Beckwith Piano

[FRED W TREMPER]

Sy Zabrocki et al:

The following information on the Beckwith piano was taken from a
forthcoming book by Jack Greenfield of the Chicago chapter, "A History
of Midwestern Piano Manufacture."  We have been working on the book for
more than a year now, I as editor and Jack as author.  It will be published
by the PTG Foundation and will be available at PTG national convention in July.

"Sears and Roebuck sold pianos with the label "Beckwith" from 1900 to
1925.  The Beckwith pianos were made by several different manufacturers.
Recognizing that there was a large potential market for pianos in small
towns and rural areas without dealer show rooms, Sears and Roebuck's
Beckwith (and Montgomery Ward's Windsor pianos) were offered in mail order
catalogs beginning 1901.  The Beckwith became one of the top-selling
brands, consistently running at seven thousand annually.  During the
seven year period prior to 1926, Sears sold a total of about 37,000
Beckwiths.

"A 1927 Sears catalog indicates that some pianos were shipped from a
factory in southern Indiana.  This was probably the Starr Piano Company's
factory in Richmond, Indiana.  Customers in the East received pianos from
a factory in New York City.  The catalogue shows five different pianos models
ranging from $275 for a regular piano to $465 for the best upright player.
The pianos could be purchased on payment of only $10 down and monthly
payments of $10 or $12 for the balance.  Pianos could be obtained for a
thirty-day trial with shipping charges refunded when the piano was
returned.  Sears and Roebuck also offered rebuilt used pianos, which were
listed in a separate circular.  Sears and Roebuck's Beckwith pianos were
discontinued in the late 1920s."

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Fred W. Tremper, RPT
Morehead State University
Morehead, KY 40351
f.trempe@morehead-st.edu
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