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John Geib & Son, founded in 1804, New York, USA
The name of Geib was one of the most important and long lived names in New Yorks piano industry. John Geib originally founded his first workshop in Europe, moving to the United States in the last part of the 18th Century. Geibs three sons, Adam Geib, John Jun Geib and William Geib worked with their father in the shop until the fathers death in 1819. The brothers formed the firm of A & W Geib from 1821 1827. In the late 1820s, William Geib established his own shops at 3rd Avenue and Broadway and at 201 Broadway, New York City. William Geib developed a reputation for building superior instruments, primarily square grand pianos, during this period. In the 1830s, William Geib entered into partnership with his son-in-law, Daniel Walker, to establish the firm of Geib & Walker.
John Geib was born in Standerheim (now Staudernheim) in the Rhineland Germany on February 27th1744 where he trained as an organ-builder.
In around 1760 John emigrated to England and established himself in London where he worked for several famous piano makers; his patent “grasshopper action” was significant. His reputation for piano-making grew and he became one of the “twelve apostles” the founding fathers of English piano craft.
In August 1779 John married Rebecca Shrimpton and had several children by her including the twins John Jr. and Adam who were to carry on the business after him.
Despite receiving his denization papers (English nationality) in 1792 the family emigrated to New York aboard the Factor in 1797.
In 1798 John is on First Street in New York as an organ-builder. Shortly after this Geib & Company (John and one of his sons, probably John Jr.) traded in Bowery until declared bankrupt in 1802. Although listed as organ builders the firm advertised (New York Spectator on 19th March 1800) as builders of organized, grand and common pianos and pedal harps.
In 1803 the business was reorganised and relaunched as Geib & Son also selling music through their own shops.
John Geib died near Newark, New Jersey on October 30th 1819 aged 75 and was buried in St Paul’s churchyard at Broadway and Vesey, New York.
Square Piano, ca 1808
DIMENSIONS
Length 165.9 cm, width 61.6 cm, case height 23.1 cm, height with stand 86.5 cm (Length 65 5/16 in., width 24 1/4 in., case height 9 1/8 in., height with stand 34 1/16 in.) MEDIUM OR TECHNIQUE Mahogany |
