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AEOLIAN/AEOLIAN
- AMERICAN Est. 1903 - New York, N.Y.
The manufacturing facilities at East
Rochester was comprised of a series of separate and individual factories
planned so that manufacturing of the various instruments was carried on in
an entirely individual and distinct manner, and by separate organizations,
each under direction of men who had been associated with each respective
make for many years, thus preserving, unimpaired, the individual and
distinctive qualities of each piano. Combined they made a great and powerful
contribution to the art of music, for each of the great instruments they
produced will continue providing magnificent music for generations to come.
Name brands built in East Rochester include Chickering & Sons, J & C
Fischer, Wm. Knabe, Mason & Hamlin, and George Steck.
H. B. Tremaine was a business genius who
brought about the commercial exploitation of the piano player on a big
scale. Tremaine's father had built a successful small business making and
cranked table-top-sized mechanical organs, a very popular item in homes in
the late 1800's. He founded the "Aeolian Organ and Music Company" around
1888; the firm achieved considerable success with larger instruments and
organs. His son took over in 1899 and immediately set about to apply his own
business acumen to the company's affairs. With the newly perfected "Pianola,'
he launched an aggressive advertising campaign which was entirely new to the
stodgy piano business. With four page color advertisements (almost unheard
of in that day) published in the popular magazines, he literally stunned the
piano industry with the message that here, indeed, was the answer to
everyone's prayer for music in the home! Tremaine and Pianola built an
enormous business empire over the next thirty years. It wasn't long after
the turn of the century that it was deemed desirable to "miniaturize" the
clumsy Pianola and other similar, instruments so that they could be built
directly inside the pianos. Within a few short years, the push up"players
disappeared from the scene. By this time everyone got into the act, and
every piano maker so manufactured a player of some sort.
This name is known the world over in
connection with musical instruments, It is applied to some of the various
products of the Aeolian Company of New York which instruments of renown
included the Duo Art Pianola, Weber Pianola, Steck Pianola, Wheelock Pianola,
Stuyvesant Pianola, Steinway Duo Art Pianola, Stroud Pianola the Aeolian
Orchestrelle and the Aeolian Pipe Organ; it also controlled the Meludee
Music Co., Inc., and the Universal Music Co.
1903-1900 1904-3000 1905-5400 1906-9000
1907-12000 1908-15000 1909-19000 1910-23000
1911-27000 1912-31000 1913-35000 1914-39000
1915-43000 1916-47000 1917-51000 1918-55000
1919-59000 1920-30000 1921-70000 1922-70000
1923-73000 1924-76000 1925-78000 1926-80000
1927-82000 1928-85000 1929-88000 1930-91000
1931-94000 1932-97000 1933-98000
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AEOLIAN-AMERICAN DIVISION OF AEOLIAN CORP.
Piano lines controlled and manufactured by
this Division listed alphabetically include Chickering & Sons, Wm. Knabe &
Co., Mason & Hamlin and Weber. The manufacturing facilities at East
Rochester consist of over 250,000 sq. ft. of space situated on over eight
acres of land occupied and devoted exclusively to the manufacture of only
pianos since 1906. Aeolian was one of America's largest producers of grand
pianos. Instruments made by Aeolian American Division enjoyed an
unquestioned reputation throughout the world
AEOLIAN - AMERICAN CORPORATION - Founded
1932
Aeolian - American was the consolidation of
the American Piano Company, Aeolian Piano Company formerly Winter & Company,
and Weber Piano Company. Factories were located at East Rochester N.Y.,
Worchester Ma. and Memphis, Tenn.
Aeolian probably produced more instruments
than any other company in the U.S. Founded as Heller & Co. in 1899, later
incorporated as Winter & Co. in 1903, the firm became affiliated with Sears
Roebuck and Co. In 1941 William G. Heller, Henry R. Heller and associates
acquired the Sears interest and devoted the production to defense work
during World War II. Faith in the industry and the conviction that the piano
industry needed someone to keep the venerable manufacturers in operation,
Aeolian has acquired companies which would not otherwise have survived.
During 1960 the work force included only
excellent craftsmen under the direction of people who had been associated
with these fine makes for many years, thus preserving unimpaired the
Individual and distinctive quality of each piano. The affiliation of the
various houses that formed this large and powerful contributing force to the
art of music, insures for each a wider scope for musical activity in that
each of its units was of the highest quality in its grade, which had an
extraordinary economy of production. This company's purchasing power
contributed immeasurably to the integrity and value of instruments that were
made in the various Divisions.
