1963 ARTLEY FLUTE FULL
1963 ARTLEY FLUTE PROFESSIONAL

In response to the unavailability of Selmer (Paris) instruments after the German defeat of France in 1940, Selmer sought alternate sources for wind instruments and distributed them under their new student-line Bundy and intermediate Signet brands. In 1939, Selmer financed the startup Artley Flute Company of Elkhart Indiana, which provided flutes, and later clarinets, exclusively to Selmer until 1953.

Selmer went on to establish itself as a leading distributor of student-grade instruments under its Artley and Bundy brands. In 1936, Selmer changed its distribution strategy, abandoning most retail and becoming a wholesaler of instruments and supplies. H&A Selmer (USA) remained the sole importer of Selmer (Paris) products, including saxophones and brasswinds once exports of such instruments to the USA commenced.

1963 ARTLEY FLUTE FULL

In 1927, Bundy gained full ownership, establishing independence of the company. Conn Ltd while Selmer (Paris) retained a minority interest. In 1923, the H&A Selmer Company was incorporated to expand its retail operations. The store expanded its product line, selling 'Selmer' branded wind instruments and mouthpieces from manufacturers in the US in addition to Selmer (Paris) products. In 1910, Alexandre returned to France and the H&A Selmer store was managed by George Bundy.

The H&A Selmer (USA) Company grew out of that retail operation. Alexandre established himself in New York in 1909, opening a shop that sold Selmer clarinets and mouthpieces. In 1904, Selmer clarinets were presented at the Saint Louis (USA) World's Fair, winning a gold medal, and Alexandre Selmer was First Clarinetist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Henri Selmer's brother Alexandre joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra that same year. In 1898, Selmer opened a store and repair shop in Paris and started producing clarinets. in 1885, Henri began making clarinet reeds and mouthpieces.

1963 ARTLEY FLUTE PROFESSIONAL

At the time, musical instruments and accessories were primarily hand made, and professional musicians found it necessary to acquire skills allowing them to make their own accessories and repair and modify their own instruments. They were the great-grandchildren of French military drum major Johannes Jacobus Zelmer, grandchildren of Jean-Jacques Selmer, the Army Chief of Music, and two of 16 children in this musical family. In the late nineteenth century, brothers Alexandre and Henri Selmer graduated from the Paris Conservatory as clarinetists.

1963 artley flute