This is a reprinting of the book written by theodore steinway on legal pads that in 1953 was given to steinway and sons employees as a commemoration of the companys one hundredth anniversary in the u. In the pursuit of that goal, he developed the unparalleled steinway and built a legacy that stands as one of americas greatest success stories. This saga of the worlds premier pianobuilding familyfrom the 1850 emigration of heinrich and julianne steinweg to the united states to the 1972 sale of the family business to cbsartfully blends business history with biography, labor history, and the history of musical culture. Facts about steinway and the pianos they build steinway. Larry fine, american piano technician and author of the piano book, considers hamburg steinway pianos to be of a higher quality than queens steinway pianos. By the 1880s, the steinway piano was in most ways the modern piano we have today, and in the next generation the standards set by the founder were strictly adhered to. This enriches the sound, giving the pianist the impression of playing on a larger piano. Each piano the vault presently houses seven is lit individually in a vignette, with lighting tailored to each veneer. How to trace a steinway piano serial number our pastimes.
In 1953, theodore steinway wrote this narrative in longhand on yellow. In 1857, a piano was created with a lavishly carved case and legs. Lieberman, is considered to be the ultimate treatise on the history of the steinway piano at m. In a way, steinway model d concert grand piano culturally justifies the existence of america.
The large and talented family of german immigrants founded their workshop in 1853 and had assumed a prominent role in the social, political, and cultural life of new york by the latter half of the 19th century. Today steinway pianos are manufactured in both new york and hamburg. The book was a memento for employees and was never released to the public. This piano is in excellent, original condition and includes the original, matching hardtop bench. Haines brothers was known for building high quality, lovely sounding instruments and they. Pianos built by a legend in piano manufacturing henry e. The black and white photos not terribly well reproduced give a sort of scrapbook character to the piece. Online shopping from a great selection at books store.
In 2010, the steinway factory in queens made some changes in its manufacturing processes and materials in order to upgrade the quality of the queens steinway pianos. When you purchase any preowned steinway, you will receive 100% of the original purchase price in trade toward a new steinway or steinwaydesigned piano of greater value for the lifetime of the instrument. Henry steinway, a german immigrant who came to new york in 1850, made his name in various showrooms and factories in downtown manhattan, enticing the wealthy with his awardwinning quality pianos. Passion and commitment, perfection and quality, reliability and of course an inimitable sound are just some of the characteristics people all over the world associate with these highquality instruments. For the first 20 years, they built a nice selection of square grand pianos before building their first upright pianos in 1870. Thirty years of research and compilation by authors roy f. Williams steinway, one of the sons of steinweg, had taken the company to a new level. When you purchase any preowned steinway, you will receive 100% of the original purchase price in trade toward a new steinway or steinway designed piano of greater value for the lifetime of the instrument. Richard liebermans steinway and sons is a great read.
The original edition was a memento to commemorate the companys 100year anniversary. Once you trace a steinway piano serial number, the steinway. Because every steinway is built to last a lifetime, each price increase will in turn bring up the value of steinway pianos already in existence. This lavishly illustrated book tells the remarkable story of the steinway company and its founding family. Our pioneering handcrafted methods are still employed today to ensure our uncompromising standards of quality, in turn ensuring that the steinway piano remains the peerless instrument of uncompromising expression. Steinway serial numbers for some early production may span more than one year. The official guide to steinway pianos music resource history.
Steinway serial numbers represent the approximate ending serial number for the year of production for new york and hamburg pianos. Over the next thirty years, henry and his sons developed the modern piano. Steinway sr to make that magnificent concert instrument possible. The companys growth led to the opening of a factory in new york city, united states, and later a factory in hamburg, germany. This website is dedicated to the great history of steinway. Part of the crown jewel series of art case instruments, it is veneered in a rich cut of santos rosewood. Used steinway model v upright piano circa 1936 for sale. This fine piano underwent a full chupps piano service restoration. Steinway pianos started becoming the piano of choice at this time, gaining recognition and winning awards in the u. Steinway piano, the best musical instrument in the history of the world, may be argued to be greater than all those things combined. Theodore steinway, the first model a had 85 notes and was 6 feet long.
