Hardman pianos were noted for their technical qualities, for their purity, delicacy, the artistic beauty of their cases, and for their remarkable durability.
Hugh Hardman retired in 1879, leaving the firm to his son John, who continued to operate with great success.
During this partnership, the firm was granted several patents for improved piano building, and their instruments were known to be of superb quality and design.
Sometime in the Great Depression era, industrial giant Aeolian took over Hardman, Peck & Company, and continued to build pianos under that name until the 1980s.
Larry Fine, the author of the pianobuyer.com, recently elevated the entire Hardman line up one level in the bi-annual guide's ratings, singling out the Model 45F as a staff pick saying it is a "good value and well constructed.