Barrie Heaton <Piano@forte.airtime.co.uk> relayed, 5/24/97: <<A close friend has just purchased a baby grand piano, labeled 'Francis Bacon...New York...1789' above the keyboard. He's assuming that the piano is around a hundred years old. It seems to be in pretty good condition. It is an American piano. Might you know anything about this particular piano? Such as the history of the manufacturer and what the instrument is known for? Was this a lucky find or not?>> Most of the Francis Bacons I have seen were decrepit uprights. If you check in the Pierce Atlas, you'll see that although the name Francis Bacon was used as early as 1789 by American importer of pianos, John Jacob Astor, it was only a name (however notable in English history). By the time your friend guesses his piano was made, that name was probably in the hands of the Kohler&Campbell Co. Nuff said. Was Francis Bacon a prime cut of piano?. Naw...pure tripe. Bill Ballard RPT NH Chapter "Remember, men, you're fighting for this lady's honor. Which is more than she ever did." Groucho Marx in "Duck Soup"
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