Music & Musical Instruments

Jesse Fuller's Silvertone Guitar

The Museum's music collections contain more than 5,000 instruments of American and European heritage. These include a quartet of 18th-century Stradivari stringed instruments, Tito Puente's autographed timbales, and the Yellow Cloud guitar that belonged to Prince, to name only a few. Music collections also include jukeboxes and synthesizers, square-dancing outfits and sheet music, archival materials, oral histories, and recordings of performances at the museum. The vast Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated Sheet Music is a remarkable window into the American past in words, music, and visual imagery. The Duke Ellington and Ruth Ellington Boatwright collections contain handwritten music compositions, sound recordings, business records, and other materials documenting the career of this renowned musician. In various ways, our collections find expression in performances of the Smithsonian Chamber Players, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, and in other public programs.

Topic: Pianos

Huppmann Square Piano

This square piano was made by George Huppmann in Baltimore, Maryland about 1848. Huppmann’s pianos were known for their ornate design and good workmanship.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by George Huppmann in Baltimore, Maryland about 1848. Huppmann’s pianos were known for their ornate design and good workmanship. His piano is possibly serial number 299 and has a compass of FF-f4, Viennese action, single-strings for the first 4 notes, double-strings for the rest, tuning pins in the front, 2 pedals: dampers and moderator, wood with iron hitch-pin plate frame, and a crotch mahogany or rosewood case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1847-1849
maker
Huppmann, George
ID Number
MI.315710
catalog number
315710
accession number
58488

Goodrich Square Piano

This square piano was made by Ebenezer Goodrich in Boston, Massachusetts around 1818. Goodrich was first a builder of organs from 1813 in Boston and was referenced as a piano maker in 1822. The date of this piano is still under study as it may have been made after 1822.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by Ebenezer Goodrich in Boston, Massachusetts around 1818. Goodrich was first a builder of organs from 1813 in Boston and was referenced as a piano maker in 1822. The date of this piano is still under study as it may have been made after 1822. This is Goodrich’s only surviving piano and is thought to be from the early part of his piano-making period, while he was still making organs. This piano has a compass of FF-c4, an English double action, leather hammers, single-strings FF-B, the rest double-strings, 1 pedal (missing): dampers, wood frame, and a mahogany case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1817-1819
maker
Goodrich, Eben
ID Number
MI.299864
catalog number
299864
accession number
61285

Chickering & Sons Grand Piano

This grand piano was made by Chickering and Sons in Boston, Massachusetts in 1865. This piano is identical to the one that Chickering won a gold medal with at the Paris Exposition in 1867.
Description (Brief)
This grand piano was made by Chickering and Sons in Boston, Massachusetts in 1865. This piano is identical to the one that Chickering won a gold medal with at the Paris Exposition in 1867. The piano is serial number 27733 and has a compass of AAA-c5, Edwin Brown patented action, copper-wound and plain steel strings, 1, 2, or 3 strings per note, layers of felt hammers, 2 pedals: una corda and damper lifter, a one-piece cast-iron frame, straight-strung, and a rosewood veneer case.
Location
Currently not on view (pedal lyre)
date made
1865
maker
Chickering, Jonas
ID Number
1981.0625.01
accession number
1981.0625
serial number
27733

Kuhn Square Piano

This square piano was made for Anthony Kuhn in Baltimore, Maryland about 1848. It may have been made in Germany for the Kuhn label. More likely, because it has an action patented in Baltimore by John J. Wise, it might have been manufactured by Wise for Kuhn to sell.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made for Anthony Kuhn in Baltimore, Maryland about 1848. It may have been made in Germany for the Kuhn label. More likely, because it has an action patented in Baltimore by John J. Wise, it might have been manufactured by Wise for Kuhn to sell. This piano has a compass of FF-f4, Wise square action, leather hammers, double-strings throughout, tuning pins at the front, 2 pedals: moderator and damper, wood frame, and a wood case.
Location
Currently not on view
dealer
1846, 1850
ID Number
MI.315715
catalog number
315715
accession number
58488

