List, I received a mailing today which I assume came because of my PTG membership. If so, most of you will also be receiving it but for those who don't, I thought the information might be useful to some. It's from a company in Ohio called David Warther Carvings, who is offering ivory piano keys to piano restorers here in the US. All keys (I assume he means tops) are cut from legal pre-ban elephant ivory. They are cut in the traditional flat-grain pattern and are always cut from the same tusk to insure an excellent color and grain match. Prices range from $600 to $975 per set for heads and tails (40, 50, 60 & 100/1000 thicknesses). One piece keys are $900, $1000 & $1300 per set (40, 60 & 100/1000 thicknesses). He says the David Warther Museum is able to purchase legal pre-ban elephant tusks from other museums and from private collections here in the US. The ivory they purchase is well documented pre-ban material. It is legal within the 50 states but cannot be transported to a foreign country. There was also an interesting brochure included which talked about, and showed pictures of, carvings in ivory of model ships which depict "The History of the Ship" from 1st Dynasty Egypt (3000 B.C.) to the present day. Even the rigging is carved of ivory. He also uses ebony wood and abalone pearl for trim. If anyone is interested, his address is: David Warther Carvings 2561 Crestview Drive NW Dover, OH 44622 330-852-3455 day 330-343-1868 evening ___________________________ Avery Todd, RPT Moores School of Music University of Houston Houston, TX 77204-4893 713-743-3226 http://www.music.uh.edu/
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC