This transposing upright piano was made by Weser Brothers in New York, New York in 1940. According to the inscription on the case, it was made “expressly for Irving Berlin.” The transposing mechanism moves the action and keyboard so that the player can play in any key. Irving Berlin was a self-taught pianist who preferred to play on the black keys.
Weser Bros. Transposing Upright Piano
- Description
- This transposing upright piano was made by Weser Brothers in New York, New York in 1940. According to the inscription on the case, it was made “expressly for Irving Berlin.” The transposing mechanism moves the action and keyboard so that the player can play in any key. Irving Berlin was a self-taught pianist who preferred to play on the black keys. This piano is serial number 117728 and has a compass of AAA-c5, tape-check upright action, felt hammers, single-, double-, and triple-strings, 3 pedals: :soft,” transposing mechanism, and dampers, 1 hand lever under the keybed: keyboard and action shift, one-piece cast-iron frame, cross-strung, and a black lacquer case.
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- user
- Berlin, Irving
- maker
- Weser Bros.
- date made
- 1940
- Credit Line
- Gift of Irving Berlin
- Physical Description
- felt (hammers: material)
- iron (frame material)
- wood (case: material)
- cast (frame production method/technique)
- Measurements
- overall: 45 in x 60 in x 25 in; 114.3 cm x 152.4 cm x 63.5 cm
- Object Name
- piano
