A. C. James

Biography

A. C. James, later of James & Holmstrom of New York, learned piano making in James H. Grovesteen's Albany shop. He subsequently worked for Boardman & Gray before becoming a member of another firm, continuing the tradition of the Albany school of piano makers. From Spillane (1890): A. C. James, who the text notes is also discussed in connection with Albany elsewhere in the book, arrived in New York in 1871 under contract with F. G. Smith to superintend the manufacture of Smith's instruments. In 1873 James formed a partnership with a Mr. Holmstrom, and the two started in business together as James & Holmstrom. By around 1880 the James & Holmstrom piano had become recognized in New York as a reputable instrument, with a following of musical people who placed full faith in the firm's capability as manufacturers. James is described, along with his partner, as a practical man who was personally much esteemed, and the firm is said to have done a uniform and satisfactory business. James manufactured pianos in Albany up until 1871, when he relocated to New York City. There he assumed a responsible position in connection with the Bradbury pianos company, marking a transition from independent Albany manufacturer to an executive role within one of New York's established piano-making concerns. The text gives no further personal details, such as birth date or training, but situates James within the broader account of Albany makers who either persisted locally or moved on to larger New York firms as the industry consolidated in the mid-nineteenth century. James, of the present firm James & Holmstrom in New York, began his career as an apprentice, working for a short time in James H. Grovensteen's Albany shop. He then went into the factory of Boardman & Gray, where he acquired a thorough knowledge and training as a piano-maker. In later years James became a member of the firm Marshall, James & Traver, which made a well-regarded instrument known chiefly outside New York City; this firm was later succeeded by Marshall & Wendel, a name well known at the time of writing.

Highlights

• Learned piano making in James H. Grovesteen's Albany shop
• Later worked for Boardman & Gray before becoming associated with James & Holmstrom of New York
• Trained briefly as an apprentice in James H. Grovensteen's Albany shop before completing his training at Boardman & Gray
• Later a member of the firm Marshall, James & Traver, succeeded by Marshall & Wendel
• At the time of writing, a member of the New York firm James & Holmstrom
• Manufactured pianos in Albany until 1871
• Moved to New York in 1871 and took a responsible position with the Bradbury piano firm
• Arrived in New York in 1871 under contract with F. G. Smith to superintend manufacture of Smith's instruments
• Formed a partnership with Mr. Holmstrom in 1873, founding James & Holmstrom, a piano recognized as reliable by 1880
• Also treated elsewhere in the book in connection with Albany

Sources

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. I (1911).

Daniel Spillane, History of the American Pianoforte (1890), pp. 140, 144, 275.

Public domain.