The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-04

Instruments Worth Fortunes Con-
structed for Millionaires.
New York Times.
2 When announcement was made recently
that Charles M. Schwab had paid $1,000
for a plane. many persons may have con-
sidered this to be a large sum to pay fer
musical instrument. But as matter of
fact when 1t is explained that this par
ticular piano was made according to Mr..
Schwab's own design, to match the general
scheme of decoration of the room, the
amount is modest in comparison with some
prices which have been paid by other
wealthy New Workers..
Many of these expensive instruments are
seldom played upon. They are parts of the
furnishings of the room; ornaments purely
and simply. In the homes of the very
wealthy there are often to be found three
or four instruments In different rooms. and
for these. when decorated according to the
design and the fancies of the owner, large
sums of money, amounting in some cases TO
as much as $4,000, have been paid. Here
in New York alone are many OF these high
priced instruments in the homes of the rich
The cases are made of the finest material
obtainable in the world, and after they are
put together and made complete the differ
of many countries. For instance, there
may be wood from South America or some
out-of-the-way part of Europe. Workmen
in London, Paris and other foreign cities
may have spent months In perfecting and
fitting the material. All Of which costs
money. and when the duty demanded by
the government Is added the reason for
the large prices demanded may be appre-
ciated
So far as is known by Mr. Stetson, head
Of the firm of Steinway & Sons which
firm probably deals more extensively in
decorative pianos than. any other in New
York, the demand for decorated and orna-
mental pianos far exceeds the ability to
supply them Sometimes, according to
Joseph Burr Tiffany, in charge of a de-
partment devoted entirely to the filling of
these orders, 1t requires years to meet the
wishes of some customers.
The case of the ordinary piano is made
OF various woods, but none of these can be
used for the piano which requires decora-
ton. The most expensive wood generally
used Cor this purpose is found in South
America, and Is called carmena. Mr.. Stet-
son says there is but little of II TO be found
i'm New York, and the demand for 1t Is
large. Only small pieces of the right veneer
for use can be obtained and these have 10
be put together before the decorator or
painter can begin work.
The large sums of money which are paid
to manufacturers for pianos do not repre-
sent the total outlay. Milionaires have
sert to London, Paris anc Berlin for artists
to come to New York and paint the panels
of pianos for a certain room. Sometimes
the customer has to wait for long time
before the necessary wood can be secured
and matched to be ready for the artist.
When this is accomplished the panels are
turned over to the painter who after
studying the other decorations OF the room
in which the piano is TO be placed starts
TO work. Meanwhile the wood carver Is
busy, and he must also conform to the de-
sign of the furniture in the room In
some eases several wood carvers are en-
ployed I'm different parts of the world.
The legs of the piano naturally come In
| for the most elaborate decorations as far
as the wood carving Is concerned These
| decorations are usually designed by the
| owner.
The most expensive piano in New York
/ at the present time belongs to the estate OF
the late Henry @. Maruuand. the banker.
This piano cost $4,000 to construct and $780,
were engaged In its decoration. 1t is a
| grand in model, resting on three legs. Its
| construction occupied two years. After the
wood sent to New York the panels
were sent TO painter in Paris to be dec
| Grated with paintings.
One piano recently sold by New York
| firm was purchased by Alexander Peacock
| OF Pittsburg. for $4,000 The metal used
was imported from Paris and involved the
payment of heavy duties.
| Another has just been sent 10 a man In
| Los Angeles. Cal, which will cost the same
/ amount IL is OF the Louis XIV style and
| I'm color is OF green and gold.
The late Cornelius Vanderbilt had In his
mansion at Fifth avenue and Fffty-sev-
| ,enth street piano which cost ZOO Two
| famous French painters were employed to
decorate IL. and IL Is of the most expensive
| OF wood. j. y. Oliver. of Pittsbure. is also
the possessor of instrument the cost of
| which can be estimated In the thousands
Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish has a piano which
| cost several thousand dollars. and the
| Gould family are also noted for not alone
| their number OF pianos I'm their d:fcrent
homes. but for the rich decorations - the
cases.