December 31, 1891

  • Henry W.T. Steinway sends his resignation: “Dear Sir: Wishing to withdraw from active participation in our business, I herewith tender my resignation, to take effect after this date. Respectfully, H.W.T. Steinway.”
  • Henry W.T. Steinway requests permission to keep his desk at Steinway Hall and his horses at the company stables in Astoria, but Charles Tretbar, on William Steinway’s orders, refuses to grant such permission. However, Henry W.T. Steinway is allowed to have a temporary personal mailbox at Steinway Hall, and to visit Steinway Hall periodically to pick up his mail.
  • William Steinway’s diary: “Henry W. T. Steinway sends in his resignation to take effect immediately. In afternoon lunch at Grodes, make a little speech. Work home in evg til 11 P.M. then drive to H. A. Cassebeer where a charming family circle assembled Chas. H. St. absent, and of course Henry W. T. St. General rejoicing that latter resigned. We jump into New Year, remain together harmoniously until nearly 2 A.M. when wife and I drive home well pleased. […] Cablegram from Hamburg states number of pianos shipped during 1891 at 244 grands and 296 Uprights, against 312 Grands and 312 Uprights in 1890, therefore a falling off of 84 instruments, through depression in trade. But in New York we had by far the best year since our business existence for we shipped from our Warerooms no less than 822 grands and 1657 Uprights, against in 1891 of 758 grands and 1553 Uprigfhts 5 Squares. Our excess of pianos shipped in N.Y. is therefore 763 pianos, total being 2479 in 1891 agt 2316 in 1890. Our grand total New York and Hamburg combined is therefore 3019 pianos agt 2940 in the year 1890. Thus we had the most brilliant year for the first time exceeding 3,000 pianos in any one year.”