Catalogue description POHLMANN AND SONS, PIANO MANUFACTURERS ETC

Pohlmann and Sons, Halifax, piano manufacturers

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Date(s) of accession: 23 Apr 2002

This was a noted firm of piano makers and one of the oldest concerns of its kind outside London. The firm was founded in 1823 by Henry Pohlmann, thought to be related to Johannes Pohlmann, the maker of the first pianos made in England. From humble beginnings in Corn Market, by 1830 the firm had moved to Waterhouse St. In the 1845 trade directory, Henry Pohlmann is listed as a music seller. The firm developed to a point where it had showroom and warehouse premises in Princess St and a steam works, piano manufactory and warehouse in Hall St, Halifax. By 1890, 40 people were employed. The firm controlled a great number of very valuable patents, and with the exception of Messrs Erard of London, they were the first in England to make pianos with 7 1/4 octave keyboards. Pohlmanns introduced the new construction of pianos, with full iron frames, into England in 1870 and in 1871 they were the first to use the overstrung bass in upright pianos. The firm stocked pianos, organs, and harmoniums as well as a full assortment of sheet music, both vocal and instrumental. They had a big export trade, particularly to South America, New Zealand and Australia.

The decline of Pohlmanns set in during World War 1 when the then boss, Henry Pohlmann refused to allow his works to be used for making ammunition - perhaps from pacifist sympathies, perhaps because of the family's German roots. The firm stopped making pianos in the 1930s, switching to retail of radios and later TVs. It was eventually taken over by Rediffusion