Ganer Square Piano

This square piano was made by Christopher Ganer in London, England around 1780-1785. Ganer, like a number of other German harpsichord and piano makers, came to London to carry on his craft.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by Christopher Ganer in London, England around 1780-1785. Ganer, like a number of other German harpsichord and piano makers, came to London to carry on his craft. All of the more than two dozen extant pianos attributed to Ganer are squares, and they are highly prized by collectors as having been well crafted. This piano is serial number 456, and has a compass of FF-f3, double (Schoene type) action, leather hammers, double-strings throughout, with tuning pins on right, 2 hand stops: dampers and lute, 2 pedals (later additions): moderator and swell, wood frame, and a mahogany case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1780-1785
maker
Ganer, Christopher
ID Number
MI.315663
catalog number
315663
accession number
58488

Longman & Broderip Square Piano

This square piano was made by Longman & Broderip in London, England around 1778. The series of companies began about 1767 by James Longman never manufactured pianos but sold them and later commissioned other makers to produce pianos that carried the Longman & Broderip label.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by Longman & Broderip in London, England around 1778. The series of companies began about 1767 by James Longman never manufactured pianos but sold them and later commissioned other makers to produce pianos that carried the Longman & Broderip label. Francis Broderip joined Longman in 1775. This piano is serial number 12(?) and has a compass of FF-f3 (no FF#), an English action, leather hammers, double-strings throughout, with tuning pins on right, 3 hand stops: treble dampers, lute, and bass dampers, wood frame, and a mahogany (?) case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1777-1779
maker
Longman & Broderip
ID Number
MI.303534
catalog number
303534
accession number
62559

Fiot Upright piano

This square piano was made by J. Fiot in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1840. Nothing is known of the maker, who may have been related to Augustus Fiot, co-founder of a music publishing firm in Philadelphia in 1835.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by J. Fiot in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1840. Nothing is known of the maker, who may have been related to Augustus Fiot, co-founder of a music publishing firm in Philadelphia in 1835. This is a “cottage piano,” about 44 inches high and the only known instrument by this maker. This piano has a compass of F-f4, tape-check (?) action, felt (?) hammers, single- and double-strings, 2 pedals: dampers and keyboard shift, wood frame, straight-strung, and a veneered case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1838-1842
maker
Fiot, J.
ID Number
MI.299862
catalog number
299862
accession number
61285

Wornum Upright Piano

This upright piano was made by Robert Wornum in London, England about 1814. It is a tall cabinet upright, almost 6 feet tall. The nameboard inscription reads “New Harmonic & Cabinet Piano Forts / Robert Wornum late Wilkinson & Wornum / N°.
Description (Brief)
This upright piano was made by Robert Wornum in London, England about 1814. It is a tall cabinet upright, almost 6 feet tall. The nameboard inscription reads “New Harmonic & Cabinet Piano Forts / Robert Wornum late Wilkinson & Wornum / N°. 42 Wigmore Street Cavendish Square & N°. 3 Welbeck Street London” This piano is serial number 122 and a compass of FF-f4, long English sticker action, escapement at bottom, leather hammers, triple-strings, 2 pedals: keyboard shift and dampers, wood frame, straight-strung, and a wood case with a front silk panel.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1813-1815
maker
Wornum, Jr., Robert
ID Number
MI.317023
accession number
67012
catalog number
317023
serial number
122

Reuss Square Piano

This square piano was made by A. Reuss in Cincinnati, Ohio around 1832-1835. The only thing known about A. Reuss is that he made at least one piano on Walnut Street in Cincinnati.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by A. Reuss in Cincinnati, Ohio around 1832-1835. The only thing known about A. Reuss is that he made at least one piano on Walnut Street in Cincinnati. His name is of German origin and Ruess probably immigrated to Cincinnati from Germany or Austria as this piano has a Viennese action and several pedals for devices common in Germany and Austria in the first half of the 19th century. This piano has a compass of FF-f4, Viennese action, leather hammers, double0strings, tuning pins in the front, 4 pedals: bassoon, dampers, moderator, and Janissary, wood frame, and a cherry and curly maple case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1832-1835
maker
Reuss, A.
ID Number
MI.315721
catalog number
315721
accession number
58488

Babcock Square Piano

This square piano was made by Alpheus Babcock in Boston, Massachusetts in the late 1820s.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by Alpheus Babcock in Boston, Massachusetts in the late 1820s. Babcock’s invention of a one-piece iron frame allowed piano makers to use higher-quality string, ultimately of steel, which provided the basis for greater depth of sonority and more volume, and the metal, being unaffected by changes in humidity, helped greater stability of tuning. This piano bears a plaque that reads “For R. Mackay, Boston.“ The Mackay family bankrolled Babcock, and their names are often found on his pianos. This piano is serial number 278, and has a compass of FF-c4, English double action, leather, basswood core hammers, double-strings throughout, 2 pedals: damper and harmonic swell, and a mahogany veneer over pine case with rosewood cross banding.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1825-1829
maker
Babcock, Alpheus
ID Number
1982.0434.01
catalog number
1982.0434.01
accession number
1982.0434

