hidden signatures

[paulrevenkojones at aol.com]

 We restored a Steinway model E upright from 1873 about 12 years ago, pinblock, soundboard, etc., all the way down to th backposts. On the liner where the soundboard is glued, totally hidden, and in the least suspected place where someone might wish to record their name for posterity, was the signature of one of the craftsmen who did the original construction of the piano. They were proud of their work! 

P


 


 

-----Original Message-----
From: Allen Wright <akwright at btopenworld.com>
To: Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Sun, 1 Jun 2008 4:22 pm
Subject: hidden signatures










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These hammers were removed from an 1886 Hamburg model A (#58167) being restored. I like finding hidden signatures on parts in old pianos, and reading old parts for wht they have to say. This guy's beautiful calligraphic flourish of "H Nebar" puts my chickenscratch #1 to shame. The Old German text on the paper used as flange shim may be hard to see. These hammers weren't played on that much - the original profile is pretty much still there, with only slight wear.?
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Note the cloth piece by the roller. At what point did they figure out that wasn't necessary? Also, note the number 77 at the bottom of the flange (this on hammer number one). These numbers are completely random in the the action, no order whatsoever. I suppose someone numbered all the shank/flanges before the hammers were installed, and then ignored that when they were hung? (Since the high treble shanks are identical to the rest and not thinner, it wouldn't matter). Or am I missing something more arcane (or obvious?). Note also the huge chunks taken out of the corners of the flange; this was common throughout.?
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Well anyway - here's to you, Hans (or Heinrich) or whoever you were.?
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Allen Wright, RPT?

London, UK?
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