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Square Piano by Longman and Broderip, London c.1782
Recently restored in our workshops, an early square piano by Longman and Broderip. This instrument has 5 octaves less one note (FF,GG-f³), with a single action and overhead (lever) dampers. There are three levers, operating a split sustain and a lute stop.
The case is in Mahogany with a white⁄green⁄white inlay line, the lid also having a black & white chevron inlay between green lines. The chevron inlay is repeated around the keywell, the nameboard also having marquetry swags and the maker's name written in ink. The green in the inlay in the case and nameboard is stronger than is shown in these images, remarkable more than 200 years after this piano was made.
The instrument rests on a trestle stand and the green silk covered dust cover is present.
Case dimensions: 58 15⁄16 × 20 9⁄16 × 7 5⁄16″ (exc. lid).
Nameboard inscription reads: "Longman and Broderip Musical Instrument Makers ⁄ N° 26 Cheapside and N° 13 Haymarket London".
This instrument is tuned to A=415.
This instrument was sold in 2010.