George Chartres

Biography

George Chartres came to New York from London around the beginning of the nineteenth century and was established as a piano-maker there by 1804, alongside Joseph Waites. On July 8, 1815, Chartres was granted the first patent ever issued to a New Yorker for a pianoforte improvement, though the patent drawing and specification were later lost among other records. Spillane reports that many of Chartres's old pianofortes could still be found throughout New York State at the time of writing, and suggests future investigation might reveal more about his innovation.

Highlights

• Came over from London and was in business as a piano-maker in New York by 1804.
• On July 8, 1815, was granted the first patent ever issued to a New Yorker for a pianoforte improvement (the drawing and specification have since been lost).
• Many of his old pianofortes were reportedly still to be found throughout New York State at the time of writing.

Source

Daniel Spillane, History of the American Pianoforte (1890), p. 106.

Public domain.