A History of: Wood & Co, Marr & Co and Logan & Co

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Wood & Co, Marr & Co and Logan & Co 

Pianoforte Makers, Music Sellers and Publishers

SCOTLAND
1790-1925s

This article stems from research carried out during the update of Roderick Cannon’s A Bibliography of Bagpipe Music. [1] 

Establishing the publication date of many books is not easy and Cannon sums up the difficulties he had in the following words:

A music book rarely tells much of its own history. Many of the books described here are undated; most have little if any prefatory text and some are anonymous. 

Worse still, some of them actually give wrong information, dates and other matter having simply been copied without change from some earlier edition of the same book. For dates we have then to rely on many pieces of evidence – publishers’ names and addresses as compared with those in street directories, trade directories and the like (even telephone directories in some cases); price lists and publishers’ catalogues; dates of events commemorated in tune titles; owners’ signatures and library accession dates; names and Army ranks of composers, and so on – details scarcely significant in themselves, but, together, often enough to fix a date within a year or two. 

Curiously enough it is sometimes easier to date an old book than a more recent one, and of all sources of information I have to say that in general the publishers themselves are the least reliable. More than once, I have enquired of a publisher only to be told that he simply cannot remember when a particular work was first put on sale. [2]

The three firms in this article started out as pianoforte makers and tuners when the demand for this new instrument escalated in Scotland. Prior to the 18th century there were a number of stringed keyboard instruments, but they lacked volume and had little, or no, expressive control. 

In about 1700 Bartolomeo Cristofori (1655–1731) of Padua, Italy, designed an instrument that increased the volume and enabled the player to provide more musical expression. This was achieved through a better keyboard-and-hammer mechanism and, although not as loud as modern instruments, was considered the first pianoforte. [3] 

By the end of the 18th century improvements had been made and the instrument was becoming very popular in private homes throughout Europe. In Scotland the post office and trade directories show numerous firms were appearing to satisfy the demand.

The early wooden-framed instruments were prone to warping and breakages thus requiring frequent maintenance and tuning. The piano-making firms employed a number of tuners, and some advertised in local newspapers showing they moved around Scotland on a regular basis to provide their services. 

A number of pianos entered the market made by ‘garret makers’ (workers in garrets) who produced inferior instruments made of green timber in flash looking cases with forged maker’s names attached. [4] 

The pianos from the mainstream manufacturers needed regular maintenance but the cheaper varieties required much more.

The iron-framed pianos first appeared in the 1840s but were extremely expensive, compelling the average owner to remain with the wooden-framed instruments. By the end of the 19th century and into the 20th century these new pianos became more accessible, reducing the demand for repairs, replacement and tuning. 

As a result of this downturn many firms closed down, merged with other companies or moved into music publishing. The First World War also had devastating effects on these businesses, and some did not survive.

WOOD & CO, MARR & CO and LOGAN & CO all went through difficult times and WOOD & CO merged with MARR & CO in the late 19th century to become J MARR WOOD & CO. 

In 1904 LOGAN & CO also experienced financial difficulties but they managed to resume trading with a new name, LOGAN & CO (INVERNESS) LTD. 

A number of firms struggled during World War One and in Inverness J MARR WOOD & CO amalgamated with LOGAN & CO to become LOGAN & J MARR WOOD LTD.

WOOD & CO and MARR & CO were music publishers but did not get involved in bagpipe music publishing until after they amalgamated with LOGAN & CO in 1916 or 1917. LOGAN & CO had a brief tenure of about 50 years in the music publishing business and from the 1880s published a number of bagpipe music books. 

The three companies traded in many Scottish cities and towns during the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries and were essentially family firms. There appears to have been family members who branched out forming their own companies, but no attempt will be made to discuss them in detail.

Although the information contained herein is intended primarily for identifying bagpipe music books, it can be used by those researching other publications emanating from the three companies. There may be others who have an interest in the broader history of Scottish publishing who might also find items of interest.

