Watchl, Blyer, and Seuffert Giraffe Piano Forte 1808, Rare Historical Piece

This is an 1808 Giraffe Piano Forte, the missing link between pianos and harpsichords. This is a once in a life time opportunity to own a piece of history, the only other one out there (located in the Berlin Museum). This came from the home of the late President Benjamin Harrison and was believed to be from the White House during his time in office, it was then gifted through 3 generations of Harrisons, and finally at the last of the Harrisons in Brentwood, Ca. This is a beautiful piece that has been properly restored to keep the historical value of the instrument. The strings are made of Brass and Red Brass wire, the hammers are leather, and the case is Walnut with original brass reliefs. This is a masterpiece!

Watchl, Blyer, and Sueffert were all independent harpsichord crafters and eventually all piano manufactures forming brands like Bosendorfer and Sueffert. These three craftsmen, well artisans if you will, came together to attempt to build a modern style piano action utilizing the giraffe piano forte design to produce a more modern feeling instrument. Ironically the action design they came up with was probably the base for the modern 1900 actions. The piano is to be played staccato which means with no pedals or dampening systems, a simulated plucking sound.

This instrument would be of the same caliber the Beethoven would have used to start composing his symphonies. A true feeling of the early 1800’s.

• Original Mint condition Walnut Case
• Hand Carved Harp
• Original Mint Condition Ivories and Ebonies
• Restored soundboard, hand scraped and sanded
• Era Small Oval Pins in Original Condition
• Mint brass
• String Felt Replaced
• Clean and oiled Action
• New Brass Strings and Red Brass Bass Strings
• Crystal Claw Foot Stool
• Free Local and state wide delivery
• 1 Free in Home Tuning
• 1 Free In Home Piano Lesson