Lot 754

The Milhous Collection

1916 Weber Grandezza Piano with Xylophone

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$40,250 USD | Sold

United States | Boca Raton, Florida

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Gebr. Weber (Waldkirch, Germany)

Containing a xylophone mounted behind a window near the top of the piano, the Grandezza in its day was one of the most popular relatively small instruments from Gebr. Weber. Today it is rarer than the related Weber Unika Violin-Pipe piano. The xylophone and piano can each play solos or can play together, both with excellent expression. This instrument plays Weber Grandezza, Brabo or Otero rolls, which are arranged to sound more like actual individuals playing the instruments rather than mechanically-arranged player piano arrangements. A group of rolls comes with the instrument. Formerly in the collection of Thomas Jansen, this Grandezza was restored by Musikwerkstatt in Monschau, Germany in 1999. It is believed that fewer than 15 examples remain in existence.

The combination of a piano and xylophone was popular, and most manufacturers offered from one to several models. Few played with realistic expression, however, placing the Weber Grandezza in a special class today. 64x74x34 inches.