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Piano Auctions' June Sale and
Meeting of Friends of Square Pianos
The next Piano Auctions' Sale will take place on Thursday, June 13th at Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, Holborn. As usual, we will be having an informal gathering of Friends of Square Pianos on the viewing day before, Wednesday 12th June.
Most of us arrive at about 11.00, and usually gather in the exotically-named 'Casanova's Treats' café for refreshment and a chat. The café is just along Lamb's Conduit Passage, to the right as you face Conway Hall.
We then have a look at the pianos, and most important of all, go to The Dolphin (further along Lamb's Conduit Passage) for beer and chips at about 1.00. Everybody is welcome to join us - please come along, especially if you haven't been before.
There are three squares in this sale, starting with a Collard & Collard from the early 1830s.
No further details yet, but it looks quite tidy. The estimate is £400 - £600 for this one.
Then we have the first of two Broadwoods. We have asked for more details, but this one is described as 'restored'. We would hope that the pedal is present, even though it is not shown in this picture. Looks to be c 1825 - 30. Note the square front corners. In the picture at the top of our Front Page, Pixie is cuddled up in the corner of a very similar Broadwood to this. Possiby more comfortable, but from a structural point of view, the square corners are better.
Estimate £400 - £600.
The third square is one of the last of the Broadwoods, c.1860. Note the extended compass, CC - a4. These are big and heavy pianos, but very solidly made, and often in good condition. They do, of course, have a big sound to match, and are rather like a small grand piano to play. Again, we hope that the pedal is present.
Estimate just £100 - £200: these lovely later squares are surely much underrated.
Other interesting lots, although not exactly Square pianos, include a small de Blaise spinet (estimate £400 - £600).
A remarkable and unusual Dietz Clavi Harp (£5,000 - £7,000)
...and a nice-looking Broadwood grand, c.1845. Estimate £1,000 - £1,500
All pictures courstesy of Piano Auctions Limited.
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