The post before last made side-by-side comparisons of patents for “zither-like” musical instruments issued in Europe and the USA during the 1880s, attempting to clarify the priority of a few key innovations. The present text extends that discussion into the following decade from a slightly different perspective. It is centered on the role played by an unsung participant whose name provides the title above.

Herbert John Haddan (1838–1911) was a well reputed British patent agent who served inventors in many fields. His involvement with musical instruments began no later than 1877, when he obtained a British patent on behalf of an American violin designer, doing so again in 1879 for one located in Germany. He went on to represent instrument makers on both sides of a growing transatlantic competition in the development of chord bar devices of the type now primarily associated with the autoharp. There were signals, throughout, of his having understood the musical instrument industry beyond the legalities of obtaining patents.

Before delving into specifics, a few general observations about the patenting process may be helpful. They are issued by national authorities and acquiring one in a given country confers no protection in any other. An inventor wanting international coverage needs a separate patent in each country where protection is sought. Legislation and procedures vary from country to country and time to time, as does the scope of a patent.