P & G Investments- Ole Bear's
Tango Composing Piano!
'mer'can
Steinnnnnnnwwwwwwwway - Nooooo Yooooook Ciiittiiie, USA
Brief History of the 1875
Style 2 Steinway Parlor Grand
finished in imported
French Burled Walnut.
No, It Ain't Rosewood!
Dude!
This, Kool Kat, is French
Burled Walnut... 1st of 11 Made in 1875!
Numero Uno on the ole
Serial Numero!
In
1875, Steinway & Son manufactured 1965 total pianos. Of this total,
Steinway manufactured 159 Style 2 parlor grands. These were usually finished
in rosewood, but some had other special finishes as requested by customers,
or painted on veneers when veneers were not available. #32,065 is the first
of eleven instruments in the total 159 in production which were
finished in imported French Burled Walnut. None of the 159 Style 2's were
finished in American walnut. The eleven were usually made in pairs, but
the twelfth unit was never completed according to our research. Our research
is documented from the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives in New York City which
house the Steinway manufacture records during this time. The research includes
a listing of each serial number, and will convey with purchase.
#32,065
was originally delivered to Cluett & Sons, Troy, New York on April
28, 1875. Original purchaser and owners since this time are unknown. The
instrument has all Steinway patents in production use up until the date
of manufacture early in 1875. One unusual feature is that the grand sostenuto
was patented in June 1, 1875 after this instrument was manufactured and
delivered to Troy, New York. 32,065 does have the sostenuto pedal. The
sostenuto pedal does not appear on Style 2 cases shown in the 1876 catalog!
Other constructed case Rosewood models from the mid-1870s comparable to
32,065 I have seen have only 2 pedals, soft and sustain. 32,065 does have
soft, sostenuto, and sustain pedals. This is a prime example of inaccuracy
in Steinway catalogs of the period. It also serves to demonstrate that
sometimes Steinway put into manufacture new design features before actually
receiving the patent.
Style
2 instruments were manufactured from 1872 until 1879 according to the Steinway
Factory. Comparable instruments of this period include the Style 1 from
1859 to 1872, when the Style 1 was renamed Style 2. After 1879, comparable
instruments were called Style C from 1878 to 1886. In 1886, the Style C's
were changed to a 20 note base and were scaled down from the 1884 Style
D. The later model C was made as late as 1936, but was said to be discontinued
in 1913, and was not listed in catalogs after 1905.
This
is a constructed case instrument meaning that the case is made with two
joining blocks in two corners of the case. The case style is very similar
to the Centennial Grand of 1876 manufactured for the Philadelphia Centennial
Exposition. Bent rim cases were not generally made until after the Steinway
patent of May 21, 1878, but knowing Steinway, some probably do predate
the patent.
This
is a rare, wonderfully tonal instrument with exquisite touch recently restored
by Mr. Hennessy. The piano has an eloquent tone, and is most responsive,
yet has not had that much actual playing time since the restoration. The
instrument is a true gem of Steinway & Sons craftsmanship in the 19th
Century. Not only is it a fine vintage instrument, it is a true work of
modern art, the epitome of form and function.
The
number of Style 2's remaining of the 159 built is unknown. The number of
the French Burled Walnut cases of the eleven built is unknown. However,
after 124 years use your imagination! Finding one in this condition ready
for setup and delivery is certainly an opportunity of a lifetime for the
discriminating vintage restored instrument purchaser.
To
find numero uno in the finish design for an instrument of this caliber...!
You might try Piano Alley in New York City, the Art Case Capital of the
USA... Good luck... Tell them around Central Park...Ole Bear Sent You!
And tell everybody you meet..."Ole Bear from MizzouTigerLand says "Hello@debigapple!"
"So
Stupid Bear...you must think this instrument to be magnificent...?"
"No,
I don't think it is magnificent.... 32065 is.
If
you can find a Rosewood Style 2 for under $40,000 and have to restore it
yourself.... have fun finding it in an original/restorable condition with
original legs, music rack, and all of the original Steinway factory parts.
Dealers
and collectors have been snarfing up these "first of the" Steinway Art
Cases like crazy over the past several years... and have been calling me
to find them one cheap from unsuspecting sellers before they are all gone.
Steinway
production of Style 2's were from 1872 to 1879 with average production
of about 100-160+ units per year total. 159 total units in 1875 x 8+- years
totals 1,272+- total "possible existing" similar Style 2's in the 7' 2"
constructed grand case. Over 95% of the Genre are in Rosewood.... or painted
on finishes.
Of
the possible similar 1,272+- Style 2 units made, not all could exist over
125 years later! Attrition by Age and Neglect?!!!! Very Good Deduction,
Weedhopper!
A
Style 2 cost about $1,400 new in 1875 based on factory literature. There
were less made in the 1870s than what I projected as there was business
recession in the years from 1870 to 1880 in the USA. There were less made
in the early 1870s... right after the Civil War as well. Steinway production
was geared toward the more profitable square grand at the time during this
era. $1,400 compounded at 4%/year for 125 years = $188,500.
Back
to Photo presentation the French Burled Walnut Style II
Forward to P&G
Warranty on the Investment Pianoforte
P
& G Investments, Paula & Gale Bullock, P. O. Box 30139,
Columbia, MO 65205-3139 USA
Office Phone: 1-573-445-8918
Office Fax: 1-573-445-0871
Email: olebear@pgtigercat.com,
© 2001-2002 P & G Investments, Revised 12/12/2001
URL: http://www.pgtigercat.com