of the Wurlitzer organ at the Riviera Theatre in Buffalo), and Gary Lemon were showing off Harold’s orchestrion to two guests from England. At the business meeting, Mike and Holly Walters described their adventures in Boston. They also reported that they already had information about the Australian Convention. Harold Hodgkins listening while Gary Lemon talks of his anticipated purchase of his second Jag. Gary Lemon in his 1987 Jaguar Cabriolet. (L-R): Lori Root, Joan Warbis and Muriel Hodgkins clown with St. David. Harold (R) makes a point to our president, Anne Lemon (C) and secretary, Diane Thompson (L) during the meeting. Mike Hamman preparing gourmet hamburg- ers and hot dogs on the patio by the beach. August Meeting A beautiful August afternoon, complete with pool and porch, found us at the Hodgkins’ homestead. Harold and Muriel live in the center of a woodland glade on the banks of the Welland River. Muriel led a group into the pool while oth- ers were content to have porch discussions, mainly about Gary Lemon’s (new to him) 1987 Jaguar Cabriolet which he had Holly Walter, Ann Lemon, Ramsi Tick and Mike Hamman on the brought for the first time. Goes well with his E type Jag and the porch at Harold and Muriel Hodgkin’s. MG. 392 SOWNY Chapter continued — Harold Hodgkins and Randy Sockovie determining the date of (L-R) John Thompson, Wayne Sockovie, Cory and Gary Lemon a M. Schulz Co. player grand to be 1927. were showing Harold’s orchestrion. Cory plays the revamped Wurlitzer organ at the Riviera Theatre in Buffalo. AMICA BOSTON 1999 presents the Convention Souvenir Teapot You can put it on a shelf. You can brew tea in it. You can do both ! For sale while supplies last: Teapot on musical stand, 7” high $28.00, S&H included (Wooden stand plays “Tea for Two” when teapot is lifted.) Teapot alone, 5.5” high $18.00, S&H included Convention Souvenir Roll $15.00, S&H included Make check payable to: AMICA Boston 1999, and mail to: Dorothy Bromage, 8 Skyline Drive, Billerica, MA 01821 393 ADVERTISING FOR SALE 1917 AEOLIAN Upright Duo-Art Reproducer, restored, excellent con- GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT dition. 1923 CHICKERING Upright Ampico Reproducer and 1927 ALL ADVERTISING IN THE AMICA BULLETIN WEAVER Upright Player, complete for restoration. 1925 AEOLIAN 5’6” Grand Duo-Art Reproducer in mint restored condition. 1931 All advertising should be directed to: WING Upright Player, excellent condition. Buy, sale, trade: Duo-Art, Robin Pratt Ampico rolls/reproducers. Have Mid-Atlantic technician available for 630 East Monroe Street restoration projects. 304-645-6579, Fax 304-645-5872, Sandusky, Ohio 44870-3708 [email protected]. (6-99) Phone (419) 626-1903 OLYMPIA 16” Double-Combed Disc Music Box, ornately carved oak e-mail: [email protected] case on oak stand with 30 discs, $15,500. Call 937-256-8716 or Email Ad copy must contain text directly related to the product/service [email protected] (1-00) being offered. Extraneous text will be deleted at the Publisher’s discretion. All advertising must be accompanied by payment in For Sale or Part Trade for Phonographs. 