He puts them out under what is known as a "stencil name," or he will put a dealer's name on the piano, and the dealer palms it off, in many cases, as a highclass piano that is made especially for his esthetic trade.

MUCH TRICKERY TO ENSNARE THE INNOCENTS.

There is more trickery in the piano industry from the commercial standpoint than in any other, and it behooves the innocent purchaser to be sure of his ground before he undertakes the purchase of a piano.

The Steinways are the only piaro manufacturers in the world who make every component part of their piano. This principle was established by the founder of the house, and has been rigidly adhered to ever since.

The history of the Steinway family, founders of one of the greatest industries

in the world, is an interesti..g one. There are at the present time seven members of the Steinway blood conducting the business of the firm and perpetuating the Steinway traditions.

ROMANTIC HISTORY OF FIRST GENIUS.

The first Steinway to build a piano was Henry Engelhard Steinway, who was born February 15, 1797, in Wolfshagen, a forest town of the Hartz Mountains, in the Grand Duchy of Brunswick, Germany. He came of a family of soldiers, many of whom had gained high distinction in the army. Owing to war and a domestic tragedy, he found himself the sole survivor of his family at the age of fifteen and without means. His father and three older brothers had been struck dead by a bolt of lightning while he was walking with them in a forest. He was unhurt by the horror, many believers in Destiny to this day believing that he was saved that he might perform a greater service to the world.

Penniless and homeless, the young man entered the army, where he served

army he settled in the hamlet of Seesen, at the foot of the Hartz Mountains. He married in 1825, and a year later his first child, a son, was born. This boy was christened C. F. Theodore Steinway, and he afterward became the great piano scientist and inventive genius who designed the world-famed Steinway grands.

AMBITION FOR HIS FIRST SON.

Henry E. Steinway had always been a lover of music, and was somewhat of a musician. Upon the birth of his son his greatest ambition was that the boy should become a musician, and, being a cabinet-maker, he set to work at once to build a piano upon which the lad was to learn to play. He worked day and night upon the instrument, and when it was completed he was the proudest father in the world. He had no thought of becoming a piano manufacturer at that time, and it was not until one of the rich men of the town saw and heard his piano that Steinway began to see a future in the piano trade. Instead of the piano becoming an instrument for his son to play, it was sold for a high price, and Steinway at once entered into the business of manufacturing pianos. He improved upon every piano of that day, and raised the status of the instrument from a state of almost worthlessness to a standard that attracted the attention of the civilized world.

A LARGE AND HAPPY FAMILY.

For many years Henry E. Steinway continued a piano manufacturer in Seesen, and became the father of a large and happy family. The second child born was a girl, Doretta Steinway, who later became the mother of Henry Ziegler, at present the head of the Department of Inventions and Construction of the Steinway industry. His next child was Charles Steinway, the father of Charles H. Steinway, now president of Steinway & Sons, of Frederick T. Steinway, now vice-president of the company, and of Henry W. T. Steinway. The next child was Henry Steinway, Jr., and then came Wilhelmina, the second daughter of the founder of the Steinway house.

William Steinway was the next born, and then came Albert Steinway, the last of the seven children, every one of whom was to play an important part in the great business their father had founded.

The revolution of 1848 greatly crippled the business of Henry E. Steinway in Germany, and he decided to emigrate to America. Careful in all things, he decided to investigate the new country before making the move, and in 1849 he sent his second son, Charles Steinway, to this country on a tour of inspection. The young man's reports to his father were so favorable that the entire family, with the exception of C. F. Theodore Steinway, came to the United States. C. F. Theodore remained behind to complete unfinished work, and in a few years more he joined his father and brothers in this country.

FATHER AND SONS BECOME JOURNEYMEN.

For three years Steinway and his boys worked as journeymen in piano factories here in order that they might learn the exact conditions existing in this country, and then they started the business which has been the most wonderful in all the piano industry.

An insignificant building on old Varick Street was the first Steinway factory in this country. The first pianos made here and turned out from the Varick Street factory created a furore among the Americans. It was not long after their first efforts that the Steinways were famous all over the world. They moved to a larger factory on Walker Street, and then, a short time afterward, built the New York City factory at Fifty-third Street and Park Avenue.

