Hi Debbie -
Leave it to you to crack open a most exquisite can of assorted worms. This is likely to be one of the more extended threads. You've gotten some good leads with regard to expert appraisers, from Karl (Southeby's & Christies - but you should also contact Phillips
http://www.pianoauctions.co.uk/catalogue.php ); Laurence Liben (Albert Rice); Don MeKechnie (Ed Swensen), but, in each and every case, there is some sort of algorithm begin applied that attempts to align an absolute value with what that which the market, even a highly niche one, would assign. If a wealthy Chinese (or other) collector was interested in this piano, what would its value become, and what would it have to be insured for? Could he pay some thousands, or more, and yet only be able to insure it for, say, $5,000? Does the willingness to pay, in and of itself, establish an inherent value?
I suspect this would not be a subject of conversation were it not for the Grammy Museum's involvement. In other words, if the the piano were to be exhibited at Brandeis, as part of a local Bernstein celebration, would there be an issue, either with the value or, for that matter, the ivory? And, again with regard to the ivory, would it make a difference if the tour were to remain in this country? I don't think that either you or the University should have to do all this leg-work. What is the Museum willing to do, if they're so intent on having this piece?
I spoke with someone at another well known gallery. He said that they now refuse to deal with any piece that has ivory, as, even when they attempt to adhere to the procedures required to establish legitimacy, they get no response from government. I'm sorry, this whole thing is outrageous, not to mention insane. If you were to remove the ivory, would you be required to destroy it? Maybe you could make a temporary exhibit of the ivories themselves, while the piano was traveling, (with some temporarily whitened keys). Then reattach them when the piano returns. As I said, it gets insane.
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David Skolnik
Hastings-on-Hudson NY
914-231-7565
Original Message:
Sent: 12-04-2016 20:28
From: Debbie Cyr
Subject: Historical Value Appraisal
I've been asked by the university I work for - Brandeis University, and by the Grammy Museum people, to get a historical Value Appraisal on a piano we own.
It is Leonard Bernstein's childhood upright, the one he started taking piano lessons on when he was 10 years old. Lenny is a Mass. boy, and was on the faculty at Brandeis from 1951-55. It seems that Bernstein's centennial is this next year, (born in 1918) and the Grammy Museum is putting together a worldwide tour of everything Leonard Bernstein and would like to include this upright. It is a Brewster upright, circa 1917, in not very playable condition - jack posts unglued, ivory keytops coming off (yes, I know...the ivory would probably have to go???), a few hammer shanks broken.....the university hasn't wanted me to touch it in the 10+ years I've been there. But they are now in discussions with the Grammy Museum, who really want this piano, as unplayable as it is, to tour the world.
So where do I start finding someone to give us a historical value appraisal?
All suggestions appreciated!
Debbie Cyr, RPT
North Bennet Street School
Brandeis University
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Debbie Cyr
North Bennet Street School
Brandeis University
debbiecyr@me.com
508-202-2862
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