Kuhn & Ridgeway Upright Harp Piano

This upright piano made in the 1850s, was sold by Kuhn & Ridgeway in Baltimore, Maryland.
Description (Brief)
This upright piano made in the 1850s, was sold by Kuhn & Ridgeway in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a “harp-piano,” a type of upright grand piano in which the strings and framework protrude above the case This piano has a compass of CC-c5, standard upright, felt hammers, single- and double-strings, 2 pedals: keyboard shift and dampers, iron string-plate frame to level keys, straight-strung, and a gilded and decorated rosewood veneer case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1857
dealer
1850, 1875
dealer
Kuhn & Ridgeway
maker
Kuhn & Ridgeway
ID Number
MI.326603
accession number
71651
catalog number
326603

Wilkinson & Wornum Upright Piano

This upright piano was made by Wilkinson & Wornum in London, England around 1812-1813. George Wilkinson joined Robert Wornum, Jr. in the Wilkinson & Wornum partnership which lasted from 1811-1813.
Description (Brief)
This upright piano was made by Wilkinson & Wornum in London, England around 1812-1813. George Wilkinson joined Robert Wornum, Jr. in the Wilkinson & Wornum partnership which lasted from 1811-1813. This instrument is a “cottage piano,” about 41 inches high and devised by Robert Wornum as a way to make small pianos that would take up little floor space in small homes. The separation of the front and back of the piano gave this style the name “Knife Piano.” This piano is serial number 17 and has a compass of FF-c4, an English sticker action, leather hammers, double-strings, 2 pedals: moderator and damper, wood frame, and keyboard and action in a front mahogany case, hinged to the back case with strings, soundboard and tuning pins, that can be completely separated.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1811-1813
maker
Wilkinson & Wornum
ID Number
MI.315673
accession number
58488
catalog number
315673

Stein Square Piano

This square piano was made by André Stein in Vienna, Austria around 1830. Matthäus Andreas Stein, the twelfth child of the famous early piano maker Johann Andreas Stein, changed his middle name to the French form André in the early 1800s when he opened his own shop in Vienna.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by André Stein in Vienna, Austria around 1830. Matthäus Andreas Stein, the twelfth child of the famous early piano maker Johann Andreas Stein, changed his middle name to the French form André in the early 1800s when he opened his own shop in Vienna. This piano is serial number 558 and has a compass of FF-f4, Viennese action, leather hammers, single-strings for first 3 notes, double-string for next 40, and triple-strings for the rest, with the tuning pins in the front, 2 pedals: moderator and dampers, wood frame, and a crotch mahogany veneer case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1829-1831
maker
Stein, Andre
ID Number
MI.315659
catalog number
315659
accession number
58488

Nägelé Square Piano

This square piano is attributed to Jn. Nägelé in Paris, France after 1800. The inscription on the nameboard reads “Jn.
Description (Brief)
This square piano is attributed to Jn. Nägelé in Paris, France after 1800. The inscription on the nameboard reads “Jn. Nägelé / Rue de la Tixérandérie en face du Mouton No 15 à Paris 1785.” It is doubtful that this piano was made by Nägelé as several factors about this instrument are problematic. Though the nameboard is inscribed with the date 1785, it was originally made for a smaller instrument and has been extended on both ends. There is also indication that the compass of the piano has been extended. 1785 is too early a date for a piano with this compass. This piano is serial number 15 and has a compass of FF-f4, single (Zumpe) action, leather hammers, double-strings throughout, first 12 notes are wound, tuning pins on the right, 2 knee levers: lute (missing) and dampers, wood frame, and a wood case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1785
maker
Nagele
ID Number
MI.315755
catalog number
315755
accession number
65928