Aeolian Corporation, which in 1982 owned
over 40 registered brand names, the product of merger and acquisitions over
the years combining 16 domestic piano producers and the largest Canadian
producer. Recognition was given by the trade to the various Aeolian lines is
the best evidence that Aeolian Corporation pianos manufactured in Memphis
and East Rochester, fulfilled every requirement in grands, studios, spinets,
consoles and players in a variety of scales and finishes, as well as case
designs. Aeolian produced not only the concert and beginners piano, but also
for the artist and leisure time musician.
Although production ceased in 1982 and 1985
there are countless thousands of Aeolian -American pianos still in use
throughout America, in private homes, schools, churches and rental fleets.
They were not always the most expensive, and some of their designs were,
while aesthetically correct they weren't always perfect, but they did and
still do provide students with the perfect entry level piano ever made at a
price that most families could afford.
ALLMENDINGER
Established in 1902, Grand pianos were
distinguished for their beautiful tone, their handsome and distinctive
designs, their exquisite craftsmanship and great durability. Grand pianos
were made one-at-a-time with the finest raw materials available. Some
instruments were made under the name of long time piano maker B.G.
Henderson.
1902-1000 1905-2000 1910-3000
1914-3900
Piano values will vary
with age, type of wood, style and condition.
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ALTOONA
Well known A Pennsylvania brand name
throughout the Middle Eastern States.
1920 - 81000 1921 - 82900 1922 - 83900
1923 - 84900
1924 - 86600 1925 - 87800 1926 - 88800 1927 - 89600
1928 - 91500 1929 - 93700
Piano values will vary with
age, type of wood, style and condition.
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AMERICAN
PIANO COMPANY
This company was created as a "combine" of
the finest pianos the world has ever seen. Company was established in 1903,
later to become Aeolian-American. Subsidiary Companies Chickering & Sons,
Boston, Mass., established 1823 Wm. Knabe & Co., Baltimore, Md., established
1837 Mason & Hamlin Co., Boston established 1854 Armstrong Co., Rochester,
N. Y. which includes the following subsidiary companies Haines Bros.,
established 1851 Marshall & Wendell Piano Co., established 1835 Franklin
Piano Co. established 1894; Foster & Co. established 1881; Armstrong Piano
Co. established in 1884; Brewster Piano Co., established 1883; The Amphion
Co., established 1903; also, East Rochester Iron Works and The Ampico
Corporation.
The American Piano Company organized in
1903. The affiliation of the various houses forming it insured for each a
wider scope for musical activity, and valuable advantages in securing the
best the world markets afford in materials which enter into piano
construction. The wisdom of this important affiliation of various interests
with similar ideals is apparent to any student of modern business methods
disclosing such affiliation to be the uniting factor in the success of every
great American institution of equal importance however, was the preservation
of the individuality of the great houses forming this company. This
individuality was preserved with scrupulous care. The Chickering was still
made in Boston, where it has been made continuously for nearly a hundred
years, in the great factory built through the foresight and vision of Jonas
Chickering. The Chickering organization and personnel directed its
construction and preserved the high ideals of the founder. The Knabe made in
Baltimore since 1837, was still constructed there with all the Knabe
traditions in the hands of those who received their inspiration from the
elder Knabe. In Rochester the Foster-Armstrong Company embraced in a series
of factories in which the individuality of various pianos was preserved and
directed by its separate organizations Haines Bros., Marshall & Wendell,
Franklin, Foster, Armstrong and The American Piano Company also manufactured
the Ampico, which was obtainable in several of the pianos made at its
various divisions.
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AMERICAN PLAYER-PIANO
The American Player-Piano Co. was
established in 1902. Many thousands of these instruments have been sold, and
they give perfect satisfaction. The industry is controlled by Bjur Bros. Co.
of New York, which has won a place of distinction in the musical world. A
player of first-class quality and perfectly safe to purchase.
Piano values will vary with
age, type of wood, style and condition.
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AMERLING
This firm purchased an entire building
located at 1307-17 Utica Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y., where complete modern factory
facilities have been installed. On these premises are produced the Amerling
line of fine console-grand, studio and grand pianos.
