Charles Mehlin

Biography

Charles Mehlin, son of Paul G. Mehlin, was born in New York on October 23, 1873. At fifteen he traveled to Stuttgart, Germany, to learn piano-making under the renowned master Carl J. Pfeffer, remaining there three and a half years to absorb the artistic atmosphere of Stuttgart and the thoroughness of German craftsmanship. He held four patents for piano improvements: two for an ingenious fall board for grand pianos, one for an improved form of pedals, and one for a string frame designed without the conventional bass bar, in pursuit of a more liquid, luscious tone by reducing the rigidity of the piano structure. He also worked on preventing the sagging of the soundboard caused by string tension. Described as having a touch of 'Bohemianism,' Charles Mehlin enjoyed the company of musicians; his home, built on the historic grounds of old Fort Lee at the edge of a cliff above the Hudson River, included a miniature stage for musical and theatrical performances, and the tenor Enrico Caruso once amused himself there by sketching caricatures of Charles and his father, Paul G. Mehlin Sr., in his sketchbook. From Spillane (1890): Charles H. Mehlin was the second son of piano maker Paul G. Mehlin of P. G. Mehlin & Son. He studied piano-making in Stuttgart, Germany, in conjunction with music and acoustics, and was described as equally well equipped as his brother to pursue a career in piano-making.

Highlights

• Trained under Carl J. Pfeffer in Stuttgart, Germany for three and a half years starting at age fifteen
• Holds four patents, including two for an improved fall board for grand pianos, one for improved pedals, and one for a string frame designed without the conventional bass bar
• Hosted Enrico Caruso, who drew caricatures of Paul G. Mehlin Sr. and Charles at Mehlin's home at Fort Lee overlooking the Hudson
• Second son of Paul G. Mehlin
• Studied piano-making in Stuttgart, Germany, alongside music and acoustics

Sources

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. II (1913), pp. 160, 161.

Daniel Spillane, History of the American Pianoforte (1890), p. 296.

Public domain.