Musical Instrument Makers

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Musical Instrument Makers

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MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MAKERS

A topic devoted to those manufacturing musical instruments, who on occasion, also worked in precious metals.

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Re: Musical Instrument Makers

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KOHLER & SON

35, Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, later, 116, Victoria Street, later, 12a Great Chapel Street, Westminster, later, 185, Piccadilly, London


An example of the work and marks of Köhler & Son, a hunting-horn, assayed at London in 1890:

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A.K (Augustus Köhler) - London - 1890

The full inscription reads: " Presented to William Connolly the accomplished and respected huntsmen of the Calpe hounds. In memory of happy hunting days and of his having bred and reared among many other fox hounds 'Charmer' winner of the first prize Gibralter horse and dog show with the best of wishes of his friend Colonel Morgan Crofton M.F.H". (see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Calpe_Hunt).


The business of John Köhler (see Grimwade p.573) and his son, Augustus Köhler.


As for coach-horns, I know only three good makers, although there are, no doubt, many more; these are Messrs. Kohler & Son (established 1780), of 116, Victoria Street, Westminster; H. Potter & Co., 30, Charing Cross, and Arthur Chappell, 52, New Bond Street; but were I asked, I think I should be inclined to say Messrs. Kohler stand pre-eminent as the makers of all kinds of horns, particularly coach-horns, to which they seem to have given a great deal of attention, and whether it be the post-horn of twenty-seven inches, the Beaufort coach-horn of thirty-six inches, the heavy mail-coach horn of forty-six inches, or the telescopic horn of unlimited length, Mr. Kohler will supply you, and, moreover, will teach you how to blow it.

Source: Highways and Horses - Athol Maudslay - 1888

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Re: Musical Instrument Makers

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F. BESSON & Co.

196-198, Euston Road, London


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F. Besson & Co. - London - 1888

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F. Besson & Co. - London - 1893

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Besson & Co. Ltd. - London - 1916


At the meeting of the House Committee of this Institution, held on Christmas-eve, Bro. William Roebuck in the chair, Bro. John Constable, Chairman of the Bazaar Committee of the Royal Masonic Pupils’ Assistance Fund, and Bro. Dick Radclyfie, Hon. Sec., attended at the Institution on behalf of the Committee, for the purpose of making a presentation to the School. The gift consisted of a very handsome silver Cornet, manufactured by Messrs. F. Besson and Co., which was purchased through the exertions of Madame Fontaine-Besson, Bro. W. W. Morgan, of the Freemason’s Chronicle, and other brethren, by subscriptions of visitors to the Bazaar held last June, in aid of the Royal Masonic Pupils’ Assistance Fund. The reason of the presentation is fully set forth in the following inscription on the Cornet:—" Presented to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys, by the Committee of the Royal Masonic Pupils’ Assistance Fund, as a mark of appreciation of the services rendered by the boys composing the band and choir of the Institution at a Bazaar held in aid of the Fund in June 1880."

Source: The Freemason’s Chronicle - 1st January 1881

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Re: Musical Instrument Makers

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HENRY DISTIN & Co

9,10,11, Great Newport Street, St. Martin's Lane, London, 31, Cranbourne Street, Leicester Square, London, 21, Titchbourne Street, Haymarket, London, and The Camp, Aldershot

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Henry Distin & Co. - London - 1853

The business of Henry John Distin and Richard Hayter Jarvis. Their partnership was dissolved on the 19th July 1864, and in 1868 the company was acquired by Boosey & Co., who continued to style the business as Distin & Co. until 1885 when the name of Boosey & Co. was adopted.

Henry Distin & Co. were exhibitors at the International Exhibition of 1862.

A later address following the takeover by Boosey & Co. was noted as 6a, Frederick Mews, Stanhope Place, London W.

Henry Distin entered two marks at the London Assay Office, on the 15th May 1856, a oblong punch with clipped corners H.D, and on the 22nd November 1856, an unframed H.D

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Re: Musical Instrument Makers

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G. BUTLER

29, Haymarket, London and Ellis's Quay, Dublin


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Butler's - London - 1869

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Butler's - London - 1880

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Butler's - London - 1902

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Butler's - London - 1907

Established in 1826.

