Aeolian Company design catalogues and historical information

Patents, advertisements & more concerning the legacy.

Aeolian Hall Aeolian Company
Aeolian Company Aeolian Company


Above, cropped Aeolian Company advertisements: top, in The Sun (New York) on 19 January 1913; bottom left: in The Evening Post (New York) on 17 March 1909; bottom right: in The Evening Post (New York) on 20 November 1909. For more information, see the entries below.


"The Aeolian Company, founded in 1887 as the Aeolian Organ & Music Company, was a manufacturer of player organs and pianos. The manufacture of residence or "chamber" organs to provide entertainment in the mansions of millionaires was an extremely profitable undertaking, and Aeolian virtually cornered the market in this trade..."

"Before 1930 as many as thirty-eight Aeolian organs were installed in houses on Fifth Avenue’s millionaire’s row." — Descriptive text accompanying installed Aeolian Pipe Organ and Console (1915-17), Reynolda House Museum of Art, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.


"... The Aeolian Co., manufacturers of self-playing musical instruments and music, was organized in 1887 with a capital stock of $225,000. Their factory is located on Tremont street, corner of Cambridge [in Meriden, Connecticut], and a large force of hands are daily employed... " [Excerpt from Davis book (c. 1897), p. 928. See below for entry in compilation.]



Aeolian Company (1887-1932 focus) - design catalogues and historical information (by year)


Material status: = online
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= completely offline


1880s

Various newspapers, magazines and other sources

(1887-). Various newspapers, magazines and other sources - search engines. (Updated 20 April 2019.)

1887 - news brief

(26 July 1887). Meriden’s new company [Aeolian Organ and Music Co.]; it has $150,000 paid in capital and will make musical instruments. Meriden Daily Journal, p. 3, col. 3. (Viewed 30 December 2020. E01067).

"A meeting of gentlemen interested in the so-called Orguinette company was held this afternoon at the office of the Meriden Britannia company when was formed the Aeolian Organ and Music company of Meriden... " (Excerpt from above.)


1888 - advertisement

Aeolian Organ & Music Co., New York. (29 November 1888). Advertisement: "The musical casket; This wonderful little instrument... " [with abstract illustration]. The Youth’s Companion (magazine), p. 613, col. 2. (Viewed 29 August 2020. E01243).

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1888 patents

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1888 - patent - pneumatic action for musical instruments

William D. Parker, assignor to the Aeolian Organ and Music Company, of Meriden, Connecticut. (4 December 1888; filed 12 April 1888). Letters patent no. 394,005; serial no. 270,439: Pneumatic action for musical instruments. (Viewed 20 February 2021. R01333).

1888 - patent - pneumatic wind musical instrument

William D. Parker, assignor to the Aeolian Organ and Music Company, of Meriden, Connecticut. (4 December 1888; filed 7 May 1888). Letters patent no. 394,006; serial no. 273,092: Pneumatic wind musical instrument. (Viewed 20 February 2021. R01334).

1888 - patent - mechanical musical instrument

Frank Stone, assignor to the Aeolian Organ and Music Company, of Connecticut. (18 December 1888; filed 26 May 1888). Letters patent no. 394,794; serial no. 275,156: Mechanical musical instrument. (Viewed 20 February 2021. R01335).



1889 - missing booklet accompanying exposition - Aeolian at Meriden opera house

(1889). Meriden Journal Souvenir [leather-bound booklet containing a list of the manufactories contributing to the exhibition at the Delavan Opera House, Meriden, 10 October 1889, and other companies in Meriden], 4 pp. (Viewed 29 October 2018. L00763; L00765-68).

1889 - spotlighted article mention

(29 June 1889). Meriden’s industries, their prosperous condition to-day... This in Meriden’s brief history; Introduction [with section on Aeolian Organ and Music Company]. Meriden Daily Republican, pp. 1 & 4. (Viewed 21 October 2020. F01597; F01618).

"... A most radical change has taken place in the character of their productions during the past year. Out of the ordinary cabinet organ, (adapted to play automatically) has evolved the finest line of goods possible to produce. Not only is a superior action now built, but cases of artistic design in figured oak, mahogany, walnut, rosewood and ebony, with a finish rivaling the most elegant pianos, commanding not only a high price, but a ready sale, as the class of people who but these goods, want only the best, and are willing to pay for it.

Not only these goods, but the pianos of their construction, are arranged to be operated entirely by electricity, the movement of a button producing the most startling result... A very substantial trade has grown up in South America, Australia, and Japan, as well as in most of the largest cities of our own country... The warerooms and headquarters of the company are at 831 Broadway, N. Y. ..." (Excerpt from above.)


1889 - spotlighted news mention - in Delavan Opera House exposition

(10 October 1889). Our guests: Honored visitors here to-day [including section of Aeolian Organ & Music Company]. Meriden Daily Journal, p. 1. (Viewed 29 October 2018. L00769-83).

"... The two Aeolian organs show the Aeolian Organ & Music Co. were beauties, and the finest finished instruments made at the factory. One was of walnut and the other mahogany, with regular piano cases. Spanish music was played by the organs, as a recognition of the foreign visitors."


1889 - news mention - in Delavan Opera House exposition

(10 October 1889). Our guests: Honored visitors here to-day [including mention of Aeolian Organ & Music Organ Company]. Meriden Daily Journal, p. 1. (Viewed 29 October 2018. L00769-83).

1889 - news mention - Meriden opera house exhibition

(11 October 1889). The show photographed: Fine pictures of the Opera House exhibit made. ["The best of them will be forwarded to Frank Leslie’s paper— what the state and New York press has to say about Meriden", with excerpts from Hartford Courant, Hartford Times, New Haven Register, New York Herald, New York Tribune, Waterbury Republican, with no specific mention of Aeolian Organ & Music Co.] Meriden Daily Journal, p. 1. (Viewed 14 September 2018. L00785-89).


1889 advertisements

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1889 - advertisement

Electric Piano Company, Boston, MA. (27 November 1889). Advertisement: "Electric Piano Company; Grand opening... A stock of elegant instruments on hand for sale... This company also carries a full stock of the Self-Playing Aeolian Organs and Music... " [with no illustrations]. Boston Daily Globe (Massachusetts), p. 3. (Viewed 29 August 2020. E01242).

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1889 - advertisement

The Aeolian Company, New York. (28 December 1889). Advertisement: "The Aeolian, The greatest of all musical instruments... " [with no illustrations]. The Evening Post, p. 6, col. 6. (Viewed 28 June 2019. E00906).



1889 - patent - organ

Robert W. Pain, assignor to the Aeolian Organ and Music Company, of New York. (17 December 1889; filed 23 January 1889). Letters patent no. 417,581; serial no. 297,231: Organ. (Viewed 15 February 2021. R01191).


1890s

1891 advertisements

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1891 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (4 February 1891). Advertisement: "The Aeolian, The Greatest of All Musical Instruments... " [with no illustrations]. The Evening Post, p. 4, col. 6. (Viewed 28 June 2019. E00916-17).

1891 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (11 February 1891). Advertisement: "A Waltz? ’Will it play a waltz?’ a customer asks. Most assuredly ; in this the Aeoloan excels all other instruments... " [with no illustrations]. The Evening Post (New York, NY), p. 4, col. 5. (Viewed 28 June 2019. E00914-15).

1891 - listing

Aeolian Organ & Music Co. (14 October 1891). Listing: "... Organ [Manufacturers]... The Aeolian Organ & Music Co. ... Organs of the most elegant design and finish..." Meriden Daily Journal, p. 3, cols. 3. (Viewed 22 April 2020. D01258; D01260).

1891 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (15 November 1891). Advertisement: "There is nothing that will make the home more attractive... " [with abstract illustration including piano with caption "The Minuette"]. The Sun (New York, NY), p. 13, cols. 6-7. (Viewed 28 June 2019. E00918-19).



1891 patents

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1891 - patent - organ

Joseph Herbert Chase and James B. Tracy, assignors to the Aeolian Organ and Music Company, of New York, NY. (20 January 1891; filed 14 October 1889). Letters patent no. 445,044; serial no. 327,039: Organ. (Viewed 1 November 2018. E00364).

1891 - patent - musical instrument

Robert W. Pain, assignor to the Aeolian Organ and Music Company, of New York. (20 January 1891; filed 23 January 1889). Letters patent no. 445,075; serial no. 297,230: Musical instrument. (Viewed 15 February 2021. R01195).

1891 - patent - music-sheet for mechanical musical instruments

William A. Webber, assignor to the Aeolian Organ and Music Company, of New York, NY. (12 May 1891; filed 29 January 1891). Letters patent no. 452,203; serial no. 379,596: Music-sheet for mechanical musical instruments. (Viewed 1 November 2018. E00365).



1892 advertisements

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1892 - two advertisements

The Aeolian Company, New York. (6 & 13 March 1892). Advertisement: "With an Aeolian, it is possible for you to enjoy right in your own home the works of the great Masters of music... " [with no illustrations]. The Sun (New York). (Viewed 19 April 2020. D01189-90).

1892 - advertisement

Aeolian Company. (27 November 1892). Advertisement: "The Aeolian is essentially an instrument for the home... send for descriptive catalogue... " [with no product illustrations]. The Sun (New York, NY), p. 4, cols. 6-7. (Viewed 3 July 2019. F01066).



1892 or earlier - missing catalogue

Aeolian Company. (1892 or earlier). [Catalogue]. Number of pages unknown. (Viewed 3 July 2019. F01066).

1893 - directory listing

(1893). "Aeolian Organ and Music Co." listings. In The New England business directory and gazetteer, [pp. 1047 (Boston Business Directory; Organ Builders); 1507 (Organ Manufacturers); 1803 (Manufacturing Companies)]. (Sampson, Murdock & Co.: Boston, MA). (Viewed 6 May 2020. H01383-86).


1893 advertisements

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1893 - two advertisements

Aeolian Company, New York. (16 & 30 April 1893). Advertisements: "For the summer home; We are prepared to supply Aeolians in a large assortment... " [with abstract illustration of piano]. The Sun (New York). (Viewed 23 April 2020. C01214-15).

1893 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, 18 West 23d St., New York. (26 November 1893). Advertisement: "A man or a woman who has never taken a lesson in music can learn to play the Aeolian in less than a week... " [with no illustrations]. The Sun (New York), p. 2, col. 7. (Viewed 22 June 2019. D00945).



1894 - news mention

(25 August 1894). Table talk [with mention of Aeolian Company]. Millbrook Round Table (Millbrook, NY), unknown page number, col 2. (Viewed 17 July 2019. C01017-18).

"G. A. Vossler & Sons have taken the agency for the Aeolian organ, the most novel musical instrument before the public. It can be played by anyone without any knowledge of music without an hour’s practice. It is well worthy of inspection at the Messrs. Vossler’s warerooms, 209 Main street." (Excerpt from above.)



1894 advertisements

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1894 - advertisement

Aeolian Company. (29 April 1894). Advertisement: "Aeolian... there has been evolved a new type of musical instruments... " [with no illustrations]. New-York Daily Tribune, p. 12, cols. 5-6. (Viewed 16 June 2019. D00859-60).

1894 - advertisement

Aeolian Company. (11 March 1894). Advertisement: "... The Aeolian is a musical instrument the distinguishing characteristics of which are Simplicity of Operation and Remarkable Orchestral Properties... 18 West 23d Street, New York; Boston: 155 Tremont St.; Philadelphia: 1117 Chestnut St." [with no illustration]. New York Daily Tribune, p. 5, cols. 5-6. (Viewed 16 June 2019. F00990-91).



1894 patents

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1894 - patent - organ

Jacob Binnig, assignor to the Aeolian Organ and Music Company, of New York. (13 March 1894; filed 10 May 1893). Letters patent no. 516,181; serial no. 473,633: Organ. (Viewed 15 February 2021. R01194).

1894 - patent - musical instrument

Joseph H. Chase and James B. Tracy, assignors to the Aeolian Organ and Music Company, of New York, NY. (22 May 1894; filed 10 May 1992). Letters patent no. 520,297; serial no. 507,318: Musical instrument. (Viewed 1 November 2018. E00363).



1895 advertisements

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1895 - advertisement

G. Schmidt & Bro., Muscatine, IA. (29 March 1895). Advertisement: "Dealers in.. the musical wonder The Aeolian... " [with no related product illustration]. The Evening Journal (Muscatine, Iowa), p. 1, cols. 7-8. (Viewed 20 January 2021. D01873).

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1895 - advertisement

D. H. Baldwin & Co., Indianapolis. (5 December 1895). Advertisement: "Aeolian for Lodges; It is customary to furnish lodge rooms with a musical instrument of some kind, the most popular being a piano or an organ. The Aeolian possesses advantages for this purpose... Call or Write for Catalogue... Daily Aeolian Concerts" [with no illustrations]. The Indianapolis Journal, p. 8, col. 1. (Viewed 16 June 2019. F00991-92).

