Barratt and Robinson Baby Grand?

bruceg · Post by **bruceg** » 03 Mar 2008, 03:04

I would like to know what the correct description of our piano is and anything about its history.

The closest description I can come to is a baby grand but it doesn’t have the “wing” shape that I would normally associate with a baby grand. The piano is a Barratt and Robinson with a horizontal frame. The piano is 47 inches from front to back and the back is rounded and perfectly symmetrical. The top is cleverly hinged on both sides such that it can be propped up from either side. I can’t find any identifying marks or numbers on the frame. Can anyone help?

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 03 Mar 2008, 03:23

If the top opens in two halves, hinged at the middle, it is known as a "Butterfly Grand", the position of the tops resembling the wings of that creature. These instruments are usually symmetrical, rather than wing-shaped. Any chance you could email photos to me? If there is a datemark, it would probably take a technician to look for it under the keys. There should be numbers somewhere!

bruceg · Post by **bruceg** » 03 Mar 2008, 03:49

The whole top hinges from either side, rather than in two halves from the middle. I will send a picture as soon as I can get my camera back from my son!

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 03 Mar 2008, 19:32

More of beetle than a butterfly then?

bruceg · Post by **bruceg** » 04 Mar 2008, 08:57

You can see some pictures of the piano with the top opened from either side at

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~bgubbin ... G_7154.JPG
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~bgubbin ... G_7146.JPG
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~bgubbin ... G_7153.JPG

Thanks for your help

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 04 Mar 2008, 11:57

Thanks for the photos, I have not seen this version of the idea before, I think the ones I've come across that open the "wrong" way only open that way.

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