Modeska piano highboy secretary desk by Janssen
Has anyone out there in MMD-land come across, seen, or even heard of
the Janssen "Modeska" piano? An associate of mine just purchased one.
The name "B.H. Janssen" is cast into the plate (it's not a "stencil"
make).
The Modeska was a small upright piano of either 58 or 61 notes (both
were made) housed in a secretary style case with a pull-out desk area
and numerous drawers and cubbyholes for presumably writing-desk-type
objects. I believe they were only made for a brief period of time in
the late nineteen-twenties. Some are apparently of the "highboy"
variety, having a tall unit with shelves above the piano itself --
either with solid wood or glass doors.
They were also made with a player of some type -- the late Randolph
Herr had advertised one for sale in the AMICA bulletin a number of
years ago with what he thought was a Recordo player. I have also heard
of one with a Welte.
Janssen is considered a lesser quality maker, by and large, but I have
to say, the construction and sound of this diminutive piano is rather
impressive. It even has genuine ivory keys.
I'm wondering just how many were manufactured, and how many of those
had a player. In nearly a half century in the industry, I had never
come across one. I would truly enjoy just having a picture or two of
a Modeska with a player.
Tom Ahearn
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