1895 - advertisement

Kohler & Chase, San Francisco, CA. (13 December 1895). Advertisement: "The Aeolian! ... ’The Greatest Musical Invention of the Century’ ... " [with no illustrations]. The San Francisco Call, p. 16. (Viewed 28 June 2019. E00902-03).



1896 - mention in book

Hall, Henry. (1896). "Horace C. Wilcox" (1824-90), one of the founders of the Meriden Britannia; president, The Wilcox & White Organ Co.; director, Meriden Silver Plate Co.; director of The Manning Bowman Co.; director, Aeolian Organ & Music Co; director of Rogers Bro’s of Waterbury (p. 872). In America’s successful men of affairs. An encyclopedia of contemporaneous biography (vol II). The New York Tribune; 1074 pp. (Viewed 3 July 2020. F01341-42).


1896 advertisements

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1896 - advertisement

G. A. Vossler & Sons, presumably Poughkeepsie, NY. (2 May 1896). Text-based advertisement: "carry a first-class line of Pianos and Organs, including... Aeolian Organs... " The Pokeepsie Evening Enterprise (Poughkeepsie, NY), p. 1, col. 5. (Viewed 18 April 2020. D01187-88).

1896 - advertisement

Cluett & Sons, Plattsburgh, NY. (11 July 1896). Advertisement: "... Aeolian organ, plays any music ever written..." [with no illustrations]. Plattsburgh Daily Press (Plattsburgh, NY), presumably p. 4, col. 4. (Viewed 3 November 2018. F00350).



1896 patents

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1896 - patent - exhauster or feeder for musical-organ bellows

Joseph Herbert Chase, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of Meriden. (22 September 1896; filed 7 March 1896). Letters patent no. 568,310; serial no. 582,237: Exhauster or feeder for musical-organ bellows. (Viewed 1 November 2018. E00366).

1896 - patent - organ

Joseph H. Chase, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of New York, NY. (27 October 1896; filed 31 December 1894). Letters patent no. 570,200; serial no. 604,674: Organ. (Viewed 1 November 2018. E00367).

1896 - patent - tempo indicator and governor for musical instruments

Joseph Herbert Chase, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of New York, NY. (24 November 1896; filed 27 May 1896). Letters patent no. 571,746; serial no. 593,357: Tempo indicator and governor for musical instruments. (Viewed 1 November 2018. E00378).



1897 - news mention

(15 July 1897). To buy out Wilcox & White [with mention of Aeolian Company]. Hartford Courant, p. 8. (Viewed 26 December 2018. D00472).

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""About fifteen of the principal creditors of the Wilcox & White Organ Company had a conference this afternoon. George H. Wilcox, representing the C. H. White estate and the Aeolian Company, made an offer of $40,000 for the property. Trustee E. J. Doolittle wished to get the creditors view on the offer. The local creditors favored accepting the offer, but the out of town creditors thought a higher price out to be obtained. ..." (Excerpt from above.)



1897 advertisements

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1897 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (19 December 1897). Advertisement: "Are you fond of music... the Aeolian will interest you... Paderewski... Jean de Reszke... Sarasate... Ysaye... Sauret... " [with no illustrations]. The Sun (New York), p. 4, cols. 5-7. (Viewed 22 June 2020. L01452-53).

1897 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (22 December 1897). Advertisement: "Some facts about Aeolian and some prices... The Princess... Style 1450... Aeolian Grand... Aeolian Orchestrelle... " [with no illustrations]. New York Tribune, p. 4, col. 1. (Viewed 22 June 2020. L01463).



1897 patents

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1897 - patent - blowing device for musical instruments

Robert W. Pain, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of New York. (4 May 1897; filed 29 July 1896). Letters patent no. 581,764; serial no. 600,930: Blowing device for musical instruments. (Viewed 15 February 2021. R01192).

1897 - patent - electropneumatic musical instrument

Robert W. Pain, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of New York. (7 September 1897; filed 13 May 1896). Letters patent no. 589,535; serial no. 591,344: Electropneumatic musical instrument. (Viewed 15 February 2021. R01193).

1897 - patent - machine for perforating paper

Harold W. Shonnard and George Howlett Davis, assignors to the Aeolian Company of New York. (16 November 1897; filed 23 January 1896). Letters patent no. 593,694; serial no. 576,534: Machine for perforating paper. (Viewed 14 February 2021. R01176).



c. 1897 - historical information

Davis, William T. (Ed.) (c. 1897). On "Aeolian Co.", (p. 928). In The New England states, their constitutional, judicial, educational, commercial, professional and industrial history, vol. 2. Boston: D. H. Hurd & Co. (Viewed 31 October 2018. A02626; A02631.)

"... The Aeolian Co., manufacturers of self-playing musical instruments and music, was organized in 1887 with a capital stock of $225,000. Their factory is located on Tremont street, corner of Cambridge, and a large force of hands are daily employed... " (Excerpt from above.)



1898 advertisements

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1898 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (30 October 1898). Advertisement: "... After eight years of study and experiment the Aeolian Company announces the perfection of their new invention, The Pianola... Catalogues sent upon request..." [with illustration]. New York Tribune, p. 3, cols. 5-6. (Viewed 22 June 2020. L01464).

1898 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (6 November 1898). Advertisement: "Producing music... The Aeolian Quarterly— a genuine music magazine ... New York City; Boston, Mass., The M Steinert & Sons Co. ... Philadelphia, Pa., C. J. Heppe & Son ... Chicago, Ill., Lyon & Healy... " [with illustration of Aeolian Colonial]. New York Tribune, p. 2, cols. 3-4. (Viewed 22 June 2020. L01465).



1898 patents

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1898 - patent - device for attaching music-rolls to mechanical musical instruments

Robert W. Pain, assignor to the Aeolian Company. (22 March 1898; filed 31 March 1897). Letters patent no. 601,161; serial no. 630,113: Device for attaching music-rolls to mechanical musical instruments. (Viewed 5 July 2020. F01389).

1898 - patent - adjustable take-up music-roll for mechanical musical instruments

Robert W. Pain, assignor to the Aeolian Company. (22 March 1898; filed 12 April 1897). Letters patent no. 601,162; serial no. 631,787: Adjustable take-up music-roll for mechanical musical instruments. (Viewed 5 July 2020. F01388).

1898 - patent - mechanical musical instrument

Robert W. Pain, assignor to Aeolian Company. (22 March 1898; filed 14 April 1897). Letters patent no. 601,163; serial no. 632,167: Mechanical musical instrument. (Viewed 5 July 2020. F01387).

1898 - patent - musical instrument

Robert W. Pain, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of Connecticut. (29 November 1898; filed 15 October 1897). Letters patent no. 614,886; serial no. 655,305: Musical instrument. (Viewed 20 February 2021. R01336).



c. 1898 - design catalogue (missing)

Aeolian Company. (1898). [Catalogue]. Number of pages unknown. No known copy in a public library. (Viewed 22 June 2020. L01464).

1899 - spotlighted news mention

(21 December 1899). Aeolian Organ Company’s purchase. Hartford Courant, p. 3. (Viewed 3 November 2018. D00484).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.
"The Aeolian Organ Company of Meriden, organized in 1887 with a capital stock of $225,000, has recently bought the plant and business of the Votey Organ Company of Detroit, Mich., and will move the business of the latter plant to Garwood, N. J. The Aeolian Company of Meriden has recently taken over the property and business of the Vocalian Company of Worcester, Mass., and is now running it together with the Meriden company’s plant." (Excerpt from above.)


1899 - news mention

(28 December 1899). Music rolls not copyright [with mention of Aeolian Company]. Hartford Courant, p. 10. (Viewed 26 December 2018. D00485).

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"An interesting copyright case has just come before the English court of appeal. It has to do with the question whether music copyright covers the perforated rolls used to produce music in a machine like the Aeolian ... " (Excerpt from above.)



1899 advertisements

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1899 - advertisement

Goetz & Co., Brooklyn, NY. (3 December 1899). Advertisement: "... Aeolian organs. Several rolls of music go with each..." [with no illustrations]. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, NY), p. 19, col. 3. (Viewed 3 November 2018. F00351-52).

1899 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (24 December 1899). Advertisement: "... The Pianola is bringing into use thousands of pianos that have been silent for many years... " [with abstract illustration]. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, NY), p. 22, top right. (Viewed 30 May 2020. H01827).



1899 patents

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1899 - patent - music-rolling and tempo-regulating mechanism

Homer A. Herr, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of New York. (11 April 1899; filed 22 October 1895). Letters patent no. 622,680; serial no. 566,535: Music-rolling and tempo-regulating mechanism. (Viewed 15 February 2021. R01196).

1899 - patent - primary valve for automatic organs

Joseph H. Chase, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of New York, NY. (27 June 1899; filed 20 April 1898). Letters patent no. 627,570; serial no. 678,215: Primary valve for automatic organs. (Viewed 1 November 2018. E00368).

1899 - patent - pedal attachment for automatic playing devices

Robert W. Pain, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of New York, NY. (8 August 1899; filed 4 February 1899). Letters patent no. 630,557; serial no. 704,505: Pedal attachment for automatic playing devices. (Viewed 1 November 2018. E00369).

1899 - patent - guide for pianolas

Robert W. Pain, of assignor to the Aeolian Company, of New York, NY. (8 August 1899; filed 4 February 1899). Letters patent no. 630,558; serial no. 704,506: Guide for pianolas. (Viewed 2 November 2018. E00390).

1899 - patent - electromechanical perforating-machine

George Howlett Davis, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of New York, NY. (8 August 1899; filed 12 December 1894). Letters patent no. 630,598; serial no. 531,594: Electromechanical perforating-machine. (Viewed 2 November 2018. E00391).

1899 - patent - adjustable caster

Joseph Herbert Chase, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of Meriden. (10 October 1899; filed 18 February 1899). Letters patent no. 634,803; serial no. 705,989: Adjustable caster. (Viewed 2 November 2018. E00392).

1899 - patent - tempo indicator and governor for musical instruments

Joseph Herbert Chase, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of New York, NY. (12 December 1899; filed 30 June 1898). Letter patent no. 638,955; serial no. 684,793: Tempo indicator and governor for musical instruments. (Viewed 2 November 2018. E00393).



Click to see designs in collections and historical documentation about another musical instrument manufacturer in Meriden, the Wilcox & White Co. Plus check out other accomplished historical companies from the area on the Design Meriden micro-site homepage.



1900s

1900 articles

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1900 - news mention

(29 March 1900). Will not remove from Meriden [one-paragraph article]. Hartford Courant, p. 1. [Special to the Courant, Meriden, March 23.] (Viewed 3 November 2018. D00486).

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"There have been a number of rumors that the Aeolian Organ Company of this city [Meriden] would move to New Jersey. It employs a large number of hands. It was announced to-day that the company would remain here and it would increase its plant by a large addition to the factory." (Excerpt in full from above.)


1900 - news brief

(5 April 1900). Aeolian Co. plans; Architect getting out drawing of addition. Meriden Weekly Republican,p. 2, col. 5. (Viewed 28 June 2020. F01263).



1900 advertisements

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1900 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (7 January 1900). Advertisement: "Have you a piano that you do not use? ... The Pianola... a piano player... " [with illustration]. New York Tribune (Part III, Winter Resort Section), p. 1, cols. 4-6. (Viewed 22 June 2020. L01454).

1900 - advertisement

Aeolian Company. (26 January 1900). Advertisement: "Endorsed by Musicians. The Pianola... Emil Sauer orders two more Pianolas in a letter just received from him in Germany... Aeolian Company, 18 West 23d Street... " [with no illustrations]. The Sun (New York), p. 2, cols. 6-7. (Viewed 5 July 2020. F01382).



1900 patents

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1900 - patent - musical instrument

Robert W. Pain, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of New York, NY. (17 April 1900; filed 20 April 1898). Letters patent no. 647,926; serial no. 678,228: Musical instrument. (Viewed 1 November 2018. E00370).

1900 - patent - auxiliary operating attachment for piano-actions

Robert Williard Pain, assignor to Aeolian Company, of Connecticut. (11 December 1900; filed 17 July 1900). Letters patent no. 663,552; serial no. 23,887: Auxiliary operating attachment for piano-actions. (Viewed 22 December 2018. B01282).



1901 - music roll listings book

Aeolian Company, New York, London, Paris, Berlin. (1901). Music for the Orchestrelle & Aeolian Grand [music roll listings book with music roll numbers], 679 pp. (Viewed 3 July 2020. F01332).

1901 - news mention

(15 August 1901). J. H. Chase’s Company prospering [with mention of Aeolian Co.]. Meriden Weekly Republican, p. 5, col. 2. (Viewed 27 October 2020. F01647-49).

"The Meriden friends of J. H. Chase, for many years superintendent of the Aeolian Co., will read with pleasure the following extract from the Buffalo Express... ’Our industries are growing rapidly. One of the most interesting of recent acquisition is the Buffalo Musical Instruments Company, which manufactures the Chase & Baker piano player...’" (Excerpt from above.)



