Square Piano by Gibson & Morgan Davis

This square piano was made by Thomas Gibson and Morgan Davis in New York, New York around 1810. Gibson and Morgan had a partnership from 1802-1822. This piano features a patented transposing keyboard, which can be hand-shifted to permit an octave range of starting notes. A diagram beneath the inscription shows the row of starting notes for orientation. This piano has a compass of FF-c4, an English double action, leather hammers, double-strings throughout, 1 pedal: dampers, and a wood frame and case.

Credit: Smithsonian