Edwin Fobes

Biography

Edwin Fobes, said to have been a pupil of Timothy Gilbert's, began manufacturing pianos in 1843 and became identified largely with popular-priced instruments. In 1853 he patented an improved vertical, or upright, piano of a peculiar design, featuring a full metal plate reaching to the top of the case, over which the strings stretched, with wrest-pins driven down perpendicularly into the top of the case and strings resting on rollers so that the usual tuning angle was avoided. The text calls Fobes' scheme one that created some attention when produced and worthy of mention. He is also listed among the Boston makers active around 1850.

Highlights

• Said to have been a pupil of Timothy Gilbert
• Began manufacturing pianos in 1843, largely popular-priced instruments
• Patented an unusual vertical/upright piano design in 1853, with a full metal plate and roller-supported strings to avoid tuning-angle problems

Source

Daniel Spillane, History of the American Pianoforte (1890), pp. 170, 172.

Public domain.