Reading Michael's posts about Vic Jackson reminded me of David Steele Johnston, my 3rd great grandfather. He got started in the piano business with D.H. Baldwin in Cincinnati and then moved to Tacoma, Washington in 1888. He grew a very successful piano dealership there, with stores in Seattle, Everett, Bellingham, and Yakima, and became the leading piano dealer in the Pacific Northwest.
As was normal at the time, his company, D.S. Johnston, stencilled their own name onto the pianos that they sold. They sold a lot of Chickerings, but also pianos from several other manufacturers. Around 1910 he closed his business to become president of Eilers Music Stores, which had become the largest retail music dealer in the world.
Does anyone know anything about David S. Johnston, his company, or his pianos? Do technicians in Washington still see them around?
-------------------------------------------
Peter Stevenson RPT
P.S. Piano Service
Prince George BC
250-562-5358
ps@pspianoservice.com -------------------------------------------