on December 30, 2024
This shiny gorgeous piece of early American decor was a lucky find for us. At 5′ 8″ it’s the classic babygrand size, with beautiful tone, keys and playing style. The next question would be, “don’t ya jus’ love it”?
William Knabe & Company (not to be confused with Knabe Brothers) is one of the most illustrious and respected names in the American piano industry. William Knabe entered into partnership with William Henry Gaehle in 1839, forming firm of “Knabe & Gaehle” in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1854, W. H. Gaehle withdrew giving complete control to Knabe, and the name was changed to “Wm. Knabe & Company”. Wm. Knabe & Co. built some of the finest pianos in American history. Knabe’s patents were numerous, and their many innovations aided in improving piano design and evolution well into the 20th Century.
In 1908 Knabe was purchased by The American Piano Company. During the early 20th Century the firm built some of the finest, most elaborate and expensive pianos in American history. Knabe was so successful that it became the “Official Piano of the Metropolitan Opera” in the 1920s.
