Kirckman Harpsichord 1786

This magnificent instrument by Jacob and Abraham Kirkman is an example of the fully-developed English harpsichord, with the keyboard including the low FF#, an integrated music-desk, a nag's head swell, and a machine stop.  

It is good news that the case is virtually free of the twisting or 'cheek disease' that affects so many harpsichords and early grands, and is not easy to correct.

The disposition is  the usual English 2 x 8' + 4', plus a lute register and a buff to one 8'.  The wrestpins are arranged in the usual English pattern, where the pins for the 4' for most of the compass are on the player's side of the 8' nut, with the strings passing through holes to the 4' nut.  

The jacks are original and in good condition.  The front 8' has dogleg jacks, so that if engaged it plays from both manuals.

The machine stop is a speciality of the later English harpsichords, to allow instant changes of registration.  The mechanism (seen below on another Kirkman, not this one) is normally covered by a shallow wooden box.   When pushed forward, the knob on the interior of the left-hand cheek engages the mechanism, selecting the 8' dogleg (on both manuals) and the 4' on the lower.  The second 8' could be added to the lower manual by using the handstop.  If the left-hand pedal is now depressed, the dogleg and the 4' are removed, and the lute engaged for the upper manual.  The lower manual would be silent, unless the second 8' had been engaged by hand.  The long lower lever is operated by the right-hand pedal, and opens the swell.

The harpsichord is in full playing order; the back 8' has just been regulated and sounds good, voicing and regulation of the other three registers is in hand.  The exemption reference in compliance with the UK Ivory Act is FPABJNN8.

Offers over £35,000 please.  

It is currently in Ipswich, Suffolk; the sale is being handled by Peter Barnes.      peterbarnes850@btinternet.com