Introduction
GUSTAV A. ERNST and his son G. HUGO ERNST came to Camden from Germany in the 1880s and over the next decades manufactured and sold musical instruments, first from a workshop which became a small factory adjoining their home at 1274 Mechanic Street, and later from 1327 Haddon Avenue. Gustav Ernst & Son made guitars, zithers, and mandolins. In 1916 Hugo Ernst was granted a patent for what in essence was an acoustic guitar with two sound chambers.
Gustav Ernst passed away in January of 1906. His son carried the business forward. He sold the factory on the corner of Mechanic Street and Norris Street in 1908, and consolidated his home, workshop and business at 1327 Haddon Avenue.
Hugo Ernst passed away shortly before the compilation of the 1926 Camden City Directory. His wife Martha and daughter Margaret remained on Haddon Avenue into the 1930s. They were renting at 1332 Thurman Street when the 1940 census was enumerated. City Directories from 1943 and 1947 list Martha and Margaret Ernst at 1121 Kaighn Avenue, Apartment A.
Parlor Guitar Label, c. 1910
Label from a parlor guitar made by Gustav A. Ernst & Son, Camden, N.J., c. 1910
Parlor Guitar
The back and sides appear to be mahogany. The sharp “V” neck is mahogany. The fingerboard is made from Brazilian rosewood.
Double-Body Guitar, 1916
Label reads: “The Ernst, double body instrument, patented April 25th 1916, guitars, mandolins, and zithers made by Hugo Ernst, 1327 Haddon Avenue, Camden NJ USA.” Written in pen “No. 105”
Autoharp Zither by Gustav A. Ernst & Son
Autoharp Zither built by Gustav A. Ernst & Son
Death of Gustav Ernst
Philadelphia Inquirer —
ERNST—Suddenly, on January 21, 1906, GUSTAV ERNST, beloved husband of Emilie E. Ernst (nee Rech). He leaves to mourn his loss a wife and 6 months old child. The relatives and friends of the family, also the Loyalist Lodge, No. 121, I.O.O.F., and A.U. are specifically invited to attend the funeral on Thursday afternoon, at 2 o’clock, from his residence, 1327 Haddon ave., Camden, N.J. Remains may be seen on Wednesday evening. Interment at Harleigh.
Hugo Ernst Moves Factory
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden County Transfers
Camden County Transfers
Camden—S W corner Mechanic and Norris sts—G Hugo Ernst to Edward Geschke ... 2100 Camden—No 701 Cherry st—John J Burleigh to Penilla M Harrison ... 1500 Haddonfield—E side Centre st, 163 ft N Park ave—Samuel Dunbarr to Sara Le Master Stager ... 2500 Camden—Nos 327 and 329 Liberty st—William B Stephens to Ephraim B Fisher ... 2000
Hugo Ernst’s Stringed Musical Instrument Patent
Patent Applied for May 7, 1912 — Granted April 25, 1916
Patent Announcement
Music Trade Review —
Music Trade Review — May 6, 1916
Gustav A. Ernst Passport Application
Gustav A. Ernst Passport Application — May 23, 1896
G. Hugo Ernst Passport Application
1914
G. Hugo Ernst Passport Application — 1914