Burling & Burling

1879

"It will be seen by the following letter that foreign makers are not to have it all their own way. Whatever its merits, the double over-strung system has taken root in this country, and English makers would be foolish to be behind the times. Messrs. Burling & Burling have therefore taken the lead, and there is no doubt their example will speedily be followed by other makers :

"SIR, - May we be allowed to invite you, or any member of the trade or profession, to visit our pianoforte warehouses, 62 and 64, Hampstead Road, to inspect the new English double cross-strung oblique piano. This piano we claim to be the first ever manufactured for sale on the double cross-strung system in this country. Foreign makers have for some time past sought to introduce similar pianos,

but of foreign make, into England, and there is, undoubtedly, an increasing demand for them here. We, however, have for the first time in an English factory utilized the double cross-strung system, combined with the solid and lasting qualities which English pianos alone possess.

The retail prices range from thirtyeight guineas to sixty guineas, the pianos thus competing in price price with those of foreign make, and, we think, considerably surpassing them in excellence of touch and tone and in durability of workmanship.

We may also state that we have succeeded in introducing our well-known "celeste pedal action" in the double cross-strung as well as in our other pianos. We repeat we shall be happy to show them to any member of the trade or profession who cares to see them. "Yours, &c., "BURLING & BURLING." Music Trades Review, 15/01/1879, p. 15

"Messrs. Burling & Burling announce that, in consequence of the success attending the introduction of their «English» iron-framed double oblique pianos, they have, in order to meet an extended business, purchased a large freehold factory at Kentish Town, in addition to their present factories at the Goswell Road and Hampstead Road.

This factory, Messrs. Burling & Burling inform us, comprises the whole of the north-east side of Ferdinand Place, Kentish Town, including a handsome factory, built about five years ago, and houses in front, where, after a few alterations, they proposed to extend their premises." The Musical Standard: A Newspaper for Musicians, Professional and Amateur, 11/10/1879, p. 234 & Music Trades Review, 15/09/1879, p. 19

1890

"We regret to state that a large portion of the tools belonging to the employees of Messrs. Burling & Burling were stolen on the night of February 19th, and, as yet, no clue has been obtained. How the thieves entered the factory is a mystery. Some conjecture that one of them might have obtained access to the mill room, keeping in hiding until the "time for action" arrived; others think that the thieves may have secreted themselves in the house adjoining the factory, - lately acquired by the firm, and now connected by passages and a foot bridge to the main building.

The goods stolen were so heavy in weight - being iron planes and other quite expensive tools that the burglars were compelled to leave a portion behind them. As it is, the men have lost nearly forty pounds' worth of valuable tools, and we understand that a subscription has just been started by their fellow journeymen connected with other factories.

Calling, lately, for news, one of the partners, besides giving us information concerning the robbery, took us over the extensive factory, introducing us to the additional floor which has been added, showing us how, by the annexing of the adjoining premises, the part makers, the stringers, the polishers, the back makers, the fitters up, &c., have now a room each to themselves.

All the departments appear to be conducted upon economic principles, -for instance, there are various machines in the mill room, one of which prepared the cheeks in a most expeditious way, whilst another machine produced falls made to the required shape in a few minutes.

Speaking as to the prospects of the home trade, we were informed that the firm's "Early English Model" (made in walnut and in rosewood) was still in large demand; and as to the state of trade for export, -well, the men in the packing room were busy with soldering irons, lining half a dozen cases in which pianofortes were to be concealed from view for a period of five or six weeks." Musical Opinion and Music Trade Review, 01/04/1890, p. 321

1894

"Mr. A. Ingleton (of Messrs. Kelly & Co.'s) will sell on December 5th and 6th the whole of the valuable stock of Messrs. Burling & Burling, of Ferdinand Place, Chalk Farm Road, N. W., consisting of wellseasoned timber, burr walnut veneers, &c., and several pianos, finished and partly finished.

The sale is to take place each day at twelve precisely at Ferdinand Place, and catalogues may be had from Percy Mason, Esq., 64, Gresham Street, E.C.; W. A. Taylor. Esq., 6, South Street, Finsbury, E.C.; and from Messrs. Kelly, 16, Mortimer Street, W." Music Trades Review, 15/11/1894, p. 29

BURLING & BURLING. (In Liquidation.) WITHOUT RESERVE.
BY ORDER OF TRUSTEE. IMPORTANT TO PIANO MAKERS, DEALERS, &c.
THE FACTORY, FERDINAND PLACE, CHALK FARM ROAD, N.W.

"The whole of the STOCK of the above oldestablished Piano Manufacturers, comprising a choice assortment of well-seasoned TIMBER, thoroughly dry and ready for use, consisting of several standard of first quality Pine and Spruce, 700 Beech Wrest-Planks, 10,000 leaves of rich Burr Walnut Veneers, a large quantity of Swiss Pine Belly Wood, 100 sets of Italian Walnut and Rosewood Parts, Mahogany, Walnut, and Pine Boards 50 sets of Ivory Keys-Iron Frames, Plank Bars, Pin Plates Screws, Wrest Pins, Castors, Nickel Bolts-60 Backs, many bellied and strung - 100 jointed Swiss Pine Bellies-Sconces, Ironmongery, Trusses, Panels, Spruce Bracings, Workmen's Benches, Iron Cramps, &c. - several finished and partly finished Cottage Pianofortes; together with the valuable Plant and Machinery, including a Combination Vertical Fall Shaping and Planing Machine, a 16in.

Planing Machine by Sagar, Circular Saw Benches, Drilling Machines, a 6 in. Table, Circular Saw, and Boring Lathe by Saunders, Cross-cutting Machine, large Iron Safe, 24 by 27, 110 Hot-Water Apparatus by Perkins Co, &c. which will be SOLD by Mr. A. INGLETON, of Messrs. Kelly & Co.'s, upon the Premises as above, on WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY, December 5 and 6, 1894, commencing each day at 12 o'clock precisely.

The goods may be viewed the Tuesday preceding Sale; and Catalogues had, post free, of the Trustee, PERCY MASON, Esq., Chartered Accountant, 64, Gresham Street, E.C.; H. A. TAYLOR, Esq, Solicitor, 6, South Street, Finsbury, E.C.; the AUCTIONEERS, 16, Mortimer Street, W.; and at the place of Sale." Music Trades Review, 15/11/1894, p. 31

1895

"On December 5th Messrs. Kelly & Co. sold off the stock of Messrs. Burling & Burling, nearly £2000 being realized. There was present a large attendance of the trade, the following firms being amongst the buyers Messrs. Brinsmead, Dang mann & Co., Dunmo, Ellis & Hill, Green & Savage, Eungblut, W. G. Evans, Henry Seeger, S. Seager, R. F. Stevens, Strohmenger & Sons, and Yates & Co.

The prices secured for the finished pianos ranged from thirteen to twentytwo guineas. The following items will give our readers an idea as to the other prices obtained :Swiss pine bellies, about 3s. 6d.; ditto belly wood, £4 per box; bracings, 5d. to 6d.; wrest planks, Is. Iod.; parts in burr walnut, f1 per set; check actions, £1; ivory keys, 19s.; burr veneers, 3d. to Is. 7d. per leaf; unfinished pianos, £10 IOS.; sconces, 3s. 6d. per pair. A Sagar horizontal planing and moulding machine secured £15 45., and a Ransome circular saw bench, £7 IOS." Musical Opinion and Music Trade Review, 01/01/1895, p. 259

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