The Sepia Saturday suggestion is a piano with pictures displayed. A piano was often a place to prop up a crop of family photographs for display. Most old photographs of a music room will feature at least one photograph somewhere in it.
This one, of course is not a found photograph. But we did find it in a dark warehouse/junk store, abandoned by its original owner(s). It is a water color sketch of an old upright piano, signed by "English,79". It hangs in our own music room where there is no real piano.
"Your Nephew JR."
Desmond couldn't play a note
but he could pose as if he could.
This is a rare one. It is printed on studio "proof" paper. The paper turns dark when exposed to light. The photographer could sandwich the paper with the negative and then expose it to the sun. No wet chemicals needed. Photographers could use it to make quick contact proofs to show customers. The prints would not last as they continued to darken each time they were exposed to light until finally the whole sheet was dark.
This is a slightly enhanced version.
Can't get enough? Here are a couple more pages about musical instruments:
Music Makers
Trombones
Now, run on back to the Sepia Saturday home page for some more arpeggios and trills.
Go back to THE MAIN INDEX PAGE
There are now more than 4,000 photographs in the Lost Gallery. Or try out the NEW BACK PAGE INDEXThe most popular photographs 
Area 51 and a Half 
Don't take my picture! Oh! You DID didn't you! 
And don't missCabinet Card GalleryOne Man's TreasurePenny TalesSquare AmericaTattered and LostVernacular PhotographyThe bestFOUND PHOTOGRAPHsites on the web. And for postcards try THE DAILY POSTCARD. POSTCARDY
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THE KIDS 
Dee and the Business School 
WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?
I love the watercolor of the upright piano, & the studio "proof" is a lovely old photo, but I'm wondering who the young fellow sitting at the spinet is?
ReplyDeleteThanks La Nightingail. We like the painting too. Unfortunately, there is no identification on that studio proof. I can't decide if it is a man or a woman.
DeleteThat "proof" photo must have been well protected from light for a long time as it looks like it is from the 1900s. Where do you keep it now?
ReplyDeleteThe watercolor could be a trade sketch showing an alternate cabinet style that was a special order.
The woman with the "corner" piano is my favorite. Come to that, I wonder why no one every invented a corner piano. It would fit into more homes.
Thanks Mike Brubaker. I found it between the pages of a book and that's pretty much where I am keeping it. Now that it has been scanned, it will last a little longer. I'm not sure about the reason for the watercolor painting. We thought it might be a class exercise but there is no way of telling unless the artist shows up and identifies it. I have googled for him with no luck. A corner shaped piano. I'll have to think about that one. With today's technology they have become small enough to carry around like a suitcase.
DeleteNice collection. The watercolor is very nice, and I especially like the photos that give a good view of the room interiors.
ReplyDeleteThanks Postcardy. Yes, the interiors give us a clear look at some of the customs and designs of the past.
DeleteDespite the rarity value of the last picture, it’s the woman in profile above, centre, which makes a more appealing picture I think.
ReplyDeleteI’m not sure if you realise that you still have word verification switched on; most of us have ditched it in favour of comment moderation, which works very well and is less tedious for the commenter.
Thanks Little Nell. Yes, that one is well posed showing not only the subject well but the surroundings in her home. And thanks, I switched it off.
DeleteThanks so much for that. Now if only I can work the same charm on a few others :) I my have to crack the admin whip.
DeleteWhat a lovely collection.
ReplyDeleteI have several photos in an album like the proof ones - I'll have to go have another look at them to see if they are indeed 'proofs'.
Thanks Boobook. If they are on "proof" paper I would recommend scanning them to preserve them. Each time they are exposed to strong light, they darken a little.
DeleteSome great photos there! I agree the photo with the woman's profile and long neck is the best one. She is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bel. She is part of a set of photographs apparently intended for promotional purposes. Here is a link to a page called "The Dancer." I added the link to this page too.
DeleteNot seen so many pianos in the same place for a very long time. A great selection, as always.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alan Burnett. Actually I have found more trombones than pianos.
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