Thomas Western c. 1790

We don't know much about Thomas Western, except that he was active at more than one address in London in the early 1790s, and that he legged it to the USA in December 1793.  This apparently hasty move could have been to avoid any difficulty with Longman& Broderip over his alleged infringement of the patent for the Geib escapement action, for which L&B were licensees.  There was a lot of it about in those days. Note the elegant tapered-leg trestle stand.

About three more of his pianos are recorded, two made in London and one in New York.  His activity in America suggests that he was an actual maker, but the fine decorative inlay work on this piano, and another shown below, are strongly reminiscent of the pianos of Christopher Ganer.  We believe, however, that nameboard inlay and calligraphy were elements of maufacture widely sub-contracted to specialists.

Detail of another piano by Thomas Western

The action of this piano is standard for the period, five octaves FF - f3, with two handstops, for damper-lift and buff.  

The strings were replaced as part of a restoration at some time in the past, and although the piano was fully playable with them, the tone would be improved with historically appropriate open-covered overspun strings for about the first twelve pairs, followed by brass, and then steel.  At the same time, the opportunity could be taken to change back to authentic flat-headed pins.

Many early soundboards were under-engineered and subsequently failed, and this one does appear to be a replacement.  At the same time, the original wrestpins were replaced with the square-headed modern type.  

The piano is reported to be in near-playable condtion, just needing a couple of lazy keys to be eased, and to be tuned of course.

It is in Tiverton, Devon; the price is £500. 

Ivory exemption code UGQJ2PEF.

Please contact Tim Hunt    timothy.collinson.hunt@gmail.com

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