Patent of 1856 : "John Cooper HADDAN, Cannon-row, Westminster, Improvements in pianofortes." The Engineer, 26/12/1856, p. 698

'Pianoforte-[parts]-makers' ca. 1914-17

HAGGIS & Son (*1916)

HAGGIS & Sons (*1914)(*1917)(*1918)(*1919)

Cabinet pianoforte ca. 1825-30, Geelvinck Muziek Musea, Zutphen, The Netherlands

'Pianoforte-manufacturers' ca. 1825-52

HAIG & Co (x1842)

HAIG John (*1843)(*1846)

1870 - "Bankrupts. Friday, April 1, 1870. Under Bankruptey Act, 1869. Creditors must forward their proofs of debts to the Registrar. [...] To Surrender in the Country. [...] Hall, Wm, Whittington-pl, Highgate-hill, Pianoforte Manufacturer. Pet April 2. Brougliam. April 26 at 11." The Solicitors' Journal & Reporter, 09/04/1870, p. 481

PARIS - "8. Hallé, Piano Co, à Londres, AV., Charles 25, Shepherds Bush. — Piano à queue horizontale, à queue oblique et piano droit." Catalogue général officiel. Tome troisième, Groupe III : instruments et procédés généraux des lettres, des sciences et des arts : classes 11 à 18, 1900, p. 542 (archive.org)

Silver medal Paris, 1900

Patent of 1857 : "11 May 1857 - 1326. Samuel Hallett, of Clarges Street, Piccadilly, in the County of Middlesex, for an invention for Improvements in pianofortes. A communication from Joseph Becker, of the City of New York. Letters Patent sealed." Chronological index of patents applied for and patents granted of ..., 1857, p. 82

1850 - "Charles Alexander Hammar, formerly of No. 44, Rupertstreet, Haymarket, then of No. 6, Sidmouth-place, Gray'sinn-lane, then of No. 35, Charlotte-street, Fitzroy-square, all in Middlesex, Journeyman Pianoforte Maker, then of No. 30, Cromer-street, Gray's-inn-road, Pianoforte Maker, carrying on there such business in copartnership with Robert Hay, under the style of Hammar and Hay, and now of No. 6, Sidmouth-place aforesaid, both in Middlesex, Pianoforte Maker." The London Gazette, 1850, p. 273

HAMMOND William & Sons (**1852)

HAMPTON Charles

  Pianoforte 3 Ft High by 4 Ft 3 Ins Wide - Rosewood 23 to 25 Gs; - Walnut 25 to 27 Gs

  Pianoforte 3 Ft High by 4 Ft 3 Ins Wide - Rosewood 23 to 28 Gs; - Walnut 28 to 31 Gs

  Pianoforte 2 Unisons - 3 Ft 11 ins High by 4 Ft 3 Ins Wide - Rosewood 28 to 32 Gs; - Walnut 32 to 36 Gs - 2 Gs extra for 3 Unisons 5Gs Check Action

  Pianoforte 2 Unisons - 4 Ft 2 ins High by 4 Ft 3 Ins Wide - Rosewood 28 to 32 Gs; - Walnut 32 to 36 Gs - 2 Gs extra for 3 Unisons 5Gs Check Action

  Pianoforte 2 Unisons - 4 Ft 2 ins High by 4 Ft 3 Ins Wide - Rosewood 32 to 35 Gs; - Walnut 35 to 38 Gs - 2 Gs extra for 3 Unisons 5Gs Check Action

 Pianoforte 4 Ft 6 ins High by 4 Ft 6 Ins Wide - Rosewood 50 to 60 Gs; - Walnut 55 to 65 Gs - 7 octaves, 3 Unisons, harp pedal, ivory bridge, extra Check Action 5 Gs., all images of an advertisement in 1862, Debrett's Illustrated Peerage, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and ..., 1862, p. 18

