Damp piano restoration challenge

[LeMartinPecheur]

I'm not thinking of bidding, but can anyone offer an opinion on whether it's worth doing? Did (does) this manufacturer have any real reputation? http://www.wiltsglosstandard.co.uk/n..._in_Cotswolds/

Just because something's very rare doesn't mean it has to be preserved I guess

[ardcarp]

'I'm just off to practise on my old Betsy' could be embarrassing......

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

My instincts are not to bother.

If the manufacturer lasted only 19 years, one might ask why, but if the other hype is true, this might not be an issue.
The damp, however, is likely to be serious.

[french frank]

Looking at the condition, it may be a case that the restored piano would be a bit like my grandfather's axe.

[gradus]

Fascinating opportunity, I guess it mostly depends on whether you have a five figure sum burning a hole in your pocket.

[oddoneout]

Fascinating opportunity, I guess it mostly depends on whether you have a five figure sum burning a hole in your pocket.

And whether you share the same characteristics as the person for whom it was custom-made in the first place?

[visualnickmos]

The thought struck me that there may not actually be anyone (or company, etc) that would be prepared to take on the job, either through it not being their 'thing', or by knowing they can only at best, restore it to a certain level, and that a full restoration to its former grandeur being impossible to achieve. Just a thought...

[Bryn]

I suppose someone with deep pockets might just buy it as a template for a newly built instrument. Can there be any part of it not damaged beyond utility by the damp?

[oddoneout]

I suppose someone with deep pockets might just buy it as a template for a newly built instrument. Can there be any part of it not damaged beyond utility by the damp?

Or do just enough to make it simply a decorative - rather than functional - object in those 'more money than sense or taste' billionaires' residences.

[vinteuil]

.

... in which we learn of the Betsy pianos (constructed between 1852-1871) -

"Both Beethoven and Bach played on similar pianos" and "The piano owned by the Hart Family Estate was first sold to one of Beethoven’s students, who played on it until his death. It is very possible Beethoven himself played on that particular piano when giving him lessons."

http://www.emerichbetsy.com/

.

[LeMartinPecheur]

I suppose someone with deep pockets might just buy it as a template for a newly built instrument. Can there be any part of it not damaged beyond utility by the damp?

Interesting thought Bryn, which brings me back to my original (implied?) question as to whether Emerich Betsy pianos have enough reputation or historical interest to be worth saving, or making modern-day copies of. Anybody know?

My Grove doesn't give them an alphabetical listing, which may be sufficient indication

[LeMartinPecheur]

.

... in which we learn of the Betsy pianos (constructed between 1852-1871) -

"Both Beethoven and Bach played on similar pianos" and "The piano owned by the Hart Family Estate was first sold to one of Beethoven’s students, who played on it until his death. It is very possible Beethoven himself played on that particular piano when giving him lessons."

http://www.emerichbetsy.com/

.

Seems something of a leap of faith or time travel from pianos built 1852-71 to pianos LvB actually played on.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Seems something of a leap of faith or time travel from pianos built 1852-71 to pianos LvB actually played on.

- yes, the wide range of that "Beethoven and Bach played on similar pianos" suggests a generous compass of "similarity"! (Certainly the Betsy piano was "more similar" to what Beethoven and Bach played than a set of bagpipes.)

[vinteuil]

.

... as Rosamond Harding's important work [1933] on the history of the piano stops at the Great Exhibition of 1851, not surprisingly there is no mention of Betsy...

My other sources here are equally unhelpful...
.

[ardcarp]

Not a Betsy in sight here either:

https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/vien/hd_vien.htm