The herald., 1897-04-09
FACTS ABOUT AWARDS
NO GOLD MEDALS ISSUED AT THE
WORLDS FAIR
Each Exhibit Of Merit Received Only
a Bronze Medal-Excellence
Specified by Diplomas

Notwithstanding the many explanations
regarding; awards at the, fair, IT. is found
that agents throughout the country do not
seem to comprehend the intent of the au-
thorities, and a few words on the subject
may be of value and interest, even though
they repeat what has often been told In the
columns of the trade press.
We have seen in several provincial pa
pers advertisements announcing "hrst
prize" "the gold medal" ETC., etc. Inas-
much as we all understand that In adver-
tising certain exaggerations are deemed
allowable we find no special fault with this
method Of calling attention to high
award.
But as a strict matter Of fact, there was
no such thing as plainly announced first
prize" at the exposition-nor was there a
gold medal Each successful exhibitor was
awarded a bronze medal for his particular
display and diploma setting forth why
the medal was so awarded. The degrees of
excellence are specified by the wording of
these diplomas. The gist. the nub Of the
whole matter. lies in the phraseology Of
these written opinions of the experts Sc
lected to examine the various instruments.
1t follows, as a matter of course, that care
full analysis gives certain manufacturers
the right to claim distinguished. marked
and high honors.
For example: The w. w. Kimball COM
pany of this city made three special ex-
hibits--pianos. reed organs and portable
pipe organs. For each display they re-
ceived a remarkable diploma-and. indeed.
In regard to the Kimball plano. the judges
specifically stated in plainest English, that
it was entitled to the highest award" For
the Kimball pianos the highest praise was
given for tone (the word remarkable"
being used-the only instance In all the
diplomas), action. design and skill of work.
manship; and the Kimball reed organs
were given highest commendation for
points of excellence.
With these superlative words in black
and white. signed by the judges. the w. w.
Kimball company announce highest
honors," and in proof of the claim publish
In detail the diplomas awarded each dis
play. We haven't the space here to pro-
duce them, but the trade is already familiar
with the emphatic, terse and comprehen-
sive term of enthusiastic admiration tnat
the beautiful instruments drew from the
expert judges.
And the display was as wonderful as
beautiful-for it must be remembered that
these magnificent specimens of the art OF
instrument making were all from the fac
tories of one company. Never before. in
the history of expositions. were pianos.
reed organs and pipe organs exhibited in
one booth, the product of one company's
factories-the whole to receive individually
sweeping honors at the hands of the judges
Small wonder that the w. W. Kimball
company herald the proud distinction to
the confines Of the country; small wofider
that Chicagoans warmly congratulate
that manufacturer-for the honors are
honors indeed. and Chicago itself receives.
even though Indirectly. share of the Law
sh praise bestowed. The w. w. Kimball
company went into the exposition with
their regular wareroom stock. having faith
in their ability. pride in their products and
entire confidence in the result of fair judg-
ment-but we doubt If even their widest
dreams of hope equaled the actual, sweep
ing. overwhelming honors bestowed upon.
them by the jury of expert musical judges
of the great Columbian exposition
Musical Times. Chicago.