Robert Wales, London

[Gill the Piano]

This is the maker of a piano which a lady called me about tonight. From her description it sounds as though it's one of the very tall early uprights from about 1840 - silk front, ten feet tall, cornice, fold up music desk - but if you had a rough date when Wales was working in London it'd help. Nothing in Pierce's - what a surprise! Ta, Bill!

[Bill Kibby]

So far, Robert Wales only appears in my London lists in 1822. He was not listed in 1819, but he also made pianos for Monro & May around 1840. His instruments are usually imprinted with RW followed by a number.

Can you email me your up-to-date email address?

[Gill the Piano]

Good, thanks Bill; it means my telephone punt at 1840/50 wasn't too far out!

[Bill Kibby]

I expect nothing less from a trained pianorak!

[Gill the Piano]

[Bill Kibby]

Were you just so impressed that you were lost for words Gill?

Any chance I could have photos of it?

[Gill the Piano]

If my subtly planted suggestion has worked, you might get the PIANO...but they're now away till late next month, so you'll have to be patient. They're anxious that it mustn't be broken up.

[Bill Kibby]

Thanks, I'll have to get the builders in to extend the ceiling!

[Bill Kibby]

Now that I have looked more thoroughly, Robert Wales is not listed in 1819, but appears by 1822 and remains until at least 1843, but seems to have been gone by 1845. A mean date would be "circa 1832".