Figure 1.--This portrait here shows a beautifully dressed child seated in front of a wonderfully elaborate piano. The boy is wearing a black velvet Little Lord Fauntleroy outfit with a large lace collar. Looking at the image closely, it looks rather like a Fauntleroy dress or skirted outfit, but it is hard to tell. Printed under the image is "Master Reuben Demarest - The A.B. Chase Co.'s World's Fair Artist - Aged Five Years". No photographer/publisher information is shown. Click on the image to see the A.B. Chase advertising information on the back of the card.

We have virtually no information on the child piano prodigy Ruben Demarest. We know he performed at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893 in association with the A.B. Chase piano compamy. A promotional portrait at the time shows little Ruben in front of an enormous and elaborately carved Chase piano. Ruben has short curls and is wearing a Little Lord Faintleroy outfit. Unfortunately we have no information on his musical abilities or any further contributiion to the wotld of music.

Parents

Childhood

As Ruben was 5 yeats old at the time of the Chicago World's Fair which was held in 1893, we believe that he was born about 1888.

Child Prodigy

In the portrait here Ruben is seated on an ornate round piano stool that has been cranked up to the highest level (I can't imagine how he played because his feet are dangling miles away from the foot pedals).

Chicago World's Fair (1893)

The Chicago World's Fair was officially called the World's Columbian Exposition. It was held in 1893, nomially to celebrate the 400 year anniversary of Columbus' opening of the Americas. It was the last of the great 19th century world fair, a phenomenon popularized by Prince Albert with the Great Exhibition and the Crystal Palace in London. The Chicago World's Fair was the second major international exhibition held in America. The first was the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia. Chicago located on Lake Michigan at the time was perhaps the most important industrial city in the United States. It had a huge meat packing industry, but industries werea lso rapidly developed. The labor force was largely European immigrants from Germany, Poland, anf many Easytern European countries. The Chicago Colombian Exposition became a celebration of America's emergence as an industrial power, rivaling the great powers of Europe. Every major country in the world had an exibition, including small countries like Hawaii and the Orange Free State which were soon to be absorbed by larger poweres. The Exposition was not just about industry, but also show cased American culture and society and in a way provided a blueprint for life in the rapidly approaching 20th century. An estimated 27 million people attended the Exposition--an incredible number given the transportation system of the era. Most of course were Americans, but large numbers of people also came from Europe--in many cases their first encounter with America. Special trains, "Exposition Flyers" brought people from the East Coast cities in Pullman coaches traveling at the amazing speed of 80 miles per hour. The average travel time was 26 hours from New York City.

A.B. Chase Compamy

This is a really interesting cabinet card advertising The A. B. Chase Piano Company. I'm afraid I don't know anything about pianos, but the one in the image here is spectacular to look at. It's made from the most beautifully grained wood, is carved all over, and features beautiful fret work. The cabinet card's reverse is completely printed with advertising for The A. B. Chase Co. The Chase Company (founded in 1875 in Norwalk, Ohio by Alvin B. Chase) was famous for making some of the finest pianos and pianofortes of the age. All of their instruments were handmade, and were produced from the finest materials available. You can even read the Chase Co. trademark on the piano lid. There are several other important piano companies. Kline was known for making upright pianos. One of the more prestigious manufacturer of grand piano is Steinway (United States). Bechstein is also a extraordinary grand piano. The best known French pianos are Pleyel, Klein, and Rameau .

Clothing

The portrait here shows a beautifully dressed child seated in front of a wonderfully elaborate piano. The boy is wearing a black velvet Little Lord Fauntleroy outfit with a large lace collar. Looking at the image closely, it looks rather like a Fauntleroy dress or skirted outfit, but it is hard to tell.

Hair

Runen looks to have natural curls. His hair is longish, but not done in long shoulder length curls as worn by some boys with Fauntleroy outfits.

Adult Career

We have no information on Demarest's contribution to the music world as an adult.

Created: March 6, 2003
Last updated: March 6, 2003