Th. Steinweg Nachf.

[Paul Plumb]

Dear List,

This is for you history buffs.  I am curious about a piano I have come
across that according to the serial number was built in 1895 if you use the
name Grotrian in the Pierce Piano Atlas.  The brass lettered decal on the
fall board reads as follows:

		Grotian, Helfferich, Schultz,
		     Th. Steinweg Nachf.		This line is larger print
		          Braunschweig

According to the Piano Book, Theodore Steinweg joined two of his brothers
in America after his other two brothers died in 1864 & 5.  When he left
Germany he sold his business to his partner Grotrian and thereafter the
name became Grotrian-Steinweg.  Theodore later died in 1889 in America.

If all above is true - why is the prominent name on this piano Th. Steinweg
Nachf.?  If Theodore sold his controlling interest in the company why is
his name prominent in 1895 after he had been in America for 30 years?  Is
it possible the Pierce atlas does not contain any serial numbers for a Th.
Steinweg company and this piano was built much earlier before Theodore left
Germany?  Was there a company called simply Th. Steinweg Nachf.?  Or was it
Grotrian, Helfferich, Schultz, & Th Steinweg Nachf. and the other 3 were
lessor partners?  Note that the city Braunschweig on the decal is where
Grotrian is still making pianos - according to my edition of Pierce.  I'm
also assuming that Nachf. is some sort of abbreviation for Incorporated or
Limited.

Regards,

Paul Plumb, B.Mus., 
Plumb Pianos
London, Canada