Robert Nunns

Biography

Robert Nunns emigrated from London to New York in 1821 with his brother William, initially working as a journeyman in the shop of Kearsing & Sons on Broome Street. In 1824 the brothers founded Robert & William Nunns at 96 Broadway, which quickly outpaced the other New York pianoforte makers of the day; the firm was an early adopter of French-style piano actions. Around 1827, when the German maker Charles Sackmeister showed them a superior string-and-bridge "scale" he had devised, the Nunns brothers purchased the design outright rather than copy it without payment, reflecting their reputation for exceptional honesty. In 1833 John Clark joined as a partner, forming Nunns, Clark & Company (from 1838, Nunns & Clark), which led the New York trade until it faded out of business in 1858.

Highlights

• Arrived from London in 1821 with brother William and first worked at Kearsing & Sons
• Co-founded R. & W. Nunns in 1824 at 96 Broadway, which quickly became a leading New York piano house
• Purchased Charles Sackmeister's improved piano "scale" rather than copy it, reflecting the brothers' reputation for honorable dealing

Source

Daniel Spillane, History of the American Pianoforte (1890), pp. 150, 151, 152, 153.

Public domain.