Amerling pianos are custom built with old
world touch and new world technique. Amerling instruments are invested with
a century of knowledge and tradition and bring to each owner a pride and
prestige that only 100 years of experience and progress can produce in the
specific art of pianoforte construction.
The Amerling line of console-grands
includes such features as "Direct Grand Blow Action" (produces richer tone
and reduces wear and tear on action); "Centertone Bridge" (transmits sound
waves to grand crown soundboard without distortion); "Grand Crown" (spruce
tapered soundboard of finest quality as used in concert grands); "Grand
Locked Uniscale" (fortified, even balanced side to afford pure, even
tone).Amerling pianos are available in French and Italian Provincial,
Modern, Contemporary and Traditional designs, and are finished in a wide
variety of attractive color-tones. Highly endorsed by leaders in radio,
theatrical and television fields, Amerling pianos also enjoy fine acceptance
among well-known decorators.
1959-10500 1960-11000 1961-11500 1962-12000
1963-12500
1964-13000 1965-13500 1966-14000 1967-14500 1968-15000
1969-15500 1970-16000
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AMPICO
The ordinary player-piano has only one
basic function, that of striking the notes. The reproducing piano added the
ability to recreate the touch, the shadings, the nuances, of the original
recording - all the expression characteristics, and making the difference
between purely mechanical sounds and true artistry. The paper roll was
obliged, therefore, to include extra perforations which carried the
"expression information" in coded form. These codes, which bear a
resemblance to the language of modern computers, were either captured at the
time of the initial recording or added later in an editing process. The
reproducing piano was equipped with apparatus to "read" these expression
holes and to reconstruct the exact expression of a piece while other holes
played the notes. Today, when we hear the words "digitally enhanced," we
think of a highly-sophisticated disc electronic sound system replete with
elaborate and costly loudspeakers, a magnificent cabinetry tailored to fit
properly into one's home and all backed up by extensive marketing and
advertising by numerous manufacturers.
One wonders how anything could possibly
sound finer. Yet to many, the true ultimate in "digital piano" occurred when
the reproducing piano reigned supreme in its ability to re-create "live" the
performances of great keyboard artists right in the home.
The American Piano Company introduced its
device to the market and called it the Ampico. It was based on the designs
of an eccentric mechanical genius, one Charles Fuller Stoddard. Stoddard,
whose home was a maze of newfangled contraptions of his own design, spent
the last few years of his life entertaining the world's greatest piano
virtuosos who would record on his unique Ampico recording piano. Ampico
reproducing systems were eventually installed in such fine pianos as the
Mason & Hamlin, the Knabe, the Chickering, the Beale in Australia, and the
Willis in Canada.
In the mid-twenties, the Ampico Corporation
engaged a scientist, Dr. Clarence Hickman, to completely re-engineer the
Ampico reproducing system and roll making process. His work resulted in the
so-called "Model B" Ampico pianos which represented the highest possible
standards of technology available at the time. Hickman developed the famous
"spark chronograph" method of capturing expression characteristics of
individual pianists and today, the "Model B" Ampico pianos are in great
demand by collectors, and at prices that go right through the roof, $100,000
to $200,000 in mint condition.
Hickman recognized that the best way to
measure expression is in terms of the energy imparted directly to the piano
strings by the piano's hammers. He devised a scheme by which the velocity,
and hence the energy, of each hammer could be measured just prior to hitting
the string. This information was then directed to a recording device and the
coded expression holes were adapted directly to the master production roll.
Hickman was also a renowned expert on explosives, and he is responsible for
the development of the tank-busting recoilless rifle, the "bazooka," which
helped the United States secure victory in World War II. The bazooka is
named after still another musical instrument, but that's another story.
The Ampico received the highest endorsement
of artists and musical critics
1920-81000 1923-84900 1926-88800
1929-93700
1921-82900 1924-86600 1927-89600 1930-94000
1922-83900 1925-87800 1928-91500 1931-97000
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AMPICHRON
Timer created by Ampico to turn on
precisely on the hour, plays a short selection and strike the hour
throughout the day.
Piano values will vary with
age, type of wood, style and condition.
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ANDERSON
BROTHERS
Imported by F.T. Anderson, New York,. Built
by Ricca Piano Company
1956-160000 1959-169000 1962-180000
1965-191000
1957-163100 1960-172000 1963-183000 1966-195000
1958-166000 1961-176000 1964-187000 1967-199000
Piano values will vary with
age, type of wood, style and condition.
