Square piano by Beck and Corrie 1791 in need of restoration,...

Estimate

£400 - £800

Square piano by Beck and Corrie 1791 in need of restoration, the mahogany case with satinwood and ebony stringing and an unusual lid, hinged in the centre to act as a music desk, satinwood fascia board inscribed 'Beck (Corrie missing) Londini fecit 1791, No. 10 Broad Street, Soho', five octaves FF-f3 with ivory naturals and ebony accidentals, inked 'Beck and Corrie 1791' on the soundboard parallel to the bridge, unusual prellmechanik action with overdampers and soundboard extending over keys, two hand levers operating damper raise and buff stop, upon a French stand with shelf stretcher terminating on brass castors (separate in a box) with leather rollers, 152cm wide, 55.2cm deep
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** Ivory submission reference A8XKWATC

More Information

Corrie's name has been removed from the fascia board inscription. On reverse of nameboard in pencil Vincent Topsham Ashton v Lyne 1906. Missing brass knob or screw on nameboard panel for securing.

Soundboard and strings: bridge broken in two places. Soundboard in good original condition with one split. Buff stop present, clad with a later material. A medley of mainly replacement strings extant. Good complete set of tuning pins.

Casework: all stand medallions are missing. The four castors with hard leather wheels, one of which is missing, are kept separately in a box and require careful re-fitting. Shelf stretcher in good condition. A secondary music lip (now missing) for use when the lid is folded upwards would have been used for an accompanist from behind the instrument and the hinge holes have been filled in on the lid. New case moulding required at right side. Damage to top of hand lever support inside right.


Observations noted in the condition report are based on obvious signs to the naked eye from an experienced restorer. They are designed for quick analysis of their condition, leaving interested parties to carry out their own personal inspection. Please note that actions have not been removed from instruments.