Charles Challen 1823 - 1909
Charles Challen , Pianoforte maker (1851,61,71,81,91,1901). 1804 Challen Pianos London were Est., their claim to fame is that they made the worlds largest grand twelve feet long. They were later acquired by Barratt & Robinson England (founded 1877 at York Way, Kings Cross, England)
Challen made the largest piano in 1924 for the Silver Jubilee of George and Mary, There may have been two pianos or the one withdrawn repainted and polished and turned out again. This was a letter in the Piano Tuners Quarterly from Challen dated 19th December 1940, saying:
"Particulars of the world's largest grand piano, manufactured by Charles H. Challen & Sons. This instrument was made in honour of the Silver Jubilee of their Majesties King George V and Queen Mary and is the largest grand piano in the world. It has created a profound impression in musical and engineering circles. It is 11ft and 8 inches long, weighs one and a quarter tons, and the combined tensile stress of the strings amounts to over 30 tons. The iron frame alone weighs six and a half hundred weight and the largest bass string is 9ft 11 inches
The experimental work in connection with its production took over 12 months, and the cost amounted to over £600. In spite of its immense dimensions and strength, so perfectly has everything been calculated that it is even easier to play than an ordinary piano. It is a feat of British Piano engineering, which places the British industry definitely on top. It was first shown at the British Industries fair in 1935, where it was inspected by H M Queen, was played to her by Billy Mayerl. At a later date Sir Walford Davies, Master of the King's Music, also played the instrument and in reference to the piano he stated 'it is indeed a glorious instrument. It has the bass or an organ and yet the intimacy of touch and tone of the finest piano I have every played. A great achievement'. It has been used on several occasions for broadcasting. Charles H Challen"
CHALLEN, Chas., London - Est'd 1804 Makers of well-made instruments with a good well-rounded tone and lightish, responsive, touch. Challen built the 11ft 8in Grand, the largest in the world, in 1935. Challen also supplied the BBC with pianos in the 1930s. The company was taken over by Barratt & Robinson in 1971. ". In the Merchant Taylors School Record, Charles Hollis Challen is said to be a pianoforte maker and father of Charles (b.22/11/94) and John Duncan (b.08/12/1887) (both boys attended Merchant Taylor School). Charles Hollis Challen's family home is given as 74 St Augustines Road, London NW1 Charles Hollis Challen was cousin to Thomas Challen. Thomas Challen was born in 1819 in Storrington and son of Charles Challen, auctioneer. The 1881 census he is age 62 and a Wine and Spirit Merchant. Recorded in St. Pancras parish, London at the 1901 census, pianoforte maker. Of Oakley (Oakly) Square, London, ca 1900.
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| Born: St Pancras, London, , , England 22nd Dec 1823 | Baptised: St. Mary's, Marylebone, London, , , England 11th Jan 1824
| | Died: London, , , England 1909 | Buried:
| | Family: Challen of Storrington |
Sources
Census
- 1841 census (member of household - Great Titchfield st, London, , , England)
- 1851 census (head of household - Felanney Place, Westbury on Trym, Gloucs., , England)
- 1861 census (head of household - 3 Berners st, London, , , England)
- 1871 census (head of household - 30 Oakley Sq, London, , , England)
- 1881 census (cousin - Holly Cottage, Storrington, Sussex, , England)
- 1891 census (head of household - 33 Oakley sq, London, , , England)
- 1901 census (head of household - 33 Oakley Sq, London, , , England)
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Timeline
| 22nd Dec 1823 | Born (birth) London, England | | 11th Jan 1824 | Baptised (baptism) London, England | | 1841 | Member of household in 1841 census (census) London, England | | 1847 | Married (marriage) London, England | | 31st Mar 1851 | Head of household in 1851 census (census) Westbury on Trym, Gloucs., England | | 1861 | Head of household in 1861 census (census) London, England | | 1871 | Head of household in 1871 census (census) London, England | | 1875 | Married Emily (Emmie) Hibburd
(Challen ) c. 1835 - 1924 (marriage) | | 3rd Apr 1881 | Cousin in 1881 census (census) Storrington, Sussex, England | | 1891 | Head of household in 1891 census (census) London, England | | 1901 | Head of household in 1901 census (census) London, England | | 1909 | Died (death) London, England | | c. 1909 | Made a will (will) |
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