Historical and Art Medals, Numismatic Books

British Historical Medals, Great Exhibition, 1851, Exhibitor’s medal, in bronze, by W. Wyon, awarded to the pianoforte manufacturer John Brinsmead, bust of Prince Albert left, rev. globe in wreath, edge impressed (United Kingdom, Class 10, No. 474), 44mm (Allen 55; BHM 2463; E 1462). Extremely fine (£30-50)

Provenance:
B.M. Greenaway Collection [from A.R. Annis April 1992].

John Brinsmead (1814-1908), the pianoforte manufacturer born at Weir Gifford, Devon, who served his apprenticeship to a cabinet-maker in Torrington, walked to London in 1835 in search of work as a journeyman case maker at a piano factory. Entering into a short-lived business with his musical but somewhat workshy elder brother Henry, Brinsmead subsequently branched out on his own, turning out his first pianos from premises in Windmill street in 1837. By 1841 the business moved to Charlotte street and, according to an account written in 1905, “in 1850, when Mr. Brinsmead was working night and day in preparation for the Great Exhibition of the following year, and his Charlotte street factory was crammed with valuable timber and partly-completed pianos, the entire establishment was burnt to the ground. The blow was a terrible one at the time, and nearly crippled him. His reputation stood high even then, however, and the rest of the trade rallied nobly round him in the hour of his misfortune, supplied him with timber and other necessaries, and helped him over the worst with such good result that when the Exhibition came, he was able to carry off the first award for his pianos.” Sold with much further detail