![]() ![]() (Alexander Parker) Willis (1845-1934) following his move in 1871 from his native Nova Scotia. At first a retailer of sewing machines, the firm was established in Montreal by A.P. Montreal piano retailer and manufacturer. This was when E.P Hawkins with the American firm Foster-Armstrong purchased the factory.Willis & Company Ltd. Their plan was to have Snyder & Co pianos manufactured in the building and on the market 'shortly'.īy July 1906, the building was still considered the Berlin Piano & Organ Co, even though no Berlin labeled instruments were made here. Snyder purchased the assets to Berlin P&OC. The Berlin Piano & Organ Company was no more, and the building was marketed for sale.Ī short while later, in October 1904, W.M. There was also a $21000 mortgage on the building and plant. ![]() On August 22, 1904, Bailiff Huber seized the remaining stock of the company and the $7000 chattel mortgage was foreclosed. I have noticed that after 1900, the wood and finish quality of case construction greatly diminished, from solid walnut and bird's eye maple, to low quality thin veneers and a stain that appears to be like a semi-translucent paint to cover the blemishes. There were a number of styles of Berlin organs, but the style would often just be a slight modification to the case. ![]() The organ side of the business was fairly steady through the years, with most of the surviving instruments found today were made between an 11 year period from 1891 to 1902. They use the Wessell, Nickel & Gross action, and are very enthusiastic from the results attained with the mechanism which bears the imprint of this celebrated firm. They all seem to take a warm interest in the products of the Berlin piano factory. Berlin, as its name indicates, is largely settled by the Germans. The factory which this company occupy is large, well lighted and well appointed, constructed of brick, lying adjacent to the railroad, which gives them the possession of unsurpassed railroad facilities both as to receiving and shipping their wares. John Wesley, who is well known to the American trade, supervises the business of the Berlin Piano Co. In September of 1916, Berlin was renamed to Kitchener.įor many years, John Wesley - former secretary/treasurers of the Dominion Organ Co. The company was formed in 1890 by a group of Berlin businessmen, in Berlin, Ontario, Canada. The Berlin Piano and Organ Company existed from 1890 to 1904. I have been researching this small company for a number of years, and over time small I found pieces of missing information and corrections to what is published in the Canadian Encyclopedia. Beal was, I found other items about the Berlin Piano & Organ Company that adds to the history. This was written by a reed organ technician, which was one of the things that created even more interest in this hobby. First, lets start by a peom that was found written on the keys by R. ![]()
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