Steinway HH400 Conceptual Design of a Model D Artcase Piano by L.F. Tantillo This guide ( listed below) is designed to give information about specific American piano manufacturers and more, during the last 183 years or so. Antique Pianos, Grand Pianos, Upright Pianos, Square Grands Pianos, complex machines with thousands of moving parts, are also works of art. Pianos are known for their durability, but over time gradual wear and deterioration take a toll on the condition of all pianos, whether regularly serviced or not.

This is a partial list of piano manufacturers. Mehlin Piano Co. Until 1889 when the. In addition to the Schultz & Sons serial number, pianos have the original. Piano serial numbers help to identify the age of your piano and the history surrounding its production. Run a free piano serial number search.

And the restoring, rebuilding, refurbishing and reconditioning of antique pianos are many ways in which the piano can be put back into a playable and usable condition. This extensive work is recommended for most high-quality and well made instruments from the past as these unique and highly valued instruments should be preserved for all future generations to enjoy and appreciate. Antique Piano Information and Restoration Guide When should your piano need restoration or rebuilding?

Much depends on the quality of the original manufacturer. With over 200 piano manufacturers in the early 20 th century there are many well built and wonderfully sounding instruments to choose from. The best way to determine is to have a qualified technician evaluate the piano for being a potential restoration candidate. Some items to consider: • Current condition of the piano • Quality and type of piano • Cost of repairs compared to replacement • Sentimental value More about the process available on our page. Also there is more information on Antique Pianos This is only a partial listing of more than 200 piano manufacturers during the 19th & 20th century’s.

We have gathered information for some of them from our own experiences. If you have something to add please contact us with your piano information. This page is ever changing so check back occasionally for updates.

Name Year Established City Notes, related items & tidbits Aeolian 1932 New York Many Piano company names were controlled by Aeolian. American 1908 Rochester Helped create the Aeolian Piano Co. Ampico 1916 New York A reproducing system for player pianos of many makes. Apollo 1901 DeKalb A quality reproducing piano manufactured by the Welte Player Piano Co. Autopiano 1903 New York A highly successful world-renown player piano maker winning numerous award.

Francis Bacon 1789 New York Won a prize at the Philadelphia Worlds Fair in 1876 Baldwin 1862 Cincinnati The Baldwin company was started by a music teacher. Bechstein 1853 Berlin Makers of fine German pianos Becker Bros. 1892 New York A high quality piano worthy of rebuilding Beckwith Made for Sears & Roebuck Behning 1861 New York Behr Bros.

1881 New York Won an award at the New Orleans Exposition in 1885, Melbourne Australia in 1888 and Chicago in 1893 Bentley 1930 England Founded by Douglas Grover, a third generation piano builder, the Bentley Piano Company is a British piano manufacturer Bluthner 1853 Leipzig Remains under management by the original family to this day Bosendorfer 1828 Vienna One of the most expensive pianos. Brambach 1823 New York This is Kohler & Campbells’ budget line of piano Broadwood 1728 London John Broadwood developed the grand piano touch we use today Bush & Gerts 1884 Rockford They created the “Grandette” and the “Midgette Grand” Bush & Lane 1901 Chicago Unique in its clarity of tone in even its smallest of grand pianos. Cable 1900 La Porte The budget model line of the Story & Clark Piano Co. Cable Nelson 1903 Chicago The low priced companion of the Everett Piano Co. Cable 1880 New York Due to its rugged build it was adopted for use in many schools across America. 1875 Norwalk The factory took up to two years to produce each piano making this a worthwhile rebuilding prospect. Chickering 1823 Boston First manufacturer in US.

1862 New York Erard 1777 Paris An early maker of the Square Grand whose improvements are used in today’s pianos. Estey 1869 New York Invented a superior bridge for the strings to cross over, thus providing a much clearer tone. Everett 1883 Boston Between 1973-1986 Everett pianos were made by Yamaha.

Fazioli 1981 Italy Founded in Sacile, Italy by Paolo Fazioli Fischer J & C 1840 New York In 1896 they celebrated their 100,000th piano produced from their factory. French Jesse 1875 Nashville Invented the Dulcet Tone whereby a damper will leave one string open, thus creating a peculiar sympathetic tone quality. Gabler 1854 New York Mr. Gabler was a very hands-on factory owner, spending many hours each day overseeing his production. Gulbransen 1904 Chicago Known for its player piano actions. 1851 New York Once known as the “College Piano” because of the numerous universities using this brand of piano. Hallet & Davis 1835 Boston Franz Liszt performed on one and Pope Pius X bought one for the Vatican.