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ANGELUS
Good quality vertical and grand pianos
handmade in New Jersey and New York. Production about 500 pianos a year.
Excellent rebuilt project. The Angelus reproducing piano made and
distributed by the Premier Grand Piano Corp. was a fine piano. It reproduced
the playing of the world's great pianists exactly true to life. These
remarkable results are due to the employment of the famous Angelus recording
and expression devices.
1912-1000 1915-3400 1918-5400 1921-7500
1913-1500 1916-4200 1919-6000 1922-8000
1914-2600 1917-4800 1920-6700
Piano values will vary with
age, type of wood, style and condition.
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APARTMENT
GRAND
Name applied to a small 4' 7" grand piano
equipped with an electric candelabra. Built for small apartments, very
popular in the Chicago and Mid West United States. Circa 1920 - 1933. By
Lyon & Healy Chicago Ill.
Piano values will vary with
age, type of wood, style and condition.
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APOLLO
Established as Clark 1901-. The trademark
"Apollo" was one of the best known and most widely advertised names in the
world. The Apollo reproducing system was created and manufactured by Welte,
with values similar to the Ampico collection. Welte piano rolls contain many
of the worlds greatest artists and composers of the time. by Wurlitzer
DeKalb Ill.
The trade-mark "Apollo" is one of the best
known and most widely advertised names in the piano trade, both in this and
foreign countries, in many of which the trade mark has been registered and a
large business established The name was first used by Melville Clark Piano
Co of De Kaib, Illinois The name Apollo has been for some years past the
name of a very high grade line of grand pianos and reproducing grand pianos
manufactured by The Apollo Piano Company. The name is now known principally
as a brand of a reproducing mechanism of the highest order of perfection.
This mechanism possesses many exclusive features and iii this field is
unexcelled. The Apollo has a large and constantly growing library of rolls
containing the names of the world ' greatest composers and pianists, the
nucleus of which is the famous Welte library to which most of the worlds
leading musicians have contributed. The Apollo mechanism is found only in
Wurlitzer and Apollo pianos.
1901-2075 1911-17800 1921-45000
1931-112000
1902-4000 1912-19600 1922-49000 1932-118000
1904-7000 1914-23200 1924-58000 1934-130000
1905-8700 1915-24400 1925-63000 1935-132000
1906-10000 1916-26800 1926-77000 1936-135000
1907-11500 1917-29000 1927-80000 1937-137000
1908-13000 1918-32800 1928-87000 1938-150000
1909-14500 1919-36000 1929-95000 1939-155000
1910-16000 1920-40000 1930-106000
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ARIRANG
PIANOS
Founded by the Daewoo corporation of Seoul,
Korea, in 1976. Arirang pianos are manufactured using only the highest
quality materials gathered from all four corners of the world. Four Grand
Piano Models and Four Uprights make up the Hyundai Arirang line. A variety
of polyester and lacquer give the Arirang line added versatility.
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ARCHER
PIANO CO.
549 W.42nd Street New York, Est. 1906,
Company sold to Braumuller in 1921, Trade Mark Braumuller, also made
Baumeister. Produced 60,000 pianos in 15 years. These pianos are worthy of
restoration. Grand pianos were distinguished for their beautiful tone, their
handsome and distinctive designs, their exquisite craftsmanship.
1920 - 81000 1921 - 82900 1922 - 83900
1923 - 84900
1926 - 88800 1929 - 93700 1924 - 86600 1925 - 87800
1927 - 89600 1928 - 91500
Piano values will vary with
age, type of wood, style and condition.
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ARGYLE
Trademark name on pianos of durable
character by Elbel Bros., South Bend, Md.
1905 - 53000 1914 - 73600 1923 - 84900
1906 - 55400
1915 - 74000 1924 - 86600 1907 - 57600 1916 - 75600
1925 - 87800 1908 - 59900 1917 - 78000 1926 - 88700
Piano values will vary with
age, type of wood, style and condition.
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ARIA DAVINA
This name now familiar as applied to pianos
is that of the M.Schulz Co. reproducing piano. The Aria Divinas were
artistic instruments in every way from case designs to tone and accuracy
with which the performances of great pianists are reproduced with perfect
ease by the performer. The Aria Divina is an instrument of artistic
character in which are features of notable achievement. In everything that
was advanced in the latest development of the instruments by which the
actual performances of the world's greatest pianists were instantly
reproduced in any parlor the Aria Divina stood.
