Walter Ibach

Biography

Walter Ibach was the younger brother whom Rudolf Ibach sent into the world to study the methods of other piano makers as part of Rudolf's foresighted expansion of the family firm. Walter went to Brussels, then spent considerable time at Gaveau's atelier in Paris, prepared himself in London for an American visit, and was for several years active in George Steck's factory in the United States. He also studied felt and hammer making at the author's (Alfred Dolge's) factories in Dolgeville, New York. After an absence of nearly ten years, Walter Ibach returned to Barmen in 1883 as a master of his art to assist his brother Rudolf, whose duties and cares had grown almost beyond one man's endurance. Following Rudolf's death in 1892, the great Ibach business continued to be carried on by Rudolf's sons under the guidance of their uncle, Walter Ibach.

Highlights

• Sent abroad by his brother Rudolf to study other makers' methods, working at Gaveau's Paris atelier and for several years at George Steck's American factory
• Also studied felt and hammer making at Alfred Dolge's factories in Dolgeville, N.Y.
• Returned to Barmen in 1883 after nearly ten years abroad to assist Rudolf, later guiding the firm for Rudolf's sons

Source

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. I (1911), p. 225.

Public domain.