[Rarebooks] FS: 1823 Piano Sostenente Pamphlet in our New Catalog

[Joslin Hall Rare Books]

 From our new Catalog, Bookin'! #10
<http://www.joslinhall.com/Bookin-10.pdf>

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Mott, I.H.R. & J. "Patent Sostenente: Cabinet, Harmonic, Square, and 
Improved Grand Piano Fortes, on the Best Principles, and of First Rate 
Workmanship"
  London, not dated but c.1823.

A pamphlet promoting an instrumental improvement that never quite caught 
on- a piano which would allow each note to be prolonged, like the organ. 
"The Grand Piano Forte, although a most delightful instrument, has ever 
been found inadequate to slow, sacred, and majestic music- as also to 
the delicacy and pathos of expression which constitute the most 
attractive feature of simple melody." The newly-invented Sostenente 
solves all that.

An unpublished Mott family history reveals- "Isaac Henry Robert Mott was 
born in Birmingham in 1790. He initially trained as a physician, though, 
after he married Fanny Rackstrow in 1813, he developed a very different 
career. He established himself not only as a pianoforte maker but as a 
player and composer of some talent. There is also a record of I.H.R. 
Mott's "circulating library" in Brighton, which may have lent sheet 
music to his clients. He was an entrepreneur and relentless 
self-promoter. He took out a patent for a new type of pianoforte in 
1817, which he labelled the "sostinente" pianoforte. He took out other 
patents in the 1840s and 1850s for other initiatives in piano 
manufacturing. He also published a guide to playing the pianoforte in 
the 1820s, floridly titled "I.H.R. Mott's Advice and Instructions for 
playing the Piano Forte with Expression and brilliant Execution". After 
receiving royal patronage in Brighton, he relocated to London in 
partnership with his cousin, Julius Caesar Mott. The partnership was 
dissolved in 1824. Julius went to Leicestershire where he developed a 
successful wine merchant's business. Isaac remained in London, 
developing and expanding the business. His expansion was too great and 
he was declared bankrupt in 1840. Despite this, he was able to continue 
in business, possibly with the help of his father-in-law, a broker and 
no doubt wealthy. He continued promoting the piano company, displaying 
one of his pianos at the Paris Exhibition in 1851. Isaac died suddenly 
of a heart attack while in France in 1855. He was 65."

DESCRIPTION & CONDITION: Disbound pamphlet. 5.5"x8.75". 4 pages. Some 
soil, light wear.

PRICE: $275

A PICTURE=>
<http://www.joslinhall.com/images400/th-40606-cover.jpg>


See more items in our new Catalog, Bookin'! #10
<http://www.joslinhall.com/Bookin-10.pdf>

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