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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Rob,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks so much for sharing this with =
the
list! That was an experience that many of us would like to have
sometime.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Ray</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><BR>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<BR>Ray =
T. Bentley,
RPT<BR>Registered Piano Tuner-Technician<BR>Alton, IL<BR><A
href="mailto:ray@bentley.net">ray@bentley.net</A><BR><A
href="http://www.ray.bentley.net">www.ray.bentley.net</A></FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; =
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: =
black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=rrg@unlv.edu href="mailto:rrg@unlv.edu">Robert =
Goodale</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A =
title=pianotech@ptg.org
href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Saturday, February 22, =
2003 1:03
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Liberace & Las =
Vegas
Chapter</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hello all,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Last night we had a most unusual =
chapter
meeting. By special arrangement via David Chadwick, RPT, we had =
our
chapter meeting at the Liberace Museum here in Las Vegas. During =
this
after hours event the barriers around the pianos were removed, and we =
as
technicians were given the opportunity to touch and to play these =
unique
pianos.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The Liberace Museum is home to many =
special
instruments. Not only was he an extravagant pianist-showman, but =
he was
also a collector of rare pianos. Here is a partial list of some =
of the
pianos Liberace collected:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>Rosewood Steinway Square, =
#6932 built
1863</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Pretty rough shape with several =
broken
dampers. The case appears clean and in good shape. Typical =
massive
decorative legs but no spectacular carvings to speak of.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>Kuhn & Ridgeway Harp =
Piano</STRONG>
(no serial number), estimated 1857.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>This is the vertical type with an =
exposed
harp-like frame standing up. Not playable but seemed to be in =
decent
museum-quality shape for display. No real damage that I =
noticed.
Very nice case.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>Upright mirrored =
Nickelodeon</STRONG>,
(no name or serial listed, says 1945 but unlikely, probably
1920s.)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Looks cool but nothing really =
spectacular
here. Mostly valuable simply because it was his. Covered =
in tiny
mirror squares, this is obviously an old pumper player that has had an =
"O"
roll spool frame added in the bottom and a glockenspiel added at the
top. Documentation suggests modifications made in the
1970s.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>Pleyel art case =
grand</STRONG>, #96421,
estimated 1885.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The entire case is decorated in =
original hand
painted art work and is in decent display condition. Very =
elegant
Rococo gold leaf French countryside motif. Apparently this =
piano
was used in the 1945 movie "A Song to Remember" about the life of
Chopin. This piano inspired him in using what would become his =
trade
mark candelabra.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>Broadwood, London #103 =
estimated
1788.</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>By far the most valuable in the
collection. Certainly one of the oldest and rarest in the United =
States. A very nice although relatively simple case, but in =
relatively
decent museum quality condition. The case reflects the typical =
and
unavoidable "cheek bend" syndrome found on most pianos from this era =
caused by
the tension warping the case. This was one of the more special =
moments
in our tour. The action was removed and we were given to =
opportunity to
study it first hand. The hammers are very small and made =
entirely by
layers of leather. The let off is very simple with a soft back
check. The piano was unplayable in it's current =
condition.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>Bosendorfer</STRONG> =
#222,
estimated 1830</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Apparently this piano was owned by =
exiled Serbian
Prince Michael Obrenovic III in Vienna. Liszt, Schumann, and =
Brahms all
reportedly played this piano. The piano was =
eventually relocated to
Serbia with it's owner until his assassination in 1860. It was =
then
given to his Fiance'.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>Chickering</STRONG> =
#146409-661R, with
Ampico reproducer player </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial =
size=2>Very little information was given
about this one other than it being owned by Liberace. The =
massive case
is about as elaborate as it gets with detailed carvings =
everywhere. The
player appears to be a model A. Rather than the typical three =
"double
legs" as found on most player grands, this piano has five =
independent
heavily carved legs. Two at the front, two on each side at the =
mid
point, and one at the tail. One of the most elegant player =
grands I have
ever seen.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>Chickering</STRONG> =
#2956??,
estimated 1920s, not specified with apparent missing serial
numbers.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>A very nice case, this piano was =
previously owned
by George Gershwin who apparently used it for much of his composing =
when he
lived in New York.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>Baldwin</STRONG> #SF216787,
1976</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Reportedly one of Liberace's =
favorites, this
piano is covered with thousands of rhinestones made specifically to =
match his
famous costumes and his rhinestone covered car. He played =
this one
extensively, and it was used during his last performance =
along with
his famous mirrored piano before he died. The appearance is mind =
boggling in the way the light reflects off of it in rainbow =
colors.
