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Double-action pedal harp
Double-action pedal harp
Double-action pedal harp

Double-action pedal harp

Alternate name(s)
  • Pedal harp
Date1831 ca.
Place MadeLondon, England, Europe
ModelDouble-action Grecian pedal harp
Serial No.4458
SignedBlack-ink-filled engraving on brass plate on player's right-hand side of string arm: Sebastian Erard / harp & Piano forte Maker in Ordinary / to her Majesty and the / ROYAL FAMILY Black-ink-filled engraving on brass plate on player's left-hand side of string arm: [British coat-of-arms with lion, unicorn, text: DIEU ET MON DROUI] Sebastian Erard’s Patent 4458, 18, Great Marlborough Street, LONDONMarkingsnoneDescriptionOriginally sold to Marcus Crosbie, Esq., 78 Great Titchfield Street, London on October 28, 1831, according to the Erard ledgerbooks.

Compass: EE to e2 (43 strings)
DimensionsOverall height: 1640 mm
Maximum width: 870 mm
Maximum depth: 380 mm
Length, lowest string: 475 mm
Length, highest string: 83 mm
ProvenanceArne B. Larson Collection, Vermillion, South Dakota, 1979.

Charles von Berg (b. 18 Mar 1864, McGregor, Iowa) died 30 Dec 1939, LeMars, Iowa. His wife George Elliott McManus von Berg (b. 21 Jun 1881, Allen County, Indiana, d. 21 Nov 1974, LeMars, Iowa) probably sold the instrument to Arne Larson.
Published ReferencesTimothy D. Miller. The Origins and Development of the Pedal Steel Guitar. M.M. Thesis. Vermillion: University of South Dakota, 2007.
Credit LineArne B. Larson Collection, 1979
Object number01218
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