1920-147500 1923-170000 1926-202000
1929-226000
1921-155000 1924-180000 1927-210000 1930-230000
1922-162500 1925-190000 1928-218000
Piano values will vary with
age, type of wood, style and condition.
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ARION
Philadelphia, Pa.
Name used on pianos by various piano
merchants. The original was an excellent commercial piano around the turn of
the century.
1900 - 1000 1915 - 4900 1922 - 7800
1925 - 9870
1905 - 2900 1920 - 6600 1923 - 8600 1926 - 10480
1906 - 1000 1912 - 7000 1918 - 13000 1922 - 17000
1909 - 4000 1915 - 10000 1920 - 15000 1924 - 18600
Piano values will vary with
age, type of wood, style and condition.
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ARLINGTON
A very old piano name found upon
instruments produced by the American Piano Company.
1900 - 43000 1909 - 62000 1918 - 79000
1927 - 89600
1901 - 45000 1910 - 63700 1919 - 80200 1928 - 91500
1902 - 47000 1911 - 65500 1920 - 81100 1929 - 93700
1903 - 49000 1912 - 67800 1921 - 82900
1904 - 51000 1913 - 71000 1922 - 83900
1905 - 53000 1914 - 73600 1923 - 84900
1906 - 55400 1915 - 74000 1924 - 86600
1907 - 57600 1916 - 75600 1925 - 87800
1908 - 59900 1917 - 78000 1926 - 88700
Piano values will vary with
age, type of wood, style and condition.
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ARMSTRONG
Was made by the Armstrong Piano Company
factory located in Rochester, N. Y.. The quality of the Armstrong was best
described by the company's slogan, "Sound in Body and Musical in Soul." The
Armstrong was noted for refinement of case design, great durability and
beautiful tone quality. The Armstrong player-pianos were among the most
widely known of the reliable instruments on the market. Armstrong pianos had
been used in the Rochester Public Schools with practical exclusiveness for
many years. The name of this instrument was that of a prominent officer of
the American Piano Co., a gentleman of long experience in the piano industry
and personally one of the foremost influences in the line of work to which
he is devoted.
1900-43000 1909-62000 1918-79000
1927-89600
1901-45000 1910-63700 1919-80200 1928-91500
1902-47000 1911-65500 1920-81100 1929-93700
1903-49000 1912-67800 1921-82900 1930-94000
1904-51000 1913-71000 1922-83900 1931-94100
1905-53000 1914-73600 1923-84900 1932-94300
1906-55400 1915-74000 1924-86600 1933-94400
1907-57600 1916-75600 1925-87800 1934-95800
1908-59900 1917-78000 1926-88700 1935-96000
Verticals & Grands Built by Aeolian
after 1959:
1960-364200 1966-397700 1972-420500
1978-440000
1961-370700 1967-401500 1973-424900 1979-444000
1962-376900 1968-405200 1974-430300 1980-446900
1963-383100 1969-407500 1975-433400 1981-449700
1964-387900 1970-410900 1976-436900 1982-452400
1965-392000 1971-415600 1977-438000
Piano values will vary with
age, type of wood, style and condition.
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ARTEMIS
This was the name applied by the Steger &
Sons Piano Mfg. Company of Chicago and Steger, Illinois, to a line of pianos
and player pianos of high character produced by the Artemis Division of that
industry. The instruments were very reliable. They were noted for beautiful
tone and admirable designs. The construction of Artemis pianos and player
pianos was thoroughly dependable. The popularity of the Artemis line of
pianos had made it a national institution. The success as popular, moderate
priced instruments had been achieved on the basis of merit. Considerations
such as overall condition should be made before investing in a complete
rebuild unless there is sentimental value involved.
1901- 3500 1902- 4500 1903- 5500 1904-
6500
1905- 7500 1906- 8500 1907-10000 1908-11500
1909-13000 1910-14500 1911-16000 1912-17500
1913-19000 1914-20000 1915-21000 1916-23700
1 917-25500 1918-27000 1919-28500 1920-30000
1921-31500 1922-33000 1923-34000 1924-35000
1925-36000 1926-37000 1927-38000 1928-39000
Piano values will vary with
age, type of wood, style and condition.
