hidden signatures

[Paul T Williams]

I had a client with an old upright, painted latex house off-white.  The 
best part of the piano was on the plate a signature of a tuner stating 
"Nome, 1909."  What a history that piano could tell!  I figure in those 
days it was either in a saloon or a missionary, and how it got there must 
have been a great story as well.

Best.


Paul





paulrevenkojones at aol.com 
Sent by: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org
06/01/2008 08:13 PM
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Re: hidden signatures






We restored a Steinway model E upright from 1873 about 12 years ago, 
pinblock, soundboard, etc., all the way down to th backposts. On the liner 
where the soundboard is glued, totally hidden, and in the least suspected 
place where someone might wish to record their name for posterity, was the 
signature of one of the craftsmen who did the original construction of the 
piano. They were proud of their work! 

P


-----Original Message-----
From: Allen Wright <akwright at btopenworld.com>
To: Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Sun, 1 Jun 2008 4:22 pm
Subject: hidden signatures

IMG_6807.JPG 
 
IMG_6802.JPG 
 
These hammers were removed from an 1886 Hamburg model A (#58167) being 
restored. I like finding hidden signatures on parts in old pianos, and 
reading old parts for wht they have to say. This guy's beautiful 
calligraphic flourish of "H Nebar" puts my chickenscratch #1 to shame. The 
Old German text on the paper used as flange shim may be hard to see. These 
hammers weren't played on that much - the original profile is pretty much 
still there, with only slight wear. 
 
Note the cloth piece by the roller. At what point did they figure out that 
wasn't necessary? Also, note the number 77 at the bottom of the flange 
(this on hammer number one). These numbers are completely random in the 
the action, no order whatsoever. I suppose someone numbered all the 
shank/flanges before the hammers were installed, and then ignored that 
when they were hung? (Since the high treble shanks are identical to the 
rest and not thinner, it wouldn't matter). Or am I missing something more 
arcane (or obvious?). Note also the huge chunks taken out of the corners 
of the flange; this was common throughout. 
 
Well anyway - here's to you, Hans (or Heinrich) or whoever you were. 
 
Allen Wright, RPT 
London, UK 
 
 

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