1901 advertisements

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1901 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (28 April 1901). Advertisement: "His Majesty Emperor William; A purchaser of an Aeolian Orchestrelle... " [with no illustrations]. New York Tribune, p. 3, cols. 4-6. (Viewed 5 July 2020. F01383).

1901 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (22 September 1901). Advertisement: "The Resources of the Aeolian are limitless... Jean de Reszke... Massenet... " [with no illustrations]. The Sun (New York ), presumably p. 4, cols. 6-7. (Viewed 5 July 2020. F01384).

1901 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (22 September 1901). Advertisement: "Special Sale Sept. 16th to 28th. Slightly used Aeolians at Reduced Prices..." [with no illustrations]. The Sun (New York ), presumably p. 4, cols. 7. (Viewed 5 July 2020. F01385).



1901 patents

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1901 - patent - pneumatic piano-playing device

Robert Williard Pain, assignor to Aeolian Company, of Connecticut. (21 May 1901; filed 11 September 1900). Letters patent no. 674,426; serial no. 29,710: Pneumatic piano-playing device. (Viewed 22 December 2018. B01283).

1901 - patent - mechanical musical instrument

Peter Welin, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of Meriden, Connecticut. (1 October 1901; filed 12 February 1901). Letters patent no. 683,825; serial no. 47,022: Mechanical musical instrument. (Viewed 1 November 2018. E00371).

1901 - patent - tracker-board for mechanical musical instruments

Hartwell R. Moore, assignor to the Aeolian Co., of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (22 October 1901; filed 24 May 1901). Letters patent no. 684,845; serial no. 61,683: Tracker-board for mechanical musical instruments. (Viewed 20 February 2021. R01337).

1901 - patent - bearing for rolls

Robert Williard Pain, assignor to the Aeolian Co., of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (3 December 1901; filed 24 May 1901). Letters patent no. 687,776; serial no. 61,714: Bearing for rolls. (Viewed 20 February 2021. R01338).



1902 - book or catalogue

Aeolian Company. (1902). The Aeolian pipe-organ. 51 pp. New York. (Viewed 9 October 2020. F01436).

1902 - news mention

(3 July 1902). Corporation notes: The Aeolian Company [of Meriden] raises its capital stock to $1,000,000. Hartford Courant, p. 4. (Viewed 26 December 2018. D00487).

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1902 advertisements

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1902 - advertisement - event

Aeolian Company, New York. (12 March 1902). Advertisement: "Haydn’s Oratorio ’The Creation’ with Aeolian Orchestrelle accompaniment; To-day... Miss Jennie Corea Soprano; Dr. George E. Clark, Basso Profundo... " [with no illustration]. New York Tribune, p. 3, cols. 4-6. (Viewed 22 June 2020. L01455).

1902 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (11 May 1902). Advertisement: "The Pianola is an absolute necessity to the proper equipment of the summer home... the Pianola that has commended it to such musicians as Paderewski, Rosenthal, Moszkowski, Sauer, Hofmann, Bauer, Slivinski, De Pachmann, Dohnanyi..." [with abstract illustration]. New York Tribune, presumably p. 5, cols. 3-4. (Viewed 5 July 2020. F01386).



1902 patents

See the patents


1902 - patent - machine for cutting and printing stencil-sheets

Willard S. Pain, assignor to the Aeolian Co., of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (14 January 1902; filed 24 May 1901). Letters patent no. 690,991; serial no. 61,693: Machine for cutting and printing stencil-sheets. (Viewed 1 November 2018. E00373).

1902 - patent - controller for mechanical musical instruments

Francis Lincoln Young, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of New York, NY, a corporation of Connecticut. (11 February 1902; filed 15 November 1901). Letters patent no. 692,968; serial no. 82,393: Controller for mechanical musical instruments. (Viewed 1 November 2018. E00374).

1902 - patent - device for marking perforated music-sheets with a line indicating an effect to be produced

Francis Lincoln Young, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, NY, a corporation of Connecticut. (11 February 1902; filed 15 November 1901). Letters patent no. 692,969; serial no. 82,394: Device for marking perforated music-sheets with a line indicating an effect to be produced. (Viewed 3 November 2018. F00338).

1902 - patent - musical instrument

William G. Spiegel, assignor of one-half to the Aeolian Company, of New York, NY. (25 March 1902; filed 11 June 1901). Letters patent no. 695,958; serial no. 64,123: Musical instrument. (Viewed 3 November 2018. F00339).

1902 - patent - keyboard playing attachment for musical instruments

Edwin S. Votey, assignor to Aeolian Company of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (25 March 1902; original application filed 16 November 1899; divided and this application filed 29 January 1902). Letters patent no. 696,216; original application serial no. 737,223; this application serial no. 91,712: Keyboard playing attachment for musical instruments. (Viewed 22 December 2018. B01285).

1902 - patent - mechanical musical instrument

Charles Lewis Emmons, assignor to the Aeolian Co., of New York, NY, a corporation of Connecticut. (29 April 1902; filed 2 December 1901). Letters patent no. 698,480; serial no. 84,425: Mechanical musical instrument. (Viewed 3 November 2018. F00340).

1902 - patent - operating-sheet for automatic musical instruments

Edwin S. Votey, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (19 August 1902; filed 30 October 1900). Letters patent no. 707,283; serial no. 34,917: Operating-sheet for automatic musical instruments. (Viewed 22 December 2018. B01286).

1902 - patent - perforated music-sheet for automatic musical instruments

Charles Harris Shaw, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of New York, NY, a corporation of Connecticut. (16 September 1902; filed 20 March 1902). Letters patent no. 709,054; serial no. 99,045: Perforated music-sheet for automatic musical instruments. (Viewed 3 November 2018. F00353).

1902 - patent - tracker for musical instruments

Edwin S. Votey, assignor to the Aeolian Co., of New York, NY, a corporation of Connecticut. (28 October 1902; filed 19 December 1901). Letters patent no. 712,162; serial no. 86,596: Tracker for musical instruments. (Viewed 3 November 2018. F00354).

1902 - patent - melody-stop for mechanically-played musical instruments

Robert Williard Pain, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (18 November 1902; filed 24 May 1901; renewed 21 April 1902). Letters patent no. 713,676; serial no. 103,914: Melody-stop for mechanically-played musical instruments. (Viewed 20 February 2021. R01339).

1902 - patent - tracker-board for automatic musical-instrument players

Ernest M. Skinner, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (9 December 1902; original application filed 12 September 1900; divided and filed 27 December 1900). Letters patent no. 715,307; original application serial no. 29,842; divided and filed application 41,276: Tracker-board for automatic musical-instrument players. (Viewed 22 December 2018. B01287).

1902 - patent - mechanical musical instrument

Edwin S. Votey, assignor to the Aeolian Co., of New York, NY, a corporation of Connecticut. (30 December 1902; filed 2 November 1901). Letters patent no. 717,146; serial no. 80,940: Mechanical musical instrument. (Viewed 3 November 2018. F00355).



1903 - music rolls catalogue

Aeolian Company. (1903). The Metrostyle [music rolls catalogue], 82 pp. (Viewed 3 July 2020. F01337-38).


1903 advertisements

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1903 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (13 February 1903). Advertisement: "Final completion of the Aeolian pipe-organ permits announcement of the first public exhibition of this remarkable instrument in Aeolian Hall... Mme. Blauvelt, soloist... " [with no illustrations]. New-York Tribune, p. 2, cols. 4-6. (Viewed 18 July 2020. L01636).

1903 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (29 March 1903). Advertisement: "... The crowning achievement in the development of the Pianola.. The Metrostyle... " [with abstract illustration]. The Sun (New York), presumably p. 32, cols. 5-7. (Viewed 18 July 2020. L01637-38).



1903 patents

See the patents


1903 - patent - machine for cutting music-sheets for mechanical musical instruments

Willard S. Pain, assignor to the Aeolian Co., of New York, NY, a corporation of Connecticut. (6 January 1903; filed 24 May 1901). Letters patent no. 717,759; serial no. 61,694: Machine for cutting music-sheets for mechanical musical instruments. (Viewed 1 November 2018. E00375).

1903 - patent - melody-stop for mechanically-played musical instruments

Robert Williard Pain, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (6 January 1903; filed 24 May 1901). Letters patent no. 717,907; serial no. 61,712: Melody-stop for mechanically-played musical instruments. (Viewed 20 February 2021. R01340).

1903 - patent - music-roll

George Bradford Kelly, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of New York, NY, a corporation of Connecticut. (13 January 1903; filed 15 August 1902). Letters patents no. 718,256; serial no. 119,790: Music-roll. (Viewed 1 November 2018. E00376).

1903 - patent - scale for musical instruments

Daniel Howard Haywood, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (13 January 1903; filed 2 December 1901). Letters patent no. 718,346; serial no. 84,295: Scale for musical instruments. (Viewed 3 November 2018. F00357).


1903 - patent (Canada) - spool for music rolls

George Bradford Kelly. (10 February 1903). Patent CA 79379: Spool for music rolls / Fuseau pour rouleaux a musique. (Viewed 18 October 2021. Q00771).

1903 - patent (Canada) - melody stop for mechanical musical instruments

Robert Williard Pain, assignor to the Aeolian Company. (10 February 1903). Patent CA 79380: Melody stop for mechanical musical instruments / Arret pour moduler le son des instruments de musique. (Viewed 18 October 2021. Q00772).

1903 - patent - music-sheet for mechanical musical instruments

Robert Williard Pain, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (14 April 1903; filed 5 March 1902). Letters patent no. 725,358; serial no. 96,729: Music-sheet for mechanical musical instruments. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00343).

1903 - patent - automatic piano

Robert Williard Pain, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of New York. (5 May 1903; filed 15 February 1902). Letters patent no. 726,981; serial no. 94,207: Automatic piano. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00344).

1903 - patent - means for modifying the action of strikers in mechanism for playing keyboard instruments

Robert Williard Pain, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (26 May 1903; filed 23 January 1902). Letters patent no. 728,965; serial no. 90,893: Means for modifying the action of strikers in mechanism for playing keyboard instruments. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00345).

1903 - patent - primary pneumatic-valve in mechanism for playing musical instruments

Robert Williard Pain, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (26 May 1903; filed 21 April 1902). Letters patent no. 728,966; serial no. 108,880: Primary pneumatic-valve in mechanism for playing musical instruments. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00346).

1903 - patent - means for retaining pianolas in position before keyboard musical instruments

James B. Tracy, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (2 June 1903; filed 3 February 1902). Letters patent no. 729,977; serial no. 92,290: Means for retaining pianolas in position before keyboard musical instruments. (Viewed 22 December 2018. B01300).

1903 - patent - means for modifying the action of strikers in mechanism for playing keyboard instruments

Robert Williard Pain, assignor to Aeolian Co., of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (16 June 1903; filed 24 December 1901). Letters patent no. 730,958; serial no. 87,061: Means for modifying the action of strikers in mechanism for playing keyboard instruments. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00357).

1903 - patent - music-roll

Frank R. Wyckoff, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (16 June 1903; filed 30 January 1903). Letters patent no. 731,008; serial no. 141,190: Music-roll. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00358).

1903 - patent - mechanism for playing musical instruments

Frank R. Wyckoff, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (14 July 1903; filed 5 March 1902). Letters patent no. 733,528; serial no. 96,734: Mechanism for playing musical instruments. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00359).

1903 - patent - means for regulating the expression of mechanical musical instruments

Edwin S. Votey, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (27 October 1903; filed 21 August 1903). Letters patent no. 742,760; serial no. 170,351: Means for regulating the expression of mechanical musical instruments. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00360).

1903 - patent - mechanism for accentuating one or more notes in mechanically-actuated musical apparatus

Joseph H. Dickinson, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (3 November 1903; filed 13 May 1903). Letters patent no. 743,065; serial no. 156,980: Mechanism for accentuating one or more notes in mechanically-actuated musical apparatus. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00361).

1903 - patent - means for adjusting music-rolls in mechanical musical instruments

Edwin S. Votey, assignor to Aeolian Co., of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (3 November 1903; filed 20 January 1902). Letters patent no. 743,118; serial no. 90,410: Means for adjusting music-rolls in mechanical musical instruments. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00362).

1903 - patent - mechanism for accentuating one or more notes in mechanically-actuated musical apparatus

Francis Young, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (3 November 1903; filed 14 March 1903). Letters patent no. 743,130; serial no. 147,741: Mechanism for accentuating one or more notes in mechanically-actuated musical apparatus. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00363).

1903 - patent - expression mechanism for pianolas or other musical instruments

Robert Williard Pain, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (17 November 1903; filed 17 July 1903). Letters patent no. 744,277; serial no. 165,910: Expression mechanism for pianolas or other musical instruments. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00364).



1904 advertisements

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1904 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (16 January 1904). Advertisement: "Exchanged Aeolians and Orchestrelles... Special Sale of Exchanged Pianolas..." [with no illustrations]. The Corrector (Sag-Harbor, New York) , unknown page number, cols. 4-5. (Viewed 28 June 2019. E00907-08).

