Henry Mason

Biography

Henry Mason was reared under the best musical traditions of Boston and graduated from a German university, and was imbued with an artistic devotion to music that the text says is still expressed in the near-flawless instruments produced by the Mason & Hamlin Company. In 1854 he formed a partnership with Emmons Hamlin, under the firm name Mason & Hamlin, to manufacture the organ harmonium. Starting with small capital but determined to produce only the very best instruments, the firm achieved almost instant success, going on to develop the American Cabinet Organ and, from 1881, pianos accepted by eminent virtuosos and musicians. Henry Mason, son of Lowell Mason, studied music, art, and philosophy in Germany. On returning to America he perceived the possibilities of Emmons Hamlin's invention and started the house of Mason and Hamlin, whose product, the American cabinet organ, achieved worldwide success. He was the father of Henry Lowell Mason and brother of Dr. William Mason. From Spillane (1890): Henry Mason is named as President of the Mason & Hamlin Organ and Piano Company, which began manufacturing pianos in 1883 using a patented stringing and tuning system based on the violin-bow principle for tightening hair. No further biographical detail is given about Mason himself beyond his office in the firm.

Highlights

• Reared under Boston's musical traditions and graduated from a German university
• Co-founded Mason & Hamlin with Emmons Hamlin in 1854
• Son of Lowell Mason; studied music, art, and philosophy in Germany
• Recognized the potential of Emmons Hamlin's invention and started the house of Mason and Hamlin, whose American cabinet organ "conquered the world"
• Listed as President of the Mason & Hamlin Organ and Piano Company, which began manufacturing pianos with a patented stringing and tuning system in 1883.

Sources

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. I (1911), p. 315; Vol. II (1913), pp. 153, 154.

Daniel Spillane, History of the American Pianoforte (1890), p. 308.

Public domain.