<< Subject: Re: birdcages >>

[Roger Jolly]

Hi Stan,
            What a lot of tech's seem to forget is that the US, at the turn
of the century, was undoubtedly both the manufacturing and innovative power
house in piano technology.
 It took the Europeans some time to wake up to a changing industry. Social
factors also play a part with regards to size and cosmetics. 
Materials like Rosewood, imported from the colonies, was actually cheaper
and more readily available than American Walnut, hence the frequent use of
this material.
Free trade was non existent, and the sun had not set on the British Empire.
The Countries mentioned probably have more turn of the century Canadian
pianos than American, and lots of British Birdcages.
Canadian Companies like Heinzman were significant exporters at that time.
Just some random thoughts.
Roger


At 07:53 PM 12/02/00 -0500, you wrote:
>No information to impart, but just wondering--our Oz and Kiwi friends appear 
>to have more--er--experience with birdcages than in the States.  Given that 
>these were probably not state-of-the art when built, but might have served
as 
>instruments for the "hunting lodge," or some such out-of-the way second or 
>third home, then it would be reasonable to assume that at the time it would 
>be more economically feasible to ship them long distances with other 
>household effects than to ship a reasonably sized grand or vertical.  That 
>they seem to have travelled also to South Africa and Scandinavian countries 
>as well, would seem to speak to the same reality.  Do you think that
explains 
>why there are relatively few of them in the US?  100+ years ago there was 
>certainly a thriving piano industry in this country, making it less than 
>necessary to import affordable instruments.  (Regrettably, times have 
>changed!)
>
>Stan Ryberg
>Barrington IL
> 
Roger Jolly
Saskatoon, Canada.
306-665-0213
Fax 652-0505