John Hamilton taught organ, harpsichord, and music theory at the University of Oregon from 1959 to 1985. He received a BA from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1946 and his M Mus and DMA from the University of Southern California in 1956 and 1966, respectively. In addition to teaching, he performed throughout Europe and the United States. After graduating from college and before getting his master's degree, Hamilton had apparently written to RK for advice about harpsichords. RK wrote this rather extensive and detailed letter in reply.

October 20, 1948

Dear Mr. Hamilton:

I am sorry to reply so late to your letter of July 3. It has just caught up with me on my return from Europe two days ago.

The best person to consult in this country about harpsichords is John Challis, 549 East Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, Michigan. He is at the moment the only serious builder of harpsichords in this country. His instruments have the advantage of an unparalled degree of mechanical reliability and are constructed especially for the American climate.

I have just had occasion on my recent European trip to play almost every make of harpsichord made in Europe. In France there is nothing available at present, or if it turns up it comes at an exorbitantly high price. In England there is a tremendous activity in harpsichord building, largely now on the part of Hugh Hodson, Lavenham, Sussex, and on the part of T. H. R. Goff, 46 Pont Street, London. The workmanship and quality of the Goff instruments is considerably higher than that of the Hodson, also the price. Neither of them would be mechanically reliable in this country. Harpsichord making in Germany is not entirely at a standstill. The firm of Kemper in Lübeck continues to build instruments, I understand. I have not seen any of them.