Name/Title
F. & C. Fisher upright piano, c. 1880Entry/Object ID
1982.55.48Description
Acc. No. 82.55.48
Subject Category: Household
Date or period: Circa-1880
Object: Piano
Description: Smaller upright piano, wooden case stained dark to appear as rosewood (possibly ash or birch). Keyboard supported by ornamental legs appearing to be hand carved. Sound board as decorative panel (3), 2 oblong and one round, of scroll sawn wood (in lacy effect) backed by rose colored velvet. Interior cover of keyboard states in gold transfer letters "F. & C. Fischer, for Kohler & Chase, San Francisco". All ivory keys intact. Interior of keyboard cover also has music rest (which is collapsible, due to hinges). Interior of top lid states (in gold stenciled letters) Made by F. & C. Fischer for Kohler & Chase, San Francisco, and serial number-44171.
Size: 47½ inches high, 56 inches-length of top, by 14 inches in width.
History of Object: Piano was purchased second hand by Mrs. Francis McDonell for her daughter Hattie, as a gift to take music lessons on. Hattie attended the Bay Farm Island School, and later graduated from Alameda High School, in 1895. She became a teacher, and took the piano with her to the different school sites that she was assigned to teach at. These sites included Bay Farm Island, Wilson (named changed to Lincoln), Everett, and Mastick Schools (from whence she retired). The McDonells were pioneers of Bay Farm Island, Alameda.
Acquired from: Ms. Roberta McDonell
Date: Sept 25, 1982