Most of the information contained in this article is from post office directories unless otherwise stated. Many towns and cities in Scotland have directories, some dating back to the 18th century and a significant number are available online. [5] 

One important aspect in interpreting the directories is to understand how and when they were published. From the 18th century a number of publishers produced directories and they usually appeared in late May or early June of any year. Some specified that the information intended for inclusion had to be with the publishers at least two months before the intended publication date. Therefore, if any change is included for the first time in any specific year, that change could have occurred as early as April the preceding year, and as late as April in the year of publication.

Many of the referenced documents are available online but are by no means complete. The Scottish post office directories up to 1912 are the only ones currently available to those living outside United Kingdom. A few directories from England and Wales are also available on a number of websites but there are many gaps. 

A large collection of British newspapers are also available via the Internet [6] and are being updated on a regular basis. Once one has subscribed to their website frequent emails are sent out advising of recent additions.

In this article, any reference to a bagpipe music book followed by a number, i.e., Logan’s Tutor (No 332), refers to the number used in Cannon’s Bibliography.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Allan Cameron of Auckland, New Zealand, for proof reading and advice; Jeannie Campbell, Glasgow, Scotland, for providing information gathered during her research; Roderick Cannon, Norwich, England, for providing information gathered during his research; Terry Carroll of Papakura, New Zealand, for his assistance in deciphering historical legal documents referred to in this article; Keith Sanger, Edinburgh, Scotland, for his assistance in locating historical documents; and Barnaby Brown and J David Hester, PhD for publishing many items on the website bibliography.altpibroch.com.

WOOD & CO

EDINBURGH

An advertisement from the late 1860s [7] states WOOD & CO was established in 1790, but none of the Edinburgh directories from around that time lists any firm that can be connected to them. It was not until 1797-98 that John Muir, music seller, 16 George Street, Edinburgh, first appeared and the following year became MUIR, WOOD & CO, musical instrument makers to His Majesty, 16 George Street South Side.

In 1803 MUIR, WOOD & CO moved to 7 Leith Street, South Side [8], and in 1804-05 Andrew Wood, musical instrument maker, 8 Leith Street, is listed for the first time. Although the company had a number of name changes as personnel came and went, the Wood name was retained until the company closed down in 1923. In 1803 they published edition 5 of A Collection of Highland Vocal Airs (No 301) by Patrick MacDonald [9] and also An Introduction to Music by Anne Gunn. [10]

In 1812-13 MUIR, WOOD & CO moved to 13 Leith Street and Andrew Wood’s home address is now Rosebank. After the death of John Muir in 1818 George Small, who had been an employee since 1804 [11], became a partner and the company name changed to WOOD, SMALL & CO, musical instrument makers to His Majesty. WOOD, SMALL & CO also had business interests in Brazil. [12]

John Muir owned substantial property in Edinburgh and after he died it was disposed of in public auction. [13] In 1822-23 Andrew Wood moved to Deanbank, WOOD, SMALL & CO moved their workshop to Amphion Place, Caltonhill, and in the following year George Small moved to 40 Frederick Street. Andrew Wood disappeared from the directory in 1823-24 and Alex Wood is listed for the first time as ‘of WOOD, SMALL & CO’, living at Deanbank, Stockbridge. Alex Wood may be a misprint for Andrew, particularly as Alex lasted only two years in the directory and they both had the same home address.

In the early 1820s Andrew’s son Robert Wood (1797-1871) joined the business as a pianoforte maker. He disappeared in 1825-26 only to return in 1830-31 at 2 Salisbury Square. At some time between 1822 and 1830, whilst they were at 12 Waterloo Place, WOOD, SMALL & CO published edition 6 of A Collection of Highland Vocal Airs by Patrick MacDonald. [14]

In 1829 Andrew died and George Small left the firm and set up SMALL, BRUCE & CO, organ builders and music sellers, 54 Princes Street. At the same time the firm’s name changed to WOOD & CO and three of Andrew’s sons took over the business; Robert, John Muir Wood (1905-83) and George (1812-1893). [15] John Muir Wood was named after his father’s first business partner, John Muir.