1904 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (14 May 1904). Advertisement: "Special spring sale of exchanged Pianolas, Pianos, and Aeolians..." [with no illustrations]. Evening Post (New York), p. 2, cols. 5-7. (Viewed 27 April 2020. H01240).

1904 - patent - accenting mechanism for mechanical musical apparatus

Robert W. Pain, assignor to the Aeolian Company. (2 August 1904; filed 26 October 1903). Letters patent no. 766,516; serial no. 178,500: Accenting mechanism for mechanical musical apparatus. (Viewed 18 July 2020. L01630).

1904 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (November 1904). Advertisement with three-page lead up advertorial: "Prices of the pianola piano $500 to $1,000... Art catalog sent upon application... " [with two illustrations in advertorial]. Metropolitan Magazine, (Advertising section), pp. 257-60. (Viewed 21 July 2020. L01800-02).



1904 patents

See the patents


1904 - patent - means for regulating the expression of mechanical musical instruments

Robert W. Pain, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of New York, NY, a corporation of Connecticut. (15 March 1904; filed 21 August 1903). Letters patent no. 754,886; serial no. 170,362: Means for regulating the expression of mechanical musical instruments. (Viewed 1 November 2018. E00379).

1904 - patent - means for securing end flanges to music-roll spools

Willard S. Pain, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of New York, NY, a corporation of Connecticut. (19 July 1904; filed 30 April 1904). Letters patent no. 765,591; serial no. 205,771: Means for securing end flanges to music-roll spools. (Viewed 1 November 2018. E00380).

1904 - patent - expression mechanism for pneumatically-actuated musical instruments

Edwin S. Votey, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (16 August 1904; filed 27 February 1904). Letters patent no. 767,781; serial no. 195,519: Expression mechanism for pneumatically-actuated musical instruments. (Viewed 22 December 2018. B01288).

1904 - patent - music-roll for pianolas, etc.

Willard S. Pain, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of New York, NY. a corporation of Connecticut. (16 August 1904; filed 16 July 1903). Letters patent no. 767,830; serial no. 135,772: Music-roll for pianolas, etc. (Viewed 3 November 2018. F00358).

1904 - patent - automatic musical instrument

Peter Welin, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (23 August 1904; filed 3 August 1899). Letters patent no. 768,414; serial no. 726,043: Automatic musical instrument. (Viewed 22 December 2018. B01289).



c. 1904 - design catalogue (missing)

Aeolian Company, New York. (c. 1904). [Catalogue]. Number of pages unknown. No copy known to be in a public library. (Viewed 21 July 2020. L01800-02).

1905 - music roll catalogue

Aeolian Company. (1905). Catalog of music for the pianola, pianola piano, and aeriola, vol. I. 598 pp. New York, London, Paris, Berlin. (Viewed 9 October 2020. F01448).

1905 - spotlighted advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (12 November 1905). Full-page advertisement: "Expansion at Aeolian Hall, New York’s Piano Center ... [with illustration of building and detailed directory of displays and activities on the twelve floors]. The Sun (New York), p. 3. (Viewed 7 June 2020. D01336-37).


1905 - other advertisements

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1905 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (17 May 1905). Advertisement: "Paderewski visits Aeolian Hall, New York’s New Musical Center, and writes another letter of appreciation of The Pianola... " [with no product illustrations]. The Sun (New York), p. 2. (Viewed 8 June 2020. D01344).

1905 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (17 September 1905). Advertisement: "... Semi-annual sale of pianos and pianolas... at Aeolian Hall, 362 Fifth Avenue, New York... " [with no product illustrations]. The Sun (New York), p. 3. (Viewed 7 June 2020. D01334-35).



1905 patents

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1905 - patent - note-sheet

Frank Taft, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of New York, NY, a corporation of Connecticut. (10 January 1905; filed 23 July 1902). Letters patent no. 779,677; serial no. 116,707: Note-sheet. (Viewed 3 November 2018. F00356).

1905 - patent - tracker for mechanical musical instruments

Robert W. Pain, assignor to the Aeolian Company. (10 January 1905; filed 13 October 1903). Letters patent no. 779,867; serial no. 176,891: Tracker for mechanical musical instruments. (Viewed 18 July 2020. L01631).

1905 - patent - piano

Edwin S. Votey, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (17 January 1905; filed 15 February 1904). Letters patent no. 780,078; serial no. 193,517: Piano. (Viewed 14 February 2021. R01175).

1905 - patent - traveling music-roll

Harry M. Smith, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (24 January 1905; filed 6 November 1899). Letters patent no. 780,689; serial no. 736,072: Traveling music-roll. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00365).

1905 - patent - pedal attachment for mechanical instrument-players

Charles Lewis Emmons, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (10 October 1905; filed 6 April 1905). Letters patent no. 801,827; serial no. 264,085: Pedal attachment for mechanical instrument-players. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00366).



c. 1905 - music rolls catalogue

Aeolian Company. (c. 1905). Catalog of music for the Pianola and Pianola Piano. Number of pages unknown. (Viewed 3 July 2020. F01340).

1906 - spotlighted news mention - in Manufacturers’ and Varied Art Exposition

(14 June 1906). Fourth day of the Centennial; Big attendance at pure food exhibition [with mention of Aeolian in Manufacturers’ and Varied Art Exposition, Hanover Park, Meriden]. Meriden Morning Record, p. 1, cols. 2-3 & p. 7. col. 3. (appears to be an article reprint of the Meriden Weekly Republican article, or vice-versa.) (Viewed 23 October 2018. B01188-92).

"... In the center of the casino is the Aeolian company’s exhibit. LeRoy H. Moon, of New York, is in charge of this exhibit, in which are shown the pianola, a pianola piano, a Weber grand piano and the orchestrelle made by the company. Mr. Moon is an expert and the concerts he gives during the afternoon and evening are greatly enjoyed..."


1906 - news mention - in Manufacturers’ and Varied Art Exposition

(14 June 1906). Fourth day of the Centennial; Big attendance at pure food exhibition [/ Manufacturers’ and Varied Art Exposition with mention of Wilcox & White.] Meriden Weekly Republican, p. 1, cols. 2-3 & p. 8 (see Meriden Morning Record above; this page is not visible). (Viewed 21 October 2018. B01179-81).


1906 advertisements

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1906 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (14 January 1906). Advertisement: "Special sale at Aeolian Hall of pianos exchanged for the pianola piano... " [with no illustration]. The Sun (New York), p. 3. (Viewed 8 June 2020. D01345-46).

1906 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (20 October 1906). Advertisement: "New York’s New Musical and Piano Center— Aeolian Hall ... New York’s future center for high-class retail merchandising... Fifth Avenue and 34th Street... " [with illustration of the new hall]. Evening Post (Washington, DC), p. 3, cols. 5-7. (Viewed 9 June 2020. D01348-50).



1906 patents

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1906 - patent - pneumatic-action of musical instruments

Morris S. Wright, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (2 January 1906; filed 13 March 1902). Letters patent no. 809,039; serial no. 98,058: Pneumatic-action of musical instruments. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00349).

1906 - patent - take-up roll for perforated music-sheets

Frederick L. Wood, assignor to Aeolian Company of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (27 February 1906; filed 17 June 1905). Letters patent no. 813,607; serial no. 265,659: Take-up roll for perforated music-sheets. (Viewed 22 December 2018. B01284).

1906 - patent - pneumatically-actuated musical instrument

Edwin S. Votey, assignor to Aeolian Co., of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (6 March 1906; filed 24 June 1901). Letters patent no. 814,176; serial no. 65,783: pneumatically-actuated musical instrument. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00348).

1906 - patent - tempo-indicator

Francis L. Young, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (1 May 1906; filed 24 March 1905). Letters patent no. 819,113; serial no. 251,731: Tempo-indicator. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00380).

1906 - patent - music-sheet indicator

John W. Heins, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (1 May 1906; filed 24 June 1905). Letters patent no. 819,135; serial no. 266,732: Music-sheet indicator. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00381).

1906 - patent - templet for placing expression-lines

Francis L. Young, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (15 May 1906; filed 3 March 1905). Letters patent no. 820,752: Templet for placing expression-lines. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00389).

1906 - patent - music-roll

George B. Kelly, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (5 June 1906; filed 9 March 1906). Letters patent no. 822,280; serial no. 305,029: Music-roll. (Viewed 22 December 2018. F00474).

1906 - patent - mechanical musical apparatus

Edwin S. Votey, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of New York. (19 June 1906; filed 22 June 1903). Letters patent no. 824,049; serial no. 162,505: Mechanical musical apparatus. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00347).

1906 - patent - portable-player for musical instruments

Edwin S. Votey, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of New York. (19 June 1906; filed 22 June 1903). Letters patent no. 824,050; serial no. 162,506: Portable-player for musical instruments. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00350).

1906 - patent - automatic musical instrument

William H. Rees, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (3 July 1906; filed 25 November 1905). Letters patent no. 825,277; serial no. 289,077: Automatic musical instrument. (Viewed 22 December 2018. F00475).

1906 - patent - mechanical musical instrument

Edwin S. Votey, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (17 July 1906; filed 1 December 1905). Letters patent no. 825,948; serial no. 289,761: Mechanical musical instrument. (Viewed 22 December 2018. F00476).

1906 - patent - pneumatic coupler

Frederick L. Wood, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (17 July 1906; filed 28 October 1905). Letters patent no. 826,397; serial no. 284,864: Pneumatic coupler. (Viewed 22 December 2018. F00477).

1906 - patent - piano-stool

Ernest R. Hunter, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (24 July 1906; filed 1 December 1905). Letters patent no. 826,575; serial no. 289,780: Piano-stool. (Viewed 22 December 2018. F00478).

1906 - patent - tracker and associated parts for mechanical musical instruments

Edwin S. Votey, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (24 July 1906; filed 1 December 1905). Letters patent no. 826,753; serial no. 289,760: Tracker and associated parts for mechanical musical instruments. (Viewed 22 December 2018. F00479).

1906 - patent - mechanical musical instrument

Edwin S. Votey, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (24 July 1906; filed 1 December 1905). Letters patent no. 826,754; serial no. 289,762: Mechanical musical instrument. (Viewed 22 December 2018. F00480).

1906 - patent - musical-instrument player

Edwin S. Votey, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (21 August 1906; filed 27 January 1905). Letters patent no. 829,184; serial no. 242,937: Musical-instrument player. (Viewed 22 December 2018. F00481).

1906 - patent - music-roll-coupling device

Edwin S. Votey, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (21 August 1906; filed 13 October 1905). Letters patent no. 829,185; serial no. 282,661: Music-roll-coupling device. (Viewed 22 December 2018. F00482).

1906 - patent - movable tracker for mechanical musical instruments

Edwin S. Votey, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (21 August 1906; filed 1 December 1905). Letters patent no. 829,186; serial no. 289,759: Movable tracker for mechanical musical instruments. (Viewed 22 December 2018. F00483).

1906 - patent - music-roll

George B. Kelly, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (2 October 1906; filed 13 October 1905). Letters patent no. 832,065; serial no. 282,622: Music-roll. (Viewed 22 December 2018. F00484).

1906 - patent - music-roll-coupling device

Edwin S. Votey, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (9 October 1906; filed 20 September 1905). Letters patent no. 832,641; serial no. 279,285: Music-roll-coupling device. (Viewed 22 December 2018. F00485).

1906 - patent - automatic musical instrument

Morris S. Wright, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (16 October 1906; filed 7 April 1902). Letters patent no. 833,362; serial no. 101,624: Automatic musical instrument. (Viewed 1 November 2018. E00377).

1906 - patent - music-roll-making machine

Philip Jacob Meahl, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (4 December 1906; filed 23 January 1906). Letters patent no. 837,317; serial no. 297,424: Music-roll-making machine. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00367).

1906 - patent - perforated music-sheet for mechanical musical instruments

George Swift, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of Meriden and New York, NY. (4 December 1906; filed 9 March 1900). Letters patent no. 837,517; serial no. 8052. (Viewed 1 November 2018. E00372).



1907 - book

Aeolian Company. (1907). The Aeolian pipe-organ and its music, 166 pp. The Aeolian Company: New York; 166 pp. (Viewed 13 May 2020. H01056-57).


1907 advertisements

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1907 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (14 January 1907). Advertisement: "The Aeolian Company announces the great January sale of used pianos; Uprights and Grands Taken in Exchange for the Pianola Piano... " [with two abstract illustrations of pianos]. The Evening Post (New York), p. 2, cols. 5-7. (Viewed 8 June 2020. D01347).

1907 - advertisement

Aeolian Hall, New York. (19 January 1907). Advertisement: "... The new Steck Demi Grand is now on exhibition and sale at Aeolian Hall... " [with illustration of piano]. Evening Post (New York), p. 3, cols. 5-7. (Viewed 10 June 2020. D01359).

1907 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (4 February 1907). Advertisement: "The ’Themodist’ is here; The most important improvement in piano-player construction ever produced... " [with no illustrations]. The Evening Post (New York), p. 3, cols. 4-7. (Viewed 10 June 2020. D01360).