1926 KNABE 6’4” Ampico, U.S. funds. No telephone ads or written ads without payment will mahogany, all complete and original, w/matching bench, $6650; 1931 be accepted. This policy was established by a unanimous vote of HARRINGTON 5’3” Welte walnut converted to Ampico w/matching the AMICA Board at the 1991 Board Meeting and reaffirmed at (broken) bench, Queen Anne style, $4500; large 3-door “art case” roll the 1992 meeting. AMICA reserves the right to edit or to cabinet, $1350. All above are unrestored and very nice. Package nego- reject any ad deemed inappropriate or not in keeping with tiable. Harold Braker, 8527 - 111 St., Delta, BC, Canada, V4C 7E3; AMICA’s objectives. Call 604-572-6110. (1-00) Vintage AMPICO and DUO-ART music rolls for sale as well as 88- The BULLETIN accepts advertising without endorsement, note selections. Hundreds of titles to choose from. Send for free list. implied or otherwise, of the products or services being offered. Nathan Bello, 930 Cornell Ave., Gladstone, Oregon 97027. (6-99) Publication of business advertising in no way implies AMICA’s 88-NOTE PIANO ROLLS, hundreds of used rolls: Fox Trots, endorsement of any commercial operation. Waltzes, Marches, Hymns, Song Ballads, Classicals - $3.00 each plus AMICA RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ACCEPT, REJECT, shipping. Nice clean playable rolls. Also new old stock Q.R.S. ROLLS OR EDIT ANY AND ALL SUBMITTED ARTICLES AND $5.00 each. Will furnish lists on request. Dave Caldwell, 400 Lincoln ADVERTISING. Lake Rd. NE, Lowell, MI 49331; phone (616) 897-5609. (6-00) Like New - WURLITZER 146B, $24,999 (tapes - $12.00 ea.); SEE- All items for publication must be submitted directly to the BURG L - mint, $8,999; REGINA PHONE 240 complete, $10,999; Publisher for consideration. Push-up Piano player restored; TANZABAR Accordian; NATIONAL CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING: $.20 per word, $5.00 minimum Calliope 53, $14,999; and more. Call Fortune 440-969-1869. (1-00) for AMICA members. Non-members may advertise double the 10-roll set of AMPICO rolls recorded by Leo Podolsky in 1985 and member rates ($10.00 minimum). Because of the low cost of produced by Chicago Chapter of AMICA. In mint condition. If inter- advertising, we are unable to provide proof copies or “tear sheets”. ested, make offer. Richard Weinberger, 623-584-4116 AZ. (6-99-G) “The American Carousel Organ” - 308 page book with 450 illustra- DISPLAY ADVERTISING 1 tions. Available with CD for $62.00 (postpaid) or without CD for Full Page — 7 /2 " x 10" ...... $150.00 $48.00. Ron Bopp, 55801 E. 365, Jay, OK 74346; 918-786-4988. (6- 1 3 Half Page — 7 /2 " x 4 /4" ...... $ 80.00 99-G) Quarter Page —35/8 " x 43/4" ...... $ 45.00 1 J & C FISCHER Upright with Ampico player completely restored, Business Card — 3 /2 " x 2" ...... $ 30.00 soundboard, plate, new strings, new hammers, very quiet motor and Non-member rates are double for all advertising. pump, original bench, will deliver free up to 500 miles, asking $7,500. Special 6 for 5 Ad Offer - Place any ad, with no changes, for a Please call Tommy (901) 835-2122. (6-99-G) full year (6 issues), and pay for only 5 issues. Payable in advance. Orange Coast Piano since 1981. Current Inventory: 1890’s Bruder 5 Photographs or halftones $15.00 each rank Barrel Monkey Organ, case in original excellent condition plays Loose Sheet or Insert Advertising: Inquire nicely, $7,900; 1898 Empress 15 1/2” with Mandolin/Disc Parlor Grand Table model and original cabinet and 12 excellent condition We recommend that display advertisers supply camera-ready disc’s