Among the pioneers of the music trade in the west, Hampton L. Story’s name stands foremost in the antique player pianos. He was born in 1835 in Vermont. He joined a piano maker, manufacturing the Story and Powers piano in 1862, which was probably the first piano factory in Vermont. His business prospered. In 1867, Jacob Estey offered him the Estey organs in the western states, left Vermont, and opened his company in Chicago. Camp soon became a partner. He retired from here, but with his son Edward H., and Melville Clark, founded Story and Clark to manufacture reed organs. The foreign trade flourished also. The organs of Melville Clark were of the highest order in quality and tone. He began making pianos in 1895 and maintained the same high standard. The demand for pianos increased rapidly. Melville Clark’s name will be remembered as one of the most prolific inventors. Clark produced his first 88 note cabinet player in January, 1901, called the “Apollo”, and his player grand player piano in 1904.

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undulating: to move with a sinuous or wavelike motion; display a smooth rising-and-falling or side-to-side alternation of movement; to have a wavy form or surface; bend with successive curves in alternate directions; to cause to move in waves.