Spring – Summer 1853

Karl Steinweg, now known under the anglicized version of his name as “Charles Steinway” takes charge of regulating the pianos. Henry, Jr. works as a finisher, William is a “bellyman”, and Albert is a keymaker. Their father, Heinrich Engelhard, runs the business. Heinrich’s wife Julianne serves as his counsellor and secretary, and oversees the business correspondence. Daughter Doretta handles sales, and sometimes offers free piano lessons to close a deal. After building the first nine Steinway & Sons pianos, Henry, Jr. stops working as a finisher, replaced by one of the Decker brothers (either John Jacob Decker or David Decker, former Bacon & Raven co-workers of Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg and his son Karl, who a decade later will open their own firm to compete with the Steinways). No longer a workman, Henry, Jr. can concentrate on research and development. After approximately 40 pianos are built, Henry Kroeger becomes a bellyman, freeing William Steinway to focus on marketing.