C. C. Briggs

Biography

C. C. Briggs was engaged in 1854 by William P. Emerson, described as an expert piano maker of standing, to improve the quality of the Emerson piano. Dolge credits this effort with such success that a reputation for superior quality was soon established and the Emerson name became a valuable trademark. A portrait of Briggs, shown with his signature, accompanies the text, though no dates or further individual biographical detail beyond this engagement are supplied. From Spillane (1890): C. C. Briggs, Sr. served his apprenticeship in the Boston shop of A. W. Ladd. In 1854 he entered the shop of W. P. Emerson and immediately rose to foreman, introducing the first improvements of distinct value from that date and becoming closely identified with the Emerson piano's musical standing. In 1861 he entered into partnership with George M. Guild, forming George M. Guild & Company; after a long association this partnership was dissolved, and Briggs went into business with his son, C. C. Briggs, Jr., at 1125 Washington Street, later moving to larger premises at 5 and 7 Appleton Street built specially for their use. Briggs & Company were among the first to develop the upright piano's resources for general use. Briggs, Sr. is described as an expert scale draughtsman whose acoustic discoveries relating to upright scales were well known among Boston's practical piano makers.

Highlights

• Engaged by William P. Emerson in 1854 as an expert piano maker of standing to improve the Emerson piano's quality.
• Served his apprenticeship in A. W. Ladd's Boston shop
• Entered the Emerson shop in 1854 and quickly rose to foreman, introducing its first improvements of distinct value
• Partnered with George M. Guild in 1861 (George M. Guild & Company), later founded Briggs & Company with his son C. C. Briggs, Jr.
• An expert scale draughtsman noted for acoustic discoveries relating to upright piano scales

Sources

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. I (1911), p. 293.

Daniel Spillane, History of the American Pianoforte (1890), pp. 172, 173, 174.

Public domain.