"C. HAMPTON'S Compressed pianofortes. Prices guineas. 20-23-25-28-32-36-40-50-60 each. [Established in 1851] This principle was invented by C. H. in 1860, exhibited at the International Exhibition, and carried the only award for "novelty Of Construction." It has received the highest enconiums of the Press up to the present time, a few of the latest being given, as showing that as the novelty ceases, the invention is becoming more distinctly recognised.
To The Musical World. — Our attention has been called to one of the most important improvements in the construction of the Pianoforte ever recorded, which has for some time elicited the highest praise from some of the most eminent scientific gentlemen who have closely examined them. We allude to the Compressed Pianoforte, invented by Mr. C. Hampton." — Vide Civil Service Gazette.
They combine two points of the greatest importance, viz., power and purity of tone, and extraordinary durability."—Vide Court Circular.
Mr. Hampton, No. 3,405. exhibits an upright Piano, having different parts in different stages of manufacture, the framing has Iron Tubular Screw Strutts, so disposed tliat a longitudinal pressure can be put on during manufacture, in anticipation of the tension that will afterwards come from the strings. He has 'Honourable Mention' for the Invention." — See Juror's Reports, Class XVI., p. C,
31 & 56, Charlotte St., Fitzroy Square, London, W. - MANUFACTORY AND SHOW ROOMS. - For further particulars, see Index to other Advertisements." Debrett's Illustrated Peerage, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and ..., 1862, p. 16 and Murray and Co.'s Book of Information for Railway Travellers and Railway, 1865, p. 60

HAMPTON Charles & Co (**1882)

HAMPTON Charles & Co Ltd. (**1884), 'Inventors of the Royal College of Music pianos'

'Musical-Instrument-Maker' ca. 1793-94

'Patentee of the Grand Piano Forte' (**1793)

"The upright piano-forte was, doubtless, taken from tho upright harpsichord, and we have always understood that it was the invention of an Englishman of the name of Hancock, a musical instrument maker resident in some part of Westminster. He was a man of much ingenuity, and produced several varieties in keyed instruments; amongst which we find the organised piano-forte, the portable grand piano-forte, and an instrument, also a pianoforte, in the shape of a spinnet. The portable grand, in its day, was a successful and desirable instrument, but has long since been superseded by instruments of the kind called kit grands, boudoir grands, pocket grands, and semi grands." The Penny Cyclopædia of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, 1840, p. 141

'Organ Builder and Pianoforte-maker' ca. 1770-1820

Father of John & James Crang HANCOCK

CRANG John & HANCOCK James (ca. 1770), see also CRANG

North Devon

Successor of LUNDBY & Co

'Harp-maker' ca. 1840

Patent of 1860 : "Hare - 30 August 1859 - 1971. James Hare, of Hamstead Road, Handsworth, near Birmingham, Music Smith, for an invention for Improvements in piano fortes." Chronological index of patents applied for and patents granted, 1860, p. 129

106, Wenlock Street, New North Road, N. (**1884)(**1891), 2-3, Forston Street, N. (**1891)(**1895), 106, Wenlock Street, N. (**1895), 105-106, Wenlock Street, N. (*1895)(*1897)(*1899)(*1903)(*1906)(*1907)(*1909)(*1910), 106, Wenlock Street, Hoxton, N. (*1914)(*1915), London

'Pianoforte-maker' since 1880

HARPER Thomas (*1916)(*1917)(*1918)(*1919)

'Maker to his late Majesty'

HARRIS & Co (**1904)

Olinda Works, Olinda Road, Stamford Hill, N. (**1904), London

'Pianoforte-maker' ca. 1860

1860 - "Creditors under Estates in Chancery. Last day of proof. Tuesday, Nov. 13, 1860. [...] Harris, Charles, Pianoforte Maker, late of Pratt-street, Lambeth, Surrey, and formerly of New-street, Vincent-square, Westminster." The Solicitors' Journal and Reporter, 17/11/1860, p. 39

New Street, Vincent Square, Westminster (18??), Pratt Street, Lambeth, Surrey (xxx1860), London

HARRIS & Co (**1884)

HARRIS J. & Co (*1893)(*1906)(*1907)(*1910)

33, Rathbone Place, W. (**1884)(*1893), 16, Newman Street, Oxford Street, W. (**1884)(*1893), 2, Broad Street Buildings, E. (*1906)(*1907)(*1910), London

