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Where to buy at Bedford: an illustrated local review
1891
(Extracts)
Bedford Premier Shops
Messrs. R. Rose and Co.
The Bedfordshire Pianoforte and Music Warehouse,
123, High Street.
"The man that hath no music in himself,
Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils." -SHAKESPEARE.
The existence of such establishments as Messrs. R. Rose and Co.'s in any
town denotes refinement and culture among the community. The house is
situated opposite St. Peters Church and the Bunyan statue, and having been opened as a music warehouse in
1840, its handsome frontages (being on a corner site) are familiar enough
to residents in town and district. The principal saloon is of fine
proportions, elegantly decorated, and set off by busts and portraits of
celebrities in the musical world. But it is the large stock of instruments
that will especially attract the attention of the visitor. The collection
of pianofortes, organs, and harmoniums may be said to represent all the
prominent makers of to-day; and here the critical may decide to their own
satisfaction respecting the merits of a Broadwood, a Brinsmead, Collard
and Collard, Challen, Hopkinson, Steinway, Kirkman, Bechstein, Rud Ibach Sohn,
Kars, Bluthner, Scheidmayer or
Bord pianoforte, or a Bell's, Ester's, Alexandre's or Boosey's organ or
harmonium. Every separate piano, harmonium, or organ has undergone a
thorough scrutiny from experienced eyes, and each one may be relied on as
perfect of its class, whether its price be
20 or 120 guineas. A firm's high reputation and long experience are
the best safeguards a purchaser can have; and should an instrument be
selected from Messrs. Rose and Co.'s stock, and afterwards found
unsuitable, it will be readily exchanged for another. Instruments may be
had on hire, or on the three years' system, or may be purchased right out
at liberal discounts for cash. Special arrangements are also made with
known customers, and in every instance patrons are treated with a
consideration and liberality none too common in these competitive days. A
staff of highly trained tuners, who have served their apprenticeship to
firms of repute, are kept to carry out tunings, yearly or otherwise, as
arranged for in all parts of Bedfordshire and the adjoining counties.
Skilled workmen are also employed to undertake repairs, and remove
instruments, etc. Turning to the music department, we find an enormous
stock of published music, both classic and modern, grave and gay. Here are
the standard classics by which the names of Handel, Haydn, Mozart,
Beethoven, Sphor, Schumann, Berlioz, Verdi, Balfe, Rossini, Meyereer,
Gounod, Sullivan, ad others have been, or will be, handed down to
posterity, and here, too, are the lighter imaginings of Strauss, Offenbach,
Audran, Planquette, Waldteufel, Sullivan, Bucalossi, Crowe, Solomon, and a
host of other composers. The whole gamut of popular taste may be satisfied
from the selection on hand, and whether the choice fall on vocal or
instrumental, grave or gay melodies, whatever is wanted will be found
here. The more diversified articles in stock include violins and other
instruments, appliances for marking time, holding music in position, etc.,
music stands, batons, bows, violin strings, rosin, pegs, pianoforte
foot-rests, and a number of other articles familiar to musicians. A staff
of lady assistants are at hand to wait on patrons, and the whole
establishment is conducted on high-principled lines; only possible in a
house patronised and depended on by the best classes of society.
Page last updated: 22nd January 2014