The talking machine world (July-Dec 1918)

November IS, 1918 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 15 The Application of Period Decoration to Talking Machine Cabinets — The Hepplewhite likewise to the designing of other furniture and managed to give to the various pieces a distinctiveness that has marked his work as un The talking machine designer of to-day who is giving attention to the reproduction of the English period styles will find much in the designs of Hepplewhite to gain for that style earnest consideration; for the designs of Hepplewhite, although in most every instance designed before 1788, may be used with perfect freedom to-day in adding embellishment to modern furniture. Of all the famous cabinet makers of the eighteenth century, and they included Chippendale, Sheraton and the Adam brothers, none produced sueh a small number of impractical designs as Hepplewhite. Nearly every one of his designs shown in his book, "The Cabinet Maker and Upholsterer's Guide," published in 1788, can be used to-day just as it was originally created. Although formality was the rule of his time in the matter of household furniture, Hepplewhite managed to incorporate richness in his designs while still observing the general demands of the period. Of course, Hepplewhite's repu Examples of Hepplewhite Designs tation rests most firmly upon his chairs, and in usual even to this day of great achievement, the chair he showed a distinct preference for the In his designs he favored ovals and curves shield-back. However, he gave his attention of all descriptions. His table tops were in laid or painted by noted artists of the day. His furniture, as a rule, was made lighter than was that of Chippendale, and he depended for enriching his effects upon a generous use of pier glasses and mirrors. Hepplewhite was one of the few designers whose works can be observed today just as he designed them, for his book, "The Cabinet Maker and Upholsterer's Guide," published by A. Hepplewhite & Co. in 1788, is said to be found in the principal libraries and to be consulted at first hand. The accompanying plate gives some general idea of the characteristic Hepplewhite designs as applied to various pieces of furniture. Hepplewhite was partial to inlaid and painted designs and the inlay was always beautifully simple. His chairs and other furniture were in reality first covered with a coat of Japanese lacquer, and on this ground the delicate ornaments were painted. Gold on a black ground was a favorite combination, and the ornamentation for the most part inclined toward floral designs. In adapting the motifs favored by Hepplewhite to talking machine cabinets of the present day, care must be used in preserving the general fitness of things. Ordinary cabinets cannot be turned into a Hepplewhite model by sticking on a few motifs at random any more than a Ford car can be turned into a Packard by changing the hubs. The design has to be either all Hepplewhite or not Hepplewhite, and the definite carrying out of the period idea must be planned with the designing of the cabinet in the beginning. For that matter the same rule holds good in the adaptation of any period design to cabinets. Of the customers who buy cabinets in Hepplewhite design, nine out" of ten will select a cabinet with some definite object in view and with some definite understanding as to what it represents. Even though the proportion of those who know were smaller, it would still be a matter of wisdom to cling to accuracy for the benefit of the sophisticated. The new Victrola department of Geo. S. Dales, 120 Main street, Akron, O., was formally opened for public inspection the closing days of last month, and the arrangement and display of talking machines and records came in for much commendation. Reproducer CERTAIN PATENTED FEATURES found in PHON d' AMOUR exclusively make the PHON d' AMOUR a re-creation in the phonograph field. The PHON d' AMOUR marks the first real departure in construction since phonographs were first offered to the public. THE REPRODUCER IN PHON d' AMOUR is an entirely new and greatly improved "sound box." It is finished throughout with the precision of a watch. It is the patented features in PHON d' AMOUR that make the difference and which make this instrument the phonograph with the Soul of a Violin. Copyright, 1917, by The Fritz6ch Phonograph Co. Trade Mark THE FRITZSCH PHONOGRAPH COMPANY 228-230 West 7th Street CINCINNATI, OHIO