- BOOKS ON MUSIC, PIANOS, AND COMPOSERS,
BOOKS ON MUSIC, PIANOS, AND COMPOSERS, 14 Group of 14 Books on Music, Pianos, and Composers comprising: foreword by Wilhelm Altmann "Zwei Konzerte fur Pianoforte von Johannes Brahms", foreword by Wilhelm Altmann "Kammermusik von Johannes Brahms", foreword by Theodor Kroyer "Sechs Symphonien von W.A. Mozart", "Symphonie No. 5 C moll Ludwig Van Beethoven Op. 67", "Symphonie No. 9 D moll mit Schlusschor uber Schillers Ode an die Freude von Ludwig Van Beethoven Op. 125", Walter Damrosch "My Musical Life", Busch "Verdi's Aida: The History of an Opera in Letters and Documents", ed. Robert Winter and Robert Martin "The Beethoven Quartet Companion", Paul Stefan "Arturo Toscanini", Samuel Holland Rous "The Victrola Book of the Opera: Stories of One-Hundred and Twenty Opera with Seven-Hundred Illustrations and Descriptions of Twelve-Hundred Victor Opera Records", Autographed copy of James Barron "Piano: The Making of a Steinway Concert Grand", ed. Neal Zaslow "The Compleat Mozart: A Guide to the Musical Works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart", Alex Ross "The Rest is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century", largest: 9.25" H x 6.25" W x 2.25" D. Keywords: Sheet Music, Musicians, Reading, Library
- E. 19TH C. ENGLISH REGENCY MAHOGANY
E. 19TH C. ENGLISH REGENCY MAHOGANY SQUARE PIANO Thomas Tomkison (English c. 1764-1853), mahogany and inlaid mahogany veneer brass banded pianoforte, early 19th century, having multiple drawers, and rising on reeded legs on castors, inlaid and stamped (2673) makers to the case. Approximate dimensions: h. 32", w. 66.5", d. 24.5".
- Early English Hepplewhite \"Cheapside,
Early English Hepplewhite \"Cheapside, London: Pianoforte,\" second quarter 19th century, the case with delicate string and foliate inlays, raised on tall tapered legs, h. 37\", l. 62-/14\", d. 23\".
- 19TH C. CHAPPELL & CO. GLASSICHORD19th
19TH C. CHAPPELL & CO. GLASSICHORD19th century Chappell, England glassichord. A square case with a hinged lid reveals a 37-key piano (pianoforte.) [Approx. 34 x 24 x 20 inches].
- AN ANTIQUE GERMAN BURL WALNUT GRAND
AN ANTIQUE GERMAN BURL WALNUT GRAND PIANO, BY ERNST KAP...AN ANTIQUE GERMAN BURL WALNUT GRAND PIANO, BY ERNST KAPS, No. 4744, DRESDEN, 1877-1879, of medium grand piano size and a traditionally shaped burl walnut case topped by a conforming hinged lid with a front hinged lid, centering a circular crisply cast and gilt metal medallion celebrating E. Kaps being awarded the Order of Albrecht Knight's Cross 1st Class by the King of Saxony encircled by cities, dates, and medals won, above an interior with gold paint lacquered cast iron harp/frame with molded "SYSTEM KAPS / PATENT.," and fitted with expected strings/hammers, etc, over a sound board centering a black stenciled listing of medals won at various exhibitions/expositions with locations from 1862-1876, above stenciled reproductions of the medals and an oval scene of the Kaps buildings flanked by baby grands, over "Hof -Pianoforte-Fabrik von / ERNST KAPS / DRESDEN," impressed serial no. 4744, interior side with applied London retailer's label C.E. FLAVELL, beneath an adjustable music stand of reticulated fretwork flanked by two similarly detailed slide panels, above a hinged fallboard covering keyboard and centering brass inlaid "KAPS.," over an underside suspending the pedal lyre fitted with two pedal rods and two brass pedals, raised on three scrolling blocks on tapering octagonal legs with turned capitals and ending in turned ring feet on brass casters. Height: 38" Width: 57" Length: 6' 1" Provenance: Private Collection, Houston, Texas
Condition:
Repairs throughout, worn old felts, some strings unattached, hammer wear, faded areas, dry veneer, dings, light edge wear, veneer repairs, and build up throughout. Soundboard appears to be cracked in a few places. Simpson Galleries strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by Simpson Galleries regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Simpson Galleries. All lots offered are sold "AS IS.”
- VERY FINE CLASSICAL ROSEWOOD AND BRONZE
VERY FINE CLASSICAL ROSEWOOD AND BRONZE PIANOFORTE, SAC...brass plaque inscribed "Made by A. Babcock for G. D. MacKay, Boston", circa 1825, highly figured mahogany and rosewood case with ebonizing, brass inlay and moldings, gilt mounts and hardware, original playing mechanism, 34 x 68 x 24 in.
?This lot contains animal or plant material that may be restricted under federal, state and/or local law. Prospective bidders should check all applicable government wildlife restrictions prior to placing a bid. The buyer is solely responsible for obtaining any necessary licenses or permits from federal, state and/or local authorities applicable to their purchase or transport of the object. Please note that bidders in New Jersey may not bid on any lots containing elephant ivory, mammoth ivory, or rhinoceros horn.
