The outlines of the history of this important piano manufacturer are to be found in most stan dard reference books. Theodore steinway, on behalf of the steinway family. A piano restored by the steinway restoration center receives the same 5year warranty as a new steinway piano. As late as 1868, 80 percent of steinways output was still square pianos. The piano is a fascinating instrument with an interesting history. Serial numbers for some early production may span more than one year. Cost of a steinway piano price chart and buyers guide. They built their instruments one at a time, applying skills that have been handed down from master to apprentice, generation after generation, ever since. They were used by the greatest composers of the 18th century including bach and mozart. Steinway square grand piano restored antique pianos by. Barron loves the piano, respects the company, and is dilgent in showing the evolution of steinway, as well as the creation of one, new opus a 9 foot concert piano. This 57 grand piano has been fully restored to a highperformance standard.
Square pianos were built in great numbers through the 1840s in europe and the 1890s in the united states, and saw the most visible change of any type of piano. Top view of a steinway model m piano owned by the au thor. A typical used steinway sells for 47% 50% of todays prices. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading piano. Todays grand pianos are patterned after the harpsichord but the square.
The 1863 steinway square piano right is an example of an american square piano prior to ornate carvings in case design that soon followed. Facts about steinway and the pianos they build steinway. Grand pianos, hold on, history, modern, design, historia, trendy tree, history books. Since this list has never before been published, i have, for the record, given a. The early steinway grand research project the early steinway grand classes donations. But they wasted little time with this superannuated type, and quickly turned to the concert grand which they enriched with improvements. Certain square models even included duplex scaling and sostenuto. Over 12,000 piano names are included, some dating back to the early eighteen hundreds. To determine the age of a steinway piano we need to first locate the serial number. Representative prices of our fully restored steinway pianos are. Steinway serial numbers represent the approximate ending serial number for the year of production for new york and hamburg pianos. The tapered, octagonal legs can be found on most american square grand pianos and many grand pianos until about 1870. It is for these reasons that over 19 out of 20 concert pianists choose the steinway grand piano and why the instrument remains at the heart of cultured homes the world over download the steinway brochure.
During the 18th19th centuries, square grand pianos were extremely popular in the us and europe. Steinway square grand piano needs substantial repairs. The steinway model d concert grand piano 811 weighs 990 lbs. Dec 15, 2011 a good example of a valuable square grand is a steinway square that is built in 1800 s. Over the next thirty years, henry and his sons developed the modern piano. As the 20th century began to approach, steinway started increasing production of upright and grand pianos, and by 1890 the square piano was all but discontinued by the firm. The square was the predominant piano in the early steinway period, and included many interesting technological details.
When did the white house acquire its famous steinway piano. Square grand piano value whats your square grand piano worth. Our mission at antique piano shop is to promote restoration and preservation so that these heirloom instruments will not be lost forever. Its the story of the american dream as realized in the shape of a grand piano. Its easy to imagine this book was written by john mcphee and, if it had been, it would be one of his better works. The making of a steinway concert grand kindle edition by. Square grand piano value whats your square grand piano. Haines brothers piano company was established in 1851 by napoleon j.
As an aid to those buying a used steinway, i have listed below all models of steinway pianos made in new york city since the firms inception in 1853. This portion of our website is designed to help educate the consumer about what is really involved in the restoration and preservation process. Built in quantity through the 1890s in the united states, steinways celebrated ironframed, overstrung square grands were more than two and. Your pianos age is one of the most significant factors in determining your pianos value. In 1872 a few squares were given theodore steinways unusual patent action with a balance spring. Today the historic gold steinway stands in the first ladies hall of the national museum of american history. On steinway grand pianos the serial number can be found on the cast iron plate between the tuning pins above the keyboard. From history of the piano by ernest closson i love steinway. The piano book is the bible of the piano marketplace. For the first 20 years, they built a nice selection of square grand pianos before building their first upright pianos in 1870. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
Some of steinway s most notable art case pianos are the almatadema grand piano from 1887, the 100,000th steinway piano from 1903, the 300,000th steinway piano from 1938, and the sound of harmony from 2008. It is the most complex mechanical device in any home and is capable of fulfilling the players every musical wish. May 20, 2020 steinway square grand piano used type. Seven feet long with polished rosewood finish, this style of piano was quite popular in the 1860s and 1870s. The invention and evolution of the piano acoustics today. Learn about the collections and artifacts at the drum barracks civil war museum in wilmington. While a used steinway will always cost less than a new steinway piano, the used price is entirely dependent on the latest price. By 1865, compact uprights aka cottage or piccolo pianos had arrived. New york, 1855 worlds fair saw the steinway and sons square grand piano with overstrung scale and full iron frame.
