My boyfriend Geoff has a piano he inherited from his mother, Alexandra Grow, who was a concert pianist. You can google her in San Bernardino, CA. She passed in 1989. She bought the piano in 1934 after returning from 3 years in Europe on a music scholarship she won in the Depression era. She bought the piano with money she made from her concerts in France. In 1946 she got involved with the San Bernardino light opera company, which she directed until her death. She never returned to the concert stage but taught piano for a while using this piano.
The Model A has been in climate controlled storage since 2001. We just went to visit it last week and got a ton of photos I can email to you. We talked to the piano guy and looked at his "bible of piano history" and he assures us that it was a mid-1905 model based on when Steinway made those particular pianos.
This Mahogany Steinway 6'1" model "A" #117385 looks and sounds great. The cabinet is well preserved - but could use a refinish. That darn cat jumped up on it and left a few claw marks. This model has the round, fluted legs called "ice cream cone legs" by the piano storage guy. There is one key that needs to be glued. Limited wear by fingernails on the keyboard "back splash." It has not been abused. You can see where the piano tuner wrote in the dates when he came and tuned it.
Fully original parts. Confirmed. All ivory and solid ebony keys. With the original decal inside. Dampers and hammers all in good condition.
Most of what we know about it came from an appraisal in 1995 by Bill Shull Piano Services. He recommended rebuilding the action, fixed structure, and some minor refinish to the cabinet. The survey ( done December 26 ! Exactly 20 years ago) 1995 says: The moving parts are worn out because the instrument was well used. Hammers are worn flat, soundboard shows stress along the treble bridge but very little bridge rolling has occurred. The ring tone is excellent even though the strings are original and should be replaced.
I have extensive photos of everything from every angle. The sound of the piano is excellent still, and the action of the keys is very easy. It was a joy to play. Please email for photos and with any other questions you might have. I can't seem to get the photos to attach.
Asking $6000 and accepting best reasonable offer. The faster you make your offer the more reasonable it will appear to us at this time.
All Original 1905 Model A Steinway 6'1" FOR SALE