Cooper & Atherton square piano?

bek · Post by **bek** » 20 Jul 2004, 07:47

I found a piano with intricate mother of pearl inlay front piece with the words "Cooper & Atherton, no. 645, Broadway, New York" in the middle. The piano has mother of pearl keys. It's quite beautiful, but in poor condition, no legs or top. What is it and from when. I am new and ignorant!

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 20 Jul 2004, 09:18

A square piano is shaped like a rectangular table, with the keyboard let into the longer side. Is that what you have? Square pianos had largely ceased to be made by about 1880. The name is not on any published lists I can find so far, and the best approach is local history sources in New York. Mother-of-pearl is the shiny lining found in many shells, it is difficult to imagine covering the whole surface of a piano key with it.

bek · Post by **bek** » 20 Jul 2004, 14:40

Thank you for your very prompt reply. From the pictures I've been able to find on-line, I think it is a square piano. I'm in the process of having it moved to a storage area and then I'll send photographs. The keys do seem to be made of mother of pearl, that is what struck me as beautiful and unusual, but I will take a closer look. Again, thank you!