History of Art Case Steinway Model D Grand Piano #52626

Steinway Model D Grand Piano #52626 | A Beautiful Past For A Beautiful Piano

There’s an old saying, “If these walls could talk, they’d tell you a story or two.” A concert grand piano from Steinway & Sons will last for generations and over time they accumulate a rich and beautiful history. As one of the greatest piano manufacturers in the world, Steinway pianos are used in venues and by musicians across the globe. Over time, these pianos will see their fair share of usage, and pass through many hands. At Chupp’s Piano Service, we specialize in restoring these beautiful pianos back to playing perfection, and today, we want to shine a little spotlight on a beautiful piano that we are proud to feature – Steinway Model D Grand Piano #52626.

The Origin of the Modern Concert Grand

In 1884, a major step forward occurred in the development of the mature concert grand piano- the Model D. The then new Model D was designed and created by incredibly talented craftsman C.F. Theodore Steinway. This new design was the first Steinway Grand to feature a double cupola plate. It featured a 20 note bass section, was overstrung, had a continuous soundboard bridge, and a bent rim case construction. These pianos featured agraffes from notes 1-35 and a capo d’astro bar from notes 36-88. Measuring 8’10” in length with 7 ¼ octaves, these pianos are an essential piece of the piano development puzzle.

“Style D has an entirely new interior construction with double cupola steel frame and continuous ring bridge. The improvement in power and sonority of tone is simply marvelous.” – William Steinway, September 1, 1884.

Steinway 52626’s Journey Over the Years

Steinway Model D #52626 was built in 1884/1885. [The Steinway Factory’s serial numbers ran together during these years.] Ordered by former Steinway & Sons dealer Lyon Potter & Company in Chicago, Illinois, this nine-foot Grand Piano was purchased as a gift to the then new, DuPage County Library that was scheduled to open in late 1887. The piano arrived at the Steinway dealership in Chicago ready for delivery, however, the library construction had halted due to lack of funds. This led to the piano being held at the dealership until the library was finished in 1891. In modern times the library has been closed for a number of years with the building now serving as a museum. This is where the piano was found and selected for restoration.

An almost identical piano was utilized at the grand opening of New York’s famed Carnegie Hall in 1891. This famous Steinway can now be viewed at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. The piano itself is a wonderful piece of historic Steinway craftsmanship. The materials available to piano makers during the early years are truly extraordinary when viewed today. The art case cabinet features rare figured Brazilian Rosewood – a wood that is no longer in use in the piano industry today due to its endangered status. The filigreed music desk and Victorian flower pot style legs accent the cabinet’s delicate carvings. Amazingly, these luxurious details were considered to be somewhat standard during the late 19th century! Steinway #52626 retains its original ivory keytops which have been restored.

The action was fully rebuilt utilizing factory authentic parts, a new solid spruce soundboard was installed and the cabinet was carefully restored and refinished. Multiple thin coats of lacquer were slowly built up and hand rubbed which allows for the grain of the wood to be fully visible and obscured. This restored Steinway concert grand is currently located at our New Paris, Indiana Rebuilding Facility and is a joy to experience. [Click here for more about this piano.] We have a recorded a short demonstration video to give you just a hint at the beauty of this historic work of art.

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Check Out Our Restored Steinways Yourself!

Chupp’s Piano Service specializes in the reselling and restoration of Steinway & Sons pianos. With over forty years of business, you can trust that we have the experience needed to ensure the highest caliber of craftsmanship. If you’re in the market for an instrumental piece of history like one of the Steinways mentioned above, contact us, and we’ll schedule an appointment with you for a private demonstration.

The golden era of piano manufacturing saw the creation of some of the finest instruments ever built. Many artists prefer the touch and tone of restored, golden age Steinway grand pianos. We are proud to continue the art of Steinway Piano Restoration. Our Northern Indiana Piano Rebuilding and Showroom facilities feature the largest selection of restored Steinways in the Midwest. We hope to hear from you soon!

Chupp’s Piano Service | Specializing in Restored Steinway Pianos | Art Case Piano Restorations