Ludwig & Company
Encyclopedia
Ludwig Pianos, later Ludwig and Company Pianos, was a piano manufacturer located at numbers 968-972 of what was then Southern Boulevard (now Willow Avenue), between 135th and 136th Streets, New York City at the turn of the 20th century.
The company was founded by Melrose
native John H. Ludwig in 1889 or 1890 (Pierce, Twomey). Production began in earnest around 1895, and by 1901 the factory in the Bronx was producing up to 3,500 pianos per year.
The turn of the century saw Ludwig pianos garnering critical attention for the first time. At the Paris Exposition
of 1900, the Ludwig Piano received a high award, and took the highest honor at the 1901 Pan American Exposition
in Buffalo. They also placed well at the London Crystal Palace
Exposition of 1902 (Blue Book). This was a high point in Ludwig's history, and records of these awards were printed in many promotional materials, and even on large decorative decals inside the lids of pianos from this time.
In February of 1906, John Ludwig retired from leadership at Ludwig and Company, after not being re-elected to the board of directors (POMIW). In 1911, John Ludwig sued the company over the use of his name in a case that went to the New York Supreme Court in May of 1911 (Trade-mark Reporter). In 1933, the brand came under the control of Ricca & Son, and in 1952, the brand was acquired by Louis J. Karzen's Atlas Piano Company of Chicago (Pierce). The Ludwig name was discontinued by Atlas in 1953 (Pierce).
Many of the Ludwig and Co. pianos surviving today are the decorative uprights from 1895-1920, when piano manufacture in New York was at its peak. These pianos were known for their decorative casework and veneered, inlayed designs. In addition to the decorative uprights, Ludwig produced grand pianos and player pianos (often under the name Claviola, with a patented Unit Valve Player Action that is also featured in much of their advertising). Although the value of any older instrument depends largely on its upkeep over the years, many Ludwig pianos have been known to hold up well and still take and hold a tune well even over one hundred years later.
The company was founded by Melrose
Melrose, Bronx
Melrose is primarily a residential neighborhood geographically located in the SouthWestern section of the borough of The Bronx in New York City. The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 1. Its boundaries, starting from the North and moving clockwise are: East 161st Street to the North,...
native John H. Ludwig in 1889 or 1890 (Pierce, Twomey). Production began in earnest around 1895, and by 1901 the factory in the Bronx was producing up to 3,500 pianos per year.
The turn of the century saw Ludwig pianos garnering critical attention for the first time. At the Paris Exposition
Exposition Universelle (1900)
The Exposition Universelle of 1900 was a world's fair held in Paris, France, from April 15 to November 12, 1900, to celebrate the achievements of the past century and to accelerate development into the next...
of 1900, the Ludwig Piano received a high award, and took the highest honor at the 1901 Pan American Exposition
Pan-American Exposition
The Pan-American Exposition was a World's Fair held in Buffalo, New York, United States, from May 1 through November 2, 1901. The fair occupied of land on the western edge of what is present day Delaware Park, extending from Delaware Ave. to Elmwood Ave and northward to Great Arrow...
in Buffalo. They also placed well at the London Crystal Palace
The Crystal Palace
The Crystal Palace was a cast-iron and glass building originally erected in Hyde Park, London, England, to house the Great Exhibition of 1851. More than 14,000 exhibitors from around the world gathered in the Palace's of exhibition space to display examples of the latest technology developed in...
Exposition of 1902 (Blue Book). This was a high point in Ludwig's history, and records of these awards were printed in many promotional materials, and even on large decorative decals inside the lids of pianos from this time.
In February of 1906, John Ludwig retired from leadership at Ludwig and Company, after not being re-elected to the board of directors (POMIW). In 1911, John Ludwig sued the company over the use of his name in a case that went to the New York Supreme Court in May of 1911 (Trade-mark Reporter). In 1933, the brand came under the control of Ricca & Son, and in 1952, the brand was acquired by Louis J. Karzen's Atlas Piano Company of Chicago (Pierce). The Ludwig name was discontinued by Atlas in 1953 (Pierce).
Many of the Ludwig and Co. pianos surviving today are the decorative uprights from 1895-1920, when piano manufacture in New York was at its peak. These pianos were known for their decorative casework and veneered, inlayed designs. In addition to the decorative uprights, Ludwig produced grand pianos and player pianos (often under the name Claviola, with a patented Unit Valve Player Action that is also featured in much of their advertising). Although the value of any older instrument depends largely on its upkeep over the years, many Ludwig pianos have been known to hold up well and still take and hold a tune well even over one hundred years later.