California 1852

[Edward Carwithen]

Lady around the corner here, has a square piano that she has documentation
on.  Indicates the piano was brought around the horn by ship, and belonged
to the Stanford family... that later established Stanford Univ.  I don't
know the date, but will make enquiries.

Ed

At 09:25 PM 1/22/98 -0500, you wrote:
>Ah, we're getting some good stuff here, aren't we?  Yes, Behrendt is
>probably one of the first professional builders.   There were a number of
>emigres from London and Germany who set up shop, generally first in New
>York.
>
>That instrument by Hawkins is a cute little thing, with handles, a portable
>likely intended for ships.   The Smithsonian acquired one last year, and
>they're very excited about it.   It has ingenious metal supports.   Thomas
>Jefferson ordered one, but then had such problems with it (apparently all
>Hawkins pianos of this type had problems) that he sent it back.  After that
>he had an Astor and Company square made between 1799 and 1805 which is
>still at Monticello, a rather pretty thing.
>
>Will dig up more if people are interested.
>
>ab
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>Anne Beetem
>Harpsichords & Historic Pianos
>2070 Bingham Ct.
>Reston, VA  20191
>abeetem@wizard.net
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Ed Carwithen
Oregon