Hardman 1842 New York Known for the artistic beauty of its case and also its remarkable durability. Hazelton Bros. 1840 New York Famous for its inclusion of the Welte-Mignon player mechanism. Ivers & Pond 1880 Boston A highly regarded name ultimately made by the Aeolian Co. Kimball 1857 Chicago A poor Maine farm boy, Kimball sold pianos to Western pioneers in the mid 1800’s.

Knabe 1839 Baltimore Once part of the Mason&Hamlin family. Kohler & Campbell 1894 New York Built pianos in North Carolina and close their business in 1985. Krakauer 1869 New York A highly esteemed piano back in its day closed shop in 1985 too. Kranich & Bach 1864 New York In 1937 they produced the smallest console which stood only 3 foot 3 inches. Lester 1888 Philadelphia Introduced plastics in their pianos after WWII causing many problems. Fortunately this problem can be remedied if you purchase an older Lester Piano.

Lindeman 1836 New York 2nd manufacturer in US. Ludwig 1889 New York Introduced the Unit Valve Player Action which greatly improved maintenance. Lyon & Healy 1864 Chicago Is best known for its beautiful harps. Marshall & Wendell 1836 Albany Highly sought after in the used piano market, especially if equipped with an Ampico Player Unit. Mason & Hamlin 1854 Boston They were once considered Steinway&Sons chief competitor.

Mathushek 1863 New York Invented the “over-stringing” of the modern piano. Mehlin & Sons 1889 New York Famous for their beautiful artistic cases. Miller 1863 Wakefield Petrof 1864 Hradec Kralove Produced in the Czech Republic. Schimmel 1885 Leipzig Europeans largest piano maker. Sohmer 1872 New York Sohmer was family owned for over 100 years. Starr 1872 Richmond Produced a 5 ft. Grand piano using the copyrighted trademark name “Minimum” Steck George 1857 New York Holds a high place as an old standard in the piano world.

Steinway 1853 New York Sterling 1866 Derby A characteristically American brand of piano. 1842 Baltimore Very heavy Story & Clark 1859 Burlington Was once owned by a furniture Company. Vose & Sons 1851 Boston This firm was operated by Mr. Vose, a great president among piano manufacturers. Waldorf 1896 New York This piano company controlled the production of the AutoPiano Co. 1852 New York One of the many piano companies controlled by Aeolian Piano Co.

Wing & Son 1873 New York Wing & Son Piano Manufacturing Company Wissner 1878 New York Owned by Mr. Otto Wissner who was another tireless executive with a high ambition to excel. Wurlitzer 1856 New York Developed the spinet piano and the also the first electronic piano. Yamaha 1887 Japan Worlds largest piano producer.

(started their career making Reed Organs.) More Information Aeolian An automatic piano player in a cabinet with reeds for organ or keyboard was patented in 1897. They were marketed with the “Aeriol Pianos” name. Brown, who is given the credit, sold the patents to the Aeolian Company. The Aeolian Company established a factory for making pianos in Gotha, Germany for Steck pianos and later built a factory near London to make the Weber pianos. Albert Weber from Bavaria came to New York, age 16, and began soon to have the name of a thorough piano maker as well as a perfect performer. He spared no expense to have the best workmen and talent to make pianos giving him the name of a second to none. He succeeded in producing the “Weber tone.” Continued work and strain of doing so much by himself brought his early death.

The fame of the Weber piano still continues for its quality. American The American Piano Company of New York is the combination of several factories under its leadership. Factories such as Chickering, Knabe, Haines, Marshall and Wendell, Foster, Armstrong, Brewster and Cook. It has warehouses in New York, Boston, Baltimore and Washington. It distributes its products through dealers.

Autopiano Company This company has produced a player piano of distinctly original construction and quality. It began because of the demand for a reliable player action. Now it is one of the largest producers of player pianos.

Francis Bacon The Bacon Piano Company is one of the founders of the piano industry in America. It began in 1820 with Robert Stodert and after George Bacon died, his son Francis entered as a partner in 1904 when the company took the name of Bacon Piano Company. Baldwin In 1866 D.H.

Baldwin was a music teacher selling Decker Brothers pianos in Cincinnati. In 1873 this business became D.H.

Baldwin and Company. Expansion was begun with stores in other cities.

