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Vol. 86 July 18, 2026 No. 19

John W. Jordan

historian/archivist
  • Pennsylvania Historical Society

Biography

John W. Jordan, of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, supplied Spillane with testimony and facts, gathered on the Society's behalf, establishing that John Behrent made pianofortes in Philadelphia in 1775 -- evidence Spillane relies on to credit Philadelphia with producing the first American pianoforte. Jordan also noted that Charles Taws was in business on Third and Union streets in Philadelphia as early as 1789.

Highlights

  • Supplied Spillane with testimony establishing that John Behrent made pianofortes in Philadelphia in 1775.
  • Noted that Charles Taws was in business on Third and Union streets in Philadelphia as early as 1789.

Source

Daniel Spillane, History of the American Pianoforte (1890), pp. 76, 80.

Public domain.

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