24
THE CHEMA W A
AM ERICAN
Mr. I. S. Loos, our musican and bandmaster. Now let us diverge.
In the middle ’50s of the nineteenth century there arrived in New
\o rk City from the German “ Fatherland” a lad some eighteen years
of age a musician of unusual ability, considering his age. A few
years after his arrival in New York this young German, E. H. Straubel
by name, became the director of the famous Kastman band which be
came historical later on as being the one that escorted the remains of
the martyred president,’’ Abraham Lincoln, on the last sad trip which
ended at the tomb.
The next record that we have of Mr. Straubel is of his appearance as
contrabassist in the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. In this great
organization he remained and played double bass for 35 consecutive
years. Old age crept upon him and finally he was pensioned by the
I hilharmonic Society for long and distinguished services and retired.
A few years later he sold his famous bass to Ruthvn Turney, of whom
Mr. Loos acquired it.
When writing of this famous instrument and how he came to possess
it, Mr. Straubel said that he secured it from a fellow-countryman who
played bass in New York many years ago. The man was old and
feeble and the old Rotterdam instrument being a heavy one he wished
to trade it for a lighter bass. So he and Mr. Straubel traded. To
quote Mr. Straubel: “ We both knew that the instrument that I re
ceived in the trade was the best, but we neither knew’ at the time that
it was a famous Wrent bass, of Rotterdam.” Later on Mr. E. Tubbs
an old man and a well-known authority on such matters, proved thè
identity of this instrument for Mr. Straubel and stated that so far as he
knew there were but two other Wrent basses in existence, and they were
in the British Museum in London. This instrument was played in the
great Philharmonic Orchestra of New York by Mr. Straubel for more
than thirty years.
A testimonial as to the authenticity of the bass, written by E. Tubbs
of New York City, is in the hands of Mr. Loos, as is also a testimon
ial to its authenticity and value by Paul F. Kissner, well-known au
thority of Portland, Oregon, and Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Kissner places
its value at $1,500. The instrument is in splendid condition; it is per
fect as regards model; the varnish is intact; the tone is the “ last word”
in quality and power. Mr. Loos possesses a treasure, rare and price
less.