also original red mahogany finish, top condition under priced for copy. Copy that is oversized or undersized will be changed to quick sale, $8,200; 1902 Tiger Oak Stella 17” Disc player table model correct size at your cost. We can prepare advertisements from with original cabinet and 23 discs - This beauty has been 100% your suggested layout at cost. restored, $9,500; 1910 Autopiano all original condition Vertical “Solid PAYMENT: U.S. funds must accompany ad order. Make check Rosewood” 3 dimensional ornately carved roses and vines built at the payable to AMICA INTERNATIONAL. Typesetting and time of The New York Worlds Fair, “Truly one of a kind” with the layout size alterations charges will be billed. original fallboard bronze plaque $35,000; Single Bird Automaton with DEADLINES: Submissions must be received no later than the all parts, needs small amount of work, $250; 1929 Rollmonica with 1 first of the odd months (January, March, May, July, September, roll, needs a new seal on the edge but does play, $175; 7-Tanzabar November). The Bulletin will be mailed the first week of the rolls, make offer. 2-small Cylinder Music Boxes, 1-Mermod Freres 8 even months. Airs, plays and looks good, has all 32 teeth and tune card, $750 obo; 1 (Rev. 6-98) Saint Croix 43 teeth (10 tips missing), needs some repair to the gover- nor and winding arm, the 6” cylinder is in excellent condition, the lid has original inlay, however is detached for the box and the glass lid needs to be replaced, $375; 7-11” Regina/Polyphone Disc’s very good “Money will not make you happy, and condition, $25 each or $150 for all 7 discs; 1950’s Pianolodeon Mini- player includes 4 rolls, plays great, ivory case, weight 10 lbs, $350; 1914 Wurlitzer “BX” and 45 app rolls, also original beautiful artglass happy will not make you money.” front 100% restored includes Manodlin rail, bass and snare drums, tri- angle and 1 rank of dopple flutes, call us for a great price on this very ~ Groucho Marx collectible Orchestrion. This unit can be seen and heard on our web- chiasmus(ky-AZ-mus) n. site: http://www.findpianos.com - - We always have a great selection of Orchestrions, Players and Nickelodeons, Music Boxes and Parts, a reversal in the order of words in also one of the largest collections of used player rolls. Call for more two otherwise parallel phrases. chiastic adj information at (714) 432-7426 ask for Kim. Our address is: 2658 South Grand Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92705. We can ship anywhere in the USA. (6-99) 394 MASON AND HAMLIN Red Welte upright. Excellent original con- dition, untouched and still playing; matching bench; library of approx- imately 100 rolls, $8500. Weber Duo-Art upright, older restoration, playing, $1000. Steinway XR, late, unrestored, complete, $5900. Paul Ciancia, 437 Sicomac Ave., Wyckoff, NJ 07481; 201-569-8255 Visit the AMICA Web page at: days; 201-891-6842 eves. (6-99) TWO PLAYER 88-note upright pianos; cases in great condition, players play poorly, need restoration, $390. Fischer Ampico Grand Piano, case in excellent condition, player is in original condition, http://www.amica.org $2750; also an Aeolian player console, 64 notes, $790, in great work- ing condition. Many 88-note piano rolls, $2.50 each. Send for list. Phone 212-690-9999. (4-00) PIANO ROLL AUCTIONS, reproducing, 88-Note, and literature by mail