Hardman Grand

[JWyatt1492@AOL.COM]

Hello Avery!

   Sorry that this response is so late.
As to your questions about the 
"Hardman" grand piano  It was  
Aeolian owned at the time your 
piano was built.  At that time Aeolian
built magnificent pianos in N.Y.
   In 1926 there is written reports that
the  Hardman was the official piano of
the  Metropolitan Opera  of  N.Y.City
and had been for fourteen years.
As a matter of fact they had eighteen 
Hardmans. This was with Weber, 
Sohmer, Steinway and  Krakauer within 
blocks of their location. 
   In regard to your particular Hardman,
 it may very well be a scale  " V.F. " 
witch is a 5ft 3in.piano. The "VF"  has
10 single bass strings and 16 double
 and Two 2 string unisons in the
center section. In all probability it will 
have a real Wessell - Nickel and Gross 
action. This action is considered by many 
rebuilders as being the best action built,
including this one.  This Co. started building
actions in 1874. The quality of this piano
is very high and is definitely worth rebuilding.
This model  ( V.F )  ranks in the top
10 or 12% of all 5ft.3in. pianos built. 
Including the Sohmer Cupid,  Knabe B, 
Chickering 135 and the A.B. Chase 50.
  These are my  opinions  formed after
some fifty odd years as a technician
and rebuilder.
   Old Piano Guy!
    Jack Wyatt