20, Colvill Place, Whitfield Street, W. (*1914(*1915)), London

Pianoforte, The Monthly Review, Or, Literary Journal, 01/05/1797, p. 609

"Far superior to what are frequently Sold for Twenty-five Guineas each.
Being the Grandell and molt Advantageous Plan ever offered TO THE PUBLICK.
LONDON: Printed for Harrison- and Co. No. 18, Paternoster Row; and Sold by all other Booksellers, Stationers, and Newsmen, as well as at most Musick Shops, in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and America.*
AND A-PIANO-FORTE, worth Twenty-five Guineas, GRATIS.  [...] WHEN the high Price of a good Piano-forte is considered, and that trie extravagant Hire of the molt mean and indifferent Instrument, is always at lead Half a Guinea or Twelve Shillings a Month, to say nothing of the prodigious and continual Expence of Musick Books, whether borrowed or bought, it is prefumed that Half a Crown a Week can never be thought a very serious Sum for the Advantage of becoming Owner of an elegant and excellent new Piano-forte, as well as a more select and compleat Library of such sterling, favourite, and fashionable Musick, as will always be esteemed valuable, than can easily be purchased at any Price.
Of the Beauty and Agreeableness of a Piano-forte, as elegant ornamental Furniture for the mod splendid Apartment, no Person can be ignorant! and even in the few genteel Families, particularly in the Country, where there may not be any convenient Opportunity of learning to play, the Pleasure and Satisfaction of possessing an Instrumemt so valuable, with Books of all the most favourite Vocal and Instrumental Pieces, ready for occasional Visitors, must be highly gratifying to every Person of Taste and Sensibility. By means of the Piano-forte Magazine, this Satisfaction will now be easily attainable, at an Expence scarcely felt by any Person in decent Life: and we may venture to suggest, that it will form a valuable and lasting, as well as a most elegant and agreeable Present, to all young Ladies, and Gentlemen, from their Parents, Relatives, or Friends, who may thus have the Pleasure of seeing them the sooner induced to undertake the Acquirement of so pleasing an Accomplishment as the enchanting Art of Musick.
Even those Ladies and Gentlemen, who already have Instruments of their own, will find this Work worthy their Attention :

LONDON - "Messrs. Harrison & Co. exhibit an upright piccolo, called the “utilitarian boudoir piano,” and made with the object of constructing a piano-forte at the least possible cost: the price of this instrument being eighteen guineas only. To effect this, several alteration shave been made. In the first place, there is only one string to each note; secondly, the keys are shorter and project less, by which the legs or scrolls usually put under the key-frame are saved ; and, thirdly, the action consists of a simple projection at the end of the key, which lifts the tail of the hammer directly, without the intervention of any hopper. It is in fact a return to the primitive single-action, with which the piano-forte was first made; the only difference being the variation in form necessary to apply it to the upright instrument. Although advocating cheapness, we cannot consider it desirable to obtain it by depriving the piano-forte of the improvements it has received, or by any other means calculated to deteriorate its quality." Newton's London Journal of Arts and Sciences, 1851, p. 33-34

Patent of 1854 : "1164. And Joseph Harrison, of Fitzroy-square, in the county of Middlesex, has given the likenotice in respect of the invention of improvements in piano fortes." The London Gazette, 18/07/1854, p. 2242 (thegazette.co.uk) - or - "May 25, 1854.- J. HARRISON. Metallic wrest-plank and improved lever." The history of the pianoforte, 1870, p. 78

FIRE

"Fire At Harrison's Pianoforte Manufactory. — On Wednesday night a fire broke out on the premises occupied by the above firm, at John-street, Tottenham-court-road. A great amount of property was destroyed, part only of which, we believe, was insured. The unfortunate workmen have, as usual, lost all their tools, which were not insured." The Musical World, 29/03/1856, p. 203