auction. Serving collectors since 1970. Bennet Leedy Rolls - The Piano Roll Center, 4660 Hagar Shore Road, Coloma, MI 49038; phone 616-468-5986, Fax 616-468-0019, E-mail: [email protected]; Web page: http://www.ameritech.net/users/leedyrolls/player.html. (1-00) REPRODUCO, Operators Piano Co., two complete units in good condition with many rolls. Jerry Cuda, 417-753-2063, E-mail: [email protected] (2-00) PIANO ROLL AUCTIONS - Periodic mail auctions of mostly A pneumatic restoration service for reproducing 88-note rolls and some reproducing and expression rolls from the collection of the late Si Riman. For the latest auction, call or pianos, nickelodeons and player pianos. Factory write: Dan Inglima, P.O. Box 769, Hayesville, NC 28904; new restoration techniques will insure many years phone: 828-389-3744, Fax: 828-389-4023 or e-mail: 395 AMICA ITEMS FOR SALE AMICA TECHNICALITIES Since 1969, AMICA has been publishing into bound vol- umes, collections of technical articles written and con- AMICA tributed by its members for publication in The AMICA Bulletin. They may be purchased as follows: STATIONERY Vol 1 - 1969 to 1971 ...... $10.00 and Vol 2 - 1972 to 1974 ...... 8.00 Vol 3 - 1975 to 1977 ...... 9.00 ENVELOPES Vol 4 - 1978 to 1980 ...... 7.00 Vol 5 - 1981 to 1988 ...... 20.00 This is a reduced Vol 6 - 1989 to 1993 ...... 20.00 sample of Please note: the small letterheads Supplies of the earlier volumes may be unavailable from time to time. Please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery in USA/Canada, and 6-8 weeks for overseas orders. TECHNICALITIES or AMICA STATIONERY & ENVELOPES Prices shown above are in U.S. dollars, postage is included, and payment must be in U.S. dollars. Payment for orders from beyond U.S.A. must be accompanied by prepaid U.S. dollar money order, or bank draft, etc. Please make payments payable to: “AMICA International” ORDER FROM: Shawn Fox, 1319 Pearl Street, Sandusky, OH 44870 - (419) 621-9758 Dave Bower’s Wrasse’s Custom Encyclopedia of Piano Moving Automatic Musical Instruments Specializing in: Player Grands, Nickelodeons, and Orchestri- 1000+ page hardbound oversized ons “bible” covering most forms Anywhere in Continental US and Canada of antique mechanical music. ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ Limited print run. 25 years experience Knowledgeable Rebuilder and Collector $80 postpaid in the U.S., Well-known ¥ References Available Two for $150, ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ Five for $300. Your instrument is wrapped, padded and Send check, no credit cards. secured for transport in an insulated and clean custom-built heavy-duty trailer. Martin Roenigk Professional and personal service. 75 Prospect Avenue Eureka Springs, AR 72632 (800) 671-633 ¥ (501) 253-0404 John P. Wrasse www.mechantiques.com ¥ [email protected] 608-862-1268 [email protected] (6-99) (3-00) 396 397 A Rare Find! A Quality Re-Print MELIORA MUSIC ROLLS Original, Hand-Played Music Rolls and High Quality Recuts for Your Player Piano or Duo-Art Our original offerings include the music of Scott Joplin, L.M. Gottschalk, Chopin, Robin Frost, James P. Johnson and others - each roll is superbly musical and painstakingly edited to maximize performance on your Pianola or Duo-Art. Call or write for our list of titles: Meliora Music Rolls 939 Briarcliff Road, NE Atlanta, GA 30306-4664 (404) 377-1220 16 pages and cover. e-mail: [email protected] Price: $6.00 Includes Postage Please visit our web page at: Orders to: http://members.aol.com/meliorarol Ed Gaida (1-00) P.O. Box 8174 • San Antonio, TX 78208-0174 (6-99) WANTED TO BUY MUSIC BOXES MUSICAL CLOCKS MECHANICAL ORGANS Always in the market for better quality disc and cylinder music boxes, musical clocks, singing birds, band organs, player organs, monkey organs, Wurlitzer 78 rpm jukeboxes, slot machines. Any condition. MARTIN ROENIGK 75 Prospect Avenue Eureka Springs, AR 72632 (800) 671-6333 ¥ (501) 253-0405 www.mechantiques.com ¥ [email protected] (6-99) 398 ~\Y7~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~[:!~~~~OO~ r=~~::="~,, CLARitORCfiESTRA*ROrrl:OMPANy·~'~~--:.r=>o~?J=-~ MANUFACTURERS OF ~ -....r:r ~ "I~~LL~I ~ ". g fJ "~a ~ ~ l?J f.] f.] ~ OF A &G ROLLS I ~ OVER 200 RARE LIMITED EDITION REISSUES ~ I?J ~\C AVAILABLE NOW FOR THE FIRST TIME ~ f.] ~ ~~ BULLETINS ISSUED EVERY SIX WEEKS THROUGH-OUT YEAR 2000 \~~ ~ }4~?,,~~ ~ ~~18'!C ~ fJ ~ ~ ~\~ ~ I?J A'" CAPITOL Q / 277 MAIN STREET THOMASTON, MAINE 04861 Telephone 207 354-8033 ~********~*****~**~****************************************** ~ '~~BB~~{!]~~" '"' , , , , , , , , , , , r'\r , _. -. . . A .~rrg GJristma$ To all of you from The Clark- Hollians Here Are Five ""Christmas" Programs That Are Bound To Please! 513 1524 G 520 A A A CLARK-ROLUAN CHRISTMAS MELODIOUS YULETIDE FAVORITES GATHER 'ROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE 1 CbrlstlBd Medley IntrodueJ,..S: (a) rro. 1 Frosty T'b.e SbO"fftD&D, Fox Trot. 1 The Snow ~ing, Mareb Beavea. I .&8 Seat (b) Oh, Coate Little 2 IS..... IfoIlllaY I18s1og SNlt* Claus, !'oJC 2 Cbrist=as Song Cb1l4noA (c) Oh. hitbtul Find Trot S lee And Snow. Blues Fox Trot 2 S.cred Medley latroduell1S: (a) Silent 3 B:a.dolpb, The .Bed-Nosed Reil:lldeer. :Pox 4 Marionette, Novelty ~x Trot 'l1ght (b) Come Bitber. Ye Faithful Trot 5 The Nortbern Lights, Waltz 3 Christmas Eve "odley IDtrodiue1al': Tomor 4 Sil~er Rel1s, Wa.ltz 5 Jingle ge119, Fox Trot 6 Snowflakes, Novelette row 'JUl Be Christmas (b) Santa.'s A' ccodDg (c) Tho Sleigb Rl4e 6 8a.nta Claus Is CodoC 1'0 Town, J'ox 'trot 7 Silent Night, Holy Night 4 SaDt. Cla.us 18 Com1'11J: To Town. Fox Trot 7 Bere Comes S-.nta Claus, Fox Trot 8 Jingle Bells S God. Rest Te Werry GentlemeD, Tra.dltioftal 8 X-an Dreamlpg Of A White Christmas, Fox 9 The Jolly coppersMith, Marcb 6 Bt,:rlr.] The Herald Az:lCCll. S1D.e. Tn.d.ltional Trot 10 Bail. Ball, Tbe G&ngls All Here I 7 I'll Dreaming Of A .111t:•. O1rlat.... Fox Trot 9 Wa.lt:z Of The Flowera, Waltz 8 ltudolpb. The Red-Nosed. Beladeer, Fox Trot 10 Sleigh Ride, lex Trot 9 J1DI'10 Be111l, Fox Trot FOR STYLE 'G' ORCHESTRIONS A 1523 10 W(n'ter Wondorland, Fox. Trot HOLIDAY HUM-DINGERS 00 each, post paid 1 Sacred Medley Of Christr:oas A 887 $55. 2 snont Rigbt. Tra4itiOD al TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS CAROLS anywhere in U. S. A. 3 It's Beg111111Dg To Look Like Cbrlstmas , 1 Silent Night. Holy Night Fox Trot 2 O. Christmas Tree -4 I'm Dreaming 0:[ A "b,ite Chrlstmas. 3 The Star Of Peace -SOLDay_ Fox Trot 4 The Crucifix 5 Rudolph. The Red.-Nosed Reindeer t 1'0'1; 5 It Came Upon A HidDigbt CleAr Trot CLARK ORCHESTRA ROLL COMPANY, 6 I Saw )fommy Kissing S~ta. Claus, Pox 6 Christmas SODg ".ANUFACTUR.