The Hardman piano Company was established in New York city in 1842 by Hugh Hardman. Hardman pianos soon became known for their fine musical qualities, timeless cabinetry and durability. The house of Hardman progressed steadily and at the 1876 Centennial Exposition introduced the Hardman Art pianos.
In 1880, Leopold Peck joins Hardman with a primary focus on developing the Hardman piano as a noted performance instrument. Peck spearheaded many innovative design ideas and in 1886 introduced an artistic player piano called the Autotone.
This instrument was recognized as a piano of unquestionable excellence and beauty.
Leopold Peck becomes a partner in 1890 and the company is renamed Hardman, Peck & Company. Peck acquires the business in the mid 1890’s and the success of the Hardman piano continues.
Upon Leopold’s death in 1904, management of Hardman, Peck & Company passes to his son, Alfred L. Peck. Under continued growth, the firm is incorporated under the laws of the state of New York in 1905, capitalized at $800,000.
Hardman Peck Piano Company, 618-634 W49th St (1907). Photo: Byron Company, Museum of the City of New York
Carl E. Peck succeeds Alfred L. Peck as company president in 1911. Carl had joined Hardman, Peck & Company in 1890 as production manager. Prior to this he had spent eighteen years in lumber manufacturing in the Black Forest of Germany. By this time the company had retail stores operating in New York and Philadelphia.
The artistic superiority of the Hardman piano had found its proper recognition in the music world. Noted institutions chose the Hardman piano as their preferred piano, and for many years Hardman served as the official piano of the Metropolitan Opera Company.
Success in the industry did not go unnoticed. The Aeolian Corporation, another distinguished piano manufacturer, showed interest in acquiring Hardman. Having additional resources in manufacturing, finance and capacity the Aeolian Corporation purchases Hardman, Peck & Company. Aeolian expands the Hardman product line, building to the quality expectations of the original company.
Today, Hardman, Peck & Company continues to build quality pianos to meet the demands of every pianist. These pianos offer an outstanding value in a complete line of console, studio, professional upright and grand pianos, all of which are available in a variety of styles and finishes.
Today the Hardman Peck Piano legacy continues under the ownership of North American Music. The piano line continues to offer an outstanding line of vertical, grand and player pianos in a wide variety of finishes and beautiful case designs.
Enrico Caruso, a prominent Tenor at the Met also lauded the Hardman Piano as his favorite instrument. The legendary tenor said: “The Hardman is the only piano I use in my apartment in New York. I also have one in my home in Florence. The Hardman is my favorite.”
There is a wonderful article by Ruth Walker that appears in Issue 7 of W42ST Magazine in June 2015, citing, “The firm’s New York showrooms were on Fifth Avenue, but sales spread far and wide”.
In the 1940’s the Hardman Piano was selected as the piano of the White House, by Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
And in 1884, Folio magazine in Boston said: “Never before in the history of the piano trade has an instrument sprung into such great popularity in so short a time as the Hardman upright piano.”
Hardman, Peck & Company – quality crafted pianos from the world’s finest materials since 1842.
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