Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-01-31
aEW aArailsEmsnis.
Pianos and their Manufacture.

ONCE the publication of my article on
- Pianos. which has elected numerous nat
tering letters and thanks for the valuable in
formation" notice general revolution at
the North and East against these rattle boxes
and Clap traps known among the Trade as
''Stenciled" Pianos. The New York Musical
journal, stated In the last two issues
that the North and East refuse the
Cheap Pianos and only the less musical
educated South AID far West were left open
to them our Southern market has been so
flooded by the makers Of these cheap, trashy
instruments, through their unprlnelpied
Agents. that you can hardly ma genuine.
good instrument. These frauds and rattle
boxes have taken thsir place just because
they are cheap. They stand in relative posi-
ton to gold against gilded brass. The latter
viii look as good as gold when new. but
little wear will tell the tale.
To give to the Southern people all desired
information on the subject. addressed letters
to several of the first class Piano makers. and
the answers to my questions, What ore Stem
ell Pianos, and do lou make them the fol-
lowing answers give complete status Of the
So UNION SQUARE, New YoRK.
January IT, 1881.
Mr. Hermann L. ScltreiFer, SdUdnHdh. Ga:
DEAR SIR-In reply to your inquiry Of the
18th will say we never made a stencil Piano
Every Piano we manufacture bears our own
name Have mailed you pamphlet that will
give you some information about Stencil
Pianos. Yours respectfully,
DECKER Bros.
The pamphlet received is entitled Bogus
Pianos.
FIFTH AVENUE, CORNER SIXTEENTH STREET,
NEW YORK. January 18th. 1881.
Hermann L. Schreiner, Esq, Savannah, Ga. I:
DEAR S'R-In reply to your esteemed favor
OF the 18th inst. beg TO say have never made
a stained case Piano, nor have | ever stenciled
any Piano with any other name than my own.
Among the Piano trade stenciled Eiano is
understood as being one which bears name
hale ro elsa than "a kar
For instau nee, John Doe is m manufacturer of
cheap Pianos and with his name on
them he cannot sell them, so he ar
ranges with dealers all over the coun-
try to put any name on them which
they may dictate, sometimes going so far as
TO put on the name OF repufa able makers, or
fictitious one which in appearance and SINH
larity of pronunciation would miSlead
most people to suppose it was a
genuine Weber, StsiuWay or Chickering
Piano. This custom prevails largely
in the Southern and western states. and the
result is that great many suppose they are
buying genuine Piano when, in fact, it is
bogus" Trusting you may succeed in ex-
posing such frauds, / am, etc. yours very
truly, A. WEBER.
H L. SchTeiner. Esq, Savannah, Ga:
DEAR SIR-Your valued favor of 18th instant
just at hand, and contents noted, and gladly
give the inform alton. The so-called Stencil
Pianos are inferior makes, the maker put
ting any name on the Piano that
may be desired, provided an order
for any number is given, even going
the iron plate by means of lead letters to
make them appear as cast on the plate This
is done when only smaller orders are given
In many cases for large orders the plate is
actually cast to order. e do not know of
am one of the first class makers ever accept
ing any orders for any pianos with any other
name than their eWn. We ourselves refused
a cash order for one hundred pianos some
years ago, the condition of the order being
the name Of tn party ordering on the pianos
Yours very truly,
WIN KEABE Co.
The condition of sale Of these Stencil Pianos
are generally such that they must be paid for
on the monthly pay lneEt plan within one year
One Of them was offered to me a few week
since in exchange which cost nearly three
hundred dollars about three years ago.
and which considered not worth more
than seventy five dollars. 1t is q lamentable
act that Southern people are deceived by
elaborate and high flown advertisements. and
| am sorry to say that legion Of these rattle
traps through the advertisements OF good
Pianos, have been purchased by the limo
cent and dear confding Public as seryiceable
and durable instruments, while they are the
cheapest Pianos possible, and in comparison
with second class Pianos, verit6ble TRASH and
FRAUDS.
Repeatedly have been asked by the owners
Of these Stenciled Pianos my opinion of their
value and quality after playing upon them
To tell the owner it was good" Piano would
be an untruth; to condemn it would
make me liable to be called 'preju-
diced and at the same tine, perhaps,
lose the good will of the owner, that he should
in all respects an educated and good business
man, have been taken in by that purchase
There seems to be no other outlet than To do
what Shakespeare says
jans1-1t H. L. SCHREINER.