The Steinways invented the "overstrung system" for the piano. They invented other great improvements that made the tone of their planos superior to all others. The crowhad heads of Europe, by royal warrant, appointed the Steinways as

makers of their pianos, and they are still making the pianos used in the homes of royalty, as well as for the greatest musicians of the times.

BOYS COMPELLED TO WORK AS APPRENTICES.

Henry E. Steinway compelled every one of his sons to go into the factory and learn how to build a Steinway piano. They in turn compelled their sons to work at the bench until they were capable of turning out the perfect Steinway. In this manner the great house has continued to develop members of the blood, and consequently the pianos are made according to the precepts of the originators.

The sons of the present generation learned the trade at the bench. They were taken into the big factories as mere apprentice boys and, under hard taskmasters," were required to learn every step of the piano-building business. Each of the

ROOM OF APPRENTICES AT RIKER AVENUE FACTORY WHERE BOYS OF THE STEINWAY BLOOD START TO LEARN HOW TO MAKE PIANOS.

boys graduated, and, in addition to their proficiency in piano building, they were all given a thorough education in music. These boys of the present generation are preparing to take the reins of their elders, and in future years will guide the destinies of the house.

SEVEN MEMBERS OF THE BLOOD NOW ACTIVE.

The seven members of the Steinway blood who are now, actively engaged in conducting the affairs of the company are Charles H. Steinway, President; Frederick T. Steinway, Head of the Department of Manufacture; Henry, Ziegler, Head of the Department of Inventions and Construction; William R. Steinway, Assistant to President Charles H. Steinway; Theodore E. Steinway, Theodore Cassebeer, and Edwin Cassebeer. The last four named are the fourth generation of Steinways.

Steinway Hall, on Fourteenth Street, in this city, once famous as the country's greatest music hall, while practically devoted entirely to wareroom purposes now, nevertheless is still the most noted music centre in the United States, being the acknowledged rendezvous for musicians from all over the world.

WITHIN REACH OF YOUR PURSE.

T

HE Laffargue Piano is pre-eminently a high-grade instrument at a moderate cost. In its manufacture no detail has been considered too small to be overlooked by the manufacturers. Each particle of material that enters into its construction is thoroughly examined, and, unless reaching the required high standard of excellence, is rejected; so that a purchaser of a Laffargue Piano may rest content that there is no better instrument on the market.

The firm that makes the piano takes pride in putting only the best products of up-todate science into it. The same uniform care is used in selecting the material, whether it be the plate, the soundboard, or the wires, or the case, the action keys or any other part.

A point regarding which particular attention is paid, and which has much to do in producing the perfect musical tone of the piano, is the testing that is made of all its materials. When once the perfect material is found it is never changed for a cheaper quality. The resulting tonal qualities, therefore, never vary, and one Laffargue Piano is of the same lofty standard of perfection as every other one.

One of the most noteworthy features of the piano is its durability. It has an unexcelled reputation for wearing well and for standing long in tune. In order that these high attributes may continue, the heads of the firm have always given to each instrument built at the factory their personal supervision. No piano is ever shipped out of the company's plant that has not received this careful inspection. It is a matter of congratulation among the firm's chiefs that the established fame of their instruments, as undoubtedly the best value for the money, is still maintained.

While the firm has turned out a most beautiful looking piano, the directors adhere to the principle that such an instrument should not be selected for its looks, but for its durability and quality, so that it is a cardinal rule with them never to sacrifice tone and lasting qualities to mere outward appearance.

Eminent musicians have frequently commented on what they term "the unrivalled tone" of the Laffargue Pianos. The firm explains this splendid feature by the care that the scale receives. It was only after the most untiring efforts that this perfection of the scale was attained. The musical and refined treble, the long vibrating and single qualities, and the full and smooth bass, found only in the very best makes of pianos, are accentuated in these instruments, where they are found in their fullest measure.

This firm makes a special point of having its employees masters of their craft. Great care is taken in selecting men to do the delicate work required in the building of these pianos, as a bungler might spoil the best efforts of his co-workers. The men are put through a thorough examination before they are permitted in the factory.

And now a word about the Laffargue Piano Player. This is an ideal instrument for the home. It combines the plano and the automatic player in such harmony that every shade of music, from the most delicate pianissimo to the most intense forte, is equally at its command. The automatic control is perfection, and by its intelligent use the rendition of the most classical compositions is easy. The adjustments of the mechanical parts of the Player are so cleverly contrived that even a child may find no difficulty in playing the instrument. A feature of the Player is that it retains all the famous singing qualities for which the Laffargue Piano is distinguished.

