Rob: I was recently at the Mission Inn in Riverside for our State Board Meeting and saw the piano you asked about. According to the plaque on the piano, it was made for the USA 1876 Centennial celebration, and somehow found its way to the Mission Inn. It was "rebuilt" somewhere along the line, but looks like it needs to be rebuilt again by a competent rebuilder. The case is somewhat scratched and there is an ivory missing. The plaque also forbids you from playing the piano: however, one of our colleagues sate down and played a few chords before the hotel staff shooed him away. He was able to tell that the instrument definitely needed more work. Why is it valued at a million dollars? You got me - sentimental or historical value is the only reason that comes to mind. Patrick Poulson, RPT
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