BACON & RAVEN:  Bacon & Raven (also listed as Raven & Bacon) was part of one of the oldest and most historical American piano manufacturers. Originally started in 1789 by the famous business tycoon John Jacob Astor along with piano makers Robert Stodart and William Dubois, the firm was originally known as Dubois & Stodart until 1836. In 1836, Stodart retired and George Bacon joined the firm. In 1841, Dubois left the firm and Bacon was joined by brothers Richard & Thomas Raven, and the firm’s name was changed to Bacon & Raven.

RAVEN, BACON & COMPANY: After the death of George Bacon in 1855, his son Francis Bacon joined the firm and the name of the firm was changed to Raven, Bacon & Company. In 1862 the name of the firm was again changed to simply “Raven & Bacon”. In about 1872, Richard M. Raven died and the firm was taken over by Thomas Raven.  The firm continued to operate as “Raven Piano Works until just before 1890.

BACON & KARR:  Francis Bacon withdrew from the firm of “Raven & Bacon” in 1872 upon the death of Richard M. Raven.  Bacon then joined William H. Karr in partnership as “Bacon & Karr”.  William H. Karr was a successful music dealer who provided the financial backing for Francis Bacon to continue building his instruments.  These instruments were sold under the “Bacon & Karr” brand name.  The partnership of “Bacon & Karr” was dissolved in 1879.

FRANCIS BACON: After leaving the partnership of “Bacon & Karr”, Francis Bacon began building pianos under his own name which were labeled as “Francis Bacon, Successors To Bacon & Karr”.  In 1904, the firm was incorporated as the Francis Bacon Piano Company. Francis Bacon continued building pianos with great success until the 1920’s era when the firm was absorbed into industrial giant Kohler & Campbell. Kohler & Campbell continued building the Francis Bacon name until 1934.