Although this is not exactly a mechanical music item.  I have recently
acquired a 5-foot grand piano with the manufacturer DAGMAR on the fall
board, the piano seems to be of reasonable quality.  It has a full iron
frame and is in a mahogany case.  The legs are the typical ornate style
of the turn of the last century.  The top being a scroll design, then
an area of turned wood, then a tapering octagonal section, finally
another turned section with a plain caster which is manufactured by a
Dresden, German firm.

I can find no serial number on the frame or in fact anywhere but it
seems to date just before 1900 or just after.  Any information on this
manufacturer would be welcome.  I have already consulted Pierces Piano
Atlas and a European Piano Atlas.

I purchased the piano to use with a Welte Mignon Vorsetzer that I am
presently rebuilding.  They make a perfect pair as my Vorsetser dates
from the early 1900's.  Although I would have liked a Steinway Concert
Grand, well funds and space will not run to that.  My lounge has 5
pianos in it at the moment and well even my cat feels their is at least
one if not two to many, but I am a sucker for them and if one comes up
for sale and it fits the bill in what I collect well I usually acquire
it !

Just also to mention I have recently uploaded my own website, which has
a lot of information on all aspects of mechanical music.  Especially
information on Welte Mignon instruments and also pages on how
instruments where used, i.e., putting them in a social context.  I feel
quite often we collectors look at the instrument but we don't realise
what an impact they had and what wonders they were.  Do check out the
orchestrions and the Mechanical music in the home.  I discovered a lot
about instruments in my own area of England at the turn of the century
while I was researching information for the site, including a very
large Welte orchestrion and a large model 3 or 4 Hupfeld Helios.

My site is www.playerpiano.co.uk  Please feel free to link to it or if
you would like me to add your site to my link page just e mail.  If you
see some mistakes please let me know!

Jonathan Holmes
http://www.playerpiano.co.uk/