Hi MMD, this email was sent to me by a good piano tuner friend.
While original, having myself extended two grand pianos to accommodate
the Duo-Art, in the photos I notice what appears to me to be evidence
of factory(?) lengthening of this piano.  Also, it looks like it has
a single tracker pneumatic in the picture.  Does this mean it's really
early?

 [ Could it be a London Steck, built in Gotha, Germany?  -- Robbie

 - - -

Hi Tockhwock,  I came across an interesting early player that's up
for sale.  It's a Steck Pianola that's pedal-operated only; it has no
electric motor.  I can't find a serial number to date it, but I think
the lack of electric power makes it pretty early.

It belonged to the Petaluma Museum for some years, but they got
a concert grand and don't have room to keep the player.  The player
was rebuilt at some point and was working when I first saw it about
10 years ago, but now it doesn't work.  The tubing and pneumatic cloth
are still soft; maybe it could be put in working order without total
rebuilding.  The piano is in fair condition with beautiful wood but the
finish is crazed, the soundboard and bridges look good, the pinblock
is okay.  I tuned it today and it sounds like it could be a very nice
instrument, but the bass strings are dead so it's hard to tell.

For more info contact pianist John Maher, a.k.a. "Petaluma Pete", at
1-707-775-5041 or johnmaherhome@aol.com.geentroep [delete ".geentroep"
to reply].  The piano is now at the Fourchette Restaurant, 1435 North
McDowell Blvd., in Petaluma.  If you have any interest, or know anyone
who does, you can just go see it there.  Photos are available.

Best regards,
Larry Lobel - Virtuoso Piano Service
Petaluma, California