Gottlieb Heller

Biography

Gottlieb Heller was a piano maker who received conventional training in the trade. Born at Stuttgart, Germany, in 1868, he learned cabinet-making and emigrated to America in 1887. After working for several years in two of the most prominent piano factories, he studied for two more years under John Ludwig. In 1900 he started his own business under the firm name of Heller and Company, later becoming a partner in Winter and Company when that firm took over his business. Heller is described as an expert scale draftsman who devoted his life to the study of piano construction, well read in the literature on musical instruments and acoustics. He demonstrated his ability in designing and constructing the Winter piano, whose manufacture he directly supervises as superintendent of the factories.

Highlights

• Trained as a cabinetmaker in Stuttgart, emigrated to America in 1887, and studied piano construction for two years under John Ludwig.
• Founded Heller and Company in 1900 before becoming a partner in Winter and Company when it absorbed his business.
• Praised as an expert scale draftsman who designed and directly supervises construction of the Winter piano as factory superintendent.

Source

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. II (1913), pp. 203, 204.

Public domain.