London School
James Longman
London, worked 1767–1798
James Longman (circa 1767-1798) founded a prominent London firm of music dealers and instrument sellers, Longman & Co., which evolved through partnerships with Lukey and Broderip to become Longman & Broderip.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 35.5 cm 1770 c. | September 2007 | £912 |
| Viola | 42.0 cm 1790 | November 2000 | £2,300 |
| Violin | 1790 c. | September 1998 | £1,150 |
| Violin | June 1996 | £1,092 | |
| Cello | 17-- | March 1990 | £8,250 |
| Cello | 1800 c. | March 1990 | £5,280 |
| Violin | 17-- | November 1989 | £2,750 |
| Violin | 17-- 3/4 Size | June 1989 | £330 |
| Violin | 1800 c. | March 1989 | £935 |
| Violin | 1790 c. | March 1988 | £190 |
| Violin | 1770 c. | March 1988 | £440 |
| Violin | 1780-99 | March 1988 | £385 |
| Violin | 1770 c. | June 1987 | £440 |
| Violin | 1770 c. | June 1987 | £99 |
| Violin | 17-- | May 1986 | £216 |
| Violin | 1767 | November 1983 | £506 |
| Violin | April 1983 | £682 |
Maker Overview
Life
James Longman (circa 1767-1798) was the founder of Longman & Co., a prominent company of music dealers in London, UK, for whom many leading London violin makers worked in the late 18th century.
Characteristics
- Business Model
- Instruments produced by Longman & Co. were sold by the firm, which acted as music dealers and instrument sellers, rather than as actual makers of violins.
- Instrument Types
- The firm's brand is frequently found on London trade instruments, often of the Stainer or Amati type.
- Supplying Makers
- Makers whose work has been identified with the Longman brands include Henry Jay, David & James Furber, Lockey Hill, and Benjamin Banks.
- Quality
- Instruments bearing their label or stamp are generally considered to be of good quality, as they were made by skilled craftsmen such as B. Banks.
- Flutemaking
- Sources contain conflicting information regarding James Longman's personal craft; while the firm did not make violins, Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes that a J. Longman, located at 131 Cheapside, was a flutemaker.
- Makers whose work has been identified with these brands include Henry Jay, David & James Furber, Lockey Hill, and Benjamin Banks. Longman & Broderip
No. 26 Cheapside
No. 13 Hay-Market
LondonJohn Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Partnerships: Muzio Clementi was a partner in the firm at one point.
- Succession: The business ultimately passed to Collard and Collard.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
LONGMAN, James Worked circa. 1767-1798 London UK. Founder of Longman & Co., a company of music dealers for whom many of the leading London violin makers worked in the late 18th century. His brand is frequently found on London trade instruments of the Stainer or Amati type. Longman first appears at the ‘Harp & Crown’, 26 Cheapside, formerly the premises of John Johnson. Joined by Lukey 1769, the title was changed to Longman Lukey & Co., moving to St Paul’s Churchyard briefly in 1771, while the Cheapside shop was renovated. In 1775 Robert Broderip (Born 1750) became a partner, and the business was retitled Longman, Lukey & Broderip. The following year Lukey departed, and the title changed again to Longman & Broderip. Further premises were acquired; a new shop at 13 Haymarket 1782, and new branches in Margate, Kent, and Brighton, Sussex 1789. Makers whose work has been identified with these brands include Henry Jay, David & James Furber, Lockey Hill, and Benjamin Banks. Longman & Broderip / No. 26 Cheapside / No. 13 Hay-Market / London [BVMA]
George Hart+
They were music-publishers and instrument-sellers, and were not Violin-makers. Benjamin Banks, Jay, and others, made many of the instruments upon which the name of Longman is stamped. Muzio Clementi was at one time a partner in the firm. The business ultimately passed to Collard and Collard.
William Meredith Morris+
They were instrument sellers, and not actually makers. Some of our chief classical makers disposed of their second-rate instruments to them, into which were inserted the firm’s trade label.
Cecie Stainer+
Were not violin makers, but were instrument sellers in Cheapside, London, about 1760, and many of the instruments they sold, marked with their name, were made for the firm by Benjamin Banks, or Jay.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Londoner Firmen, die man in Geigen finden kann. Sie waren aber nur
Musikalienhändler etc. und niemals Geigenmacher; nur ein J. Longman, 131
Cheapside, ist Flötenmacher gewesen. Für Longman & Broderip haben
B. Banks u. A. gearbeitet; daher sind die Geigen mit ihrem Zettel oder ihrem
Stempel meist recht gut.
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Working in London at the same time
Adam Martin worked 1790–1798
Alexander Kennedy worked 1730–1785
Baines worked 1780
Barton worked 1768–1779
Benjamin (II) Banks 1758–1820
Benjamin Hill 1754–1793
Bernhard Simon Fendt 1769–1832
Cadell worked 1798