The Auction Page

Please remember that, as with 'Pianos for Sale', I have not usually seen these instruments, and any comments I make may be based entirely on information supplied by the auctioneers, or what we can see from the pictures.

1777 Beyer at Kingham Auctions 25 July

Sold for £3,900

This piano is a good example by arguably the finest of the early English makers, Adam Beyer.   

Adam Beyer's beautiful inlaid name-cartouche, and very neat keyboard.

The serial number is 294.  It has the usual three handstops for divided damper-lift and buff, and the 'missing' FF# characteristic of many early pianos. We note also the captive ivory 'sticker' to operate each damper.  It was evidently restored comparatively recently, and it remains in good  condition.  

Soundboard with note-letters looks original to me, as do the bridge and wrestpins.

The estimate for this lovely piano was £1,500 - £2,000 - it sold for £3,000 hammer-price, £3,900 with buyer's premium.

All images by, and by courtesy of Adrian Kingham Auctions, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire.  https://www.kinghamsauctioneers.com/

Please click HERE to go directly to the lot on Kingham's website.

A Beautiful Goble Harpsichord c. 1979

at Piano Auctions Ltd 25 June

This exceptionally fine harpsichord by Robert Goble was in the Piano Auctions sale on Tuesday 25 June.

2 x 8' + 4',  with buff to one 8'.  Beautiful integrated music desk.

Exceptionally pretty mahogany case with cross-banding.

Nylon jacks could easily be replaced with wood.

This instrument was made  c. 1979 with ivory sharp-tops, and as with  all such  instruments made after 1974, its sale would now be illegal under the UK Ivory Act  2018.  The ivory has there been removed after these images were taken. This does, of course, mean that export to Europe or even USA would be simpler, quicker, and cheaper!

The estimate was £1,000 - £1,500, but it was disappointing that the hammer-price was just £1,400.  What would a new instrument of this quality cost?

Images by, and by courtesy of, Piano Auctions Ltd 

www.pianoauctions.co.uk

Original English Spinet c. 1770 at Clevedon Salerooms 13 June - Sold for £7,000

Please click on the image above for pictures and full details of this

18th-century spinet.

Broadwood 1797 at Great Western Auctions

14/15 June

Please click on the image above for pictures and full details of this fine  piano.

A Pretty John Hills Piano, c.1812

at Gardiner Houlgate 14th June

Please click on the image above for pictures and full details of this attractive piano.