Stodart Grand 1790

Robert Stodart studied with John Broadwood, and was a tuner for him.  In the 1770s he worked with Americus Backers and John Broadwood on the development of the English grand piano action, and following the death of Backers in 1778, he made some of the earliest English grands.  

In the late 1780s his nephew Willam joined the business, and was made full partner in 1790.  This is the only known example carrying the names Robert and William rather than Robert & Co.  Robert retired in 1792, when William's brother Matthew joined the firm.   

The keyboard compass is the standard for the time five octaves; 5½-octave pianos began to appear in the mid 1790s.

This fine piano was restored in 2008/2009 by Lucy Coad, Calvin Talbot, and Ben Marks; their full report is with the piano.

Estimate £7,000 - £10,000

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© David Hackett