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Simone Sedda

Up for auction is this very rare New York "Centennial Grand" Style 4 Rosewood.  Before diving into the importance of this exceptional historic instrument, we'd like to mention that this Centennial Grand is currently not in playable condition and is presented at auction for the next owner to bring the instrument back to its full glory. 

Based on official Steinway documentation the instrument was finished and shipped to Steinway & Sons of London, England on February 4th, 1878.

The approximate net weight is around 1,115 lbs (506 kg) with nickel-plated hardware, and a keyboard of 7¼ octaves with 88 ivory keys. 
The body is made from rosewood and the ivory keys are of the extremely rare kind, made in 2 parts (1 piece for the top and 1 for the side).

Steinway developed this type of piano with the aim of participating in the Philadelphia World Fair competition and to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the independence of the United States (see picture 11 for a copy of an engraving from the Steinway & Sons exhibition held at the Philadelphia fair, where the Grand D Centennial is exposed on the left. (Image resource: Bates Country Museum)).  The historical prestige of the instrument is further proven by the fact Thomas Edison presented the first phone in the Steinway Hall on top of what seems to be a Centennial Grand (see image no. 12 - (Image resource: La Guardia and Wagner Archives))

Only 424 Centennial Grands, one of the first piano's with 88 keys and considered to be the first "modern piano", were ever made of which a limited number survive to date (numbers vary between 30 and 80 in existence)

Other "Centennial Grands" are part of the collection of the United States Pentagon, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, the Cantos Museum, the University of Iowa, Yale University, California State University

This instrument has been in the private collection of a performing concert pianist and piano teacher for more than 40 years.

Things to consider: 
- the strings have since the piano was built most likely been replaced
-  the soundboard was never repaired or touched and shows hairline cracks
- the piano bridge is showing minute hairline cracks, but the pins are solidly in place
- we recommend the next owner to replace the action parts through an official Steinway restoration.  This will not detract from the historicity of the instrument as the action did not change over the last 143 years
- one of the originally 3 pedals is missing
- this centennial has a straight forward music stand, compared to some centennials with a more decorative ornate music stand. 
- the wood is overall in very good condition. There are some spots where the varnish has some very tiny cracks and 2 spots where the varnish is missing, that are easily restored.
- preliminary contacts with Steinway specialists indicated a restoration cost (and to be on the safe side) with a max of 30 000 euro. 

This instrument is offered up for auction in the hopes that this extraordinary instrument will be brought back to life again and will fill concert rooms and halls with its remarkable sound.

We'll be happy to help facilitate swift and safe transport through a specialized piano transport company we can recommend or of your choosing.
 
For any questions or to book a viewing appointment, feel free to reach out to the experts of this auction.

Non-functioning/ For restoration - Number of items: 1 - Including: Piano (pianoforte) - Original case, Strings

Steinway & Sons - Centennial Grand Style 4 Rosewood - Piano (pianoforte) - United States of America - 1878

Musical Instruments

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Buy now

Closing date

tomorrow

11 December

12 December

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Country of origin

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Material

Wood

Maple

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Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes

As new - unused

Non-functioning/ For restoration

Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

Extras

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Strings

Original case

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Chin rest

+ Extra item (see description)

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1900-2000

After 2000

1400-1900

Brand New - Including: Violin - + Extra item (see description)

Herald - 3/4 jongvolwassen maat massieve viool Gold met oblong koffer en strijkstok -  - Violin

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Steinway & Sons - Centennial Grand Style 4 Rosewood - Piano (pianoforte) - United States of America - 1878

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Steinway & Sons - Centennial Grand Style 4 Rosewood - Piano (pianoforte) - United States of America - 1878

Popular in Musical Instruments

443 objects

Related collections