Goulding & Co, a firm of music publishers, sellers and instrument makers, was created in 1785 by George Goulding.
Thomas D'Almaine (c.1784-1866) and Phipps joined George Goulding's existing company in 1789. The company was subsequently known as Goulding, Knevett & Co (1803-1816 in Dublin), Goulding & D'Almaine, or Goulding, D'Almaine & Co. and several other varieties(until 1823). They entered a partnership with James Wood and Potter. The firm specialised in woodwind instruments and pianos. The name changed in 1834 to D'Almaine & Co. In 1847, D'Almaine retired to be succeeded by his nephew Thomas Macinklay, who had joined the firm in 1840. In 1866, D'Almaine and Mackinlay died, effectively ending the company's operations. The firm's name continued until 1934 under different patronage, mainly producing pianos.
This great firm was commenced initially by George Goulding, who was probably in business before 1784. He issued sheet songs from the pantomime of Don Juan, acted in 1787, and other sheet music prior to and contemporary with this.
His address at this time was at “The Haydn’s Head, No. 6. James Street, Covent Garden,” and shortly afterwards, an additional one at 17 Great Turnstile, Holborn. About 1790, this latter gave place to one at 113 Bishopsgate Street, but while keeping his principal place of business in James Street, these two latter addresses must have been only in force for a short time.
From James Street, he issued annual sets of twenty-four dances in oblong octavo. One of these is for 1792, and on it is advertised a collection by Mr Carter for the year 1788. Another yearly set of dances from James Street is for 1797. Early in 1799, he moved to 45 Pall Mall and took others into partnership.
The new firm was styled Goulding & Co., or Goulding, Phipps, & D’Almaine, and they became music sellers to the Prince and Princess of Wales. In 1803, they took additional premises at 76 St. James Street, and in 1804-5, they gave both these addresses up and removed them to 117 New Bond Street, with an agency at 7 Westmoreland Street., Dublin.
In 1808-9, the number in New Bond Street was changed to 124. Phipps retired from the concern about this time and probably commenced business on his own account. The firm was now Goulding, D’Almaine, & Potter.
At the end of 1811, they removed their London address to 20 Soho Square, and 124 Samuel Chappell took the shop at New Bond Street. The firm remained at 20 Soho Square till 1858. Sometime between 1830 and 1837, Goulding’s name was dropped from the firm, which was then D’Almaine & Co., and in 1838, they advertised a catalogue of 200,000 engraved plates.
In late years, the name of the firm was D’Almaine & Mackinlay, and in 1867, the whole stock and plates were sold off by auction, owing to the death of Mr D’Almaine, which occurred in 1866 in his 83rd or 84th year.
Hi Ian
ReplyDeleteVery glad to come across your Blog which is absorbing and impeccably researched. I am interested in the life of Thomas Potter and his association with Ralph Allen and Prior Park etc. As a Hell Fire Club member I have been trying to ascertain whether Potter and his associates practised any of the Club's rites and rituals at the home of Ralph Allen, Prior Park; particularly in the tunnels and caverns beneath the mansion house and further down and towards the Vale of Widcombe? Potter et al are likely to have been keenly aware of the practising Neo-Paganism of John Wood the Elder and potentially very aware of Wood's Druidism and its magical content. The wealth of Ralph Allen and the political grouping surrounding him (Broardbottoms etc) play into the story of the introduction of Freemasonry to the UK in the 18th century and henceforth its power and connection to political power and wealth.
I wonder if you might be able to cast light upon such observations.
Further, I noticed that the Pupils at Prior Park in the 1830s were taught dance at the college and performed on their Prize Day. It was highly regarded in their curriculum.
For those so interested Prior Park has a very interesting spiritual history and as a former pupil I can testify to interesting experiences there. Good wishes, Vivian