1907 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (1 June 1907). Advertisement: "... The Steck, Demi Grand... " [with abstract illustration of piano]. Evening Post (New York), p. 3, cols. 4-7. (Viewed 10 June 2020. D01361).



1907 patents

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1907 - patent - mechanical musical instrument

Edmund Schnabel and William W. Lawson, assignors to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (1 January 1907; filed 21 February 1906). Letters patent no. 840,259; serial no. 302,319: Mechanical musical instrument. (Viewed 20 February 2021. R01332).

1907 - patent - music-sheet-guiding device

Elihu Thomson, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a company of Connecticut. (15 January 1907; filed 9 February 1906). Letters patent no. 841,356; serial no. 300,236: Music-sheet-guiding device. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00368).

1907 - patent - detachable music-roll support

Edwin S. Votey, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a company of Connecticut. (2 April 1907; filed 1 May 1905). Letters patent no. 849,091; serial no. 258,211: Detachable music-roll support. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00369).

1907 - patent - pneumatic valve for musical instruments

August W. Flegel, assignor of the Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (16 April 1907; filed 18 October 1906). Letters patent no. 850,635; serial no. 339,439: Pneumatic valve for musical instruments. (Viewed 11 February 2021. R01085).

1907 - patent - music-sheet

William H. Rees, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of New Jersey. (28 May 1907; original application filed 25 November 1905; divided and this application filed 7 May 1906). Letters patent no. 855,413; original application serial no. 289,077; this application serial no. 315,461: Music-sheet. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00382).

1907 - patent - music-roll and support therefor

Edwin S. Votey, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (10 September 1907; filed 13 October 1905). Letters patent no. 865,664; serial no. 282,660: Music-roll and support therefor. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00383).

1907 - patent - folding pedal

Robert W. Pain, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (5 November 1907; filed 28 June 1907). Letters patent no. 869,980; serial no. 381,190: Folding pedal. (Viewed 18 July 2020. L01632).

1907 - patent - actuating mechanism for pneumatically-operated musical instruments

Robert Williard Pain, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (3 December 1907; filed 23 January 1907). Letters patent no. 872,678; serial no. 353,581: Actuating mechanism for pneumatically-operated musical instruments. (Viewed 15 February 2021. R01190).

1907 - patent - tracker-board for legato and other effects in pneumatic musical apparatus

Harold Binney, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (17 December 1907; filed 13 January 1906). Letters patent no. 873,981; serial no. 295,849: Tracker-board for legato and other effects in pneumatic musical apparatus. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00384).



1908 - spotlighted article mention

(4 July 1908). The fame of Meriden is world wide; articles manufactured here are to be seen in almost every country [with mention of Aeolian Co.]. Meriden Morning Record, p. 7, cols. 1-2. (Viewed 22 October 2020. F01621).

"... In the music rooms of the great transatlantic steamers, the palaces of royalty in many countries, and in thousands of the homes of the wealthy and middle class of the people will be found the [Angelus] pianos and the Symphony Pianola and Pianola pianos made by Wilcox & White Co. as well as the orchestral organs manufactured by the Aeolian Co. of this city... " (Excerpt from above.)



1908 advertisements

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1908 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (7 January 1908). Advertisement: "26 pianola pianos on the Battleship Squadron... " [with abstract illustration of pianola]. Evening Post (New York), p. 3, cols. 4-7. (Viewed 18 July 2020. L01641).

1908 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (28 March 1908). Advertisement: "Another triumph for the pianola; this time in Russia... It is of the deepest significance that in Russia, England, Germany, France, etc, as in this country, the Pianola’s sale exceeds that of all other Pianola-players combined..." [with abstract illustration]. Evening Post (New York), p. 3, cols. 4-7. (Viewed 18 July 2020. L01642).



1908 patents

See the patents


1908 - patent - key-striking mechanism for musical instruments

Francis L. Young, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (24 March 1908; filed 14 November 1905). Letters patent no. 882,920; serial no. 287,244: Key-striking mechanism for musical instruments. (Viewed 22 December 2018. B01295).

1908 - patent - playing attachment for musical key instrument

Arthur T. Chester, assignor to Aeolian Company of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (5 May 1908; filed 5 November 1907). Letters patent no. 886,348; serial no. 400,796: Playing attachment for musical key instrument. (Viewed 7 March 2021. R001343).

1908 - patent - puppet-value

Joseph H. Dickinson, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (5 May 1908; filed 10 October 1907). Letters patent no. 886,357; serial no. 396,796: Puppet-valve. (Viewed 7 March 2021. R01344).

1908 - patent - paper-feed mechanism

Frederick L. Wood, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (5 May 1908; filed 12 December 1907). Letters patent no. 886,454; serial no. 406,148: Paper-feed mechanism. (Viewed 11 February 2021. R01074).

1908 - patent - machine for making perforated music-sheets

Frederick L. Wood, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (5 May 1908; filed 12 December 1907). Letters patent no. 886,455; serial no. 406,149: Machine for making perforated music-sheets. (Viewed 11 February 2021. R01075).

1908 - patent - mechanical musical instrument

George B. Kelly, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (23 June 1908; filed 25 June 1906). Letters patent no. 891,550; serial no. 323,286: Mechanical musical instrument. (Viewed 7 March 2021. R01345).

1908 - patent - reed mechanism for self-playing instruments

George B. Kelly, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (23 June 1908; filed 27 September 1906). Letters patent no. 891,551; serial no. 336,431: Reed mechanism for self-playing instruments. (Viewed 7 March 2021. R01346).

1908 - patent - playing attachment for musical instruments

George B. Kelly and Frederick L. Wood, assignors to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (3 November 1908; filed 21 November 1907). Letters patent no. 902,663; serial no. 403,206: Playing attachment for musical instruments. (Viewed 11 February 2021. R01076).

1908 - patent - die

Frederick L. Wood, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (22 December 1908; filed 11 February 1908). Letters patent no. 907,667; serial no. 415,347: Die. (Viewed 11 February 2021. R01077).



1909 advertisements

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1909 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (17 March 1909). Advertisement: "Famous musicians who have placed themselves on record as endorsing the Pianola and other instruments of the Aeolian Company... " [with extensive list of names; no illustrations]. Evening Post (New York), p. 2, cols. 5-7. (Viewed 9 June 2020. D01352).

1909 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (20 November 1909). Advertisement: "Distinguished Patrons of the Pianola... " [with extensive list focused on those in France, Italy, and Spain]. Evening Post (New York), p. 3, cols. 4-7. (Viewed 9 June 2020. D01353).



1909 patents

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1909 - patent - tracker-board

Robert W. Pain, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (2 February 1909; filed 3 April 1908). Letters patent no. 911,064; serial no. 424,867: Tracker-board. (Viewed 18 July 2020. L01633).

1909 - patent - pumping-bellows

Robert W. Pain, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (2 February 1909; filed 20 April 1908). Letters patent no. 911,065; serial no. [illegible]: Pumping-bellows. (Viewed 18 July 2020. L01634).

1909 - patent - tracker-bar

Robert W. Pain, assignor to the Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (30 March 1909; filed 13 November 1908). Letters patent no. 916,584; serial no. 462,386: Tracker-bar. (Viewed 18 July 2020. L01635).

1909 - patent - volume-controlling means for mechanical musical instruments

Joseph H. Dickinson, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (29 June 1909; filed 16 December 1905). Letters patent no. 926,178; serial no. 291,974: Volume-controlling means for mechanical musical instruments. (Viewed 22 December 2018. B01296).



1910s

1910 advertisements

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1910 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (17 January 1910). Advertisement: "Announcement of a new musical instrument; the Steinway Pianola Piano. By mutual arrangement between the houses of Steinway & Sons and The Aeolian Company... " [with no product illustration]. Evening Post (New York), p. 3, cols. 4-6. (Viewed 10 June 2020. D013 ).

1910 - advertisement

Aeolian Company / Aeolian Hall, New York. (6 October 1910). Advertisement: "... The Aeolian Orchestrelle... New York — Chicago — London — Paris — Berlin... " [with illustration]. Evening Post (New York), p. 3, cols. 4-7. (Viewed 16 June 2020. D01483).



1910 patents

See the patents


1910 - patent - perforated music-sheet

Francis L. Young, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (5 July 1910; filed 22 April 1909). Letters patent no. 963,108; serial no. 491,552: Perforated music-sheet. (Viewed 14 February 2021. R01177).

1910 - patent - mechanical musical instrument

Francis L. Young, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (30 August 1910; filed 16 June 1906; renewed 7 February 1910). Letters patent no. 968,626; application serial no. 322,014; renewal serial no. 542,646: Mechanical musical instrument. (Viewed 14 February 2021. R01178).



1911 advertisements

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1911 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (12 February 1911). Advertisement: "Aeolian Hall; Home of the most distinguished group of musical instruments in the world; The Pianola... The Pianola Piano... Pianos... The Technola Piano... Aeolian Orchestrelle... " [with illustration]. The Sun (New York), p. 2, cols. 3-7. (Viewed 22 July 2020. L01809-10).

1911 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (26 February 1911). Advertisement: "Metrostyle week at Aeolian Hall... Famous musicians are marking Metrostyle rolls... Ignace J. Paderewski; Dr. Richard Strauss; Harold Bauer; Ossip Gabrilowitsch; Emil Paur; Claude Debussy; Cecile Chaminade; Ferruccio Busoni; Raoul Pugno; Maurice Moszkowski; Sir Edward Elgar; Moriz Rosenthal; Alfred Hertz, Carl Reinecke... " [with illustration showing music roll]. The Sun (New York), p. 2. (Viewed 22 July 2020. L01811-12).



1911 - patent - perforated music-sheet and tracker-board

Willard S. Pain, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (3 January 1911; filed 11 May 1909). Letters patent no. 980,555; serial no. 495,240: Perforated music-sheet and tracker-board. (Viewed 15 February 2021. R01187).


1912 advertisements

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1912 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (10 February 1912). Advertisement: "From Paderewski to You... It was at the Hotel Manhattan several years ago that Paderewski marked his first Interpretations on Metrostyle Music Rolls... " [with abstract illustration]. Evening Post (New York), presumably p. 3, cols. 3-7. (Viewed 20 July 2020. L01788).

1912 - two advertisements

Aeolian Company, New York. (10 & 14 March 1912). Advertisement: "Come to Aeolian Hall; 12 entire floors devoted to music... " [with description of showrooms, items sold and activities on each of the 12 floors]. The Sun (New York). (Viewed 10 June 2020. D01355-58).



1912 patents

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1912 - patent - music-spool head

Willard S. Pain and Frederick L. Wood, assignors to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (30 January 1912; filed 2 May 1911). Letters patent no. 1,016,229; serial no. 624,551: Music-spool head. (Viewed 11 February 2021. R01078).

1912 - patent - valve mechanism for motors

Frederick L. Wood, assignor to Aeolian Company, of New York, a corporation of Connecticut. (29 October 1912; filed 14 March 1912). Letters patent no. 1,042,634; serial no. 683,675: Valve mechanism for motors. (Viewed 11 February 2021. R01079).



1913 - book

Kobbé, Gustav. (1913). The Aeolian pipe-organ. New York: Aeolian Company; 76 pp. (Viewed 3 July 2020. F01335).

1913 - news article

(8 August 1913). Music roll firm will come here; Subsidiary company of the Aeolian Company of Meriden to establish factory [two-paragraph article]. Hartford Courant, p. 2. (Viewed 3 November 2018. D00490).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

"The Aeolian Company of Meriden, the largest piano and player-piano manufacturer in the world, is to move part of the business of the Universal Music Company, a subsidiary company devoted entirely to the manufacture of perforated paper music rolls for player-pianos, to this city at once. Temporary quarters have been secured in the factory building on Sheldon street formerly occupied by the Henry & Wright Manufacturing Company..."

"The process of making perforated music rolls, although covered as far as may be by patents, is conducted in a very secret manner, and at the present time, suits in courts by several concerns allege that other concerns have stolen trade secrets from them. One that is being watched most interestedly is the suit of the Universal Music Company against three men who were formerly employed in its Meriden factory, and who subsequently formed the Aristo Music Company in New Jersey." (Excerpt from above.)



1913 advertisements

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1913 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (19 January 1913). Advertisement: "The immense factory organization that makes the new Aeolian Hall, ’The Best Place to Buy a Piano’ ... " [with illustration of building]. The Sun (New York), p. 3. (Viewed 9 June 2020. D01354).

1913 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (26 January 1913). Advertisement: "The first sale of pianos and player-pianos is the new Aeolian Hall... 29-31-33 West 42nd Street; opp. Bryant Park and Library..." [with illustrations showing building, two pianos, pianola piano, player-piano, pianola]. The Sun, p. 3. (Viewed 22 July 2020. ).