Steinways rebuilt steinway upright pianos steinway grand pianos. Due to the age and unique design of square grand pianos, their restoration is generally. Helaine fendelman and joe rosson have written a number of books. Andrew lancaster square pianos history of the square piano the square piano. Civil war artifacts and books do you have civil war related artifacts or books that you would like to donate to the drum barracks.
The ny steinway factory is located on 11 acres of land. Antique pianos, grand pianos, upright pianos, square grands pianos, complex machines with thousands of moving parts, are also works of art. Fur elise played on 1853 chickering square grand piano. Over 300 craftspeople work in the new york factory. The steinway model s baby grand piano 51 weighs 540 pounds. This book is a beautiful volume of pictures and piano history. They came into existence in the united states during the 1820s and were the primary piano produced through the 1880s. Steinway and his sons had naturally begun with square pianos which they were soon making at the rate of fifty a week. Each piano is manufactured with a unique serial number that is recorded for future reference of not only when it was made but also where.
Steinway brand pianos are generally more expensive to restore than other. The almatadema grand piano was designed by sir lawrence almatadema and received great public acclaim when it was exhibited in london. This guide provides references to serial numbers, dates of manufacture, factory locations, a brief history of many manufacturers and other pertinent information. Based on its serial number, 19,5, the piano was built in 1869.
This project is a history of technology study of the early steinway piano from 1853 to 1892. Roosevelt for the white house by theodore steinway. Warren g harding 29th had an electric player piano made by a. The history of the steinway model c chupps piano service. Excellently and diligently written, this little book tells the story of one steinway concert grand piano from conception to adolescence. We bring worn golden era steinway pianos back to their full former glory, to a level of musical and artistic beauty that was for many years the piano standard of the world. Timeline steinway history the unofficial history of. We invite the suggestions of knowledgable piano experts, piano builders, preservers and restorers. Historical book images old pianos, book images, mona lisa, artwork, books. An early form of pianoforte wrectangular cabinet, 4 legs and strings running left to right. The main character will not make a sound for months.
But what about the piano that comes in between these two. We believe that education is a vital part of that mission. The piano replaced another steinway at the white house, a gilded and painted grand piano which had been given in 1903 now on exhibit in the smithsonian institution. James barron takes the reader through all of the major stages of building a particular steinway concert grand piano and the journey is interesting, informative, light hearted and surprising. In making the covering for the hammers steinway used 1 34 inch thick felt. Its an old square grand piano with a fascinating history.
Find your steinway pianos age with the serial number. This design was eventually used by all american makers. Steinway square grand piano used kennelly keys music. See more ideas about piano, musical instruments and antiques. Steinway pianos new york city piano stores nyc used piano. Discover your pianos age and country of origin with our 5 star accuracy guide to ensure the quality and. The steinway grand is the gold standard of musical instruments, representing over 160 years of dedication to craftsmanship and uncompromised expression. Jul 28, 2016 the origin and history of the steinway model c grand piano. The hall hosted a great variety of functions, not just music performances. I am enclosing photographs of a beautiful steinway piano that was left behind in a house my son bought. Steinways rebuilt steinway upright pianos steinway grand. Steinway hh400 conceptual design of a model d artcase piano by l. Lieberman, who wrote a 1995 book on steinway, played an active role in bringing.
During the middle 19th century, steinway was building a full line of square grand pianos, with upright and grand production secondary to the number of square pianos they built. Lieberman, the director of the archives and a professor of history at laguardia community college. Excerpted from the piano book, fourth edition, by larry fine list of steinway models as an aid to those buying a used steinway, i have listed below all models of steinway pianos made in new york city since the firms inception in 1853. Contact museum director, tara fansler, at 3105487509. The steinway model b measures 611 in length while the model d is 811. Apr 27, 2016 aka box grands or victorian square pianos. If you are having trouble locating the serial number for your steinway grand piano, there are other places you can. On december 10, 1938, a grand piano was presented to president franklin d. Steinway hall, built in 1864, was located at 7173 east 14th street, right off of fashionable union square. The original steinway pianoforte was a compact square designed for victorian parlors, and. For steinway upright pianos you need to lift the pianos lid and look inside the piano, normally the serial number along with the model will be stamped in ink inside the piano, also on its harp.
At a ceremony on december 10, 1938, this grand piano was presented to president franklin d. Tantillo this guide listed below is designed to give information about specific american piano manufacturers and more, during the last 183 years or so. Oct 23, 2009 doretta was key to steinways early success, due to her generous offering of free piano lessons to anyone who purchased an instrument from them. The square piano is a type of piano that has horizontal strings arranged diagonally across the. This book is the biography of one piano that was made by these people in this place. Very early in the companys history the square included duplex scaling. It is for these reasons that over 19 out of 20 concert pianists choose the steinway grand piano and why the instrument remains at the heart of cultured homes the world over.