Lovell Piano maker

[Guy Buckler]

My great great grandfather, Robert Lovell (1815-1895), is described in the Census between 1841 and 1891 as 'Pianoforte Maker' and 'Master Pianoforte Maker'. From 1872 he had a 'Pianoforte Warehouse' at 438 Holloway Road, Islington, London. He regularly advertised his business in the Islington Gazette. Robert's father, John Lovell, had been a 'Pianoforte Maker' in Shoreditch; and Robert's son-in-law, Richard Warr Buckler - my great grandfather - is also described as a 'Pianoforte Maker'; and in 1879 the business is listed as 'Lovell and Buckler Pianoforte Warehouse'. I have been unable to trace any pianos that bear Robert Lovell's name except for one advertised in an auction in 1869 as '6 ¾ Pianoforte in rosewood case by Lovell'. I wonder if anyone has further information about Robert Lovell's business and to what extent he 'made' pianos.

[Bill Kibby]

My Genealogy page...
http://www.pianohistory.info/genealogy.html
explains that in the census records, "pianoforte maker" usually refers to an employee, not in business in his own name. I would expect that when Lovell was running his own business, from about 1872 to 1895, he might have been described as "Pianoforte manufacturer", but apparently not!
Was the "Master Pianoforte maker" 1891?
Buckler only appears with him in my lists between 1879 and 1888.
There are a few Lovell pianos around, but not many, he was mainly producing them for about 20 years. At least one ended up in California.
I used to work for Berry Pianos in Holloway Road, but | don't think I have ever tuned a Lovell.

[Guy Buckler]

Thank you - this is very helpful and it's good news to know that he made a few 'Lovell Pianos'. It is in the 1871 Census that Robert is described as 'Master Pianoforte Maker and Employer'. In all other censuses he is described simply as 'Pianoforte Maker'. In advertisements in the local paper his business is referred to as 'R Lovell's Pianoforte (or Piano) Manufactory. In Kelly's trade directory his business is described as 'Pianoforte Warehouse'.

Richard Buckler is described in 1861 as 'Assistant to Pianoforte Maker'; in 1871 as 'Pianoforte Tuner'; in 1881 as 'Pianoforte Maker'. He died in 1884 and the registration of his death describes him as 'Pianoforte Manufacturer'. Incidentally, he married Robert's daughter in 1865, at which time he was living with Robert's family - he was still living with them in 1871.

In the Commercial Gazette, December 1883, included in Dissolutions of Partnerships is 'Lovell & Buckler, 438 Holloway Road, Piano Manufacturers'.

Would I be correct in assuming that Robert Lovell would not have manufactured every part of his pianos, but would have assembled parts bought from other manufacturers - perhaps he just made the case? From advertisements, it appears he also sold second-hand pianos. And perhaps he bought in complete pianos to sell under a name other than his own?

[Bill Kibby]

Thanks for that extra information.
Almost all piano makers used specialists to make the iron frames, actions and keys, but I have no way of knowing how much of the building was done by Lovell himself.
If you follow my previous link and select the Names page this will answer some of your questions.
If you email Bill@ my website, I can send you the chronology in full, it's a bit big to post here.

[Guy Buckler]

Once again, many thanks. Your information has answered questions I have harboured for a number of years! I wonder if there are any tuners who have found themselves with a Lovell Piano?

[UlkGudde]

Hello Guy,
I have no information about Robert Lovell's business but I do own a Robert Lovell piano. I acquired the piano about 35 years ago. The piano has never worked properly, several keys are stuck or broken, I only have it as a showpiece. By the way, I live in the Netherlands.
regards Benny Gudde