Pianotech

Greetings Lists,

CalArts has been given a 1917 Steinway model A. Pianist Lily Krause inscribed and signed the string frame (AKA plate).

The strings are all original, so we plan to re-string it. We would like to refinish the string frame while we are at it.

The question is: How to conserve the artist's inscription and signature while refinishing the string frame?

Thanks,

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
------------------------------

A Nordheimer grand piano I was restoring had a decal on the soundboard that was not in the Decals Unlimited catalogue. I photographed it with my iPhone, and used GIMP graphic editing software to painstakingly remove the background manually under high magnification.  It was more involved yet, since I needed to repeat the process for each color in  the decal.  I send the products of this process to Decals Unlimited, and they produced a decal that was a joy to the eyes.  I have not had success with the approach that uses automated processes to remove the background in this kind of project.

This kind of approach could provide you with a decal that was a faithful reproduction of the inscription and signature.  I would imagine that a good color match would be achievable as well.

------------------------------
Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 12:42
From: Alan Eder
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

Greetings Lists,

CalArts has been given a 1917 Steinway model A. Pianist Lily Krause inscribed and signed the string frame (AKA plate).

The strings are all original, so we plan to re-string it. We would like to refinish the string frame while we are at it.

The question is: How to conserve the artist's inscription and signature while refinishing the string frame?

Thanks,

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
------------------------------

Thanks, Floyd. It would be great if a decal would work on the string frame the way it did on the soundboard in your example. I'll look into it!

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 13:41
From: Floyd Gadd
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

A Nordheimer grand piano I was restoring had a decal on the soundboard that was not in the Decals Unlimited catalogue. I photographed it with my iPhone, and used GIMP graphic editing software to painstakingly remove the background manually under high magnification.  It was more involved yet, since I needed to repeat the process for each color in  the decal.  I send the products of this process to Decals Unlimited, and they produced a decal that was a joy to the eyes.  I have not had success with the approach that uses automated processes to remove the background in this kind of project.

This kind of approach could provide you with a decal that was a faithful reproduction of the inscription and signature.  I would imagine that a good color match would be achievable as well.

------------------------------
Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 12:42
From: Alan Eder
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

Greetings Lists,

CalArts has been given a 1917 Steinway model A. Pianist Lily Krause inscribed and signed the string frame (AKA plate).

The strings are all original, so we plan to re-string it. We would like to refinish the string frame while we are at it.

The question is: How to conserve the artist's inscription and signature while refinishing the string frame?

Thanks,

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
------------------------------

Here's a stock Chickering Decal from Decals Unlimited affixed to a string frame from a project several years back.

------------------------------
Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 14:24
From: Alan Eder
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

Thanks, Floyd. It would be great if a decal would work on the string frame the way it did on the soundboard in your example. I'll look into it!

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 13:41
From: Floyd Gadd
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

A Nordheimer grand piano I was restoring had a decal on the soundboard that was not in the Decals Unlimited catalogue. I photographed it with my iPhone, and used GIMP graphic editing software to painstakingly remove the background manually under high magnification.  It was more involved yet, since I needed to repeat the process for each color in  the decal.  I send the products of this process to Decals Unlimited, and they produced a decal that was a joy to the eyes.  I have not had success with the approach that uses automated processes to remove the background in this kind of project.

This kind of approach could provide you with a decal that was a faithful reproduction of the inscription and signature.  I would imagine that a good color match would be achievable as well.

------------------------------
Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 12:42
From: Alan Eder
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

Greetings Lists,

CalArts has been given a 1917 Steinway model A. Pianist Lily Krause inscribed and signed the string frame (AKA plate).

The strings are all original, so we plan to re-string it. We would like to refinish the string frame while we are at it.

The question is: How to conserve the artist's inscription and signature while refinishing the string frame?

Thanks,

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
------------------------------

That's a thing of beauty, Floyd! Thanks for sharing.

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 15:01
From: Floyd Gadd
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

Here's a stock Chickering Decal from Decals Unlimited affixed to a string frame from a project several years back.

------------------------------
Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 14:24
From: Alan Eder
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

Thanks, Floyd. It would be great if a decal would work on the string frame the way it did on the soundboard in your example. I'll look into it!

