Grand piano
Maker
Mason & Hamlin
Date1901
Place MadeBoston, Massachusetts, United States, North America
ModelCC Grand Piano
Serial No.Serial (Invoice) number 11833; Case number 12574
SignedPainted in gold on nameboard: Mason & HamlinRaised lettering on iron plate, bent side: Mason & Hamlin / Boston
Raised lettering on iron plate, tail end: CC.
MarkingsDie-stamped on sides of both cheek blocks: 11833
Raised lettering on iron plate cross bar: IMPROVED CONTINUOUS BENT RIM DUPLEX SCALE CAPO D'ASTRO BAR
DescriptionMason & Hamlin began first produced the CC concert grand model in 1900, with a formal introduction to the market in 1901. The CC was one of the largest production pianos of its time, with an exceptionally large soundboard. There were two batches of CCs produced in 1900-1901, as indicated by the groupings of their case numbers. The NMM's example was the first CC in the ledger of the second batch, and it was followed by another piano from the first batch. It was sent to Steinertone Co., part of Steinert & Sons of Boston, on September 26, 1901. These early instruments did not have the Richard Gertz patented tension resonator, which began to be included regularly in production pianos in 1902, and may have been included in some CCs at the end of 1901. The NMM's CC was likely one of the last to not have the tension resonator.
DimensionsTotal length: 9'3"
Total width: 64"
ProvenanceAcquired from Charles Jackson, Hopkinton, Massachusetts. According to Russell Grethe of Maine, who had redone the key tops at some point before 1980s, the instrument had belonged to Dana Hall School of Wellesley, MA, and also for 25-30 years to Harold Bauer, the concert pianist and Mason & Hamlin endorser who introduced the CC model during his 1900-1901 concert tour.
Credit LinePurchase funds gift of Dr. Gary and Connie Grittner, 2023
Object number15722
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