Hamilton Organ Company being organized, but later becoming incorporated into the Baldwin Company. After Baldwin died, his two partners, Wulsin and Armstrong, began the development of the artistic Balwin piano. The manufacturing plant is kept scrupulously clean and decorated with architectural design. At the 1900 Paris Exposition, Baldwin took the highest prizes as in most cases where it is presented. The Baldwin piano is an art product, its tone boundless.

Becker Jacob Becker went from Germany to Russia where he established his business in 1841. He was a thinker and experimented with innovations.

His concert grands were excellent and used by leading virtuosos. He retired in 1871, but his business continued receiving appointment as purveyor to the Emperors of Russia and Austria, king of Denmark and Grand Dukes of Russia. The business continues under Carl Schroder.

Behning Born in Germany, Henry Behning learned piano making and came to America in 1856. Including his son in the business in 1880, they became Henry Behning and Son, which was changed to Behning Piano Company after his death. This company makes a good commercial piano.

Behr The Behr Brothers Piano Company is located in New York and manufactures meritorious pianos. Bentley Established in 1930, Douglas Grover, who originally began building pianos in 1906 under several different names, finally started the Bentley Piano Company with his son immediately following the success of his overstrung design in a grand piano frame. The company stayed within the family until acquired by Whelpdale Maxwell and Codd Ltd. And more recently, in 2003, the Bentley name was acquired by InterMusic of Dorset, England. All Bentley pianos are produced solely in England. Bluthner Julius Bluthner of Leipsic used the Conservatory of Music to his advantage by informing the world by the students as they went out into the world that the Bluthner pianos were such high quality. He received prizes from the world’s expositions for his new concept of piano.

He begun his study under Bretschneider, a builder of grand pianos. The Bluthner art grand is impressive with its boldness in design. Bluthner had excellent hearing and could “voice” a piano better than anyone.

He developed the “Aliquot System,” a system to enhance volume and quality of the upper octaves. He also invented a grand action. He was honored by rulers of several countries. Bluthner co-authored a book in German on the care and construction of the piano, materials, tools, and machinery for making the piano. Bosendorfer Ludwig Bosendorfer of Vienna built concert grands 10 feet in length containing 8 octaves. Among the names of grand, grand pianos is that of Bosendorfer.

The son, Ludwig, improved on the grand of his father by accepting modern ideas while keeping the Vienna tone. These pianos are preferred by leading virtuosos and ranks foremost in artistic pianos produced. The Emperor of Austria conferred highest honors on the younger Bosendorfer. The Vienna piano and organ makers have an association for themselves.

Ludwig Bosendorfer is the only honorary member. Broadwood John patented in 1827 a combination iron string plate for the grand piano with iron bars which was almost a full iron frame. He had made in 1791 a square piano. John was born in Scotland but came to England where he married a piano maker’s daughter eventually gaining control of the company.

The business of Broadwood was a gathering place for leaders in his field. He gained much from their intellect.

After his death his son James took control. He continued the gatherings including Beethoven, who greatly loved the Broadwood piano. Henry Fowler Broadwood succeeded James with the same inventions and intellect of friends. Chopin gave his last recital in England at the Broadwood house. Walter Stewart and Thomas Broadwood joined the Broadwood business. Six generations have guided the Broadwood name.

They once had taken the lead in England with player pianos. Every part of their player pianos are manufactured within their own factory. Broadwood now makes a barless steel frame for the grand and upright pianos. This permits the soundboard and strings to vibrate unhampered. Bush and Gerts William H.

Bush born in Maryland began using the railroad to transport vegetables from his fathers’ farm to market. He then had a lumber yard in Chicago which burned. Finally he went into partnership with his son and John Gerts to manufacture pianos. The younger Bush had studied with Woods and Company and with Kimball Company. John Gerts learned piano making in Germany.

The Bush Temple of Music is a tribute to the elder Bush. The Conservatory of Music is a tribute to William L, the younger Bush. Bush and Gerts Piano Company upholds and defends the ethics of the piano business. The company insists the makers name should be on every piano and a fixed price shown by the maker. Bush and Lane In the U.S., this is one of the manufacturers of high –grade pianos in the west. Cable Cable began a career in teaching but later joined the Wolfinger Organ Company. He used his previous work to the piano production joining with Conover.

His business advanced, but after his two brothers joined him and his work drained him, he died. The business became known as the Cable Company which in 20 years was a leader in the U.S. The Chase company began by making organs. Calvin Whitney began the company with $400.

