A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Chappell and Co.
CHAPPELL & CO. This musical firm commenced business in January 1812, at 124 New Bond Street, previously tenanted by Goulding, D'Almaine, & Co. The firm consisted of Samuel Chappell, John Baptist Cramer, and Francis Tatton Latour. At the expiration of seven years, J. B. Cramer retired, and Chappell & Co., requiring more space, removed to a nearly opposite house, 50 New Bond Street. Recent enlargements have increased the premises to three houses in Bond St., and the site of a former stableyard as well as of large back gardens of three houses in George Street. The first partnership is noticeable for the establishment of the Philharmonic Society, all the business arrangements for which were made at No. 124. Mr. Chappell further lent his house for the meetings of the Directors, and refreshed the weary ones. J. B. Cramer was then at the zenith of his fame, and the spirit would sometimes move him to play until one, two, or three in the morning, to the great delight of his auditors. When the society had become firmly established, a silver teapot was presented to the lady of the house. At the end of the second term of partnership (1826), Latour withdrew, and carried on a separate business until 1830, when he sold it to his former partner. Samuel Chappell died Dec. 1834, and the business was then carried on for the widow by her sons,—William, the eldest, being 25 years old. Desiring to propagate a knowledge of the music of the Madrigalian era, William (in 1840) projected the Musical Antiquarian Society, which held its meetings and rehearsals at No. 50. He edited Dowland's songs for the Society, and also edited and published (1838–40) a 'Collection of National English Airs,' giving their pedigrees and the anecdotes connected with them, with an essay on minstrelsy in England. This was afterwards expanded into his 'Popular Music of the Olden Time' (2 vols. 1855–59). The business was greatly extended by Thomas Chappell, under a family arrangement by which his elder brother left, and bought the half of the business carried on under the name of Cramer & Co., with the late T. F. Beale as his partner. It was under Thos. Chappel's management that the great extension of the buildings took place, and he was the projector of the Monday Popular Concerts, and the Saturday Popular Concerts which sprang out of them, both of which have owed their success in great measure to the management of S. Arthur Chappell, the younger brother. [Monday Popular Concerts.] A large concert-room had been much wanted at the west end of London, and St. James's Hall was projected and carried out mainly by the Chappells.
The pianoforte factory of Chappell and Co. is in Chalk Farm Road. The average of manufacture is from 25 to 30 pianos per week.[ W.C. ]