[Piano History] Herz, Henri. (1803–1888)
Autograph Letter Signed regarding pianos for sale.
ALS from the French composer, virtuoso pianist and piano manufacturer to L. J. Cist in Cincinnati regarding the pianos available from Herz's factory. New York, January 9th, 1849; 2 pp. on plain paper, postmarked "New York / 10 Jan / 10cts." In full, "Dear Sir / In reply to your letter of the 20th December I send you enclosed drawings of the different sizes of my grand action piano fortés with the prices. No. 2 is the largest and from its symmetry (being curved on both sides) and superior finish of workmanship is particularly adapted to parlors. No. 1 is not so large and is curved only on one side. Both instruments are of rosewood, of brilliant tone, easy and pleasant touch and exceedingly rich in appearance. / The price of the largest is for three or four months with approved security - as you propose $800 and for the second size $700 but as an inducement to purchase for cash I am willing to make a deduction of ten per cent. / In addition to these I can recommend my square pianos at $350 and my pianinos (a drawing of which is enclosed) [NB: drawing not present] at $325 for paper and with the same discount as above. / Yours very faithfully / Henri Herz / 47 Warren St." An initialed postscript adds "No. 1 in mahogany would make a difference in your favor of $50. / H." Mailing folds, else in fine condition. 8 x 9.5 inches (20.3 x 24.1 cm.).Henri Herz was a sensation in his time. He outsold every other composer and pianist in France throughout the 1820s and 30s, to no small amount of resentment. Schumann, for example, regularly mocked him in the pages of Neue Zeitschrift für Musik. "In the late 1830s, Herz teamed up with a Parisian piano manufacturer named Klepfa. The venture failed but, despite losing a large amount of money, Herz established a piano factory of his own with instruments that incorporated his valuable improvements on Erard’s revolutionary double-escapement action. He also built a concert hall on the premises in the Rue de la Victoire and though, in the beginning, some performers tried to rent it on condition that they did not have to play a Herz piano, by 1844 the business was a success, producing 400 instruments a year." (Jeremy Nicholas, Hyperion Records)
Lewis J. Cist (1818 - 1885) was the son of the publisher of Cist's Advertiser and was a bank clerk and literary contributor to various periodicals throughout the country. (20817)
Classical Music Autograph Letter