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Vol. 86 July 18, 2026 No. 19

Gustavus Hesselins

active 1742 · Swedish

organ builder spinet maker

Biography

Gustavus Hesselins was a Swedish organ-builder active in Philadelphia. Spillane credits him with making spinets there as early as 1742, a fact offered as evidence that Philadelphia anticipated Boston in producing that class of instrument. He is also said to have preceded Ed. Broomfield, Jr. and others in the building of organs.

Highlights

  • A Swedish organ-builder who made spinets in Philadelphia as early as 1742, meaning Philadelphia anticipated Boston in producing that instrument.
  • Said to have preceded Ed. Broomfield, Jr. and others in organ-building.

Source

Daniel Spillane, History of the American Pianoforte (1890), pp. 47, 48.

Public domain.

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