1914 - news mention

(6 December 1914). Aeolian Company’s business. Hartford Courant, p. 3. (Viewed 26 December 2018. D00498).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

"That the gradual improvement in general business conditions has helped the Aeolian Company past the dead center, at which it was six weeks ago, but that the increase in business affects only the Meriden plant was the statement of the superintendent of the Hartford and Meriden factories yesterday. The orders that have come in are all being taken care of in Meriden and the plant there is working its full force, although only five and a half days in the week. The factory here is running with a much reduced force on the same time schedule." (Excerpt in full from above.)



1914 advertisements

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1914 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (5 April 1914). Advertisement: "... A new model Aeolian player-piano at $450 ... " [with illustrations]. The Sun (New York), p. 3. *Viewed 20 August 2020. E01028-29).

1914 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (19 April 1914). Advertisement: "... Duo-art Pianola.. The three-fold value of this wonderful new pianola... " [with illustrations]. The Sun (New York), p. 3. (E01030-31).



1915 - book or catalogue

Aeolian Company. (1915). The Aeolian pipe-organ and its music (book or catalogue). 384 pp. Number of pages unknown. (NT no. 3082859. Viewed 9 October 2020. F01445).

1915 - news brief

(2 January 1915). Increase help at the Aeolian for phonograph. Meriden Daily Journal, p. 1, col. 2. (Viewed 30 December 2020. D01682).

"Through the advent of the Aeolian company into the phonograph field, as already announced, a considerable increase in the volume of business transacted in this city is expected... " (Excerpt from above.)



1915 advertisements

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1915 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (28 February 1915). Advertisement: "... The miracle of sound... The Aeolian-Vocalion... " [with product illustration]. The Sun (New York), p. 3. (Viewed 20 August 2020. E01032-33).

1915 - advertisement

Cluet & Sons, Glen Falls, NY. (2 July 1915). Advertisement: "All records were half-dumb records— till the Aeolian-Vocalion came... " [with two product illustrations]. The Post-Star (Glen Falls, New York), p. 9. (Viewed 26 August 2020. E01146-47).



1916 - brochure

Aeolian Company. (1916). The new phonograph (brochure for the Aeolian Vocalion). (Ref. code. EP001.01.081.01.01.007. Viewed 28 April 2020. H01263).


1916 advertisements

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1916 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (11 October 1916). Advertisement: "Makers of the Aeolian-Vocalion and largest manufacturers of musical instruments in the world" [with illustration of Weber small grand piano]. The Evening Post (New York, NY), p. 6, cols. 4-7. (Viewed 28 June 2019. E00911-13).

1916 - advertisement

Aeolian Hall, Brooklyn, Manhattan, The Bronx, NY. (20 December 1916). Advertisement: "Tomorrow at Aeolian Hall... Aeolian Player-Piano music cabinet to match $10 worth of music rolls... " [with illustrations]. The Evening World (New York), p. 6. (Viewed 26 August 2020. E01148-49).



1916 - patent - perforated music-sheet

George B. Kelly, assignor to Aeolian Company, of Garwood, New Jersey, a corporation of Connecticut. (26 December 1916; filed 27 December 1913; renewed 16 May 1916). Letters patent no. 1,209,714; serial no. 808,983; renewed, serial no. 97,956: Perforated music-sheet. (Viewed 22 December 2018. B01297).

1917 - book

Kobbé, Gustav. (1917). Lohengrin on the Aeolian pipe-organ, 57 pp. Aeolian Company, New York. (Viewed 3 July 2020. F01333-34).

1917 - spotlighted advertisement

Aeolian Company. (February 1917). Two-page advertisement: "The Aeolian-Vocalion is presented before their majesties the King & Queen of Spain... " [endorsement, with product illustrations]. Vogue, pp. 10-11. (Viewed 17 May 2020. H01575).


1917 - other advertisements

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1917 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (9 February 1917). Advertisement: "... This Aeolian Player-Piano with Mahogony Music Cabinet... " [with illustration of piano and music-roll cabinet]. The Evening World (New York, NY), presumably p. 4, cols. 1-5. (Viewed 28 June 2019. E00909-10).

1917 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (9 December 1917). Advertisement: "... Aeolian Hall, World’s greatest player-piano store, home of the famous pianola... Manhattan... Brooklyn... The Bronx... " [with abstract illustration of piano]. The Sun (New York), p. 3. (Viewed 16 May 2020. H01546-47).



1917 patents

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1917 - patent - note-sheet for automatic musical instruments

Edwin B. Proudfit, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (13 March 1917; filed 18 February 1910; renewed 15 December 1916). Letters patent no. 1,218,698; serial no. 544,593; renewal serial no. 137,251: Note-sheet for automatic musical instruments. (Viewed 22 December 2018. B01294).

1917 - patent - musical instrument

Joseph Hunter Dickinson, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (14 August 1917; filed 29 January 1915). Letters patent no. 1,237,179; serial no. 5,046: Musical instrument. (Viewed 20 February 2021. R01330).

1917 - patent - phonograph and the like

Joseph Hunter Dickinson, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (9 October 1917; filed 10 February 1916). Letters patent no. 1,242,155; serial no. 77,444: Phonograph and the like. (Viewed 20 February 2021. R01331).

1917 - patent - phonograph-needle

Frederick L. Wood, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (13 November 1917; filed 30 June 1915). Letters patent no. 1,246,694; serial no. 37,228: Phonograph-needle. (Viewed 11 February 2021. R01080).



c. 1917 - missing book

Aeolian Company. (c. 1917). ["Book of the Vocalion"]. Number of pages unknown. (Viewed 17 May 2020. H01575).

1918 - mention in history book

Hill, Everett G. (1918). A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, v. 1 [with mention of Aeolian Company, (p. 304)]. New York; Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company. Viewed 3 November 2018. A00777-78; F00359).

"... The Aeolian Company was organized in 1887, when the demand for mechanically played musical instruments began to be positively manifested. It makes player pianos of a high grade, and its capital stock of $2,000,000 may indicate something of its place of importance in the instrument making world. It employs about 500 people..." (Excerpt from above.)



1918 advertisements

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1918 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, NY and Newark, NJ. (28 April 1918). Advertisement: "A letter from France... an interesting letter recently received from the Manager of our Branch in Paris... monthly statement of the business of the Aeolian Branch in Madrid..." [with no illustrations]. The Sun (New York), p. 3. (Viewed 26 August 2020. E01150-52).

1918 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (10 May 1918). Advertisement: "For Tarrytown’s Music Lovers; A Delightful Musicale at the Young Men’s Lyceum... The Duo-Art Reproducing Piano... will reproduce the playing of some of the master-pianists... Olive Kline, the well-known soprano, will sing some charming vocal numbers... Enrique Madriguera... Alfred S. Ely... Charles A. Laurino... " [with no product illustrations]. Tarrytown Daily News (Tarrytown, New York), presumably p. 22. (Viewed 18 January 2021. R00042).



1918 patents

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1918 - patent - automatic musical instrument

Hermann B. Schaad, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (7 May 1918; filed 1 July 1916). Letters patent no. 1,264,981; serial no. 107,089: Automatic musical instrument. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00370).

1918 - patent - expression-device control

James Wares Bryce, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (17 September 1918; filed 22 December 1916). Letters patent no. 1,278,845; serial no. 138,465: Expression-device control. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00371).

1918 - patent - remote control for phonographs and the like

James Wares Bryce, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (17 September 1918; filed 22 December 1916). Letters patent no. 1,279,245; serial no. 138,467: Remote control for phonographs and the like. (Viewed 11 February 2021. R01081).

1918 - patent - talking-machine

Joseph H. Dickinson, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (24 September 1918; filed 31 March 1914). Letters patent no. 1,279,522; serial no. 828,445: Talking-machine. (Viewed 20 February 2021. R01329).

1918 - patent - phonograph-needle container

Charles H. Shaw, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (3 December 1918; filed 11 April 1917). Letters patent no. 1,286,809; serial no. 161,364: Phonograph-needle container. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00372).



1919 - music roll catalogue

Aeolian Company. (1919). The Aeolian pipe-organ and its music. 543 pp. (Viewed 9 October 2020. F01446).


1919 advertisements

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1919 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, Manhattan, The Bronx, Brooklyn, Newark, NJ. (5 January 1919). Advertisement: "... The voice recordings of Mme. Florence Easton, prima donna of the Metropolitan Opera Company, will be made exclusively on the Vocalion Record ... The Supremacy of the Aeolian-Vocalion... " [with portrait illustration of Florence Easton and illustration of Vocalian]. The Sun (New York), p. 3. (Viewed 18 January 2021. R00043).

1919 - advertisement

Aeolian Company. (February 1919). Advertisement: "With the great pianists of the world— the most entrancing dance music— the Duo-Art Reproducing Piano entertains your guests... The Aeolian Company[:] New York; London; Paris; Madrid; Sydney; Melbourne... " Arts & Decoration, p. 201. (Viewed 3 July 2020. F01336).

1919 - advertisement

Wanamaker’s, New York. (15 December 1919). Advertisement: "... To-Day Christmas Sale of Used Pianos and Player-Pianos... Aeolian and 90 rolls of music... " [with no product illustrations]. The Sun (New York), p. 16, col. 6. (Viewed 18 January 2021. R00046).



1919 - patent - expression-device control

James Wares Bryce, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (27 May 1919; filed 22 December 1916). Letters patent no. 1,305,191; serial no. 138,466: Expression-device control. (Viewed 11 February 2021. R01082).


1920s

1920 advertisements

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1920 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (16 March 1920). Advertisement: "E. Robert Schmitz; The distinguished French pianist ... makes record-rolls exclusively for the Duo-Art Piano... Manhattan... The Bronx... Brooklyn... Newark... " [with portrait illustration of Schmitz]. The Sun and the New York Herald (New York), p. 6, cols. 4-5. (Viewed 16 June 2020. D01485-86).

1920 - advertisement

Denton, Cottier & Daniels, Batavia, NY. (27 April 1920). Advertisement: "World famous pianist; noted orchestra conductor; Ossip Gabrilowitsch records his playing exclusively for The Duo-Art Piano... " [with abstract product illustration]. The Daily News (Batavia, New York. (Viewed 16 June 2020. D01484).



1920 patents

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1920 - patent - music-sheet

Romaine Callender, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (27 January 1920; filed 30 August 1916). Letters patent no. 1,329,286; serial no. 117,673: Music-sheet. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00353).

1920 - patent - adjustable tracking device

Charles L. Emmons, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (10 February 1920; filed 21 April 1917). Letters patent no. 1,330,065; serial no. 163,639: Adjustable tracking device. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00354).

1920 - patent - sound-box

Robert Head, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (16 March 1920; filed 9 August 1917; renewed 9 October 1918). Letters patent no. 1,334,094; serial no. 185,316; renewal serial no. 257,530: Sound-box. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00387).

1920 - patent - acoustic diaphragm

Simon David Paddack, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (19 October 1920; filed 7 February 1918). Letters patent no. 1,356,399; serial no. 215,880 1/2: Acoustic diaphragm. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00388).

1920 - patent - automatic stop for phonographs

Robert Head, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (9 November 1920; filed 21 October 1918). Letters patent no. 1,358,312; serial no. 258,958: Automatic stop for phonographs. (Viewed 22 December 2018. F00486).

1920 - patent - process of making sound-records

Robert Head, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (16 November 1920; filed 15 July 1915). Letters patent no. 1,358,949; serial no. 40,108: Process of making sound-records. (Viewed 15 February 2021. R01188).

1920 - patent - automatic musical instrument

Joseph Hunter Dickinson, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (16 November 1920; filed 28 August 1918). Letters patent no. 1,359,040; serial no. 251,784: Automatic musical instrument. (Viewed 22 December 2018. F00487).



c. 1920 - design catalogue (presumably)

Aeolian Company, New York. (c. 1920?). The Aeolian Vocalian (presumably catalogue). Number of pages unknown. New York. (Viewed 2 July 2020. F01328).

c. 1920-29 - design catalogue

Aeolian Company. (c. 1920-29). The Steck piano in modern art designs. Number of pages unknown. (Viewed 2 July 2020. F01329).


1921 advertisements

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1921 - advertisement - contractor mention of Aeolian Company

H. Wales Lines Company, Meriden, CT. (9 September 1921). Advertisement: "... General Contractors and Builders of Meriden’s New Y. M. C. A. ... the Lines Company has built nearly all of the principal structures in Meriden, among them... Aeolian Company ...] Meriden Daily Journal, p. 10, cols. 5-8. (Viewed 15 December 2020. D01585).

1921 - advertisement

O. J. DeMoll & Co., Washington, DC. (14 December 1921). Advertisement: "... Washington’s Aeolian Hall... Our Xmas Club Sale of the Greatest Player-Piano Value... This wonderful instrument is manufactured by the Aeolian Co. of New York... Vocalion Phonographs... " [with illustration of player-piano]. Evening Star (Washington, DC), p. 3, cols. 6-8. (Viewed 17 July 2019. C01023-25).

