Hi,
I'm not sure that I'm totally on-board with Karl's numbering...not sure
that I'm not...but, not quite on.
For one thing, while it's certainly demonstrable that S&S was one of the
larger (remaining) piano builders in 1902. I think that I'd be careful
about inflating that to being "...one of the largest manufacturing
concerns on the planet...". By that time, the run-up to WWI was well
underway; and factories all over the world were turning out the weapons
of mass destruction of the day much faster than S&S was turning out
musical instruments.
I'm also not convinced that the "1177" cast into the plate was
necessarily the 1177th copy of a particular form. While I clearly could
be wrong, I am inclined to suspect that "1177" (like the "1098" of model
45...aka..."the 1098") refers to a particular scale.
It's worth mentioning that the "molds" used in plate casting were
pressed into wet sand using wooden forms. The sand dried around the
forms, which were then removed; and the iron was poured in. Several
years ago, a spectacular collection of pictures of the casting process
used by the late Sheldon Smith for a piano of his own design surfaced.
With lots of work from Larry Lobel (Thanks, Larry!) they are now in the
PTG Foundation Archives. The slides are worth some study.
Finally, I don't think that Ralph Pierce had any delusions about the
perfection of his directory. When I knew him, data for the next printed
version was still being entered by hand on 4" x 6" cards; and in ledger
books. What's amazing is that he maintained his interest in this work
to the very end. We all owe him a debt with each look on those pages.
Kind regards.
Horace
On 8/19/2019 6:11 PM, Clark Sprague via Piano Technicians Guild wrote:
> Please do not forward this message due to Auto Login.
>
> I have another picture that hopefully shows the signature a little better.?? Yes, interesting.?? Thanks, Mr. Roeder!?? I will see if I can attach that to this email.
>
> ------------------------------
> Clark Sprague
> Bowling Green OH
> 419-352-2198
> ------------------------------
> -------------------------------------------
> Original Message:
> Sent: 08-19-2019 20:41
> From: Karl Roeder
> Subject: 1901 Steinway
>
> Even Pierce can get a bit confused with 118 year old serial numbers from a time when the New York factory was one of the largest manufacturing concerns on the planet and was operating at or slightly beyond capacity. The item of greater interest might be the signature beside the serial number of the man who fit the keyslip, cheeks and fallboard to the case.
>
> ------------------------------
> Karl Roeder
> Pompano Beach FL
> ------------------------------
>
> Original Message:
> Sent: 08-19-2019 16:23
> From: Clark Sprague
> Subject: 1901 Steinway
>
> Can anyone please tell me the meaning of these numbers cast in the plate of this Steinway grand from 1901??? I forgot my tape measure to say what model it is.?? I'll have to look at it tomorrow, again.
>
> ------------------------------
> Clark Sprague
> Bowling Green OH
> 419-352-2198
> ------------------------------
>
>
> Reply to Sender :
https://my.ptg.org/eGroups/PostReply/?GroupId=43&SenderKey=760e8d08-332f-479f-8c37-a9620a0814ba&MID=708158&MDATE=756%253e45%253d46%253e&UserKey=3feecf45-4a69-4cff-bbb2-fd6c7eaf0569&sKey=KeyRemoved>
> Reply to Discussion :
https://my.ptg.org/eGroups/PostReply/?GroupId=43&MID=708158&MDATE=756%253e45%253d46%253e&UserKey=3feecf45-4a69-4cff-bbb2-fd6c7eaf0569&sKey=KeyRemoved>
>
> To Download the attachment(s) click on the link below:
>
https://my.ptg.org/eGroups/ViewAttachment/?DocumentKey=5bc21834-7314-44ae-a3d6-cd42228cfcd0&MDATE=756%253e45%253d46%253e&UserKey=3feecf45-4a69-4cff-bbb2-fd6c7eaf0569&sKey=KeyRemoved> (if the link doesn't work, copy and paste it into your web browser)
> -------------------------------------------
>
>
> You are subscribed to "Pianotech" as
hgreeley@sonic.net. To change your subscriptions, go to
http://my.ptg.org/preferences?section=Subscriptions&MDATE=756%253e45%253d46%253e&UserKey=3feecf45-4a69-4cff-bbb2-fd6c7eaf0569&sKey=KeyRemoved. To unsubscribe from this community discussion, go to
http://my.ptg.org/HigherLogic/eGroups/Unsubscribe.aspx?UserKey=3feecf45-4a69-4cff-bbb2-fd6c7eaf0569&sKey=KeyRemoved&GroupKey=2bb4ebe8-4dba-4640-ae67-111903beaddf.>
Original Message------
I have another picture that hopefully shows the signature a little better. Yes, interesting. Thanks, Mr. Roeder! I will see if I can attach that to this email.
------------------------------
Clark Sprague
Bowling Green OH
419-352-2198
------------------------------