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Currently for sale in Romania - is this supposed to look good in the eyes of a potential buyer?

And note the flylid is propped on the music desk...

WOW. Do the booze and the balloons convey with the Bluthner? That’s the first time I’ve seen a fly lid propped in that manner.

Looks to be a very cool piano.

Does booze come with piano? 😂

"Stripper not included."

... and they use a plastic document sleeve for the wine glass but nothing under the potted plant (artificial?) nor under the J&B Scotch.

I guess we can't expect the world to know how to present pianos, but it I am sometimes amazed by what I see. The fly lid propped on the music stand is a first, however!

Regards,

I can think of many worse things to put on top of a grand than balloons!

Like a wine glass.

And a flower pot.

And liquor bottles.

And a pack of wet wipes.

And another wine glass with a plastic decanter in it...

🤣

I've never seen a Blüthner lid from that era that wasn't finished with a raised bevel all the way around. I wonder if it's a replacement. (Or are my eyes too feeble to see it?) That's one more thing that makes me suspect that this piano has not had an easy life.

What would be the purpose of that knob on the outside of the rim, just below the coca cola bottle that's lying on its side.

That's probably the original lid. The chamfered edge became standard on the Blüthner (and possibly other makes) a little bit later, and this piano looks like it's from the 1860-1880 period. Also, in the period up until about 1910, Blüthner phased out old designs slowly so you can find a piano that looks like it should be 1880 built in 1900. I'd be interested to see the plate and whether it is fully overstrung or partially overstrung, and whether or not it has the removable capo.

This piano could probably sound quite beautiful. There's a video of Schiff playing a Blüthner from around 1870, and the tone of the piano is exquisite for the music he's playing. Nothing like a modern instrument so there's no point in making the comparison, but it's very interesting.

Some larger grands have that, but it doesn't seem to be as common nowadays. There's a hook and latch on the inside of the rim and lid. So when you close the lid, you can "lock" it shut by turning the knob. I don't know that's regularly used for anything other than moving the piano (and how often does that happen, really?).

Its obviously been partying hard

The balloons are filled with helium, to help make the piano lighter for moving!

Makes sense, I guess they didn't have that clear wrapping plastic that the movers wrap around everything now to hold it together. I've seen a lot of old pianos but never noticed that before.

The ad says that this piano dates from 1876. (So you were right Joseph!) For those interested in antique Bluthners, you might like to see the other two pictures from the ad.





My own Bluthner is from 1878, so just two years later. I'd love to see the insides of this one, but unfortunately no photos are provided. The pretty music desk is the same as mine. Every time I look at the flylid resting on it, I cringe!

I am deeply envious of the brass plaque! All the early Bluthners had them, I think they are wonderful. Unfortunately by 1878 the pianos had to make do with a decal version on the soundboard, showing the prizes won - very pretty, but they just don't have the showiness of these brass plaques.

The lyre is of an older style than mine. The pedals have rather an interesting shape. Incidentally, my piano has the same sort of locking knob.

For those really interested in antique Bluthners, I do intend to post pictures of mine when I get some time.

David-G, I'm eyeing those pedals with some interest; I have never seen that type of pedal on a Blüthner. The pedals on my Blüthner (1877) sport a hideous chrome plating. I'm not sure whether they're the original pedals, inappropriately re-plated, or whether they're some sort of replacements. My piano has the same music desk but a later-style lyre. I've been assured the case is rosewood with a "modernizing" coat of black lacquer applied. The appearance of this piano tempts me to have mine refinished.

My pedals are not like that! And they are not chrome plated. I can easily supply a picture. I will see if I can look out some pictures of other non-black early Bluthners to tempt you!