<HTML><BODY style="word-wrap: break-word; -khtml-nbsp-mode: space; -khtml-line-break: after-white-space; "><FONT id="role_document" face="Arial" color="#000000" size="2"> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> <STRONG><EM> Hi</EM></STRONG></DIV> <DIV><STRONG><EM> I have been called on to build a belly for a historic piano. It is ornately carved & inlayed with wooden type marketry laid in a a picture frame orientation the entire circumfrance of the case.</EM></STRONG></DIV> <DIV><STRONG><EM> It's maker, John Brinsmead & Son from about 1850 in London, had some interesting ideas about sound boards. It's straight strung with the grain orientation running an odd direction to the bridge. The rib layout is rather conventional with interesting rib connecting device. Also not shown on the top side of board in the bass corner is the sound board cutoff, but floating & held down in some kind of attempt to allow for screw tension to adjust the crown of the board. I would have taken more picture but the D----- batteries you Know went dead. ugghhh</EM></STRONG></DIV> <DIV><STRONG><EM> The cabinetry is receiving extensive restoration by an incredible craftsmen in San Diego. The piano was on it's side when these pics were taken. The entire piano is getting a french polish finish the likes of which I have never seen. Truly impressive. </EM></STRONG></DIV> <DIV><STRONG><EM> The Royal crest used by the Queen is located in the treble side of the case where the Modern folks put there decals. It's being researched as to it's authenticity but from what I understand one doesn't use the royal crest without permission of the Royals or it's .......auff weeth ees Ed.</EM></STRONG></DIV> <DIV><STRONG><EM> I'm quite sure given by the extreme nature of the amount of carving & detail that Mr Brinsmead probably didn't make a dime making this piano but certainly retained the braggin (marketing) rights for future sales, if you know what I mean. Oddly The plate has a screw stringer type arrangement with the pins sticking uot the direction towards the player. It is reported to have been easy to tune....we'll see<BR> Have fun</EM></STRONG></DIV> <DIV><STRONG><EM> Dale Erwin</EM></STRONG></DIV> <DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV><FONT class="Apple-style-span" face="Verdana" size="3"><SPAN class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><B><A href="http://tinyurl.com/ycu99n">http://tinyurl.com/ycu99n</A></B></SPAN></FONT></DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV><FONT class="Apple-style-span" face="Helvetica" size="3"><SPAN class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><A href="https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/files/2007-January/000286.html">https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/files/2007-January/000286.html</A></SPAN></FONT></DIV></FONT> </BODY></HTML>