So highly does the firm think of its piano that with each sale of one it gives to the purchaser a guarantee for six years, agreeing to put it in good repair at the factory, provided the instrument has not been subjected to abuse.

An inspection of the Laffargue factory is most interesting. To see the men actually at work putting into the case the wires and other parts is an impressive sight. One cannot but be struck by the great care and pains taken to have everything just right. One may well say, when he sees these clever experts at work, that they are all geniuses, for they have "such an infinite capacity for taking pains," which is the accepted definition of a genius.

The makers of this instrument are always pleased to send information, catalogues, etc., to inquirers. The company's firm name is Laffargue & Co., and their factory and main office is at One Hundred and Thirty-fourth street and Southern Boulevard, New York.

W

Van of Modern Triumphs and Achievements.

HEN a musical instrument has stood the test of time and has steadily gained in popularity and sales throughout a long term of years, sterling merit is behind this triumph. History tells us that it is only the fittest that survive, and this is as true of musical instruments as it is of races of mankind. The Behning Piano is an instrument that, placed on the market years ago, has steadily won its way to the foremost ranks of the trade, and each year sees more of these splendid pianos sold.

The Behining Piano is one of the oldest makes in the country. It is noted for its exceptional wearing qualities. In tonal quality, in sweet, singing properties, it is at the very summit of the piano making art. In appearance it is very handsome, and both quality of looks and quality of musical tone are of the kind that endure. This piano will stay in tune longer than any other on the market with proper care.

Since the company first began to manufacture pianos it has made it a maxim of its business policy to keep in the very fore of the development of the piano-making science. Whatever new was discovered or invented that was found superior to the old in helping to turn out a perfect instrument was at once adopted, extra cost not being considered at all. The object has always been to produce the most perfect musical instrument possible, the question of expense being of minor importance in the eyes of the firm. At the same time, the cost to the purchaser has been kept down to the lowest possible point, so that in the Behning Piano there is more value than is to be found in other makes.

With its progressive policy, it was most natural that the company should take up the Player-Piano when the invention first appeared on the musical horizon. At once the firm went to work to turn out the most perfect Player-Piano that could be made, experts being sent wherever in the world the development of these inventions could be studied to the best advantage. In these pianos the player part comes in the natural size piano, and is the only one that does. This is not true of any other make,

There is no weakening of any of the parts of the plano in cutting down the thickness of the back, which other players cut down from one-half to three-quarters. The playeraction can be taken out in less than a half-minute's time, exposing all the strings, so that a new string can be readily put in. This accessibility makes the instrument very handy for tuners to get at. It is very easy to produce the slightest pianissimo effect, and pressure with the feet in an instant brings out the fortissimo.

The company makes a specialty of providing for the needs of persons who dwell in sman quarters. The firm manufactures the smallest Player-Piano on the market, as well as the larger sizes. It makes one as small as four feet four inches in height by twentysix inches in depth. Another convenient size that is much sought is four feet eight and a half inches in height by twenty-seven in depth.

A recapitulation of the peculiar advantages of the Behning Player-Piano are: There is no increase in the size of the case; no decrease in the thickness of the back; it pumps as easily as It can be taken apart; the entire piano is accessible for tuning, voicing, regulating, and replacing of broken strings.

In producing what they consider the most perfect Player-Plano on the market the officials of the Behning Piano Company have had in mind the growth of the musical spirit in America. They say that only men in the trade have an adequate conception of the widespread interest in music in this country, and they are convinced that this means that America will soon take the leading role in the musical world. There is a demand for good music on far Western plains, amid fastnesses of the Sierra Madre Mountains of New Mexico, and in the cabins of Alaskan miners. The demand throughout the middle West and the South is very great and constantly increasing. In the cities of the North, Middle, and the New England States it is enormous. The reason that the popularity of the Behning Player-Piano in all these sections is so great is that it does not get out of order and is so easily manipulated. Should any repairing be required, the construction is such that it can be done with very little trouble and expense. The durability of the Player-Piano insures its lasting for years, a lifetime with ordinary attention.

The Behning Piano Company, whose headquarters are at One Hundred and Thirty-first Street and Park Avenue, New York City, always is pleased to give all particulars and Information desired.