W.Howlett

[balandins2]

Who is W.Howlett?

[Bill Kibby]

I have taken a special interest in William Howlett, because he was the oldest, biggest name in pianos here in East Anglia, where he claimed to be the only pianoforte maker, and said he had established his Norwich business in 1820. The earliest reference we have been able to find so far is 1830, when he was based at the village of Pottergate Street, not in Norwich itself. If anyone can help with earlier information, we would be pleased to hear from you. We have a 1907 upright piano bearing the Howlett name.

It is not possible to date his pianos by their numbers, but if you post photos of the whole piano, I may be able to estimate its age.