Steinway & Sons Records and Family Papers: 1857-1919.
Heinrich Engelhard Steinway (Steinweg) (born 1797, Wolfshagen, Germany; died 1871, New York City) made his first piano in 1836. In 1850 he immigrated to America and settled in New York City with his wife, three daughters, and four of his five sons. He and his sons Charles, Henry, Jr., and William at first worked for various New York piano makers until 1853 when they formed the partnership of Steinway & Sons. One year later Steinway & Sons' square pianos won first prize at the Metropolitan Mechanics Institute Exhibition (held at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.) and in 1855 won the Gold medal for the best piano (an over-strung iron-frame square piano) in the American Institute Fair at the Crystal Palace in New York City. In 1859, Henry, Jr. patented (patent no. 26,532, December 20, 1859) a design for a one-piece over-strung iron frame for the grand piano that won praise, a gold medal, and international recognition at the 1867 Paris Exposition.
The firm faced a crisis in 1865 when two of Heinrich's sons died: Henry (born 1831), who was responsible for the first seven patents, and Charles (born 1829). The family prevailed on the eldest son, C. F. Theodor (1825 1889), to sell his partnership as a piano manufacturer in Braunschweig, Germany, and to join his family in New York City. Not eager to sever all his ties in Germany, Theodor spent time in both countries until his death, contributing technical innovations that resulted in forty-one patents. One of these patents was for the duplex scale in 1872. Several of the following generation worked with the firm, including Fred T. Steinway (1860-1927), son of Charles, who served in London, Hamburg, and New York City.
C. F. Theodor Steinway's technical skills were matched by the entrepreneurial skills of his brother William (1835 1896). William was a creative businessman who played the piano, sang tenor, and supported the musical life of New York City. His promotional and marketing techniques, and his cultivation of eminent musicians and association with aristocratic patrons, helped to make Steinway & Sons so successful. William Steinway was prominent in New York City social and political life.
In 1880, Steinway & Sons opened a Hamburg branch. The firm was sold in 1972 to CBS. Subsequent owners include the Birmingham Brothers (Steinway Musical Properties, 1985-1995) and Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc. (1995-).
The collection consists of an original diary (and microfilm copies) kept by William Steinway and microfilm copies of nineteenth century business records of Steinway & Sons. There also are business and family photographs and some miscellaneous documents.
Copyright held by the Smithsonian Institution. Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Reproduction permission from Archives Center: fees for commercial use.
The collection is open for research use. Researchers must use positive microfilm copy of diary. Researchers must handle unprotected photographs with gloves.
Microfilm copies of the eleven reels of serial number books were lent to the museum by Henry and John Steinway for duplication in 1988. The Steinways lent the original minute books, correspondence, and inventories for microfilming in 1989.
Henry Z. Steinway donated the William Steinway diary on April 2, 1996.
Industry on Parade (NMAH.AC.0507)
Reel # 156, Before the Concert, 1953. Making pianos. Steinway and Sons, Long Island, New York.
N W Ayer Advertising Agency Records (NMAH.AC.0059)
Contains advertising proof sheets for Steinway & Sons from 1900 through 1963. The Piano series of the Warshaw Collection of Business Americana contains five folders of material on Steinway. The Industry on Parade Film Collection has a short, 1953 film (reel #156) on Steinway's manufacture of pianos in its Long Island plant. The Sohmer & Company Records contain three folders of trade literature from Steinway. These include catalogs, pamphlets, and booklets on the Steinway family genealogy and on the Steinway piano used at the White House. Sohmer, also a New York City piano manufacturer, collected copies of competitors' sales catalogs and other publications.
The LaGuardia and Wagner Archives at LaGuardia Community College/CUNY is the largest repository of Steinway materials. It holds extensive business records as well as personal papers and photographs. The Steinway family loaned seventy folders of Steinway family correspondence to the National Museum of American History in October, 1984, and a program of transcription and translation was begun by the Steinway Diary Project. The original correspondence was transferred to the Archives Center in August 1985 and, at the request of Henry Z. Steinway, transferred to the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives in March, 1990. Additional Steinway materials are at the New York Historical Society, the University of Maryland Performing Arts Library, and other repositories. The control file for this collection has further information on the location of Steinway materials.
