02/10/2026
Emil Oswald Flohrer (Oswald)
Oswald was born in 1858, Saxony, Germany. Oswald was brought up in the piano manufacturing business in Germany and spent time working in the warehouse and factory owned by his uncle in Berlin. Flohrer arrived in Brisbane in 1889 after accepting a position with H J Pollard & Co., musical instrument dealers and repairers, Queen Street. Pollard’s employed skilled piano makers such a Flohrer but they did not manufacture their own pianos as it was cheaper at the time to have them imported due to the low tariffs on imported goods. The first piano manufacturer in Australia was established in 1893 in Sydney by Octavius Beale. Flohrer established the first Piano factory in Brisbane, Oswald Flohrer & Co and leased the shop at 669 Stanley Street, Woolloongabba in 1898. He was a successful exhibitor at
The RNA and won numerous merits and awards for his pianos. By 1914 Flohrer had moved his business to a premise on Ipswich Road, Annerley.
From the Brisbane Courier – 29 October 1898 –
“At the present year's Exhibition Mr. Flohrer was able to show part of the Interior of a piano and secured the highest honours which the National Association bestows in the industrial section. Since that time he has completed the first piano built in Queensland, and the instrument is now on view at his premises in Stanley-street, Woolloongabba. The piano is a full-sized upright, in a handsome black and richly-gilt frame, and, in appearance, much resembling the famous Lipps. The frame is of iron, made by Messrs. Evans, Anderson, Phelan, and Co., of Brisbane, and the Interior work is of the finest workmanship and on most improved principles. Mr. Flohrer has utilised a newly-patented system of working the pedals, the soft pedal being so arranged that the required subduing of tone is attained without the loss of quality so often noticed. The tone of the piano throughout is full and rich. There is no crudeness whatever In it. It has that peculiar singing quality! which Is so eagerly desired not only by instrumentalists but also by vocalists. The bass is rich and sonorous, and the treble beautifully soft and clear. Indeed, the Instrument Is highly credit- able to Mr. Flohrer, and will hold its own In the general market. The woodwork throughout is from Queensland material, and the appearance Is both rich and elegant. The moulding work is all done by hand, and is very handsome.The firm of Oswald Flohrer and Co., with the heavy import duty in their favour, estimate that they can sell pianos at about £10 each below the quotation for imported instruments of corresponding quality. This under-taking of developing the higher mechanical arts in Queensland will, it may be hoped, meet with every success.”
Oswald married Frederika Anna (Annie) Belz in 1891. Their first home was in James Street, Woolloongabba and they later moved to “Belle-View” Ipswich Road, Annerley. Oswald died on 21st December 1927 and was buried on the 23rd in portion 2.
TO (FOSBC), Trove, family information supplied
