Edward Ellery Gilbert

Piano importer, tuner and repairer, of Wanganui. By 1909 he was also selling gramophone and disc recordings. Died in 1924 aged 76 years

Edward E Gilbert came to Nelson in 1852 with his parents and trained as a cabinetmaker before going to Melbourne. While there he trained as a piano tuner and repairer, returning to New Zealand in 1880 where he based himself at Whanganui as a tuner. He then set up a retail business in Victoria Avenue. His son, Ellery George Gilbert, trained as a piano tuner with Begg’s and then worked in his father’s business. They travelled throughout the Taranaki, Whanganui and Feilding districts tuning pianos in conjunction with operating their shop.