In 1848-49 John Muir Wood moved to Glasgow and set up a new branch J MUIR WOOD & CO. By 1854-55, WOOD & CO had expanded to 12, 14, 16 and 18 Waterloo Place and four years later in 1858-59 opened another branch in 49 George Street; they closed the Waterloo Place shop in 1860-61. In 1863 George Wood and John Muir Wood retired [16] and William Montignani (of WOOD & CO), 19 Great Stuart Street, took over the business. WOOD & CO moved to 83 Princes Street in 1910-11.

GLASGOW

In early February 1848 a notice appeared in the Glasgow Herald informing that JOHN MUIR WOOD & CO had taken over the business of William Mitchison, music seller, 42 Buchanan Street [17] and the following year they appeared in the post office directory as pianoforte and music sellers. 

Normally when new branches were opened in other Scottish towns they were called WOOD & CO but in Glasgow there were two other companies with similar names, HUGH WOOD & CO, and WOOD & SONS, probably influencing this branch to be called JOHN MUIR WOOD & CO. John Muir Wood retained his partnership with the company until he retired in 1863. 

In the 1840s photography was very much in its infancy and he involved himself in this new science becoming a very talented amateur photographer. [18] 

In 1910 the Glasgow office was purchased by PATERSON, SONS & CO. [19]

ABERDEEN

The first mention of the firm in Aberdeen is in the 1852-53 directory where they are listed as ‘WOOD & CO, London Pianoforte and Music Saloon, 187 Union Street’ but in an advertisement at the rear the address is given as 189 Union Street. Robert R Stephen is described as ‘of WOOD & CO’ and he may have been the manager.

WOOD & CO moved to 211-213 Union Street in 1853-54 and again the advertisement at the rear of the directory has 189 Union Street. The 1855-56 directory lists Francis H Lakin as ‘of WOOD & CO’ and an advertisement in 1856-57 confirms WOOD & CO had branches in ‘18 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh and 42 Buchannan (sic) Street, Glasgow’. The following year George Young, pianoforte tuner living at 3 St Mary’s Place, is shown to be an employee of WOOD & CO. The Aberdeen office published four books of Scottish song and dance music in about 1858. [20]

Things were quite peaceful in the Aberdeen branch of WOOD & CO for nearly 10 years, but that all changed in 1867-68 when the firm disappeared from the directory and one of their employees, Francis H Lakin, (successor to WOOD AND CO) opened a shop in 191 Union Street – his home address was 49 Victoria Street. Alex Watson (pianoforte and music saloon) took over WOOD & CO’s old address of 213 Union Street. 

An advertisement [21] appeared in August 1869 showing SELBY WOOD & CO had been formed and had taken over 191 Union Street; Lakin dropped out of the directory. In 1877-78 James Wood opened a shop at 216 Union Street but it is not known if he had been part of SELBY, WOOD & CO; this turned out to be a short-lived venture for in November of that year the firm went bankrupt [22] and at the same time disappeared from the directory.

SELBY, WOOD & CO

ABERDEEN

The first known reference to William Selby is in the advertisement for SELBY, WOOD & CO referred to above. He appeared in the 1870-71 directory and was living at 29 Victoria Street West, but in 1872-73 dropped out and it is not known what became of him. In March 1871 William Morrison left SELBY, WOOD & CO to take up a position with John Irvine, pianoforte and music sellers [23] and eighteen months later, in September 1872, they employed George Sydney Smith from London who was described as ‘…a first-class organ and pianoforte tuner’. 

At the same time G S MacKay left their employment ‘…and is no longer authorised to solicit orders in their name, or to transact any business on their account’. [24] 

Smith’s tenure with SELBY, WOOD & CO was short lived, for in January the following year he was ‘Late with Selby, Wood & Co, Aberdeen’ and was now working for himself. [25] 

Since Selby, Morrison, MacKay and Smith left within such a short space of time this suggests there may have been problems within the company. The vacancy created by Selby’s departure appears to have been filled by William Adlington, 66 Bon-Accord Street, for he appeared in the 1872-73 directory and was working for SELBY WOOD & CO. John Adlington, professor of music, was also living at the same address and was a pianoforte and singing teacher with SELBY WOOD & CO. [26] William Adlington died in London in October 1921. [27]

The 1887-88 directory listed Henry Anderson, 46 Grove Street, as the manager, but in 1889-90 he left and George Beddie, 49 Grove Street, assumed that position. SELBY, WOOD & CO, still at 191 Union Street, kept operating until June 1890 when the partnership dissolved and they merged with MARR & CO to become J MARR, WOOD & CO at 183 Union Street. Beddie was still involved but as assistant manager. [28] 

Entries in the 1890- 91 Aberdeen directory refer to ‘J MARR, WOOD & CO (late Marr & Co and SELBY, WOOD & CO)’ and this indicates that these latter two companies were no longer trading – at least in Aberdeen.

