Sometimes we just need a smile or a good laugh. I'm feeling that way recently.
And I'm recently thinking about repurposing, because at this age and stage I have decided to downsize my personal belongings. It occurred to me that it is time to find a new home for my high school piano, a sweet little Baldwin Acrosonic spinet pictured here.
A few friends were not that hopeful for me to secure a substantial or even adequate sale price and I've heard of pianos that need to be given away. Thus, I was solaced and intrigued to find a creative writer who set forth 17 ideas for repurposing a piano including the fountain pictured at the outset. So intrigued that I visited her blog on inventive bathroom gadgets including the one pictured left.
Although I have no intention to turn her into a flower vase, it gives me solace that my spinet named "Ms. Bellamy" may yet find a useful and happy musical if not gardening purpose that pleases others, which is my real goal.
Mid-2020 upon retirement I re-started taking piano lessons on her, and consequently Ms. Bellamy became my gateway to an abiding love of music and to my eventual purchase of a 1927 Steinway Model M. The spinet is a fine little piano which in the 1950s was called "the largest selling brand name and model of all time." (see, https://www.bluebookofpianos.com/acrosonic-sampler.html). One piano dealer says that this particular piano is sought after by collectors and musicians alike because of its “high quality and optimal operation”.
If you know anyone in the Bay Area of California who might be interested, I include a brief summary of my spinet below, and will send an informative detailed flyer and illustrative photos to that person if you would kindly refer them to me (email: anngrogan.romantasy@gmailcom or text/VM to 415 587-3863).
In sum, the piano has a sweet, bright tone and light-side touch. She is more than suitable for a child or adult starting piano lessons or anyone not in the financial market for a new upright or grand Steinway or the like, but in serious piano love as I am.
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One family-owned piano purchased new a year or so after manufacturer in 1953. Played for five years then not again until 2020 and thence for weekly lessons for 1.5 yrs only.
Always lived in the temperate Bay Area climate, kept regularly polished and out of sunlight, thus with an attractive cabinet and matching bench, seat pad and satin cover.
Touch is light and tone is clear and bright.
Pristine keys with age-appropriate yellowing, two minor scratches on the right lid and a few scuffs and scratches on the bench, disguised with Old English wood scratch cover.
Last tuned in 2019 with one or two strings unable to be tightened - a do-able repair if perfection is desired, but there is no noticeable pitch distortion or dissonance after tuning.
All keys are pristine and play beautifully.
Purchaser responsible for moving professionally (in Bay Area can run appx $500) and re-tuning costs (can run appx $250).
Housed in temperate mid-San Francisco with least amount of city fog or moisture.
Asking price $1500 incl. bench, bench covers, and portable score extender (pictured below) for longer xeroxed scores (equivalent pianos priced around $1550 without bench).
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