For some time now I have been working on the history of Chickering & Sons in Boston but have hit a number of brick walls in the research. Because of Covid much of my plans to do so research on the road has come to an abrupt halt. I am seeking to find the best quality of pictures taken of the factory, workers, Chickering & Sons pianos as well as stories about the construction of the factory in 1853 & 1854 . All of the pictures I have been able to find are quite grainy and faded and in many cases there are only illustration from the Frank Leslie papers . Scientific American has an excellent pen and ink sketch of the original steam engine that powered all of the belt driven machines and provided heat. That engine was built in East Boston by Otis Tufts and it was long gone when the factory was readapted as the Piano Craft Guild in the 1970's. Music Trade Review has some exterior pictures done in the early 1900's as part of an insert edition but they are quite grainy . At some point in the 1880s, stereoviews/stereographs where made in the factory but I have yet to locate a set
I am currently evaluating a Scale 119 Chickering Grand with a Rosewood Case. It could be a monster if it where to be cleaned up , regulated ,pitch raised and fine tuned. I am not sure what its fate ill be however it could be an instrument worthy of work, put on display at the Boston factory and used for concerts, events, lectures. Anyone interested in this piano can PM me
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James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
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