Robert Wales, Pianomaker

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Gill the Piano
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Robert Wales, Pianomaker

Post by Gill the Piano »

Have you got any records re a pianomaker called Wales in about 1830/40 in London (I think) please, Bill? I have a lady trying to date a large upright with silk front and cornice which sounds v. similar to an 1840s Collard which I tuned some years ago.
I play for my own amazement... :piano;
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Bill Kibby
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Re: Wales Pianomaker

Post by Bill Kibby »

Sounds about the right period for Robert Wales, who also made pianos for Monro & May. Or it could be J. Wales, they both disappeared around the 1840s. I look forward to more details of the piano. Any addresses on it? They might help with dates, and identify which Wales it is.
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Gill the Piano
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Re: Wales Pianomaker

Post by Gill the Piano »

Thanks for that, Bill. Sorry, should've said; I think it was Robert Wales. Was he London based?
I play for my own amazement... :piano;
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Bill Kibby
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Re: Wales Pianomaker

Post by Bill Kibby »

Yes, he was at Hampstead Road from the 1820s, and had moved to Charles Street by the 1840s, so "circa 1835" would be a very rough guess.
Piano History Centre
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If you find old references or links on this site to pianogen.org, they should refer to pianohistory.info
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Bill Kibby
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Re: Wales Pianomaker

Post by Bill Kibby »

Here is Pam and Brian's photo of the piano, a typical Cabinet Piano of about 1825. These huge instruments were about nine feet tall, and not made with the ordinary working man in mind. Robert Wales was in business from at least 1822 to 1843.
1825~RobertWalesCabinetGG30157u.jpg
Piano History Centre
http://pianohistory.info
Email via my website.
If you find old references or links on this site to pianogen.org, they should refer to pianohistory.info
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