John Rudd square piano

[chris rodwell]

Jeanne and I have recently purchased a square piano by John Rudd of Queen Charlotte Row. It is booked in for restoration very soon now. It is said that Rudd learned his trade at Broadwoods and the piano certainly looks that way --- four fluted legs with castors, six octaves, around 1830 perhaps. We know no more than is in Martha's second book and she does not list it or any others under Rudd.

Has anyone else any more historical information and does anyone want more information about this piano?

[Bill Kibby]

I would be fascinated to hear anything you can tell me, or show me, I haven't see any pianos by this particular Rudd. The address is possibly between 1836-1841, judging by the London directories, or "circa 1839". Harding says he was around from 1835 to 1850, and my lists don't show him in 1825 or 1855, although a trip to London would be needed to confirm the dates.

[chris rodwell]

I will write to you with photos etc. The piano is booked in for restoration by Andrew Lancaster so you could see it at his workshop or at our home near Leicester. It is nothing out of the ordinary except that we have not yet found any reference to another made by John Rudd.

[Bill Kibby]

There were several firms called Rudd, but this is probably Stanley Rudd. Is there an address? By 1904, the name had changed to Rudd & Debain. If you have logged in, you will be able to read on...

[Bill Kibby]

Yes, I have some more notes, email me.

[Bill Kibby]

Stanley E. Rudd was in business at 25, Tavistock street, Covent Garden by 1847. Addresses varied 25 / 22 / 35, and he moved to 74 Dean Street around 1852. John Rudd was still in business separately, no connection is known. Later, Albert Rudd was at 74 Dean Street, and claimed to have been established in 1837.

[Bill Kibby]

It has been some time since these posts, and I have not only seen a Rudd & Cie piano, we have it. Have a look at Debain's entry in my Numbers page at
pianohistory.info

The date remains a puzzle.

Looking back, I can't see why I wandered onto Stanley Rudd, when you were talking about John!