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 13:41
From: Floyd Gadd
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

A Nordheimer grand piano I was restoring had a decal on the soundboard that was not in the Decals Unlimited catalogue. I photographed it with my iPhone, and used GIMP graphic editing software to painstakingly remove the background manually under high magnification.  It was more involved yet, since I needed to repeat the process for each color in  the decal.  I send the products of this process to Decals Unlimited, and they produced a decal that was a joy to the eyes.  I have not had success with the approach that uses automated processes to remove the background in this kind of project.

This kind of approach could provide you with a decal that was a faithful reproduction of the inscription and signature.  I would imagine that a good color match would be achievable as well.

------------------------------
Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 12:42
From: Alan Eder
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

Greetings Lists,

CalArts has been given a 1917 Steinway model A. Pianist Lily Krause inscribed and signed the string frame (AKA plate).

The strings are all original, so we plan to re-string it. We would like to refinish the string frame while we are at it.

The question is: How to conserve the artist's inscription and signature while refinishing the string frame?

Thanks,

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 1/4/2023 3:04:00 PM
From: Alan Eder
Subject: RE: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

That's a thing of beauty, Floyd! Thanks for sharing.

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 15:01
From: Floyd Gadd
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

Here's a stock Chickering Decal from Decals Unlimited affixed to a string frame from a project several years back.

------------------------------
Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 14:24
From: Alan Eder
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

Thanks, Floyd. It would be great if a decal would work on the string frame the way it did on the soundboard in your example. I'll look into it!

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 13:41
From: Floyd Gadd
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

A Nordheimer grand piano I was restoring had a decal on the soundboard that was not in the Decals Unlimited catalogue. I photographed it with my iPhone, and used GIMP graphic editing software to painstakingly remove the background manually under high magnification.  It was more involved yet, since I needed to repeat the process for each color in  the decal.  I send the products of this process to Decals Unlimited, and they produced a decal that was a joy to the eyes.  I have not had success with the approach that uses automated processes to remove the background in this kind of project.

This kind of approach could provide you with a decal that was a faithful reproduction of the inscription and signature.  I would imagine that a good color match would be achievable as well.

------------------------------
Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 12:42
From: Alan Eder
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

Greetings Lists,

CalArts has been given a 1917 Steinway model A. Pianist Lily Krause inscribed and signed the string frame (AKA plate).

The strings are all original, so we plan to re-string it. We would like to refinish the string frame while we are at it.

The question is: How to conserve the artist's inscription and signature while refinishing the string frame?

Thanks,

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
------------------------------

There is probably a way to preserve the area where the signature is on the plate using certain types of masking materials/tapes that will not pull off the signature . I would pose the question to those working on historical instruments and some museum conservation departments. Someone at Colonial Williamsburg for example. I know the former curator at the Boston Museum of fine arts who was in charge of historical instruments. I had to clean mold off the ivory keys of a 1914 Mason & Hamlin and followed protocols I found on some conservation websites. I continue to find signatures, initials and dates in pianos that are worth preserving. They are part of a pianos life story and provenance

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 15:04
From: Alan Eder
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

That's a thing of beauty, Floyd! Thanks for sharing.

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 15:01
From: Floyd Gadd
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

Here's a stock Chickering Decal from Decals Unlimited affixed to a string frame from a project several years back.

------------------------------
Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 14:24
From: Alan Eder
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

Thanks, Floyd. It would be great if a decal would work on the string frame the way it did on the soundboard in your example. I'll look into it!

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 13:41
From: Floyd Gadd
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

A Nordheimer grand piano I was restoring had a decal on the soundboard that was not in the Decals Unlimited catalogue. I photographed it with my iPhone, and used GIMP graphic editing software to painstakingly remove the background manually under high magnification.  It was more involved yet, since I needed to repeat the process for each color in  the decal.  I send the products of this process to Decals Unlimited, and they produced a decal that was a joy to the eyes.  I have not had success with the approach that uses automated processes to remove the background in this kind of project.

This kind of approach could provide you with a decal that was a faithful reproduction of the inscription and signature.  I would imagine that a good color match would be achievable as well.

------------------------------
Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 12:42
From: Alan Eder
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

Greetings Lists,

CalArts has been given a 1917 Steinway model A. Pianist Lily Krause inscribed and signed the string frame (AKA plate).

The strings are all original, so we plan to re-string it. We would like to refinish the string frame while we are at it.

