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LONDON - "3377 Challen, C. & Son, 3,
Berners - st. Oxford-st. — Oblique, and cottage pianos."
International exhibition, 1862 : Official catalogue of
the industrial department, 1862, p. 54
LONDON -
"Messrs. Challen and Son (3377)
exhibit three uprights, and have a Medal for good action and tone."
Reports by the Juries on the subjects in the
thirty-six classes into which ..., 1862, p. 148
LONDON -
"Challen,
Charles, & son, 3 Berners Street; Oxford Street. - Oblique grand and cottage
pianofortes. An oblique Grand Pianoforte, in the Louis XVI. style, of
walnut, inlaid with box and purple woods, and with ormulu mouldings and
enrichments; chased and gilt. Also two Grand Cottage Pianofortes, in fine
italian walnut cases, ornamented with simple carvings in the Elizabethan
style, and finished internally with patent double actions, which can be
regulated to siut a dry or damp climate with the greatest facility. These
exhibitors (whose business has been established nearly sixty years) hav not
only an English, but a foreign reputation, and are favourably known for the
general excellence of their instruments. The examples exhibited will bear
the test of comparaison with the workmanship of any other makers."
The International Exhibition of 1862, p. 89
NEW ZEALAND -
"THE study and practice of Music have become so essential a part of education,
that Musical Instruments may almost be classed as necessities rather than
luxuries.
Even in the Colonies a pianoforte is an indispensable object with those who
possess the means to purchase one, but the very high cost has limited the
possession of them to the wealthier classes.
The expenses and risks which attend the importation of pianos, and the
difficulty in transporting them over a rough and often roadless country, are
circumstances which have almost prohibited their use in isolated or distant
settlements, and the want has long been felt of an instrument which, whilst
being thoroughly good and serviceable in its parts, shall be at the same
time cheap and portable.
The Jury noticed with satisfaction that this want has at length been supplied
by Chappell and Co. of London, whose "School-room Pianoforte" combines in
itself all the points already referred to. This little instrument occupies
little more than half the space, and is about half the weight of an ordinary
cottage pianoforte.
Its interior workmanship is sound and substantial, the essential parts being
as complete as is possible in so limited a space. The action, however, might
with advantage be simplified so as to reduce the risk of dislocation, and
the difficulty of effecting the needful repairs. The case is plain and
substantial, and the tone of the instrument is pure and surprisingly full
for the shortness of string.
Of course there will always be a demand for higher class pianos, and it is
worthy of remark that of late years there has been an improvement in the
class of instruments shipped to this Colony. The mistake is still prevalent
of regarding a pianoforte more as an article of furniture than on account of
its intrinsic merits, and makers have found it more or less necessary to
pander to this most erroneous habit.
In consequence, a vast number of worthless instruments are turned out in
handsome cases, which, when they come into the possession of private owners,
become very soon in reality mere pieces of furniture. The spread of musical
knowledge and the improvement of public taste is fast working a revolution
in the manufacture of pianofortes, and there is an increasing disposition on
the part of both manufacturers and their customers to insist upon intrinsic
quality.
The Jury would remark upon the really excellent character of the Pianofortes
exhibited by English makers, and also upon the very creditable specimen of
local manufacture exhibited by Chas. Begg, Dunedin (626). [see
Charles BEGG]
It would be invidious to institute a comparison between this instrument and
its English rivals, but as an example of local industry, it is deserving of
the highest commendation. Mr. Begg has not aimed at anything extravagant,
but simply to produce a sound well-constructed instrument, and he has
succeeded in a degree certainly not previously attained by any colonial
manufacturer. With the exception of the metal-work, the whole of the parts
were constructed by the Exhibitor. The case is of the Red pine (Rimu) of
Otago, and the string board and sounding board are of Swiss pine.
The action is a simple one, in fact Broadwood's action, and the workmanship
throughout is very creditable indeed. Broadwood & Sons (2940), are
represented by two excellent Pianofortes-a Grand, exhibited by Mr. West of
Dunedin, and a Cottage shown by Mr. Begg (627). Of these instruments,
particularly the Grand, the Jury have nothing further to say than that they
fully sustain the reputation of the makers.
Collard & Collard's Pianos have long occupied a foremost rank, and their
superiority is exemplified in a Cottage Pianoforte, exhibited by Mr. Begg,
of Dunedin. For purity, equality, and roundness of tone, freeness of action,
and general excellence, this instrument was not exceeded by anything in the
Exhibition.
Messrs. Chappell & Co., in addition to the small School-room Pianoforte
already referred to, have contributed two other models, the "English Model,"
and an "Oblique Grand." This last named instrument is in every respect of a
very superior character. It has three strings, and seven octaves, A to A. It
is strengthened by every possible means to endure the greatest amount of
wear, and to resist the action of variable climate. The workmanship is of
the best description, the tone is round, full, and rich, and of great power.
