Justin Browne Piano

[emmarussell]

Does anyone know anything about Justin Browne? I have an old Iron frame Walnut piano and am interested to know more about it, it's age etc? Any ideas?

[Bill Kibby]

Broadly speaking, Justin Browne's victorian pianos are labelled "H. Justin Browne", with various addresses at Euston Road, but he seems to have dropped the “H” around 1880. Edwardian instruments by J.C. Browne, 154 Brecknock Road were presumed to be a continuation of the same firm,.but directories reveal that he was actually Joseph Charles Browne, a dealer, and was listed quite separately in 1899. "Justin Browne" pianos were later made by Cramer, we would need a lot more information before guessing at the date. See
http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-gen/reports.html

[emmarussell]

I have a little more information, the exact words on the piano are: Justin Browne Euston Road 234 to 245 London.

[Bill Kibby]

This shows us that it is not one of the later Cramer pianos. Justin Browne first worked in the factories of Erard and Broadwood, and his pianos were sometimes described as being among the best english instruments, and their tone and touch were highly praised, although it is difficult to understand why, looking at the surviving examples, which are often quite mediocre commercial vertical- strung overdamper things, with outdated spring-and-loop actions, but good wrestplanks. His addresses in Euston Road varied between 237 to 245, but I have no references to 234. The original firm may have finished in 1909. See
http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-gen/datem ... ianos.html

[dnvrblu]

I have a Victorian Grand upright.
52and 1/2 inch. two pedal mahogany with maple leaf carving and design. around 1876.
Justin Browne.
237 to 245, London Euston road.
217 Cheetham Hill, Holyoak & Son Manchester.
Ivory Keys. Brass candle holders.
It is a piano build for the royalty. Looks so beautiful and plays as it looks great

Victorian Circa 1880 H. Justin Brown Piano Forte by Her Majesty's Royal Letters 237 to 245 Euston Road (e.g. only 9 were made

[dnvrblu]

Hi! My Justin Browne piano built in Manchester- 237 to 245 euston road still sounds great after proper tuning with polished ivory keys and mahogany, maple leaf craftsmanship carving and candelabras.

The sound is sooo beautiful and justifies the music from the classical era, sonatinas and sonatas. I have been playing piano since I was 5 years old and I am now 38.... This is very rare and priceless :)

Maria Sarah Snyder

[Bill Kibby]

Thanks for showing us the photo. Although Browne had a branch in Manchester, Euston Road is in London, where his factory is said to have been. Technically, the "candelabra" are SCONCES, projecting candleholders, which were commonly used on upright pianos until the twenties.

I have no idea what "E.G. only 9 were made" means, nobody sets up a production line to make only 9 of a model. And of what is it an example?

Royal Letters Patent is not a piano made for royalty.

The wording on pianos and advertisements is often laid out very strangely, and it can be difficult to know which words belong together. What exactly does it say on the piano?

Are there any numbers inside the top?

[daniela]

Wow! Beautiful. I've never seen a piano with a candelabra before. It looks priceless.

[justbrown]

Is it true that there was a "Justin Brown" as well as a "Justin Browne"? And does anyone know of one (of either) for sale? I'm asking for obvious reasons.
Justin Brown

[Bill Kibby]

There was a J.C Browne, separate from Justin, Joseph Charles. Perhaps you could paint out the E?