Meyer, Conrad, 1793-1881.

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Conrad Meyer was a cabinetmaker and later a piano manufacturer. He was born on September 18, 1793 in Marburg, Hesse Cassel, Germany. He was a soldier during the war with Napolean during 1814 and 1815. Meyer served a four year apprenticeship with a cabinetmaker in Marburg, which he completed on May 13, 1818. On the 14th, Meyer set sail for America, but did not arrive until August, 1819. Upon his arrival in Baltimore, Md., he started work as a piano maker; he was employed by Joseph Hickory and James Lick was a fellow workman. Meyer settled in Philadelphia early in 1823 and established himself in business, founding a piano forte factory. It eventually became known as Conrad Meyer & Sons.

In 1832, Meyer invented the full iron plate frame for pianos, which was said to have launced a new system of piano making in America. Meyer was also the first to use glass as an insulator. He won awards at a number of exhibitions between 1833 and 1879. In 1836, he became a citizen of the United States. Meyer was a member of Hermann Lodge, No. 125, connected with the Franklin Institue, and involved in the German and Marbuger Societies. He was active in musical enterprises. At the time of his death in 1881, the piano making firm was under the management of his sons, Reed and Charles E. Meyer.

From the description of Papers, 1814-1881. (Winterthur Library). WorldCat record id: 84665619

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Meyer, Conrad, 1793-1881. Papers, 1814-1881. Winterthur Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Conrad Meyer & Sons. corporateBody
associatedWith Great Exhibition (1851 : London, England) corporateBody
associatedWith Meyer, C. E. (Charles E.) person
associatedWith Meyer, Isaac Reed. person
associatedWith Prang, Louis, 1824-1909. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
Subject
Advertising
Advertising cards
Exhibitions
German Americans
Musical instruments industry
Piano
Piano makers
Occupation
Piano makers
Activity

Person

Birth 1793

Death 1881

English,

German

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