Carl Fischer Musical Instrument Co., 105 E. 16th St. off Union Square (1992)

Next to the Crown Coat Front sign is this sign for Carl Fischer Musical Instrument Co. (established 1872) and York Band Instrument Co. (established 1882).

Carl Fischer (1849-1923) immigrated from Germany as a young man and opened his music publishing business in 1872. His sons, Carl Jr. (18??-1912), Walter S. (1881-1946) and George (18??-1909), all joined the firm, but only Walter survived their father. He became a full partner in 1912 and president of the company for 23 years after Carl Sr.'s death.

A son-in-law, Frank Hayden Connor (1902-1977), became Walter Fischer's assistant in 1935, and then president after Walter Fischer's death in 1946. Under Frank Hayden Connor, Carl Fischer moved its uptown store on 57th Street into the former Chalif Building at 165 W. 57th St. (around 1947/48). This became the largest music store in New York (with its own concert hall) until it closed in 1959.

Frank Hayden Connor was succeeded by his son Walter Fischer Connor (1938-1996) in 1977, and Walter Connor was followed by F. Hayden Connor the great grandson of Carl Fischer, the founder.

The original business was located on East 4th St. Somewhat later they were on 4th Ave. (from 1880 to just after the turn of the century) and in a small building at 46-54 Cooper Square (until 1923). Click here for Carl Fischer ad from 1918. In 1923 Carl Fischer moved into their own 12-story landmark building at 56-62 Cooper Square where they remained until 1999.

In the 1930s Carl Fischer split effectively into two enterprises, Carl Fischer Musical Instrument Co. (dealing in musical instruments) and Carl Fischer Inc. (music publishing). The sign above refers to the musical instrument side of Carl Fischer. They were located here at 103 E. 16th St. for 20 years (approx. 1950 to 1970).

The York Band Instrument Co. began as J. W. York and Co. founded by James Warren York (1839-1927) in 1882 in Grand Rapids, Mich. Initially they imported musical instruments and sold then, then later (by around 1900) they began manufacturing their own instruments. The name was changed to York Band Instrument Co. in 1926. In 1940 the company was sold to Carl Fischer Musical Instrument Co. and became a subsidiary of Carl Fischer. In 1971 York was sold to Tolchin Musical Instruments and moved to Melville, N.Y.

For more of the history of the York Band Instrument Co. see John J. Swain's York research website.

This sign appears to date from the early 1950s.

Carl Fischer is still in business as music publishers, now located in the landmark Louis Sullivan building at 65 Bleecker St. Visit their web site at carlfischer.com.

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