The Richmond Piano Company was originally established by Paul Trayser in 1879 in Richmond, Indiana.  In 1893, the firm was absorbed into the Starr Piano Company of Richmond, Indiana.  Richmond pianos were produced as an affordable alternative to the costlier Starr brand, and were sold along side Starr in their retail stores and sales catalogs. The Richmond Piano Company produced very good quality pianos at affordable prices. The Starr Piano Company was one of the few American piano manufacturers to survive the Great Depression without being absorbed into a larger conglomerate, and they continued to produce Richmond pianos until about 1950