£&S OF Trot 1 Harkl The Herald Angels Sing J1D ilo Bells. Fox Trot 8 The Bells Of St. Mary's ~ 'I'lnt.er Wonderla.nci. Fox T't'o-e 9 Adeste Fideles, IDtrodue1ng~ Collle Thou Allll1gbty I:1n g CL , e ." •. LLS Santa Claus Is Coming To Town. Fox ·Trot Auld La.Dg SyRe, Tradi"tlona.l 10 Ob Little Town 01 Sethl"belll " T.'O' M'"~" "'C"""CO v.•.-:."'.'"','"'.'"'_"",....;,0,...,..... 277 MAIN STREET THOMASTON, MAINE 04861" Order Now For CHRISTMAS! Telephone 207 354-8033 399 REPLACEMENT LEADERS These 11 1/4” x 17” reprints, not trimmed and without tabs, are excellent replicas of the more popular types of reproducing piano roll leaders. While intended for roll repairs, they may also be used for decorative purposes. To splice, overlay new leader on old roll, lay a straightedge on an angle, cut through both papers with a sharp knife, discard scrap, and butt-join with magic mending tape on top surface. A. Brown on buff B. Black on ivory C. Black on ivory D. Black on ivory (For early red label boxes) (Area for reusable (Most common) (Very late rolls by combined artist photo) Aeolian/American) Note: Early Welte’s with blue leaders may be repaired with this brown leader. Many of these when reissued had brown leaders. E. Green on ivory F. Green on ivory G. Welte (Most common) (Favorite Fifty & Brown on buff Selected Roll Service) (Most common) Please make checks payable to Checks or money Price: $ 1.00 each Style Quantity AMICA INTERNATIONAL, orders from for- Minimum Order: $10.00 A ______And send to: eign countries B ______must be drawn C ______BRIAN K. MEEDER on U.S. bank. D ______904A West Victoria Street Postage and Handling $ 5.50 Santa Barbara, CA 93101-4745 E ______Roll Order $ ______F ______e-mail address for orders: G [email protected] Total Amount (U.S. $) $ ______Total Quantity ______ 400 .. , ~-- ~ ;- TH·E GREATEST GIFT Yqu can.give what will.delight the eye or ·please il;Je fan.9Y/ or even ·possess 'intrinsic'value, but you shall not find. in all tbe great world of gifts one that will bring such an abiding joy.....:.. .. such a veritaWe Christmas blessing to the wholehousehold-'-as , the PIANOLA PIANO. ' / . The -familiar and kindly face of St. Nichc1as himself h scarcely ·'better known than this world-famous instrument. . ···rnthe·halrs of Royalty,: the choice of nearly every Musician of note, ;used by Our ·great.Educational Institutions in ,their creguilir musical courSes-'-it has long since ~ecome the StandarJ.:Piano Player,!oNhe world. . ., , ...,. . 'CTl:iLne :.;.PIANOLA'". .'< ., .PT')',;~·fi·;·,;·,''N·O'..:J '.. . , , .' .. . ~,:~, -:".,).. : ~ - . has ~evolutionized the piano industry.- It.may:be played,by1b'and4ike' ,·tberegular·piano,·or from PIANOLA ROLLS. Ai:l.d'~lthou,gli yoti' may not .understand a note of music, you can-pllLy'amsticaJly,wjthei.7 pression and .feeling, anythilng .that you wish' 'to play. -So absolutely · .perfect isthis marvellous'instrument---,so complete.isits musicaJscope '-that the playing of even' a novice cannot be distinguished from that of the mostjlccompIished, muskian.. " . .The 'sUperiority .of~t~tgen.uine.PIANOLA.P1A1'fO is·4ue ~,par~ -bnuph exclUSive. teatu1;es ddhe'MElTROSl'YLE, the 'FREMOm:ST~,: · the.GRlIDUATED..ACCQMP~IMENT and the SUSTAINING. ..PEDAL.· DE'Vi ~~. ;PIANOLAS::{sepCl·rate} cost/rOT/) $250''10 $450. . 'WriteiOl': Hlush'ated -C~talog D, gi~g~l~11-:4i.rid·-an~~sth,1gijIlionna: ·;~:~7~~~ ~ ,...-.~ ,