I recently received an inquiry from Mr. Geoff Hale, a retired BBC news
editor now writing a history of the entertainment scene in Chesham,
Buckinghamshire, UK. He was curious about the Angelus push-up player
mentioned in a 1905 newspaper article so, needless to say, I put him
in contact with Dan Wilson and Julian Dyer, who quickly provided all
the information he will ever need! ;)
Mr. Hale says that the newspaper would have served the three towns of
its name and the numerous small villages that surround them. Chesham
and Amersham are in Buckinghamshire, Rickmansworth is in Hertfordshire.
The later history of the piano dealer is not known.
Robbie Rhodes
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The Chesham Examiner, Amersham and Rickmansworth Times,
Friday, October 27, 1905
An Enjoyable Concert
On Friday evening a concert was held at the Parochial Room,
Waterside, in aid of the pianoforte fund, an instrument having
recently been purchased from Messrs Hermitage and Co. The instru-
ment was used during the concert, and it proved to have a very
nice tone, and will be an acquisition to the Church, and of great
assistance in the social portion of the work. As the concert, or
entertainment, was arranged at short notice there was not a very
large audience, but the money which accrued from the shillings and
sixpences paid for admission will help the fund materially.
Messrs Hermitage's representative played a prominent part in the
entertainment, for the firm had kindly loaned their "Angelus" piano
player, which was operated by Mr P. B. Tibbs, and Mr W. P. Hill, of
the same firm, sang and recited. It is really astonishing the
amount of expression which can be gained from the "Angelus," when
it is regarded as a mere mechanical apparatus.
Selections were given which covered a wide range, and included
"Reminiscences of England" (introducing popular airs), "Second
Mazurka," "Song without Words," "Spanish Tanze," "Down South,"
"Etrude," "Scarf Dance," and "Ezardus."
On one occasion an encore was demanded, and this was not
surprising, for the performance was clever, and the "Angelus" is
certainly a marvel.
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