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ARTIST
NEWARK N.J.
Name used by Bamberger's Department store
on a reliable piano
1920 - 81000 1923 - 84900 1926 - 88800
1929 - 93700
1921 - 82900 1924 - 86600 1927 - 89600 1922 - 83900
1925 - 87800 1928 - 91500
Piano values will vary with
age, type of wood, style and condition.
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ARTISAN
SEE A.B. CHASE COMPANY
Piano values will vary with
age, type of wood, style and condition.
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ARTONE
This name was employed by Ahlstrom Piano
Co., of Jamestown, N.Y. to designate the special characteristics of the
Ahlstrom pianos, because of their highly perfected construction and artistic
tone. The makers considered them a classic among pianos and therefore
featured as the Ahlstrom "ARTONE" pianos, the players being known as the "Artonolo"
and the grands as "Arto-Grand" and "Art Reproducing," these names being
derivatives of "ARTONE."
Piano values will vary with
age, type of wood, style and condition.
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ART-O-TONE
This is the distinguishing name adopted by
the Schumann Piano Co. of Rockford, Ill., The Art O Tone was first
introduced at the annual convention of the piano trades in Chicago.
Piano values will vary with
age, type of wood, style and condition.
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ASHTON
1920 - 81000 1923 - 84900 1926 - 88800
1929 - 93700
1921 - 82900 1924 - 86600 1927 - 89600 1922 - 83900
1925 - 87800 1928 - 91500
Piano values will vary with
age, type of wood, style and condition.
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ASTIN-WEIGHT
Astin - Weight makes two sizes of uprights:
a 41" console in several styles and finishes, and a 50" upright in walnut,
and in 1981, a 5'9" grand, with a soundboard area equivalent to that of an
eight-foot grand. The latest addition to the Astin-Weight range is the most
unusually shaped grand made in America. By changing the shape, the company
has found a way to increase soundboard area by about 45% in vibrating area.
The Bass strings on this piano are about 18" longer than ordinary 5'9" grand
bass strings, and the resulting tone quality, for a piano this size, is
phenomenal.
Astin Weights is very different from that
of any other piano made anywhere else in the world. In fact, the company
claims to make "America's most unique pianos." Backs of ordinary pianos have
several wooden posts for strengthening the overafl string structure; Astin-Weights
have no posts in back. Instead of a corn-bination of wood and metal to hold
the 20 tons of string tension, Astir-Weights have a massive four-corner iron
plate that is designed to take the stress of the strings without wooden
posts, resulting in greater tuning stability for the instru-ments. This
innovation, however, was not original with Astin-Weight: many Euro-pean
upright pianos have had similar construction for over 40 years.
The really important innovation in Astin-Weights
is the soundboard construction. Console-size pianos have never had any real
tonal depth. The soundboards in small pianos have always been too small to
transmit the lower frenuencies of sound. particularly in the bass. A fair
generalization, one might say "the bigger the soundboard, the richer the
sound." Astin-Weight console, the size of the soundboard was increases so
that its surface area is roughly equivalent to the soundboards of the 54"
upright pianos, resulting in a very real improvement over conventionally
designed consoles. In fact, the performance of these pianos is superior to
most home-size grands. The 50" upright has the same type of design
difference as the smaller pianos have. A very massive iron plate and a
soundboard as large as that of a semi-concert grand, actual square inch
measurement. (To do this by conventional means, an upright would have to be
at least 60" tall.) The resulting overall tonality is one that has not been
heard in uprights for 50 years. There is no question about this perfor-mance
being superior to that of other uprights.
The only question is, how superior? In the
center of the keyboard, the tone is rich and full. In the bass, there is
unprecented depth, and the upper treble is strong and clear. The UG-50 is
fitted with Pratt-Read's finest upright action, affording maximum
performance; the ac-tion is beautifully regulated for the fullest control
and has that delight of the accomplished pianist, a full sostenuto. All
Astin-Weights are made in the Utah mountain climate, and wood is
kiln-and-air-dried down to a moisture content lower than that of pianos made
in damper climates. This ensures both tuning and tonal stability over a long
life expectancy.
