The morning call., 1891-06-21
MAKING JEWSHARPS.
The Whole Business Is MOHODOIizGd BY the
Smith Family.

The village of Bath-on-the- Hudson.
though its manufacturing interests are few,
can boast of possessing the only jewsharp
factory in the United States outside of New
York City. Simple as the jewsharp is 1t re-
guires, nevertheless, no little skill in con-
structi0n.
The proprietor of the factory in Bath is
John Smith, and he has perfected himself to
such an extent that his work is recognized
as among the best in the world, says the
Albany On. " Journal. The factory is
small building situated short distance off
Third street, and although unpretentious
contains every facility for the manufacture
OF jewsharps.
Twenty years ago, in England, Mr.. Smith
began his apprenticeship ut the trade Hear
ing from friends in this country that here
would be found better market Tor the sale
of his specially he determined to emigrate.
Arriving in New York he failed to secure
employment and deciding to start IN Dusl-
ness for himself he wentto Troy and opened
4 factory there. He was but moderately
successful in Troy, and after snort time
moved to Bath, built a factory and is per-
fectly satisfied with the location. The
Smith jewsharp is sold principally to firms
in New York, Boston and Chicago. These
firms sell the goods to retailers throughout
the United States.
When the factory is running at its fullest
capacity over two gross day are turned
out. The busiest time of the year is that
Just preceding the holidays. During this
season the factory employs five people, the
proprietor, his two sons and two other En-
glishmen, who live near the factory.
The manufacture Of the harpS Is an In
terestiug process, and but few people are
aware of the large amount of work expended
in making a jewsharp of good tone. The
frames Of the instrument are not made by
Mr.. Smith. He buys them from foundry.
UpOn these frames is bestowed the least
work; it Is setting the steel tongue IN the
frame and filing the lower portion of the
frame to fit the tongue that the most care
and skill are required.
The first work done on jewsharp is to
place the frame in a wise, file off the rough
ness and taper down the points, so that each
presents a sharp edge. between which the
tongue is TO vibrate. The most delicate
work then begins A piece of steel wire IS
| cut from coil, hammered fiat at one end
and left round at the other and tempered
| with the greatest care.
The fiat end is then set in the are of the
| frame, and then the two ends are carefully
| pressed and hammered until they come as
| close as possible TO the tongue without
| touching
The round end of the tongue is then bent
! in the form of right angle, the point is
| turned over and the "harp" is ready to be
| placed in the hands of a fiuisber. There are
| seven sizes and tour kinds of fnishiDg-the
| common. gold bronze, lacquered and tin
| plated. The harp can be tuned to any pitch.
| To make the tone high the tongue is made
| small and pressed back toward the frame
| to make the tone lower it is bent forward.
| Mr. Smith is not only good maker Of the
! harp, but can extract quite little music
| from the little Instrument He can also
| play two at once. which he tunes so that
| they are in harmony by filing the frames.
When business is rushing Mr.. Smiths
| whole family is pressed into service, and
| each member excels in his or her particular
work. Mr.. Smith prophesies that within a
| few years the instruments he makes Will be
| in more general use than now. He has once
| enlarged his factory. and expects to do so
| auain.