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Square piano
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Square piano
Maker: Alpheus Babcock
Date: 1828 ca.
Place Made:Boston, Massachusetts, United States, North America
Serial No: 346
SignedMade by A. Babcock / for R. Mackay / Boston (plate on front of piano in highly stylized cursive)
Markings346 (on d' on key frame underneath music rack in pencil and stamped various other places).
Wilde (in pencil on keyboard frame).
In addition, each hammer is numbered 1-68; and each tuning peg is lettered.
Wilde (in pencil on keyboard frame).
In addition, each hammer is numbered 1-68; and each tuning peg is lettered.
DescriptionCompass: FF-c4' (68 keys)
One pedal: dampers
Case of mahogany paneling and rosewood crossbanding, with decorative brass stringing. The piano has a wooden frame.
One pedal: dampers
Case of mahogany paneling and rosewood crossbanding, with decorative brass stringing. The piano has a wooden frame.
DimensionsLength: 1686 mm
Width: 656 mm
Height: 241 mm
Height with legs: 840 mm
Width: 656 mm
Height: 241 mm
Height with legs: 840 mm
ProvenanceMade by Babcock for R. Mackay. Throughout the 1820s, Babcock was associated with The Mackays of Boston. Names such as G. (George) D. Mackay and R. (Ruth) Mackay are often found on Babcock’s nameboards from this period.
Previously owned by Edith M. Sloan, Waynesville, North Carolina.
Previously owned by Edith M. Sloan, Waynesville, North Carolina.
Credit Line: Gift of Jerry L. and Libbie Bowder, 1997
Not on view
Published ReferencesJohn Koster, “The Technological Development of the Piano in American Squares,” in Geschichte und Bauweise des Tafelklaviers (23. Musikinstrumentenbau-Symposium, October 2002; Michaelsteiner Konferenzberichte 68), ed. by Boje E. Hans Schmuhl and Monika Lustig (Augsburg: Wiáner-Verlag, and Michaelstein: Stiftung Kloster Michaelstein – Musikinstitut für Aufführungspraxis, 2006), p. 295.
Object number: 06102