The Division of Culture and the Arts (now Division of Cultural and Community Life) holds several Steinway and Sons pianos.
Eleven microfilm reels (positive) of the serial number books and four microfilm reels (positive) of the company and family records are located in the museum's library (call number MFM 1176). A second set of these reels is in the Steinway Diary Project office.
Originals of microfilmed materials in this collection are found in the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives at LaGuardia Community College/CUNY, Long Island City, New York. Some originals also may be with the Steinway family.
Steinway and Sons Piano Company Collection, 1857-1919, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Processed by Robert S. Harding, archivist, January 5, 1990; revised Craig A. Orr, archivist, March 28, 1990; May 31, 1996; August 21, 1996; revised Anne Jones (volunteer) June 30, 2005; John Fleckner, archivist, August 1, 2008.
Cynthia Hoover, curator emeritus at the National Museum of American History, was director and co-editor of a project to create a scholarly edition of the William Steinway Diary on-line.
1996.3031 (NMAH Acc.)
Subseries 1: Diary, April 20, 1861 - May 31, 1869. Subseries 2: Diary, June, 1869 - December 31, 1873. Subseries 3: Diary, January 1, 1874 - December 31, 1875. Subseries 4: Diary, January 1, 1876 - December 31, 1877. Subseries 5: Diary, January 1, 1878 - December 31, 1880. Subseries 6: Diary, January 1, 1881 - December 31, 1885. Subseries 7: Diary, January 1, 1886 - December 31, 1889. Subseries 8: Diary, January 1, 1890 - December 31, 1893. Subseries 9: Diary, January 1, 1894 - November 8, 1896.
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Due to fragility, researchers must use positive microfilm copy of diary, or the on-line version of the Diary expected to be available in 2011.
Contained in nine volumes. It records William Steinway's daily activities, his observations on current events, and his comments on business activities. He began the diary in the year of his marriage and continued writing until shortly before his death. The handwritten diary pages are fragile and the volumes have been disassembled; researchers must use the positive microfilm copies or consult the digital version scheduled to be on-line.
William Steinway's nine-volume, 2500-page diary provides an intimate view of the life of one of the piano world's great innovators, a prominent German-American, and a key figure in the musical, cultural, political, financial and physical development of New York City. Spanning 36 years, the Diary begins three days before William's marriage in 1861 and ends three weeks before his death in 1896.
In near-daily entries, William records the evolution of his business and family life--two worlds that were closely intertwined; the fact that almost all Steinway men worked at Steinway & Sons underscores this fact. William recorded the firm's most public celebrations, such as international recognition at the 1867 Paris Exposition, as well as its labor issues and the fierce competition between 19th-century pianomakers. Likewise, William shared more intimate aspects of his life, including a painful divorce, the births of stillborn children, and his physical suffering from rheumatism and gout. Daily entries further reflect current events, such as the defense of the Steinway & Sons factory during the 1863 New York City Draft Riots, as well as the centrality of the German community to his life, especially the Liederkranz singing society. William's hand in the development of Western Queens, particularly Steinway Village and Astoria, is a recurring theme in the Diary, as is his key role in the development of New York City's rapid transit system and the Bowery Bay/North Beach Amusement Park (now LaGuardia Airport) which rivaled Coney Island in its day. William's entries are sometimes terse, providing enough detail for him to recall a situation but not enough for later readers to understand. Lapses into German, liberal use of abbreviation, and coded marginalia can further complicate one's comprehension of the Diary.
Mr. Henry Z. Steinway donated the William Steinway diaries on April 2, 1996.
William Steinway Diary Volume One
William Steinway Diary, Volume One
William Steinway Diary, Volume One
William Steinway Diary, Volume One
William Steinway Diary, Volume One
William Steinway Diary, Volume One
Volume 1: 1861 April 20 - 1869 May 31
Subseries 1: Diary, April 20, 1861 - May 31, 1869.
Volume One of The William Steinway Diary records the author's activities from April 20, 1861 - May 31, 1869. .
