Editing Chappell & Co. (section)

==Founding (1811)==

The partnership that became Chappell & Co. was formed on December 3, 1810, by three men: '''Samuel Chappell''' (c. 1782–1834), a pianist; '''Francis Tatton Latour''', a music professor; and '''[[Johann Baptist Cramer]]''', one of the most celebrated pianists, composers, and teachers in London at the time. The firm opened for business on January 1, 1811, at 124 New Bond Street, operating as a combined sheet music retailer, musical instrument shop, and publisher. One of its earliest publications was Cramer's own ''Studies for the Pianoforte'', which went through many editions. In 1812, the firm opened a dedicated "Ware room" on the premises displaying cabinet pianos, squares, and grand pianos — instruments not yet made by Chappell itself, but personally selected by Cramer and Latour, a distinction the firm advertised to the nobility and gentry.

In January 1813, Cramer convened a meeting of professional musicians at 124 New Bond Street, from which the [[Philharmonic Society]] (later the [[Royal Philharmonic Society]]) was born. Chappell was closely linked to the Society for many years. Cramer withdrew from the partnership in 1819 and Latour in 1826, leaving Samuel Chappell as sole proprietor. In the early 1820s, Chappell's was awarded the [[Royal Warrant]].

A letter from [[Ludwig van Beethoven]] to his friend Ferdinand Ries, dated 1819, later came into Chappell's possession. In it Beethoven wrote: "Potter says that Chappell's in Bond Street is now one of the best publishers" — an endorsement the firm treasured.