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Our Auction Page
This contains the lists for forthcoming auctions, and notes and results follow if we have been able to attend.
We offer our grateful thanks especially to Richard Reason and his team (Piano Auctions) not just for making us so welcome, but for their kindness in supplying as much information as possible in advance. We try to make the descriptions as complete as possible, but we do have to work with the fact that most of the pianos have not actually been seen by the Auctioneers until they arrive at the Saleroom. There has been the occasional surprise!
Sadly, The Bonham's sale listed below was their last specialist auctions of pianos. However, we are pleased to announce that our Friend Sarah will still be Piano Advisor to Bonhams, and pianos will be entered into more general sales in Edinburgh, Chester, Oxford, and London. We will do our very best to get details of these .
Square pianos frequently turn up at provincial auctions, and if these are not 'generally known about' they can often go for bargain prices. This is something of a mixed blessing, however, because there must surely be many that are not known about at all - and these may well go for scrap. I'm not sure if there's much I can do about this, because there are so many local auctions, and not all appear on the excellent site the-saleroom.com
Even if they do, the period of notice is usually short, and although most of the houses probably wouldn't mind my 'borrowing' the pictures, I don't actually have the authority to do so. Any ideas?
We offer our grateful thanks especially to Richard Reason and his team (Piano Auctions) not just for making us so welcome, but for their kindness in supplying as much information as possible in advance. We try to make the descriptions as complete as possible, but we do have to work with the fact that most of the pianos have not actually been seen by the Auctioneers until they arrive at the Saleroom. There has been the occasional surprise!
Sadly, The Bonham's sale listed below was their last specialist auctions of pianos. However, we are pleased to announce that our Friend Sarah will still be Piano Advisor to Bonhams, and pianos will be entered into more general sales in Edinburgh, Chester, Oxford, and London. We will do our very best to get details of these .
Square pianos frequently turn up at provincial auctions, and if these are not 'generally known about' they can often go for bargain prices. This is something of a mixed blessing, however, because there must surely be many that are not known about at all - and these may well go for scrap. I'm not sure if there's much I can do about this, because there are so many local auctions, and not all appear on the excellent site the-saleroom.com
Even if they do, the period of notice is usually short, and although most of the houses probably wouldn't mind my 'borrowing' the pictures, I don't actually have the authority to do so. Any ideas?
please email me, David, on friends.sp@btinternet.com
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Piano Auctions Ltd
Conway Hall, Holborn, Thursday December 15th
As usual, there was an informal gathering of Friends of Square Pianos on Wednesday 14th December, the day before the sale.
There were four square pianos (Schoene, Longman Clementi & Co, Phillips, and a magnificent Steinway),
but perhaps the star of the show will be a remarkable Harp Piano by Dietz (c.1830)
Image by kind permission of Piano Auctions Ltd
According to Clinkscale, these were successful "throughout the
nineteenth century", but we had never seen one before. Four or five
are listed, and are described as having the 'Claviharpe' action, where
the strings are 'plucked with leather hooks'. This one, though, had a more conventional hammer action.
This seemed unlikely to be original: the tape-check action was
developed by Wornum in England around the time that the Dietz was made,
but it seems unlikely that it was used in such an unconventional
instrument in Paris or Brussels. It was single-strung, with no
dampers, and no real soundboard that we could find. The tone was
ethereal, like a very gentle dulcimer. Not really a piano at all,
but elegant and charming. Sold for £8,800, against an estimate of £8,000 - £10,000
Longman, Clementi & Co. C.1800
Longman & Broderip - Longman,Clementi & Co. - Clementi... These
pianos are always popular. This one was
exceptionally pretty and in good condition.
The stand was a very well-made reproduction.
Against an estimate of £700 -
£1,000, this one did well at £1,700.
Steinway c.1877
These
magnificent instruments are rarely seen in the UK; they truly
deserve the description 'Square Grands'. Beautifully made, with
proper iron frames. Research by a Friend suggested that this
lovely piano was once the property of Henry James The
decoration of these late American
squares is often a bit 'over the top', but this one is tastefully
restrained. Against an estimate of £800 - £1,200,
this one flew away at £2,600. I would have been happy to
give it house-room - but my house isn't that big....
Schoene 1792
The firm of Schoene was the successor to Zumpe, and always made sure to
mention this on the nameboard!
This fine piano was restored in 1983 by a Very Good Friend, who was with us on Wednesday to confirm that all was still in good order.
