Cramer & Co.
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox company
| name = J. B. Cramer & Co.
| logo =
| type = Private
| industry = Musical instruments
| fate = Acquired by Kemble & Co.
| predecessor =
| successor =
| founded = 1824 as Cramer, Addison & Beale
| founder = Johann Baptist Cramer
| defunct = {{End date and age|1964}}
| hq_location_city = London
| hq_location_country = England
| area_served =
| key_people =
| products = Pianos
| owner =
| num_employees =
| num_employees_year =
| parent =
| website =
}}
J. B. Cramer & Co. was an English musical instrument manufacturing, music-publishing and music-selling business in London, founded in 1824 by the musician Johann Baptist Cramer.[http://www.victorianlondon.org/publications/uptodate-19.htm London Up to Date, by George Augustus Sala, 1895 - Travels in Regent Street (Pt.1-4)] on Victorian London.org Its New Bond Street premises closed in 1964 when the company was taken over by Kemble & Co.
History
It was founded in 1824 by the musician Johann Baptist Cramer in partnership with Robert Addison and Thomas Frederick Beale, the company then being known as Cramer, Addison & Beale. Johann Baptist Cramer ceased involvement with the business at the end of 1833 London Gazette, March 7, 1834, page 414 and in 1844 Addison broke from the partnership with Beale, going into business with Robert Hodson who had previously been in partnership with Lewis Henry Lavenu forming Addison & Hodson across the road from Cramer & Co. at 210, Regent Street, opposite Conduit Street.[http://www.booksandcollectibles.com.au/book.php3?book_id=215116738&restrict2=8 "Theme Allemande"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303174807/http://www.booksandcollectibles.com.au/book.php3?book_id=215116738&restrict2=8 |date=2016-03-03 }}, Hunten, Francois, c.1847, London, Addison & Hodson, 210 Regent Street, opposite Conduit Street, & 47 King Street
The business was then known as Cramer, Beale & Co.. William Chappell then went into partnership with Beale but broke the partnership in 1847London Gazette, August 13, 1847 and the business was the carried on by Thomas Beale. Chappell rejoined the partnership London Gazette, January 4, 1859 and finally retired in 1861.London Gazette, August 27, 1861[http://oasis.lib.harvard.edu/oasis/deliver/~hou00272 Chappell, W. (William), 1809-1888, compiler] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703042603/http://oasis.lib.harvard.edu/oasis/deliver/~hou00272 |date=2018-07-03 }}, Harvard College Library The name Cramer, Beale & Chappell was used on publications at that time. In 1862 George Wood went into partnership with the Beales, during which time the name Cramer, Beale & Wood was used. By 1864 the Beales had left the company and the name Cramer, Wood, & Co was then used.
The main premises were at 201, Regent Street and 67, Conduit Street, on the corner of Conduit Street and Regent Street.The Times, March 29, 1832, page 1 This address was associated with the company from the 1820s until the 1890s. In 1873 The Times, November 15, 1873, page 3 the company opened showroom premises known as "Cramer's Great City Warehouse" or "Cramer's City Warerooms" originally between 43 and 46, Moorgate Street, later including nos.40-42.The Times, April 16, 1877, page 14
From 1896 to 1901 the main premises were located at 207 & 209, Regent Street (these addresses having been used by the company since at least 1864), then moving to 126, Oxford Street by 1902. In 1912, the main premises were moved to 139, New Bond StreetThe Times, April 17, 1912, page 4 where they remained until the company was taken over by Kemble & Co piano manufacturers in 1960,{{Cite web|last=Piano Gallery|title=Kemble Pianos|url=https://www.thepianogallery.co.uk/kemble-pianos-for-sale.php|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302195655/http://www.thepianogallery.co.uk:80/kemble-pianos-for-sale.php |archive-date=2018-03-02 }} who, for a limited period continued to use the "J.B. Cramer & Co." name.
Today Cramer pianos are made for delivery to the Far East,[https://www.thepianoshopbath.co.uk/bath/a-history-of-kemble-pianos/ A History of Kemble Pianos] on The Piano Shop Bath, 2 Dec 2012 where the Cramer name has a good reputation, and they are still made to Kemble's traditional British piano designs.
The music publisher Cramer Music is currently located in Watford. It was located in Garrick Street, London from 1991 to 2013.{{Cite web|title=Welcome to Cramer Music - Cramer Music|url=http://www.cramermusic.co.uk/|access-date=2021-04-15|website=www.cramermusic.co.uk}}{{Cite web|title=CRAMER MUSIC LIMITED - Overview (free company information from Companies House)|url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02631835|access-date=2021-04-15|website=find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=J.B. Cramer - IMSLP: Free Sheet Music PDF Download|url=https://imslp.org/wiki/J.B._Cramer|access-date=2021-04-15|website=imslp.org}}
References
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{{Coord|51|30|42.23|N|0|8|38.68|W|scale:3125_region:GB|display=title}}
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Category:Publishing companies established in 1824
Category:Piano manufacturing companies of the United Kingdom
Category:Musical instrument manufacturing companies based in London
Category:Publishing companies based in London
Category:Sheet music publishing companies
Category:Defunct retail companies of the United Kingdom
Category:Music retailers of the United Kingdom
Category:1824 establishments in England