List of Keyboards
Folding Harpsichord by Nonnemaker
Technical description: Composed of one rectangular and two trapezoidal sections hinged together so that the sections fold into a rectangular box shape for travel, case of light brown wood (stained poplar?); compass C/e-c4, rosewood naturals with ivory arcades, accidentals veneered on the sides with rosewood and plated with ivory, two-rail keyframe, keys guided by pins between the rear ends of the levers, keyboard must be withdrawn to fold the instrument; jacks and tongues of pear, quill plectra, brass leaf springs, small lead weights, the jacks for the lower springs, small lead weights, the jacks for the lower 2/3 of the compass slotted for a single damper, box register is made by gluing blocks between two thin battens. Credit (Douglas Maple 1983)
Square Piano by Newman, J & E
This square piano was made by Joseph and Elias R. Newman in Baltimore, Maryland around 1851-1852. There was a sizable group of Newmans in Baltimore between 1828 and 1860. The founder was Joseph Newman, who was in various partnerships with his brothers and sons throughout this period. It is unusual to find an instrument with a compass of only 6 octaves as late as the early 1850s. This piano has a compass of FF-f4, Viennese action, felt hammers, single-strings for the first 11 notes, triple-strings for the last 17 notes, double-strings for the rest, tuning pins in the front, 2 pedals: dampers and moderator, metal hitch-pin plate frame, and a rosewood (?) case
Credit: Smithsonian
Square Piano by Newman, J
This square piano was made by Joseph Newman in Baltimore, Maryland around 1828-1840. The presence of a Janissary stop in this piano would suggest a date toward the beginning of the range of years suggested. The Janissary stop was on the way to obsolescence in the mid-1830s. A wood frame in this instrument also indicates a date in the 1820s or perhaps early 1830s. This piano has a compass of FF-f4, Viennese action, single-strings for the first 10 notes, double-strings for the rest, tuning pins in the front, 4 pedals: Janissary, dampers, buff, and bass drum (?), wood frame, and a mahogany case
Credit: Smithsonian
Square Piano by Neuhaus, A
Key range: Contra-F to c4 (five octaves and a fifth). The lower keys are fitted with ivory, the upper keys with ebony. The instrument is veneered in mahogany and rests on four turned spiked legs, which are adorned with chiselled brass fittings. The decorative moulding and keyboard sides feature inlays of bird’s-eye maple. The piano has a three-strung action and an English (‘Prell’) action without release. There are three pedals: forte, piano and lute. A wooden panel is placed over the strings to dampen the sound.
Credit: Uni of Leipzig