1862

LONDON - "3405 Hampton, C. 31, Charlotte - St. Fitzroy-sq. — Improvements in pianos." International exhibition, 1862 : Official catalogue of the industrial department, 1862, p. 54

LONDON - "Mr. Hampton (3405) exhibits a specimen of an upright piano, having ditferent parts in different stages of manufacture, the whole being enclosed in a glass case. The framing has iron tubular screw-struts so disposed that a longitudinal pressure can he put on during manufacture, in anticipation of the tension that will afterwards come from the strings. He has Honourable Mention for the invention." Reports by the Juries on the subjects in the thirty-six classes into which ..., 1862, p. 148

LONDON - "Messrs. Allison and Son exhibit some very good cottage pianofortes one very elaborately carved in oak, design of the time of Charles I. Mr. Hampton, Mr. Harrison, and Mr. Russell exhibit cottage pianos with metallic bracings.

Mr. Hampton also exhibits a very good model of a cottage pianoforte, the sides and front of which are of glass, through which can be seen the construction of the interior, which is so arranged as to afford a side as well as a front view of the different parte of the instrument, the whole giving a very complete idea of the make of a cottage piano." The Illustrated London News, 14/06/1862, p. 616

LONDON - "HAMPTON, CHARLES, 31 Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square, London. Improvements in the construction of first-class pianofortes.
 

No. 6. - THREE UNISONS; SEVEN OCTAVES; IVORY BRIDGE. PRICE 35 GUINEAS.

The principle upon which these pianofortes are made, absolutely prevents settling in the groundwork of the instrument, the long-sought desideratum. - See "Hunt's Handbook." It also improves the tone, renders the necessity for tuning less frequent, and the pianoforte much more durable.

C. Hampton's Cottage Pianofortes are warranted to stand in tune in any climate, and are especially adapted for exportation at prices varying from 20 to 50 guineas.

C. H. begs respectfully to thank those who have so kindly given him their support from his commencement in '51, and to invite the critical attention of the scientific world to his invention of 1860, called "The Double Tension or Compressed Principle," as shown in the glass case No. 7: it will be observed that the "back," or groundwork of the instrument is simply suspended in and otherwise entirely independent of the glass case. The object being to show the construction of the back, and the time and method of applying the compression referred to.

The three tension rods or bars remaining have each a ton pressure on them; three other bars have been applied in the same direction and at the same tension in the treble part of the instrument from its commencement, till it was strung and tuned; hence it follows that six tons pressure has been equally distributed over the piano in the same direction as the strings, before the strings were applied, or even the sounding-board was fixed in its place; it must be evident, therefore, that the shrinking or settling of the groundwork by the pull of the strings,

which do not exceed five tons, is obviated by the application of this principle.

These pianos are especially adapted for exportation, or exposed situations, for three reasons:

Ist. They are compensating in principle, and will not rise and fall in pitch with the alternations of temperature; the iron tubes being of the same length and in the same direction as the steel strings contract and expand in the same ratio.

2ndly. The whole of the internal mechanism having been manufactured on the premises for the last eleven years, is warranted first-class, and

3rdly. The veneering being laid in cement instead of glue, will bear an immense amount of heat or damp before it will strip from the underwood. Upwards of 300 on this principle have been sent out, and not a single complaint has been made against them.

In answer to those who think that metal should not be used in the construction of cottage pianos, C. H. begs to draw attention to the fact that our most eminent makers have hitherto taken the best prizes for grands which have contained the greatest quantity of metal in their construction; and respectfully states that his constant endeavour is to assimilate the cottage to the grand, both in its construction and tone, and leaves the public to judge how far he has succeeded.

C. Hampton's pianofortes may be purchased through any music-seller, at the same price as at the factory; but if purchased direct they will be packed and sent free to the nearest railway station in any part of England, and a warranty of three years given with each instrument." Official Illustrated Catalogue: Class XIII. Philosophical ..., Volume 7, Weltausstellung, London, 1862, p. 105

1865

LONDON - "HAMPTON, C., 31, Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square, W — Compressed Piano Forte Manufacturer. Honourable Mention, International Exhibition, 1862, for the Invention of Important Improvements in the Construction of Cottage Pianos." Debrett's Illustrated Peerage, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, 1865, p. 501

1885

LONDON - "3644. HAMPTON, CHARLES, & CO., 74 Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square, London, W. (1) The Royal College of Music Piano. (2) Upright Pianos of new with model of action. construction. (3) Model showing construction with model of action." Official Catalogue, 1885, p. 318