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A. TURTLE

Ogden Street, Ardwick, later, 86, London Road, and 1, Britain Street, Manchester


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A. Turtle - Manchester - 1911

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A. Turtle - Manchester - 1916

This is probably Agnes Turtle, the widow(?) of William Turtle, who established the business in 1876.

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J. & R. GLEN

2 & 3, North Bank Street, later, 497, Lawnmarket, Edinburgh

The business of J. & R. Glen, Highland bagpipe makers of Edinburgh can be traced back to Thomas MacBean Glen (1804-1873) who was working at the Cowgate, Edinburgh in 1827. In 1866, Thomas's sons, John (1833-1904) and Robert (1835-1911), took over the business and the firm became styled as J. & R. Glen.


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J. & R. Glen - Edinburgh - 1879

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J. & R. Glen - Edinburgh - 1881

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J. & R. Glen - Edinburgh - 1884

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J. & R. Glen - Edinburgh - 1918

By 1911 the firm had passed to John's son, Thomas Glen (1867-1951) who moved the business to 497 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh. Thomas Glen retired in 1940 and the firm was then managed by Andrew Ross, who had worked for J & R Glen since 1911. In 1954, Andrew Ross finally became the owner of the business that he had employed with for over forty years and he continued to run it until 1978, he died the following year, 1979 and soon after this business finally closed its doors after 150 years of manufacturing.

J & R Glen were registered at the Edinburgh Assay Office. Their mark was 'J.& R.G' contained within an oblong with cut corners.

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RICHARD O'REILLY

16 & 17, Wellington Quay, Dublin


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R. O'Reilly - Dublin - 1883

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R. O'Reilly - Dublin - 1884

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C. MAHILLON & Co.

Leicester Square, later, 141, Oxford Street, later, 182, Wardour Street, London and Brussels


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C. Mahillon & Co. - London - 1888

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C. Mahillon & Co. - London - 1889

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C. Mahillon & Co. - London - 1911

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C. Mahillon & Co. - London - 1916

Established at Brussels by C. Mahillon (b.1813 - d.1887), in 1836. The business was continued by three of his sons, Victor, Joseph (who conducted the Brussels business), and Fernand (manager of the London branch which was established in 1884 in Leicester Square, and relocated in 1887 to Oxford Street).

Prior to the London branch being established, E.J. Percy of 84, Hatton Garden, London, was noted as being the agent for V. & C. Mahillon & Co. in England and the colonies.

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Re: Musical Instrument Makers

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An Orchestra Conductor's Baton

An orchestra conductor's baton with silver mounts, probably German, unmarked, but with an engraved date of 1894:

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See: http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic ... 36&t=50075

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R.J. WARD - R.J. WARD & SONS

10-12, St. Anne Street and 67, Dale Street, Liverpool and 102, Conway Street, Birkenhead, and Paris


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R.J. Ward & Sons - Liverpool - 1888

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R.J. Ward & Sons - Liverpool - 1911

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R.J. Ward & Sons - Liverpool - 1916


Established in 1805 or 1848


THE LIVERPOOL EXHIBITION 1886

Messrs. R. J. Ward & Sons, of St. Anne's Street, Liverpool, exhibit a collection of military brass, wood, reed, string, and other instruments, which have all been manufactured wholly or in part by this firm at Liverpool. Their clarionets, flutes, piccolos, are also shown, and it is pointed out that these are manufactured of the finest selected and seasoned woods, being, for the most part, expressly designed for Indian, African, and Colonial markets. Among the other instruments made by the firm are a special kind of high-class banjo. Another interesting exhibit is the firm's patent folding music-stand, which weighs only 3½ lbs. The firm also show Armitage's patent valves, which may be attached to any brass wind instrument. Another department of their collection is devoted to curiosities in the way of old English and foreign instruments of every kind, including magnificently decorated tambourines and banjos. A further object is a golden violin, got up in an elaborate style of decoration, and bearing the likeness in oil colours of Mr. D. Radcliffe, the Mayor of Liverpool, and promoter of this exhibition. As the firm manufacture expressly for the colonial and foreign markets, our readers should obtain a catalogue and price-list, prepared specially in connection with this exhibition, containing a well-written account of the different instruments made and carefully-executed illustrations.

