W and M Stodart square no 721

andyana · Post by **andyana** » 17 Jul 2005, 12:51

Hi, I have purchased this Stodart square for restoration after it had a near miss becoming a desk. It has (rather, had) a 5 1/2 octave keyboard and is in mahogany with ebony stringing on 6 turned legs.
My research puts it at about 1815, but perhaps someone can check the serial number.
I would be grateful for any help.
Andrew

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 18 Jul 2005, 06:43

I can offer you a booklet on the Stodarts for eighteen pounds, but the only number I can find immediately is...

Circa 1831 William Stodart & Son grand #8,708 in the Mobbs Collection, Bristol, has a compensation frame.

References to William & Matthew are mainly between about 1790 to 1822.

andyana · Post by **andyana** » 18 Jul 2005, 13:07

Thanks, this style of square could be anywhere from 1805 through to 1820. William and Matthew were 2nd generation Stodarts. The black stringing puts it after 1811.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 18 Jul 2005, 14:04

What style is that? I haven't seen it. There were overlaps between use of various names. most of that is on my files, but nothing precise just from the number. Unfortunately, their main address stayed the same. Are there any others on it, or any other wording?

William's #836 is said to be pre-1814, because of tuning dates, and may be in the same sequence.

William's #4311 in the Smithsonian is said to be around 1820.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 18 Jul 2005, 16:35

When you referred to dates for "this style", did you mean the six legs? My files include squares of this type by various makers from at least 1803 to 1828, so although it is often a good guess to describe them as "Regency", they are not as accurate a guide to date as that. My view of the instrument with tuning dates from 1814 is that it would probably have been new then, so yours would be pre-1814, and if you are sure about the blackwood stringing, after 1811? I.E. Circa 1812-13.

andyana · Post by **andyana** » 18 Jul 2005, 23:34

Thanks Bill. Yes, by style I meant squares with 6 legs. The early ones are more dainty that the late ones. The pianos themselves take up Broadwood's square design after B had abandoned the peacock underdampers, ie they use the 'dolly' (like a row of dancing dolls)or 'clothespeg' dampers, and are mostly standard English double action although some earlier cheap models can have simple Zumpe action and 'Irish' dampers which are cheap and nasty features.
The black stringing is according to Colt a feature which dates from the death of Nelson, the previous stringing being plain holly. I will have to make the missing keyboard and action, not an overly difficult task, unless of course someone has a spare one!! I got this piano for very little so its worth it.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 19 Jul 2005, 09:28

The only thing I can add to that is that Nelson died in 1805, does that put your blackwood stringing earlier?

andyana · Post by **andyana** » 19 Jul 2005, 13:39

you're right, 1806 (Colt, the early piano P.151)
the nameboard reads
" M and W Stodart/Makers to Their Majesties/ and /The Royal Family/Golden Square/London"
Stodarts' shop must have been very close to that of Broadwood in Golden Square. Did Stodart have a royal warrant from the same royals as Broadwood? A Broadwood of the same period would read " makers to His Majesty" (George111)