Hardman Baby Grand Info

[altary]

I have inherited a Hardman Baby Grand measuring 5'8.
I know that the piano was made here in New York but I do not know anything else about this family.
Has anyone heard of this family of pianos?
I found some books inside the bench dating back to the 1920's, so I know that I have inherited a very mature instrument.

[Babcock]

I just gave a 7'2" Hardman to a church that I had had rebuilt and used as a teaching piano for about 20 years. I've replaced it with a Steinway.   Mine was built in 1889 and played very well, albeit with a new action, and everything.  Hardman was started in 1842 in New York. In 1890 they brought in Leopold Peck as a partner and were known as Hardman and Peck thereafter until the depression when they were taken over by Aeolian piano corporatopn.  If your piano is just named Hardman, then it may be from the 1880's.  Check its serial number.

[altary]

Thank you so much for that bit of information.
I had no idea it could be that old.
I'll see what else I can find out about it.