Ten years later he was making pianos and made the aristano grand player piano. Calvin’s son has taken over the company. The Chase Piano started in Indiana, joined with Hackley Piano Company a few years later and they became leaders from the Muskegon area. Chickering Babcock had a full iron frame for the piano. Jonas Chickering improved it and was granted a patent for it.

He was a mechanical genius. At the World’s Fair, London, 1851, he showed the first American pianos in Europe receiving highest honors. Chickering Hall in New York was his use of concert work. Jonas had talents for inventing and constructing. He worked out all details before beginning with the mechanics. His factory burned, but he rebuilt and now is considered one of the best for its purpose.

Chickering had educated his three sons in piano making. The oldest died prematurely.

The second son was not in good health. He took a voyage to India and took pianos which he sold, thus becoming the first exporter of American made pianos. Chickerings son went to London with his father where he acquired great knowledge of the pianos.

Chickering Hall was built in New York where many musical greats made use of the Chickering pianos. It later was demolished for other businesses. George Chickering was the youngest of the sons. He was highly educated and took over the company. They are reviving interest in the clavichord and the music of Bach and others who wrote for the clavichord. Decker & Sons Myron A.

Decker worked in the same shop as Albert Weber, going to work later for Boardman and Gray in New York. In 1858 State Fair, Decker received best piano exhibited. He was more concerned with design and build of an artistic piano than in making money. His son and grandson took over the Decker and Son company. Frank, son of Myron became president of the National Piano Manufacturers’ Association of America in 1908. Erard Sebastian Erard was from Strasburg, a very intelligent person with tools and inventions.

He began working with a harpsichord maker in Paris. He learned and made instruments to assist him in building the harpsichord. He built a piano in 1777, superior to any other for the Duchess of Villeroy. With his brother Jean, they began building pianos. He was not a member of the piano guild but because of his friends in the French court of the king, he was given special permission to continue building pianos.

The French Revolution drove him to London, but he did well there also. He copied the English with a square grand. Jean managed London office. Sebastian’s nephew Pierre became sole heir when jean and Sebastian died. Pierre received a patent in England for repetition or double escapement action, part of which Sebastian had attempted.

The Erard pianos had brass agraffes which improved tone. This capo d’ astro was later patented by Pierre. When a good piano is established, the name on the fall board is never changed even if the founder is no longer connected with the firm. So is the name Erard. Estey Jacob Estey, born in New Hampshire, learned early to work hard. He worked on a farm but winters being harsh, many did inside projects. Jacob became a plumber, but later became famous in Vermont for his organs which were sent worldwide.

A man named Fuller helped Estey. Jacob included his son in the Estey Organ Company.,They manufactured 1800 per month.

They also made pianos of the same superior construction and workmanship as the organ. Julius was the son of Jacob and under his management began building large church organs. He had two sons who eventually came into the Estey Company. Everett The Sheraton grand is made by the Everett Company. This company was started in Boston by John Church who chose Everett as its name because of its simplicity.

After many years of hard work the Everett piano is recognized as an artistic piano and the concert grands were used by leading virtuosos. Fazioli Fazioli Pianoforti quickly built a reputation for producing top tier pianos. At the relatively young age of 35, the Fazioli Pianoforti corporation is already considered to be one of the most prestigious piano makers in the world. Their F308 – a 308 cm (10’ 2”) grand piano – is the largest piano available on the general market. Prized for their incredible design and subsequent massive sound, Fazioli pianos have been showing up most recently in major piano competitions. Out of the last 6 winners of the 3 most prestigious piano competitions – the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, the International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow, and the Arthur Rubenstein International Piano Master Competition in Tel Aviv – 5 played on a Fazioli. Fazioli is a relatively small company, producing somewhere between 120 and 130 pianos a year, all hand made in Italy.

Fischer J&C Carl Fischer came from Vienna. His sons came to New York in 1840. They founded J & C Fischer Company. Carl had been taught by his father.

John wanted to return to Italy upon retirement. Charles and his four sons then became the company. Before the corporation in 1907, the business was producing 5000 pianos a year. Gulbransen The Gulbransen-Dickinson Company is known for its player piano. Dickinson was continually improving and simplifying the mechanism of the player piano. Haines Brothers Napoleon Haines and his brother Francis came to America from England when Napoleon was eight years old. At 15, he began learning the art of piano making and soon he and his brother started the Haines Brothers Piano business.

They built two pianos per week. Later they built a factory where twenty pianos per week were built. Napoleon was an inventor and a very good businessman.

