Ferdinand Himmelreich

(1880 -1937) Popular American cylinder and disc recording artist of the 1910's and 1920's. Known as "The Blind Pianist". He was blind in one eye and had only about 10 per cent vision in the other after the age of 5. Specially designed, powerful lights focused on the keyboard helped him to overcome his impairment of vision. For nine years, Mr. Himmelreich played the organ at the John Wanamaker stores in New York and Philadelphia. He played also at the Strawbridge and Clother and Gimbel stores, and for four seasons was at Haddon Hall, Atlantic City. Known also as a pianist and composer, he frequently had appeared with Rudy Vallee & His Orchestra and had done considerable solo recording.