supported by their coal miner father who had immigrated from Wales . In 1937, while living in Cleveland, Ohio
Robert worked on a laundry truck. He later applied for employment with the H. N. White company, and was
hired. His first job was dipping saxophone springs. Bored with this job, he talked of leaving the company to find
more interesting work. Henry Dreves, the factory superintendent, overheard Robert 's desire for a more
interesting job and talked to Henderson N. White. Robert was then transferred to the engraving department to
begin as an apprentice engraver. The engraving department was known to be the most difficult position to obtain,
and the most desired. Robert worked with ten engravers training to engrave brass plates, copying designs and
emblems. The work required nine hour days, and half of a day on Saturdays, for six months. Robert was taught
to engrave by Master engraver Austin Kramer, head of the engraving department. Mr. Kramer had been in the
engraving department twenty years prior to Robert' s arrival in 1937. After training for six months, Robert began
engraving student level instruments. With the onset of World War 2, Robert left the H. N. White company to
serve in Patton's 3rd Army Mechanized infantry platoon in Europe. Robert completed two tours of combat duty,
without a scratch. After the war, Robert returned to the H. N. White company to continue with his engraving
career. With the departure of Mr. Austin Kramer, Robert became head of the engraving department. Robert
engraved all models of instruments and completed the custom engraving on many legendary musicians'
instruments. A partial list of musicians' instruments engraved by Robert include; Charlie "Yardbird" Parker, Dizzy
Gillespie, Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, Nat Adderley, Yusef Lateef, Jack Teagarden, James Moody, Wild Bill
Davison, Harry James, Jimmy Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey, and many more. Robert retired from the King factory in
the mid 1980's and passed away on September 15, 2002. Robert shared many quality stories with his Grandson,
Jonathan Hartman. Jonathan was introduced to jazz music by his Grandfather who inspired Jonathan to play music
and gave Jonathan his first saxophone at age ten. Jonathan is a professional saxophone player who resides in
New York. Without Jonathan's assistance, this webpage would not be possible. Photos on this page can not be copied
without written permission from Mr. Jonathan Hartman.
Mr. Jonathan Hartman for all the great
information regarding his Grandfather's life
experiences and history with the
H. N. WHITE COMPANY.
JAZZ SAXOPHONIST, COMPOSER,
AND EDUCATOR
Vintage King Super 20
Alto Saxophone