End : 1914

HART James

Hall's Gravesend, Milton and Northfleet directory, and advertiser, 1865, p. 34

"Established 25 years - James Hart - Piano Forte and Harmonium - MANUFACTURER, 47, HARMER STREET, GRAVESEND. - A large assortment always in Stock of New and Second-Hand Cabinet Cottage, Piccolo, and Square Pianofortes, of superior tone and quality for Sale or Híre at considerably Reduced Charges. INSTRUMENTS TAKEN IN EXCHANGE. The Cheapest House in the Town to Hire Pianofortes. First-Class Pianofortes Lent by the Night, Week, Month, or Year, with the option of Purchase. Pianofortes and Harmoniums correctly Tuned, and thoroughly repaired on the most reasonable terms. HARP, GUITAR, AND VIOLIN STRINGS OF THE FIRST QUALITY, AND EVERY ARTICLE CONNECTED WITH THE MUSICAL BRANCE, THE ORGAN, PIANOFORTE, AND VIOLIN TAUGHT,
— OBSERVE THE ADDRESS. 49, HARMER ST., GRAVESEND." Hall's Gravesend, Milton and Northfleet directory, and advertiser, 1865, p. 34

"JOSEPH HART - MANUFACTURER of Improved Cabinet, Cottage, and Square Piano Fortes, Seraphines, Ac. 109, Hatton Garden, London.
J. Hart respectfully invites the Public to inspect his improved Piano-fortes, which, from their peculiar construction, produce a tone not surpassed by those of any other maker; they are manufactured in an elegant form, of the best and wellseasoned materials, and are offered at a very reasonable price for ready money. Every instrument is warranted.
THE SERAPHINE. Having paid particular attention to the manufacture of this useful instrument, J. Hart presents it to the Public as the most perfect of the kind; its defects have been remedied, particularly those of not replying to the touch, and also the difficulty nf supplying the wind, hitherto so much complained of. The action of the bellows is now rendered so easy, that it may be worked without the least fatigue, while the varied qualities of tone, de. licate and soft, or powerful, at the pleasure of the performer, renders It capable of giving effect to an y Organ Music, and it will be found equally adapted either for the Church, Chanel, or the Drawing Room." The Musical World a weekly record of Musical Science, Literature, and ..., 1838, p. 15

'Pianoforte-maker', Music engraver and publisher ca. 1838-52

(continuation)

"Coronation Anthem. O Lord by whom sovereigns reign, composed expressly for the Coronation of Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, by Thos. Jarman (author of the 'Sacred Harmonica', 'Voice of Melody', &c. Price ls. Published by J. Hart, 100, Hatton Garden, Music seller and Manufacturer of Improved Cabinet and Cottage Pianofortes, Seraphines, &c., which combine brilliant and powerfull tone, superior touch - elegant form, and the greatest durability. Every Instrument is Warranted, and Six Months' Trial Allowed." The Musical World a weekly record of Musical Science, Literature, and ..., 1838, p. 140

"J. HART, 109, HATTON GARDEN, Manufacturer of Improved Cabinet, Cottage, and Piccolo Pianofortes, which combine Brilliant and Powerful Tone, Superior Touch, Elegant Form, and the greatest durability.
Piccolo Pianofortes from 28 to 35 Guineas
Cottage Ditto from 30 to 40 Ditto
Cabinet Ditto from 40 to 60 Ditto
A liberal allowance to Country Dealers, Merchants, and the Profession." The Musical World, 23/O5/1839, p. 64

'From Broadwoods'

'Pianoforte-maker' since 1857

HARTLEY Stephen (**1880)

HARTLEY Stephen & Sons (18??)

'Pianoforte-maker' ca. 1852-97

CAPEROE & HASTELOW (**1852)(untill 1891), see also CAPEROE

HASTELOW Henry (**1882)(**1884)

HASTELOW Henry & Co (*1893)

Pianoforte-maker and/or pianoforte dealer ca. 1866

28, Leicester Square (*1895)(*1897), Denman Street, Piccadilly Circus (*1899)(*1903)(*1906)(*1907)(*1909)(*1910), London

19, Buckingham Road, Kingsland, N. (**1891)(**1895), 2-4, Tottenham Road, N. (**1891)(*1895)(**1895)(*1897)(*1899)(*1903)(*1906)(*1907)(*1909)(*1910)(*1914)(*1915), London

Square pianoforte of 1772, Private collection Lord Hotham, Yorkshire, England, U.K.
Square pianoforte of 1772, Städtisches Museum, Brunswick, Germany
Square pianoforte of 1774, Eric Feller Early Keyboard Instruments Collection, Germany
Square pianoforte of 1786, Stiftung Lebensfarben, Berlin, Germany (p. 15)
Square pianoforte n° 325 of 1792, Fairfax House, U.K.