After his death, the business merged with American Piano company who built the Haines Brothers Pianos. Hallet and Davis Hallet and Davis was first known in Boston as Brown and Hallet. Brown came from the Chickering Company where he had several patents for his work. After Davis died, the business continued with Kimball as president. Hardman Hugh Hardman came from England to New York City and became the first company to manufacture good commercial upright pianos.

Later this became Hardman, Peck and Company. Hazelton Brothers Henry Hazelton began his piano business in New York where he maintained the respect and friendship of his competitors. He joined with his brother Frederick as F & H Hazelton, but later was joined by another brother John which brought about the name of Hazelton Brothers. The New York Knickerbacher aristocracy kept them in business.

Ivers & Pond Ivers and Pond is one of the companies which maintained the traditions of famous Boston makers as they continued to produce pianos. Kimball William Wallace Kimball was born in Maine, and came to Chicago where he became a piano dealer. He soon became the largest piano dealer in the West.

The Chicago fire of 1871 destroyed the warehouses. Kimball began again using his house and barn until he could rebuild.

Hale of New York offered to lend him a large sum of money. E.S.Conway began working for Kimball. He traveled and eventually this gave Kimball the entire west for his territory. Kimball decided to manufacture his own pianos. He already built Kimball organs. Lufkin, a nephew, became manager of the manufacturing.

They produce all parts of the piano, the player piano with music rolls, the parlor organ and the church organ. When Kimball died, the business continued in able hands trained by Kimball. Knabe William Knabe was born in Germany, had an excellent education, but decided to learn the art of piano making.

He came to Baltimore where he mastered English then went in business with Henry Gaehle. Gaehle eventually left the company. Knable was an excellent businessman also and he controlled the piano market of the southern states. The Civil War was a difficult time and the toll was Knabe’s life.

His two sons, William and Ernest took over. William managed the factories and Ernest the business/financial side.

Ernest borrowed $ 20,000 for six months with “nothing (as security) but the name of Knabe.” Without the loan many people would have been out of work. Ernest went north and west and within two months had enough sales to meet his needs. Free Watch Alif Laila Serial there. He did not need the loan. He opened branch manufactory houses. The pianos are prized for their superior construction and workmanship. William died suddenly just as the company was doing so well.

Ernest took over double duties but this caused his death five years later. The business became a corporation which became the American Piano Company The “Nouveau Art” grand is an art piano of Knabe.

Kohler and Campbell Charles Kohler began the Auto-Pneumatic Action Company in 1900 for making a reliable player action for the piano. Danquard helped Kohler and obatained a patent for the “flexible finger.” This means the wippen of the action is attached to the player mechanism. John Campbell was a factory organizer and business man.

The two men worked together well. Krakauer Simon Krakauer from Germany was a violinist and orchestra conductor and manufactured pianos in America with his son. They pursued quality and musical tone. Daniel later joined the company and the name became Krakauer Brothers. Kranich and Bach This piano company in New York is known for meritorious pianos. Lindeman William Lindeman born in Germany, had to fight the prejudice toward German people when he came to New York and began piano making. His son, Henry,made the “cycloid” piano, a part grand and a part square piano.

Ludwig He made pianos in New York. Lyon & Healy Healy was a thirteenth child of Irish parents who came to America when Patrick Joseph was ten. He worked the bellows for a church organ in Boston, and worked his way into the music publishing house. He was a systematic worker keeping good records, and statistics to guide him in his work. Healy had success in making guitars, mandolins and other instruments.

His harp became notorious where orchestra music was played. He also produced church organs. After Healy died, his son took over the business and included the making of pianos. Mason & Hamlin The tension resonator for pianos was patented by Gertz but used by Mason and Hamlin in all grand pianos. Hamlin discovered the “voicing” of organ reeds.

He joined Mason and together produced the “organ harmonium.” Their instruments are almost flawless. They produced the American Cabinet Organ which won highest honors at World’s Expositions.

They built pianos of the highest quality. Mathushek An invention using downward striking actions in pianos was one in which time and talent was wasted.

He patented a hammer-covering machine but it was too light in construction to make the heavy hammers needed for concert grand pianos. Mathushek also experimented with double soundboards. Also the thickness of the soundboard was checked for quality tone. Mathushek traveled through Germany and Austria observing piano making, ending up in Paris.

He built an octagon “table piano.” He eventually came to New York becoming associated with Dunham where he drew a scale for overstrung square pianos. Here too he made a piano hammer-covering machine. The Mathushek Piano Company in Connecticut showed his best work. He invented the linear bridge and equalizing scale for his “Colibri” piano. He could produce a tone quality that no one else could achieve. He could play the piano well and detect the slightest imperfection. He strove to produce the ideal musical tone.

