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.Operating from various locations including Cheapside and Haymarket, the company sold instruments made by leading London makers such as Benjamin Banks and Henry Jay, often featuring the firm's own label or stamp.While the firm itself did not produce violins, James Longman is noted by some sources as having been a flutemaker.
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
17 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 35.5 cm 1770 c. | — | January 2007 | £912 |
| Viola | 42.0 cm 1790 | — | January 2000 | £2,300 |
| Violin | 1790 c. | — | January 1998 | £1,150 |
| Violin | — | January 1996 | £1,092 | |
| Cello | 17-- | — | January 1990 | £8,250 |
| Cello | 1800 c. | — | January 1990 | £5,280 |
| Violin | 17-- | — | January 1989 | £2,750 |
| Violin | 17-- 3/4 Size | — | January 1989 | £330 |
| Violin | 1800 c. | — | January 1989 | £935 |
| Violin | 1790 c. | — | January 1988 | £190 |
| Violin | 1770 c. | — | January 1988 | £440 |
| Violin | 1780-99 | — | January 1988 | £385 |
| Violin | 1770 c. | — | January 1987 | £440 |
| Violin | 1770 c. | — | January 1987 | £99 |
| Violin | 17-- | — | January 1986 | £216 |
| Violin | 1767 | — | January 1983 | £506 |
| Violin | — | January 1983 | £682 |
No results match those filters.
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.
Longman first established his business at the 'Harp & Crown', 26 Cheapside, which was formerly the premises of John Johnson.
In 1769, he was joined by Lukey, and the firm's title changed to Longman Lukey & Co., briefly moving to St Paul's Churchyard in 1771 while the Cheapside shop underwent renovation.
Robert Broderip became a partner in 1775, leading to the retitling of the business as Longman, Lukey & Broderip.
Following Lukey's departure the next year, the title changed again to Longman & Broderip.
The company expanded further, acquiring a new shop at 13 Haymarket in 1782, and establishing new branches in Margate, Kent, and Brighton, Sussex, in 1789.
was at one time a partner in the firm, which ultimately passed to Collard and Collard.
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.
Further Information
- Addresses: The firm operated from the 'Harp & Crown' at 26 Cheapside, briefly from St Paul's Churchyard, and later from a new shop at 13 Haymarket.
- Branch Locations: New branches were established in Margate, Kent, and Brighton, Sussex, in 1789.
- Branding: An example of their branding includes "Longman & Broderip / No. 26 Cheapside / No. 13 Hay-Market / London".
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.
Sell your instrument with Amati
Get started by uploading photos of your instrument for our experts to review.
Sell your instrument with Amati
Get started by uploading photos of your instrument for our experts to review.