The question is: How to conserve the artist's inscription and signature while refinishing the string frame?

Thanks,

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
------------------------------

I would second the point James makes to get some restorative advice first.

I have performed conservative restoration on instruments for museums, and the common understanding is that any provenance value the original signature added to this instrument would certainly be comprised by covering it over.

Any time we have undertaken restoration that involved covering unique history, it had to be reversible and it had to be carefully documented. The decals Floyd shows are wonderful, but unfortunately not the same as an original signature, in my experience.

Best

Ian Graham, CFE, CPPA
Piano Technician
Instrument Restoration
www.igraham.ca


Original Message:
Sent: 1/4/2023 11:22:00 PM
From: James Kelly
Subject: RE: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

There is probably a way to preserve the area where the signature is on the plate using certain types of masking materials/tapes that will not pull off the signature . I would pose the question to those working on historical instruments and some museum conservation departments. Someone at Colonial Williamsburg for example. I know the former curator at the Boston Museum of fine arts who was in charge of historical instruments. I had to clean mold off the ivory keys of a 1914 Mason & Hamlin and followed protocols I found on some conservation websites. I continue to find signatures, initials and dates in pianos that are worth preserving. They are part of a pianos life story and provenance

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 15:04
From: Alan Eder
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

That's a thing of beauty, Floyd! Thanks for sharing.

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 15:01
From: Floyd Gadd
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

Here's a stock Chickering Decal from Decals Unlimited affixed to a string frame from a project several years back.

------------------------------
Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 14:24
From: Alan Eder
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

Thanks, Floyd. It would be great if a decal would work on the string frame the way it did on the soundboard in your example. I'll look into it!

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 13:41
From: Floyd Gadd
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

A Nordheimer grand piano I was restoring had a decal on the soundboard that was not in the Decals Unlimited catalogue. I photographed it with my iPhone, and used GIMP graphic editing software to painstakingly remove the background manually under high magnification.  It was more involved yet, since I needed to repeat the process for each color in  the decal.  I send the products of this process to Decals Unlimited, and they produced a decal that was a joy to the eyes.  I have not had success with the approach that uses automated processes to remove the background in this kind of project.

This kind of approach could provide you with a decal that was a faithful reproduction of the inscription and signature.  I would imagine that a good color match would be achievable as well.

------------------------------
Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 12:42
From: Alan Eder
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

Greetings Lists,

CalArts has been given a 1917 Steinway model A. Pianist Lily Krause inscribed and signed the string frame (AKA plate).

The strings are all original, so we plan to re-string it. We would like to refinish the string frame while we are at it.

The question is: How to conserve the artist's inscription and signature while refinishing the string frame?

Thanks,

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
------------------------------

Thanks for your input, Ian. Of course, no replica of someone's handwriting is equivalent knowing that what you are looking at was inscribed by their own hand. It is for this reason that we are considering options including not refinishing the string frame at all (but still possibly doing something to preserve the inscription).

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-05-2023 07:19
From: Ian Graham
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

I would second the point James makes to get some restorative advice first.

I have performed conservative restoration on instruments for museums, and the common understanding is that any provenance value the original signature added to this instrument would certainly be comprised by covering it over.

Any time we have undertaken restoration that involved covering unique history, it had to be reversible and it had to be carefully documented. The decals Floyd shows are wonderful, but unfortunately not the same as an original signature, in my experience.

Best

Ian Graham, CFE, CPPA
Piano Technician
Instrument Restoration
www.igraham.ca


Original Message:
Sent: 1/4/2023 11:22:00 PM
From: James Kelly
Subject: RE: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

There is probably a way to preserve the area where the signature is on the plate using certain types of masking materials/tapes that will not pull off the signature . I would pose the question to those working on historical instruments and some museum conservation departments. Someone at Colonial Williamsburg for example. I know the former curator at the Boston Museum of fine arts who was in charge of historical instruments. I had to clean mold off the ivory keys of a 1914 Mason & Hamlin and followed protocols I found on some conservation websites. I continue to find signatures, initials and dates in pianos that are worth preserving. They are part of a pianos life story and provenance

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 15:04
From: Alan Eder
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

That's a thing of beauty, Floyd! Thanks for sharing.

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 15:01
From: Floyd Gadd
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

Here's a stock Chickering Decal from Decals Unlimited affixed to a string frame from a project several years back.