His orchestral square grands came near to this desire. Miller Very prominent in Boston was the Henry F. Miller and Sons Piano Company. Miller was a musician especially an organist. He made the successful “Miller” piano and his five sons joined him in the business. After his death the sons continued the business with improvement to the piano case. Sohmer Born in the Black Forest, Germany, Hugo Sohmer was educated in music.

He came to New York at sixteen where he established the Sohmer and Company. He endeavored to produce an artistic instrument rather than producing quantities. Starr James S.

And Benjamin Starr, brothers, obtained control of the piano business where they were employed and used the names Starr Piano Company. James eventually retired. Benjamin was over the manufacturing. He saw the small business expand to produce 18,000 pianos a year before he died. Steck, George Steck devoted his life to the improvement of the piano. Born in Germany, he studied the piano, coming to America where he started a factory.

He opened Steck Hall in New York City where leading artists played his concert grand pianos. He was the best scale drawer. His pianos are of such solidity they have become know as the “school piano.” After retirement he desired to build a piano which would be permanently in tune.

He died before achieving this goal. Steinway New York, 1855 World’s Fair saw the Steinway and Sons square grand piano with overstrung scale and full iron frame. It had overcome the metallic quality of tone. This design was eventually used by all American makers. Steinway and Sons patented this design. In making the covering for the hammers Steinway used 1 3/4 inch thick felt. With the hammer maker the felt is thinner and more uniform.

Felt hammers flatten out with use. Steinway saturated the felt about half way up with a chemical solution which hardens the felt and thus prevents the flattening. This is still done today and is one of the major differences between New York and Hamburg Steinways.

Steinway knew he must put music in front of people thus gaining sales for pianos. He built Steinway Hall in New York and in other cities of the United States where music was performed. At the White House in Washington, DC is the one hundred thousandth piano built by Steinway and Sons.

It was given to President Roosevelt for the American people. The cost was about $ 20,000.00. The Exonerated Play Pdf Sheet.

Steinway and his three sons company progressed rapidly. Steinway built a factory in New York and would not permit any part of the factory to have any imperfection in it, so as his pianos. Two of his sons died and this took a toll on Steinway. He died in 1871 leaving a revered name.

His oldest son took over the company. He was an inventive and constructive genius. He made the Centennial concert grand-duplex scale, bent rim case, cupola iron plate and action to lift the heavy felt covered hammer.

A Steinway village began with the factories, iron foundry, and sawmills for building the pianos. Many honors have been awarded to the Steinway pianos.

Those of the family who have the company now continue to improve the quality of the pianos. Sterling Charles Sterling took over the Birmingham Organ Company in 1871, formed the Sterling Company in 1873 and began producing pianos in 1885. This company was very successful in the player piano.

Stieff, Charles M. Charles Stieff taught music but came to America from Stuttgart. He imported pianos from Germany to his warehouses in Baltimore.

He returned to Europe where he studied the manufacture of Pianos, returning to Baltimore and began making the Stieff piano. When Stieff died his sons, taught by Stieff himself, took over the company. They have stores in most of the larger cities of the U.S.

Where their pianos are sold. Story and Clark Story was the music piano maker of the west. He began in Vermont, teaching music but then manufacturing pianos-the first in Vermont. He was offered an organ dealership in the west, which he took and met Clark in Chicago.

Clark became a partner. When Story retired his son joined Clark and they began manufacturing reed organs.

The company expanded. These organs were the highest in quality and tone. Clark began his own company, but Story continued in the piano business. They distributed their own pianos to their own warehouses throughout the U.S.

Vose and Sons Vose began as a cabinet maker, and began making pianos after much experience in Boston. His three sons were brought into the business, and after Vose retired, continued to improve the company. Weber and Company The short grand was named by Albert Weber the “baby grand.” Weber Piano Company made building of art pianos a specialty.

Albert Weber was born in Bavaria, came to America at sixteen where he apprenticed for piano making and taught music. He began his company at twenty three. His company building burned, but he continued by using the best workers and best talent to make his pianos.

He became second to none especially for the musical tone. This was known as the “Weber tone.” His expert playing sold many pianos. He had a quick mind which averted many unpleasant situations. He worked at the company but enjoyed the night life of New York which all of this caused his early death. Wing & Son Forced back into the world of business after an acquaintance stole the majority of his retirement money, Luman Birch Wing started a piano manufacturing business in New York City with two partners, Doane and Cushing.

