The most important branch of the Musical Instrument manufacture ... is that of Piano-Fortes. The business was established by Mr. Thomas Loud, in 1820 ; and there are now twenty manufacturers in the city, none of whom however prosecute it on a very extensive scale compared with the manufacturers in Albany, and other places. Of novelties, perhaps, the most remarkable and valuable is a small Piano, two thirds the ordinary size, which has been invented by Messrs. GOLDSMITH & CO. They claim that in quality it is equal to the others, while costing one third less. It has a double sounding-board ; and in a peculiar manner the strings are brought across the main bridge and attached to another section of the bridge : a method claimed to give an increased voluime of sound, and a delicate vibration.

A. B. REICHENBACH, 1230 Chestnut street, claims to use an action distinct from all others ; having less friction, and being less liable to get out of order. The pedal and damper are peculiar in their construction ; and not only in the tone and quality of the Piano, as Musical Instrument, does he aim at perfection, but he also pays special attention to making it beautiful as parlor furniture. The serpentine leg veneered with rosewood is one of the strongest and most beautiful in use, and is made, we believe, only by Mr. Reichenback. The pianos of the Philadelphia trade are justly celebrated for their handsome appearance, power, and exquisite tone. The capital invested in Piano-Fortes is $150,000 ; men employed, 250 ; product annually, $315,000.

(Philadelphia and Its Manufactures, 1857)

(Daily Chronicle, 1833)

Wm. Blasius, Mechanical Musical Instruments, No. 910 Arch Street.-Observation, comparison and experience have stablished the fact that the higher the development of the musical tastes of a community, the higher will be the degree of ntelligence, refinement and culture. Philadelphia, which has always maintained a pre-eminence in these qualities, is a proof of the truth of this assertion, the Quaker City being justly noted for the number and excellence of her musical instrument establishments. Conspicuous among these is the interesting and well-known concern of Mr. Wm. Blasius, whose magnificent warerooms are situated at No. 916 Arch Street. Here can be found an exceedingly large and excellently selected stock of the most perfect and complete mechanical musical instruments that science and skill have as yet produced, a notable and beautiful instrument being the " Orchestrone," which represents an orchestra for the parlor in the form and nature of an organ. Any one without musical knowledge can play on it the works of the great masters, Beethoven, Mozart, Wagner and all their music with an orchestral effect unequalled by the best performers on the piano or organ. The Aeolian organ is another instrument in the style of an upright piano containing four full sets of reeds and a full five-octave key board, of which Mr. Blasius has the agency for the State of Pennsylvania. Among the varied stock are singing dolls, orguinettes, autophones, clarionas, aurephones, mandolinas, celestinas, murettes, musical tables, organs, pianos, pipe organs, etc. This house was established in 1877, and from the start has been a positive and permanent success. The trade, which is both wholesale and retail, is exceedingly large, and extends all over the Middle and some of the Western and Southern States. A feature of the business which Mr. Blasius has made a great success is selling on the instalment plan. The premises occupied are spacious and commodious, and are elegantly fitted up. In connection with the warerooms is a concert room on the second floor, which is used as a reception room for visitors and for the trial of instruments by purchasers. Prior to occupying the present quarters the business was conducted at Nos. 923 and 925 Chestnut Street, but owing to the largely increased demand it was found necessary to secure better facilities which the quarters now occupied amply afford. Mr. Blasius is a man of superior attainments aside from the unmistakable ability, energy and enterprise which he brings into requisition in his business, he having written a work in 1851 on meteorology, his system being adopted by the United States Government and since used in the Weather-Signal Service Bureau.

(Philadelphia's Leading Industries, 1886)

(Picture of Philadelphia, 1831)

MEYER'S PIANOS.

WAREROOMS, 52 S. FOURTH ST., below Chesnut,

Awarded to C. Meyer, for his Two Pianos, London, October 15, 1851.

C. MEYER respectfully informs his friends and the public generally that he has constantly on hand, Pianos, equal to those for which he received the Prize Medal,in London, in 1851. All orders promptly attended to, and great care taken in the selection and packing the same.

(The Statistical Gazetteer of Virginia, 1855)

HENRY W. GRAY.

HENRY W. GRAY was born June 3, 1830, at Ephrata, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He was educated at York, Pennsylvania, and on coming of age engaged in the iron and mining business. At the age of twenty-five he married a daughter of J. H. Schomacker, the manufacturer of the piano bearing his name; and in 1857 he came to Philadelphia, and assumed the management of the business of his father-in-law, for which he was eminently fitted. He is the inventor of the electro-gold piano string, and other important improvements in the piano, which gave to the Schomacker instruments such high reputation. In 1864, the stock company called the "Schomacker Piano-Forte Manufacturing Company" wasformed under the act of Legislature, and he became its president and business manager. The business was thereby largely extended, and under his sole management has become one of the most important and successful enterprises of its kind in the United States. He entered into politics at an early age, and has held many positions of trust and honor, both in the municipal and State governments. He was a member of the gubernatorial convention that nominated Andrew G. Curtin, and was also active in securing the same honor for General John W. Geary, who was his warm personal friend. He was closely connected with the latter's administration as confidential adviser.
At the outbreak of the War of the Rebellion, he was appointed an aide on the Governor's staff, and was afterwards transferred to General Haupt's command. While a member of City Council, he was appointed chairman of the finance committee, and was credited with raising more funds for war purposes than any man who had preceded him in that position. In 187i he received the Republican nomination for State Senator in the Fourth District, his opponent being Colonel A. K. McClure. After an exciting contest he was given the certificate of election, and took his seat in the State Senate. Then commenced the famous Gray-McClure contest. The crowning event of his life, however, was his strong and successful advocacy of the location of the Public Buildings at Broad and Market Streets. The wisdom of his course has since become apparent, and a large majority of the popular vote of the city endorsed the acts of himself and his colaborers. He was appointed a member of the commission to superintend the erection of these buildings. He was one of the first citizens to aid in organizing the Union League of Philadelphia, and is now one of its oldest members. During his entire political career he has been unflinching in the advocacy of his views, and has thereby made many bitter enemies as well as many warm friends; but, possessing as he does rare business and social qualities, the latter far outnumber the former.
He is still in the prime of life, enjoying his well-earned fortune in his beautiful Germantown home, and is one of the most active and energetic of Philadelphia merchants.

(The Makers of Philadelphia, 1894)

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