In 1885 SELBY, WOOD & CO, Aberdeen, along with LOGAN & CO, Inverness and WOOD & CO, Edinburgh, published William Ross’s Collection of Pipe Music (No 314) edition 4. [29] 

They also published edition 5 and although dated 1885, it actually came out after the compiler’s death in 1891 or 1900. There is some evidence to suggest the actual date was 1900, but that does not explain why the imprint has SELBY, WOOD & CO – a firm that supposedly closed down 10 years earlier. 

We have seen examples of firms being taken over by others and for some years continue trading under their old name and this could be the case here. Another explanation is that they reprinted edition 5 using the plates from edition 4 without amendment.

MARR & CO.

ABERDEEN

The first available Aberdeen directory available is dated 1824 and has no listing for MARR & CO, but by 1829-30 John Marr, pianoforte maker was at 182 Union Street. Two years later he moved to 17 Queen Street and the following year into 43 Broad Street. Also in 1832-33 John Marr Sen, Cabinet-maker, Jopp’s Court, 40 Broad Street appeared in the directory, and he may be the father of the pianoforte maker.

The 1833-34 directory lists Mrs John Marr, teacher of music at 43 Broad Street (no doubt the wife of John Jnr), and the following year John Sen moved into Henderson’s Court, 46 Broad Street, where he remained until 1838-39 when he disappeared from the directory.

1837-38 saw another move for John Jnr (the pianoforte maker) when he and Mrs John Marr moved into 179 Union Street. This turned out to be a short stay as in the following year they moved again, this time into 115 Union Street. Mrs Marr ceased to be listed in the directory from 1840-41. The 1841 census shows John (pianoforte maker), and Mrs J Marr were both aged 50 and living at 14 Upper Kingsgate. There was also Margaret Marr (spinster) aged 20; James Marr (apprentice piano maker) aged 20, and John aged 3 living at the same address.

On the move again in 1846-47 Marr’s business shifted to 218 Union Street and the following year he was living above his saloon. In 1848-49 John Marr was a Director of the Friendly Insurance Society of Aberdeen and then in 1849-50 was appointed ‘music seller to the Queen’.

From 1850 until 1867-68 little changed in relation to MARR & CO until James Marr, pianoforte maker and tuner, was listed at Lobban’s Court, 29 Castle Street, and 26 Justice Street. An advertisement at the rear of the directory comments that he ‘Begs to intimate to his numerous Customers and the Public in general, his removal to Lobban’s Court, 29 Castle Street and 26 Justice Street…’ and this to implies that he had already been in business, probably the son of John Marr, and for one reason or another had gone out on his own. In the following year he moved his workshop to 3 Castle Terrace and in 1869-70 James is listed in the Street Directory only.

In 1870-71 Robert Johnston and G S MacKay are listed as ‘of MARR & CO’ and John Marr moved out of 218 Union Street (although the business remained there) to Cliff House, Pitfodels. In 1877-78 John Marr is still at Cliff House but adds 32 Victoria St West to his addresses. 

Since his move to Cliff House, John Marr’s entry in the directories states he was ‘of MARR & CO’ but in 1876-77 that comment dropped out as he had sold his business to SELBY, WOOD & CO in June 1875. [30] Although owned by this new company MARR & CO still traded under their name until 1890-91.

In 1877-78 James Marr dropped out of the directory but was relisted two years later in 1878-79 as J MARR JUN & CO, 5 St Catherine’s Wynd, workshop at Lobban’s Court, 29 Castle Street and Marr’s home address, 5 Nethergatekirk. To complicate matters even more, there is another James Marr, Pianoforte tuner, listed at 58 Castle Street. 

