Henri Selmer Paris - History - Timeline

Timeline

• 1858 : Birth of Henri Selmer
• 1880 : Henri Selmer - son of Charles Frederic, deceased in 1878 - graduates from the Paris Conservatory (clarinet class of Mr Leroy). He is 22 when he enters the Republican Guard Orchestra. He will play successively as first clarinetist in the Lamoureux concerts, with Benjamin Godard and at the Opera.
• 1885 : Creation of the Selmer Paris company: Henri Selmer begins manufacturing reeds and mouthpieces.
• From 1898, with the help, Henri Selmer starts manufacturing clarinets and settles his workshop at 4, place Dancourt, Paris. The same year his younger brother, Alexandre (b. 1864), joins the Boston Symphony Orchestra as a clarinetist, remaining until 1901.
• 1900 : Henri wins his first Bronze Medal in the Paris Exhibition.
• 1904 : The Selmer Paris clarinets are presented for the first time at the International Saint Louis Fair (USA), where Henri wins a Gold Medal. At this period, Alexandre Selmer, Henri's brother, has been first clarinetist in the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra for two years. From 1903, he plays the clarinets his brother is manufacturing in France. This will strongly contribute to the development of their sales in the US.
• 1905 : Paul Lefèvre and his son Henri, who had been working for Maison Robert (a clarinet manufacturer), join Henri Selmer's team. Henri takes over the Barbier Company (a flute manufacturer, rue du faubourg Saint Denis, in Paris). The following year, Alexandre officially establishes himself in New York USA, where he starts selling the Selmer Paris clarinets. This first structure will later become the H&A Selmer (USA) company.
• 1909 : Alexandre Selmer joins the New York Philharmonic Orchestra as first clarinetist. There, he has the opportunity to play under the conductor Gustav Mahler.
• 1910 : Maurice Lefèvre, Paul Lefèvre’s second son, joins the Selmer Paris team. Alexandre, after having opened his first shop in the United States, decides to return to France, entrusting the management to one of his students, George Bundy.
• 1919 : Opening of a new factory in Mantes whose technical direction is headed by Maurice and Henri Lefèvre, both son-in-laws of Henri Selmer. Other saxophone manufacturers, like Dolnet and Evette-Scheaffer, are already established in this city.
• 1922 : 31 December 1922, the first Selmer saxophone is finished : a “Series 22” alto. The “Series” 22 makes way for the “Model 22”. The whole family is offered, including the “C Melody” tenor saxophone. Selmer then counts 50 instrument makers who manufacture 30 saxophones per month.
• 1923-24 : Extension of Mantes factory.3 new workshops are constructed : one for reeds, two for saxophones. The workshop at Place Dancourt is reserved for welcoming musicians.
• 1926 : A new logotype "Henri Selmer Paris" is adopted : the laurel wreath replaces the lyre. Engraved on all Selmer Paris instruments, this original logo is still used today as the seal of authenticity for the original "Henri Selmer Paris". Saxophone “Model 26” comes out. Around 136 workmen work at Selmer.
• 1927 : Metal clarinet comes out. Grand prize at the International Exhibition of Geneva, for the production as a whole. George Bundy buys the store from the Selmers, changing the name to H. & A. Selmer, Inc. There was no remaining financial connection between the Selmers, in Paris, and Selmer in America. Mr. Bundy was appointed the sole distributor for Selmer Paris instruments in the United States.
• 1928 : Creation of the company "H.Selmer & Co", in S.A.R.L. form. “Model 28” comes out. Creation of Selmer–Canada.
• 1929 : Purchase of the Adolphe Sax workshops : Selmer Paris becomes sole legatee of the saxophone concept. Creation of Selmer-London.Presentation of a special model of saxophone (n° 9909) with 12 amethysts for the international exhibition of Barcelona.
• 1930 : Manpower rises to 175 people who manufacture 300 instruments per month. Release of the saxophone “Cigar Cutter”. Grand Prize at the Exhibition of Liege.
• 1931 : Acquisition of “Millereau”, a brass manufacturer.
• 1932 : Selmer branches out into guitar manufacture in partnership with stringed-instrument maker Mario Maccaferri. They run a workshop where the "Selmer - Maccaferri, " guitars are made that were immortalized by Django Reinhardt.
• 1933 : Release of the "Armstrong" trumpet model later known as "Balanced", and of the model Harry James.
• 1934 : release of the « Radio Improved » saxophone.
• 1936 : Selmer Paris revolutionizes the saxophone with a new model which will be called “Balanced Action”. France encounters social troubles and the factory is occupied.
• 1941 : Disappearance of Henri Selmer. Maurice Selmer becomes president of the Selmer company. Release of Saxophone N° 30 000.
• 1946 : By the end of the war, manpower had fallen to 80 people, but from 1946 the production went up to 250 instruments per month.
• 1948 : Release of the « Super Action » saxophone
• 1950 : The production rises to 650 instruments per month.
• 1951 : Release of the Soloist mouthpiece.
• 1952 : Production of the Selmer-Maccaferri guitars is stopped. In United States, a new promotional campaign accompanies the release of the Super Action.
