Editing Chappell & Co. (section)

==The Chappell Family Era (1834–1925)==

Samuel Chappell died in 1834, leaving a widow, '''Emily Chappell''' (née Patey), and three sons — William, Thomas, and Arthur. Emily took control of the business. '''William Chappell''' (1809–1888) managed the firm on behalf of his mother before departing around 1843 to join Cramer & Co. and later to found the Percy Society and the Musical Antiquarian Society. His younger brother '''Thomas Patey Chappell''' (1819–1902) then took charge and steered the company through its most significant period of growth.

Thomas focused the publishing business on musical theater — a specialty that remained central to Chappell's identity for the rest of its independent existence. Major publications under his direction included the [[Gilbert and Sullivan]] operettas, the music of [[Arthur Sullivan]], [[Charles Gounod]]'s ''Faust'', and [[Michael Balfe]]'s ''The Bohemian Girl''. Thomas also conceived and co-sponsored the Monday and Saturday Popular Concerts at [[St. James's Hall]] beginning in 1859; his younger brother Samuel Arthur Chappell managed the concerts until they concluded in 1901. Thomas was a founding member of the Music Publishers Association and served as its first chairman from 1881 to 1900. He was also one of the original directors of the [[Royal College of Music]] and an original governor of the [[Royal Albert Hall]].

The firm began manufacturing its own pianos in the 1840s, opening a factory in Phoenix Street, Soho, before relocating to a larger facility at Chalk Farm. In 1896, Chappell & Co. was formally registered as a limited company. In 1901, the piano manufacturing side was incorporated separately as Chappell Piano Co., Ltd. By 1922, the factory was producing over one hundred grand and upright pianos per week. In 1929, the piano company expanded by acquiring Allison Pianos and Collard & Collard, and in 1938 acquired John Strohmenger & Sons.