C. Bechstein piano factory was founded on the 1st of October 1853 by Friedrich Wilhelm Carl Bechstein in Berlin Germany.
Carl Bechstein set out to manufacture a piano able to withstand the great demands imposed on the instrument by virtuosi of the time, such as Franz Liszt. In 1857 Liszt's son-in law Hans Von Bulow gave the first public performance on a Bechstein grand piano by performing Liszt's Piano Sonata in B minor in Berlin.
By 1870 with endorsements from Franz Liszt and Hans Von Bulow Bechstein, along with Bluthner and Steinway & Sons, became established as the industry leaders across the world.
In 1881 Bechstein began supplying pianos to Queen Victoria with pianos being supplied to Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. In January 1886 they got the Royal Warrant.
In 1885 Bechstein opened a branch in London which became the largest showroom and dealership in Europe. On the 31st of May 1901 Bechstein Hall was opened (todays Wigmore Hall) next to the London showrooms at 36 to 40 Wigmore Street.
Carl Bechstein died in 1900 and his sons Johann, Carl and Edwin took over the management of the company.
UPTO 1902 FROM 1902
Model I 57.5ins Model 6
II 54.5ins 7
III 50ins 8
IV 48ins 9
V 50ins 10
UPTO 1902 FROM 1902
Model I 9ft Model E 9ft
II 8ft 4ins D 8ft 2ins
III 7ft 8ins C 7ft 4ins
IV 7ft 2ins B 6ft 8ins
V 6ft 7ins A 5ft 11ins
FROM 1920
Model M 5ft 10ins
L 5ft 6ins
K 5ft 1ins
S 4ft 7ins