Note:
Illustrated in American Antiques from Israel Sack Collection , Volume VII, pp. 1810-1811, P5029. Sack notes that the piano is also illustrated in Old Time New England Bulletin, 1978, "Pianoforte Manufacturing in 19th century Boston", Nancy A. Smith, figure 4. Sack notes that the original instrumentation is intact.
Babcock was a leading piano maker and his instruments had some of the most sophisticated cases made in the period. Similar Babcock pianos are in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (2001.364A,B) and the Smithsonian (1982.0434.01). Identical Babcock pianos are in the collection of the MFA Boston (1971.1130) and Winterthur (1989.0064). A third identical piano at Historic New England (2005.23.1) is discussed as part of the furnishings prepared in 1824 for Lafayette's visit to Boston (Mussey and Pearce, Rather Elegant than Showy, The Classical Furniture of Isaac Vowes pages 192-193).
Identical examples:
MFA Boston (1971.1130): https://collections.mfa.org/objects/50888/square-piano?ctx=fe4de107-717e-413e-b45e-00c2becf48bf&idx=13
Winterthur (1989.0064): https://museumcollection.winterthur.org/single-record.php?resultsperpage=20&view=catalog&srchtype=advanced&hasImage=&ObjObjectName=&CreOrigin=&Earliest=&Latest=&CreCreatorLocal_tab=&materialsearch=&ObjObjectID=&ObjCategory=&DesMaterial_tab=&DesTechnique_tab=&AccCreditLineLocal=&CreMarkSignature=&recid=1989.0064&srchfld=&srchtxt=piano&id=fd80&rownum=61&version=100&src=results-imagelink-only#.YxOZJy-B1KN
Historic New England (2005.23.1): https://www.historicnewengland.org/explore/collections-access/gusn/189623
Related Babcock examples:
The Met (2001.364a, b): https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/503531
Smithsonian (1982.0434.01): https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_605830
Background on Important Private Collection from Boston:
I have been working with this collector for over 25 years, both in the initial acquisition of the objects and overseeing their conservation as needed. With a keen eye for quality and design, and a deep passion for all things classical, he has quietly amassed a top-notch collection of American furniture and decorative arts. The collection encompasses outstanding examples from the leading cabinetmakers of Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, representing excellence in form and proportions, condition, wood quality, and carving. It also includes rare objects that are among the best of their kind. Now, with the downsizing of one of his properties, the offerings in this catalog are coming to market to find new owners who share a love for this remarkable period in American furniture history.
Clark Pearce,
Advisor and Consultant to Collectors and Institutions
Provenance: Israel Sack; Property from an Important Boston Collection
Condition:
works are original and have been restored (not tested for functionality), finely crafted and in excellent condition overall, some minor sun fading and color variation, restorations and/or re-gilding to some mounts, very minor lifting at some brass inlay, other scattered minor veneer flaws, some small banding losses, minor lifting at ivory keys
- 19TH C. MAHOGANY & ROSEWOOD PIANOFORTE
19TH C. MAHOGANY & ROSEWOOD PIANOFORTE DESK English, 19th century. Regency era pianoforte later converted to a desk, having mahogany and rosewood veneer, six drawers flanked by a pair of larger drawers, and rising on ringed fluted legs with casters. Unmarked. Approx. h. 32.5" (excluding backboard), w. 65.5", d. 25".
- FINE FRENCH ROSEWOOD BUREAU PLAT, ERARD
FINE FRENCH ROSEWOOD BUREAU PLAT, ERARD HARPFrench rosewood writing desk, early to mid 19th c., made for Sebastien Erard (1752-1831) and Pierre Erard (1794-1855), pianoforte and harp makers to the King of France, commemorating their Medaille d'Or in the 1819, 1825, and 1827 expositions, inset leather writing surface with gilt embossed border, contrasting string inlay, three frieze drawers, scrolled supports ending in paw feet, on shaped platform base, with harp finial, approx 31.25"h, 76.75"w, 36.5"d
- BERNARD LOUIS BORIONE (FRENCH, B. 1865),
BERNARD LOUIS BORIONE (FRENCH, B. 1865), WOMAN AT A PIANOFORTE Watercolor on paper, signed at lower right and inscribed "Paris 1902," matted and framed under glass, presented in an ornate period gilt composition frame.
- FOUR MINIATURE SILVER MODELS OF MUSICAL
FOUR MINIATURE SILVER MODELS OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS The first an .800 silver model of a harp with German hallmarks (4 in.); the second an .833 silver model of a piano with Dutch hallmarks; the third a pianoforte with Birmingham import marks; and the fourth an unmarked silver filigree drum.
- MAHOGANY AND INLAID PIANOFORTEAntique
MAHOGANY AND INLAID PIANOFORTEAntique Mahogany and Inlaid Pianoforte , c. 1856, hinged molded top, reeded legs, casers, h. 37 1/2 in., w. 66 in., d. 24 1/2. Provenance: Previously part of the furnishings of Madame John's Legacy Provenance: Property deaccessioned from the Louisiana State Museum, proceeds to be used for new acquisitions or the direct care of existing collections.
- MINIATURE WATERCOLOR PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG
MINIATURE WATERCOLOR PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG GIRLMiniature watercolor portrait of a young girl playing a pianoforte, 19th c. , 2 1/4" x 1 5/8". Provenance: A Chicago collection.
Competitive in-house shipping is available for this lot.
Condition:
Good condition. No apparent damages or repairs.