Jenny Lind

[Bill Kibby]

I don't think it is quite that cut and dried, Light-Newton & Bradbury allegedly followed Bradbury's serial numbers for the perios 1851-1860, which would seem to rule out 1850, but this one would suggest about 1841, and the published information is confused, misspelt and contradictory. If you would email me, or press www below, I have a small amount of information about Jenny Lind and pianos. Can you send any photos?

[Bill Kibby]

Somewhere on the net, there was a reference to an 1860 square piano used by Jenny Lind, perhaps a Chickering, but I can't see it at the moment.

[lawaine]

I have a desk that started out as a pianao played by Ms. Lind. Has any one else heard rumors about it. Before that I believe it resideded in South Carolina.

[Bill Kibby]

I have found some bits and pieces of information about Jenny Lind and pianos for Stephanie, but I would be interested to learn more about this "desk". Is it a square piano? Does it have a name? And does "Camnegie" mean Carnegie?

[Bill Kibby]

It is hard to imagine anyone carving up a piano that could be linked to Jenny Lind, and turning it into a desk. Various piano makers claimed to have supplied pianos for Jenny Lind’s concerts at various times, including Boardman & Gray, Chickering, Hildred, Pirrson, Steinway, and perhaps Lighte Newton & Bradburne, judging by this enquiry.

[lawaine]

letter that came with the desk. There is also a reply and a business card.

Mr. Leonidas Westervelt
c/o New York Historical Society
79th Street & Central Park West, New York City

Dear Sir
I have in my possession the remains of the first piano Jenny Lind used in the Old Castle Garden
In the fall of 1918 I purchased from Mr. Dickopf of Dickopf Shop, Red Bank, New Jersey, an old piano which C.W. Bardelli, Bridge and West Front Street, Red Bank, an old Italian cabinet maker, cut 22” from and made me a very handsome desk. At the time of my purchase, Mr. Dickopf told me that the piano had a very interesting history, which he would look up and write me to have framed above my desk. He was somewhat disturbed when he looked up the history after instead of before disposing of the piano.
On account of the association, James H Blaunelt of Blauneltville, NY, a great admirer and personal friend of Jenny Lind, bought the piano when the Castle Garden effects were sold. He willed this same instrument to Kathryn Throckmorton (I think she was his niece) of 117 Norwood Avenue, Long Branch, NJ. She cared nothing for it and sold it after having stored it in her barn some time. Sold it to Mr. Dickopf.
Seeing the article on your exhibit in the June 9th, New York Times I concluded you might be interested in knowing of the disposal of this instrument.
Very Truly yours,
Ruth Cottrill Cable.

PS at the time of the purchase of the piano, I lived at 52 Reckless Place, Red Bank

[Bill Kibby]

What a lovely (if reckless) story! Thanks for sharing it with us. Is there any clue to what the piano looked like before, or who made it? I imagine that since 23 inches were removed, it must have been an upright?

[Bill Kibby]

The name was apparently only used briefly around 1852: Ideally, for best results, you should post this with the other information already on this forum about the firm, rather than under the heading of Jenny Lind.