R. Spurden Rutt and Co

of 490 High Road, Leyton, London, E10. Telephone: Leytonstone 3249. Cables: "Leytonstone 3249"

Robert Spurden Rutt was born at Purleigh Hall, near Maldon in Essex; his father was Rector's Warden at the Parish Church and his mother played the organ there.

He trained in draughtsmanship at the South Kensington School of Art.

1895 He was apprenticed to the organ-builder Alfred Kirkland of Holloway.

1899 After four years, he set up his own business in Leyton, which soon prospered.

1908 He exported twenty organs to Jamaica after the Kingston earthquake of 1908; his instruments were widely commended for the way in which they stood up to hot and humid climates.

1911 He was awarded the Gold Medal at the Crystal Palace Festival of Empire Exhibition.

1930 His firm became a Limited Company, and built around one hundred instruments up to the outbreak of the Second World War.

WWII During the War, many of the firm's large instruments, such as those in the City Temple and Greenwich Parish Church, were destroyed.

1947 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Manufacturers of Pipe Organs for Home and Export Markets including Trophies. Tracker, Pneumatic, Electro-Pneumatic or Direct Electric Actions according to Climate and Requirements. Gold Medal 1911. (Olympia, Ground Floor, Stand No. C.1554)

Spurden Rutt was kept busy restoring damaged organs and building new ones until his retirement in 1959, when the firm was absorbed into Messrs. J. W. Walker and Sons.

See Also

• 1947 British Industries Fair