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1893 World’s Columbian Exposition

Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2014 10:08 pm
by Dave
Knowing that Schwarzer won the "Gold Medal of Progress" at the Vienna Exposition in 1873, I've been attempting to locate additional references to the zither at the various World's Fairs, particularly here in the US. At the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago, Hartmann Bros. & Reinhard (225 Bowery, New York) was just one of numerous foreign and domestic zither manufacturers represented at the fair. For this event, the company printed a souvenir pamphlet for the occasion. This image shows the cover and a zither illustration from this publication. A description of their zither offerings was also included:

“We manufacture and sell everything belonging to this line. Finest silk and gut Strings; Best steel strings; Rings of every description, all instruction books and latest Zither Music, Music Stands, Zither Resonance Tables of any size and finish; Zither cases to fit any instrument, if outlines of Instrument are marked on a sheet of paper and sent to us; Zither bags of Felt, Canvas or Leather. Parts of Instruments, wood of any description to manufacture or for repairing Zithers; Pins, Patent Heads, Keys, etc., etc. Every order, large or small, will be promptly attended to. We ship to every part of the world.”

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Re: 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition

Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2014 11:55 pm
by DonO
Interesting to note (especially for those of us living in the New York City area) that 225 Bowery where Hartmann & Reinhard made Zithers was next door to 227 Bowery where in 1876, James Stoltz ran an undertaking and coffin making business. In 1908, the Bowery Mission (one of the oldest and most successful shelters for the homeless and down-on-their luck) took over the space at 227 Bowery where they still are today. This address on Bowery (corners of Stanton & Rivington Streets) is on the inside fringe of what was once part of Kleindeutschland. What a colorful neighborhood both then and now!