Bidspirit auction | The Estate of Arthur von

The Estate of Arthur von Holwede (Steinway & Sons) Hamburg Manufactory of Steinway & Sons. - An historically highly significant, museum-quality ensemble of inestimable value for music, industrial, and family history is up for auction. This monumental archive comes from the direct estate of Arthur von Holwede, the visionary first director of the Steinway & Sons Hamburg manufactory, founded in October 1880. Previously trained as a close collaborator and personal apprentice to C.F. Theodore Steinway in New York, Holwede brilliantly managed the Hamburg branch for decades, while Theodore directed the overall European operations. This archive is the intact, complete testimony of an era in which German piano manufacturing achieved worldwide renown. Scope and Content of the Archive The collection, preserved over generations, spans from the 18th century to the mid-20th century and is organically divided into the following core areas, all of which are fully included in the lot: Steinway & Sons Company (Factory and Management History): Historical, partly handwritten management and daily journals (e.g., dated Hamburg, Oct. 5, 1915) on official company letterhead with medal embossments. Splendid, large-format tribute and congratulatory folders from the Hamburg workforce for Holwede's 55th anniversary of service (February 16, 1920) with numerous original signatures from piano builders, masters, and factory employees. Official obituaries and intimate communications from the founding family (e.g., on the death of Senior Boss William R. Steinway). Early Advertising Materials & Concert Ephemera: Rare, large-format prints and lithographs, including depictions of the famous Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia 1876 (”Steinway & Sons Piano-Forte Exhibit”). Historical concert programs (e.g., Steinway Hall Concert – Mr. Frederick Boscovitz’s Pianoforte Recital). Original advertising brochures for early grand piano models (e.g., ”Rosewood Square Grand”) with filigree woodcut illustrations. Celebrity Correspondence & Diplomatic Pieces: Outstanding letter fragments and envelopes with historical wax seals and embossments. Including an official letter from 1904 (referring to the father's 80th birthday and a donation on behalf of Steinway New York), including the associated magnificent envelope, addressed to the immediate circle of the German imperial foundation: ”His Serene Highness Prince Herbert von Bismarck, Friedrichsruh”. Genealogy of the House of von Holwede: Complete documentation of the Lower Saxon noble family. Included are the original ”Familien-Stammbuch” (family register) (Braunschweig), historical marriage certificates (e.g., from 1878), official documents (such as death certificates from the Goslar/Braunschweig area), and rare marriage certificates from the 19th century (e.g., from 1873 with a red wax seal). Documents relating to later Hamburg family activities (Walter von Holwede – Pianos, Grand Pianos, Talking Machines, Radio). The Photographic and Economic Archive: A vast collection of image material: Numerous original photographs (cabinet cards, carte-de-visite, and silver gelatin prints). Among them are portraits of Arthur von Holwede, rare group photos of the Steinway management at the conference table, stately villa views, and private family photos. Extensive economic records: Original checks from Deutsche Bank (Hamburg branch), detailed household and accounting lists, and invoices (e.g., from Fremdenheim Kloster Frankenberg, Goslar 1943), which document the lifestyle of the upper bourgeoisie over epochs. Note for Museums, Foundations, and Top Collectors: The archive is in an age-appropriately excellent, mostly pre-sorted, and protected in clear sleeves condition. The closed sale as a single lot guarantees the preservation of this cultural-historical treasure of international standing. A collection of this quality, which so completely documents the intimate founding history of the world's most famous piano brand, is unlikely to be offered a second time on the open market.