By Peaceinpianos - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=65883475
An article written in the late 20C stated that there were only three remaining factories constructing pianos in the UK still in existence. One such piano factory was operating in Clapham, South London. This company, Whelpdale, Maxwell and Codd manufactured six different brands of piano including Welmar, Marhsall and Rose, Broadwood, Bentley and Knight. The Welmar brand was apparently named after the names Whelpdale and Maxwell.
Whelpdale and Maxwell initially sold Bluthner pianos from Leipzig in the UK. After WW1 the company needed to be able to market a non-German piano. They commissioned Cremona Ltd in Camberwell, London to make pianos using the Welmar name. This factory burnt down in 1929 and after that Whelpdale and Maxwell began constructing the Welmar pianos in Clapham. By 1935, the company now named Whelpdale, Maxwell and Codd, had acquired the designs from the Cremona factory and began constructing the Welmar pianos.
According to some views, the Welmar pianos retain some of the characteristics of the Bluthner pianos.
The production of new pianos from the Whelpdale, Maxwell and Codd factory ceased in 2003.
As far as I can tell, the names of the owners of the company were William Whelpdale, William Maxwell and George Ernest Codd or possibly his son, John George Codd.
From an advertising brochure from the 1950s in New Zealand.
PapersPast New Zealand
1946 – an advertisement in the Evening Star dated 23rd October 1946 states in a Beggs advertisment ‘Welmar from the famous “Bluthner Company”. This is the artist’s piano; wonderful tone, fitted with the latest overstrung, underdamper action, and delicate touch’.
1946 – in the Evening Star dated 2nd November 1946 there is an article for Chas. Begg and Co Ltd advertising the Welmar piano. They state that it is ‘The High-Class British Piano; the artist’s piano; fitted with a very delicate touch; overstrung, underdamper and great tone’.
1948 - in the Kaikoura Star dated 8th July 1948, the Welmar piano is advertised as being ‘formerly Bluthner’ in a Charles Begg and Co. Ltd advertisement.
And in the same year on the Otago Daily Times dated 21st August 1948, the Charles Begg Co is advertising the Welmar piano, this time they state that the case is finished in mahogany and walnut.
1949 - the following is from an article in the Otago Daily Times dated 24th September 1949.
Otago Daily Times 24th September 1949
1953 – in the Press dated 21st April 1953 there is an advertisement selling a Welmar piano by the Christchurch Recordings Ltd. It states that this piano was especially imported for studio use.
1960 – the Welmar pianos are being advertised by Beggs Co. The Press 16th September 1964 states that the Welmar is ‘an outstanding world-renowned British Piano. Exceptionally full resonant tone and responsive touch. 7.5 octaves. Overstrung Schwander action. Attractive Walnut or Mahogony case. A truly superb instrument for every home. Height 3ft 10in. From £340, or £34 deposit, and £3/9/2 weekly.
And in the same year the Press dated 26th September 1960, there is an advertisement of the Government Stores Board selling off various items. One mentioned is a Baby Welmar Grand, used 4ft 10in used by the New Zealand Broadcasting Service in Palmerston North.
William Whelpdale born 1853
1871 – William Whelpdale is living with his family in Marylebone where his father is an upholster. William John Whelpdale is working as a clerk.
1881 – William Whelpdale is living in Marylebone with his wife, Adelaide, their daughter and three servants. His occupation is listed as a house furnisher.
1889 – in the London Gazette dated 31st May 1889 there is a notice stating that ‘the Partnership, which has for some time past carried on by William Whelpdale and William John Whelpdale under the firm of Wm Whelpdale and son, at 404 and 406 Edgware-road in the county of Middlesex, in the trade of cabinet makers and upholsterers, was this day dissolved by mutual consent. – As witness our hands this day 20th May 1889’.
1891 – William Whelpdale is living in Marylebone with his wife, two children and two servants. He is listed as a pianoforte merchant.
1901 – William Whelpdale and his some Arthur are living in Beckenham, London. William is working as pianoforte merchant employing 5 men and his son is a commercial clerk.
1902 – death of William Wheldpale’s father also called William. Probate is granted in 1903 to his widow, son William John Whelpdale joint stock company’s director and his sister Helen Rose Whelpdale. Effects £20392. His father was an upholsterer in 1867 when William John Whelpdale’s grandfather dies.
1909 – William Whelpdale’s son Arthur William is married to Beatrice Lillian Eteson on the 4th December 1909 in Brompton. Arthur is a company director and his father William John Whelpdale is a gentleman. One of the witnesses is Lillian Codd, wife of George Ernest Codd.
1911 – William Whelpdale is living at St James Court by himself, he is a widower and he is the director of a company engaged in the sale of pianofoetes.
1914/5 – death of William Whelpdale on the 22nd December 1914, probate to Walter Ford Andrewes, Herbert Edward Andrewes and George Ernest Codd bank manager. Effects £32475 11s 8d.
William Maxwell born 1842
1881 – William Maxwell is a boarder with a family where the head is a pianoforte dealer, possibly importing German pianos. William’s occupation is piano dealer master employing 10 men. He was born in Monaghan, Ireland.
1887 – married Anna Elizabeth Whelpton on the 30th November 1887 at St Barnabas, Kensington. His full name is listed as William Maxwell Yandell Maxwell, and his occupation is gentleman.
1901 - William Maxwell is a pianoforte merchant living with his wife and servants in Hampstead, London. He was born in Ireland.
1911 – William Maxwell Maxwell is staying at a hotel; he is a gentleman and living on independent means. He is listed as being Irish.
1925 – death of William Maxwell on the 14th June 1925, probate granted to James Meadmore and Richard Cowdy Maxwell barrister (his brother or nephew?). Effects £33756 18s.
George Ernest Codd born 1857
1861 – Arthur Ernest Cood, is four years old, living in Marylebone (where he was born) and his father (born in Ireland) is a barrister.
1901 – George Codd is shown as a bank clerk.
1940/1 – death of George Codd on the 28th November 1940, probate granted to widow Lillian Helen Codd, John George Codd company director and William Foot. Effects £10450 7s 1d.
www.thetunersblog.blogspot.com
https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Whelpdale,_Maxwell_and_Codd
https://www.piano-tuners.org/pianotour/welmar_tour.html
https://www.layersoflondon.org/map/records/clapham-park-road