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William Lewis & Son was a distinguished Chicago-based music store that specialized in violins and bows. The firm was founded in 1874.〔 In 1995, the company was purchased by Selmer, and has since become a division of Conn-Selmer, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Steinway Musical Instruments.〔 == Firm history == Established in 1874, the firm endured for over 80 years, and among other things, amassed an important collection of fine orchestral string instruments from the violin family, which included those of Antonio Stradivarius, Giuseppe Guarneri, Domenico Montagnana, Sanctus Serafin, Lorenzo Storioni, Rugeri, Joannes Baptista Guadagnini, Nicolas Lupot, J. B. Vuillume. The bows collected included those of François Tourte, Dominique Peccatte, Nicolaus Kittel, Jean Pierre Marie Persois. The firm gained coast-to-coast clientele and built credibility with notable musicians — professional and amateur. With comprehensive services for string players, the firm came to be known as the "Violinist's Headquarters." Several notable makers and restorers worked for the firm, including Carl G. Becker (1887–1975) and Frank Kovanda. Lewis & Son produced influential publications, including ''How Many Strads'' by Ernest Nicholas Doring (1877–1955),〔 (who worked for the firm), ''Violins & Violinists'' a magazine for which Doring was editor, 〔 and ''Bows for Musical Instruments of the Violin Family'', by Joseph Roda (1894–1963).〔 In 1862, after the outbreak of the American Civil War, Lewis moved to Chicago where he joined Root & Cady, a music publisher founded in 1858. The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed Root & Cady — its place of business, then located at the Crosby Opera House, and all its assets. Unable to recover, Root & Cady folded under duress of bankruptcy in February of 1875. In 1874, Ebenezer Towner Root (1822–1896) partnered with Lewis to form the house of Root & Lewis. Ebenezer Root, brother of George Frederick Root (1820–1895), had been a senior partner at Root & Cady when it folded. The Cady part of the name belonged to Chauncey M. Cady (1824–1859). From 1878, the firm was known as the Chicago Music Co., also known as Lewis & Newell, in the late 1880s, known as Lewis, Newell & Gibbs. Locations * 1885: 148 & 150 Washbash Avenue Initial partner * Edward Gibbs Newell (1840–1902) Later partners * William Adams Pond, Sr. (1824–1885), a New York music publisher * Charles A. Zoebisch (1803–1890) * Platt P. Gibbs (1853–1935),〔 William Lewis' brother-in-law * Frederick Clatworthy Lewis (1874–1940), William Lewis' son The firm name was finalized as William Lewis & Son in 1888.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「William Lewis & Son Co.」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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