Grand Piano by Chickering
Maker:
Chickering
Year:
1884
Museum:
National Music Museum, North America
Date Range
1850-1900
Current Location:
[object Object]
Material:
Painter:
Type:
Grand Piano
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.