1959-1000 1968-10000 1977-19000
1987-29000
1960-2000 1969-11000 1978-20000 1988-30000
1961-3000 1970-12000 1979-21000 1989-31000
1962-4000 1971-13000 1980-22000 1990-32000
1963-5000 1972-14000 1981-23000 1991-33000
1964-6000 1973-15000 1982-24000 1992-34000
1965-7000 1974-16000 1983-25000 1993-35000
1966-8000 1975-17000 1984-26000 1994-36000
1967-9000 1976-18000 1985-27000 1995-37000
Piano values will vary with
age, type of wood, style and condition.
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ASTOR
PIANO CO.
This company was owned and controlled by
the Bacon Piano Co., New York City, of which Mr. W. P. H. Bacon was
president. This piano manufacturing concern was named in honor of John Jacob
Astor, who founded the Bacon Piano Company in the year 1789. The Astor Piano
Co. produced uprights and player-piano instruments that were notable for
their beautiful resonant tone and handsome and distinctive case designs. The
Astor Piano was renown for it's quality and workmanship. The Astor Piano is
an excellent instrument to consider rebuilding.
Piano values will vary with
age, type of wood, style and condition.
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AUGUST FORSTER
August Förster moved to Löbau and studied the fundamental
principles of piano making with Mr. Hieke and Karl August Eule. In 1854,
August Förster passed his exam as a piano maker. After years of work in
different towns, full of good ideas he returned to his home in the region of
the Oberlausitz. On April 1st, 1859, August Förster established a small
workshop in Löbau, where he made his first piano. 1862 he established the
first factory building in the suburbs of the town in today's Jahn street.
This factory has been developed into a modern plant during the last decades.
August Förster died in 1897 and his son Cäsar Förster took over the
management of the factory. After the early death of Cäsar Förster in 1915
his two sons, the ingenious piano maker Gerhard Förster and the businessman
Manfred Förster continued the company founded by their grandfather.
Revolutionary constructions like the quarter-tone grand piano and the
elektro cord were created before the Second World War.
1873- 900 1924- 50000 1960-122500
1974-147500
1880- 1700 1929- 60000 1961-124000 1976-150000
1886- 5000 1937- 73000 1966-134000 1978-152000
1898-10000 1948- 85000 1968-137500 1980-154000
1904-15000 1950- 86300 1970-140500 1990-161000
1910-25000 1952-102000 1972-143500 1996-164200
Piano values will vary with
age, type of wood, style and condition.
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AUTOPIANO
One of the strongest and most enterprising
of the American player- piano industries. The success of this factory had
been such that the factory floor space embraced more than 300,000 square
feet with an annual capacity of 10,000 player pianos. The Autopiano Company
had for years exported its popular product to sections of the world, and the
Autopiano was notable for its remarkable expression capabilities and staunch
durability. It resisted the climatic extremes of the Arctic regions and the
tropical zone equally well.
Being manufactured by player-piano
specialists, in large factories devoted exclusively to the manufacture of
player-pianos, and having an expert knowledge of the exact requirements of
the foreign trade, were all leading reasons why the Autopiano Company
proposition was unusually attractive and appealing. The Autopiano line
embraced a comprehensive assortment of prices and styles, including upright
players, reproducing pianos and grand player-pianos. This company
manufactured the Autopiano, the Autopiano Electric Expression, the Autopiano
Grand, the Autopiano Welte-Mignon (licensed), the Autopiano Welte-Mignon
(licensee) Grand, and the Pianist Player-piano.
It was said that there were twice as many
Autopiano's in use as any other player piano. The Autopiano was a thoroughly
high grade piano, containing a player mechanism of marvelous attainments in
which a great number of patented devices that make possible interpretation
of the highest order on the Autopiano. The Autopiano received the highest
awards at the following expositions: Grand Highest Award,
Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exhibition, 1909; Grand Prix, Rotterdam, Holland,
International Musical Exhibition, 1909; Gold Medal, Manchester, England,
Industrial Exhibition, 1910; Gold Medal. Manchester Coronation Exhibition,
1911; Highest Award, Appalachian Exposition, Knoxville, Tenn., 1911; Gold
Medal, Second Insular Fair, Porto Rico, 1911; Festival of Empire, London,
England, 1911; Grand Prix, International Exposition, Petrograd, Russia,
1911; Grand Premix, International Exposition, Turn Italy, 1911; Gold Medal,
International Exhibition, Leeds, England, ibis; Grand Prix and Diploma of
Honor, Anglo-American Exhibition at London, England, in 1914; and the Gold
Medal and Diploma of Honor, International Exposition at Lyons, France 1914.