1850 - "Court for relief of insolvent debtors. [...] Robert Hay, formerly of No. 152, Grove-street, Camdentown, and of No. 30, Cromer-street, Gray's-inn-road, Pianoforte Maker, carrying on such business at No. 30, Cromer-street aforesaid, in copartnership with Charles Alexander Hammar, under the style of Hammar and Hay, then of No. 152, Grove-street aforesaid, and now of No. 90, Charlotte-street, Fitzroy-square, both in Middlesex, Pianoforte Maker." The London Gazette, 1850, p. 273

HAMMAR & HAY (**1850), see HAMMAR, just above

London

4, Royal Exchange Buildings, E.C. (*1906)(*1907)(*1910), 80, Cornhill, E.C. (*1914)(*1915), 26, Old Bond Street, W. (*1914)(*1915), London

Abergaveny, Brecon, Hereford (Wales)

'Pianoforte-maker' ca. 1891-1914

HELBY Charles & Co (**1891)(**1895)

HELBY Charles (*1914)

22, Baker Street, W. (**1891)(**1895), 6, Lower Seymour Street, W.C. (*1893), 108, Victoria Street, S.W. (*1914)(*1915), London

PARIS - "Hemingway & Thomas ; Fabricants de pianos ; 27, Victoria Road, Kentish Town, London.
Un piano, classe 4, modèle anglais, en bois de rose.  
Un piano, classe 4a, modele allemand, en bois de noyer.  
Un piano, classe 6a, modele parisien, en bois de noyer.  
Tous sont enregistrés, et ont de nouveaux ornements." Catalogue officiel de la section anglaise, 1878, p. 66 (archive.org)

27, Victoria Road, Kentish Town (**1878)(**1885), Lewis Street, Victoria Road, Kentish Town, N.W. (**1882)(**1884)(**1891)(**1895), [27], Victoria Road, Kentish town, N.W. (*1893)(*1895)(*1897)(*1899)(*1903), 15, Victoria Road, Kentish Town, N.W. (**1895)(*1906)(*1907)(*1909), London

11-13, Northgate Street (*1910), London

HENDERSON James & Son (**1882)

7, Grafton Street, Fitzroy Square, W. (**1870)(**1882)(*1893), 230, Marylebone Road, W. (**1882), London

Nameplate on a KIRKMAN pianoforte, hammerfluegel.info

HEPWORTH ORGAN & PIANO Co

45, Hampstead Road, N.W. (**1895), London

HERMITAGE Lindsey Ltd. (??)

HERMITAGE & Sons (**1901)(**1904), piano merchants

258, Clapham Road, S.W. (**1901)(**1904), 23, Knight's Hill Road, W. Norwood, S.E. (**1904), London

Beethoven Hall, Eastbourne

St. Leonards

Hastings

Turnbridge Wells

'Pianoforte-action-manufacturers' ca. 1920

 In 1920 BROOKS merged with HERRBURGER in Paris.

"HERRBURGER BROOKS (Lim.), 31 Lyme St, Camden Town, N.W. — Piano actions, keys, hammers, stools and mouldings." The Music Trade Directory, 1921, p. 207

Nottingham

31, Lyme Street, Camden Town, N.W. (*1921), London

(1789 - 1869)

 

Pianino with curved keyboard ca. 1840, The Piano Museum, Hopkinton, Massachusetts, U.S.
Upright pianoforte ca. ?, St. Fagan’s Museum of National History - National Museum of Wales, U.K.