William Steinway's grandson, Henry Ziegler Steinway, donated the Diary to the National Museum of American History on April 2, 1996.
William Steinway Diary, Volume Two
Volume 2: 1869 June - 1873 December 31
Subseries 2: Diary, June 1, 1869 - December 31, 1873.
Volume Two of The William Steinway Diary records the author's activities from June 1, 1869 - December 31, 1873.
William Steinway's grandson, Henry Ziegler Steinway, donated the Diary to the National Museum of American History on April 2, 1996. .
William Steinway Diary, Volume Three
Volume 3: 1874 January 1 - 1875 December 31
Subseries 3: Diary, January 1, 1874 - December 31, 1875.
Volume Three of The William Steinway Diary records the author's activities from January 1, 1874 - December 31, 1875.
William Steinway's grandson, Henry Ziegler Steinway, donated the Diary to the National Museum of American History on April 2, 1996.
William Steinway Diary, Volume Four
Volume 4: 1876 January 1 - 1877 December 31
Subseries 4: Diary, January 1, 1876 - December 31, 1877.
Volume Four of The William Steinway Diary records the author's activities from January 1, 1876 - December 31, 1877.
William Steinway's grandson, Henry Ziegler Steinway, donated the Diary to the National Museum of American History on April 2, 1996.
William Steinway Diary, Volume Five
Volume 5: 1878 January 1 - 1880 December 31
Subseries 5: Diary, January 1, 1878 - December 31, 1880.
Volume Five of The William Steinway Diary records the author's activities from January 1, 1878 - December 31, 1880.
William Steinway's grandson, Henry Ziegler Steinway, donated the Diary to the National Museum of American History on April 2, 1996.
William Steinway Diary, Volume Six
Volume 6: 1881 January 1 - 1885 December 31
Subseries 6: Diary, January 1, 1881 - December 31, 1885.
Volume Six of The William Steinway Diary records the author's activities from January 1, 1881 - December 31, 1885.
William Steinway's grandson, Henry Ziegler Steinway, donated the Diary to the National Museum of American History on April 2, 1996.
William Steinway Diary, Volume Seven
Volume 7: 1886 January 1 - 1889 December 31
Subseries 7: Diary, January 1, 1886 - December 31, 1889.
Volume Seven of The William Steinway Diary records the author's activities from January 1, 1886 - December 31, 1889.
William Steinway's grandson, Henry Ziegler Steinway, donated the Diary to the National Museum of American History on April 2, 1996.
William Steinway Diary, Volume 8
Volume 8: 1890 January 1 - 1893 December 31
Subseries 8: Diary, January 1, 1890 - December 31, 1893.
Volume Eight of The William Steinway Diary records the author's activities from January 1, 1890 - December 31, 1893.
William Steinway's grandson, Henry Ziegler Steinway, donated the Diary to the National Museum of American History on April 2, 1996.
William Steinway Diary, Volume 9
Volume 9: 1894 January 1 - 1896 November 8
Subseries 9: Diary, January 1, 1894 - November 8, 1896.
Volume Nine of The William Steinway Diary records the author's activities from January 1, 1894 - November 8, 1896.
William Steinway's grandson, Henry Ziegler Steinway, donated the Diary to the National Museum of American History on April 2, 1996.
Includes records of the Steinway & Sons, business and personal correspondence of Fred T. Steinway, serial number books of piano production, photographs of company facilities, and other documents.
There are four microfilm reels (negatives) of company and family records. These were borrowed by the Archives Center from John and Henry Steinway, microfilmed by the Library of Congress in 1989, and returned to the donors.
Reel one, Minute Book, 1876-1909, documents meetings of the corporation trustees and annual meetings of the shareholders. It also lists stockholders and, in later years, includes annual financial summaries.
Reel two, Correspondence, consists of copies of letters of Fred T. Steinway, 1877-1900. One letter press volume, 1887-1888, was kept while Steinway was in London. The second volume, 1887-1891, includes personal and business correspondence written, in English and German, in Hamburg, Germany. This volume also contains lists of materials for the construction of pianos, descriptions of manufacturing processes, and other business information. The third volume, 1894-1900, is similar to the second but also includes some daily diary entries recording business and private activities.
