Pianotech

  • 1.  Steinway....A valuable resource

    Posted 11-10-2017 08:09
    I first came across the LaGuardia Wagner Archives   http://www.laguardiawagnerarchive.lagcc.cuny.edu/COLLECTIONS.aspx?ViwType=1&ColID=4  several years ago  when I was restoring a wonderful late 1920's model 'A' and noticed a familiar pencilled name 'Seeson' on the underside of the board on a rib, I'd seen it before on similar era mostly model  'A' and 'B'  customer pianos  and the common thread was  that they were all  gorgeous instruments, but this was the first time I had speculatively  bought a piano that had his name on it. I contacted the curator  asking if there were any factory archives on (Andrew)  Seeson and yes there was, several  work sheets documenting  his immigration to NYC, his time at the factory, approx  1890 -1938 positions held, wages paid, family history, and eventual retirement as  Foreman and Head of the Bellymaking division at the factory. 
    So next A or B  tuning for a client take a second to look underneath for his name!

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    Martin Snow
    Boston MA
    617-543-1030
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  • 2.  RE: Steinway....A valuable resource

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-13-2017 22:36
    Martin,
    My colleague Tim Dixon RPT collects photos of bellyman signatures from all the pianos he's rebuilt.  Here's two from S&S model B's, S/N 135518 and S/N 185893.  They appear to say Steson, not Seeson.  We're wondering if the handwriting is the same as your Seeson.

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    Michael Spalding RPT
    Fredonia WI
    262-692-3943
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  • 3.  RE: Steinway....A valuable resource

    Posted 11-14-2017 05:54
    Michael, oops yes my typo Andrew Steson...

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    Martin Snow
    Boston MA
    617-543-1030
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  • 4.  RE: Steinway....A valuable resource

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-14-2017 08:15
    Martin,
    and, Ooops! My typo, should be Stesen, not Steson.
    Mike

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    Michael Spalding RPT
    Fredonia WI
    262-692-3943
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  • 5.  RE: Steinway....A valuable resource

    Posted 11-17-2017 12:21
    Here's another signature for you. Off of a Steinway S 288xxx. Haven't looked up the year yet. 
    Now armed with my fully developed software  I have the capability of comparative analysis of rib scales from the same model in my ever growing database.  Safe to say at this point that Mr. Schauffhauser was a little lazy with the hand plan as compared to the other bellymans work I have checked out. 
    Enjoy!
    -chris
    #caveman












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