------------------------------
Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 14:24
From: Alan Eder
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

Thanks, Floyd. It would be great if a decal would work on the string frame the way it did on the soundboard in your example. I'll look into it!

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 13:41
From: Floyd Gadd
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

A Nordheimer grand piano I was restoring had a decal on the soundboard that was not in the Decals Unlimited catalogue. I photographed it with my iPhone, and used GIMP graphic editing software to painstakingly remove the background manually under high magnification.  It was more involved yet, since I needed to repeat the process for each color in  the decal.  I send the products of this process to Decals Unlimited, and they produced a decal that was a joy to the eyes.  I have not had success with the approach that uses automated processes to remove the background in this kind of project.

This kind of approach could provide you with a decal that was a faithful reproduction of the inscription and signature.  I would imagine that a good color match would be achievable as well.

------------------------------
Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 12:42
From: Alan Eder
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

Greetings Lists,

CalArts has been given a 1917 Steinway model A. Pianist Lily Krause inscribed and signed the string frame (AKA plate).

The strings are all original, so we plan to re-string it. We would like to refinish the string frame while we are at it.

The question is: How to conserve the artist's inscription and signature while refinishing the string frame?

Thanks,

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 1/5/2023 7:43:00 AM
From: Alan Eder
Subject: RE: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

Thanks for your input, Ian. Of course, no replica of someone's handwriting is equivalent knowing that what you are looking at was inscribed by their own hand. It is for this reason that we are considering options including not refinishing the string frame at all (but still possibly doing something to preserve the inscription).

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-05-2023 07:19
From: Ian Graham
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

I would second the point James makes to get some restorative advice first.

I have performed conservative restoration on instruments for museums, and the common understanding is that any provenance value the original signature added to this instrument would certainly be comprised by covering it over.

Any time we have undertaken restoration that involved covering unique history, it had to be reversible and it had to be carefully documented. The decals Floyd shows are wonderful, but unfortunately not the same as an original signature, in my experience.

Best

Ian Graham, CFE, CPPA
Piano Technician
Instrument Restoration
www.igraham.ca


Original Message:
Sent: 1/4/2023 11:22:00 PM
From: James Kelly
Subject: RE: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

There is probably a way to preserve the area where the signature is on the plate using certain types of masking materials/tapes that will not pull off the signature . I would pose the question to those working on historical instruments and some museum conservation departments. Someone at Colonial Williamsburg for example. I know the former curator at the Boston Museum of fine arts who was in charge of historical instruments. I had to clean mold off the ivory keys of a 1914 Mason & Hamlin and followed protocols I found on some conservation websites. I continue to find signatures, initials and dates in pianos that are worth preserving. They are part of a pianos life story and provenance

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 15:04
From: Alan Eder
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

That's a thing of beauty, Floyd! Thanks for sharing.

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 15:01
From: Floyd Gadd
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

Here's a stock Chickering Decal from Decals Unlimited affixed to a string frame from a project several years back.

------------------------------
Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 14:24
From: Alan Eder
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

Thanks, Floyd. It would be great if a decal would work on the string frame the way it did on the soundboard in your example. I'll look into it!

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 13:41
From: Floyd Gadd
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

A Nordheimer grand piano I was restoring had a decal on the soundboard that was not in the Decals Unlimited catalogue. I photographed it with my iPhone, and used GIMP graphic editing software to painstakingly remove the background manually under high magnification.  It was more involved yet, since I needed to repeat the process for each color in  the decal.  I send the products of this process to Decals Unlimited, and they produced a decal that was a joy to the eyes.  I have not had success with the approach that uses automated processes to remove the background in this kind of project.

This kind of approach could provide you with a decal that was a faithful reproduction of the inscription and signature.  I would imagine that a good color match would be achievable as well.

------------------------------
Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2023 12:42
From: Alan Eder
Subject: Conserving artist inscription and signature on string frame (plate)

Greetings Lists,

CalArts has been given a 1917 Steinway model A. Pianist Lily Krause inscribed and signed the string frame (AKA plate).

The strings are all original, so we plan to re-string it. We would like to refinish the string frame while we are at it.

The question is: How to conserve the artist's inscription and signature while refinishing the string frame?

Thanks,

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
------------------------------