Schoenhut's Miniature Square Grand Piano, c. 1890

Object/Artifact

Alameda Museum & Meyers House and Gardens

Name/Title

Schoenhut's Miniature Square Grand Piano, c. 1890

Entry/Object ID

1981.81.1

Description

Acc. No. 81.81.1 Subject Category: Toys (miniature square grand) Date and period: circa 1890 Object: Toy piano Description: It is a soft wood, stained a deep mahogany color. In the form of a miniature square grand piano with collapsible top and carved music rest. It has fifteen wooden keys. Under the music rack is a gold decal stating Schoenhut's, patented March 25th and October 28th, 1873. It is supported by four hand-carved legs. Size: The closed top is 18" by 10". It stands 13½ inches high. History of Object: This toy piano is over seventy years old (when donated in 1958). It was given to Miss Blanch Blanc and her sister by their parents. This family lived for many years on Alameda Avenue. Acquired from: Miss Blanch Blanc 2158 Alameda Avenue Alameda Date: September 30, 1958

Interpretative Labels

Label

3/15/2020 MvL: current (incorrect) label: MINIATURE PIANO Manufactured by the R. Bliss Co., Pawtucket, RI a leading maker of wooden toys from 1832 to 1935.

Label

5/3/2020 MvL: inside the cabinet was a label - perhaps dropped behind the piano by accident - with the following details: TOY PIANO, MANUFACTURED BY THE SCHOENHUT COMPANY, PATENTED 1873. PRESENTED TO BLANCH BLANC AND HER SISTER BY THEIR PARENTS, EARLY RESIDENTS OF ALAMEDA. DONOR: MS. BLANCH BLANC 1958 81.81.1

Label

5/4/2020 MvL: replaced the incorrect label with this one: TOY PIANO Manufactured by the Schoenhut Piano Company, Founded in 1872 in Philadelphia, by 1912 it was the largest toy maker in the U.S.