This rare Steinway 6’11” Grand Piano is now available for purchase on the private market. The ornate Louis XV art case was carefully crafted in 1911 of fine walnut in the New York studio of Joseph Burr Tiffany (Serial # 148362) during his reign as Director of the Steinway Art Case department from 1887-1912. A member of the famous Tiffany family of creative artists, Joseph specialized in exquisite woodworking and interior design for famous New York City mansions of the time. He was a cousin of Louis Comfort Tiffany (famous for lamps and stained glass) and a nephew of Charles Lewis Tiffany, founder of the Tiffany and Co. jewelry empire. Joseph Burr Tiffany's most famous creation was Steinway #100,000 which was presented to President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903 for the White House and now resides in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution. Tiffany designed and built many priceless art-case Steinways for the world's wealthiest families.
This rare Model B vintage piano, affectionately known as "The Louie," was constructed in 1911 during the "Golden Age" of Steinway. An example of the Louis XV quintessential style, it is stunning with beautifully carved legs and scrolled woodworking detail throughout. The piano was restored as a concert-level instrument by master piano craftsman Jeff Turner, founder of Craftsman Piano Service in Phoenix, Arizona and Rapid City, South Dakota. Turner purchased the piano in 1997 from the estate of the original owner's family and lovingly restored it over several years. It has retained its original ivory keys with their beautiful natural feel as opposed to modern acrylic. “Louie” has been "In the Spotlight" - on display in museums and used for special performances, most famously at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial amphitheater in South Dakota, the Paderewski Museum in California, and various public and private concert venues. Russian piano virtuoso Valentina Lisitsa performed all of the Chopin etudes on the restored instrument, and enthusiastically declared it to be a superb concert-level instrument.
The restoration included installation of new bridges, pin block, soundboard, re-stringing, new Renner action, case refinishing but retention of the original ivory key tops and ebony flats. A true work of art to behold and to hear, it has the perfect sound acoustics and responsive touch of a legendary Steinway making it a true world-class instrument.
Purchase of the piano includes a tufted bench in Louis XV style. If “Louie” remains in the Phoenix area, local delivery, first tuning and a private concert in its new home will be included in the purchase price.