George Garcka - revealed by excellent research by Norman MacSween and the late Tim Harding to be the first known occupant of the premises on the corner of Wardour Street and Edward Street, 1791/2, thereby fixing the date of this piano. In 1792 he went bust, and in 1793 the premises were occupied by Bates - all Bates pianos are dated 1793. He in his turn went bust, and Houston & Co moved in ...
Beautiful namepboard - but as so often happened the date has been crudely scratched to look like 1702 - which is clearly ridiculous! It is, however the only example I know where a date has been pushed back, rather than forwards, to make a piano look newer.
Handstops, hammer-rail cover, damper cover, and a few wrestpins missing, but bridge and soundboard don't look too bad. All surely do-able.
The estimate for this one is just £40 - £80, hammer-price £55. Carefully restored, it will be a lovely piano. A good project for somebody!
All pictures by, and by courtesy of, Gardiner Houlgate.