During our visit we were each given the opportunity to play this
piano.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>Coquet</STRONG> #1262, =
estimated
1830</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Built in Paris this is an early =
upright piano
with brass and tortoise shell inlaid into a very French style =
case. The
piano features two double brass candelabras at each side of the music
rack. Not sure about the history of this piano other =
than the
fact that Liberace owned it.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>Steinway</STRONG> =
#95852, estimated
1900.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>From what I understand this was the =
only Steinway
Liberace owned since he was a Baldwin artist. It originally had =
a unique
white finish which Liberace later commissioned to have completely =
refinished
in royal blue and gold to match one of his famous costumes. =
There are
carvings around and on the lid depicting a musical motif. =
Liberace used
this piano in a show at the Las Vegas Hilton on a rotating stage and =
later
became known as the "Dancing Waters" piano after the song he used to =
play
using it.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>Collard & =
Collard</STRONG> (No
serial number, estimated 1850)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>A very elaborate upright piano, the =
type for
which Collard & Collard were well known. There are over =
fifty types
of veneers used in the cabinetry as well as brass. Not sure =
about the
history of this one.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>Quante</STRONG> #1030, =
estimated
about 1850.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>This upright piano was once located =
in an upper
class saloon in San Francisco. It was present during the famous =
1906
earthquake during which it suffered only a warped damage on the top of =
its
lid. A block is specially fitted on the left side of the =
keyboard for
the pianist to set his drink and a tip jar. Never seen this
before.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>Baldwin</STRONG> =
#SD213557,
1976.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>This was his famous mirrored piano =
built
specifically for Liberace. There are actually two of these =
built.
The other mirror piano is located at the Smithsonian in Washington =
DC.
Those who attended the Arlington PTG convention may recall seeing this =
at the
Piano 300 exhibit. Liberace played these extensively. It =
was used
in his last performance at Radio City Music Hall in 1986. Only =
Liberace
could get away with playing a piano like this in =
public!!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>Butterfly Miniature</STRONG>, =
(no
serial), estimated 1930</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>A favorite novelty miniature grand =
piano, these
are favorite collectibles. I recall mention that =
several piano
techs have one of these. No history was given on this
piano.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>Pianette</STRONG>, (no serial =
number),
date stamped on soundboard indicates 1930</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>This is a most unusual miniature =
grand. I
have never seen one of these. It is Japanese with "Nippon Gakki" =
on
the fall board. It has a 3/4 plate, badly out of tune and
regulation, so I was unable to determine it's potential. The =
keyboard is
about ten inches higher than the rest of the piano, I am assuming =
there must
be some kind of drop sticker arrangement from the keys to the
action.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>Barrel Piano</STRONG>, (no =
maker
indicated, obviously </FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2>Italian. =
Estimated
1900 but I suspect earlier, perhaps 1880s)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Typical barrel piano arrangement for =
mounting on
a cart and a hand crank on the right side. No indication what =
type of
barrel or how many tunes in it. There are screens bearing art =
work one
the front. Obviously not the original screens, it looks =
like
someone scanned some pictures and then printed them on a computer =
printer
using iron-on paper and then applied it to new material. A =
pretty
good idea when you think about it except they did a pretty poor =
job of
it. </FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2>The instruments receive =
minimal
preservation attention mostly by David Chadwick, RPT. The mirror =
and the
rhinestone pianos receive more attention since they are still played =
on
special occasions. Brian Paco Alvares, the museum's curator, was =
an
excellent host and spent a lot of time with us. Chapter members =
as a
group had a photo session with the rhinestone piano.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>There are many other pianos that =
Liberace owned
throughout his life. A fe</FONT><FONT face=Arial =
size=2>w are on
loan in other collections, some are in private collections. The =
mirrored
piano in the Smithsonian is owned by Baldwin AKA Gibbon. There =
are a
substantial number pianos and artifacts that have been lost over the =
years for
a variety of reasons. The museum is now in process of seeking =
out these
lost items in an effort to reassemble the entire collection. If =
you are
aware of any pianos that were once owned by Liberace please let me =
know and I
will pass on the details to the museum so that they can
investigate.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>You can visit the Liberace web sight
at:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><A
=
href="http://www.flatwaremedia.com/liberace/index.cfm">http://www.flatw=
aremedia.com/liberace/index.cfm</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Rob Goodale, RPT</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Chapter President</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Las Vegas, NV</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial =
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