List of Keyboards
Grand Piano by Chickering
This piano shipped on October 15, 1884 to R. Lentz of Baltimore, Maryland, likely a retailer. It is described in the Chickering ledger as a rosewood grand of 7-1/4 octave compass (88 notes) with straight molding, carved legs, Swiss action (Erard/Herz action as opposed to the Edwin Brown action Chickering also offered at the time), Scale 95, Style 30. (Information provided by Greg Bennett of the Chickering Foundation, 2/2023)
Patents covering this instrument include: US Patent 175,336, March 28, 1876, concerning the plate and pinblock attachment; US Patent 197,270, March 20, 1877, concerning the pedal mechanism; and US Patent 247,887, October 4, 1881, concerning the floated soundboard and plate with isolated rim contact. The last patent was intended to enhance the tone and increase volume.
Grand Piano by Chickering
This piano shipped on November 15, 1864 to M. Mertin(?) of Syracuse, New York. It is described in the Chickering ledgers as being rosewood, of 7-1/4 octave compass (88 notes), semi-grand, double molding, and carved legs. (Information provided by Greg Bennett of the Chickering Foundation, 2/2023)
Compass: AAA-c5
Two pedals: una corda and dampers
Edwin Brown patented action
Straight stringing
One-piece cast-iron frame
Agraffes throughout the compass
Rosewood veneered case with carved legs and lyre
Grand Piano by Chickering
This grand piano was made by Chickering and Sons in Boston, Massachusetts in 1865. This piano is identical to the one that Chickering won a gold medal with at the Paris Exposition in 1867. The piano is serial number 27733 and has a compass of AAA-c5, Edwin Brown patented action, copper-wound and plain steel strings, 1, 2, or 3 strings per note, layers of felt hammers, 2 pedals: una corda and damper lifter, a one-piece cast-iron frame, straight-strung, and a rosewood veneer case
Credit: Smithsonian
Square Piano by Chickering
This square piano was made by Chickering in Boston, Massachusetts in 1850. It is a fine example of a mid-19th century square and is in playable condition. This piano is serial number 10683 and has a compass of CC-c5, an English double action, leather hammers, single-strings for the first 5 notes, double-strings for the rest, 2 pedals: dampers and moderator, an iron frame, and a rosewood case
Credit: Smithsonian
Grand Piano by Chickering
Square Piano by Chickering
According to Greg Bennett of the Chickering Foundation, this model was produced from 1847-1860. Beginning in 1858, dates were written on interior case and action labels. This instrument has an illegible, nearly cleaned-off four digit serial number on the soundboard. Chickering's serial numbers had reached five digits by the end of 1849, dating this piano to ca. 1847-1849.
Compass: FF-f4 (6 octaves).
Two pedals: moderator, dampers.
Square Piano by Chickering & Mackays
This piano was completed on August 12, 1839 and shipped on August 20 to E. R. Johnston of Hartford, Connecticut, likely a dealer. It is described in the Chickering ledger as having square corners and "branch mahogany" (Information supplied by Greg Bennett of the Chickering Foundation, 2/2023)
Compass: FF-f4 (6 octaves).
Two pedals: dampers and treble dampers (from b-flat below c1).
Naturals covered in ivory; sharps ebony.
Standard English square-piano double action, but with checks and with hammer butts held by flanges screwed to the hammer rail. A small piece of lead or tin (or an alloy such as pewter) is held in a groove at the top of the wooden core of each hammer head. This is as described in John Mackay’s patent, originally issued on 14 August 1828 and reissued on 23 April 1839.
Bichord stringing, except for the lowest 13 notes, which have single covered strings. Cast-iron hitch-pin plate.
Case veneered in mahogany, crossbanded on the bottom molding. Keywell veneered in rosewood. Solid mahogany lid with mahogany crossbanding around the top surface. Four inverse-conical screw-on mahogany leg