June 7, 1876

  • The judging begins at the Centennial Exhibition.
  • William Steinway’s diary: “Depart with the 7:30 A.M. train, arrive Philadelphia at 10 A.M. Yesterday all the pianos were moved to Judge’s Hall, but General Oliver being sick trial postponed to this morning, nearly all the pianomakers are in the entrance in front. After some delay Albert, Theodore and myself go in and we explain to the four jurors Kupka, Schiedmayer, Bristow and General Oliver our points of excellence in the Grand pianos and action. We take dinner at Lauberts, spend the afternoon pretty confident of victory, towards evening Albert & I walk to Schiedmayer’s house, who tells us that both Oliver and Bristow are our enemies.”