1921 - advertisement

O. J. DeMoll & Co., Washington, DC. (22 December 1921). Advertisement: ".... Washington’s Aeolian Hall... Xmas Sale in all departments... Vocalion with the great Aeolian name back of it... This Aeolian Player-Piano ... Vocalian Records... " [with illustrations of Vocalion and player-piano]. Evening Star (Washington, DC), p. 3, cols. 6-8. (Viewed 13 June 2019. F00907-10).



1921 patents

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1921 - patent - automatic musical instrument and music-sheet

Emilius William Scherr, Jr., assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (22 March 1921; filed 23 August 1916). Letters patent no. 1,372,560; serial 116,484: Automatic musical instrument and music-sheet. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00373).

1921 - patent - automatic stop mechanism

Robert Head, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (2 August 1921; filed 16 August 1917). Letters patent no. 1,386,057; serial no. 186,548: Automatic stop mechanism. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00374).

1921 - patent - tracking device

Charles L. Emmons, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (9 August 1921; filed 21 October 1920). Letters patent no. 1,387,371; serial no. 418,431: Tracking device. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00385).

1921 - patent - rewind device for phonographs

Joseph Hunter Dickinson and Louis Greiner Collyer, assignors to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (1 November 1921; filed 23 June 1916). Letters patent no. 1,395,802; serial no. 105,410: Rewind device for phonographs. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00386).



1922 advertisements

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1922 - advertisement

(7 April 1922). Advertisement: "Nurses’ Residence Benefit Fund; Music Hall... Mendelssohn Quartet... Through the courtesy of Mr. Charles A. Laurino and the Aeolian Company... " [with no illustrations]. Tarrytown Daily News, second section, presumably p. 7. (Viewed 19 January 2021. ).

1922 - advertisement

Denton Cottier & Daniels, Buffalo, NY. (28 November 1922). Advertisement: "... Aeolian Pianola... " [with illustration of man playing piano]. Dziennik Dla Wszystkich (Polish Everybody’s Daily) (Buffalo, New York), presumably p. 10. (Viewed 19 January 2021. R00055).



1922 patents

See the patents


1922 - patent - repeat device for automatic pianos and the like

Robert Head, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (3 January 1922; filed 31 July 1918). Letters patent no. 1,402,230; serial no. 247,542: Repeat device for automatic pianos and the like. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00375).

1922 - patent - motor drive for phonographs

Joseph Hunter Dickinson, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (7 February 1922; filed 20 March 1917). Letters patent no. 1,405,572; serial no. 156,120: Motor drive for phonographs. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00376).

1922 - patent - apparatus for making phonograph records

Robert Head, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (13 June 1922; original application filed 15 March 1915; divided and this application 11 April 1919). Letters patent no. 1,419,851; original application serial no. 14,404; divided and this application serial no. 289,372: Apparatus for making phonograph records. (Viewed 22 December 2018. F00490).

1922 - patent - adjustable connection for actuating arms

Louis Greiner Collyer, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (4 July 1922; filed 27 March 1919). Letters patent no. 1,421,408; serial no. 285,509: Adjustable connection for actuating arms. (Viewed 22 December 2018. F00491).

1922 - patent - combined cabinet and piano

Joseph Hunter Dickinson, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (8 August 1922; filed 5 November 1918). Letters patent no. 1,424,885; serial no. 261,240: Combined cabinet and piano. (Viewed 22 December 2018. E00403).

1922 - patent - automatic musical instrument

Robert Head, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (8 August 1922; filed 10 September 1918). Letters patent no. 1,424,903; serial no. 253,446: Automatic musical instrument. (Viewed 22 December 2018. E00404).

1922 - patent - phonograph and the like

Robert Head, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (12 September 1922; filed 29 October 1917). Letters patent no. 1,429,204; serial no. 199,043: Phonograph and the like. (Viewed 22 December 2018. E00405).

1922 - patent - design for a cabinet for phonographs

James Stuart Clingman, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (24 October 1922; filed 15 July 1921). Design no. 61,560; serial no. 485,092: Design for a cabinet for phonographs. (Viewed 22 December 2018. E00408).

1922 - patent - design for a cabinet for phonographs

James Stuart Clingman, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (24 October 1922; filed 15 July 1921). Design no. 61,561; serial no. 485,095: Design for a cabinet for phonographs. (Viewed 22 December 2018. E00410).

1922 - patent - design for a cabinet for phonographs

James Stuart Clingman, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (24 October 1922; filed 15 July 1921). Design no. 61,562; serial no. 485,097: design for a cabinet for phonographs. (Viewed 22 December 2018. E00411).

1922 - patent - design for a cabinet for phonographs

James Stuart Clingman, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (24 October 1922; filed 15 July 1921). Design no. 61,563; serial no. 485,098: design for a cabinet for phonographs. (Viewed 22 December 2018. E00409).

1922 - patent - design for a cabinet for phonographs

James Stuart Clingman, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (24 October 1922; filed 15 July 1921). Design no. 61,564; serial no. 485,099: Design for a cabinet for phonographs. (Viewed 22 December 2018. E00412).

1922 - patent - design for a cabinet for phonographs

James Stuart Clingman, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (24 October 1922; filed 15 July 1921). Design no. 61,565; serial no. 485,100: Design for a cabinet for phonographs. (Viewed 22 December 2018. E00413).

1922 - patent - design for a cabinet for phonographs

James Stuart Clingman, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (24 October 1922; filed 15 July 1921). Design no. 61,566; serial no. 485,101: Design for a cabinet for phonographs. (Viewed 22 December 2018. E00414).

1922 - patent - design for a cabinet for phonographs

William Millington, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (24 October 1922; filed 15 July 1921). Design no. 61,591; serial no. 485,083: Design for a cabinet for phonographs. (Viewed 14 February 2021. R01169).

1922 - patent - design for a cabinet for phonographs

William Millington, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (24 October 1922; filed 15 July 1921). Design no. 61,592; serial no. 485,084: Design for a cabinet for phonographs. (Viewed 22 December 2018. E00415).

1922 - patent - design for a cabinet for phonographs

William Millington, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (24 October 1922; filed 15 July 1921). Design no. 61,593; serial no. 485,085: Design for a cabinet for phonographs. (Viewed 14 February 2021. R01170).

1922 - patent - design for a cabinet for phonographs

William Millington, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (24 October 1922; filed 15 July 1921). Design no. 61,594; serial no. 485,086: Design for a cabinet for phonographs. (Viewed 14 February 2021. R01171).

1922 - patent - design for a cabinet for phonographs

William Millington, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (24 October 1022; filed 15 July 1921). Design no. 61,595; serial no. 485,087: Design for a cabinet for phonographs. (Viewed 14 February 2021. R01172).

1922 - patent - design for a cabinet for phonographs

William Millington, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (24 October 1922; filed 15 July 1921). Design no. 61,596; serial no. 485,088: Design for a cabinet for phonographs. (Viewed 14 February 2021. R01173).

1922 - patent - design for a cabinet for phonographs

William Millington, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (24 October 1922; filed 15 July 1921). Design no. 61,597; serial no. 485,091: Design for a cabinet for phonographs. (Viewed 14 February 2021. R01174).

1922 - patent - sound box

Charles H. Shaw, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (26 December 1922; filed 3 July 1918). Letters patent no. 1,439,981; serial no. 243,142: Sound box. (Viewed 22 December 2018. E00406).

1922 - patent - sound box for phonographs

Robert Head, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (26 December 1922; original application filed 28 January 1916; divided and this application 8 January 1920). Letters patent no. 1,440,294; original application serial no. 74,781; divided and this application section no. 350,167: Sound box for phonographs. (Viewed 22 December 2018. E00407).



1923 - spotlighted news mention - Aeolian Company in Better Homes Exposition, Hartford

(1 April 1923). "Complete list of exhibitors participating in The Better Homes Exposition at the State Armory" [Hartford, 2 - 14 April 1923, including "Aeolian Company, Duo-Art Pianos, 20 West 42d St., New York (with Meriden operations) ... "] Hartford Courant, p. A1. (Viewed 10 November 2018. D00427; D00500).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.


1923 patents

See the patents


1923 - patent - musical instrument operated by air under control of perforated tune sheets

Reginald Reynolds, assignor of one-half to Aeolian Company, of London, England. (2 January 1923; filed 24 June 1919). Letters patent no. 1,440,746; serial no. 306,318: Musical instrument operated by air under control of perforated tune sheets. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00377).

1923 - patent - tone-control device

Robert Head, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (16 January 1923; filed 24 August 1917). Letters patent no. 1,442,665; serial no. 188,020: Tone-control device. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00378).

1923 - patent - perforated-music-duplicating machine

Sterling W. Warner, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (30 January 1923; filed 9 October 1920). Letters patent no. 1,443,400; serial no. 415,846: Perforated-music-duplicating machine. (Viewed 22 December 2018. F00488).

1923 - patent - automatic musical instrument

Joseph Hunter Dickinson, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (13 February 1923; filed 5 November 1918). Letters patent no. 1,444,832; serial no. 281,239: Automatic musical instrument. (Viewed 22 December 2018. F00489).

1923 - patent - sound box for sound-reproducing machines

Joseph Hunter Dickinson, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (27 February 1923; filed 16 December 1919). Letters patent no. 1,446,886; serial no. 345,210: Sound box for sound-reproducing machines. (Viewed 22 December 2018. F00499).

1923 - patent - mounting for diaphragms for acoustical instruments

Austin C. Lescarboura and Alexander Russell Bond, assignors to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (27 February 1923; filed 5 November 1918). Letters patent no. 1,446,911; serial no. 261,281: Mounting for diaphragms for acoustical instruments. (Viewed 22 December 2018. F00500).

1923 - patent - multiple-record-magazine phonograph

Joseph Hunter Dickinson, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (20 March 1923; filed 5 April 1917). Letters patent no. 1,448,733; serial no. 159,918: Multiple-record-magazine phonograph. (Viewed 22 December 2018. E00401).

1923 - patent - sound box

Daniel F. Snyder, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (15 May 1923; filed 5 May 1920). Letters patent no. 1,454,909; serial no. 379.008: Sound box. (Viewed 22 December 2018. E00402).



1924 - photo of building

(1924). Photo: Byron Company (New York); Aeolian Co., Exterior, Factory Weber Duo Art, 138th Street & Willow Ave. (Accession no. 93.1.1.8109. Viewed 9 October 2020. F01443).

1924 - news mention

(16 August 1924). Woolworth Co. leases Aeolian building in New York City. Hartford Courant, p. 5. (Viewed 26 December 2018. D00509).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

"The Aeolian building, an eighteen story structure in Forty-second street, opposite the New York Public Library and which has been devoted largely to music, has been taken over on a sixty-three year lease by the F. W. Woolworth Co., which has announced that its store will use the first floor. Aeolian Hall, a music center of the city, now occupies part of the first floor..." (Excerpt from above.)



1924 patents

See the patents


1924 - patent - expression device for phonographs

Robert Head, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (18 March 1924; filed 4 September 1920). Letters patent no.1,487,656; serial no. 408,225: Expression device for phonographs. (Viewed 15 February 2021. R01189).

1924 - patent - gramophone

John Henry Draper and Harry William Palmer, assignors to Aeolian Company, of London, England. (1 April 1924; filed 16 August 1923). Letters patent no. 1,488,781; serial no. 657,770: Gramophone. (Viewed 22 December 2018. B01293).



1924-30 - booklet

Aeolian Company (Australia). (1924-30). Australian artists who create Vocalion Records booklet. Number of pages unknown. (Obj. no. 93/282/1. Viewed 9 October 2020. F01444).


1925 articles

See the articles


1925 - news mention

(31 January 1925). Extra dividend by Seth Thomas Clock... Aeolian Co. will erect five factory buildings in New Jersey. Hartford Courant, p. 18. (Viewed 3 Novmber 2018. D00511).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

"... The Aeolian Co., of Meriden, has awarded the contract for five new factory buildings to be erected at Garwood, N.J. to H. Wales Lines of Meriden. There will be seven vapor kilns; a pipe organ building of four stories in height; an erection building; shipping shed and expansion of the pianola building ... " (Excerpt from above.)


1925 - news mention

(25 July 1925). Spencer Turbine enlarging plant; Aeolian Co. acquires additional factory property. Hartford Courant, p. 14. (Viewed 26 December 2018. D00513).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

"The Aeolian Company has purchased the Hallett & Davis Piano Company plant at Neponsett, Mass. The factory includes 300,000 square feet of manufacturing space and the property covers eleven acres. The Aeolian Company is completing three buildings at [Garwood], N. J." (Excerpt in full from above.)




1925 advertisements

See the ads


1925 - advertisement

S. Baumann, Freeport, NY. (24 April 1925). Advertisement: "Announcing the Appointment of S. Bauman as exclusive representative in Freeport and Vicinity of the Aeolian Company; New York; London; Paris; Madrid; Melbourne; Sydney... Aeolian Hall, New York... " [with illustration of Aeolian Hall]. The Daily Review (Freeport, New York), p. 12. (Viewed 28 June 2019. E009 04-05).