Source: The British Trade Journal - 1st May 1886


WARD, ARTHUR J., of 102 Conway-street, Birkenhead ; THOMAS JOHN and JOHN FRANCIS, of South Seacombe-terrace, Seacombe; and RICHARD J., of Dinas-lane, Roby, compose the firm of R. J. Ward & Sons, musical instrument makers, 10 St. Anne-street, and 67 Dale-street, Liverpool, which has a worldwide reputation as being the chief existing one in this trade. It was founded by R. J. Ward, the father, who had been an apprentice to J. G. Roe. Mr. Roe was then the leading man in musical instrument making, from whom came most of the goods sold by London and Manchester firms. At that time there were competitors. On Roe's death, fifty years ago, young Ward succeeded to the business, and he and his sons have fully maintained its reputation. The trade-mark is a drum bearing the motto, “Beats all the world." They have secured the highest awards at all Exhibitions, including the Paris, 1886; Royal Military, 1890; and International, 1890, for superior goods; and are contractors to the Army and Navy. Locally they supply the police, volunteer, and almost every other band. They manufacture every kind of wind, reed, brass, and string instruments; violins, banjos, concertinas, accordeons, mandolines, guitars, harps, musical boxes, etc. ; and thus, as far as with them lies, sustain the reputation of Liverpool against all the world. They have branches at 102 Conway-street, Birkenhead, and in Paris.

Source: Liverpool's Legion of Honour - B. Guinness Orchard - 1893

R.J. Ward & Sons (Richard Joseph Ward, Charles John Ward and Thomas Walton Ward) entered their mark, 'RJW' contained within an oblong punch, with the Chester Assay Office on the 23rd August 1921.

See: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=51631&p=193529#p193529

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HUGH DOUGLAS Sen.

190, Trongate, later, 34, Hutcheson Street, 36-42 Brunswick Street, later 66, Brunswick Street, Glasgow


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Hugh Douglas Sen.- Glasgow - 1873

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Hugh Douglas Sen. - Glasgow - 1878


SEQUESTRATION of HUGH DOW DOUGLAS, Musical Instrument Maker, Stockwell Street, Glasgow. ROBERT GILMER, Accountant in Glasgow, has been elected Trustee on the estate; and James Gait, Accountant in Glasgow, John Hall, Junior, Metal Merchant in Glasgow, and George Panton, Merchant in Glasgow, have been elected Commissioners. The examination of the Bankrupt will take place in the Chambers of Mr Sheriff Bell, Court-house, Glasgow, on Monday the 3d day of February next, at 12 o'clock noon. The Credtors will meet in the Trustee's Counting-house, No. 135, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, on Thursday the 13th day of February next, at three o'clock afternoon.
R. GILMER, Trustee.
135, Buchanan Street,
Glasgow, January 27, 1862.


Source: The Edinburgh Gazette - 28th January 1862


Hugh Dow Douglas was born on the 4th July 1833 at Perth, the son of Hugh Douglas, a musical instrument maker, and Margaret Walker. He founded his business in around 1853. In the 1870's the business was restyled to Hugh D. Douglas & Son. He died on the 4th April 1887, at Glasgow. The business appears to have ceased trading in the 1920's.

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RICHARD TOWNEND & SON

Tyrrel Street and Beacon Lane, Wibsey, later, 10, Manchester Road, Bradford


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R. Townend & Son - Bradford - 1870

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DONALD M'PHEE

171, West Nile Street, Glasgow


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Donald M'Phee - Glasgow - 1873

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HENRY KEAT & SONS

190½, High Holborn, later, 103-105, Matthias Road, Stoke Newington, and Steam Works, High Street, Hoxton, later, 59, Curnock Street, London and New York, Philadelphia and Sydney


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Henry Keat & Sons - London - 1884

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Henry Keat & Sons - London - 1885

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Henry Keat & Sons - London - 1887

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Henry Keat & Sons - London - 1891

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Henry Keat & Sons - London - 1892

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Henry Keat & Sons - London - 1893

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Henry Keat & Sons - London - 1911

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Henry Keat & Sons - London - 1916

Established in 1795 by Samuel Keat.

