Here's a mystery. Somebody left part of an upright piano, the heavy part, next to a garbage can in Morningside Park over the weekend. Who thinks "How should we get rid of our old piano? I know, let's take it apart and bring it to a park!"
The piano was made by Behning and Sons. A cursory search doesn't turn up much information about the company. Henry Behning started the business in 1856 and it became Behning and Sons in 1880. After Henry's death the name changed to the Behning Piano Co. I can't find a date. In 1926 the company was sold to Kohler. That would make this piano about a hundred years old, plus or minus a couple of decades.
Zip codes were introduced in 1963, so Hans Deutsch tuned this piano at least forty-five years ago. Mr. Deutsch lived in a handsome four-story townhouse at 38 W. 74th Street, just off Central Park.
I could use the parts for My Behning!
Posted by: PianoVooDoo | 09 July 2010 at 12:36 AM
I'm curious to learn if you've contacted a source of information about your piano. Sadly, I have no info for you; however, we picked up a Behning upright this past weekend at an auction, and have determined that it's dated around 1915. Looks similar to yours. There's a serial number inside on the beautiful brass piece that holds the strings. Life the top and look inside for a number imprinted on the brass. Check online for sites that will ask for that number, and then they can tell you the age of the piano. They also offer appraisals online for $25. Not sure how "credible" any of the sites are, I'm just a novice and in the beginning of my own research as well. Good luck to you!
Posted by: Nancy Woelfer | 19 January 2011 at 05:30 PM