The original James Marr may have added ‘Jun’ to differentiate his firm from that of the new James Marr. The exact relationship between these two firms is not known. The original MARR & CO is still at 218 Union Street but now has the title ‘ROYAL MUSIC SALOON’.

David Thomas (MARR AND CO) of 2 Crimon Place is identified for the first time in 1878-79 but by 1884-85 he was working for himself at 22 Union Place. The 1881-82 directory identifies two new people in the music selling business; William Adlington of Ringwood Cottage, Cults is working for SELBY WOOD & CO and another William Adlington of 31 Albyn Place was at MARR AND CO.

John Marr disappeared from the 1882-83 directory but his wife, Mrs J Marr, remained in Cliff House and 32 Victoria Street until 1887-88. In 1883-84 James L Smith, 2 Calton Terrace is with MARR AND CO.

For some years James Marr occupied the premises at 14 Schoolhill, but in 1886-87 he moved into 5 Northfield Place and the following year James Marr Jun is listed at 14A Schoolhill. A bookbinder, William Marr is also at 5 Northfield Place. These addresses suggest there may be a link between James Marr and James Marr Jnr. The 1889 Inverness County Directory has an advertisement for MARR AND CO at 27 Bridge Street.

Huge changes occurred in 1891-92 as MARR AND CO were no longer listed but had amalgamated with SELBY, WOOD & CO to form J MARR, WOOD & CO. This new firm is listed as ‘pianoforte and musicsellers to the Queen and HRH the Prince of Wales’ and are at 183 Union Street, with the piano factory at Union Wynd. James Marr Snr and Jun are still listed with no changes to their details. J Leslie Smith has stayed with J MARR, WOOD & CO and George Beddie, 49 Stanley Street, joined them.

J MARR, WOOD & CO

ABERDEEN

In the 1889-90 directory SELBY WOOD & CO were listed at 191 Union Street and George Beddie was the manager. The following year J MARR, WOOD & CO, ROYAL MUSIC SALOONS, 183 Union Street, were shown as ‘Late MARR & CO and SELBY WOOD & CO’. The 1891-92 directory shows George Beddie is now living in 31 Bon-Accord Street and J Leslie Smith at 96 Union Grove. 

The telephone had only been around for about 10 years by the 1890s and exchanges were being set up in the United Kingdom. Many businesses and private homes took to it and in 1892-93 J MARR, WOOD & CO had a phone number: 496. C B Miller, 7 Rose Place, was with J MARR, WOOD & CO in 1892-93, as was John Gray, 31 Claremont Place, who had been listed in previous years with no company affiliations. In 1896-97 there is a listing for David Thomson, comedian (c/o J MARR, WOOD & CO).

By 1902-03 the Aberdeen branch of J MARR, WOOD & CO also had the name ‘pianoforte and music sellers to H.M the King’. Leslie J Smith was the director and manager, John Gillespie, 14 Broomhill Road, was the foreman piano maker, George F Davie, 24 Huntly Street, was a piano tuner and Frank H Homan, 60 Union Grove, a music seller. In 1905-06 William Smith, 32 Thistle Street, was listed as part of J MARR, WOOD & CO. Leslie J Smith had his own business in 1908-09.

J MARR, WOOD & CO were a public company and in early July 1915 the Aberdeen office published a report stating they were going to keep operating although they had reservations as to what may happen in the future as a result of the war. [31] At the same time the Inverness branch closed down, and some time in 1916 or 17 J MARR, WOOD & CO merged with LOGAN & CO (INVERNESS) LTD to form LOGAN & J MARR WOOD LTD. [32] 

The difficult times referred to in the 1915 report were already having a negative impact on the industry. In 1923 the Aberdeen offices of J MARR, WOOD & CO and PATERSON, SONS & CO amalgamated [33] and operated under the name PATERSON, SONS & CO AND J MARR, WOOD & CO for many years.

