Bruno, Antonio
Antonio Bruno / Anthony Brown
fl.1850-1875
Clerkenwell, London & Australia
It is said, learned violin-making of Joseph Panormo, others state of John Morrison, and became celebrated for his guitars. In 1855, he was living in Rosoman Street, Clerkenwell; but since that period he has been to "the diggings," and has returned with a little of the mineral riches of that land. He is not related to the other family of similar name. - Sandys & Forster, 1865.
Whether or not he learned violin making from Morrison, by the 1820s Antonio Bruno is first recorded in the 1820s at 52 King Street when he went into partnership with Joseph Panormo making guitars, and their joint label refers to them as Joseph Panormo & Antonio Bruno / Maker to the Celebrated Mr. Sor / No. 52 King Street, Soho London, the famous virtuoso who quit London in 1823, to which it is also unclear if he Italianised his name to fit with the Panormo partnership, or if as a maker of Italian descent he later Anglicised it.
The partnership was short-lived. In July 1837 Emma Sarah was baptised at St Andrew's Holborn, the daughter of Anthony and Julia Brown 'instrument maker'. The record places the family in High Holborn, and the 1839 Pigot's Directory puts him at No.28. Tallis lists him at 28 High Holborn as a "violin, violincello and guitar maker." In the 1841 census, Anthony had moved to 40 Upper Rosoman Street, Clerkenwell, still listed as a musical instrument maker, and sharing his address with Alexander Cheffins, a professor of music (moved from 4 Mortimer Street), though the latter seems to have been there only a little time. The Hills report a trade card from this period reading thus:
Despite all of this, no instruments known.
Benjamin Hebbert
www.hebberts.com
References
London Street Views,
fl.1850-1875
Clerkenwell, London & Australia
It is said, learned violin-making of Joseph Panormo, others state of John Morrison, and became celebrated for his guitars. In 1855, he was living in Rosoman Street, Clerkenwell; but since that period he has been to "the diggings," and has returned with a little of the mineral riches of that land. He is not related to the other family of similar name. - Sandys & Forster, 1865.
Whether or not he learned violin making from Morrison, by the 1820s Antonio Bruno is first recorded in the 1820s at 52 King Street when he went into partnership with Joseph Panormo making guitars, and their joint label refers to them as Joseph Panormo & Antonio Bruno / Maker to the Celebrated Mr. Sor / No. 52 King Street, Soho London, the famous virtuoso who quit London in 1823, to which it is also unclear if he Italianised his name to fit with the Panormo partnership, or if as a maker of Italian descent he later Anglicised it.
The partnership was short-lived. In July 1837 Emma Sarah was baptised at St Andrew's Holborn, the daughter of Anthony and Julia Brown 'instrument maker'. The record places the family in High Holborn, and the 1839 Pigot's Directory puts him at No.28. Tallis lists him at 28 High Holborn as a "violin, violincello and guitar maker." In the 1841 census, Anthony had moved to 40 Upper Rosoman Street, Clerkenwell, still listed as a musical instrument maker, and sharing his address with Alexander Cheffins, a professor of music (moved from 4 Mortimer Street), though the latter seems to have been there only a little time. The Hills report a trade card from this period reading thus:
A. BROWN
Violin, Violoncello, and Guitar Maker
49, Upper Rosoman Street
WILMINGTON SQUARE
Near the New River Head
Bows, Cases, Patent Machine Heads &c.
Violins and Guitar Music, Instruction Books & c.
_______________
Instruments Repaired and Exchanged.
N.B. Harp, Gutar, Violin, Tenor and Violoncello
Silver String Manufactory.
Despite all of this, no instruments known.
Benjamin Hebbert
www.hebberts.com
 |
| 28 High Holborn as pictured in 1851 (The British Museum) |
References
London Street Views,
