John Brinsmead and Sons

After apprenticeship as a cabinet-maker in Great Torrington, he went by foot in 1835 to London, where he was a journeyman piano-case maker.

[1] He began business as a piano maker in 1836, initially with his elder brother Henry (who left the following year) at 35 Windmill Street, Tottenham Court Road.

[1][2] The company gained a reputation for building expensive, well made pianos, and its products were exported across Europe.

[2] In 1883, the company gained the right to place "Pianoforte Makers to HRH the Prince of Wales" on their pianos.

The company became bankrupt in January 1920, after a period of skilled labour shortage and industrial unrest.