EEPOKT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1915. 29 



action shown by this instrument, mop stick with individual brass 

 dampers for each key, was copied by both Albrecht and Taws of 

 Philadelphia in their earlier pianos, and they were perhaps the only 

 American makers to adopt this system of damping. John Broad- 

 wood & Sons, makers to His Majesty and the Princesses, square, 

 No. 420, about 1805. William Southwell, square, about 1805. This 

 maker was noted for his many innovations in piano construction. 

 Astor <& Co., square. No. 3243, about 1805. This firm was founded 

 by George Astor at the beginning of the 19th century, and also dealt 

 in brass instruments, dementi & Co., square, about 1810. Thomas 

 Tomkison, maker to His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, 

 square, about 1810. Wilkinson <£• Wornum, upright. No. 17, about 

 1810 ; one of the first small English uprights made. Robert Wornum, 

 upright, about 1816. Wornum was the first to introduce the small 

 upright, named by him the "piccolo." He was one of England's 

 leading inventors, and many ingenious devices attributed to him were 

 adopted by both foreign and American piano manufacturers. Dale, 

 Cockerill & Co., upright. No. 455, about 1825. Collard <d5 Collard, 

 square, about 1835. 



Paris, France. — Erard Freres & Co., square, finished in 1799; a 

 choice example by these famous piano makers. A. C. Dehain, about 

 1848 ; player piano without a keyboard, being operated with a hand 

 lever, and the music being made on short boards into which steel pins 

 are driven. 



Philadelphia, Pa. — Charles Taws, two square pianos, one about 

 1790, the other. No. 22, finished in 1793, the latter shoAving notable 

 improvement in workmanship over the former; continued piano 

 making until 1833. Charles Albrecht, two square pianos, the first. 

 No. 21, about 1790, the other about 1792 ; best known of the pioneer 

 instrument makers in this country, and the examples in this col- 

 lection show superior skill; retired in 1824. John Sellers, square, 

 about 1794. This instrument is perhaps J:he only American make 

 containing the rudimental German action, all early piano makers of 

 this country having copied the English models. There is a doubt as 

 to whether this instrument was actuall}^ the work of John Sellers, 

 as its primitive construction antecedes any known American make. 

 Harper & Fagan, square, about 1798. Thomas & John Loud, square, 

 No. 80, about 1818. The name stencil reads: "square and grand 

 pianoforte manufacturers, from London." Unlike most other makes 

 of that time, the case is substantially constructed. Emelius N. Scherr, 

 square. No. 2, about 1825. Scherr made pianos until 1852, and his 

 instruments were noted for their general good worlananship and 

 durability. On some he added to his name: "Late Maker to their 

 Majesties, the King and Princess of Denmark." Conrad Meyer, 

 square. No. 240, about 1827. This maker is said to have been the 