An american story in 1853, german immigrant henry e. They built their pianos one at a time, applying skills handed down from master to apprentice, generation after generation. The german cabinet and piano maker heinrich engelhard steinweg builds his first piano in the kitchen of his home in seesen, harz. This commitment to quality produces the legendary financial appreciation of the steinway piano.
Prices are given only for the lowestpriced style of each model. Used steinway model v upright piano circa 1936 youtube. Our preowned steinway pianos are gently used, in like new condition, many just a few years old. The as maintain a history all on their own and were a great period of experimentation in the illustrious history that is the steinway piano. In each case we show the lowest price at retail for each size.
Nov 14, 2016 by the 1870s, the steinway history had taken a turn as the steinway company was massively successfully. History of steinway pianos michelles piano in portland or. The company combines traditional craftsmanship with pioneering technology to pave the way for the sophisticated enjoyment of the music of tomorrow. Steinway serial numbers represent the approximate ending serial number for the year of. Steinway piano sales, or sell your steinway piano to us. Henry and his five sons developed the modern piano and shaped the future of the piano industry. Haines brothers piano company was established in 1851 by napoleon j. This included a new solid spruce soundboard, a new customfitted hard maple pinblock, a fully rebuilt action with the. This saga of the worlds premier piano building familyfrom the 1850 emigration of heinrich and julianne steinweg to the united states to the 1972 sale of the family business to cbsartfully blends business history with biography, labor history, and the history of musical culture. The steinway grand is the gold standard of musical instruments, representing over 160 years of dedication to craftsmanship and uncompromised expression. It is for these reasons that over 19 out of 20 concert pianists choose the steinway grand piano and why the instrument remains at the heart of cultured homes the world over. The is a fairly thorough company history of piano maker steinway that covers from the founding of the business in 1853 and before until its eventual sale to cbs and then to subsequent investor groups after 1970. The steinway familys innovation, meticulous nature, and strong family ties were the foundation of the renowned corporation it would become.
Read more about the success story of the steinway and sons piano company which was started in 1836. We recently got this stunning steinway and sons upright piano in that was partially rebuilt. Below are 10 of the most common facts and fiction about steinway and sons pianos. Serial numbers represent the approximate ending serial number for the year of production for new york and hamburg pianos. This is a list current used piano prices of these models made after 1985. This list does not include the many furniture styles and finishes. Please read more about the success story of the company which started in 1836. Cost of a steinway piano price chart and buyers guide. Restored 1924 steinway model d grand piano steinway.
Our pioneering handcrafted methods are still employed today to ensure our uncompromising standards of quality, in turn ensuring that the steinway remains the peerless instrument of uncompromising expression. A massive factory was established on park avenue where the production of the company rose from under 500 pianos per year to close to 2000. Owning a steinway is a common dream among most serious pianists. For the piano officianado who appreciates the character of a steinway, it is a nice little history of the company. Nov 29, 1995 the is a fairly thorough company history of piano maker steinway that covers from the founding of the business in 1853 and before until its eventual sale to cbs and then to subsequent investor groups after 1970. Sell my steinway piano from steinway piano reseller on vimeo. In the pursuit of that goal, he began one of the great. Sell my steinway piano we buy steinways instant price. If youre looking for an appraisal of your steinway piano, a fair value, and the steps needed to sell your piano for a cash offer, see below or call 18004638120. We did a few more things to it and lookhear at it now. And yet, in the midsts of that cultural decline, against the overwhelming common current, steinway factory in astoria, queens, makes better handcrafted concert pianos today than it did even during its golden era in 1920s.
Steinway has made an impression on more than music history too. The latest steinway development, steinway spirio, is a selfplaying grand piano with such outstanding quality that the entire world is. Sell my steinway piano we buy steinways instant price offer. In the mid1850s pianos became more and more popular in middleclass homes. At one point in new york city, there were about 200 piano makers. Boston grands are wider at the tail than most pianos of the same length allowing a larger soundboard area and producing a richer sound. Used steinway pianos average 48% of the current msrp prices.
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