INVERNESS

The earliest Inverness directory available is 1873-74. Then there is a gap to 1899-1900 and the Inverness branch is listed as MARR & CO, Royal Music Saloons, 23 Church Street and James MacWalter was managing partner living at 2 Broadstone Road. The 1902-03 directory shows the branch manager is now J Brydon and MacWalter is still listed as ‘of J MARR, WOOD & CO’.

The manager changed again in 1905-06 (the 1904-05 directory is not available) and is now William L Lawson of 4 Charles Street. Brydon was no longer listed, and James MacWalter had his own business at 35 Bridge Street. The directories from 1912 and subsequent are not available.

The Inverness branch closed down in 1915 and subsequently amalgamated with LOGAN & CO (INVERNESS) LTD to form LOGAN & J MARR WOOD LTD.

LOGAN & CO

ABERDEEN

David Logan was born in Edinburgh in 1817, and from 1832 served his apprenticeship as a pianoforte maker with Paterson, Sons & Co. After seven years he moved to London and spent six years working for the well-known London piano makers JOHN BRAIDWOOD & SONS. [34] In the 1841 census he was a pianoforte maker living at Belvoir Terrace, Marshall Bridge Road, Westminster, London and in 1846 married Elizabeth Lennard.

Their first child Ellen was born in 1847, and the following year the family moved to Aberdeen where the rest of their children, Elizabeth, James, David, Mary and Robert were born. [35] Soon after arriving in Aberdeen, Logan took over a pianoforte-making firm owned by Peter Crane and went into partnership with John Booth and James MacBeth. [36]

In the 1848-49 directory, ‘David Logan, piano-forte tuner, regulator and dealer, 1481⁄2 George Street’ was listed but there was no John Booth or James MacBeth. However, there was a James MacBeath and later entries show this is the correct spelling of the name. In 1850-51 they moved to 156 George Street, and later were also at 5 Crown Street (warerooms) and 1 Trinity Street (workshop).

The following year, 1851-52, David Logan is listed in the General section as at 75 St Andrew Street, but in the Street Directory is still at 156 George Street, whilst LOGAN & CO were at the address shown the previous year. James MacBeath, pianoforte tuner, 35 Huntly Street, is listed as ‘of J LOGAN & CO’, but there is no J LOGAN & CO listed in the directory and it maybe the ‘J’ is a misprint.

Initially the directories do not make it clear that David Logan was part of LOGAN & CO, but that link grows stronger in the 1852-53 directory when both he and LOGAN & CO are described as ‘from JOHN BRAIDWOOD & SONS’. His address has changed to 73 St Andrew Street and LOGAN & CO has moved its workshop to Windmillbrae. 

The directory of 1853-54 clarifies the situation even further where David is described as ‘of LOGAN & CO’. John Booth, 5 Mounthooly, and James MacBeath, Holburn Street, who were previously listed in the directories without any company affiliations, are now also ‘of LOGAN & CO’.

The 1855-56 directory has LOGAN & CO listed at 130 Union Street with the workshop still at Windmillbrae and in 1859-60 the LOGAN & CO workshops are at Spring Garden Factory. Another LOGAN & CO employee, William D M Steven, is identified in 1861-62 as a pianoforte tuner and his home address is Newbridge, Hardgate.

In 1865-66 LOGAN & CO are now at 182 Union Street but the workshop is still at Spring Garden. In an advertisement at the end of the directory the address is given as 181B Union Street. The following year in 1866-67 David Logan moved to Ferryhill and William Sowdan is a pianoforte tuner working for the company.

LOGAN & CO moved to 28 Diamond Street in 1868-69. In an advertisement at the end of the directory this move occurred 4th June, and although the year is not stated this would have been 1867. George Neil, pianoforte maker (LOGAN & CO), 30 Blackfriars Street appeared in the directory of 1869-70 and LOGAN & CO workshops were now at Union Wynd. John Booth’s partnership in the company was dissolved 1872 by mutual consent and he took over the tools and seasoned materials belonging to LOGAN & CO and formed the new firm JOHN BOOTH & SONS at 7 Union Wynd. [37]

Two of David Logan sons, James (aged 20, piano tuner) and David (aged 18, music seller), appeared in the 1871 census, living at their parent’s address, 21 Ferryhill, but never appeared by name in the Aberdeen directories. In about 1864 they entered the business, eventually became partners, and in 1873 opened the Inverness branch. [38] This fits perfectly with the 1873-74 Aberdeen and Inverness directories where they were listed at 30 Church Street.