1925 - advertisement

Aeolian Company, New York. (5 December 1925). Advertisement: "A Merry Christmas is a Merry Christmas... This Christmas Give Your Family a Duo-Art Reproducing Piano... " [with illustration showing a piano]. New York Evening Post, (Saturday Gravure, section 4), presumably page 8. (Viewed 30 May 2020. H01828).



1926 - spotlighted advertisement - Aeolian Co. in State Armory, Hartford exposition

(14 March 1926). Advertisement: "These merchants and manufacturers... at the State Armory March 20-27... will exhibit their products and services... Aeolian Co. (New York) ... " Hartford Courant, p. C8. (Viewed 10 November 2018. D00429).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.


1926 patents

See the patents


1926 - patent - phonograph and radioadapter

William P. Krause, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (13 April 1926; filed 15 February 1924). Letters patent no. 1,581,086; serial no. 692,988: Phonograph and radioadapter. (Viewed 7 March 2021. R01353).

1926 - patent - lighting means for automatic pianos and the like

Francis L. Young, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (26 October 1926; filed 15 June 1923). Letters patent no. 1,604,671; serial no. 645,571: Lighting means for automatic pianos and the like. (Viewed 22 December 2018. B001298).

1926 - patent - suspension for electric motors

Sterling W. Warner, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (21 December 1926; filed 23 February 1923). Letters patent no. 1,611,795; serial no. 620,858: Suspension for electric motors. (Viewed 11 February 2021. R01083).

1926 - patent - suspension for electric motors

Sterling W. Warner, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (21 December 1926; filed 23 February 1923). Letters patent no. 1,611,796; serial no. 620,859: Suspension for electric motors. (Viewed 22 December 2018. B001299).



1927 - book with illustrations of designs

Aeolian Company. (1927). The new Aeolian Hall [with many illustrations of designs and "partial list of pianists who record their playing exclusively for the Duo-art", "partial list of schools and universities where Duo-art pianos have been installed", "partial list of prominent patrons of the Aeolian Company"], 48 pp. Aeolian Company, New York [Branches in Brooklyn; Fordham, NY; London; Paris; Madrid; Berlin; Melbourne; Sydney; Adelaide; Brisbane]. (Viewed 3 July 2020. F01330-31; F01339).


1927 patents

See the patents


1927 - patent - pneumatic motor

Fred Volare, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (4 January 1927; filed 26 October 1923). Letters patent no. 1,613,146; serial no. 670,887: Pneumatic motor. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00351).

1927 - patent - keyboard for organs and the like

John W. Starkie, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (5 April 1927; filed 29 April 1923). Letters patent no. 1,623,211; serial no. 648,586: Keyboard for organs and the like. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00352).



1928 patents

See the patents


1928 - patent - bearing

Fred Volare, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (22 May 1928; filed 26 May 1927). Letters patent no. 1,670,915; serial no. 194,387: Bearing. (Viewed 15 February 2021. R01185).

1928 - patent - pitman for pneumatic motors

Fred Volare, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (24 July 1928; original application filed 26 October 1923; this application 11 June 1926). Letters patent no. 1,677,908; original application serial no. 670,887; this application serial no. 115,259: Pitman for pneumatic motors. (Viewed 22 December 2018. B01290).

1928 - patent - connection stop action for organs

Harry M. Smith, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (21 August 1928; filed 19 August 1926). Letters patent no. 1,681,373; serial no. 130,206: Connection stop action for organs. (Viewed 7 March 2021. R01347).

1928 - patent - design for a grand piano

William Zaiser, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (11 September 1928; filed 3 January 1928). Design no. 76,336; serial no. 24,732: Design for a grand piano. (Viewed 7 March 2021. R01348).

1928 - patent - universal player action

Tolbert F. Cheek, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (13 November 1928; filed 19 January 1924). Letters patent no. 1,691,640; serial no. 687,251: Universal player action. (Viewed 15 February 2021. R01186).



1929 patents

See the patents


1929 - patent - player action

Tolbert F. Cheek, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (5 March 1929; filed 19 January 1924). Letters patent no. 1,704,077; serial no. 687,250: Player action. (Viewed 11 February 2021. R01084).

1929 - patent - expression regulator for player pianos

Tolbert F. Cheek, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (5 March 1929; filed 31 March 1924). Letters patent no. 1,704,078; serial no. 703,018: Expression regulator for player pianos. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00355).

1929 - patent - instruction device for musical instruments

Edwin S. Votey, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (9 April 1929; filed 28 August 1926). Letters patent no. 1,708,643; serial no. 132,279: Instruction device for musical instruments. (Viewed 7 March 2021. R01350).

1929 - patent - organ

Edwin S. Votey, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (3 September 1929; filed 31 December 1925). Letters patent no. 1,727,144; serial no. 78,588: Organ. (Viewed 7 March 2021. R01351).

1929 - patent - instruction device for musical instruments

Edwin S. Votey, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (17 September 1929; filed 28 August 1926; renewed 28 January 1929). Letters patent no. 1,728,191; serial no. 132,277: Instruction device for musical instruments. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00356).

1929 - patent - automatic piano

Joseph Hunter Dickinson, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (22 October 1929; filed 22 December 1922). Letters patent no. 1,732,879; serial no. 608,525: Automatic piano. (Viewed 15 February 2021. R01184).

1929 - patent - instruction device for musical instruments

Edwin S. Votey, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (29 October 1929; filed 28 August 1926). Letters patent no. 1,733,477; serial no. 132,278: Instruction device for musical instruments. (Viewed 7 March 2021. R01352).

1929 - patent - automatic piano

Joseph Hunter Dickinson, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (5 November 1929; filed 22 December 1922). Letters patent no. 1,734,717; serial no. 608,524: Automatic piano. (Viewed 22 December 2018. C00379).



1930s

1930 - spotlighted news mention

AP. (19 December 1930). Aeolian company moving factory from Meriden. Hartford Courant, p. 3. (Viewed 3 November 2018. D00516).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

"The Aeolian Company’s plant here was being dismantled today and all equipment will be moved to Garwood, N.J. for the purpose of centralizing the company, it was announced by Elmer F. Brooks, superintendent. The local unit employed about 100 hands and about 20 of these plan to go to New Jersey when operations are begun there. It will take about three months to remove the equipment, it was said." (Excerpt in full from above.)


1930 - news mention

(29 June 1930). Meriden [with mention: "... The Aeolian Co., is extremely busy in the production of marine hardware in addition to their regular line... "]. Hartford Courant, p. E19. (Viewed 3 November 2018. D00515).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.


1930 patents

See the patents


1930 - patent - pedal means for automatic pianos and the like

Fred Volare, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (4 March 1930; filed 24 February 1927). Letters patent no. 1,749,403; serial no. 170,531: Pedal means for automatic pianos and the like. (Viewed 15 February 2021. R01182).

1930 - patent - expression device for automatic musical instruments

Tolbert F. Cheek, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (4 March 1930; filed 4 January 1924). Letters patent no. 1,749,413; serial no. 684,352: Expression device for automatic musical instruments. (Viewed 15 February 2021. R01179).

1930 - patent - musical apparatus

John C. Bostelmann, Jr., assignor my mesne assignments, to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (18 March 1930; filed 27 January 1927). Letters patent no. 1,750,988; serial no. 163,990: Musical apparatus. (Viewed 7 March 2021. R01349).

1930 - patent - perforating machine and the like

Robert Head, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (1 April 1930; filed 29 July 1924). Letters patent no. 1,753,148; serial no. 728,856: Perforating machine and the like. (Viewed 22 December 2018. B01292).

1930 - patent - expression device for automatic pianos

Joseph H. Dickinson, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (18 November 1930; filed 17 May 1927). Letters patent no. 1,782,061; serial no. 192,006: Expression device for automatic pianos. (Viewed 15 February 2021; R01183).



1931 - spotlighted news mention

AP. (12 December 1931). Aeolian-Skinner Organ consolidation approved [short, three-paragraph article]. Hartford Courant, p. 18. (Viewed 3 November 2018. D00517).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

"Stockholders today approved a consolidation of the Skinner Organ Co., of Boston and the pipe organ division of the Aeolian Co., of New York under the name Aeolian Skinner Organ Co., Inc. The change is effective January 2... " (Excerpt from above.)



1931 patents

See the patents


1931 - patent - music roll magazine

Joseph Hunter Dickinson, assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (9 June 1931; filed 15 October 1928). Letters patent no. 1,808,808; serial no. 312,599: Music roll magazine. (Viewed 15 February 2021. R01180).

1931 - patent - electromagnet valve device

Leslie N. Leet, assignor to Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (15 December 1931; filed 28 March 1929). Letters patent no. 1,836,077; serial no. 350,570: Electromagnet valve device. (Viewed 22 December 2018. B01291).

1931 - patent - automatic musical instrument

Emilius W. Scherr, Jr., assignor to the Aeolian Company, a corporation of Connecticut. (29 December 1931; filed 23 April 1929). Letters patent no. 1,838,328; serial no. 357,409: Automatic musical instrument. (Viewed 15 February 2021. R01181).



1932 - spotlighted news mention

AP. (30 July 1932). Two manufacturers of pianos merge. Hartford Courant, p. 17. (Viewed 3 November 2018. D00518).

* See worldcat.org for locations.

"The Aeolian Company and the American Piano Company, two of the largest manufacturers of musical instruments in the country, today announced their consolidation in a new company to be known as the Aeolian American Corporation. Stockholders of both companies have approved the merger." (Excerpt in full from above.)



With Design Meriden’s area focus, and the Meriden factory dismantled in 1930, our focus on Aeolian stops here at 1932 with key events. Entries that follow refer to the historical pre-1930 history of the company.



1936 articles

See the articles


1936 - article mention

(17 April 1936). Meriden’s history day by day for 50 years [with mention: "1887; July 26— Aeolian Organ and Music Co. of Meriden organized... $150,000 capital"; "1915; Jan. 1— Aeolian Co. starts manufacture of phonographs"]. The Meriden Daily Journal [Fiftieth Anniversary issue (1886-1936)], unknown page number, col. 1. (Viewed 26 November 2020. F01936).

1936 - article mention

(17 April 1936). The year each business was established [with mention: "Aeolian Co. Est. 1888"]. The Meriden Daily Journal [Fiftieth Anniversary issue (1886-1936)], unknown page number. (Viewed 25 November 2020. F01935).

1936 - article mention

(17 April 1936). Chronological list of business firms [with mention: "1888— Aeolian Co. ... "]. The Meriden Daily Journal [Fiftieth Anniversary issue (1886-1936)], unknown page number. (Viewed 26 November 2020. F01934).



1940s

1946 - news mention

AP. (23 February 1946). Two New York buildings are purchased by Yale. ["One building is the 18-story former Aeolian building located at 29 to 33 West 42d Street..."] Hartford Courant, p. 1. (Viewed 26 December 2018. D00519).

* See worldcat.org for locations.


1950s

1956 - mention in history book

Wendover, Sanford H. (1956). 150 years of Meriden (with mention of Aeolian Company [p. 120]: "made [player pianos] and went into the phonograph record business in its later operations there"). Meriden: Meriden Sesquicentennial Committee. [Published in connection with the observance of the city’s sesquicentennial, June 17-23, 1956]. (Viewed 4 November 2018. A00789-90; F00378-82).


2000s

2004 - encyclopedia entry

Ord-Hume, Arthur W. J. G. (2004). "Aeolian Company" entry. In Robert Palmieri (Ed.), The piano: An encyclopedia, (p. 20). (Viewed 28 April 2020. H01266-67).


2010s

2017 - article mention and photo

Denton, Ilene. (14 December 2017). The Ringling Museum plans improvements to John and Mable’s Ca d’Zan [with mention and photo of c. 1924 Aeolian organ in the property]. Sarasota magazine. (Viewed 6 May 2020. H01394).


2018 articles

See the articles


2018 - article mention

The Ringling. (2 March 2018). The Ringling announces $100M campaign to secure future vitality of landmark arts campus [with mention of c. 1924 Aeolian organ on site]. Florida State University News (Tallahassee, Florida). (Viewed 6 May 2020. H01396).

2018 - article mention

Handelman, Jay. (17 August 2018). Longtime Ca’ d’Zan keeper is ready to turn in his keys after 38 years with The Ringling [with mention of c. 1924 Aeolian organ in the property]. Herald-Tribune (Sarasota, Florida). (Viewed 6 May 2020. H01395).



n. d.

1900s - catalogue

Aeolian Company / Sherman Clay & Co. (1900s). [Catalogue]. Number of pages unknown. (Viewed 9 October 2020. F01447).

n. d. - Wikipedia entry

(undated). "Aeolian Company" entry. Wikipedia.org. (Viewed 15 December 2021).



Click the following link to see designs and documentation for other historical companies from the Meriden area, and those that were connected to the International Silver Company; go to the historical Meriden design overview page and scroll down to section D: "ISC, predecessors & divisions" and E: "Other featured companies".




DESIGN MERIDEN:
Aeolian Company - 1: designs in collections, etc. | 2: design catalogues, etc.