Square piano
Maker
Alpheus Babcock
Date1828
Place MadeBoston, Massachusetts, United States, North America
Serial No.456
SignedEngraved on brass plate on nameboard: Made by A. Babcock / for John G. Klemm. / PhiladelphiaMarkingsStamped on d1 key lever: 456
DescriptionCompass: FF to c4 (68 notes).
Standard English square-piano double action.
One pedal: dampers.
Naturals covered in ivory; sharps ebony.
Bichord stringing; bass strings of Babcock’s usual type with iron cores with flat iron wrapping.
Case with rounded front corners, of mahogany with doubled lines of darker stringing near top and bottom; rosewood crossbanding at edge of bottom, at upper edge of which is a cast metal molding. Keywell veneered in rosewood with brass stringing. Nameboard with inlaid brass nameplate at center, surrounded by foliate decoration in gold with details in brown and white paint; lattice-covered rectangular openings near the ends. Fretwork panel over front portion of soundboard under lid flap; analogous panel to left of keyboard is missing. Faux-rosewood dust cover. Three drawers. Six turned reeded screw-on legs, with metal collars at top; matching pedal holder.
DimensionsLength 1680 mm (excluding moldings)
Width 655 mm (excluding moldings)
Height 238 mm
3-octave measure of keyboard: 483 mm
ProvenancePreviously owned by Philip Jamison, West Chester, Pennsylvania.
Credit LinePurchase funds gift of family and friends, in memory of John Randolph Waltner, 2011
Object number14613
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