Their infant enterprise was one of only fifty or so factories producing pianos immediately after the civil war, and the business officially became the Wing & Son Piano Manufacturing Company in 1873. Wing & Son was the first company to market ‘mail-order pianos’, shipping their instruments free of charge to just about anywhere in the U.S. With a train station. Wing & Son pianos, besides being high quality and often very decorative instruments, gained notoriety for equipping their pianos with five pedals – the two extra pedals changed the tone of the piano, one made it sound like a mandolin and the other gave the instrument a ‘rinky-tink’ sound commonly associated with a honky-tonk piano.

Wurlitzer Rudolph Wurlitzer came from a family of musical instrument makers in Germany to New York then to Cincinnati where he imported instruments. His son came into the business.

This company has become the largest manufacturer of mechanical instruments and player pianos with global connections. Yamaha Torahusu Yamaha began making musical instruments in 1880. In 1885 he made the first organ in Japan.

The Japanese Musical Instrument Manufacturing Company patterned its pianos, organs and violins after American and German models. One of the sons of the owners of this company learned piano making in New York at the Estey factory.

When HRSC assumed ownership of Rocky Springs Chapel on March 23, 2015, its first task was to conduct an initial inventory of the items that were in the chapel and there were two pianos. The upright piano was easy to identify. It had a maker’s mark and a serial number that indicated it was manufactured by the Shaw Piano Company, Baltimore, Maryland in 1909.

However, the second piano was a mystery. It was obviously much older and there was no serial number on it. However, it had a name written on its name-board in very fancy scroll writing which read, “J. Kahl.”On June 30, 2015, HRSC conducted an internet search for “J. Kahl square piano” and was directed to the website of the Smithsonian Institution.

After reading the online “Description (Brief)” for the J. Kahl square piano in the Smithsonian’s collection that read “This square piano was made by Johann Francis Kahl in Washington, D.C. Around 1843-1844This is Kahl’s only known instrument,” HRSC submitted a comment through the Smithsonian’s online system to get clarification on the statement since HRSC knew it had a square piano made by J. On July 22, 2015, HRSC was contacted via email by Stacey Kluck, Chair, Division of Culture and the Arts, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, who indicated that at the time the web label was written, the Smithsonian believed “there were no other known Kahl instruments in public or private holdings.” Mr. Kluck then wrote “This is certainly good news that another example of Kahl’s work exists.” He then requested a photograph of HRSC’s J. Kahl piano as well as a photograph of its maker’s nameplate for the Smithsonian’s files. After HRSC sent Mr.

Kluck the photographs he wrote, “Thank you so much for sending the images of your Kahl piano! It’s great to know that there is another Kahl piano.” In August 2015, HRSC hired piano technician Damon Dye of Dye’s Piano Service, Walkersville, Maryland, to perform an initial inspection and cleaning of its J.

Kahl piano, which is currently on exhibit in Rocky Springs Chapel. Who Was Johann Francis Kahl?

Johann Francis Kahl was a piano maker who immigrated to the United States from Germany in the 1840s and is credited with being the first piano maker in Washington, D.C. In addition, the pianos J. Kahl made were of superior quality and he was purported to have personally constructed each instrument in its entirely in his own shop. Due to the limited number of instruments Kahl could construct in this fashion and because there are so few of his instruments remaining today, information about this maker had become lost overtime. When HRSC began researching piano maker J. Kahl during the summer of 2015, there was little information on him in Clinkscale Online, a comprehensive research database dedicated to the worldwide cataloging of historic pianos before 1860 (or anyplace else for that matter). Therefore, HRSC conducted its own in-depth research on this maker.

Using resources made available through the Library of Congress’ Historic American Newspapers Project, U.S. Census records, and church and immigration records, HRSC was able to develop a more complete and accurate biography for piano maker Johann Francis Kahl, which it submitted for inclusion in the Clinkscale Online database.

Correspondence between HRSC and the Smithsonian Institution, and HRSC and the Clinkscale Online database administrator about HRSC’s J. Kahl piano are contained in the below PDF file. In addition, the current biography and the biography developed on Johann Francis Kahl by HRSC for inclusion in the Clinkscale Online database is provided below: Piano Maker Biography Currently in the Clinkscale Online research database for Johann Francis KAHL: “KAHL, Johann Francis (fl.

Piano maker in Washington, DC. His shop was on the south side of Pennsylvania Avenue NW, between 12th and 13th Streets.