Noted as the supplier of silver-mounted hunting horns to Swaine, Adeney, Brigg.

Henry Keat & Sons entered their marks, 'H·K' (Henry Keat [b.1815,d.1876]) on the 10th December 1860, and 'D.K/G.K'' (Daniel Keat [b.1843,d.1925]and George Keat [b.1846,d.c.1916]), on the 24th November 1893.

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WOODS & Co.

152, later, 176, Westgate Road, Newcastle


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Woods & Co. - Newcastle-on-Tyne - 1916

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Woods & Co. - Newcastle-on-Tyne - 1937

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HENRY POTTER, later, HENRY POTTER & Co.

27, Marsham Street, Westminster, later, 2, Bridge Street, Westminster, 30, Charing Cross, later, 36-38, West Street, Charing Cross Road, London


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Henry Potter & Co. - London - 1877

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Henry Potter & Co. - London - 1952

Established in 1810/1811.

The business of Henry Potter was established by Samuel Potter, but as a serving officer in the British army, Samuel was not allowed form a company, so instead he founded his business in the name of his newly-born son, Henry. Samuel left the army in 1817 to pursue his business full time and ran it until his death in around 1830, the firm then passed to Henry, and then to Henry's sons, Harry and William. A third son, George, operated a branch of the business at Aldershot, initially under the name of Henry Potter, but separating himself from the parent firm in the 1850's.

Henry Potter & Co. were noted as the suppliers of the Sterling silver kettle drums used by the Royal Horse Guards.

The company is still in business today, now styled Henry Potter & Co.(Drums) Ltd., and based at Aldershot.

The company entered two marks with the London Assay Office, 'H.P' contained within an oblong punch, on the 25th April 1860, and 'H.P' contained within a six-pointed punch, on the 24th October 1907.

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BEARE & SON

32-34, Rathbone Place, London and 63, Bay Street, Toronto


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Beare & Son - Toronto - 1921


On the 5th ult., at 3, Woburn Terrace, Tavistock, William Beare, late senior partner of Beare and Son, 34, Rathbone Place, aged seventy-six years. Interred in Plymouth Road Cemetery, Tavistock. For nearly forty years he was a well-known figure in the musical instrument trade. He had retired from active business for some time.

Source: The Musical Times - 1st October 1898


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Beare & Son - London - 1888


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Beare & Son - London - 1890


Beare & Son Expand Business

MONTREAL, CANADA, Oct. 5.—Walter Beare & Son, London, England, the old violin and musical merchandise house, has arrived home from his visit to the Toronto branch and made a trip to the continental markets to increase his orders for certain lines called for by the Canadian trade. A further expansion is reported by Beare & Son. D. R. Henderson has been appointed wholesale representative in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Mr. Henderson, who has been covering that territory for the past three years representing Whaley, Royce & Co., is thoroughly experienced in his line, and has a wide personal and business connection there. J. J. Dinsmore concentrates on the Ontario and Quebec trade, while W. J. Stumpf covers the West. Beare & Son also announce the arrival of a good stock of assorted accordeons which they believe is the first shipment of accordeons to reach Canada since the war interferred with importations.


Source: The Music Trades 11th October 1919


CLARION:
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Beare & Son - Toronto - 1921


PERFECTION:
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Beare & Son - Toronto - 1921


The representation of a cat playing upon a fiddle was introduced in 1912.

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J.B. MAYERS & SONS

8, Southern Street, Liverpool Road, Manchester


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J. B. Mayers & Sons - Manchester - 1937

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BRITISH BAND INSTRUMENT Co. Ltd.

Deansbrook Road, Edgware, Middlesex


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British Band Instrument Co. Ltd. - Edgware - 1937

'REGENT INSTRUMENTS'

A subsidiary of Boosey & Hawkes Ltd.

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