LOGAN & CO had little change over the next seven years but in 1880-81 they moved to 2A Union Street and were still there in January 1888; [39] the Inverness address is now 57 and 59 Church Street. The 1881 census shows James (aged 31), and David (aged 29) were living in Inverness and running the firm. James married Margaret Young and had nine children, James, David, Margaret, Mary, Elizabeth, Alice, Helen (Nellie), Harry and Florence. [40] His brother David married Kate McLernan of Inverness [41] but there is no mention of children in the 1901 census or in his obituary.

After an uneventful decade the Aberdeen branch of LOGAN & CO disappeared from the 1889-90 directory, David Logan Snr moved out of 35 Ferryhill into 117 Bon Accord Street and in the General Directory he is called ‘late music seller’ possibly indicating he had retired. The 1891 census has David Logan, aged 74, living at 117 Bon Accord Street.

In 1891-92 LOGAN & CO are re-listed at 251 Union Street and David Lawrie, 168 Crown Street is with the company. In 1893-94 David Logan disappeared completely from the directory and we find he had moved to Inverness and was living at his son James’ house where he died in early September 1898. [42] In September 1892 David’s wife Elizabeth had died aged 72. [43]

In 1898 LOGAN & CO, Aberdeen, published a single sheet of music with two bagpipe tunes arranged for the piano. [44] The two tunes were The Cock o’ the North and 92nd Gordon Highlanders’ Quickstep.

The Aberdeen branch of LOGAN & CO was sold to Robert Brown in 1900 and the name changed to LOGAN’S MUSIC SALOON, 251 Union Street. The transaction was certainly completed by 20 April of that year [45] as LOGAN’S MUSIC SALOON advertised to employ a message boy and they also appeared in the 1900-01 directory.

The Inverness branch of LOGAN & CO became the head office and soon after 1900 the Aberdeen branch was removed from the imprints of their published books. The first edition of Logan’s Tutor (No 332) published in late 1899 and the second printing from mid-1900 both have Aberdeen in the imprint. 

Another book, Logan’s Collection of Highland Bagpipe Music Book 1 (No 327) published in 1901, 1902 or early 1903, does not have Aberdeen. LOGAN & CO had branches in Elgin and Nairn prior to 1900 and opened a branch in Dingwall in late 1900, 1901 or 1902 as it appears in the imprint of Book 1 of their Collection. This book could not have been published in 1900 or it would have appeared in W L Manson’s The Highland Bagpipe that was published after 27 April 1901 (the date in the Preface) and before 1 June 1901. [46]

ELGIN, NAIRN AND DINGWALL

It is not known when the Elgin, Nairn and Dingwall branches opened. An advertisement in the Aberdeen Journal 5 May 1881 lists LOGAN & CO at Aberdeen and Inverness only, but another advertisement in 21 June 1882 includes Aberdeen, Inverness and Elgin but not Nairn. Another in the Aberdeen Evening Express 22 December 1894 includes Nairn. In 1903 the Nairn branch was at 17 High Street and run by George Strachan. Dingwall and Nairn closed down some time after 1917 and before 1921. [47]

INVERNESS

The earliest Inverness directory available is that of 1873-74 and this shows LOGAN & CO, music sellers and pianoforte tuners, 30 Church Street. It also states the home address is No 64 but does not disclose which street.

