Casavant Freres Limitee
Saint Hyacinthe, Que.  May 9th, 1951

Dear Mr. Kolbinson:-

Answering yours of May 3rd, I note your intention to go ahead with your chests yourself in accordance with what I suggested. Regarding the puffs and springs, we do not ordinarily sell these items but would be willing to supply you with some for the chests you are making. These puffs vary in sizes as follows:-

Puff-board holes  Valves Pipe holes

1-7/8                     1-1/8     3/4
1-11/16                 1           5/8
1-9/16                   7/8        9/16
1-1/2                     3/4        1/2 & 7/16
1-3/8                     5/8        3/8 & 5/16
1/4 & 9/32


Each puff is, of course, larger in diameter than the hole in the puff-board.  The first hole of 1-7/8 is covered by a puff 2-3/8 in diameter so that it can be glued over the hole, and so on down through the sizes.

The smallest size carrying the 5/8 valve is used for the last four sizes of pipe-holes. We could supply you with lots of any of these sizes i,e, puff of best English sheep-skin, valve and spring for 10 each plus Tax. 

So figure your pipe-holes and puff-holes and let us know how many of each size you will need and we will do our best to fill your order.

Your news about the Toronto firm is just what I expected would happen. I know exactly how the old Warren pedal-board is. I have had one for years set to my piano. The scale of concavity and radiation is not too bad but I had to narrow down the faces of the pedal keys for the reason you explained. In fact, I intend to narrow them yet because they are still too wide for clean playing, in spite of the first lot of wood I removed. It is a great pity that a congregation should be so taken in by such charlatans.

Glad to learn Hunt's book was helpful to you in correcting the speech of your Oboe. You now know how much art there is in reed-voicing.

With my best regards and good wishes for your success in your chest-making, I remain

Sincerely yours,

Stephen Stoot