El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-02-08

A T THE meeting of the Piano
~ Manufacturers association of
Il n America, to be held in Chicago
next week, the important place filled
by American pianos among the muslcai
instruments of the world Will be dem
onstrated in several ways. An ATner1-
can manufacturer of high standing last
month received a new honor from king
George V of England, who presented
him with a royal warrant or recogni-
ton an honor not awarded to any
English firm. The standing Of Ameri-
can pianos is indisputably higher than
those of any other nation. The royal
palaces of Germany, Spain, Portugal
Norway, Sweden. Austria and France
all contain American pianos, while
autograph letters from almost every
royal parsonage in Europe are In pos
session of American firms certifying
TO the musical excellence OF tneir
pianos.
Industry Rapidly Developed
The piano making industry has de-
teloped incredibly during the past
decade until piano factories are founo
din almost every state in the union
Some of the larger cities now have a
half dozen piano factories, where per
haps ten years ago only one or Two
would be in operation. The piano has
become recognized as almost as I'M
portant a piece If furniture as the
family sewing machine.
The designing of piano cases has De-
come an important branch OF flne art
pianos are being manufactured to cor
respond with every possible scheme OF
furniture. In one Of the large notels
of Chicago four pianos were made to
order for special rooms. In an upper
hall an instrument of Louis XIV de-
sign harmonizes perfectly with the
other furniture and decoration. In a
beautiful suite known as the states
mans rooms" designed to be occupied
by men prominent in national affairs, Is
a piano of white enamel. embellisheo
with national insignias and coat OF
arms. The women's parlor is furnished
in Louis XVI style and the piano mar
rnonizes The large white and gold ball
room contains a grand piano finished
in gold effect. Other pianos less dis
tinctive are supplied to different suites.
Skilled Artists Make Designs.
Each Of the leading firms keeps
skillful artist constantly employed IN
making designs for special pianos.
These artists must be students OF mouse
FURNISHINGS az every period OF the
worlds history They must be able to
distinguish between Sheraton, Chip
pendale, the various periods OF the
European Renaissance, and, IN 1act'
any period of history, even dating back
TO the time of the Assyrian. 1t was
the Assyrian dulcimer which was the
real beginning OF the piano, and an ex-
hibition OF musical instruments in New
York was held recently in a hall tur-
nished after an Assyrian design, Wnere
in contrast to an ancient Assyrian dull
elmer stood its legitimate descendant,
modern American piano.
As Old as the Nation
Pianos in America are as old as the
Nation itself and their manufacture be-
gan at an early date. The first piano
Manufactured in America was exhibited
in 1775. while France did not put one
on the market until 17T7. The upright
piano is an American invention and was
patented by John Hawkins Of Borden
town. New Jersey, in 1900. Alphous
Babcock of Boston patented the square
plano in 1925. Jonas Chickering, who
was Babcock's apprentice, patented an
iron frame for the grand piano in 1S46.
and in 1913 one for the square piano.