Pleyel, Wolff & Cie Upright Piano

This upright piano was made by Pleyel, Wolff & Cie in Paris, France around 1857-1858. Ignaz Pleyel was an Austrian pianist and composer and pupil of Franz Josef Haydn. In the early 19th century, he went to Paris, and began manufacturing pianos there in 1807 at the age of 50.
Description
This upright piano was made by Pleyel, Wolff & Cie in Paris, France around 1857-1858. Ignaz Pleyel was an Austrian pianist and composer and pupil of Franz Josef Haydn. In the early 19th century, he went to Paris, and began manufacturing pianos there in 1807 at the age of 50. His son Camille joined him in 1821. At Camille’s death, the company went to Auguste Wolff, his son-in-law, and had the name Pleyel, Wolff et Cie. This piano is serial number 25468, and has a compass of AAA-a5, an upright double escapement action, felt (?) hammers, AAA-EE is single-strung, FF-f is double-strung, f3-a5 is triple-strung, 2 pedals: keyboard shift and dampers, a wood frame with two iron tension bars, straight-strung and oblique, and an ornate faux tortoise-shell case with brass inlays (Boulle style) and two candle sconces.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1857-1858
maker
Pleyel, Wolff & Co.
ID Number
MI.291775
catalog number
291775
accession number
60050

Gilbert Combination Square Piano-Harmonium

This combination square piano-harmonium was made by Timothy Gilbert in Boston, Massachusetts about 1855. The harmonium, or reed organ, is mounted beneath the piano cabinet and shares the same keyboard as the piano.
Description (Brief)
This combination square piano-harmonium was made by Timothy Gilbert in Boston, Massachusetts about 1855. The harmonium, or reed organ, is mounted beneath the piano cabinet and shares the same keyboard as the piano. This instrument is serial number 5327 (piano) and serial number AE1803 (harmonium), has a compass of FF-a4, an English double action, felt hammers, double-strings throughout, 1 hand stop: silencing hammers, 4 pedals: harmonium swell, piano dampers, piano moderator, and harmonium pump, full iron frame, and a rosewood (?) case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1848-1852
maker
Timothy Gilbert & Co.
ID Number
MI.394259
catalog number
394259
accession number
212305

Meyer Square Piano

This square piano was made by Meincke and Peter Meyer in Amsterdam, Holland, around 1789-1800. Meincke and Peter were makers in Amsterdam and, later, in Hamburg. The Amsterdam establishment began in 1779.
Description
This square piano was made by Meincke and Peter Meyer in Amsterdam, Holland, around 1789-1800. Meincke and Peter were makers in Amsterdam and, later, in Hamburg. The Amsterdam establishment began in 1779. After Meincke’s death, date unknown, his sons, Meincke Andries and Jan Lodewijk took over the firm with Peter. This piano has a compass of FF-f3, single (Zumpe) action, leather hammers, double-strings throughout, first 5 notes are wound, tuning pins on the right, 2 hand stops: lute and dampers, wood frame, and a wood case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1789-1806
maker
Meincke and Pieter Meyer
ID Number
MI.332305
catalog number
332305
accession number
94098

German Square Piano

This square piano was made in Germany about 1830. Its maker is unknown and the bentside to the right is reminiscent of the “lying harp” pianos produced in southern Germany in the second half of the 18th century. The cross-string pattern is unique.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made in Germany about 1830. Its maker is unknown and the bentside to the right is reminiscent of the “lying harp” pianos produced in southern Germany in the second half of the 18th century. The cross-string pattern is unique. This piano has a compass of FF-f4, Viennese action, leather hammers, single-strings for the first 31 notes, double-strings for the rest, single strings are cross-strung over the double strings, tuning pins in the front, 1 knee lever: dampers, wood frame, and a Circassian walnut case in the Empire style, with a bentside at the right, and in-curving corners.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1805-1815
ID Number
MI.316628
accession number
66832
catalog number
316628

Kahl Square Piano

This square piano was made by Johann Francis Kahl in Washington, D.C. around 1843-1844. Kahl was born in Diedenberg, Germany and came to Washington in 1840.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by Johann Francis Kahl in Washington, D.C. around 1843-1844. Kahl was born in Diedenberg, Germany and came to Washington in 1840. This piano has a compass of FF-f4, an English double action, single-strings, first octave, double-strings for rest, pins at rear, an iron hitch-pin plate with numerous cut-outs, and a rosewood case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1834-1844
maker
Kahl, Johann Francis
ID Number
MI.303522
catalog number
303522
accession number
62559

