Horn-u-Copia's Display of Makers

Pollmann was first in partnership with G.R. and J.H Martin from 1872, as Martin Pollman & Co. to approx. 1880, and then as August Pollmann until 1905.

In 1893, Pollmann offered about 20 types of engravings available on instruments. Names of cities were used to designate the names of these types, i.e.: Berlin, Paris, London, New York, etc. The names appear to have little to do with the designs. However, as an example, the Vienna engraving style features a cartouche with writing, flowers and a bird on the bell. The company also offered the Opera design that included a lyre, flowers, and garlands on the bell. The New York engraving style covered the entire instrument, very lavishly. The bell features acorns and leaves. The rest of the instrument has leaves and flowers. The London design also covered the entire instrument. Preleating leaf patterns run along the tubing. The bell includes a heron with a fish in its mouth. While this information is limited to cornets, some larger brass instruments feature ornate engravings that suggest strongly that these designs were not limited to cornets.

Pollmann also used four terms to specify quality. They were: Light Action, Professional, Artist, and solo Artist.

Boston was the basic engraving style used on brass finish Light Actions, and would be supplied to other dealers either plain or with this engraving and without the Pollmann name.

Boston was engraving done on any finish light action horn , Paris or Vienna was engraving on a satin silver light action horn, London or Berlin was engraving done on a light action silverplate, gold wash bell horn.

In the Artist horns, Venice becomes the basic brass engraving. New York and America become higher grade finishes.

Engraving on horns other than cornets seems to be first offered on the Artist level horns.

Solo Artist styles include Florence, Washington and Opera. Versailes in larger instruments.

• 1845 Pollmann born in Saxony
• 1872 first listed, musical inst, 31 Cortlandt (with Martin & Co.)
• 1873-78 Martin, Pollmann & Co., 31 Cortlandt, importers (photo 1 is an Eb, c.1875, made by Schuster in Germany, photo 2 is Eb cornet)
• 1878 son Edward (Edwin) born July 23rd
• 1879-92 August Pollmann, instrument importer & wholesale dealer, 58 Maiden Ln. (all brass likely imported)
• 1879 & 81 not listed in NYC directory
• 1880 Census has him as musical inst maker living at #215 E. 10th St; age 35 (b.1845 in Saxony); wife Bertha Martin (32) is daughter of former partner Gottfried Martin
• 1882 son Arthur is born on Dec 26th
• 1885 Pollmann is naturalized on Sept 1st
• 1893 Catalog lists four models from lower to higher quality: Light Action, Professional, Artist, & Solo Artist; warehouses at W. 12th, Vestry, & Washington St.
• 1893-c.1906 now at 70-72 Franklin St
• 1895-1902 at 70 & 72 Franklin St (NY Clipper ads).
• 1904 Incorporates as August Pollmann Company on October 14th; August, Edward, & Arthur Pollmann
• 1905 Bankruptcy filed against him in January; 12/13/1905, an involuntary petition of bankruptcy was filed against him with the adjudication on July 10, 1905. His address was 70 Franklin St. Son Arthur marries Mabel Martin
• 1906 Pollmann files petition for discharge of bankruptcy in June
• 1907 son Edward F. Pollman dies on March 19th, age 28
• 1913 August Pollmann dies on January 1st, age 67