Historic Markle Family Steinway & Sons “Model C” Grand Piano

Custom made for the prominent Markle family of New York, this stunning instrument is an irreplaceable piece of American history!

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(not including applicable sales tax & shipping charges)
DEPOSITS: The restoration of this instrument has not been completed. A 30% deposit is required on instruments pending restoration. This deposit holds the instrument and keeps it from being offered to another clients, and it also makes that piano's restoration a priority. Once we complete the restoration, we invite the client to visit our shop to see and hear the piano. If the client is unable to visit our shop, we will send professional photos and videos of the piano for review. The client then has the option of paying the balance and purchasing the piano, transferring their balance to another piano in our shop, or getting a full refund for their deposit. The client is never at risk.
For Sale
SPECIFICATIONS
YEAR: 1884
LENGTH: 7 feet, 2 inches
FINISH: Custom Ivory w/ Neoclassical Style Painted Murals
STATUS: Pending Restoration
DESCRIPTION

This stunning instrument is an irreplaceable piece of American history!
This lovely piano was custom-built by Steinway & Sons’ New York factory for J. Hood Wright, a partner in Drexel, Morgan & Company (now J. P. Morgan). Mr. Wright purchased this custom piano as a wedding gift for his beloved step-daughter, Mary Estelle Robinson when she married Mr. John Markle in Manhattan in 1884. Mary Estelle Robinson Markle and her husband John Markle were among New York society’s most powerful and influential socialites with close personal ties to some of the most important American financiers including John D. Rockefeller and Stephen V. Harkness.
John and Mary Markle shared an interest in helping others and making the world a better place. Today, the MARKLE FOUNDATION is still making a difference in the world we live in. Since its inception in 1927 by John and Mary R. Markle, the Markle Foundation has worked "to promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge among people of the United States, and to promote the general good of mankind."
The piano was subsequently purchased by the famous American actor Jack Palance for his Pensylvania home. The Palance home was a showcase of rare Hollywood memorabilia and historic American treasures, and this piano was one Mr. Palance’s prized possessions. The piano remained a focal point in the Palance home until his death in 2006. It has remained in private ownership ever since.
This piano is full size Steinway “Model C” grand, the second largest model to Steinway’s full concert grand. This instrument was originally purchased as a standard piano in an ordinary black finish, chosen among all other instruments because of its tone quality. The instrument was then sent to Steinway’s art department where it was custom carved and decorated to suit the original owners taste (once a common practice for wealthy buyers). The piano is done in a deep ivory color and is painted with exquisite colorful murals and painted accents; note the prominent letter “M” painted in vines and pink rosebuds to represent the Markle name. This beautiful artwork will be restored and the original antique patina preserved.
The piano will be restored to perfection, inside and out. Even now, prior to restoration, the sound of the piano is quite impressive, an indication of a superior caliber instrument post restoration. Pianos of this caliber with such important historical provenance are rarely offered in today’s market.

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