Exceptional antique Steinway & Sons Model A grand piano, serial number 47783, dating to 1881. This is an early New York Steinway, retaining its beautiful period character while having undergone an extensive professional restoration.
The original cast-iron plate is clearly marked Steinway & Sons, New York, and the piano is identified in historical service records as Steinway A #47783 (1881), 85-note.
Documentation accompanying the piano shows that a comprehensive restoration was undertaken by The Piano Place / Rand Reeves, Piano Technician, with work including:
Replacement of the pinblock
Bridge recapping
Restoration and refinishing of the soundboard
Rebronzing of the plate
Complete restringing
Damper system restoration
Replacement of hammers
Replacement of shanks and flanges
Replacement of repetitions
Action refelting
Replacement of backchecks
Key rebushing
Action regulation
Tuning and voicing
The surviving paperwork includes an original 1997 restoration invoice totaling approximately $4,968, following an earlier 1991 restoration estimate.
Also included is a 2013 written valuation from PianoWorks, Inc. of Duluth, Georgia, identifying the instrument as Steinway A1 Grand #47783 and stating that, after inspection and consideration of its condition and the piano market at that time, its estimated value was $28,000.
The piano also comes with family provenance documentation indicating that it remained within the same extended family for many years before being passed down by inheritance.
Cosmetically, the piano presents beautifully in a rich dark wood finish with its traditional Steinway & Sons New York / London / Hamburg fallboard lettering. The interior displays the classic gold-colored Steinway cast-iron plate, exposed strings, and historic patent markings.
This is not simply an antique decorative piano; it is a documented 19th-century Steinway grand with a substantial professional restoration history, making it especially appealing to Steinway enthusiasts, musicians, collectors, historic-home owners, or anyone seeking a distinctive period instrument.
Details
Maker: Steinway & Sons
Model: A / A1
Serial Number: 47783
Year: 1881
Keyboard: 85-note
Manufacture: New York
Professionally restored
Extensive original restoration paperwork included
2013 documented appraisal: $28,000
Family provenance documentation included
Because of the age and significance of the instrument, prospective buyers are encouraged to inspect it personally and/or have it evaluated by a qualified piano technician. Any historical appraisal should be regarded as documentation of its value at that time rather than a guarantee of present market value.