Piano manufacture in Australia has had a long history with its beginnings dating from the 1830s when Sydney maker John Benham began making pianos. However, the majority of makers appear to have been based in Victoria and were especially prevalent in the period after the 1850s and 1860s when the wealth generated by the gold rushes created a demand for status items such as pianos which were to be found in many homes as well as giving capital for new businesses to be established. Many of these companies closed before the dawn of the twentieth century leaving the field clear for newer competitors to be established. The Wertheim Company was established in Melbourne in the 1870s and imported a range of goods including sewing machines, and musical instruments. By 1908 they had grown large enough to open a new piano factory, becoming one of the largest piano manufacturers in the country alongside the Beale company in Sydney.

Michael Lea
Curator, music & musical instruments
April 2007.

This is a commercially produced card but the maker and production date of the postcard are unknown. The artist of painting is also unknown.

Postcard was not written on or posted. Probably produced as an advertisement for Wertheim pianos.

Postcard, Wertheim Piano Factory, cardboard, maker unknown, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1908-1920

A postcard featuring a coloured print of a watercolour painting illustrating the Wertheim Piano Factory in Melbourne from an aerial perspective. Marked on both sides.

Made: Melbourne, Victoria; 1908 - 1920

On the front of the postcard in the lower right corner is the text printed in blue 'The / WERTHEIM / PIANO FACTORY / Bendigo Street. / RICHMOND. / Melbourne.' On the back reverse of the postcard at centre top is the text 'Post Card'. Printed at top left of dividing line 'This space may be used for correspondence'. 'FOR ADDRESS ONLY.' is printed on the right side of line and 'STAMP.' is printed in top right hand corner.

2007/55/1

1908 - 1920

88 mm

131 mm