Patent of 1838 : "Daniel Chandler Hewitt, of Store-Street, Bedford-Square, professor of music, for certain improvements in musical instruments. Sealed December 6, 1838. - (six months)." Repertory of patent inventions and other discoveries and ..., Volume 11, 1839, p. 61 - Read more here : Patents for Inventions: Abridgments of Specifications Relating to Paints, 1871, p. 127

(**1855) Richmond, Surrey

'Pianoforte-manufacturers' since 1864

HICKIE Brothers (?)

'Pianoforte-makers' since 1901

HICKLEY T. J. & Co (**1904)

HICKLEY T. J. & Son (??)

HICKS Henry & Son Ltd. (*1914)(*1915)(*1916)(*1917)(*1918)(*1919)

9, London Road, Surry (*1808)(*1814), 9, London Road, St. George's Fields, [Surry] (*1816)(*1818)(*1820)(**1822), 5, Harleyford Place Kennington common (*1843), London

8, Oakley Terrace, Old Kent Road (**1852), London

Pianoforte-makers and/or pianoforte dealers ca. 1895-1910

"HIME and ADDISON, 30, Victoria Street (Late 19, ST. Ann's Square). - Pianofortes and Harmoniums in every variety, by the best makers. Cabinet Organs by Mason and Hamlin, New York. Pianofortes Tuned and Repaired by experienced London Artisans. Instruments taken in exchange. New Music at half-price. Manchester. 30, Victoria Street. Manchester." Monthly Musical Record, 1872, p. 154

Pianoforte-makers and/or pianoforte dealers ca. 1818-72

18, Hamilton Square (**1872), Birkenhead

1823 - "Notice is hereby given, that the Partnership heretofore subsisting between us the under signed; Jno. Hingston and Jno. Dixon, Organ-Builders, Piano-Forte-Makers, &c. of 41, Cirencester-Place, Parish of St. Mary-le-Bone., in the County of Middlesex, is this day dissolved by mutual consent; and that all debts due and owning to and from the said late Partnership concer?? will be received and paid by the said Jno. Hingston, who will continue to carr on the Piano Forte making, &c. business as usual, at the aforesaid 41, Cirencester-Place ; the Organ-Building business will be carried on by Mr. Dixon, , as per future notice-Witness our hands this 8th day of August 1823." The London Gazette, 09/08/1823, p. 1327

59-60-61, Hatton Garden, E.C. (**1891)(**1895), 113, Cottenham Road, Holloway, N. (*1914)(*1915), London

'Harp and Musical Instrument Maker' ca. 1802

1802 - Bankrupt 9th March 1802, Cobbett's Annual Register, 1802, p. 561 - and - A list of bankrupts ... from Jan. 1, 1786, to June 24, 1806, p. 23

1853 - "Partnerships dissolved. Nov. 15 [...] Hodges, S. and Floyd, R. pianoforte manufacturers, Egremont-place, New-road, Nov. 8. Debts paid by Floyd." The Law Times, 26/11/1853, p. 99

DUFF & HODGSON (*1839)(*1843)(**1852), see also DUFF

CHALLEN, DUFF & HODGSON (*1872), see also DUFF and CHALLEN

"J. F. HOFFMAN, Engelsch Forte-Pianomaker, adverteerd, dat hy alhier aangekomen is met nieuwe FORTE-PIANO’S, die, aan Kenneren, alom hebben behaagd, en dus geene aanpryzing behoeven. Met betrekking der Pryzen zyn dezelve, om byzondere redenen, zeer matig gesteld. Deze INSTRUMENTEN zyn daaglyks te zien en te Koop by J. Meedenbach, wonende in ’t Vorstelyk Wapen naast de Castelenye in ’s Gravenhage, en by Sr. N. Steyger in de Goude Leeuw op de Hoogstraat, het derde Huis van de Weste Wagestraat, te Rotterdam. Gemelde J.F. Hoffman gedenkt alhier eenige dagen te vertoeven." s-Gravenhaagsche Courant 30/10/1791 (Muzikale advertenties in Nederlandse kranten 1621-1794, p. 20)

