Steck “Duo-Art” Upright Player Piano
Rare European Model Steck Player Piano
$50,000 After Restoration
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 other 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.
Specifications
Description
This charming little piano is a rare, London-built DUO-ART player piano by George Steck—one of the most prominent and successful piano manufacturers in American history. Founded in New York in 1857, George Steck eventually expanded internationally, operating additional factories in both London, England, and Gotha, Germany.
This particular instrument was built in 1923 at the Steck factory in London for the European market and later imported to the United States by a previous owner. While George Steck pianos built in New York remain relatively common in the U.S., those produced in the London factory are considerably rarer and highly collectible.
Unlike the larger, more ornate American-made models, this London-built player piano reflects a more compact, streamlined aesthetic in the Art Deco style. Inside the lid, you’ll find a beautifully preserved Royal Warrant that reads, “Manufacturers to His Majesty the King and H.R.H. The Prince of Wales.” The Royal Arms of King George V (reigned until 1936) and the Prince of Wales are prominently displayed—symbols of the piano’s exceptional quality and prestigious heritage. A Royal Warrant of Appointment was a formal recognition granted to suppliers of goods or services to the Royal Household, signifying superior craftsmanship and quality.
Another historical detail of note is the original dealer label indicating the piano was sold by “Goddard’s Pianos, Preston & St Annes-on-Sea,” a seaside resort town near Blackpool on England’s northeastern coast. The underside of the foot pedals also displays a series of international patent numbers, granted in the United States, Great Britain, France, Germany, and Austria.
The DUO-ART system was far more than a typical player mechanism—it was a sophisticated reproducing system designed to capture and faithfully recreate every nuance of a live artist’s performance, including dynamics, tempo, and expression. Unlike conventional player pianos that produce a mechanical sound, the DUO-ART makes it feel as though a real pianist is sitting at the keyboard. Due to the complexity and cost of the DUO-ART technology, it was only installed in top-tier instruments like this one.
Crafted from fine mahogany, this piano can be custom-finished in any desired color or tone during restoration. It has been exceptionally well cared for over the decades and remains in impressive condition—even in its current unrestored state, the sound quality is rich and resonant for such a compact instrument.
The piano will undergo a full restoration, both inside and out. Originally operated by pneumatic player mechanisms, the piano will be restored with the state-of-the-art QRS Pianomation system, allowing it to play on its own via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi from any smart device. With access to over 13,000 songs, this piano will blend 1920s craftsmanship with 21st-century technology, creating an unforgettable musical experience.
