Welcome to the
of Player Pianos
A Division of
Orange Coast Piano, Inc.
Since 1981
2658 South Grand Ave. Santa Ana, CA 92705
Office (714) 432-7426 Fax (714) 432-7035
About Us Appraisal Value Accessories Consignment Galleria Contact Us Piano History New Player Piano Systems List Your Piano For SALE Piano Movers Piano Restoration Player Piano Roll Library Site Map Giraffe Pianoforte' Circa 1808
Wachtl, Bleyer & Seuffert in Wein (Austria)
~Mahogany Original Finish Mint Condition~
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Manufacturer/Country: Wachtl, Bleyer & Seuffert in Wein (Austria) Size: 86-1/2" high by 48" wide by 17" deep Finish: Mahogany (French & Early American Design) New in: Est. 1808 Serial Number: No serial number exists anywhere in this instrument Historical References: It has been suggested to us that This Giraffe Pianoforte' is one of the oldest pianos in the US. These Suggestions are still being reasearched. Historical Facts:
TOTAL DIMENSIONS: 86-1/2" High: 48" Width: 17" Depth
CASE/Strings: Solid Mahogany and Mahogany veneer; upper case Open to air like a Harp. keyboard supported by C-shaped legs; lower internal case backed with silk (not original); The String are mad of Brass this was the practice of all harpsichord and early Pianoforte' manufactures
INSCRIPTIONS: Wachtl, Bleyer & Seuffert [oval insert 1/8th inch Beachwood inlayed on name-board] in Wien (Vienna)
Fallboard Nameplate: to be installed in the center of the oval Beachwood inlayed trim at the center of the Nameboard.
STRINGS: Straight strung Single string unisons; Original Harpsichord solid Brass wire.
TUNING PINS: Not Original I personally think that the original pins would have been oval head tapered 1x 2' wrest pins to the right (appear to be Original)
Keyboard: Total Number of Keys: 74 44-NATURALS: Total Length is from front of name board to end of key 2 Piece Original Ivory Wafers the Tails: 3-13/16" Fronts: 2-9/16" 30-SHARPS: Length is from front of name board to end of key 3-1/2" made of Real Ebonywood
ACTION: Hanging Viennese (Early leather strap much like the bridle straps used upright pianos of today) very similar to an upright action (Illustration No. 1) at the bottom of this page however there are no lever for dampers
Below are 8 interior photo's to show what has been done to this pianoforte in the past. Some of it has had many restorations over the years some were done very well and some were not. We intend to return it to what it originally was intended for. Then it truly will be a fully restored Giraffe Pianoforte'
Below are some of the early piano action patents (click to enlarge):
1. 1880's upright action
2. 1720 Bartolomeo Christofori
3. 1789 Stine Grand patent
4. 1795 John Broadwood Grand Action Patent
5. 1820 Erard of France Grand Action Patent
We have obtained more information on this unusual musical instrument our finding shown below.
1. http://periodpiano.com/Stock/images/large/harp-piano.htm The harp piano pictured here is of later construction.
2. http://www.ringve.com/english/index.html On there font page top right side is a picture of one very similar to this one.
