English family of music publishers, printers and music sellers, established in London. The business was founded in or before 1762 by Peter Welcker (d London, 1775), who published many important works, including much of J.C. Bach's instrumental music, works of the Mannheim school (using plates from Hummel of Amsterdam) and several of the early volumes of Thomas Warren's Collection of Catches, Canons and Glees. At his death the business was continued by his widow Mary Welcker (d London, early 1778), probably with her son-in-law James Blundell as manager. Her executors carried on the business for a few months after her death, but by July 1778 Blundell had taken over the business, and in the following year Robert Bremner purchased some of her plates and music. John Welcker (fl 1775–c1785), the son of Mary and Peter Welcker, set up his own business as a music seller and publisher in 1775 (see illustration), but in 1780 he became bankrupt. His premises were taken over by Blundell, and the trade stock was offered for sale in July 1780. Welcker started business again in August of that year, and continued for about five years. He issued the opera dances and ballets performed at the Haymarket Theatre and continued to publish the sort of music which his parents had issued. About 1778 he reissued the three volumes of Clio and Euterpe which had been engraved and first published by Henry Roberts, with an added fourth volume. (KidsonBMP; Humphries-SmithMP)
FRANK KIDSON/WILLIAM C. SMITH/PETER WARD JONES