The touch is elastic, and the repetition very rapid. This instrument is
peculiarly well adapted for concert-rooms, musical societies, &c., where
great power is required. The English model is a fair medium character of
instrument, which is sold at a moderate price.
The only Harmoniums shown in the Exhibition were exhibited by Messrs.
Chappell & Co., through their agent Mr. G. J. Brown, of Dunedin. These
comprised two of Alexandre's celebrated make, and one of the exhibitors',
own manufacture.
The Alexandre Harmoniums are of undoubted excellence; the "Drawing-room Model"
with percussion action and knee swell, is well adapted for domestic use, the
tone being soft and sweet, and at the same time the power can be increased
at will by the use of the knee swell. The other Harmonium by Alexandre,
which is designated by the Exhibitors the "Queen's Model," is a most
beautiful instrument, rich and full in tone, and displaying unusual care in
the workmanship of the several parts.
The Exhibition "Model Harmonium" in carved Gothic case, is one of the best of
its class, and is admirably suited for use in small churches or chapels. It
contains eleven stops, viz., five in the bass, and five in the treble, and
the expression stop. The whole of the reeds are enclosed in a Venetian
swell, worked by the heel of the right foot. Two modes of expression are
obtained—viz., by pressure on the swell pedal, or when the expression stop
is drawn, by the variation of pressure on the foot-boards.
Messrs. Chappell also exhibit a very useful and ingenious apparatus for the
guidance of amateurs in tuning pianofortes. It consists of a small
accordion-like appliance, with a complete scale of notes tuned to
Broadwood's pitch. The instrument can be readily fixed to the front lip of
the pianoforte, and by the upward pressure of the knee, and pressing down a
key which remains down until no longer required, a prolonged note is
sounded, to which the strings of the piano can be tuned in the usual manner.
This is an undoubtedly useful apparatus for amateurs, to whom the tuning of
a pianoforte is a difficult task. It was invented by Mr. R. A. Kemp."
Reports and Awards of the Jurors, New Zealand Exhibition, 1865, p.
204-207
PARIS - "Challen &
Son ; Fabricants de pianos ; 20, Oxford Street, London; Fabrique, 36,
Cardington Street, Euston Square, London. Un piano dit "Cottage Grand
Piano," style anglais ancien. Un piano du même genre, meuble en bois de
noyer. Un pianino."
Catalogue officiel de la section anglaise, 1878,
p. 66 (archive.org)
PARIS - "Challen and Son ; Pianoforte
Makers ; 20, Oxford Street, London. Works, 36, Cardington Street, Euston
Square, London.
One Cottage Grand Piano, style, early English.
One Cottage Piano in walnut case.
One Boudoir Piano in walnut case.
One Pianette, an example of good touch and tone in a small piano."
Official Catalogue of the British Section, Paris
Exhibirion, 1878, p. 63
MELBOURNE -
"COTTAGE
PIANOS. [...] CHALLEN AND Son, London. - In these pianos cheapness has
been combined with a good quality of tone, and a light, agreeable touch.
The double overstrung model is built on the new principle, with a
cast-iron frame. The action is well made, and the cases, constructed
carefully so as to resist the changes in a variable climate like that of
Australia, are not without elegance. First award."
Official Record: Containing Introduction, History
of Exhibition, Description ..., 1882, p. 49
CALCUTTA -
"CHALLEN AND SON, 46, Oxford Street, and 36, Cardington Street, London.
Pianofortes."
Official Report of the Calcutta International Exhibition ..., 1884,
p. 12
LONDON -
"CHALLEN & SON. — Pianos ; Upright Grand in Chippendale case ; Iron
Grand ; Cross String Bass ; Colonial Model Solid Cases ; Iron Boudoir
for extreme climates; Iron Cottage ; Pianette."
The Musical Standard: A Newspaper for Musicians,
Professional and Amateur, 08/08/1885, p. 82
LONDON -
"Messrs.
CHALLEN & Son, Oxford-street, show, at 3,575, a boudoir cottage case, in
mahogany, with marquetry ornament, and satin panels. The design is of
rather severe character, and the workmanship is creditable. The same
firm exhibit an American walnut case in the Italian Renaissance style,
with carved panels and fluted legs. The top is made to open in two
portions. Also an upright-grand case in mahogany, after the style of
Chippendale. The case is ornamented with marquetry work and with satin
in the panels; the legs are panelled. Another case shows walnutwood
remarkably well matched throughout, and in a third, a good effect is
obtained in brass panels engraved with designs representing birds and
foliage, the background being silvered."
The Furniture Gazette, 01/07/1885, p. 310
LONDON -
"CHALLEN & SONS showed various types of their pianofortes, including
a horizontal grand (as supplied to the King of Portugal), rosewood upright
grand, satinwood upright grand, pianino (Sheraton style), pianino (in oak
medieval) and pianette (in oak). Messrs. Challen & Sons have exhibited at
the world's principal exhibitions and have received eleven highest awards."
Musical Opinion and Music Trade; 05/10/1910, p. 593
For references see page
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