Chickering & Sons Advertising Cover ca. 1857 to 1861

A Chickering & Sons advertising cover in my collection is from ca. 1857 to 1861 and an early example of this type of advertising for pianos. In 1854, the company’s new five-acre complex was the largest factory in the country. In fact, for a time it was the second largest building in the country, second in size only to the U. S. Capitol. Then, in the 1860s, the Steinway company overtook Chickering to become the largest piano maker in the United States. However, the competition between the two companies was fierce well into the twentieth century.

While this blog typically examines postage stamps, postal covers featuring musical topics are also of interest to me. You can read about an 1845 stampless cover bearing the name of music publishers Breitkopf & Härtel here.

Like many other businesses, the Chickering Company took advantage of every possible avenue to market their products. The advent of envelopes (first U.S. patent dates from 1849) brought on the possibility of decorating them with logos and eye-catching designs. Inevitably, business saw an opportunity for advertising. Such used envelopes are, in philatelic terms, advertising covers. Learn more at this helpful site. One of the larger music companies active in the 1850s, and therefore able to capitalize on this new idea, was the Chickering piano company of Boston.

The Stamp

The dating of this cover is from the use of the perforated version of the 3 cent Washington dull red stamp, scott number US 26. This is the first perforated US stamp. The design is the same as a 3 cent imperforate stamp available from 1851 until 1857. Read more.

The cover does bear a cancel, however, it is far to indistinct to make out any letters. In the center there appears to be a numeral 3, maybe with a 1 in front. Yet, it is impossible to know from where the envelope originates or make out an actual date.

The Envelope

Of course, as an advertising cover, it is the imagery on the envelope that is of great interest. This example has an covering the envelope, but faintly printed to allow writing on top. The depiction here has a grand pianoin the upper left hand corner. To the right of the piano are the words: Chickering & Sons / Manufacturers, / BOSTON. Below the piano, along the left edge of the envelope, is: 694 / BROADWAY / NEW YORK.

In addition to their factory, Chickering had a series of showrooms in major cities across the country. One of their premier showrooms around 1860 was in New York City at the address on the envelope: 694 Broadway. Chickering left this location in 1877 when they built a large show room and concert hall at 130 5th Avenue further uptown.

This envelop must have carried a piece of business correspondence from this Chickering location. Making it even more interesting, however, is that it is addressed to the then head of the company, Thomas E. Chickering, in Boston.

The Chickering Company

The piano maker Jonas Chickering was born in Mason Village, New Hampshire. He was first an apprentice to a cabinet maker for three years, before moving to Boston. There, he learned piano building from John Osborn. The Chickering piano company began in 1823 when Chickering and piano maker James Stewart went into business. That partnership would last for four years. After a brief period of solo-ownership, Chickering was partners with John Mackay by 1830.

In 1837, Chickering and Mackay hired Alpheus Babcock, formerly an independent piano builder. Babcock was responsible for the invention of the cast-iron frame and other innovations. His designs would help push Chickering pianos to the top of the piano industry. Unfortunately, in 1841, John Mackay was lost at sea and Chickering became the sole proprietor.

The Chickering factory burned down in 1852. After that, Jonas undertook to build a sprawling facility that would be the largest factory in the entire country. However, before it could open, Jonas Chickering died in 1853. Chickering’s sons took over the company, renaming it Chickering & Sons. Thomas Edward Chickering, the eldest son of Jonas, took over the primary responsibilities of running the company. He is the addressee of this cover.

Of further interest, Thomas Chickering was a member of the New England Guards, a state militia beginning in the 1850s. With the outbreak of the Civil War, he was given command of the 41st Massachusetts infantry. In this role, he would serve in Louisiana, eventually commanding an expedition to Opelousas in charge of seven infantry regiments. He would later receive the honorary rank of brevet brigadier general.

Following the War, Thomas Chickering resumed running the company. Under his leadership, Chickering pianos were to receive several patents for new innovations and when they were exhibited at the 1867 World Exposition in Paris they gained great attention. Thomas was honored with membership in the Légion d’honneur. Unfortunately, Thomas Chickering died in 1871 at the age of 47.

Masonic Temple

The last thing I want to mention about the cover is that it is sent to T. E. Chickering at the Masonic Temple in Boston. A quick search reveals that Jonas Chickering was a high ranking Mason and its likely Thomas was a member as well. However, more importantly, the Chickering firm had offices in the Masonic Temple for a time. You can see the address on other documents from the Chickering company in the 1850s.

The Masonic Temple in Boston is much nearer downtown than the Chickering factory. In fact, the Temple is right on Boston Common. The Masons shrewdly rented out storefront space to various tenants and even had a concert hall in the building. Later, in the 1890s, the piano retail store M. Steinert also had space in the building. The entire area around the Masonic Hall became known as piano row due to the many piano dealers located there.