Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > September 2000 > 2000.09.18 > 03Prev  Next


Unusual Piano in Champaign Illinois
By Harvey Chao

I spent the weekend in Champaign Urbana, Il, (where the weather was
decidedly nicer than here in the Santa Clara Valley!) and came across
what appears to be an antique keyboard instrument in the lobby of the
Lincoln Hotel in Champaign.

It is a rectangular box, horizontal to the ground supported on four
legs, one at each corner.  The box is wider than deep, and perhaps
18" high with a keyboard on the front that at a glance had what looked
like 88 keys.  The top was partially open and I could see that the
strings were strung horizontally in the box, nominally left to right
in 2 (?) layers and the top layer strings were at a modest diagonal
across the box.

The case was rather ornate (as opposed to a plain wood box), but not
carved.  I have a recollection that it was wood and some greenish (like
oxidized copper in color) designs/patterns (inlaid ?) on it.  Because I
could not stop to look more closely, I was unable to get the name on
the fallboard nor inquire if it was playable or only for "show".

Just thought I'd mention this for those of you who have interest in
pianos that are not of the more common configurations.

Harvey

 [ The MMD has a couple of friends in that area (my home town of
 [ 20 years).   Perhaps we'll get some more information about
 [ the piano and its history.


(Message sent Mon 18 Sep 2000, 16:37:36 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  Champaign, Illinois, Piano, Unusual

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page