View in Whitefriargate, The Official Illustrated Guide to the Great Northern Railway, 1857, p. 69

"ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY PIANO-FORTES
By the best Makers, for Sale or Hire on the most Advantageous Terms, AT J. W. HOLDER’S
EXTENSIVE PIANO-FORTE and general Music Warehouse. No. 1, WHITEFRIARGATE, HULL.
NEW COTTAGE AND PICCOLO PIANO-FORTES, FROM SIXTEEN TO ONE HUNDRED GUINEAS. Second-hand Piano-fortes, drim forty shillings to forty pounds. Harmoniums at 6£, 7£, 9£, 14£, 18£, 24£, 25£, 32£, 42£, and 50£. Non-copyright music at half-price.
ALL NEW MUSIC AT THE REDUCED PRICE. Every Article in the Music Trade in great variety at the Lowest Prices.
J. W. HOLDER, N0. 1, WHITEFRIARGATE, HULL." The Official Illustrated Guide to the Great Northern Railway, 1857, p. 59

'Pianoforte-manufacturers' since 1837

HOLDER J. W. (x1857)(x1861)

HOLDER Brothers (18??)

End : 1928

 "The visitor to Hull cannot fail to be impressed with the size of the wholesale and retail places of business, conspicuous among which may be mentioned the establishment of MR. J. W. HOLDER, in Whitefriargate. Upon entering the premises we were startled at seeing the enormous stock of musical instruments. Fiddles for 10,000 performers; pianofortes for all Yorkshire. Orpheus would seem to have made Hull his head-quarters. We have alluded to violins and pianos only, but every kind of musical instrument may be found in this temple of the muses, which is eminently worthy a place among our pictorial embellishments of what may be seen and appreciated at Hull." The Official Illustrated Guide to the Great Northern Railway, 1857, p. 70

Brinsby

Bridlington

"Holdernesse and Holdernesse, Pianoforte Manufacturers (for extreme climates), 444, New Oxford-st., Bloomsbury." The British Colonies : their history, extent, condition and resources, 1851, p. 7 (archive.org)

HOLMAN Edward Walter

HOLMAN John Chapell

LONDON - "18. Mr. Holman is a maker who has evidenly received a suggestion from early instruments. His octavo piano reminds one of the quality in tone of that of the harpsichord, excepting that, in the latter instrument, the strings were set in vibration by the catch of a quill, and in Mr. Holman's piano they are struck by a hammer. The action of the pedals enables a performer to procure the ordinary tones of the piano, or to add the octave throughout á voluntáte. Some years since, Messrs. Kirkman made a few octave pianofortes." Journal of the Royal Society of Arts, 1872, p. 890-891

Successor of Ludwig LEUKFELD

Pianoforte-maker and/or pianoforte dealer ca. 1866

Pianoforte-maker and/or dealer ca. 1855

(? - 1886)

Cottage Grand Pianoforte, Exhibition London, 1861, Cassell's Illustrated Exhibitor: Containing about Three Hundred, 1862, p. 208

Patent Concert Grand Pianoforte, Cassell's Illustrated Exhibitor: Containing about Three Hundred, 1862, p. 208

LONDON - "Mr. Hopkinson exhibits a grand, with a new action, called “the patent repetition and tremolo check action 5” but as the mechanism is not shewn, we can merely remark that it is intended to give such an extreme degree of repeating power, that a kind of tremolo may be produced by slightly agitating the key when down. The dampers consist of wedges of soft cloth, on the German plan." Newton's London Journal of Arts and Sciences, 1851, p. 34

LONDON - "500. HOPKINSON, JOHN and JAMES, 18 Soho Square — Manufacturers. Horizontal grand pianoforte with patent action, on an entirely new principle, giving increased power and certainty to the touch, and adding the tremolo similar in effect to that produced by the voice. Mata, inventor. Rosewood boudoir pianoforte, 6 and 3/4 octaves." Official description and illustrated catalogue of the Great exhibition, 1851, p. 469

LONDON - "Mr. Hopkinson exhibited a grand pianoforte, to which is applied his repetition action recently patented." Crystal Palace, and its contents : being an illustrated cyclopaedia of the great exhibition of the industry of all nations, 1851, p. 202 (archive.org)

