Tinkle the ivories in time for the festive season

 

Lot 1.  A mahogany cased Steinway and Sons upright 'Vertegrand' (Model K) piano, serial number 238725, circa 1925.  151cm wide, 69cm deep.  Estimate £800 - £1,200.  For auction 14th December.

Steinway and Sons introduced the 'Vertegrand' or Model K upright piano in 1903.  

This is the oldest unchanged upright piano design still in mass production.  Designed by Steinway director Henry Ziegler, the name 'Vertegrand' which is seen displayed along the top of the iron frame reflected the instrument's size relative to Steinway's then current line up of pianos, smaller than the Upright Grand yet larger then the Model V.  

An advert in the New York Tribune of 1910 described the piano as 

 "the embodiment of scientific research and musical progress of the Twentieth Century."