1880

OBITUARY

1880 - "We regret to announce the death, at the ripe old age of seventy-five, of Mr. Joachim Strohmenger, founder of the piano manufacturing firm of Strohmenger & Sons, of Goswell Road.

The late Mr. Joachim Strohmenger was a native of Germany, and he came to England about forty years ago.

After establishing and for many years carrying on the business which bears his name, he retired from the partnership on April 1st, 1875, and it is a curious and a melancholy fact that it was exactly five years afterwards to the day that his sorrowing friends had to lament his death.

We are authorized to state that the factory and sale rooms in the Goswell Road will be carried on by the three eldest sons of the deceased, the business at Norwood being taken by the youngest son." Music Trades Review, 15/04/1880, p. 15

1887

FIRE

"A fire broke out at half-past eight A.M. on the 29th ult., at Messrs. J. Strohmenger & Sons' pianoforte manufactory, in the rear of 169, Goswell Road, which is used as a store warehouse for finishing and polishing the pianos before they are sent over to the show-rooms at 206, Goswell Road.

The cause of the fire no doubt was from a mishap in lighting one of the stoves, as every precaution has been taken, and for forty years never any accident occurred. The building destroyed was brick and timber of three floors (100 ft. by 30 ft.) full of pianos in various stages of manufacture.

The workpeople tried to check the flames while the fire-alarm was rung, and a man ran to the Whitecross Street (St. Luke's) Station. By the time the steamer arrived the fire had run from end to end of the building, had burnt through the roof, and was involving the timber stored in the yard, while the front house was in great jeopardy.

A message was at once sent to district headquarters, and circulated amongst the stations in the "B" district, while the authorities of the brigade at Southwark sent on the headquarters' steamer. Six steamers and a manual collected in the course of ten minutes, and standpipe after standpipe was got to work.

The fire, however, showed for a time no diminution in strength even when the more powerful deliveries of a steamer aided the standpipes.

The greatest alarm was caused in the crowded neighbourhood, the back fronts of many workshops in Goswell Road and Upper Charles Street began to catch, and the fire seemed likely to develope into a great conflagration.

The extinguishing force in the hands of the brigade, however, was utilized with skill and energy, and by eleven o'clock the flames were subdued. The damage caused is shown by the following official report : -

"Called at 8.25 A.M. to 169, Goswell Road, E.C., premises occupied by Messrs. J. Strohmenger & Sons, pianoforte makers; owner, the Marquis of Northampton; cause, light thrown down; damage, a brick and timber building of one or two floors, about 65 by 20 feet, used as workshops, burnt out and roof off; front house and contents damaged by heat and water, and timber in yard by fire and heat; 171, ditto, Messrs. Gray & Halford, artificial eye makers, contents slightly damaged by smoke and water, and roof by breakage; 167, ditto, T. Baker, private, back front damaged by fire, and window-glass broken, contents damaged by smoke and water; Nos. 1, 2, and 3, Goswell Place, ditto, occupied respectively by C. Cooke, watchmaker, and T. Fowler and C. Johnson, private, back fronts damaged by fire, and window-glass broken, and contents by smoke, water, and removal; 19, Upper Charles Street, ditto, C. Boyton, silversmith, back workshop and contents damaged by fire, heat, and water; 20, ditto, J. Claparede, ostrich feather dyer, roof and skylights of back workshop and back front of dwelling-house damaged by fire and heat, contents slightly by smoke and water."

Messrs. Strohmenger & Sons request us to state that although they have lost their valuable plant by the fire which lately occurred at their manufactory, 169, Goswell Road, E.C., they are able to carry on business at their show-rooms, 206, Goswell Road, and where they have a large stock of pianos ready and in course of manufacture, as also well-seasoned timber and materials for manufacturing.

Although Messrs. Strohmenger are well insured, their loss is considerable, owing to the very large stock of seasoned timber and goods destroyed.

The loss of the workmen's tools is unfortunate. But considering that workmen can insure their tools for an almost nominal sum annually, it is surprising that this obvious precaution is not always taken." Music Trades Review, 15/06/1887, p. 23-25

1893

"Messrs. J. STROHMENGER & SONS.

HE admirable pianofortes manufactured by the above well-known firm have previously been referred to in eulogistic terms in our columns, and it is with pleasure that we give below particulars of several new instruments designed for the coming Autumn and Winter Season, now being exhibited at their show-rooms at 206, Goswell-road.

Firstly, a small boudoir grand justly commands attention; only 5 ft. 5 in. long, it possesses a tone remarkable for its fullness and rich quality, combined with a delicate touch.

It is claimed for this instrument that it is the shortest grand pianoforte manufactured, and for this reason alone it will recommend itself to all those to whom space is an object.

It is very handsomely finished; indeed, the specimen we inspected would compare most favourably with any instrument of far larger size and increased cost.

The advantages which a grand piano possesses over other pianos is very well known, but the great difficulty for those who desired them has hitherto been the lack of space in most houses wherein to put them.

This difficulty is practically overcome in the case of this short grand, and coupled with its excellent tone, touch, and appearance, it should command a large and increasing sale. Another new model is an upright piano standing 4ft. 5in. high, of noble appearance.

The strings in this instrument are arranged on a double oblique scale, extending from corner to corner, this giving greatly increased length, and producing depth and power of tone. The action is of the most modern underdamper type, the blow of the hammers on the strings produced by it being remarkable considering the wonderful delicacy of the touch.

Finished off as it is in a magnificently figured burr walnut, rosewood, or plain black case, with heavy mouldings and handsome marquetery, this is pianoforte which will find its way into the homes of the most refined and artistic.

Of the other new models of Messrs. Strohmenger, one pianoforte manufactured for purchasers who satisfied with a less elaborate instrument at a lower price.

It is nevertheless one which considerably enhances the reputation of the firm, and being replete with every modern improvement, and finished in a neat but substantial case, it is a piano we can An instrument similar conscientiously recommend in size, but of somewhat older design, gained the highest award at the recent Exhibition in New Zealand.

It may be remarked that at this exhibition Messrs. Strohmenger obtained awards for every instrument exhibited. The other new model, and the last exhibited. we noticed, is a pianette, in the manufacture of which the firm are celebrated. It has an iron frame and check action of the latest style, and the tone is far fuller than one would expect in an instrument of the size." The Drapers Record, 16/09/1893, p. 602

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