Lot 365
An extremely rare, pre-Civil War antique Brazilian Rosewood piano by John B Dunham, later the firm changed its name to J. B. Dunham and Sons New York. The serial number is 6121 (circa 1858). Inscribed on the inside in pencil is Elm Grove, Powhatan VA. Miss Marmie S. Wooldridge, Mch 9 1909, Hallsboro VA and Miss Alice D. Wooldridge, March 9, 1909. It includes an upholstered piano bench and it measures 36in x 72in x 33in. This piano is of the Empire Revival Victorian Style. It is made of Brazilian Rosewood, which is now endangered. The keys are made from ivory, which is now legally impossible to get in the United States. Both of these factors make this a very desirable piece. To make it playable, and bring it back to its original, gorgeous and historic state, this piece will require a restoration. Because these types of antique pianos went out of style in the late 1800s, there are only 5-6 companies nationwide that can restore an antique square grand piano. As luck will have it, one of these companies is 80 miles down the road from The Rug Life in Concord, Virginia. This company is Perrys Pianos, and we have discussed this restoration with Mark Perry. After reviewing the photos that we sent him, he states that to restore it so that it will play would be $9,000.00 to $10,000.00. The exterior looks pretty good, but to fully restore the exterior would be another $6,000.00 to $7,000.00. The full restoration would cost $15,000.00 to $17,000.00. But after the restoration, he said that this square grand piano would be good for 100 years and would be worth between $35,000.00 to $50,000.00. Over time, it would become more valuable. You may call Perrys Pianos at (434) 665-5742 to discuss this restoration with Mark. Should you decide to bid on this historic piece, The Rug Life can either arrange transportation to Concord with a local piano mover or we can move it. There will be a cost for the transportation to Concord, either way.
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Provenance:
- This piano was acquired from a Virginia Estate Dimensions:
- 36in x 72in x 33in Medium:
- Square Grand Piano Circa:
- 1858 Notes:
- The first Square Grand Pianos were imported from Europe. This is the type of piano that George Washington or Thomas Jefferson would have had in their homes. In the last part of the 18th Century, John Jacob Astor started importing Square Grand Pianos to America from Europe. By the turn of the 19th Century, a handful of makers are recorded as having made some of the first Square Grand Pianos in America. For the next 100 years, the Square Grand Piano would evolve into a larger, heavier, and more mechanically refined instrument. During the 19th Century, American Piano Makers built and sold more Square Grand Pianos than Grand Pianos or Upright Pianos! Back then, these Square Grand Pianos were selling for as much as $800 in the mid-19th Century, which was the cost of a small house. Sadly, however, they are all but forgotten today. By about 1880-1890, the American Upright Piano began to win favor as being more fashionable than the Square Grand Piano. Because they were smaller and took up less floor space, the Upright Piano caused the Square Grand Piano to become obsolete by 1900. Sometimes referred to by old-timers as a Box Grand, the Square Grand Piano is an earlier form of Piano that is built in a rectangular shaped cabinet, sitting on four legs, with its strings running left to right. Square Grand Pianos do sound different than modern Pianos. When composers like Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven, and Schumann wrote their famous Nocturnes and Piano Concertos, they heard the music they wrote on early Piano-Fortes, which were the predecessors to the Square Grand Piano. Both types have the same delicate, beautiful tones, which is different from the pianos of today. Condition:
- Very Good
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Once payment has been made, The Rug Life LLC (Hereinafter "TRL") will package and deliver your purchased item to one of the following shippers for a flat fee of $20.00. Purchaser must contact the shipping company directly after the auction to arrange shipment, and payment for shipping. We recommend;
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $99 | $10 |
| $100 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $749 | $50 |
| $750 | $999 | $100 |
| $1,000 | $1,499 | $150 |
| $1,500 | $1,999 | $200 |
| $2,000 | $2,499 | $250 |
| $2,500 + | $300 |