<< Subject: Re: birdcages >>

[Brian Holden]

Stan,  Your reasoning makes a lot of sense, as thousands upon thousands of
families came to New Zealand by sail, back in the mid to late 1800s.  I
figure that many would have brought their pianos with them.  Yes, a large
proportion of our older pianos are birdcages.  Tuners here have just learned
to live with them.  No big deal.  But hey, we have some of the world's top
pianos too!  Interestingly, Britain, where I spend quite a lot of time, also
has heaps of birdcages, so someone might like to explain that.  The question
though, why so many in New Zealand?  I would really like to know.

Brian Holden, NZ   - After this I will not talk any more about birdcages -
promise.

-----Original Message-----
From: JStan40@AOL.COM <JStan40@AOL.COM>
To: pianotech@ptg.org <pianotech@ptg.org>
Date: Sunday, 13 February 2000 18:53
Subject: << Subject: Re: birdcages >>


>No information to impart, but just wondering--our Oz and Kiwi friends
appear
>to have more--er--experience with birdcages than in the States.  Given that
>these were probably not state-of-the art when built, but might have served
as
>instruments for the "hunting lodge," or some such out-of-the way second or
>third home, then it would be reasonable to assume that at the time it would
>be more economically feasible to ship them long distances with other
>household effects than to ship a reasonably sized grand or vertical.  That
>they seem to have travelled also to South Africa and Scandinavian countries
>as well, would seem to speak to the same reality.  Do you think that
explains
>why there are relatively few of them in the US?  100+ years ago there was
>certainly a thriving piano industry in this country, making it less than
>necessary to import affordable instruments.  (Regrettably, times have
>changed!)
>
>Stan Ryberg
>Barrington IL
>