1923 Baldwin Welte-Mignon (Licensee) Advert Restoration

While going through The Music Trade Review (MTR) page-by-page, of
which I do a fair amount, I look forward most to finding novel and
interesting advertising within.  Such appeared mostly during the
Christmas seasons and too, for the various conventions that were held
then, which seem to have occurred about twice a year.

For the most part both seem to have been created specially for these
issues, and so not appearing in the national magazines of that time,
this meaning that their availability to the general population (or,
to collectors of our present) was necessarily limited, this because
volumes such as the MTR were made few, as is evidenced by their extreme
scarcity.

Most of these were formulaic, and not very interesting generally: a
frame ranging from basic to very ornate surrounding a grand piano with
lid open placed more toward the right, complimented by a text block or
two of blurbing, with the manufacturing company's name in some ornate
type-face prominently placed.

These sorts were the usual, however there are some that were plainly
inspired and drawn accordingly, rather than done as mere rote work.
One example of this better sort can be seen here:

  https://mtr.arcade-museum.com/MTR-1923-76-11/96/

It is a quite handsome Baldwin Welte-Mignon (Licensee) ad never before
seen by the buying public, as far as I am aware, appearing on the back
cover of the Music Trade Review, Vol. 76 No. 11, March 17, 1923, and
as a result is rather in rough condition, seeming to have gotten moist
at some point and with plenty of print-through showing.

Nice but, now what?  To be made ready for Prime-Time, is what.

Having by now been shamelessly inspired by this graphic, and fully
under it's artful persuasive power, I determined to make it so, to
rescue it from a most probable single-copy oblivion and, to end-up
hanging proudly upon my Welte-Mignon Parlor wall.  (All parlor; no
instrument.)  I have posted with the MMD a lo-resolution, mostly
finished result [see link below].

Aside from much cleaning-up by repainting, requiring about thirty-or-so
hours of careful work, what became soon clear was that the creature
was being compressed as it had been placed upon the originating page,
and so more breathing room seemed mandated.  It worked, seeming now
released so as to breath-free, finally.  This composition asks,
I believe, to be framed sans mat within a thin, archival-type frame,
most likely black or possibly natural wood of a complimenting tone.

My next 'rescue' project planned will be of an unusual très artistique
Deco sort of thing of monochrome persuasion.  This piece was signed
in-the-work by it's originating artist, who I presume was then somewhat
known.  It is special.  It's compulsion acts TO FORCE one directly into
the elegance of the scene, by causing desiring within it's contemplator
to possess the very instrument of the advertised sort.  I am sure it
will demand to be placed upon some delicate shade (Melba mauve? Patti
pink?) of paper rather than white, with delicate silver points possibly
to be placed in it's frame, for that final, complimenting touch.  We'll
see.

For myself, collecting and conserving the associated graphical art of
both advertising and otherwise literature forms, whether unavailable
utterly and requiring of regeneration such as here, or original, makes
up rather for not being instrument-equipped.

(It is pleasant to myself to contemplate the treasures that _others_
possess, rather than acquiring and having to actually be responsible
for their costly restorations and upkeep, to say nothing of initial
cost.  Different strokes for different folks.)

I would be interested to hear from any about this suspect activity
I am perpetrating, preferably as posted here on the MMD pages so that
all might know and consider, or privately.  Whichever.

Thank you.

Jim Miller,
Las Vegas, Nevada

 [ Restored Baldwin Welte-Mignon MTR advertisement
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/18/10/12/181012_235835_Copy%20of%20MTR_1923-76-11-96_Baldwin-Welte.png