Henri Selmer

The foundations of the globally renowned Selmer brand began in 1885 when Henri Selmer established Henri Selmer & Cie, initially focusing on the production of high-quality clarinet reeds and mouthpieces. Building upon this initial success, he opened a dedicated workshop and retail salon in Paris in 1898, transitioning into the full-scale manufacturing of original clarinets. The firm’s meticulous craftsmanship gained rapid international acclaim, culminating in 1904 when Selmer instruments were awarded a prestigious gold medal at the St. Louis World's Fair, firmly cementing the brand's elite standing in the woodwind industry.

The company soon expanded its reach across the Atlantic when Henri's brother, Alexandre Selmer, immigrated to the United States and opened a retail shop in New York in 1909 to distribute Selmer clarinets and mouthpieces. While the American arm of the brand was eventually sold to George Bundy in 1927, the transatlantic partnership remained strong. Concurrently, the brand's European distribution network expanded in 1928 when brothers Ben and Lew Davis established Selmer UK, creating a highly successful operation focused on licensing, importing, and distributing Selmer products throughout the British market.

A pivotal milestone in the company's manufacturing history occurred in 1931, when Selmer Paris acquired the historic brass-making firm Millereau. This strategic acquisition provided Selmer with the specialized tooling, master craftsmen, and acoustic designs necessary to launch their own premium line of brass instruments, expanding their catalog beyond woodwinds. Today, Henri Selmer continues to thrive as a leading fixture in the international musical landscape, widely celebrated by professional musicians for its legendary woodwind legacy.