Troy Taylor posted [in 160102 MMDigest]:

> It was originally red mahogany, but is now painted in some sort of
> fashion that looks remarkably like particle board in color and texture.
> The strings, hammers, and all the felt are badly deteriorated.  This
> piano is likely destined for the landfill, but if someone is interested
> taking it as-is and/or salvaging the stack or other parts/pieces from
> it, that can be arranged.

This paint finish sounds very much like the product "Zolatone" which
was popular in the late 1950s and '60s to "modernize old furniture."
While ugly by today's standards (Hmm, maybe even yesterday's!) it
does serve a purpose in protecting the underlying wood, as it's a very
dense finish.

My hometown public library had furniture like this and when they
auctioned off the library furniture I was going to bid on a lot of
it, because underneath that finish was some beautiful craftsman oak!
Apparently someone in the city government also realized that as the
furniture just "disappeared."  So, if you want a complete rebuild job,
here's one that looks like it could turn out well -- or if you have
a player with bad case parts, here's your deal!  

The Reproduco piano-organ is a scarce piece, and this one deserves
a good home.  Hopefully someone in those parts will save it.  (Hey,
Troy, you take out your dining room table and put it there! :)

David Dewey

 [ Read about Zolatone at http://www.zolatone.com/  -- Robbie