Year of production: 1900
Serial number: 80771
Action: double repetition
Length: approx. 2.60m
Erard made significant contributions to the development of piano manufacturing and enjoyed its most successful period in the first half of the 19th century. Similar to Broadwood and Bösendorfer, Erard continued to rely on traditional construction methods until the end of the 19th century and did not follow the mainstream of piano manufacturing, which was largely set by Steinway. As a result, instruments from this period have survived to this day that tend to follow the Romantic school and produce unique sounds. This Erard grand piano is labeled "3bis Nouveau modèle, extra-grand de Concert, 7 octaves 1/2 du sol." à l’ut (90 keys), 2m60, Palissandre is not only something very special in terms of its construction. Its provenance is outstanding and should delight every collector and music lover. The grand piano was selected by Francis Planté at Erard for the reigning Queen of Spain (1885-1902, Maria Christina of Austria) and served as a concert instrument in the 'Salon de Musica of the Palacio Real Madrid' – the music salon of the Royal Palace in Madrid. The well-preserved instrument is in need of restoration.
