1926 Print Billboard Ad Steinway Piano Grinnell Bros. ORIGINAL HISTORIC BB3B

$43.95 USD

This is an original 1926 halftone print of a billboard poster advertisement for Steinway--"The Instrument of the Immortals" from Grinnell Bros.

Period Paper is pleased to offer a fascinating collection of original color and halftone prints of some of the finest examples of outdoor billboard poster advertising art of 1926. Although as "mini posters" they are but a fraction of the size of the original, their powerful graphic designs combined with a succinct advertising message make them highly collectible pieces for the popular culture historian, the poster art collector, or for the person simply interested in the nostalgic appeal of these images. Please note that there is printing on the reverse.

CONDITION

This 85+ year old Item is rated Very Fine +. No aging. No creases. No tears. No water damage.

Product Type: Original Halftone Print; Grayscale
Grade: Very Fine +
Dimensions: Approximately 1.5 x 6.5 inches; 4 x 17 cm
Authentication: Serial-Numbered Certificate of Authenticity w/ Full Provenance
Protection: Packaged in a custom archival sleeve with an acid-free black board (great for display, gift-giving, and preservation)

Steinway Pianos.

German immigrant, Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg (Henry E. Steinway) founded Steinway and Sons in New York City in 1853. Steinway built his immensely successful company around three basic principles: ÒTo build the best piano possible,Ó ÒBuild a standard, not a price,Ó and ÒMake no compromise in quality.Ó

SteinwayÕs first piano sold in the United States was purchased by a New York family for $500. The piano now resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

In 1857, the company began manufacturing a line of art case pianos, which were designed by famous artists of the time. These pianos proved to be a highly lucrative commodity, and continue to summon extraordinarily high prices in auctions around the world.

In 1903, Steinway & Sons produced its 100,00th grand piano, which was given to the White House as a gift. In 1938, the piano was replaced by the 300,000th grand piano, which still remains in the White House today.

During World War II, the company was supplied with United States Government contracts to supply 3000 special model pianos to the music-deprived soldiers. The most popular World War II piano was the Victory Vertical or G. I. Piano, which could be carried onto military ships or dropped by parachute from airplanes.

In 2000, Steinway & Sons produced its 550,000th piano and decided to further broaden their other two less expensive brands: Essex and Boston. In 2003, the company commemorated its 150th anniversary at Carnegie HallÕs Isaac Stern Auditorium, the famous hallÕs largest venue.

It has been documented that over 90% of concert grand pianos found around the world are from Steinway. According to the company, it estimates that during the North American concert season between the years of 2007 and 2008, 98% of piano soloists chose to play publicly on a Steinway piano, and for the duration of the worldwide concert season between the years of 2002 and 2003, 99% of piano soloists chose to play publicly on a Steinway piano. In particular, Billy Joel and Harry Connick, Jr. are two of many famous artists who chose to play on a Steinway. It is also said that most concert halls around the world attain at least one Model D-274 Steinway concert grand piano.

The company presently retains around 130 patents, a substantially higher amount than any other piano company. Steinway & SonÕs also holds around 12 Royal Warrants, an authorized issue by Royalty, which allows a company to advertise the royal endorsement, thus conveying prestige to the business. Such warrants have been in existence for centuries. One of SteinwayÕs Royal Warrants came from Queen Elizabeth II.

Steinway's great-grandson, Henry Z. Steinway, often graced custom-made limited edition pianos with his signature. Mr. Steinway continued to work at the company until his death in 2008. Steinway was 93 years old.

Advertising:

Copywriter Raymond Rubicam of the Rubicam Advertising Agency often designed extravagant art layouts for Steinway & Sons, as well as other prestigious companies including Cadillac and Rolls-Royce. Later, Rubicam joined the N. W. Ayer & Son Advertising Agency team, which was AmericaÕs largest advertising firm at the time. Shortly, after Rubicam joined the agency, he created an ad for the Steinway company titled, ÒThe Instrument of the Immortals,Ó which landed the ad on Advertising AgeÕs list of the top 100 advertising campaigns. During the 1920s, famous artist Rockwell Kent designed special decorated lithograph and engraving advertisements for Steinway.

Interesting Fact:

In 2009, Steinway installed the worldÕs largest solar-powered rooftop air-conditioning and dehumidifier system in his New York factory to protect the pristine pianos. It is estimated that the system cost around $875,000.

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