Thursday, November 5, 2009

The Ugly Old Black Piano


For Vintage Thingie Thursday I am going to share the story of my Piano.


The year was 1964. I was just little, about 10 when my brother was dating a young lady who played the piano. She gave lessons and when I found out I wanted to take them too! My Dad was really good at finding bargains and making them look great, so when he told me and my Mom that he had found an old piano in some one's basement I was excited! He said something about it being in poor condition, but that he had all winter to refinish it. So a few days later a moving company brought me my piano, and put it in the basement. I wish you could have seen it! It was painted black and dusty and dirty and UGLY! I wasn't happy..... but Dad being Dad, started taking it apart to refinish it and lo and behold it was a diamond in the rough. He took all the broken pieces of the front and painstakingly glued it all back together, then he took it down to the original mahogany wood and re stained it.



It had a part of a Steinway sticker on the keyboard cover and as he took it apart, he found a serial number burned in the wood. He wrote Steinway and sure enough it was one of theirs. It was built in 1875 for a man named F. Wamelink of Cleveland Ohio and was shipped to him on December 28, 1875. Back in 1875 they didn't even make an 88 key piano, it only has 85 keys. And it was very hard to keep in tune, so finally we just kept it as an antique.


This piano weighs a ton, and having been in Arizona for almost 40 years is starting to dry and crack in a few places, no matter what I do to moisturize it, but this is my pride and joy, a part of my Dad's legacy.....enjoy!

















27 comments:

Brenda Pruitt said...

A work of art, and a part of your history! A part of your memories and your childhood and your father. It's beautiful!
Brenda

Anonymous said...

Hi Sandy, what a precious story and a beautiful old piano! So glad your family didn't get rid of it and you can cherish it. Isn't that something that they found out the history of it? Since I'm a pianist, I loved your story!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

Lisa said...

The piano is beautiful! I like your story about it.

Coloradolady said...

What an amazing story, you dad really turned that into a gem, and how wonderful you found some history behind it.....can you just imagine what the family of the original owners would think if they saw this??? Yes, you have a family treasure there...great post today, very touching.

Have a great VTT and a wonderful weekend.

Unknown said...

That is an amazing story! A great thing to keep always...so sweet :)

Postcardy said...

Your father sure did a good job. It still looks beautiful.

Jane said...

That is a wonderful story and a wonderful piano!! I can't believe that you were able to find out who the piano was originally made for and the date of origin...that is priceless information. Thanks for sharing your antique piano.
Jane

Jingle said...

Wow! That is such a neat story! and it looks so wonderful!

Unknown said...

Firstly, I want to say, what a lovely story. It's all about the find and your daddy scored big time. I'm so glad you appreciate all the love he put into it. Was wondering if you play piano at this part of your life?

Your blog is lovely. I'll be sure to click "Follow". Stop on over and if you like what you see, don't forget to click the "Follow" button so that we can stay in touch. Also, just below is the "Subscribe" button, 100th subscriber wins a Prize! And you will get any blog updates so that we can share one anothers creativity! Have a great weekend.

Keetha Broyles said...

I don't call that black - - - I call it lovingly aged brunette.

I had my grandmother's piano, but stored it at my cousin's house once and have never had it since.

LV said...

What a difference a little tender care can do for something. Your dad worked wonders with that piano. It looks great and I so did enjoy the history of it. Thanks so much for sharing and visiting my place.

Unknown said...

How cool is that?!! Have you tried rubbing any oils into it?
You mentioned scalloped corn casserole when you visited me. My family has that every year. It's my BIL's recipe!

Charlene said...

What a beautiful piano, a real "hidden treasure".

Thank you for visiting my blog as well, I hope to visit with you again!

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing your piano story! I have one too! Also, thank you for joining my Tag Along! I am especially happy that you will be joining because I think we have like mind when it comes to vintage! Have a great weekend! Elizabeth

Maureen said...

Just look at that woodwork - those nice curvy legs. Do you still play piano?

★Carol★ said...

What a beautiful piano Sandy! And such a great keepsake. Your Dad definitely poured alot of love into bringing out the beauty of that piano. Such a great story!
Happy VTT!
Carol
P.S. My word verification is bacon!

Robin Ennis Willson said...

What a neat thing...and a great story! I think it's great that your Dad liked to do things like that, and that you ended up with such a treasure!

Unknown said...

Hi Sandy, Back for directions! I have posted all of the information just a few posts back underneath my own tag as an example. The tags are 6 x 3 inches with a hole punched at the center top. You can curve your top or cut a point, or whatever! This is not an ATC swap which I believe are the size of a deck of playing cards. I hope you have fun - let your merry ring! Elizabeth

concretenprimroses said...

What a beauty! Such a treasure of a memory of your Dad too.
Kathy

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

What a treasure you have there. It's just beautiful. My dad also took apart on old piano and made it shine. I can remember my parents taking the ivory keys and soaking them in milk to make their beautiful color come back. I still play it today and my little Baby Bee is learning how to play it now. Thank you for bringing back such sweet memories.

Twyla and Lindsey said...

It's such a beautiful piano! So wonderful that you have it. Twyla

busyascanbe said...

What a fun story. And i love the piano!

marian said...

definitely not UGLY..it's a GORGEOUS heirloom!!

Unknown said...

That is the "Most" Beautifulst piano I have ever seen..(I think I just made up a word.beautifulst)
Seriously though. Your piano is BEAUTIFUL, along with the memories!

Betty said...

It IS a beauty!! I kinda like old out of tune pianos. It drives my musical children nuts though! LOL

FranE said...

Your dad sounds like a jewel. What a wonderful treasure to have with a great story to carry on with your family.
Thanks.

antique pianos said...

very interesting story i liked this post thanks for sharing this one with me

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