Cramer & Co.
J. B. Cramer & Co. was a musical instrument manufacturing, music-publishing and music-selling business in London.
It was founded in 1824 by the musician Johann Baptist Cramer in partnership with Robert Addison and Thomas Frederick Beale, the company then being known as Cramer, Addison & Beale. Johann Baptist Cramer ceased involvement with the business at the end of 1833 [1] and in 1844 Addison broke from the partnership with Beale, going into business with Robert Hodson who had previously been in partnership with Lewis Henry Lavenu forming Addison & Hodson. The business was then known as Cramer, Beale & Co.. William Chappell then went into partnership with Beale but broke the partnership in 1847[2] and the business was the carried on by Thomas Willert Beale. Chappell rejoined the partnership, with Thomas Willert Beale leaving it in 1858[3] and Chappell finally retiring in 1861[4][5]. The name Cramer, Beale & Chappell was used on publications at that time. George Wood then went into partnership with the Beales, during which time the name Cramer, Beale & Wood appeared on publications.
The main premises were at 201, Regent Street, on the corner of Conduit Street and Regent Street[6]. The address was associated with the company from the 1820s until the 1890s. In 1873 [7] the company opened showroom premises known as "Cramer's Great City Warehouse" or "Cramer's City Warerooms" originally between 43 and 46, Moorgate Street, later including nos.40-42 [8].
From 1896 to 1901 the main premises were located at 207 & 209, Regent Street, then moving to 126, Oxford Street by 1902. In 1912, the main premises were moved to 139, New Bond Street[9] where they remained until the company was taken over by the Kemble Piano Group in 1964, who, for a limited period continued to use the "J.B. Cramer & Co." name. Today Cramer pianos are made for delivery to the Far East, where the Cramer name has a good reputation, and they are still made to Kemble's traditional British piano designs.
References
- ^ London Gazette, March 7, 1834, pg.414
- ^ London Gazette, August 13, 1847
- ^ London Gazette, January 4, 1859
- ^ London Gazette, August 27, 1861
- ^ Chappell, W. (William), 1809-1888, compiler, Harvard College Library
- ^ The Times, March 29, 1832, pg. 1
- ^ The Times, November 15, 1873, pg. 3
- ^ The Times, April 16, 1877, pg. 14
- ^ The Times, April 17, 1912, pg. 4