One of their first publications was a book of popular Gaelic songs called The Inverness Collection in 1879 [48] and was reprinted on a number of occasions; 1882, [49] 1888 (called Inverness Collection of Highland Pibrochs, Laments, Quickstep and Marches) [50] and 1898. [51] They also published New Music by composer John Thomson, Glasgow [52] and Scottish Ballads. [53]

After the death of Donald MacPhee in 1880 LOGAN & CO acquired the publishing rights to two of his books: A Selection of Music for the Highland Bagpipe (No 317) and A Collection of Piobaireachd (No 320). They reprinted a new edition of A Collection of Piobaireachd in 1885 and in the mid-1890s published an updated version of A Selection of Music for the Highland Bagpipe, which they split into two books called A Complete Tutor for the Highland Bagpipe (No 318) and A Selection of Music for the Highland Bagpipe (No 319).54

In 1899 LOGAN & CO, became more active in publishing bagpipe music. They started with a reprint of A Collection of Ancient Piobaireachd (No 307) by Angus MacKay [55] and later in the same year compiled and published Logan’s Tutor (No 332). [56] 

The following year they issued a reprint of their Tutor and some time after 1900 Book 1 of Logan’s Collection (No 327) appeared. This latter book did not have Aberdeen in the imprint so cannot have been published in 1900 or earlier. A newspaper advertisement in March 1903 stated ‘Bagpipe music – Just out, Logan’s latest music book, with latest tunes – Hutcheon. Niddry Street’57 but it is not known if that was the first time the advertisement appeared. There are no other known bagpipe music books published by Logan & Co at that time, so it is reasonable to believe this advertisement was for the first edition of Logan’s Collection Book 1.

The 1900 reprint of the Tutor has six tunes with the precautionary note ‘*By permission of Mr David Glen, Edinburgh’ and no other edition has this remark. In May 1900 Henderson’s Tutor for the Bagpipe and Collection of Pipe Music (No 329) was published and Glen believed some tunes Henderson had included breached his copyright.

The case ended up in court in late June 1900 [58] and was abandoned by Glen in early December of that year. [59] It is believed LOGAN & CO published the second edition of their Tutor whilst the case was sub judice, and once it was abandoned there was no legal requirement to continue the precautionary note.

There are few online Inverness directories prior to 1900, but those from 1899-1900, 1900-01, 1901- 02 and 1902-03 all list LOGAN & CO, pianoforte and music warehouse, 59 Church Street with James and David as the principals. There is also a listing for a pianoforte warehouse at 11 Bank Street. James Logan is living at Planefield House, Planefield Road and David at 3 Lochalsh Terrace, Perceval Road. The directories for 1903-04 and 1904-05 are not available but the ones from 1905-06 and later show David is no longer part of the company. 

The reason for this is that LOGAN & CO went into bankruptcy in July 1903 [60] and continued to trade under a trustee until 17 August 1904. [61] As a result of this action a new company, LOGAN & CO (INVERNESS) LTD, was registered and operating by the last week of October 1904. [62] After the bankruptcy David was no longer involved, and from 1906 his wife was a music seller at 10 Lombard Street (home address Perceval Road) whilst David was listed at the same home address but not part of her business. He apparently did work there but maybe after the bankruptcy was not permitted to be involved in the management of any business.

The National Archives of Scotland holds records relating to the bankruptcy and they show LOGAN & CO did not publish any music during that time. Soon after the emergence of LOGAN & CO (INVERNESS) LTD they resumed publishing bagpipe music and between 1905 and 1911 Books 2-7 of their Collection appeared. They also revised their Tutor some time after 1904 and a number of reprints of all books appeared prior to 1916.

Logan’s Collection Book 2 first appeared in 1905 but no other details of its publication are known. The next three books appeared in quick succession, and each was reviewed in local newspapers where Pipe-Major John MacDonald, 1st V.B Queen’s Own Highlanders was credited as the editor of the series. Book 3 was reviewed in August 1906; [63] Book 4 six months later in February 1907 [64] and Book 5 in July 1907. [65]

The following year, the first edition of Book 6 was published and a newspaper review [66] stated it ‘…was sold out previous to publication, but a second edition will be in the printer’s hands shortly.’ The reviewer also commented that some of the tune titles had been misspelt (one of them Highland Whiskey) and remarked ‘…while we may keep an ‘e’ on whisky, we do not in Scotland keep an ‘e’ in it’! The publisher did not heed these comments and all errors continued throughout later editions. 

The publication date of Book 7 has not yet been established and although it contains a tune dated 1909 it could have appeared as late as 1911. No review of this book has been located at this time.