[ Forwarded to MMD with the author's consent. ]

Hi Jere, There were many connections between piano companies that
would otherwise appear to be competitors.  The Cable Company owned
an interest in Mason & Hamlin from 1904 to 1924, when it was sold to
the American Piano Company.

Later, there was still evidently some sort of cross-connection of
ownership between Mason & Hamlin and the Cable company.  A press
release about Jim Krughoff's magnificent hand-carved M&H Ampico A made
in 1928 described that it was sold by Marshall Field in Chicago, which
was "the Mason & Hamlin agency of the Cable Piano Company division!"
Cable division of what?!

Similarly, Wurlitzer had an ownership interest in Welte, while Welte
was simultaneously collecting patent royalties from American Piano Co.
and Aeolian for every reproducing piano sold.

Best regards,
Art Reblitz