LONDON - "500 Hopkinson, J. & J., Fabr., 27, Oxford Street. – Grosses Pianoforte mit Patent." Amtlicher Catalog der Ausstellung der Industrie-Erzeugnisse aller Völker, 1851, p. 67

PARIS - "1997 Hopkinson, J. et J., à Londres, A. — Pianos ordinaires; grand piano perfectionné.
1997 Hopkinson, J. and J., 18 Soho-square, London. Pianofortes." Paris universal exhibition, 1855, p. 70

LONDON - "The display of musical instruments on the British side of the building and the second shows a patent concert grand, with all the modern is very complete. Having already referred to these, however, we now merely introduce representations of two fine pianos, manufactured by   Messrs. John and James Hopkinson, of Regent Street. The first engraving is of a cottage grand, with carvings in the Italian style;  and the second shows a patent concert grand with all improvements. This is inclosed in a case- of admirable workmanship walnut, inlaid with ivory, tulip, box, and king woods, exquisitely carved. But it is not to their cases that pianos owe their chief excellence. "Without tho interior mechanism be of the liret oUfig, all the decoration in the world would render them but boxes of worthless discord. In the pianos of Messrs. Hopkinson — who has not heard them at the Exhibition discoursing "most excellent music," under the guidance of highly-educated fingers ? — the outside ornament forms but the least part of their value. True, they are fine pieces of furniture; but they possess a far higher value, for they are famous musical instruments. To hear them well played is a treat for a professor, much less a mere musical amateur like the writer. In tone, touch, and all the requisites of first-rate pianos, they are perfect — fitted alike for the concert-room or the cottage parlour — brilliant, full, and at the same time delicate, and calculated in every respect to sustain the high reputation their makers have so long had with the musical world. The valuable improvements in the manufacture of pianofortes lately introduced have all been taken advantage of by the Messrs. Hopkinson, the resources of whose establishment enable them to compete, not only in excellence, but also in economy of production, with the best makers in the trade. To go to the Exhibition on a Saturday, and to hear a fantasia on one of these instruments, is a treat indeed; and when we come to consider what a complicated piece of work is the interior of a piano — the strings stretched to a tension equal to a pressure of several tons, and yet one faulty wire putting the whole machine out of order — when we think what ingenious appliances arc necessary before these strings can answer to the light touch of a woman's finger — when we see that all the ends for which such an instrument are fully answered, and we find the English piano a highly-finished and complete box of harmony, our wonder and admiration may well be excited. To say that these instruments are as perfect as they can be made, is to say all that can be said of any piano yet manufactured: to compare them with the instruments of other eminent makers is simply futile. Among the best there can be no better." Cassell's Illustrated Exhibitor: Containing about Three Hundred, 1862, p. 208-209

'Pianoforte-maker' since 1835 untill 1869

According Mario Pizzi and Alfred Dolge, the firm began in Leeds before their establishement in London, in 1835. (1) It was John HOPKINSON who began the firm.

James HOPKINSON came in the firm in 1846, according M. Pizzi and A. Dolge. He retired in 1869. Read more in Pianos and their makers, Alfred Dolge, 1911, p. 247 (archive.org)

HOPKINSON John & James (*1846)(**1851)(*1855)(*1862)(*1865)(**1882)(**1884)(*1893)(*1897)(*1903)(*1906)(*1909)(*1910)(*1914)(*1915) in London, see John HOPKINSON, just above.

HOPKINSON Brothers & co (**1875)

In 1850 they had made 2100 pianos. (1)

FIRE - "London Fires in 1856 [...] Saturday, January 12th. The extensive pianoforte manufactory of Messrs. Hopkinsons in Diana-place, New-road, St. Marylebone." The Mechanics' Magazine, 1857, p. 198 - Read more below.

In 1900 they arrived to make 55200 pianos. (1)

Succeeded by George ROGERS & Son in 1924

Succeeded by WHELPDALE, MAXWELL & CODD in 2001

End : 2003