I read with interest the article about the Ampico in New Zealand and
are able to supply some early trade invoices from this business from
1880's and 1899.  It seems that the "piano saloon" was located in the
Begg's building, and you will note from the earlier account, the
illustration of it's two-storey building, with the Royal Coat of Arms
on the pediment, which indicates it had a Royal Warrant.

Princes Street, Dunedin is the Main Street in this very early historic
town, which became a very pivotal and wealthy city during and after
the Otago gold rush of the 1860's.

I have a large collection of musical and instrument based invoices
of the late 19th and early 20th century, and herewith supply a list
of the North American ones that I hold.  Many of these have wonderful
lithographical illustrations and some fascinating correspondence.
These have all been sent to a New Zealand musical retailer, a great
social and economic history.  (There are numerous others from Britain,
Germany and France.)  I am very happy to share these with anyone who
is interested.  The List:

  Beethoven Piano-Organ Co. Washington, NJ 1888
  Cornish Co. Washington, NJ 1888
  New York Attachable Player Action Co.  New York 1915
  Sherman and Clay Co. San Francisco 1901
  E P Carpenter Co. Brattleboro, Vermont 1892
  Weaver Organ and Piano Co. Weaver, York, PA 1912
  Mason and Hamlin Organ and Piano Co. Boston, NY, Chicago  c1890
  Berliner Gramophone Co. Philadelphia 1897
  Estey Organ Co. Brattleboro, Vermont 1903
  Dominion Organ and Piano Co. Bowmanville, Ontario 1888
  The Smith American Organ Company. Boston, Kansas City, Atlanta 1889
  The Sterling Company. Derby, Conn. 1882

I do hope this provides a little more depth to the commerce that
existed between our countries.

Warm regards from the Deep South,

Terry Sutcliffe, Historian & Researcher
Papatoetoe, Auckland, New Zealand
http://www.terrysutcliffe.com/ 

 [ Chas. Begg & Co. invoices
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/19/02/28/190228_201029_DOC280219.pdf