Erard Frères Square Piano

This square piano was made by Erard Frères in Paris, France in 1799. Sébastien Erard came from Strasbourg to Paris in 1781 and received a license to build musical instruments four years later. He entered a partnership with his brother Jean-Baptiste in 1788.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by Erard Frères in Paris, France in 1799. Sébastien Erard came from Strasbourg to Paris in 1781 and received a license to build musical instruments four years later. He entered a partnership with his brother Jean-Baptiste in 1788. This piano is serial number 4071 and has a compass of FF-c4, an Erard “à double pilotes” action, leather hammers, triple-strings throughout, with tuning pins on right, 3 knee levers: moderator, dampers, and nag’s head swell, wood frame, and a cherry case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1799
maker
Erard Freres & Co.
ID Number
MI.315677
catalog number
315677
accession number
58488

Stein Grand Piano

This grand piano was made by André Stein in Vienna, Austria around 1824-1826.
Description (Brief)
This grand piano was made by André Stein in Vienna, Austria around 1824-1826. Matthäus Andreas Stein, the twelfth child of the famous early piano maker Johann Andreas Stein, changed his middle name to the French form André in the early 1800s when he opened his own shop in Vienna. This piano has a compass of FF-f4, Viennese action, without checks, leather hammers, brass strings, double- or triple-strings for each note, 4 pedals: keyboard shift, bassoon, moderator, and dampers, wood frame, straight-strung, and a mahogany case in the Empire style.

Matthäus Andreas Stein (b. Augsburg, Germany,1776; d. Vienna, Austria 1842) the twelfth child of the famous early piano maker Johann Andreas Stein, changed his first name to the French form André in the early 1800's when he opened his own shop in Vienna. Stein and his older sister Nannette Stein Streicher learned their craft from their father, and ran his shop together in Augsburg from 1792-94 during his last illness. Although both his father and elder sister achieved greater lasting fame for their work, the younger Stein achieved the title Hof-Klaviermacher in his adopted country, and his son Karl Andreas carried on the family business with distinction after his death.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1824-1826
maker
Stein, Andre
ID Number
MI.316467
catalog number
316467
accession number
66705

Tawse Square Piano

This square piano was made by Charles Tawse in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1792-1793. He was born in Aberdeen, Scotland and came to New York in 1786 where he advertised as an organ builder and instrument repairer.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by Charles Tawse in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1792-1793. He was born in Aberdeen, Scotland and came to New York in 1786 where he advertised as an organ builder and instrument repairer. A year later, he moved to Philadelphia, and was engaged in a number of other musical activities, teaching piano and publishing music in addition to making organs and pianos. This piano has a compass of FF-f3, an English double action, leather hammers, single-strings for the first 12 notes, the rest are double-strings, with tuning pins at rear, 2 knee levers: dampers and swell, wood frame, and a wood case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1792-1793
maker
Tawse, Charles
ID Number
MI.315679
catalog number
315679
accession number
58488

Culliford, Rolfe & Barrow Square Piano

This square piano was made by Culliford, Rolfe & Barrow in London, England around 1795-1797. A penciled inscription on the back of the name board dates the piano at 1788, but the date on which that inscription was entered is not certain.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by Culliford, Rolfe & Barrow in London, England around 1795-1797. A penciled inscription on the back of the name board dates the piano at 1788, but the date on which that inscription was entered is not certain. Good evidence indicates that the partnership lasted only between 1795 and 1797. This piano is serial number 3117 and has a compass of FF-f3, an English double action, leather hammers, double-strings throughout, with tuning pins on right, 2 hand stops: treble dampers missing) and bass dampers, wood frame, and a mahogany case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1788-1790
maker
Culliford, Rolfe & Barrow
ID Number
MI.315664
catalog number
315664
accession number
58488

Square Piano

This square piano has an unknown maker, but was made in Germany around 1770. It has a very unusual instrument with a unique hammer design and iron rods as jacks and hammer shanks.
Description (Brief)
This square piano has an unknown maker, but was made in Germany around 1770. It has a very unusual instrument with a unique hammer design and iron rods as jacks and hammer shanks. The absence of dampers (there is no indication there ever were any) suggests that the piano should be identified as a “pantalon.” This piano has a compass of C-f3, simple jack action, no dampers, leather balls on iron hooks at the end of hammer shanks, double-strings, with tuning pins on right, 1 hand stop: lute stop that is brought down to strings, wood frame, and a brown painted conifer case.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MI.303538
accession number
62559
catalog number
303538

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