"Crown" brand pianos were manufactured by the famous George P. Bent Piano & Organ Company from about 1890-1949. Crown built high quality, expensive pianos that were exceptionally well made.
This piano is one of Crown's exceedingly rare "Arts & Crafts" or "Mission" models. This piano is made of stunning fumed quarter sawn oak, giving the overall woodwork a deep and rich "tiger stripe" appearance. Note the unusual Mission style pedals and hinges which help accentuate this superb Craftsman style.
This piano has 4 pedals rather than the traditional 2 or 3 pedals. Crown pianos offered a unique "4 pedal" feature which allowed the pianist to mimic sounds of harpsichord, zither, banjo, and mandolin. This mechanism, known as an “Orchestral Attachment” and “Practice Clavier”, was somewhat successful and was sold on many pianos built by The Crown Piano Company. It's a rare treat to get to hear one of these instruments after restoration - the sound is quite beautiful and unexpected with the extra pedals are being used. When the extra pedals aren't engaged, the piano plays like an ordinary piano.
The piano has a hand-crafted oak piano bench which is very heavy and solid. It has an exceptionally deep compartment which will allow for substantial sheet music storage.
Even now, prior to restoration, this piano has a substantial tone quality. After restoration it will rival any top quality new piano money can buy. Computerized player mechanisms can be installed if desired.
Note: As founder of The Antique Piano Shop, I have personally collected Mission / Arts & Crafts style pianos for over 25 years. I have a great passion for anything Mission / Arts & Crafts, including Craftsman homes, furniture, and accessories. If you are a true Arts & Crafts enthusiast, you will appreciate how impossible it is to find true Arts & Crafts / Mission style pianos in today’s market. Nearly three decades of collecting and preserving these “impossible to find” instruments has allowed me the opportunity to present the largest collection of true Mission / Arts & Crafts style instruments anywhere in the world.
We are proud to offer the serious enthusiast the option of adding an authentic period instrument for their Craftsman home.
- Michael Stinnett, Founder, The Antique Piano Shop, Inc.