Hi Les again and list, A few years ago I ran into an ad or something in the Journal about a Wilhelm Gerts piano company somewhere in the east. I wrote him a letter at that time to see if he was any relation to Richard. He explained in reply that he was the great grandson or grandson of Richard the "inventor" of the Mason & Hamlin piano. He said he had a lot of info that would make a good book but that is about all he would share with me. It seems that when W.W.I broke out he left America and went to I think New Zealand and began building harpsichords. I wonder if anyone has seen any of these. He was unclear as to if or when Richard came back here to continue his family line. Does any one know Wilhelm or knows of his company in the east and could he be persuaded to write more on the exploits of Richard? This background history is fascinating stuff> James Grebe R.P.T. from St. Louis pianoman@inlink.com "I am only as good as my last tuning"
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