Thomas Loud

Biography

Thomas Loud patented an upright piano in London in 1802, described as having strings running diagonally; Dolge notes it is questionable whether Loud ever successfully built such instruments, and none survive. Loud subsequently emigrated to New York, where he built so-called "piccolo" upright pianos featuring an overstrung scale as early as 1830 -- a notably early use of overstringing in an upright design. No further biographical detail, such as dates of birth or death, is given. From Spillane (1890): Thomas Loud, Sr., an English pianoforte-maker from London, is claimed by Spillane (in an earlier chapter) to be the first known maker to originate overstringing. He settled in New York probably as early as 1816, running a small repairing and making shop at 102 Canal Street from 1822, moving to Walker Street in 1828, and to Broadway near Grand Street between 1831 and 1833. He advertised his London origin on his shop sign, and was remembered by old New York piano-makers, including Henry Hazelton, chiefly for that sign rather than for significance as a maker. On Walker Street he built experimental overstrung piccolo upright pianos, one of which survived for decades and was sketched for this book. Loud employed only a few men, worked mainly at repairing, and never exhibited at New York or Philadelphia shows. He died in February 1834 at 52 Vandam Street, New York. His relationship to the Loud family of Philadelphia piano-makers was later confirmed by correspondence: he was their father.

Highlights

• Patented an upright piano in London in 1802 with strings running diagonally.
• Emigrated to New York, where he built "piccolo" upright pianos with an overstrung scale as early as 1830.
• Produced an upright piano in London in 1802 that, per his patent specification, anticipated the build and general characteristics of the modern instrument, though it is not known whether he ever carried the plan through
• Patented a diagonal-strung, portable upright piano in Britain in 1802; Spillane argues the specification anticipates 'overstringing.'
• Emigrated to New York, where he built overstrung 'piccolo' uprights as early as 1830, and died there in 1834.
• Possibly the uncle or father of the Loud family of Philadelphia piano makers.
• In 1837, in imitation of Henry Hartye, introduced a "metallic supporting brace" on the wrest-plank of the piano to carry the tuning-pins
• This device was included in Loud's 1837 patent, partially illustrated in the book
• Credited by Spillane as the first known pianoforte-maker to originate overstringing
• Advertised via his shop sign as 'Thomas Loud, pianoforte-maker from London'
• Made experimental overstrung piccolo upright pianos on Walker Street, New York, circa 1828-1830

Sources

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. I (1911), pp. 53, 54.

Daniel Spillane, History of the American Pianoforte (1890), pp. 179, 180.

Public domain.