No subject

[Doug Richards]

Hi Anne,

I find myself catching up again on my digest of pianotech and your request about
pianos in early California history caught my eye.  One lead I can offer is on a 
piano I saw while visiting Chico a few years ago.  There is a Mansion (sorry, 
don't remember the name at the moment) that has been turned into a historical 
monument or park or something in Chico that has a square grand that I think was 
dated in the 1860's, but it could have been earlier (not sure now).  I do 
remember that it had been restored and was perfectly playable.  My wife and I 
were on the formal tour of the mansion when the tour guide ask if anyone in the 
group played.  Yours truly volunteered and I was really impressed on the 
condition, tone and all.  The guide told stories of how it got there...

I'm sure I could find the name of the place if you are still interested.


doug richards
San Jose, CA
------------------------------

Date: Thu, 22 Jan 1998 09:35:11 -0500 
From: Anne Beetem <abeetem@wizard.net> 
Subject: Re:California 1852

...
Here's the question:

What evidence do we have of what type of pianos in California in
1852?   I have direct knowledge of an 1859 cast iron frame Steinway square which
was shipped around South America by boat and still resides in the San Francisco 
Bay area.   I know what types of pianos were being produced in the U.S. then.   
A lot happened in those 7 years though in California and it was still quite 
rough in 1852.   Information anybody?

Best,   Anne

Anne Beetem
Harpsichords & Historic Pianos
2070 Bingham Ct.
Reston, VA  20191
abeetem@wizard.net