<HEAD> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2873" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY> <DIV>There is an Antunes piano built in Portugal in 1767 with Christofori action, now in the collection of the Shrine to Music in Vermillion, SD.  It has almost entirely original parts, and plays remarkably well, as can be heard on several recordings.  It is a good candidate for the world's oldest living piano.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>My guess is that the problem with the Christofori action was that it was so revolutionary that harpsichord makers did not understand how to regulate it.  The same was probably true of the Erard action, which took over 50 years (and some modifications and mass production developments) to gain general use.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Joe, I am curious where you think Mathusek was a century ahead of his time.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Ed Sutton<BR><BR><BR>-----Original Message----- <BR>From: Joseph Garrett <JOEGARRETT@EARTHLINK.NET><BR>Sent: Apr 18, 2006 7:46 PM <BR>To: pianotech <PIANOTECH@PTG.ORG><BR>Subject: Re: Christophori, etc. <BR><BR></DIV><ZZZHTML style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: AGaramond Bold"><ZZZHEAD><ZZZMETA content="text/html; charset=windows-1251" http-equiv="Content-Type"><ZZZMETA content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1522" name="GENERATOR"></ZZZHEAD><ZZZBODY> <P> <DIV>Israel said: "<FONT size=+0>The Cristofori action does not even remotely resemble the modern piano action. It is really flimsy, uses a parchment hammer, has an intermediate lever as part of the (single) escapement mechanism, I believe that there is no provision for checking... "</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>Israel,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>On the contrary, if you study Cristofori's design, you will note that is has many similarities to a modern action. It DID have a mechanism, (of sorts), for checking. And, he only used the parchment for a very short time and then went to other materials. Although, his action was a "single escapement", it responded far better than later actions that were of the same ilk. He, IMO, was a century ahead of his time, just as Mathuschek was.<G></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>Regards,</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon)</DIV> <DIV>Captain, Tool Police</DIV> <DIV>Squares R I</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <P></P></ZZZBODY></ZZZHTML></BODY>