Knabe

[Bill Kibby]

The number suggests 1887, but being in the UK, I have no idea accurate these dates are, it seems rather late, and very few squares were being made by then.

[PianoGuy]

It could be one of the huge table sized squares produced in the US at that time. Steinway stopped producing squares in 1888, and that particular firm was a great promoter of the upright. 15 years earlier it was estimated that 90% of US piano production was squares. European makers had embraced the upright by this time, and square production had ceased.

Knabe was almost certainly less progressive than Steinway, so their square production probably continued for longer. Late US squares were very big and bulky, with iron frames and all manner of modern construction methods. I think Chickering's first full cast iron frame was designed for a square.

The refusal of the American piano buying public to fall out of love with the square piano probably resulted in the 'spinet' design of upright, the low, squat cases of which resemble some aspects of a square.

Your date of 1887 could well be accurate, Mr.K!

What are the dimensions of your Knabe Square, deshouint? Is it one of These Leviathans??!

PG