Ship's/train piano

[melita_s]

Hello. I live in Australia and I have an unusual piano. The keyboard folds up into the body of the piano. I'm told that it was made for use on ships and trains. It's make is Lestel and it's also stamped A.E. Cooke and Son Ltd Peterborough. Does anyone know anything more about it?
Regards,
Melita

[Bill Kibby]

Technically, there is no such thing as a "Ship's Piano", ships are large enough to have any kind of piano. Small upright pianos with fold-away keyboards are often known as Yacht Pianos, but I have never heard of them being used on trains, although it seems perfectly possible. Could you email some photos to me?

[A440]

Yes, train piano is a new one on me too to add to the collection. I've heard of barge, ship, boat, yacht, portable and folding. I have had a few folding pianos the best being a Cramer Portable which I still have. It's got a beautiful overstrung frame and has a base but is designed to sit on a table. It is only about 2 foot 6 high and sounds incredible for the size. It has been completely reconditioned with new Abel hammers. It's part of my weird piano collection but is for sale to an unusual customer...

[Bill Kibby]

If you look underneath the Cramer portable, you'll probably find a fitting for a pedal, and in order to use that, it needs the proper stand with room for the pedal to go through the "table".