Around 1790 Schoene developed the double (but non-escapement) action; my own Ganer piano of similar date has this action. The benefits are not obvious in theory, but the arrangement does reverse the arcs of rotation. The action was not much used in England, where the Geib-type escapment quickly became popular (and eventually universal) but it was adopted by Erard and others well into the nineteenth century. Work on my Ganer is not finished yet, but I'm inclined to agree that it does offer benefits over the old single action - it seems to be easier to get a good compromise of touch-depth and minimum lost motion, without the risk of bouncing. However, to our surprise, this one had the classical English Single Action. A fine piano, in good playing condition, it achieved the estimate of £4,000.
Phillips c.1815This fine piano was restored in 1983 by a Very Good Friend, who was with us on Wednesday to confirm that all was still in good order.
Around 1790 Schoene developed the double (but non-escapement) action; my own Ganer piano of similar date has this action. The benefits are not obvious in theory, but the arrangement does reverse the arcs of rotation. The action was not much used in England, where the Geib-type escapment quickly became popular (and eventually universal) but it was adopted by Erard and others well into the nineteenth century. Work on my Ganer is not finished yet, but I'm inclined to agree that it does offer benefits over the old single action - it seems to be easier to get a good compromise of touch-depth and minimum lost motion, without the risk of bouncing. However, to our surprise, this one had the classical English Single Action. A fine piano, in good playing condition, it achieved the estimate of £4,000.
Dating
from about 1815, we think, this one is unusual in having no frets, but an
elegant Greek key pattern on the nameboard. The rounded corners were
unusual as well, with a much larger radius than the typical English
style that became popular in the 1820s. We weren't quite sure
about the legs, which seemed somewhat plain, and had no casters.
but the rest of the design is 'different', so why not?
Several of us thought that the style reminded us of Art Deco -
just 110 years ahead of its time. But the Greek key-pattern
was borrowed then... is nothing new?
Apart from this, the piano was a pretty conventional 5½ octave English square. Plenty of work needed, but very do-able.
Was this one overlooked in favour of the more glamourous candidates? It was sold for just £100. With careful work, this could turn back into a charming and probably unique 'square' piano.
Next Auction 19th April 2012.
Apart from this, the piano was a pretty conventional 5½ octave English square. Plenty of work needed, but very do-able.
Was this one overlooked in favour of the more glamourous candidates? It was sold for just £100. With careful work, this could turn back into a charming and probably unique 'square' piano.
Next Auction 19th April 2012.
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Bonham's Grand Finale
Four Friends came to Knowle for the last of
the Bonhams specialist piano sales on Monday November 28th.
It was sad to say goodbye to the team at Knowle, but we will be
keeping in touch with the piano specialist Sarah, pictured above with
David - and there will be square pianos inthe regional sales at Chester
and Oxford. Special instruments will be in the London sales from
time to time.
There were six Square Pianos in this final sale, two of which were bought by Friends.
There were six Square Pianos in this final sale, two of which were bought by Friends.
Christopher Ganer c. 1786.
An usually plain example, elegant and understated. Quite a bit of work to do, but this will be a lovely litle piano. Sold for £580
Muzio Clementi c. 1805
A beutiful nameboard, but a real challenge for the restorer!
Sold for £300
James Ball
A lovely-looking piano - James Ball's instruments are always
interesting. This one needs considerable work, but looks like a
good restoration proposition. Beautiful nameboard : "Jacobus Ball
Londini Fecit". No date, but looks like about 1785 -90 to me.
Soundboard looks good and original, original pins, but a problem
with the bridge. Dampers and two(?) handstops missing. Five
octaves, nice ivories. Not sold, against and estimate of £700 - £1,000 (top bid £540)
Joshua Done (1796)
Another
lovely nameboard. Substantial work needed - attention to
soundboard and bridge, but most of the dampers there this time.
Five octaves again, no sign of any handstops. French stand. Sold for £650.
Longman & Broderip 
Number 1509 in the 5-octave series: c. 1790. Three handstops, good soundboard, mostly original. Again, a lot of work ot do, bu this one should turn out well. Sold for £650
Clementi No. 13723 (c. 1820)
These glorious Clementi name-transfers are
often damaged, and difficult to repair - but this one is beautiful.
Piano number 13725 (stamped) 17789 (ink). Double
(escapement) action, of course, and 5½ octaves. The
green inner-cover survives. Not shown are the six turned
legs. Well-restored, these are amongst the most 'playable' of square pianos. Sold for £650.
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