List of Keyboards 

Compass AAA to a4 (7 octaves).
Two pedals: una corda, dampers.
Straight strung; four iron bars parallel to the strings.
Veneered in rosewood.

Stock image - this does not represent the piano

This square piano was made by Erard Frères in Paris, France in 1799. Sébastien Erard came from Strasbourg to Paris in 1781 and received a license to build musical instruments four years later. He entered a partnership with his brother Jean-Baptiste in 1788. This piano is serial number 4071 and has a compass of FF-c4, an Erard “à double pilotes” action, leather hammers, triple-strings throughout, with tuning pins on right, 3 knee levers: moderator, dampers, and nag’s head swell, wood frame, and a cherry case

Credit: Smithsonian

This piano was made by Erard in London, England in 1854. Sébastien Erard and his brother Jean-Baptiste entered a partnership in 1788 and became the leading French piano company in the 19th century. During the French Revolution, Sébastien Erard went to London and opened a branch of the company. Queen Victoria bought this instrument from Erard’s London establishment in 1854 as a gift for Prince Albert. It was housed in Balmoral Castle, Scotland. The piano is serial number 3964 and has a compass of AAA-a5, Erard repetition action of 1840, felt over leather on wood core hammers, copper-wound and plain steel strings, 1, 2, or 3 strings for each note, 2 pedals: una corda and damper lifter, a partial iron frame with tension bars and gap spacers, straight-strung, and a rosewood veneer case.

Credit: Smithsonian

Throughout the 19th centruy, Erard dominated piano production in France, and its instruments were stiff competition for piano makers abroad as well. This grand piano by Erard "piano en forme de clavecin" with its metal frame and "double repetition" was the most innovative instrument to be found at the time.

Technical data:

• Inscription: par brevet d’invention Erard à Paris

• Compass: 6,5 octaves (CC-g'''')

• Keyboard: naturals in ivory, sharps in ebony

• Pedals: 2: una corda - forte

• Dimensions: L 240 cm / W 130 cm

• Case: mahogany and banded case

• Serial number: 13533

• Chris Maene Collection number: CM 43 247

• Condition: restored to concert level Chris Maene workshop Ruiselede 2008

• Location: 3 - Museum headquarters "Piano's Maene" Ruiselede

In 1839 Erard inovated his ‘piano en forme de clavecin’ and he immediately used the term ‘piano à queue’. The case was given a new shape that survived for almost 100 years. The tuning block was reinforced with iron and the treble was improved with the ‘barre harmonique’. Serial number 14564 was brought to Franz Liszt in Paris on May 22nd 1840. This instrument is identical to the Erard (1840) from the Chris Maene Collection.

Technical data:

• Inscription: par brevet d‘invention Erard Paris

• Compass: 6,5 octaves (CC-g‘‘‘‘)

• Keyboard: naturals in ivory, sharps in ebony

• Pedals: 2 - una corda, forte

• Dimensions: L 240 cm / W 130 cm

• Case: mahogany double banded

• Serial number: 15182

• Chris Maene Collection number: CM 43 214

• Condition: in restoration

• Location: 3 - Museum headquarters "Piano's Maene" Ruiselede

Photo Credit: Museum of Music History, Budapest

This "extra grand modèle de concert " has an enormous dynamic range, is clearly intended for use in public space and can hold its own with an orchestra. It has ninety (rather than eighty-eight) keys, extending to a low G in the bass

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RAkKb5HI_c&list=PLy8ZuBE1RYHFM-Nl-04vE-An8Rk7mfo5t

Photo Credit: Louislegrand14 Wikicommons

A grand piano with four pedals shaped in a lyre-style.  Made in France in 1808. 

Image courtesy of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam (CC0 Public Domain), via Rijksstudio / Rijksmuseum Collection.