(Washington/SI:FILE)” Piano Maker Biography for Johann Francis KAHL, Compiled and Submitted for inclusion in the Clinkscale Online Database by HRSC on February 20, 2016: “KAHL, Johann Francis (b Germany, 1803-d Washington D.C., 14 Sep.1855). Piano Forte Maker and Importer credited with being the first piano maker in Washington, D.C. He served his apprenticeship at Frankfort-on-the-Main. The Annual Report of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution for Year Ending June 30, 1918, announced “the generous gift of Mr.

Hugo Worch, as follows: Five American pianos and one organ, one of the pianos being the work of Washington’s pioneer maker, Johann Francis Kahl” An article published in The Washington Times on November 27, 1919, described Kahl’s pianos in the following manner, “Although Kahl’s number of instruments was limited they were known to be of superior quality, having great durability and excellent staying powers, and possessing a refined tone. Every part of these instruments was made in Kahl’s shop. He cut the ivory for the keys, wound the bass strings, and did all the cabinet work on the frames. The materials were bought in the raw state and with the simple tools at his command and an inventive mind the different pieces were formed and given new life, finally blending and molding themselves into a splendid instrument. Kahl’s pianos are a fine example of an extinct art whereby a piano maker constructed the instrument in its entirety.” The National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution believed the Kahl piano in its collection was the only known Kahl instrument in public or private holdings until June 2015, when it was notified by Historic Rocky Springs Chapel, Inc., Frederick, Maryland, that another example of Kahl’s work existed in the Chapel’s collection. The September 3rd, 1845 edition of The Daily Union newspaper in Washington, D.C.

Placed Kahl’s shop on the “south side of Pennsylvania Avenue, between 12th and 13th Streets, or D street near 9th.” The October 13, 1848 edition of The Daily Union advertised a raffle to be held by Kahl at the “Apollo Hall” and indicated Kahl’s “warehouse of musical instruments” was located on “Pennsylvania Avenue between 10th and 11th Streets.” The 1850 census listed the following members in the J. Kahl household: J.F. Kahl (born in Germany, piano maker) and his wife Johanna (born in Germany); their 12 year old son George (born in Germany); their 5 year old son Julius and 2 year old son Francis D. (both born in Washington, D.C.); M. Mercer (born in Virginia, Clerk); M.

Yerby (born in Virginia, Merchant); as well as a 25 year old woman named Christina Rush whose birthplace was listed as Germany. However, later that same year, the November 15, 1850 edition of The Daily Union contained an advertisement from Dyer & McGuire, Auctioneers, that read, “GENTEEL FURNITURE OF A PRIVATE FAMILY—On Tuesday morning, November 19, at 10 o’clock, we shall sell at the residence of J. Kahl, on the south side of Pennsylvania Avenue, between 9th and 10th streets, his furniture and household effects (which are in excellent order).” What unfortunate turn of events had caused Kahl to sell off virtually all of his household furniture and effects in 1850 is unknown.

However, less than two years later, Kahl placed the following advertisement in the August 28, 1852 edition of the Daily American Telegraph newspaper in Washington, D.C., “PIANOS-I have just completed several seven-octave Pianos, with iron frame and rosewood case-made of the best materials, in the latest style. These instruments combine, with a brilliant sonorous tone, a perfect, even touch – which I will sell as reasonable as any manufacturer in the United States. I also keep on hand, for sale or rent, second-hand pianos on good terms. KAHL, Piano Manufacturer.” In this advertisement Kahl’s address is listed as “corner 17th Street and New York Avenue, one square below Winder’s building.” Kahl is next listed in The Washington and Georgetown Directory – Stranger’s Guidebook for Washington and Congressional and Clerk’s Register 1853 as “Kahl, J.

F., Piano Forte Manufactory, N. Side NY Ave., btwn 17 & 18 W.” With the exception of his oldest son George (born in Germany about 1838), the births of Kahl’s children were recorded in the birth and christening records of the Concordia Lutheran Evangelical Church in Washington, D.C. The Church’s records show the following children born to J. & Johanna (Steinman) Kahl: Detrich Julius Kahl born 25 September 1845; Franz Diederich Kahl born 18 March 1849; and Johanna Kahl born 29 August 1851. Sadly, the District of Columbia’s death and burials records record this gifted piano maker’s death on 14 September 1855 at the age of 52. It appears from census records that Kahl’s widow, Johanna, never remarried and lived with their eldest son George in Washington, D.C. For the remainder of her life.”.