Lady around the corner here, has a square piano that she has documentation on. Indicates the piano was brought around the horn by ship, and belonged to the Stanford family... that later established Stanford Univ. I don't know the date, but will make enquiries. Ed At 09:25 PM 1/22/98 -0500, you wrote: >Ah, we're getting some good stuff here, aren't we? Yes, Behrendt is >probably one of the first professional builders. There were a number of >emigres from London and Germany who set up shop, generally first in New >York. > >That instrument by Hawkins is a cute little thing, with handles, a portable >likely intended for ships. The Smithsonian acquired one last year, and >they're very excited about it. It has ingenious metal supports. Thomas >Jefferson ordered one, but then had such problems with it (apparently all >Hawkins pianos of this type had problems) that he sent it back. After that >he had an Astor and Company square made between 1799 and 1805 which is >still at Monticello, a rather pretty thing. > >Will dig up more if people are interested. > >ab > > > > > > > > > >Anne Beetem >Harpsichords & Historic Pianos >2070 Bingham Ct. >Reston, VA 20191 >abeetem@wizard.net > > > Ed Carwithen Oregon
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