The State Commissioners of more than twenty States officially selected the
Ethiopian for they're, respective State Buildings at the Panama-Pacific
International Exposition, San Francisco, Ca. , 1915. The New Mexico and
Washington State Buildings of the Panama-California Exposition, San Diego,
Cal. 1915, also officially selected the Autopiano. In addition to this
practically universal selection at these last two named exposition. , The
Autopiano received at the San Francisco Panama-Pacific International
Exposition the following awards: (1) The medal of Honor; (2) Gold Medal; (S)
Silver Medal.
The Autopiano was also an official purveyor
to the royal families of Japan and is in the palaces of Prince Shidlnadya
and Prince ITO; they also enjoy this distinction in Korea where Prince Ye of
the reigning dynasty had an Autopiano in his palace. Puccini used an
Autopiano, and Victor Herbert the composer expressed his appreciation of
this instrument.
Vessels in the United States and foreign
navies purchased and used these
Piano values will vary with
age, type of wood, style and condition.
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AUTOPIANO - WELTE- MIGNON
As a player, using any eighty-eight note
music roll, it was the Autopiano itself, electrically pumped. As a
reproducing piano using the Welte-Mignon reproducing record, it presented
the exact "tonal portrait" of the artist. Every gradation of tone, every
change of the tempo, every dynamic modification was unerringly reproduced.
The world's master pianists, most eminent composers recorded their art for
the Welte-Mignon Model of The Autopiano.
This company of distinguished musicians
includes Paderewski, Hofmann, Busoni, dePachmann. D'Albert, Lhevinne.
Bloomfield-Zeisler, Sauer, Gabrilowitsch, Scharwenka, Ganz, Schelling,
Caireno, Spross, Grieg, R. Strauss, Samaroff, Epstein, Fryer, Mero, LaForge,
Saint)Saens, Leschetizky, Debussy, Leoncavallo, Lamond, Nikisch, Humperdinck
and many others, as well as all the late popular lists played by New York's
finest jazz artists.
The remarkable effects produced by the
Welt-Mignon Model of the Autopiano (licensed) were made possible by the use
of the Auto de Luxe Welte-Mignon player mechanism (licensee). The faithful
recording of the artist's performance are procured by a secret process. How
carefully the secret is guarded is demonstrated by the fact that no other
reproducing piano has been able to approximate the results achieved through
the Welt-Mignon mechanism, using the Welt Artist reproducing records. This
instrument has been submitted to various comparison tests of the severest
nature. And in every instance has been triumphant. The Welte-Mignons Model
of The Autopiano (licensee) was, therefore, a great achievement in a double
sense, in that it had artistic possibilities, second to none.
Piano values will vary with
age, type of wood, style and condition.
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AUTOTONE
A high class player-piano manufactured in
the Autotone Department of Hardman, Peck & Co., New York City. The Autotone
possesses a number of exclusive features. Among which are: The Accentors,
which accomplishes the "human touch" the ability to properly accent the
melody; the "loud" pedal, the Selector, enabling one to run through a roll
quickly and silently until the special part one has selected to play is
reached; the Transposing Adjustor. Enabling one to transpose any composition
from its original key specially valuable in accompanying singers and which
also insures perfect adjustment of the music roll should it ever be affected
by climatic changes: and the graduating lever by means of which the amount
of tone can be he regulated the same as by the soft pedal; the Repertoire,
containing an inexhaustible wealth of music of every kind. Unless the name
Autotone, (spelled exactly as it sounds) appears on the fall board, the
instrument is not genuine. The Autotone is made with two (and only two)
basic pianos)Hardman and Harrington. Unless the basic piano is one of these,
the instrument is not an Autotone, The Autotone is not a combination of a
player mechanism made in one factory and piano made by another concern. It
is, on the contrary, a complete player-piano of, the highest class, every
portion of which player action, piano action and entire piano itself being
made in one factory under the personal supervision of the experts of
Hardman, Peck & Co.
1960-121100 1966-134300 1972-142900
1978-150900
1961-123400 1967-136000 1973-144700 1979-150300
1962-126200 1968- N/A 1974-146500 1980-151100
1963-128500 1969- N/A 1975-147600 1981-151800
1964-130500 1970- N/A 1976-148700 1982-152200
1965-132000 1971-141100 1977-149900 1983-153100
Maker Research
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