Louis Panormo 1850 #1978

The guitar maker

Louis Panormo (1784~1862)

Born in Paris in 1784 Louis is perhaps the most prestigious member of the Panormo family. Like his brothers Joseph and George he had started by working with his father. When they left Paris Louis would have only been about five years old so apart from the influences he received from his father and elder brothers (those of Italian and French craftsmanship) he perhaps would have picked up more English influences than the others, as that is where he developed. In fact Louis became a British subject and seen in the 1851 census report on him. Louis, along with his brothers, set up shop at 23, High Street, Bloomsbury sometime in 1817, what had happened between their father's death in 1813 and this date remains unknown at this time. By 1822 they are first entered in Pigot's London Trade Directory, a year later Joseph had left for his own shop in nearby Soho. In 1826 it ceased to be listed as “Panormo and Co.” but under Louis own name, here he was listed still as only a violin maker, as had all the family. In 1829 Louis moved to 46, High Street, St. Giles (Bloomsbury) just a few doors along, now however he became known as a “guitar manufacturer” in the London Trade Directories. Business obviously developed nicely for Louis he received patronage from the rich society world and his prices became extravagantly high. In 1837 Louis resurrected Panormo and Company and set up a music selling and publishing business at 6, Greek Street Soho; while still keeping the guitar going at the High Street.

This high spot in his business career lasted four years, but in 1841 the premises at Greek Street had to go leaving Louis guitar making and music selling at 43 High Street. Perhaps the overheads of two places were too much for him after a while, or the business went through a slump. This situation lasted until 1847 when he added another workshop, the “Post Office” Trade Directory reads:

Panormo Louis Guitar Maker and Music Seller

43, High Street, St. Giles.

Panormo Louis Guitar Manufacturer

22, Compton Street, Brunswick Square

This was short lived (hence the variety of guitars from Compton Street) and by the next year he had moved into the one place at 31, High Street, St. Giles. Here Louis remained until 1854, when he emigrated to New Zealand.

Louis had a large family to maintain, there was his wife Sarah, a Bloomsbury girl born in 1801, at least three daughters, Elizabeth, Sophia and Cecilia, and four sons Vincentio, Charles, Theophilas and Frederick. There may have been more but these are the only ones found in the 1851 census report, but as Louis was already 57 years old at the first census in 1841 some children may have already left home by then. Frederick died as a baby (aged only three) the other sons would have helped in the workshop when old enough as it was very much a family concern. Unfortunately though, none of Louis's sons went on to make instruments like their father and fall into obscurity.

Bone in his book “The Guitar and Mandolin” tells us a story about another of Louis's daughters, Angiolina, who, he tells us, married the celebrated guitarist Huerta. Also that Huerta's favourite guitar was made by Louis and that Louis had published some music Huerta had dedicated to Angiolina. This story has yet to be authenticated, although I have seen a piece of music arranged for guitar by Madame Huerta. Sophia and Elizabeth did not marry however and both died in their twenties, it was after Elizabeth died in September 1854 that Louis emigrated to Auckland, New Zealand with whatever was left of his family. Why at the age of seventy Louis should want to make such a move remains a mystery, perhaps he wanted to give the remainder of his children a fresh start in a prosperous new land. His profession on his death certificate reads “Musical Instrument Maker” and as he lived out there for eight years some examples of his work must survive over in New Zealand somewhere. Louis Panormo died aged seventy eight on the 11 August 1862 in Awitu Block, Auckland, New Zealand, cause of death “Old Age”.

Louis was an outstanding guitar maker, amongst the finest in the history of the guitar and his output was tremendous as today many of his guitars can still be found. His guitars sold from two to fifteen guineas, as it says on his label, many of these were expensive guitars for the society world to which he gave much adornment, particularly in his elaborate use of Mother of Pearl. Also many serious Players and professional performers used his guitars and still do today, which is the greatest tribute anyone can give to Louis Panormo.

Description

This is the top model offered by Louis Panormo from 1850. Serial number '1978' inked on the label.

• Address given as 31,(inked in) High St Bloomsbury.
• Carved 'P' on upper harmonic bar.
• Rosette with mother of pearl diamonds and mother of pearl decorated bridge.
• Back in dark chocolate coloured 4-piece brazilian rosewood, bookmatched from same wood as the ribs. The back has 3 bars (earlier versions had 2 only)
• Ribs in matching dark chocolate coloured brazilian rosewood.
• Original set of engraved tuners by Baker.
• Fingerboard in ebony, slightly curved, and with original bar shaped frets.
• Original strap button with large mother of pearl dot.

The case is a typical contemporary wooden example fitted for the guitar, painted black, and bears some very old travel labels, including one from W E Hill and Sons, and shipping labels to Bombay (specifying Baggage in the Hold!)

Condition

Top: Uncracked, with no repairs and with very light French re-polishing in the past.
There is a light strip of wood on the treble lower bout. This is not a patch or insert but is simply a change in the colour of the wood. There is a corresponding lighter segment on the bass side, but less obvious. (This is where the wood changes from earlier heartwood growth to later younger growth, and is just a feature of this particular piece.)

Original bridge. No distortion or sinking.

Ribs: some hairline cracks, all repaired and stable.

Back: Only one very fine crack on one section, repaired and invisible, and some cupping at the joins.

Neck: Cedar, undamaged with fret markers at 5th and 7th fret.

Head: Figure maple, in perfect condition, with a good set of engraved Baker tuners with mother of pearl buttons.

Restoration

Some small restorations done in 2017 by Philipp Neumann.