Another Erard:

Early 19th century piano made by Francoise Soufleto. check out the way the case opens:

Wow, another one that opens like that. A French Reintjes:

A "cabinet" piano, attributed to Clementi:

An inside view of a cabinet. How about the length of those stickers!

A Rippen art case:

I don't believe we've seen this one before:



Upright piano by Decker Brothers, New York, ca. 1895. Serial number 25089. Paul von Jankó experimental 6-6 keyboard with 264 keys. Serial no. 25089. AAA-c5 (7+ octaves). Two pedals: half blow, dampers. Decker Brothers introduced Jankó keyboards into their pianos in 1891.



The modern science of ergonomics developed out of the military need to improve the safety of equipment during and after World War II. The word, ergonomics, was coined in 1949 by K. F. H. Murrell, a pioneering British researcher in the field. Although many musical instrument makers have attempted to "reform" traditional instruments during the last three centuries, most of the changes were intended to alter or improve the sound or to introduce novel construction materials, rather than to make musical instruments less strenuous to play.

One early exception was an invention by Paul von Jankó, a Hungarian mathematician, engineer, and musician, who developed a piano keyboard in 1882 that reduced the hand stretches required of the player, making it easier to play in all keys. The keyboard was also stepped down toward the player, as is the modern computer keyboard, to produce "less exertion than ordinary pianos." As stated in Jankó's 1887 U.S. patent, "The strong muscles of the arm are utilized to the best advantage . . . in an easy and convenient position." However, the design failed to gain acceptance, pianists being hesitant to learn a new system.

A pine case:

One that has seen better days...

From the French: (using the somewhat dubious Google Translater)
-------
I get a moment this photo of the friend Eddy. It was the afternoon of the day I played my little Scarlatti, beginning in July, the keyboard was dry and I had taken a huge foot (but the hands were not available) to repeat on this beautiful Pleyel, for an audience of cicadas perfectly indifferent (repeated themselves - something the U.S. no doubt, minimalist and a bit boring). You will notice that the owner of the instrument was somewhat customized, it is not very nice (but very practical), and the feeling of being in command of a powerful race car (it does is unclear, but the metal side bars make the seat attached to the piano) not unpleasant, paradoxically, for a bagnolophobe like me (I can not drive (I was told that in some exalted moments piano progressed, I 'I felt nothing)).

quote:

Originally posted by OperaTenor:
We haven't posted one for Zorba lately:

Yep, definitely my kind of pie-anna!

quote:

Originally posted by Brian Becroft:

A Monarch Butterfly! by Wurlitzer

I would *love* to have one of these!

Hey Zorba! Welcome back. You been lurking?

HA! I knew I could lure him out....