Reels three and four, 1856-1903, are annual inventories of all manufacturing stock, real estate, accounts payable, and other assets and liabilities of the firm. These handwritten volumes also record the annual division of profits among the shareholders.
This series also includes three microfilm reels (negative) of serial number books listing pianos manufactured by Steinway & Sons. A set of eleven microfilm reels (positive) of the serial number books is located in the museum's library (call number MFM 1176). A second set of eleven reels is in the Steinway Diary Project office along with positive copies of the four reels of company and family records described above.
This series also contains loose pages from William Steinway's office diary and photographs of the Steinway Ware Rooms, factory, and Steinway Hall, the concert hall built by the Steinways.
Photograph of Steinway and Sons Ware Rooms, Walker Street, New York, 1858
[Steinway Piano store, exterior view : black & white photoprint.]
Silver gelatin? on paper, mounted on board.
In Box 8?, Folder ?
Unrestricted research use on site by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Street view with carriages and pedestrians. "Steinway pianos" sign is prominent. "82-84 Walker St." in ink on mount board, lower right. An enlarged photographic copy print of a heavily retouched copy of this photograph is in Box 10, with typed notes, indicating the date and that the unretouched photograph attirbutes the image to Pach Bros. Albert Steinway is shown in the carriage at the left and William Steinway is in the next carriage. Henry Steinway, Jr. is standing with an arm on the carriage. On the stoop, hatless, is Charles G. Steinway.
Brittle, broken, soiled mount board.
Photograph of new Steinway factory, 52nd-53rd Street, New York, 1861
[Exterior view of Steinway factory with telegraph pole obstructing view. b & w photograph]
Silver gelatin on paper.
In Series ?, Box 8, Folder 2.
Unrestricted research use on site by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Charles G. Steinway is in the carriage left of the telegraph pole; other Steinway family members are standing by the entrance. Photograph taken from the NW corner of 53rd St. and 4th Ave. intersection, New York City.
Photograph of Steinway houses adjacent to factory, 1861
[Steinway & Sons' Piano Forte Manufactory, exterior view : black & white photoprint.]
Silver albumen? on paper, unmounted?
In Box 8?, Folder ?
Unrestricted research use on site by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Street view with carriages and pedestrians.
Insurance survey of Steinway factory; includes plan of building
Steinway & Sons Piano Works finishing dept. [fire insurance map].
Series No. 3, Box No. 4, Folder No. 10 .
Illustrated with a drawing of the plant building and the plant floor plan. done by Barlows Insurance Surveys
Photographs of Steinway Hall, 1868-circa 1900
[Interior view of Steinway Hall seats and balconies from the stage : black & white photoprint.]
Silver gelatin on paper, unmounted.
In Series ?, Box 8, Folder 6 .
Unrestricted research use on site by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
[Steinway Hall exterior decorated with patriotic bunting: black & white photoprint.]
Unrestricted research use on site by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Decorated for the turn of the Century. Mr. Tobias, photographer.
Contains a large photo album commemorating the twenty-fifth wedding anniversary of Theodore and Joanna Steinway, 1877, contains studio portraits of many members of the Steinway family and their relatives. Also included is a very large memorial album of newspaper clippings relating to William Steinway.
"In Memoriam William Steinway" album of newspaper clippings
In Memoriam William Steinway: [scrapbook].
In Memoriam William Steinway: [scrapbook].
In Memoriam William Steinway: [scrapbook].
Ink on paper.
Scrapbook pages of various New York City area newspaper clippings about the death of William Steinway.
Includes information about Krüsi, pastor of the German Presbyterian Church in New York City. He performed christenings, weddings, and funerals for the Steinway family and is mentioned frequently in William's diaries. Pastor Krüsi's descendents donated the Steinway materials relating to Rev. Krüsi in this collection. These include school records, a program for his twenty-fifth anniversary at his church, and photographs of the church interior. Loose pages from Mrs. Krüsi's scrapbook include an account of the wedding of the soprano Lilly Lehman for which Pastor Krüsi performed the ceremony.