• 1953 : Death of Alexandre Selmer . Jacques Selmer, youngest son of Maurice selmer, incorporates the company. The third generation of Selmers, Jean, George and Jacques, are in place.
• 1954 : An exceptional season, with the release of three legendary models: “Mark VI”, developed with Marcel Mule, the B-flat clarinet “Centered Tone”, the trumpet “K-modified”. The same year, Selmer also starts to market the “Clavioline” (Constant Martin).
• 1958 : Transformation of the company from S.A.R.L. to a Public company. 370 employees manufacture 1000 instruments per month.
• 1960 : Release of the B-flat and A clarinets model “Series 9” and “Series 9*”
• 1961 : Henri Lefèvre is named President.
• 1962 : Release of the « Deville » brand for brass. The "Bolero" and "Largo" trombone models, developed with Gabriel Masson, are also put on the market the same year. Saxophone n° 100 000 is produced (June 28, 1962).
• 1963 : Exclusive distribution rights obtained in France for "Vincent Bach" (U.S.A.) brass.
• 1964 : Release of a microphone especially intended for the amplification of woodwinds (saxophone, clarinet and flute)
• 1965 : Installation of a new head office, rue de la Fontaine au Roi in Paris' 11th district. Selmer Paris takes over exclusive distribution of "Premier Percussion" instruments in France.
• 1966 : Production of Series 10, along-side series 9 and 9* clarinets
• 1968 : Death of Henri Lefèvre. Georges Selmer is named President. Release of the trumpet model “Radial 2”.
• 1971 : Release of the clarinets B-flat and A “Series 10” model in the USA
• 1974 : Release of the « Mark VII » saxophone model developed with the assistance of Michel Nouaux, and ending of the “Mark VI” production.
• 1975 : Release of the Marchi system clarinets, in collaboration of Joseph Marchi.
• 1977 : Release of the clarinet model « 10S” and the trumpet “Series700”. Brigitte Selmer, daughter of George Selmer, enters the company the following year.
• 1981 : Release of the « Super Action » model. The Myrha street factory is closed and brass manufacturing transferred to Mantes. The following year, Jerome Selmer, son of Jacques, starts at the company.
• 1983 : In collaboration with the instrument maker Ernest Ferron, Selmer launches Variospec, an impedance variator.
• 1984 : Release of the « Recital » clarinet, developed with the assistance of Guy Dangain.
• 1986 : Launch of the alto and tenor “Super Action 80 Series II” saxophones
• 1990 : Release of the « Series 1100 » and « Series 1200 » tenor trombones.
• 1993 : Launch of the B-flat clarinet “Prologue” and “10S II”. The "Super Action 80 Series III" soprano is presented at the 10th International Saxophone Congress in Pesaro, Italy. Saxophone n° 500 000 comes out of the Selmer Paris workshops on July 19, 1993 : it is a "Super Action Series II" alto saxophone, gold plated and engraved. Bill Clinton and his Selmer Paris saxophone enter the White House.
• 1994 : The bass clarinets evolves : the models “23/II” and “25/II” replace the “23” and “25”.
• 1995 : Release of the B-flat trumpet, “Chorus/80 J” model. The “Series III” Soprano replaces the “SA 80/Series III”.
• 1997 : Release of the “Series III” tenor saxophone.
• 1998 : After Georges and Jacques Selmer's retirement, the baton is passed to the fourth generation: Patrick Selmer/ President, Brigitte Dupont-Selmer/ Vice-President, Jérôme Selmer/ General Manager. Opening of the new factory (+3,000 m²) : the Mantes production site now extends over a 20,000 m² area. Release of the "Signature" clarinet, developed with Jacques Di Donato.
• 1999 : Release of the "Series III" alto saxophone. Presentation of the “53 M” bassoon, developed with Philippe Hanon. Launch of the Super Session Soprano mouthpieces and the CP100 clarinet mouthpieces.
• 2000 : A limited edition available in three instruments for the year 2000: the Signature clarinet (gold plated), the Series III Alto saxophone and the Chorus 80 J trumpet (sandblast silver-plated).
• 2001 : Release of the "Reference" tenor saxophones and the "Concept" trumpet and flügelhorn
• 2002 : Two new models round out the range of clarinets in B-flat and A : the "Odyssee" and the "Artys". New editions of the “Soloist” mouthpieces are released.
• 2003 : Release of the "Reference" alto saxophone. Launch of the "Pro-Line" range of military band instruments.
• 2004 : 1904-2004 : a hundred years of Selmer clarinets. Release of a special edition anniversary model : the "Saint Louis" clarinet. Release of the "Privilege" bass clarinet. Opening of the showroom and concert hall at the head office, rue de la Fontaine au Roi. Revival of the Selmer Editions.
• 2005 : Selmer holds its third « Selmer & Friends » concert at the Olympia music hall to celebrate its 120th anniversary.
• 2006 : Release of the clarinet « Arthea » model.
• 2007 : Release of the trumpet « Sigma » model
• 2008 : Release of the baritone “Series III” and clarinets B-flat and A « Privilege »
• 2010 : Selmer Paris celebrates its 125th birthday with a new look saxophone : new lacquer, new engraving, new octave key. Release of the mouthpieces “SD20” and “Spirit”.