Manufacturer Sherlock-Manning Piano & Organ Co.

Sherlock-Manning Reed Organ

Date1902-1910

DimensionsOverall: 167 × 140.4 × 58.6 cm

Credit LineCollection of Museum London, 2024

Object number2024.001.005

Label TextThere were no firms engaged in piano making in this city from 1885 until the Sherlock-Manning Piano and Organ Co. was founded here in 1902. Both Messrs. J. F. Sherlock and W. N. Manning had been connected with the Dougherty organ company of Clinton, Ontario. Their plant was situated on the corner of Pine and Elm Streets in London. For the first three years, organs only were made. Then they began to manufacture pianos. The sections were purchased from the Otto Higel Piano Action Company of Toronto and were assembled in the cases built here. The core of these cases was made of white wood or basswood cross banded, and then veneered with oak or walnut. These were then sanded and polished, and the actions installed. The oak and walnut were obtained locally, Essex county having a plentiful supply of walnut. Veneer was obtained in the United States. The pianos were then varnished and polished. About 75-90 workmen [and women] were employed in their plant here in the busiest years, 1915-20. These were mostly carpenters, cabinet-makers, and polishers. Machinery was gradually introduced. The various parts were cut to size, and then sanded by machinery. Less skilled wood-workers were thus required. From 65 to 100 pianos per month had been their output - probably an average of 75 per month in the busiest years. The company bought up and closed a factory in Kitchener, the Gourlay factory at Toronto, and Karn of Woodstock. They also purchased the Dougherty plant at Clinton and continued to operate it along with the London plant. They manufactured and sold the type of instrument made under trade names of the firms they had purchased. The company was changed from a partnership to a Limited company, under the name of Sherlock-Manning Pianos Ltd. In 1930, the company added new lines, namely: the manufacture of living room desks, and electrical refrigeration. In June 1930, they sold their London plant to Sparton Radio Co., Ltd. They continued to operate their plant at Clinton, Ontario.

NameOrgan, Reed